From George Washington to Charles Carter, 2 July 1757
To Charles Carter
[Fort Loudoun, 2 July 1757]
To Charles Carter esquire; County-Lt of King-George.
Dr Sir,
Eight Draughts from your county were brought to this place by Captn Rowley;1 for seven of whom I have given a receipt; the other, John Ryley, was rejected, on account of his having been in the Regiment several months before; and, by means of sickness, &c. never did a days duty, and was of course discharged.2 The same cause still existing, has discouraged me, a second time, from accepting him, to subject the country to the like needless expence.
Capt. Rowley had three men deserted from him on his march3—As this will be the case in all the counties, we shall fall greatly short of our complement, unless the commanding officer in each will exert himself in apprehending a sufficient number to send in their room.
I am fully satisfied there need few arguments to convince you of this, and of the great demand we have for men.
I know you want no stronger motive than that of which you are already possess’d (vizt the love of your country) to promote the honor & interest of its Service. I am Sir, your most obedt Hble Servant,
G:W.
LB, DLC:GW.
Charles Carter (1707–1764) of Cleve, one of the most powerful men in the House of Burgesses, was a strong supporter of GW as commander of the Virginia Regiment.
1. William Rowley, Jr. (died c.1774), remained active in the affairs of King George County until his death.
2. According to his accounts, GW paid £25 in bounties for draftees and volunteers from King George County. See GW to John Robinson, 10 July 1757, n.7.
3. In GW’s letter book immediately after his letter of this date to Henry Fitzhugh is the following memorandum: “Draughts sent by Colo. Charles Carter, of King-George county, under the command of Capt. Wm Rowley—vizt—Wm Patishall, Moses Rawkins [Rankins], Courtney Tanner, Wm Morrison, John Ryley, James Martin, Richard Underwood, Edwd Murphy, John Rose, John Sacry, and Edward Jones.” The list of draftees from King George County in GW’s paper book (see GW to Andrew Lewis, 1 July 1757, n.2) does not include the names Patishall, Morrison, Underwood, Edward Murphy, Rose, and Sacry; and the names Patrick Murphy, John McFarlin, and John Fugate have been added.