He tendered his resignation, and may have felt humiliated over
his defeat; although the House of Burgesses passed a vote of thanks to
him and his staff, "for their bravery and gallant defense of their
country." But later when Governor Dinwiddie requested him to head
another regiment against Fort Duquesne, Washington politely declined.
He had not received sufficient support in the first venture to warrant
another such attempt.
The next stage in the French and Indian War--and likewise in
Washington's military development--was the arrival of General Braddock
with two regiments of seasoned troops from England. Braddock was an
old campaigner of forty years' experience, who had long since learned
all that was to be taught about the art of warfare.
"He'd teach those French a lesson--and as for the Indians--stuff and
nonsense!"
Braddock's arrival made a great stir in the colonies. It was the first
sign of real help from the Mother Country. The governors of four or
five of the colonies met him at Alexandria. It was near Mount Vernon,
and the young retired officer watched the preparations with keenest
interest. He could not help contrasting this splendid equipment with
the scanty packs which his own men had carried.
Much to his delight, he was invited by General Braddock to join his
staff as an aide-de-camp, a post which Washington joyfully accepted.
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