and perplexities, the crying need for his bravery and resolution, seemed in a measure to keep him alive.
No one can study this campaign without yearning to know more of the impetuous soul which threw its last grain of strength into making it a triumphant success. The Indians called Forbes "The Head of Iron"—and no words can better describe the man. Giving all praise possible to Bouquet for his sturdy and active service throughout the summer, it is still plain that the dying Forbes was the magnetic influence that made others strong. Those were dark days at Raystown when at last the pale general arrived upon the ground; "had not the General come up," wrote an officer on the spot, "the Consequence wou'd have been dangerous."[1] Bouquet was an invaluable man but the "Head of Iron" in command was needed.
The remainder of the campaign has been often told and in detail. Washington and his Virginians came northward over the newly-cut road to Fort Bedford at Rays-
- ↑ Armstrong to Richard Peters. Pennsylvania Archives, vol. iii, p. 552.
