October 31st
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ON THIS DAY IN 1753
DEPARTS FOR THE WILDERNESSOHIO VALLEY
“One of them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not 15 steps off, but fortunately missed.”
THE DIARIES OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
THE WILDERNESS
1753*
23-27 DECEMBER
Our Horses were now so weak and feeble, and the Baggage so heavy (as we were obliged to provide all the Necessaries which the Journey would require) that we doubted much their performing it; therefore myself and others (except the Drivers, who were obliged to ride) gave up our Horses for Packs, to assist along with the Baggage. I put myself in an Indian walking Dress,** and continued with them three Days, till I found there was no Probability of their getting home in any reasonable Time. The Horses grew less able to travel every Day; the Cold increased very fast; and the Roads were becoming much worse by a deep Snow, continually freezing: Therefore as I was uneasy to get back, to make Report of my Proceedings to his Honour, the Governor, I determined to prosecute my Journey the nearest Way through the Woods, on Foot.
Accordingly I left Mr. Vanbraam in Charge of our Baggage: with Money and Directions to Provide Necessaries from Place to Place for themselves and Horses, and to make the most convenient Dispatch in Travelling.
I took my necessary Papers; pulled off my Cloaths; and tied myself up in a Match Coat. Then with Gun in Hand and Pack at my Back, in which were my Papers and Provisions, I set-out with Mr. Gist, fitted in the same Manner, on Wednesday the 26th.
The Day following, just after we had passed a Place called the Murdering-Town (where we intended to quit the Path, and steer across the Country for Shanmapins Town) we fell in with a Party of French Indians, who had lain in Wait for us. One of them fired at Mr. Gist or me, not 15 steps off, but fortunately missed. We took this fellow into Custody, and kept him till about 9 o’clock at Night; Then let him go, and walked all the remaining Part of the Night without making any Stop; that we might get the start, so far, as to be out of the Reach of their Pursuit the next Day, since we were well assured they would follow our Tract as soon as it was light.***
* George Washington (21 years old), a major in the Colonial militia, was sent by Lord Holdernesse to lodge complaint against the French for building fortresses on British claimed land; he was returning from this mission.
** “Hip-length leggins of skins and a sort of knee-length coat, belted at the waist, after the style of what became known as the ‘hunting shirt’ during the Revolutionary War.”
*** continues next entry
— Fitzpatrick, et al., DGW
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