area, or “clearing,” all Braddock’s force was now assembled, amounting, regulars, provincials, and sailors, to about twenty-two hundred men.  The two regiments, Halket’s and Dunbar’s, had been completed by enlistment in Virginia to seven hundred men each.  Of Virginians there were nine companies of fifty men, who found no favor in the eyes of Braddock or his officers.  To Ensign Allen of Halket’s regiment was assigned the duty of “making them as much like soldiers as possible."[207]—­that is, of drilling them like regulars.  The General had little hope of them, and informed Sir Thomas Robinson that “their slothful and languid disposition renders them very unfit for military service,”—­a point on which he lived to change his mind.  Thirty sailors, whom Commodore Keppel had lent him, were more to his liking, and were in fact of value in many ways.  He had now about six hundred baggage-horses, besides those of the artillery, all weakening daily on their diet of leaves; for no grass was to be found.  There was great show of discipline, and little real order.  Braddock’s executive capacity seems to have been moderate, and his dogged, imperious temper, rasped by disappointments, was in constant irritation.  “He looks upon the country, I believe,” writes Washington, “as void of honor or honesty.  We have frequent disputes on this head, which are maintained with warmth on both sides, especially on his, as he is incapable of arguing without it, or giving up any point he asserts, be it ever so incompatible with reason or common sense."[208] Braddock’s secretary, the younger Shirley, writing to his friend Governor Morris, spoke thus irreverently of his chief:  “As the King said of a neighboring governor of yours [Sharpe], when proposed for the command of the American forces about a twelvemonth ago, and recommended as a very honest man, though not remarkably able, ’a little more ability and a little less honesty upon the present occasion might serve our turn better.’  It is a joke to suppose that secondary officers can make amends for the defects of the first; the mainspring must be the mover.  As to the others, I don’t think we have much to boast; some are insolent and ignorant, others capable, but rather aiming at showing their own abilities than making a proper use of them.  I have a very great love for my friend Orme, and think it uncommonly fortunate for our leader that he is under the influence of so honest and capable a man; but I wish for the sake of the public he had some more experience of business, particularly in America.  I am greatly disgusted at seeing an expedition (as it is called), so ill-concerted originally in England, so improperly conducted since in America."[209]

[Footnote 207:  Orme, Journal.]

[Footnote 208:  Writings of Washington, II. 77.]

[Footnote 209:  Shirley the younger to Morris, 23 May, 1755, in Colonial Records of Pa., VI. 404.]