June 10^{th}: the last Division of His Majesty's Forces March'd from _Wills Creek_ with General Braddock, when the General Arrived at the little Meadows 22 Miles from the _Creek_, and having all his Forces w^{th}. him, found that the Carriages, Pack horses &c^a. he had with him, retardid his Marches greatly, insomuch that in all probability, the French would be renforced, before he could possibly get there, provided he kept the whole Army together--he therefore selected 1200 of the Choicest Men besides Artillery & Seamen with the most Necessary Stores that might be wanted, which compleated 51 Carriages, and left the heavy Baggage Provisions &c^a. with Col^o. Dunbar and the rest of the Forces w^{th}. Orders to follow as fast as possible: then March'd & continued untill 8^{th}. July without Interruption save 8 or 9 Scalps on the March a Number much inferior to the Expectations, he Encamp'd within 8 Miles of _Fort Dec Quisne_ where he held a Councill of War, when it was unaimously agreed that they should pass the _Monongohela_ River in the Morning twice and that the advanced Party should March at 2 o'Clock in the Morning to secure that pass (the River being very broad and easily defended as the Fort was very near they thought it advisable to take that oppertunity, that the Enemy might not have a View of them, Therefore the General order'd that the Army should March over with fixt Bayonets to make a show. On the 9^{th}. July the advanced party of 400 Men March'd about 7. o'Clock some Indians Rush'd out of the Bushes, but did no Execution, the Party went on & secured both passes of the River, and at 11 the Main Body began to cross with Colours flying, Drums beating, & Fifes playing the Granadier's March, and soon formed, when they thought that the French would not Attack them, as they might have done it w^{th}. such advantages in crossing the _Monogohela_, The advanced party was 1/4 Mile before the Main Body, the Rear of which was just over the River, when the Front was attacked The 2. Granadier Comp^{ys}. formed the Flank The Piquets with the rest of the Men were Sustaining the Carpenters while they were cutting the Roads. The first Fire the Enemy gave was in Front, & they likewise gaul'd the Piquets in Flank, so that in few Minutes the Granadiers were nearly cut to pieces and drove into the greatest Confusion as was Cap^t. Polsons Comp^y. of Carpent^{rs}. As soon as the Main Body heard that the Front was Attack'd they instantly advanced to secure them but found them retreating Upon which, the General Orderd the Artillery to draw up, & the Battalion to form, by this time the Enemy had Attacked the Main Body, which faced to the Right & left and engaged them, but could not see whom they Fired at, it was in an open Road, that the Main Body were drawn up, but the Trees were excessive thick round them, And the Enemy had possession of a Hill to the Right, which consequently was a great advantage to them, Many Officers declare, that