From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 8 May 1756
To Robert Stewart
[Winchester, 8 May 1756]
To Captain Robert Stewart. at Maidstone.
Sir,
I received yours by the Bearer1—As neither Captain Bell nor Captain Gist, can make out regular pay-rolls for their men; a months pay will be sufficient at this time to give them.2 If any officer is in want of pay, and not indebted to the country for Recruiting—Let him receive out of the Balance in your hands: but let them all know, that it will appear a little dark on their side, if they should draw pay, and are owing the country: as I have orders to the contrary.
I do not know what you can do with your Sick; we have no Surgeon to spare: and to send medicines without a person to apply them, will be needless.
Out of the few Tents that are at this place, I will send two or three per the first opportunity[.] I would, were I in your place, make Captain Caton produce Lord Fairfax’s order, before I would give up the House.3
If you are not apprehensive of the Enemys destroying the Flour at Stoddarts Fort in any short time, I would let it remain there; and send up a party to see that it is properly secured.4
If you should send up for it, employ as few of the country people as possible; that the country may be at little expence.
You are directed to receive Captains Bell & Gists’ Recruits; and to be very circumspect in your choice; as I would not receive any but very likely fellows at this time.
I must desire you will put your Works at Maidstone, in as good a posture of Defence as possible. To do which, borrow or hire Tools of the Country-people; for there are none of any kind at this place.
So soon as this reaches you, hurry off what Waggons are at the Stores, loaded with Flour, under a proper Escort. And Captain Woodward will wait until Monday, to see if more do not arrive.
Until I know what fixed Resolves the Assembly have come to, about raising and appointing their Troops; I can not confirm Mr Campbell, or order any other to the Troop of Horse.5
It would look very partial to give Mr Duncanson the highest post of Honor, who is not yet an Officer; preferable to those who have served sometime as Ensigns.6 I am, &c. Yours.
G:W.
LB, DLC:GW.
1. The letter has not been found.
2. Capt. David Bell’s payroll for April 1756 shows that he paid eighteen men; Capt. Christopher Gist’s, that he paid forty-three. See GW to Robert Stewart, 3 May 1756, n.1.
3. For Stewart’s later complaints about Thomas Caton, see his letter to GW, 20 June 1756. Caton, who lived at Maidstone, was a captain in the Frederick County militia and a justice of the peace.
4. Thomas Stoddert (d. 1761), a lieutenant in the Maryland service, in September 1755 upon Gov. Horatio Sharpe’s orders built a small fort on Tonoloway Creek in Frederick County, Md. The creek flows into the Potomac a few miles west of the mouth of Sleepy Creek which is on the Virginia side.
5. John Campbell was a lieutenant in Bell’s company. When GW issued his orders at Fort Cumberland on 12 July 1756 reorganizing the Virginia Regiment, he assigned Campbell to Stewart’s troop of light horse, the 6th company of the regiment.
6. For James Duncanson’s attempt to secure a commission in the Virginia Regiment, see William Byrd to GW, 12 Dec. 1755, and Robert Duncanson to GW, 30 Dec. 1755. On 12 July 1756 GW gave Duncanson a commission as ensign dated 28 June and assigned him to Joshua Lewis’s company.