Edward Braddock

"Were that we applied the sword more liberally and more often, the world would be a better place than it is today."

- Edward Braddock.

Edward Braddock (January 1695 – 13 July 1755), also known as The Bulldog by his soldiers, was a member of the Templar Order and a General in the British Army.

Early life
At some point, Braddock became a soldier in the British Army and a member of the Templar Order, during which he became a close acquaintance and friend to Haytham Kenway. The pair would both go on to participate together in the in 1747. During the retreat from the siege, Braddock refused a family entry onto his and Haytham's boat. After the family attempted to force themselves on, Braddock brutally murdered them, providing an example of his ability to kill mercilessly.

Following this, Braddock and Haytham fought in several other campaigns, though Braddock became increasingly violent and cruel to the point that he ruthlessly killed civilians and his own allies alike, much to Haytham's shock and chagrin. As a result, Haytham and Braddock drifted apart, and Braddock became less concerned with serving the Templar Order, turning away from their ideals and goals.

Braddock eventually became a General in the British Army and was sent to the British colonies in America, where he became the Governor of all thirteen of them. Among his troops, Braddock's reputation and blood-lust for violence earned him the nickname, The Bulldog.

French and Indian War
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Wolves often travel in packs."

- Braddock to Haytham.

In 1754, Braddock was stationed in Boston, with Charles Lee serving under his command. Braddock noticed John Pitcairn's unauthorized presence in Boston and had him arrested and charged for desertion and treason. Haytham and Lee arrived, revealing that both Lee and Pitcairn were in Haytham's service under Templar orders. Despite this, Braddock reluctantly consented to give Lee to Haytham, but bitterly denied releasing Pitcairn.

In a plan to retrieve Pitcairn, Lee followed and pretended to be an angry citizen against the British Regulars, provoking Braddock into a chase by throwing horse manure on him. Once he had Braddock on his tail, Lee lured the General and his men to a dead end, which allowed him, Haytham, and Pitcairn to attack and eliminate Braddock's patrol.

The Braddock Expedition
"The French will leave or they will die!"

- Braddock to Washington.

As conflict and territorial disputes between the British and the French colonies escalated, Braddock was given command of two regiments and was assigned to retake Fort Duquesne from the French. In order to navigate through the frontier, Braddock enlisted George Washington, a volunteer from the Virginia Militia, as a guide.

In the winter of 1754, France offered a truce, of which Braddock refused. Instead, Braddock continued on his offensive, determined to defeat and drive the French from the land. While rallying his troops and supplies, Braddock attacked several Native American villages, driving the inhabitants out of their land. As a result, Braddock became an enemy of several Iroquois clans, whom Haytham would eventually join forces with in a plan to murder Braddock.

Death
"Your death opens a door. It's nothing personal. Well, maybe it is a LITTLE personal. You've been a pain in my arse, after all."

- Haytham upon killing Braddock.

The expedition continued on until July of 1755, during which Braddock killed one of his own soldiers after accusing him of treasonous and insubordinate behavior. Braddock was then approached by Haytham, disguised as a British soldier, who held him at gunpoint. The expedition was then ambushed and attacked by Iroquois warriors, devastating and killing many Redcoats.

In the resulting chaos, Braddock attempted to flee on horseback while Haytham chased close behind. Washington briefly came to Braddock's defense, but was subdued by a Kanien'kehá:ka woman. Haytham then continued to pursue Braddock on foot, quickly catching up and impaling him with his Hidden Blade. During Braddock's final words, Haytham admitted to him that he had killed him out of necessity, but that some semblance of personal motivation compelled it as well. From there, Haytham departed, taking Braddock's Templar ring from his finger.

Personality
"...He killed and killed. Enemy or ally. Civilian or soldier. Guilty or innocent. It mattered not... If he perceived one to be an obstacle, they died. He maintained that violence was a more efficient solution. It became his mantra... and it broke my heart."

- Haytham Kenway, lamenting on Braddock's cruelty.

Braddock was originally described by Haytham as brave and bold. However, Braddock changed into a definitively ruthless and violent man, driven by the belief that force was necessary to ensure resolution and success. His reliance on force resulted in indiscriminate killings of even civilians and his own allies. Braddock was also quick tempered and cruel; he applied strict discipline to the point of brutality against his own soldiers.

Final words

 * Edward: Why, Haytham?
 * Haytham: Your death opens a door. It's nothing personal. Well, maybe it is a LITTLE personal. You've been a pain in my arse, after all.
 * Edward: But we are brothers in arms.
 * Haytham: Once, perhaps. No longer. Do you think I've forgotten what you did? All those innocents slaughtered. And for what? It does not engender peace to cut your way to resolution.
 * Edward: Wrong! Were that we applied the sword more liberally and more often, the world would be a better place than it is today.
 * Haytham: In this instance, I concur. Farewell, Edward.

Trivia

 * Due to a production oversight, Braddock wore the uniform of a private, despite being a general.

Reference

 * Assassin's Creed III