151Memorandum, 2 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
Fairfax ... Officers 31st 1st Militia Prince Wm 4 5 } September Culpeper 8 9 Stafford 12 13 King George 15 16 Westmoreland 19 20
152From George Washington to Colin Campbell, 2 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Army under the Comd of G: Braddock has met with an fortunate defeat, ⟨ erasure ⟩ un⟨ erasure ⟩ which has occasioned my retn much sooner than was ⟨ erasure ⟩from the Ohio; expectd⟨.⟩ This circumstance enables me ⟨ erasure ⟩ full time to ⟨ erasure ⟩ order s the Militia of the several Countys in my district, to meet me; on the days I have appointed.
153From George Washington to Mary Ball Washington, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
If it is in my power to avoid going to the Ohio again, I shall, but if the Command is press’d upon me by the genl voice of the Country, and offerd upon such terms as can’t be objected against, it woud reflect eternal dishonour upon me to refuse it; and that I am sure must, or ought, to give you greater cause of uneasiness than my going in an honourable Comd; for upon no other terms I will...
154From George Washington to Warner Lewis, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
After returning the you my most sincere, and grateful thanks for your kind condolance on my late indisposition; and for the too generous, and give me leave further to say, partial opinion you have entertaind of my military ability’s; I must express my concern for not having it in my power to meet you, and other Friends, who have signified their desire of seeing me (in Williamsburg). Your...
155From George Washington to Charles Lewis, 14 August 1755 (Washington Papers)
I return most you my unfeigned thanks for your hearty demonstrations expressions of Friendship, in & kind congratulation’s on my safe return, and I wish, my dear Charles, it was more in my power than it is to answer the favourable opinion my Friends have conceiv’d of my military
156General Instructions for Recruiting, 1–3 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
General Instructions for the Recruiting Officers of the Virginia Regiment. Septr 1755. First; That each Captain shall, by beat of Drum or otherwise, Raise Thirty men; Each Lieutenant Eighteen; and each Ensign, Twelve men. Secondly: That each Captain shall appoint proper Persons to act as non—commissioned Officers, during their Recruiting Service: But those noncommissioned Officers, so...
157Memorandum, 3 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
All the Officers then present received the foregoing Instructions, and money for Recruiting; and some of them were appointed to act ’till further Orders, as followeth: viz. To Captain Spotswoods Company, Lieutenant Lomax and Ensign Carter, were ordered to do Duty as Subalterns: and to Captain Harrison—Lieutenant John Hall; Ensign Nathaniel Thompson. To Captain Lewis: Lieutenant Peter...
158Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
At the same time, the Instructions given to the other Subalterns were the same with these, differing only in this Respect; those who were ordered to Rendezvous at Fredericksburgh, were to apply to Mr Dick for orders, in case the Field Officer for that place was not arrived; and those who were ordered to Alexandria, were to apply to Mr Carlyle. After issuing the aforesaid Orders, I set out for...
159From George Washington to Peter Hog, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
By the new Appointment and Regulations, you stand as eldest Captain in the Virginia Regiment; which I hope will be agreeable: I have therefore sent you your Commission, and orders to Relieve Captain Lewis; which I expect will be immediately complied with, his presence at Fredericksburgh being much wanted. As these kind of Orders will admit of no Delay; I must again repeat, that I expect your...
160From George Washington to Peter Hog, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered, and strictly commanded, to repair immediately, upon the Receipt of this, to Jackson’s River, or the Head-Quarters of Captain Lewis’s Company; and there take upon you the Command of said Company. You are therefore to be very punctual in obeying such Orders as have or may be given, by the Governour; and such as you shall receive, from time to time, from me: And above all;...
161From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Country have come to a Resolution, to Raise Sixteen Companies, to be Formed into a Regiment; the command of which they have honoured me with; and were kind enough to allow me the Liberty of appointing my Field Officers. In consequence of which I have commissioned you, Major, and must desire you will, so soon as Captain Hogg arrives, to take the command of your Company; repair to...
162From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered, to repair to Fredericksburgh immediately upon the arrival of Captain Hogg; who is to take the command of your Company: And upon applying to Mr Dick, you will meet with your Commission and Instructions—You must, before you quit your Company, be careful in collecting an exact Return of the Effectives, and non-effectives; the State of their Arms of all sorts; the...
163Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After this, I sent to Mr Dick and finding him irresolute and indetermined, whether to continue to act as Commissary or no; I took an opportunity to write as followeth, in order to receive a written answer. LB , DLC:GW .
164From George Washington to Charles Dick, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I called at your Store last night, in order to converse farther with you, concerning the Commission of Commissary; but not meeting with you there, I have taken this method of desiring to be better informed of your Sentiments; I have enclosed you a Copy of that article of my Instructions, which empowers me to appoint another , in case you do not act; that you may see by what authority I am...
165Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Mr Dick hereupon Resolved, to act until a Meeting of the Committee in October—and Received the following Orders. LB , DLC:GW .
166From George Washington to Charles Dick, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Orders for Mr Commissary Dick You are hereby ordered, to ascertain as near as possible the Country’s Debts, that they may be transmitted to the Governour. You are to Lay in Provisions at Winchester, Fredericksburgh and Alexandria, as they arrive, and to send up a Quantity of Salt for Curing the Beef at Fort Cumberland—Also to procure Coopers to make Casks for Pickling the Beef. You are to...
167From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Major Lewis. 1st So soon as you arrive in Town, you are to take upon you the Command of the Troops that are Recruited, and brought in from the different Counties by the several Officers: and after Reviewing, you are to Receive and reject such men as fall under the enclosed Instructions; which were delivered to each Recruiting Officer, to Regulate his Conduct by. 2dly You are...
168From George Washington to Robert Spotswood, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
As soon as you arrive in Town with your Recruits, you are to put yourself under the Command of Major Andrew Lewis, or the Field Officer appointed for that Rendezvous: and you are to be strictly obedient to all such lawful Commands, as you shall from time to time receive from him: and particularly to observe, that the Muster Rolls of your Men are regularly called three times a day, and that...
169Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
A Copy of these Orders was also enlosed for Captain’s Lewis and Harrison, and Lieutenant Lowry, and Ensign Weedon. From hence I proceeded to Alexandria, and left the following Orders. LB , DLC:GW . Carter Henry Harrison (1732–1796), son of Benjamin Harrison (d. 1745) of Berkeley plantation, was “laid up with the Fever & Ague” for a time ( Dinwiddie to GW, 18 Oct. 1755 ). As late as 18 Nov. he...
170From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Lieutenant Colonel Stephen. 1st So soon as you arrive in Alexandria, you are to take upon you the command of the Troops that are Recruited and brought in from the different Counties, by the several Officers; and after reviewing them, you are to receive and reject, such men as fall properly under the enclosed Instructions, which were delivered each Recruiting Officer, to...
171From George Washington to William Peachey, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered, as soon as you arrive in Town with your Recruits, to put yourself under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Adam Stephen, or the Field Officer appointed to that Rendezvous: and you are to be strictly obedient to such Lawful Commands as you shall from time to time receive from him; and particularly to observe, that the Muster Roll of your Men is regularly called three...
172Memorandum, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
A Copy of these Instructions was also left for the other Officers appointed to this Rendezvous; and the following Letters wrote. LB , DLC:GW . For the officers assigned to rendezvous at Alexandria under Lt. Col. Adam Stephen, see GW’s Memorandum of 3 Sept. 1755 .
173From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After waiting a day or two at Fredericksburgh, writing Orders for the Recruiting Officers appointed to that Rendezvous, and dispatching an Express for Major Lewis, who I have ordered Captain Hogg to relieve; I set out for this place in order to examine the Clothing, Provisions, &c.; an exact Return of which I herewith send. I also enclose your Honour a List of such Things as Major Carlyle can...
174From George Washington to John Robinson, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After a small Halt at Fredericksburgh, to issue out Orders to the Recruiting Officers appointed to that Rendezvous, I proceeded to this place, in order to collect a Return of the Provisions, Clothing, &c. that were lodged here; an exact Copy of which I herewith send you. I find after the Soldiers have their short allowances, there will arise great inconveniences, if Stores of Clothing are not...
175Memorandum, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After giving the necessary Orders, and collecting Returns of the Provision, Clothing, &c. at this place, and Stores at Rock-Creek, I continued to Winchester, where I arrived on the fourteenth, and sent for John Mercer, late Lieutenant of the Light Horse, and acquainted him and Deckiser, of their Promotion: appointed Deckiser to act as Ensign under him; gave them Money, Recruiting Instructions,...
176From George Washington to George Gordon, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered, and appointed to act as Cornet of the Light Horse, until further Orders: you are therefore to repair immediately to the Troop, and take the Command thereof, until the arrival of Captain Stuart; and I do hereby Order and require strictly, them and each of them, to obey you as their Cornet. Given under my hand at Winchester, the fifteenth of September, 1755. LB , DLC:GW ....
177From George Washington to George Gordon, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Ensign Gordon. 1st You are immediately upon your coming to the Troop, to dispatch a trusty Corporal with the enclosed Letter to the Store-Keeper at Connogogee, ordering him to receive an answer, and to proceed thence with all imaginable Dispatch to me, at Fort Cumberland. 2ly You are to collect and send to me, by the said Corporal, an exact Return of your Men; the State of...
178From George Washington to John Jones, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have sent the Bearer (of the Light Horse) to desire an exact Return of all the Things and Country’s Stores which are in your possession; and must desire, that you will be very particular in the Quantity and Quality of all Things, and send it immediately. I am your &c. LB , DLC:GW . John Jones, the storekeeper at Conococheague, served the Virginia Regiment as a commissary in this area until,...
179From George Washington to David Bell, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
If it happens that I am not in Winchester when you arrive there with your Recruits; You are hereby ordered to put yourself &c. under the Command of the oldest officer then present; observing particularly, all such Directions as you shall from time to time receive from him. But, if it should so fall out, that you are the first that arrive there, or if you should be the oldest Officer there; you...
180Orders, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for the Commanding Officer at Winchester. 1st So soon as you arrive in Town, you are hereby Ordered to take upon yourself the Command of the Recruits Raised and brought in by the several Officers appointed to that Rendezvous; and to keep it until another Officer arrive, who shall be Senior to yourself in Rank: then and in that case, you are immediately to give up the command, and...
181Memorandum, 17 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
From thence I continued to Fort Cumberland, and took upon me the Command of the Troops there; issuing the Daily Orders, and giving such Instructions and Directions, as appeared necessary. LB , DLC:GW . GW presumably received “A Daily Return of the Nine american Companys Fort Cumberland Sepr 17th 1755” shortly after his arrival at the fort and before issuing his orders of that date, in which he...
182Orders, 17 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Forgie for the Day. Parole Success. Fort Cumberland: September 17, 1755. George Washington Esquire, is by His Honor Governour Dinwiddie, appointed Colonel of the Virginia Regiment, and Commander in Chief of all the Forces that now are, and shall be Raised &c. &c. Captain Adam Stephen is appointed Lieutenant Colonel; and Captain Andrew Lewis, Major of the same Regiment—Captain George...
183Memorandum, 17 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Lieutt Colo.—Adam Stephen Andrew Lewis—Major Captains Lieutenants Ensigns 1st Peter Hogg 2 Jno. McNeill 12–1st Thomas Carter 2 George Mercer 3 William Starke 3d–2 [Edward] Hubbard 3 Thomas Waggener 4
184Orders, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Buckner, Officer for the Day. Parole Diligence. Fort-Cumberland: September 18th 1755. Lieutenant Bronaugh is promoted as a Captain in the Virginia Regiment. All the Men of the Virginia Troops are to be formed into two Companies, which are to be commanded by Captains Savage and Bronaugh, ’till further Orders. Captain Savage, Lieutenant Blegg, and Ensign Smith, to take care of Captains...
185After Orders, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After orders. The commanding Officers of Companies, are this Evening to Recommend such Men of their Companies, as they think fit for Sergeants, and Corporals for the new Companies. It is desired, that none of the officers will recommend any, but such as they can vouch for their Behaviour. LB , DLC:GW .
186From George Washington to Joshua Lewis, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Whereas the Service Requires a number of Men to be Raised, with all convenient Dispatch—You are hereby ordered to Repair as soon as possible to Annapolis, and other publick Places in Maryland, and there to use your utmost Endeavours in Recruiting Men for His Majesty’s Service, under my Command—taking particular care, to do nothing contrary to your Recruiting Instructions. You are to send your...
187From George Washington to Hancock Eustace, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are, until further Orders, appointed to act as Lieutenant in Captain Joshua Lewis’s Company, and are to observe such Orders as you shall receive from him, unless contradicted by your Recruiting Instructions, or any Orders which you shall receive from me hereafter. You are to proceed to any Place where your Captain shall send you; and are to use your utmost Endeavours in recruiting Men for...
188Memorandum, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Buckner was ordered to act as Ensign under Captain Lewis, and Received the same Orders. LB , DLC:GW . See the orders to Hancock Eustace of this date .
189Memorandum, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Starke received the same Orders as Lieutenant Eustace; and ordered to continue in Captain Cockes Company, until further Orders. LB , DLC:GW . Lt. William Stark of the Virginia Regiment was probably the William Stark who was born c.1735, the son of William and Mary Bolling Stark of Prince George County. In Jan. 1755 Stark was serving as a lieutenant in the Virginia forces, and he...
190From George Washington to Thomas Cocke, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Whereas the Service Requires a number of Men to be Raised with all convenient Dispatch: You are hereby ordered to Repair as soon as possible to these publick Places, where you have the greatest prospect of meeting with Success, avoiding as much as you can, going where other Officers have been before; and there use your best Endeavours, in Recruiting Men for His Majesty’s Service, under my...
191Orders, 19 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant McManners, Officer for the Day. Parole England. Fort Cumberland: September 19th 1755. All the Men of the two Companies formed Yesterday, are to distinguish their Firelocks by some particular mark, which the Subaltern Officers of the Companies are to enter in a Book, which they are to keep for that purpose—And if any man changes or loses his Firelock, or other Arms, he is to be...
192Memorandum, 19 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Officers Ordered yesterday to attend, Received their General Instructions, and the following Particular Ones. LB , DLC:GW . GW’s orders to Joshua Lewis , Hancock Eustace , and Thomas Cocke , and memoranda regarding Mordecai Buckner and William Stark , all dated 18 Sept. 1755, follow immediately after this document in the letter book, suggesting that they were not delivered until 19 Sept.
193From George Washington to Andrew Montour, 19 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
The number of the Virginia Forces is considerably augmented, and I have again taken them under my Command. I am therefore very desirous of seeing you here; and the more so, because I have it in my power to do something for you in a Settled way, which I hope will be agreeable to you. You have, much contrary to my inclinations, been tossed about from place to place, and disappointed in your just...
194From George Washington to Charles Dick, 20 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby desir’d, to give in an exact return of all the cloathing of every kind, Arms of all sorts, Ammunition Provision’s Tents, Pack saddles &ca &ca that are at Winchester: and to be very particular in distinguishing the quantity and quality of each sort. I must also desire that you will provide Barracks, Provision’s, and other absolute necessarys for the Recruits as they arrive at...
195From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 20 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions to Colonel Adam Stephen. 1st To complete the Stockade round the Magazine, as soon as possible; and to have that House which contains the empty Casks, covered with Dirt, and the Ammunition removed into it. 2ly To have the Barracks well cleaned and Sweetened, as soon as the Hospital is Removed, and the Troops moved into them. 3ly To have Wood on the other side of the Run cut down,...
196Memorandum, 24 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
From thence I proceeded to Fort Dinwiddie, on Jackson’s River; where I found it necessary to give the following Directions. LB , DLC:GW . GW to Peter Hog, 24 Sept. 1755 .
197From George Washington to Peter Hog, 24 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Captain Hogg of the Virginia Regiment. You are Hereby Ordered, to add Bastions to, and Build Barracks in the Fort, immediately: and to Fall all the Wood within Musket-Shot, that you may be Guarded against Surprizes. You are to provide Coopers, and have Casks to put your Provisions in; and See that Some of them are made of such convenient Sizes, that they may be easily...
198Memorandum, 2 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
After Examining into the State of Affairs here, and giving such Directions as seemed convenient; I set out on my Return to Alexandria, where I arrived the second of October; and gave the following Instructions, &c. LB , DLC:GW . GW is referring to Fort Dinwiddie. See GW to Peter Hog, 24 Sept. 1755 .
199Memorandum, 3–5 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Deckiezer’s Day of Rendezvous is prolonged to the twentieth Instant—October. LB , DLC:GW .
200From George Washington to Thomas Waggener, 3 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Captain Waggener. As the Service at present will not allow of Colonel Stephen, as was first intendend; you are hereby ordered, to follow the within Instructions, which were designed for him. If your Leisure will admit, while you command here, you are to frequent the publick places hereabout, and endeavour to Enlist what men you can for the Service. As all the Officers...