to his servants, and what he promises, you may depend
upon, he will perform."—Then they wished us good
success. We waited till almost noon for the writing of
the general. We were escorted by an hundred men,
rank and file, commanded by captain Haselet;[1] we passed
through a tract of good land, about six miles on the old
trading path, and came to the creek again, where there
is a large fine bottom, well timbered; from thence we
came upon a hill, to an advanced breast work, about
ten miles from the camp, well situated for strength,
facing a small branch of the aforesaid creek; the hill
is steep down, perpendicular about twenty feet, on the
south side; which is a great defence; and on the west
side the breast-work about seven feet high, where we
encamped that night:[2] our Indian companions heard
that we were to part in the morning, and that twelve men
were to be sent with us, and the others, part of the company,
to go towards fort Duquesne. Our Indians desired
that the captain would send twenty men, instead of
twelve; that if any accident should happen, they could be
more able to defend themselves in returning back; "for
we know, say they, the enemy will follow the smallest
party." It began to rain. Within five miles from the
breast-work we departed from captain Haselet; he kept
the old trading path to the Ohio. Lieutenant Hays[3]
————
- ↑ Captain John Haslett was an officer of the Pennsylvania provincial troops, of which there was in Forbes's army, a contingent of two thousand and seven hundred. Probably this was the same officer who commanded Delaware troops in the Revolution, and after conspicuous bravery at Long Island was killed in the battle of Princeton.—Ed.
- ↑ The camping-place for this night, at the advanced breast-work, is identified as on the Nine Mile Run, in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, being still locally known as "Breast-work Hill."—Ed.
- ↑ Lieutenant William Hays, who was later killed on his return from escorting Post, belonged to the Royal Americans, having been commissioned December 11, 1756.—Ed.
