ck's
ignorance of Indian warfare.

"Let me reconnoitre in advance with the three companies of Virginia
marksmen," he proposed. "We understand the tactics of the savages, and
can fight them in their own way."

"Allow me to suggest, young man, that the savages will be of little
account before my regulars," was Braddock's haughty answer, evidently
thinking that his youthful aid-de-camp was too officious.

"The best disciplined troops are not competent to fight Indians in the
Indian way if they have had no experience with savages," persisted
Washington. "The order of battle and the usual rules and tactics of war
are of no account here."

"That may be your opinion and experience," replied the general, "but you
have not had the king's efficient troops here before. That makes all the
difference in the world."

"Nevertheless," added Washington, "defeat awaits us unless we are
prepared to meet Indians with their own tactics."

Before the army took up its line of march from Alexandria, Washington
advised General Braddock not to wait for any wagons to be provided.
Braddock had been disappointed in getting a supply of these; and when
Dr. Franklin visited him, he bargained with him to purchase in
Pennsylvania, and forward at once, a sufficient number of them, with
four horses to each wagon.

"Army wagons will be a burden to us instead of a help, much of the way,"
said Washington. "The road is narrow and rough, and pack-horses will
prove better than wagons."

But these suggestions were unheeded by the haughty British officer, who
insisted that his army should be provided for and move in the wilds of
America as in the cultivated countries of Europe. He had too much
official pride to allow himself to be instructed by a stripling in
Virginia.

General Braddock possessed a high temper, and he was excessively fond of
intoxicating drinks. With too much temper and too much drink to carry,
he often became an overbearing officer. Washington wrote as follows to
Mr. Fairfax at one time:

"The general, by frequent breaches of contract, has lost all patience,
and for want of that temperance and moderation which should be used by a
man of sense upon these occasions, will, I fear, represent us in a light
we little deserve; for, instead of blaming individuals, as he ought, he
charges all his disappointments to public supineness, and looks upon the
country, I believe, as void of honor and honesty. We have frequent
disputes on this head,