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256 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
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Letter Bk. II.
p.113
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[Sharpe to Robinson.]
Bladensburg. luly 23d [1755]
Rt Honourable
I am Sorry to have such an Occasion to write but as we have
a Ship just about to depart I embrace the Opportunity to
acquaint you that I have this Instant received a Letter from
Capt Orme (who is at Fort Cumberland ill of his wounds) in
which he gives me a brief Account of the unfortunate Engage-
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p. 114
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ment between the Troops commanded by General Braddock
& the French from Fort Du Quesne on the Ninth Inst. In the
morning of that Day the General passed the Monongahela
twice the last time at about 7 miles from the French Fort; a
Party of 300 men having passed the River advanced towards
the Fort & was immediately followed by another of 200, the
General with the Column of Artillery Baggage & the main
Body of the Army got over about One o Clock when they
heard a very heavy & quick Fire in the Front, the General
with the main Body immediately advanced in Order to sustain
them but the Advanced Detachments giving way & falling
back on the main Body caused great Confusion & struck the
Men with such a Pannick that afterwards no Military Expedient
which could be used had any Effect they were deaf to the
Exhortations of the General & the Officers who advancing
sometimes in Bodies & sometimes seperately were sacrificed
by the Soldiers declining to follow them. The General had
five Horses shot under him before he received a wound thro
his right arm into his Lungs of which he died the fourth Day
after. Sr Peter Halkett & the General's Secretary were killed
on the Spot. Sr Iohn St Clair is wounded but there is room
to hope he will recover. The inclosed is a particular Account
of the Officers that fell & of those that survived the Action,
the Number of private Centinels killed & wounded is about
600. At the Little Meadows (which lye about 25 Miles west-
ward from Fort Cumberland) The General finding it im-
practicable for all the Troops to advance farther together
selected 1200 of the best & proceeded with the necessary
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p. 115
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Artillery Ammunition & Provision leaving the main Body of
the Convoy under the Command of Colonel Dunbar who had
Orders to join him as soon as possible. I collect from some
former Letters which I received from the Camp that the
General had only four Howitzers four 12 Lbs & 14 Cohorns
with him from the Train which with the Ammunition Baggage
& Provision are fallen into the hands of the Enemy. When
Colo Dunbar (who I have reason to apprehend was about 40
miles behind the General was apprized of this fatal Accident
finding the Troops extremely reduced & weakened by this
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