From George Washington to Robert Orme, 30 June 1755
To Robert Orme
[Great Crossing of the Youghiogheny, Pa., 30 June 1755]
To Robt Orme Esqr. Aid de Camp—Wills Creek1
Dear Orme
I came to this Camp on thursday last, with the Rear of Colo. Dunbar’s Detacht and shoud have continued on with his Front, to day, but was prevented by Rain.2
My Fevers are very moderate, and I hope are near a Crisis; terminating when I shall have nothing to encounter but excessive weakness , which is excessive; and the difficulty of getting to you arising therefrom—but this miss; which I would not fail in doing ere before you reach Duquisne, for 500£; but however I have no doubt now of doing this, as I am moving on slowly and the General has given me his word and of honour, in the most solemn manner that it shall be effected.
As the Doctr3 think’s it imprudent for me to use much exercise for 2 or 3 days, it will prevent retard the rapidity of my movements; my4 coming up[;] therefore, I shoud be glad to be advisd of your Marches from Gists, and how you are likely to get on;5 for you may rest assurd, that Colo. Dunbar cannot get move from his present Incampment in less than two or three Days; and I believe really, it will be as much as he possibly can do to reach the Meadows at all; so that you will be greatly advancd before us. him.6 I am too weak to add more than my Compts to the Genl the Family, &ca & again to desire that you will oblige me in the above request, and advise devise the most effectual means for me to join you. I am Dr Orme Your most Obt Servt
Go: Washington
LB (original), DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
1. Orme on this date was with Braddock and the advanced division near Stewart’s Crossing of the Youghiogheny River, about 30 miles by Braddock’s Road from the Great Crossing of the Youghiogheny.
2. The camp was apparently the one at Squaw’s fort where Braddock and his advanced division stopped on 23 June. See Roger Morris to GW, and note, 23 June 1755. GW arrived here on Thursday, 26 June.
3. The doctor was probably Dr. Robert Murdoch of the 48th Regiment.
4. GW inadvertently neglected to strike “my” from the main line when making his final revisions.
5. Braddock’s detachment camped at Christopher Gist’s plantation in the vicinity of present-day Mount Braddock, Pa., on 27 June, and during the next 11 days it marched about 43 miles to reach a camp near the confluence of the Youghiogheny and Monongahela rivers, now the site of McKeesport, Pa. At or near this last camp GW rejoined Braddock on 8 July. See GW Memorandum, 8–9 July 1755.
6. By 2 July at least part of Dunbar’s division was at Scalping Camp about 4 miles east of Great Meadows, and by 9 July the whole division was camped about 7 miles beyond Great Meadows. See GW to John Augustine Washington, 28 June–2 July 1755, and GW Memorandum, 8–9 July 1755.