The True George Washington [10th Ed.]Ford, Paul Leicester
History
The True George Washington [10th Ed.]
Ford, Paul Leicester
Generals -- United States -- Biography; Presidents -- United States -- Biography; Washington, George, 1732-1799
who, from 40 years’ experience, is better qualified than a Dozen of
them put together.” Craik was the first of the doctors to reach
Washington’s bedside in his last illness, and when the dying man
predicted his own death, “the Doctor pressed his hand but could not
utter a word. He retired from the bedside and sat by the fire absorbed
in grief.” In Washington’s will he left “to my compatriot in arms and
old and intimate friend, Doctor Craik I give my Bureau (or as the
Cabinet makers called it, Tambour Secretary) and the circular chair, an
appendage of my study.”
The arrival of Braddock and his army at Alexandria brought a new circle
of military friends. Washington “was very particularly noticed by that
General, was taken into his family as an extra aid, offered a Captain’s
commission by _brevet_ (which was the highest grade he had it in his
power to bestow) and had the compliment of several blank Ensigncies
given him to dispose of to the Young Gentlemen of his acquaintance.” In
this position he was treated “with much complaisance … especially from
the General,” which meant much, as Braddock seems to have had nothing
but curses for nearly every one else, and the more as Washington and he
“had frequent disputes,” which were “maintained with warmth on both
sides, especially on his.” But the general, “though his enmities were
strong,” in “his attachments” was “warm,” and grew to like and trust
the young volunteer, and had he “survived his unfortunate defeat, I
should have met with preferment,” having “his promise to that effect.”
Washington was by the general when he was wounded in the lungs, lifted
him into a covered cart, and “brought him over the _first_ ford of the
Monongahela,” into temporary safety. Three days later Braddock died of
his wounds, bequeathing to Washington his favorite horse and his
body-servant as tokens of his gratitude. Over him Washington read the
funeral service, and it was left to him to see that “the poor general”
was interred “with the honors of war.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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