When hardly a man in age, the State of Virginia knew of his qualities and made him an officer in its militia.

At only twenty-three he was invited to accompany General Braddock's staff, but neither he nor angels from heaven could prevent Braddock from plunging with typical British bull-headedness into the fatal Indian ambush.

He gave up border warfare, but did not cease to condemn the inadequacy of the Virginia military equipment and its training.

He devoted himself to the pursuits of a large planter, and on being elected a Burgess, he attended regularly the sessions at Williamsburg.

Wild conditions which in his boyhood had reached almost to Fauquier County, had drifted rapidly westward.