Book Review of Braddock’s March, written by Thomas E. Crocker, Westholme Publishing
Braddock’s March – the little known story of, to that time, the largest British force sent to America (6,000 men), and their ill-fated attempt to attack a French Fort during the French and Indian wars.
It features a young Lt. who had recently surrendered a fort to the French and joined the Braddock expedition to take a large French fort – his name was George Washington. (It was in this battle that Washington redeemed himself, had two horses shot from beneath him and had four bullet holes in his clothes,)
It also peripherally includes a young Kentucky wagon-driver named Daniel Boone (who fled the massacre), and a postmaster who arranged food and stores for the expedition, named Ben Franklin.
In 1755, we were a young and small nation, but this historical period is when we grew up.
Washington was, despite his military exploits then and more importantly later, the richest man in America. He did not need to fight for his country…although in this particular period he was with the Virginia Militia, in support of the British and had just inherited Mount Vernon.
When attacked by the Indians in ambush, Braddock refused Lt. Washington’s recommendation that the British break ranks from the column march, and “fight like Indians” but Braddock denied the request, was subsequently killed, and Washington led his remaining troops in a rear-guard retreat.
This is well-researched and well-told tale of a little known action that led to many events in our nation’s subsequent history, including “the Outrages” during which the Indians enslaved or brutally killed 1,000 to 1,500 frontier families shorn of British protection by the loss of Braddock’s Army.
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