It was 1755 and the Brits were at war with the French (and their Indian allies) over the Forks of the Ohio, the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. It started as merely a dispute, but when a 22 year-old George Washington led an attack that killed a French military officer name Jumonville, the violence escalated. The French tracked Washington down at Fort Necessity and after severeal hours of fighting in pouring rain and over 100 British either dead or wounded, Washington surrendered and signed an agreement with the French. Unfortunately, he could not read French and did not know that what he was signing included a confession to the assassination of Jumonville.

The Brits sent an officer, General Edward Braddock, to Virginia to organize an attack on Fort Duquesne. On his arrival, he was disappointed to learn that the provisions he expected were extremely lacking. He had been promised 250 wagons and 2500 horses, instead he got 20 and 200. Enraged, he threatened to seize from the colonists what had not been freely given but Ben Franklin stepped in to offer a solution. He told Braddock that he could get the colonists of Pennsylvania to provide what was needed and would circulate an advertisement in Lancaster, York and Cumberland counties:

Whereas 150 Waggons, with 4 Horses to each Waggon, and 1500 Saddle or Pack Horses are wanted for the Service of His Majesty…

That there shall be paid for each Waggon with 4 good Horses and a Driver, Fifteen Shillings per Diem. And for each able Horse with a Pack-Saddle or other Saddle, and Furniture, Two Shillings per Diem. And for each able Horse without a Saddle, Eighteen Pence per Diem.

Was it the money promised or the spectacle of soldiers parading through the streets in their bright red uniforms that lured young Lacey? Whatever it was, it began his life of military service. At 13 years old, he ran away from home and joined General Braddock’s campaign.

He was too young to bear arms but accompanied them as a pack rider, or teamster. Two other teamsters on this journey were 21 year-old Daniel Boone from the newly settled backcountry of North Carolina (see William Henry & The Great Wagon Road) and 20 year-old Daniel Morgan, who marched along with soldiers Horatio Gates, Thomas Gage, and of course, Lieutenant Colonel George Washington. It took more than a month to move the wagons and equipment through 100 miles of densely wooded mountains. They left Fort Cumberland in Maryland on May 29 and arrived at the Monongahela River on July 8.

On July 9, soon after crossing the river, they were surprised by the enemy who had been alerted by Indian Scouts. General Braddock was determined to fight “the gentleman way” but the French followed the Indian style of fighting, dispersing into the forest, firing from behind trees, and surrounding them on all sides. It didn’t take long to create confusion and chaos among the British soldiers and more than two thirds of Braddock’s army were killed or wounded, including Braddock, who succumbed to his wounds 4 days later. 

I’ve wondered how much of the action our young Lacey saw and have considered that maybe he was far from the battlefield as many of the women and other aides should have been. However, it is said that of the 54 women who marched with them that day, only 4 returned. If the women met that ill fate, Edward Lacey was probably in the thick of it as well.

Lacey continued with the army for 2 more years, most likely following Washington, as he was heralded for his successful command of the retreat that day, but then Edward Sr. discovered where he was and brought him home. He would stay for another year before running away again.