CHAPTER XVII. 

ARRIVAL AT FORT CUMBERLAND--LETTERS OF WASHINGTON TO HIS FAMILY--PANIC OF DUNBAR--FORTUNES OF DR. HUGH MERCER--TRIUMPH OF THE FRENCH. 

The obsequies of the unfortunate Braddock being finished, the escort continued its retreat with the sick and wounded. Washington, assisted by Dr. Craik, watched with assiduity over his comrades, Orme and Morris. As the horses which bore their litters were nearly knocked up, he despatched messengers to the commander of Fort Cumberland requesting that others might be sent on, and that comfortable quarters might be prepared for the reception of those officers. 

On the 17th, the sad cavalcade reached the fort, and were relieved from the incessant apprehension of pursuit. Here, too, flying reports had preceded them, brought by fugitives from the battle; who, with the disposition usual in such cases to exaggerate, had represented the whole army as massacred. Fearing these reports might reach home, and affect his family, Washington wrote to his mother, and his brother, John Augustine, apprising them of his safety. "The Virginia troops," says he, in a letter to his mother, "showed a good deal of bravery, and were nearly all killed. ... The dastardly behavior of those they called regulars exposed all others, that were ordered to do their duty, to almost certain death; and, at last, in despite of all the efforts of the officers to the contrary, they ran, as sheep pursued by dogs, and it was impossible to rally them." 

To his brother, he writes: "As I have heard, since my arrival at this place, a circumstantial account of my death and dying speech, I take this early opportunity of contradicting the first, and of assuring you that I have not composed the latter. But, by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability, or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, though death was levelling my companions on every side of me!  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. Where did Washington tell his messengers to go to?
2. The messengers were dispatched by Washington to wish location?
3. 
Q2:
1. Who were the messengers told to go see at Fort Cumberland?
2. The messengers were told to go see which person at Fort Cumberland?
3. 
Q3:
1. What was the message that the messengers were told to deliver?
2. What message was delivered by the messengers?
3. 
Q4:
1. Who is the medical person assisting Washington?
2. What is the name of the person that provided medical assistance to Washington?
3. 
Q5:
1. What were the names of the people that Washington and Dr. Craik were caring for?
2. Which people were cared for by Washington and Dr. Craik?
3. 
Q6:
1. What day was it when the soldiers reached safety?
2. Safety was reached by the soldiers on which day?
3. 
Q7:
1. What news did the soldiers receive on the 17th?
2. The soldiers received what news once they had reached safety?
3. 
Q8:
1. Who provided the soldiers with information that the entire army had been massacred?
2. According to which source had the entire army been massacred?
3. 
Q9:
1. Did Washington want the information regarding the massacre of the army to reach home?
2. Did Washington wish for his family to receive the information regarding the army's massacre?
3. 
Q10:
1. Why didn't Washington want the information regarding the massacre to reach home?
2. What was the reason for not wanting the information regarding the army's massacre to reach home?
3. 
Q11:
1. What did Washington do in order to ensure that his family had the correct information?
2. How did Washington ensure the correct transmission of information to his family?
3. 
Q12:
1. Washington tells his brother that he was shot how many times?
2. What is the number of times that Washington tells his brother he was shot?
3. 
Q13:
1. How many horses were taken from underneath Washington?
2. What is the number of horses that were taken from beneath Washington?
3. 
Q14:
1. What was happening to Washington's buddies all around him?
2. What happened to the all of the people that were around Washington on the battlefield?
3. 
