George Washington Papers
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From George Washington to Thomas, Lord Fairfax, 21 April 1756

To Thomas, Lord Fairfax

[Winchester, 21 April 1756]

To the Honourable Thomas, Lord Fairfax.
My Lord,

By several Expresses just arrived from the Officers and Inhabitants between this and Fort Cumberland, their situation seems most deplorable; for they have neither provision, nor a sufficient force at either place, to go out to collect any; and consequently, must run themselves into the jaws of the Enemy, or perish in their places with Hunger: and I dare believe your Lordship is sensible, that without a considerable Body of the Militia, the marching from this Town would be of the greatest ill consequence. For which reason I advise (if you have not already done it) you would send immediately to Culpeper,1 with orders to raise and send such a number of men as you shall judge can be spared from thence; with such arms, ammunition, and provision as they can procure; for we are illy supplied with either here. I have wrote to the commanding Officers of Prince-William and Fairfax, desiring they would use their utmost endeavours in dispatching the Militia from these Counties: and beg you would renew your Orders to those Gentlemen, on that head. I am, my Lord, &c.

G:W.

LB, DLC:GW.

1Culpeper was the county immediately below Frederick County. Winchester was in Frederick County. It is not clear whether Lord Fairfax was functioning at this time as county lieutenant for Culpeper which was within the original Fairfax grant, but on 13 July 1756 he wrote GW: “I humbly conceive Coll Martin & I have nothing to do with the destination of the Militia of the lower parts but that they are intirely taken out of our hands.” Martin was Thomas Bryan Martin, county lieutenant of Hampshire County (see GW to Dinwiddie, 24 April 1756, n.9).

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