From George Washington to Commanding Officer on the South Branch, 3 June 1757
To Commanding Officer on the South Branch
[Fort Loudoun, 3 June 1757]
To The Officer commanding on the South-Branch.
Sir,
In my letter to you of yesterdays date, I enclosed you one to Major Lewis; desiring him not to bring the Indians down if he cou’d possibly avoid it.1 Since that, the Honble Mr Atkin, superintendant of indian Affairs, has arrived here; and is desirous to hold a conference with them as soon as possible. The enclosed is to inform Maj: Lewis thereof:2 and I desire you will send it to the upper part of the branch to meet him upon his arrival; if he shou’d come first into the Garrison, inform him of this yourself—and that he fail not in any wise to bring Mr Smith, the interpreter, with him. I am &c.
G:W.
LB, DLC:GW.
Thomas Waggener, who by Dinwiddie’s instructions to GW of 16 May 1757 was to be in command of seventy men “in the Nighbourhood of Butter Milk Fort,” was usually the senior officer on the South Branch. Some time between 8 and 16 June, Waggener came to Fort Loudoun.
1. Neither of the letters has been found. For reference to the party of Cherokee headed by the Swallow and Andrew Lewis with Richard Smith as interpreter, see GW to Stanwix, 28 May 1757.