One of the most interesting documents relative to Braddock’s expedition is a Journal kept by one of the thirty seamen sent with Braddock by Commodore Keppel. The original manuscript was presented by Colonel Macbean to the Royal Artillery Library, Woolwich, and is first published here.

An expanded version of this document was published in Winthrop Sargent’s History of Braddock’s Expedition, entitled “The Morris Journal”—so called because it was in the possession of the Rev. Francis-Orpen Morris, Nunburnholme Rectory, Yorkshire, who had published it in pamphlet form.[19] Concerning its authorship Mr. Sargent says, “I do not know who was the author of this Journal: possibly he may have been of the family of Capt. Hewitt. He was clearly one of the naval officers detached for this service by Com. Keppel, whom sickness detained at Fort Cumberland during the expedition.”[20]

A comparison of the expanded version with the original here printed shows that the “Morris Journal” was written by Engineer Harry Gordon of the 48th Artillery. The entry in the expanded version for June 2 reads: “Col. Burton, Capt. Orme, Mr Spendlowe and self went out to reconnoitre the road.”[21] In the original, under the same date, we read: “Colonel Burton, Capt. Orme, Mr Engineer Gordon & Lieut Spendelow were order’d to reconnoitre the Roads.” Why Mr. Gordon desired to suppress his name is as inexplicable as the failure of the Rev. Francis-Orpen Morris, who compared the expanded and the original manuscripts, to announce it. The proof is made more sure by the fact that Mr. Gordon usually refers to himself as an “Engineer,” as in the entry for June 3: “This morning an Engineer and 100 men began working on the new road....” In the original the name is given: “Engineer Gordon with 100 Pioneers began to break Ground on the new Road....”[22] He refers to himself again on July 9 as “One of our Engineers”: “One of our Engineers, who was in the front of the Carpenters marking the road, saw the Enemy first.”[23] It is well known that Gordon first caught sight of the enemy and the original journal affirms this to have been the case: “Mr Engineer Gordon was the first Man that saw the Enemy.” Mr. Sargent said the author “was clearly one of the naval officers detached ... by Com. Keppel.” Though Mr. Gordon, as author, impersonated a seaman, there is certainly very much more light thrown on the daily duties of an engineer than on those of a sailor; there is far more matter treating of cutting and marking Braddock’s Road than of handling ropes and pulleys. It is also significant that Gordon, from first to last, was near the seamen and had all the necessary information for composing a journal of which one of them might have been the author. He was in Dunbar’s regiment on the march from Alexandria—as were the seamen. He, with the carpenters, was possibly brigaded in the Second Brigade, with the seamen, and in any case he was with the van of the army on the fatal ninth as were the seamen.

As to the authorship of the original journal the document gives no hint. From Mr. Gordon’s attempt to cover his own identity by introducing the word “self” in the latter part of the entry of June 3, it might be supposed the original manuscript was written by the “Midshipman” referred to under that date in the original journal. But the two midshipmen given as naval officers in the expedition, Haynes and Talbot, were killed in the defeat.[24]

The original journal which follows is of interest because of the description of the march of Dunbar’s brigade through Maryland and Virginia to Fort Cumberland. The remainder was evidently composed from descriptions given by officers after their return to Fort Cumberland:[25]

Extracts from

A Journal of the Proceedings of the Detachment of Seamen, ordered by Commodore Kepple, to Assist on the late Expedition to the Ohio with an impartial Account of the late Action on the Banks of the Monongohela the 9^th of July 1755 as related by some of the Principal Officers that day in the Field, from the 10^th April 1755 to the 18^th Aug^st. when the Detachment of Seamen embark’d on board His Majisty’s Ship Guarland at Hampton in Virginia

April 10^th Orders were given to March to Morrow with 6 Companies of S^r P. Halket’s Regiment for Winchester towards Will’s Creeks; April 11^th Yesterdays Orders were Countermanded and others given to furnish Eight days Provisions, to proceed to Rock’s Creek[26] (8 Miles from Alexandria) in the Sea Horse & Nightingale Boats; April 12^th: Arrived at Rock’s Creek 5 Miles from the lower falls of Potomack & 4 Miles from the Eastern branch of it; where we encamped with Colonel Dunbars Regiment

April 13^th: Employed in loading Waggon’s with Stores Provisions and all other conviniences very dear Rock’s Creek a very pleasant Situation.

April 14^th: Detachment of Seamen were order’d to March in the Front: arrived at M^r. Lawrence Owen’s: 15 Miles from Rock’s Creek; and encamp’d upon good Ground 8 Miles from the Upper falls of Potomack

April 15^th: Encamp’d on the side of a Hill near M^r. Michael Dowden’s;[27] 15 Miles from M^r. Owen’s, in very bad Ground and in 1½ foot Snow

April 16^th: Halted, but found it extreamly difficult to get either Provisions or Forrage.

April 17^th: March’d to Fredericks Town; 15 Miles from Dowden’s, the road very Mountanious, March’d 11 Miles, when we came to a River call’d Monskiso, which empties itself into the Potomack; it runs very rapid; and is, after hard Rain, 13 feet deep: We ferried over in a Float for that purpose. This Town has not been settled Above 7. Years; there are 200 Houses & 2 Churches 1 Dutch, 1 English;[28] the inhabitants chiefly Dutch, Industrious, but imposing People; Provisions & Forrage in Plenty.

April 18^th: Encamp’d with a New York Company under the Command of Captain Gates, at the North End of the Town, upon very good Ground

April 19^th: Exercising Recruits, & airing the Tents: several Waggons arrived with Ordnance Stores, heavy Dews at Night occasion it to be very unwholsome

April 20^th: Nothing Material happen’d

April 21^st: The General attended by Captains Orme, Morris and Secretary Shirley; with S^r John S^t Clair; arrived at Head Quarters.

April 24^th inactive[29].

April 25^th: Ordnance Stores Arrived, with 80 Recruits for the 2 Regiments

April 27^th: Employ’d in preparing Harness for the Horses

April 29^th: March’d to M^r. Walker’s 18 Miles from Fredericks Town; pass’d the South Ridge, commonly called the Blue Ridge or Shanandoh Mountains Very easy Ascent and a fine Prospect ... no kind of Refreshment

April 30^th: March’d to Connecochiag; 16 Miles from M^r. Walker’s, Close by the Potomack, a very fine Situation, where we found all the Artillery Stores preparing to go by Water to Wills Creek

May 1^st: Employed in ferrying (over the Potomack) the Army Baggage into Virginia in 2 Floats and 5 Batteaux; The Army March’d to M^r. John Evans, 16 Miles from y^e Potomack and 20 Miles from Winchester, where we Encamp’d, and had tolerable good living with Forrage; the roads begin to be very indifferent

May 2^nd: Halted and sent the Horses to Grass

May 3^d: March’d to Widdow Barringers 18 Miles from M^r. Evans; the day was so excissive hot, that many Officers and Men could not Arrive at their Ground until Evening, this is 5 Miles from Winchester and a fine Situation

May 4^th: March’d to M^r. Pots 9 Miles from the Widdow’s where we were refresh^t with Vinison and wild Turkeys the Roads excessive bad.

May 5^th: March’d to M^r. Henry Enocks, a place called the forks of Cape Capon, 16 Miles from M^r. Pots; over prodigious Mountains, and between the Same we cross’d a Run of Water in 3 Miles distance, 20 times after marching 15 Miles we came to a River called Kahepatin where the Army ferried over, We found a Company of S^r Peter Halkets Regiment waiting to escort the Train of Artillery to Wills Creek

May 6^th: Halted, as was the Custom to do every third day, The Officers for passing away the time, made Horse Races and agreed that no Horse should Run over 11 Hands and to carry 14 Stone

May 7^th: March’d to M^r. Coxs’s by the side of y^e Potomack 12 Miles from M^r. Enock’s, and Encamped we cross’d another run of Water 19 Times in 2 Miles Roads bad.

May 8^th: Ferried over the River into Maryland; and March’d to M^r. Jacksons, 8 Miles from M^r. Coxs’s where we found a Maryland Company encamp’d in a fine Situation on the Banks of the Potomack; with clear’d ground about it; there lives Colonel Cressop, a Rattle Snake, Colonel, and a D—d Rascal; calls himself a Frontierman, being nearest the Ohio; he had a Summons some time since from the French to retire from his Settlement, which they claim’d as their property, but he refused it like a man of Spirit;[30] This place is the Track of Indian Warriours, when going to War, either to the N^oward, or S^oward He hath built a little Fort round his House, and is resolved to keep his Ground. We got plenty of Provisions &c^a. The General arrived with Captains Orme and Morris, with Secretary Shirley and a Company of light Horse for his Guard, under the Command of Cap^t. Stewart, the General lay at the Colonels.

May 9^th: Halted and made another Race to amuse the General

D^o. 10^th: March’d to Will’s Creek; and Encamp’d on a Hill to the E^tward of the Fort, when the General past the Troops; Colonel Dunbar informed them, that there were a number of Indians at Will’s Creek, that were Friends to the English therefore it was the Generals positive Orders, that they should not be Molested upon any account, upon the Generals Arrival at the Fort, He was Saluted with 17. Guns, and we found 100 Indian Men, Women & Children with 6 Companies of S^r Peter Halkets Regiment, 9 Virginian Companies and a Maryland Company.

May 11^th: Fort Cumberland, is Situated within 200 Yards of Wills Creek on a Hill 400 Yards from the Potomack, it’s greatest length from East to West is 200 Yards, and breadth 40 it is built with Loggs drove into the Ground: and 12 feet above it Embrazures are cut for 12 Guns which are 4. Pounders, though 10 are only Mounted with loopholes for small Arms; The Indians were greatly surprised at the regular way of our Soldiers Marching and our Numbers.

I would willingly say something of the customs & manners of them, but they are hardly to be described. The Men are tall, well made and Active, but not strong; The Women not so tall yet well proportion’d & have many Children; they paint themselves in different Manners; Red, Yellow & Black intermixt, the Men have the outer Rim of their Ears cut; and hanging by a little bit at Top and bottom: they have also a Tuft of Hair left at Top of their Heads, dress’d with Feathers.... Their Match Coat which is their chief Cloathing, is a thick Blanket thrown round them; and instead of Shoes wear Mekosins, which laces round the foot and Ankle ... their manner of carrying Children are by lacing them on a Board, and tying them with a broad Bandage with a place to rest their feet, and Boards over their Heads to keep the Sun off and this is Slung to the Womens backs. These people have no Idea of a Superior Being or of Religion and I take them to be the most ignorant, as to the Knowledge of the World and things, of any Creatures living. When it becomes dark they Return to their Camp, which is [nigh] Woods, and Dance for some Time with making the most hidious Noise.

May 12^th: Orders for a Council of War at the Head Quarters when the Indians came, and were received by the Guard with Rested Arms, an Interpreter was directed to tell them that their Brothers, the English, who were their friends were come to assist them, that every misunderstanding in past times, should now be buried under that great Mountain (which was close by) and Accordingly the Ceremony was perform’d in giving them a string of Wampum or Beads; and the following speech was made, to Assure them that this string or Belt of Wampum was a suriety of our Friendship; and likewise a Declaration, that every one, who were Enemies to them, were consequently so to us. The Interpretor likewise assured them, the we had a Considerable Number of Men to the N^oWard, under the Commands of our great War Captains Generals, Shirley, Pepperel & Johnson that were making preparations for War to settle them happily in their Countries, and make the French both ashamed & hungry, however, should any Indians absent themselves they would be deem’d our Enimies & treated as such; The Generals moreover told them, he should have presents for them soon, and would then make them another Speech, after which he parted with giving a Dram round.

May 13^th: The Indian Camp were ¼ Miles from the Fort which I went to visit their Houses are composed of 2 Stakes, drove into the Ground, with a Ridge Pole & Bark of Trees laid down the sides of it, w^ch. is all they have to Shelter them from the Weather.... The Americans & Seamen Exercising.

May 14^th: Inactive in our Camp. I went to the Indian to see them Dance which they do once or twice a Year round a Fire, first the Women dance, whilst the Men are Sitting, and then every Women takes out her Man; dances with him; lays with him for a Week, and then Returns to her proper Husband, & lives with him.[31]

May 15^th: 22 Casks of Beef were Surveyed and condemn’d[32]

D^o. 16^th: Arrived L^t. Col^o. Gage with 2 Companies, and the last Division of the Train, consisting of 8 Field Pieces; 4 Howitzers and a Number of Cohorns, with 42 Store Waggons Cap^t. Bromley of S^r P. Halkets Regim^t. died May 17^th: Orders for the Funeral.

May 18^th: Cap^t. Bromley was interred with great Solemnity[33]—19^th: the Indians came to the Generals Tent when he made them a speech to this Effect; that they would send away immediately their Wives & Children to Pensilvania, and take up the Hatchet against the French, that the great King of England their Father had sent their Wives & Children such & such presents, and he had Ordered Arms, Ammunition &c^a. to be delivered to their Warriors, and expressd a Concern for their ½ King killed last year—the presents consisted of Shrouds; Rings, Beads, Linnen, Knives, Wire & paint, they seem’d pleased, received their presents with 3 Belts & String of Wampum, and promised an Answer the next day in the Evening they Danced and made a most terrible Noise to shew were mightily pleased.

May 20^th: Cap^t. Gates March’d into Camp with his New York Comp^y. The Indians met at the Generals Tent, and told him they were highly Obliged to the Great King their Father, for sending such Numbers of Men to fight for them, and they moreover promise to Join them, and do what was in their power by reconnoitring the Country, & bringing Intelligence, they were likewise oblidged to the General for expressing his Concern for the loss of their ½ King his Brother, and for the Presents he had made their Families. Their Chiefs Names were as follows

1^st: Monicatoha their Mentor, 2^d Belt of Wampum, or white Thunder, who always keep the Wampum, and has a Daughter call’d bright Lightning 3^d: The great Tree and Silver Heels, Jimy Smith and Charles all belonging to the 6 Nations, The General Assured them of his Friendship and gave his Honour, that he never would deceive them, after which they sung their Song of War, put themselves into odd postures, w^th Shouting and making an uncommon Noise, declaring the French to be their pepetual Enemies, which they never had done before, then the General took the Indians to the Park of Artillery, Ordered 3 Howtz^rs. 3:12 pounders to be Fired, the Drums beating & Fifes playing the point of War, which astonish^t but pleased the Indians greatly. They afterwards Retired to their own Camp to eat a Bullock and Dance in their usual manner, with shewing how they fight and Scalp, and expressing in their Dance, the exploits & Warlike Actions of their Ancestors and themselves—Arrived 80 Waggons from Pensylvania with Stores; and 11 likewise from Philidelpha with Liquors, Tea, Sugar, Coffe &c. to the Amount of 400£ With 20 Horses, as presents to the Officers of the 2 Regiments—An Indian came in 6 days from the French Fort, and assured us they have only 50 Men in the Fort, however they expected 900 more soon, yet they purpose blowing it up whenever the Army Appears—as this Indian was one of the Delawars, who never were our Friends he was suspected to be a Rogue—100 Carpenters were Employed in making a Float, building a Magazine & squaring Timber to make a Bridge over Wills Creek, The Smiths were making Miners Tools, The Bakers were baking Biscuit, and every thing was getting ready for a March.

May 21^st: A Troop of light Horse & 2 Companies of S^r P. Halkets Regim^t. under the Command of Major Chapman came in from Winchester

May 22^d: The Indians had Arms & Cloaths delivered to them

D^o. 23^d: The 2 Regiments were Exercised & went through their Formings

D^o. 24^th: Employed in Transporting the large Timber to the Fort, The Army consists of 2 Regiments, Each 700 Men; 2 New York, 1 Independent Carolina Companies of 100 Men, 9 Virginia 1 Maryland Companies of 50 Men; 1 Comp^y. of Artillery of 60 & 30 Seamen

May 25^th: Preparations for Marching: 2 Men of S^r P. Halkets were Drum’d out, and received 1000 lashes Each for Theft.

May 27^th: The Companies employed in loading 100 Waggons w^th. Provisions, A Captains Guard March’d for Winchester to Escort Provisions to Camp—several Delawar Indians came into Camp.

May 28^th: The Delawar Indians Assembled at the Generals Tent and told him they were come to Assist him, but desired to know his Intention the General thank’d them, and said that he should March in a few days for Fort Dec Quisne, The Indians then replyed, they would return home, Collect their Warriors and meet them on his March.

May 29^th: Major Chapman with a Detachment of 600 Soldiers March’d with 2 Field Pieces and 50 Waggons full of Provisions when S^r John S^t Clair, 2 Engineers, Lieut. Spendelow & 6 Seamen with some Indians were Order’d to clean the Roads for them.

May 30^th: March’d in, Cap^t. Dobbs with a North Carolina Company

June 1^st: The Detachment got 15 Miles though the Roads were very bad; Lieu^t. Spendelow returned with his 6 Seamen.

June 2^d: Colonel Burton, Cap^t. Orme, M^r. Engineer Gordon[34] & Lieu^t. Spendelow were order’d to reconnoitre the Roads, the latter reported that he had found a tolerable Road, which might avoid the bad Mountain that they would otherwise be obliged to pass; and accordingly it was determined to March the Army that way, it being only 2 Miles about.

June 3^d: Engineer Gordon[35] with 100 Pioneers began to break Ground on the new Road, when Lieu^t. Spendelow, 1 Midshipman[36] & 10 Men were sent to the Place that leads into the Old Road, cleard away and compleated 1 Mile,

June 4^th: 1 Midshipman & 20 Men cleard ¾ of a Mile

5^th: continued working on the Roads

6^th: Compleated the new Road & Return’d to Camp.

7^th: S^r P. Halkets Brigade March’d with 2 Field Pieces and some Waggons with Provisions 1 Midshipman & 12 Seamen were Orderd to Assist the Train June 9^th. Inactive June 10^th: The General March’d w^th. the remaining part of the Army.

25^th: it was reported that a party of Indians had Surprized Kill’d, and Scalp’d 2 families to the Number of 12 within 4 Miles of y^e Fort

June 26^th: Accounts of another family’s Scalp’d within 3 Miles of us. The Governor detach’d a party to bury the Dead, and to look for the Indians, they found a Child standing in the Water scalp’d, which had 2 holes in its Skull, they brought it to the Doctor, who dressed it but Died in a Week.[37]

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 ¼ 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 they never saw above 5 of the Enemy at one time during the whole Action Our Soldiers were Encouraged to make many Attempts by the Officers (who behaved Gloriously) to take the Hill, but they had been so intimidated before by seeing their Comrades Scalp’d in their sight and such Numbers falling, that as they advanced up towards the Hill and there Officer’s being pict off which was generally the Case; they turn’d to their R^t. About & retired down the Hill. When the General perceived & was convinced that the Soldiers would not fight in a regular Manner without Officers, he devided them into small parties, and endeavour’d to surround the Enemy, but by this time the Major part of the Officers were either Kill’d or Wounded, and in short the Soldiers were totally deaf to the Commands & persuasions of the few Officers that were left unhurt. The General had 4 Horses shot under him before he was wounded, which was towards the latter part of the Action, when he was put into a Waggon with great dificulty as he was very Sollicitious for being left in the Field. The Retreat now became general, and it was the opinion of many people that had we greater Numbers, it would have been just the same thing, as our advanc’d party never regained the Ground they were first Attacked upon, it was extreamly lucky they pursued no farther than the first Crossing the River but they kill’d & Scalp’d every one they met with, The Army March’d all Night & Join’d Colonel Dunbar the next Day, 50 Miles distance from the Field of Battle, when the General order’d Col^o. Dunbar to prepare for a Retreat in Order for which, they were Obliged to destroy great quantities of Stores and Provisions, to furnish the Wounded Officers & Soldiers with Waggons The Generals Pains encreased hourly, and on the 12^th of July he Died greatly lamented by the whole Army, was decently though privately buried the next Morning.

The Numbers kill’d; Wounded & left in the Field as appeared by the Returns of the different Companies were 896 besides Officers The 2 Companies of the Grenadiers and Carpenters sufferd most Col^o. Dunbars Grenadiers were 79 Compleat out of which 9 Returned untouch’d. S^r P. Halkets, were 69 & only 13 came out of y^e Field Every Grenadier Officer was either kill’d or Wounded The Seamen had 11 Kill’d & wounded out of 33 it was impossible to tell the exact Nunbers of the Enemy but it was premised by the continual smart Fire the kept during the whole Action, that they must have at least Man for Man M^r. Engineer Gordon[38] was the first Man that saw the Enemy, being in the Front of the Carpenters, making & Picketing the Roads for them, and he declared where he first descover’d them, that they were on the Run, which plainly shews they were just come from Fort Dec Quesne and that their principal Intention was to secure the pass of Monnongohela River but the Officer who was their leader, dressed like an Indian, w^th. a Gorgeton, waved his Hatt, by way of Signal to disperse to y^e Right and left forming a half Moon Col^o. Dunbar continued his Retreat and Arrived with the Remains of the Army at Fort Cumberland the 20^th. July, and the 21^st. the Wounded Officers & Soldiers were brought in.... 30^th. July Orders were given for the Army to March the 2^nd. August 1^st. August Col^o. Dunbar received a Letter from Commodore Kepple to send the Seamen to Hampton and accordingly the 2^d. they March’d with the Army & on the 3^d. August left them August 5^th. Arrived at Winchester August 11^th. March’d into Fredericksburgh and hired a Vessel to carry the Seamen to Hampton where they embarked on board his Majesty’s Ship Guarland the 18^th. August 1755.

4:6 pounders. 2. 12 pounders, 3 Howitzers, 8 Cohorns, 51 Carriages of Provisions Ammunition Hospital Stores, The Generals private Chest which had about 1000£ in it with 200 Horses loaded with Officers Baggage.[39]