exercise with the same dexterity and
regularity as a regiment of guards in Hyde Park, little knowing,
or indeed being able to form any idea of the difference between the
European manner of fighting, and an American expedition through woods,
deserts, and morasses. Before he left England, he received, in the
hand-writing of colonel Napier, a set of instructions from the duke of
Cumberland. By these, the attempt upon Niagara was in a great measure
referred to him, and the reduction of Crown Point was to be left chiefly
to the provincial forces. But above all, his royal highness, both
verbally and in this writing, frequently cautioned him carefully to
beware of an ambush or surprise. Instead of regarding this salutary
caution, his conceit of his own abilities made him disdain to ask the
opinion of any under his command; and the Indians, who would have been
his safest guards against this danger in particular, were so disgusted
by the haughtiness of his behaviour, that most of them forsook his
banners. Under these disadvantages he began his march from Fort
Cumberland on the tenth of June, at the head of about two thousand two
hundred men, for the meadows, where colonel Washington was defeated the
year before. Upon his arrival there, he was informed that the French at
Fort du Quesne, which had lately been built on the same river, near
its confluence with the Monangahela, expected a reinforcement of five
hundred regular troops: therefore, that he might march with a greater
despatch, he left colonel Dunbar with eight hundred men, to bring up
the provisions, stores, and heavy baggage, as fast as the nature of the
service would permit; and with the other twelve hundred, together with
ten pieces of cannon, and the necessary ammunition, and provisions,
he marched on with so much expedition, that he seldom took any time
to reconnoitre the woods or thickets he was to pass through; as if the
nearer he approached the enemy, the farther he was removed from danger.

On the eighth of July, he encamped within ten miles of Fort du Quesne.
Though colonel Dunbar was then near forty miles behind him, and his
officers, particularly sir Peter Halket, earnestly entreated him to
proceed with caution, and to employ the friendly Indians who were with
him, by way of advanced guard, in case of ambuscades; yet he resumed
his march the next day, without so much as endeavouring to obtain any
intelligence of the situation or disposition of the enemy, or eve