Page:History of Cumberland, Maryland 2.djvu/84

76 men back within the trenches, and gave them orders to fire according to their discretion, as suitable opportunities might present themselves. The French and Indians remained on the sicje of the rising ground, which was nearest to the fort, and, sheltered by the trees, kept up a brisk fire of musketry, but . never appeared in the open plain below. The rain fell heavily through the day, the trenches were filled with water, and many of the arms of Colonel Washington's men were out of order and used with difficulty: "In this way the battle continued from eleven o'clock in the morning until eight at night, when the French called and requested a parley. Suspecting this to be a feint to procure the admission of an officer into the fort, that he might discover their condition, Colonel Washington at first declined listening to the proposal, but when the call was repeated, with the additional request that an officer might be sent to them, engaging at the same time their parole for his safety, he sent out Captain Vanbraam, the only person under his command that could speak French, except the Chevalier de Peyrouney, an ensign in the Virginia regiment, who was dangerously wounded, and disabled from render- ing any service on this occasion. Vanbraam returned and brought with him from M. de Villiers, the French commander, proposed articles of capitulation. These he read and pretended to interpret, and, some changes having been made by mutual agreement, both parties signed them about midnight." The articles subscribed to were written in French, and were as follows :