Edward Braddock

"...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.

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
Braddock became a soldier in British Army and a member in of the Templar Order, during which he became a close acquaintance and friends with Haytham Kenway. They both participated in the in 1747. Haytham and Braddock made their way to a small boat in retreat, they were approached by a man and his family begging to join them for safe passage. Haytham consented, however Braddock selfishly refused to allow them to board, causing the man to become distraught and attempted to forcibly make his way to the boat. In response, Braddock murdered the man and his children.

Braddock and Haytham fought in several other campaigns, however Braddock became increasingly violent and cruel to the point he ruthlessly killed civilians and even his own allies, much to Haytham's shock and chargin. Haytham and Braddock drifted apart and Braddock became less concerned with severing 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 Governor of over thirteen colonies. Among his regiment, Braddock's reputation and blood lust for violence earned him the nickname, the Bulldog.

The 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 and under his command was Charles Lee. Braddock noticed John Pitcairn's 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. Braddock reluctantly consented to give Lee to Haytham, but bitterly denied releasing Pitcairn and escorted him to be executed.

In a plan to retrieve Pitcairn, Lee followed and pretended to be an angry citizen against the Redcoats, provoking Braddock into a chase by throwing horse manure on him. Lee lured Braddock and his men to a dead end, which allowed him, Haytham and Pitcairn to fight and kill Braddock's patrol. Haytham spared Braddock before warning him that he would kill him in their next encounter.

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 escalated, Braddock was given 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, the French offered a truce, which Braddock refused. Instead, Braddock continued his offensive, determined to defeat and drive out the French from the lands. 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, who Haytham would eventually join forces with in 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 up 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 at gun point. 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. Washington briefly came to Braddock's defense, but was subdued by a Kanien'kehá:ka woman. Haytham chased after Braddock on foot, quickly catching up and impaled him with his hidden blade. Haytham admitted to Braddock that he killed him out of necessity in his but also had a personal motivation in killing him. Haytham left, taking Braddock's Templar Ring from his finger.

Braddock's body was later found by Washington, who proceeded to carry the body, eventually burying it under a road in the Great Meadows, preventing the Native Americans and the French from finding and desecrating the body.

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

- Braddock.

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.

Reference

 * Assassin's Creed III