On the 11th of May, 1754, he was detached by Col. Washington from the Little Meadows, an encampment about 20 miles above Fort Cumberland, with Monsieur Pirony an Ensign, -- 25 men; to Apprehend Monsierus Jumonville, La Force -- other Frenchmen detach'd from Fort du Quesne to Reconnoitre the Country.

Stephen Carried only four days provision with him, -- there fell such a heavy rain, that it rais'd all the Rivers in the Mountains; he Sent out Hunters to kill provisions' employed the rest in making Rafts, -- with labour -- difficulty cross'd all the Rivers.

He at last arriv'd with his detachment on the Monongahela ner Redstone, -- was inform'd by Some Indians Traders, Whom the French had permitted to Retire; That Joumonville -- his party finding the Weather unsuitable for Reonnoitering had return'd down the River to Fort du Quesne the day before. Stephen unwilling to Return to Washington without something to say, be thought himself of Sending a Spy to Fort du Quesne-- It was distant about 37 miles.

He pitch'd upon a person tht in five days broguht him the most Satisfactory -- Accurate Acc't of everything at Fort Du Quesne.

The number of French at that post--The Number employ'd daily on the Works--The Number Sick in the Hospital, what accidents had happened, Since their arrival at that place--The dimensions of the Fort--the breadth -- depth of the ditch, the thickness of the Ramparts; -- in what places it was on only Stockaded, with the length of the Stockades.

Stephen was amaz'd at a great Accuracy, it immediately enter'd into his head; that the fellow had got five pounds of him, for the scout ,-- that probably he had Received as much of the French for informing them of his Strength -- Situation--This occasion'd as Quick a Return to Washington as possible--On the 23rd Stephen with his party join'd Col. Washington at the Great Crossing at Yougoughgany; -- it turn'd out as he expected; on the 25th advice was received that a party of the enemy was within 6 miles of our Camp, Col. Washington had advanced with the first division of the troops -- had only 150 men with him--He detached a certain Capt. Hog with 75 of the best men in the quest of the Enemy--This Detachment took too much too the left, -- missed the Enemy, and on the 27th at night, intelligence was Receiv'd from Monocotooha -- the Half King, by Means of Silverheels, well known afterwards in the British Armies. He was Attached to Quentin Kennedy; particular advice was received of the Enemy, * where they were posted. Forty men was all that Col. Washington could take with him, and Seven of them returned, pretending that they had lost the party in the night. It rained, was very dark, -- there was no road. Washingtonm had Stephen with him, came to an Indian Camp withon; Washington Commanding the Right -- Stephen the Left. It is uncertain whether the English or French fired first--Stephen with the platoon he Commanded rush'd in among them, and took Monsieur Drullion prisoner with his own hand--Jumonville who had Commanded was killed the first fire. The number of the Enemy was forty, -- they were all kill'd or taken to One---This happen'd on the 18th of May, in the Morning.

After this Affair, having Sent the prisoners to Winchester, Where the government -- Several of the Council were heading with Some Indians the troops advanc'd twelve Miles, took post at Guest's (Gist's) plantation, the only Settlement at that time over the Mountain.

Artificers were sent to build boats on Monongahela -- men employ'd in Opening Roads to that River when Intelligence Was brought us that 700 men had arriv'd at Fort du Quesne from Canada, Under Command of Jumonville's brother, who was kill'd in the late Skirmish; and that in two days 1200 French -- Indians were to March to Atta'k us. Being only about 300 men it was resolv'd to Retreat 12 miles to the Great Meadows -- there erect a Stockade fort -- wait the Enemy. Having no horses our Men haul'd Nine Swivel guns twelve miles over as rough Road as any in the Mountains, Officers -- men living at times on parch'd Corn.

On the lst of July our Scouts inform'd us that the Enemy had advance'd as far as Redstone; on the third, one of our Out Sentries, was shot in the heel by the dawn of day: About 11 o'clock the Enemy--Approach'd us in three Columns.

Stephen was Major--The men fit for duty under Col. Washington amounted to 284.

They were drawn up in Open Ground to receive the Enemy, but on observing their Superior Numbers; orders were given to march into the Skirts of the woods; Stephen observing by the Manoeuvre, the Enemy might take possession of the fort -- Baggage --c., as no guard, but the Sick had been left in it--Runs to the left of the Line and calls out--Two platoons on the left, Have a Care! Wait! To the Right about! (with an Intention to send to guard the Fort). When happily for us, the Whole went to the Right about -- took possession of the Fort -- lines--Had not this Lucky Mistake happen'd not a man of us could have liv'd above an hour.

There were 1200 of the enemy, fine, men well Arm'd and provided.

The fight Continued 'till Dark--the Stockade not being finish'd, we had Eighty men kill'd -- wounded in it--The Enemy call'd Voules Vous parles-It was at first imagin'd they intended to Amuse us Untill they stormed us, but on their calling again, We put ourselves in the best order for a defence, -- Sent two Officers to receive their proposals, -- a Capitulation was agreed On--

Stephen would not Sign the Capitulation because they charg'd us with assassination in it--but Col. Washington -- Capt. Mackay, who commanded a detachment of Regulars, Signed it, -- I believe it was best a they might have Starved us out: -- we had hopes of Relief. The Adjunct, -- sergeant Major were wounded early in the Engagement, which made the Duty of Major very hard on Stephen--He had the Stockades Cut -- Several Swivel's fixt, during the Action to fire from the fort, examining the men's Arms, -- Supplying them with Ammunition, made his hands as black as a Negroe's -- guarding his face the Thrusts made his face as Black as his hands.

It is to be observed, that whilst the troops wer Under Arms Upon the Alarm of the Centinel being Shot, at the dawn of the morning--there fell so heavy a shower of Rain, that it set every thing afloat in the Encampment which was in a natural meadow or dry marsh--They occasion'd Stephen to put on Shoes without Stockings in which trim he continued all the day of the Engagement.

The Weather was Showery, the ditches half full of Water, -- fort half Leg deep of Mud, so that Stephen's duty as major leading him everywhere: he was wet, Muddy half thigh up, without Stockings, face -- hands besmeared with powder, -- in this pickle form'd the Men to march out of the Fort early in the Morning of the 4th according to Capitulation--The Enemy allow'd us to Carry off the Baggage, -- the march out with the honours of War--Whilst Stephen was forming the men, His Servant cry'd out Major -- Frenchman has Carried off your Cloaths--Stephen, looking Round, observed the Corner of his port Mantua on a Frenchman Shoulder, he running into the Crowd -- Stephen pursued -- overtook him, Seiz'd the portmantua, kicked the fellow's backside -- Returned. Upon Seeing this, two French Officers, observed to Stephen that if he Struck the Men -- behaved So, they could not be answerable for the Capitulation. Stephen damned the Capitulation, -- Swore they had Broke it already. The Officers Observing such pertness in a dirty, half naked fellow, ask'd Stephen if he was an Officer--Upon which Stephen made his Servant Open his portmantua, -- put on a flaming suit of laced Regimentals which in those cheap days cost thirty pistols.

The French Officers gazed at the flashing regimentals, on such a dirty fellow without Stockings, were extremely Complaisant, told us, as we had given hostages, we ought to get hostages of them, that they were very desirous of going to Virginia, as they understood there were a greay many Belles Madamoiselles there.

Col. Washington resign'd a few months after this affair, the Command of the Virginia troops devolved on Stephen, -- the Officers were employ'd in Recruiting Untill March, 1775, when Gen. Braddock Arriv'd.

To be short, Braddock left the greatest part of his Army at the Little Meadow under Command of Col. Dunbar, -- precipitately hurried on with about Eleven hundred men without provisions to suply his twelve days.