As the sequel will show, Washington proved himself to be a prophet. While these warlike preparations were going forward, Washington was elected to a seat in the House of Burgesses. It was not expected, however, that he would take his seat until the contemplated action against the French at Duquesne was consummated. It was in the month of May, 1758, that Washington went to Williamsburg and found his future wife, when passing through Kent County. It was the 21st of September before the army was ready to strike their tents and take up the march from Raystown, where the whole army had assembled. Much of this time was fooled away by the English officers, who seemed to think that both French and Indians would take to their heels when they saw them coming. Washington was greatly annoyed by this unnecessary delay. To him it was ominous of evil. He was impatient to plant the English flag on the walls of Duquesne, and to make the beautiful Mrs. Custis his bride. The sooner the army accomplished the former, the sooner he would realize the latter. To add to his annoyance, General Forbes proposed to repeat General Braddock's folly, and send his regulars forward as a party of observation. "Such an arrangement was the cause of General Braddock's defeat," he said to General Forbes. "How so?" "His regulars knew nothing about Indian warfare. They never saw savages on the field of battle, and so they undertook to fight Indians as they did French." "Plenty of artillery, with a shower of bullets, whether by regulars or provincials, will do the business," remarked General Forbes, showing that he was as ignorant of the way savages fight as Braddock was. "I hope I can say, without vanity," continued Washington, "that, from long intimacy with these woods, and frequent scouting in them, my men are at least as well acquainted with all the passes and difficulties as any troops that will be employed. I will volunteer to scour the country in advance of the army." "You are brave and unselfish, certainly," answered Forbes; "but the regulars would hardly thank me for sending inexperienced troops forward instead of them." "If General Braddock's regulars, who were shot down in their tracks, could come to life, they would thank you for doing this very thing," said Washington. "Then you have no faith in the English army to fight Indians." "None at all. Braddock's regulars were more terrified by the _yell_ of the savages than they were by the cannon of the French." "Well, then, colonel, I think we must redeem the credit of the British regulars by sending them forward at this time," answered General Forbes. "If Braddock's regulars disgraced their country and cause, as you affirm they did, it is time that Forbes's regulars should wipe out the dishonor. And that can be done only by detailing them for the work proposed."