1Memorandum respecting the Militia, 1–2 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
On Thursday the 29th of May [April] 1756 divers expresses being first sent to the County Lieutenants of Fairfax Prince William and Culpeper Mr Dalton at the head of 31 Volunteer’s and 54 Militia from Fairfax came to Town. the same day I receivd an express from Captn Broadwater at the Gap of the Short Hills informing me that himself and the Captns Ramsay[,] Minor and Hamilton with abt 100 Men...
2Orders, 1 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Return to be given in immediately of the whole number of men of the Virginia Regiment now in this Town; and those that are fit for Duty. After Orders. A Captain, two Subalterns, three Sergeants, three corporals, one Drummer, and forty-five private men to mount Guard tomorrow morning, at eight o’clock. Every Officer in town to make out his Recruiting accompts; observing the former Rules and...
3Memorandum respecting the Militia, 2 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
May 2d The aforesd detacht of 25 arrivd which made in the whole, includg Volunteers (but of these 13 returnd) 173 Men. AD , DLC:GW . See Memorandum respecting the Militia, 1–2 May 1756 . See ibid., in which GW reported that between 29 April and 2 May 119 Fairfax County militiamen and 54 volunteers arrived in Winchester.
4Orders, 2 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial, to consist of four Captains, and five Subalterns, to sit immediately for trial of Lieutenant Lomax, of the Virginia Regiment —Captain Stewart, President—Mr Kirkpatrick, Judge Advocate. The President to wait on Colonel Washington for his Orders—All Evidences to attend: another Captain is ordered to the Court Martial—The youngest Subaltern to be taken off. LB , DLC:GW ....
5From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 2 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
By Virtue of the Power and Authority to me given and granted, by the Honorable Robert Dinwiddie Esquire, Governor of Virginia; I do Hereby constitute and appoint you President of a General Court-Martial, to sit between the hours of eight and three; for trial of Lieutenant John Lomax, of the Virginia Regiment; accused of neglect of Duty, in not covering the Retreat of a Detachment under command...
6After Orders, 2 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
After Orders. A Return to be given in immediately of the Detachments from Fort-Cumberland, Cocke’s and Ashby’s Forts; by the Officers; of what necessaries the men want—which will be delivered them immediately. They are also to return the number of men each of those Officers has under command; and they shall receive a months’ pay for each man. The General Court martial, whereof Captain Stewart...
7Evening Orders, 2 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Evening Orders. The General Court Martial, whereof Captain Woodward was President, is dissolved—and Colonel Washington approves of the Sentence of the Court, in regard to Fling and Clarke; who lost their arms. Sergeant Lewis is to have a further Hearing. LB , DLC:GW .
8Memorandum respecting the Militia, 3 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
May 3d 100 of the aforesd Militia under the Captns Minor and Hamilton were ordd to March for the Branch the rest to join a Scoutg Party of the Regt that was orderd to search Back Ck &ca. AD , DLC:GW . See Memorandum respecting the Militia, 1–2 May 1756 . See Evening Orders, 3 May 1756 . Back Creek, a few miles to the west of Winchester, flowed in a northerly direction into the Potomac River.
9Orders, 3 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial, to consist of five Captains and eight Subalterns; to sit immediately for Trial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis—Captain Stewart, President—who is to wait on Colonel Washington for his Orders. Mr Kirkpatrick, Judge-Advocate—all Evidences to attend. After Orders. Lieutenant John Hall is appointed Judge-Advocate for this Court-Martial, instead of Mr Kirkpatrick. After issuing a...
10Court-Martial, 3 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
At a Genl Court Martial held at Winchester May 2d [3d] 1756 Capt. Robert Steuart, President. Capt. Woodward } { Capt. Spotswood Capt. Lewis Capt. Harrisson Lieut. Stark Members Capt. Bullett Lieut. Blagg Lieut. Eustace Lieut. Lomax Lieut. Williams Lieut. Lowry Lieut. King Serjeant Nathan Lewis accused for retreating with a party of Men without orders and not going to the assistance of Capt....
11Evening Orders, 3 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Evening Orders. The General Court Martial, whereof Captain Stewart was President, is dissolved. Colonel Washington approves of the Sentence of the Court— was unanimous in opinion, that Sergeant Nathan Lewis, for his misbehaviour, in running away with his Party, should suffer Death. The three eldest Captains, eight Subalterns, ten Sergeants, one Drummer, and an hundred Rank & File, to hold...
12From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 3 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are Hereby ordered to repair to Maidstone, the place where your Troop is Quartered; and remain there until further orders. You are to hold a Court Martial for punishing the ring-leading mutineers of your Troop. You will receive two hundred & sixty-four pounds, eighteen shillings and a penny, for payment of your own Troop, and the other Detachments at that place. And you are to see that the...
13From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 3 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I received your two Letters of the 23d and 26th ultimo. I have sent down an indian scalp which was taken off at the place where Captain Mercer had his Engagement. He was found thrust under some rocks, and stones piled up against them. They have reason to believe there were more killed, from the quantity of blood found on the ground, where the Indians fired from; and from other discoveries of...
14Memorandum respecting the Militia, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
May 4th The Partys Marchd Captn Hamilton was ordd to consult Pearsal & the Kirkendal for the proper place to fix his Company at below the Trough and Captn Minor to advise wt. Colo. Vanmeter & Captn Wagr for Fixg above see their Instns in my orderly book dated May the 4th. Captn Dalton with his Volunteers and the rest of the Militia march’d with the Scoutg Partys of the Regt he had orders to...
15Orders, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
As Colonel Washington has received certain advice of the Militia of some of the adjacent counties, being on their march near this place—It has prevented his going out with the party ordered yesterday—and those orders are countermanded. The eldest Captain, six Subalterns, six Sergeants, one Drummer, and one hundred rank and file, are to march immediately upon the scout. The Captain to wait upon...
16From George Washington to Henry Woodward, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are with your party under command, to proceed up the new-road to Fort Cumberland, as far as Back-Creek: when you come there, you must take down these waters, and scour the woods down the Creek, until you come to potomac River; detaching small reconnoitring parties into the Mountains. You are to use all possible precaution in your Search; and above all things, to guard against a Surprize....
17From George Washington to John Dalton, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to join with the Volunteers and Militia under your command; the Detachment sent with Captain Woodward, to scour Back-Creek, &c. He is directed to proceed down the said creek, until he comes to Potomack River; and then to march to Conogochieg to get provisions. When you arrive there, you must consult with the Inhabitants the best place to post the Militia at, under...
18From George Washington to James Hamilton, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to repair with the Detachment under your command, to Job Pearsals and John Kirkindalls; with whom you are to consult and advise upon the proper place to make your Head-Quarters. You are to take care to provide your Company with necessary provisions, agreeable to the Act of Assembly. And you are to be careful in sending out frequent scouting parties: and to use your...
19From George Washington to Nicholas Minor, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to proceed with the Detachment under your command, as far as Colonel Henry Vanmeeters, on the South Branch; and when there to consult with him and Captain Waggener, on the properest place to fix your Head Quarters, for the protection of the Inhabitants of those waters. And you are to be careful in seeing that your company is provided with provisions, as the act of...
20After Orders, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
After Orders. The first Subaltern for Duty, to get ready immediately to go to Cunningham-Fort, and wait upon Colonel Washington for orders. LB , DLC:GW . Cunningham’s fort was located twelve miles north of Winchester and about five miles from Mills Gap in the North Mountain. It was Ens. Nathaniel Milner whom GW ordered there, this date.
21From George Washington to Nathaniel Milner, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to proceed to Cunningham-Fort, and there to use your utmost endeavours to engage one or two good woodsmen to serve as pilots to the Detachment under Captain Woodward. I have been told that a Son of Colonel Morgan, now at that place, will answer the intention full well; him you are to endeavour to get—If they insist upon certain pay before they stir, you must engage it to...
22From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to acquaint Captain Woodward, that it is my Orders that he Escort the provision-waggons from Conogochieg. I expect they will be there on Saturday next: and you are to see that they are loaded with all possible dispatch. Given at Winchester, May 4th 1756. LB , DLC:GW . For Henry Woodward’s movements, see GW to Nathaniel Milner, 4 May, n.1 . GW ordered Stewart on 3 May to join his troop...
23Orders, 5 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Court Martial to sit immediately for trial of John Grant, Drummer; Sergeants Richardson, Talman, and Whitecotton; and Timothy Conner, private. Three Subalterns and two Sergeants to go immediately in pursuit of Corporal Thomas, Deserter. Horses are to be hired or impress for this Duty. LB , DLC:GW . Recruited at Williamsburg in December 1754 by Robert Stewart, John Grant in July 1756 was a...
24From George Washington to Henry Woodward, 5 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I was not a little surprized to hear of the misbehaviour of your party last night at Jesse Pugh’s —He has been with me this morning, and complained that they killed his Fowls, pulled down one of his Houses for firewood; turned the Horses into his meadow and corn; destroyed them and his Fences. As I should imagine that your sense would direct you better, were it not absolutely contradicted by...
25Memorandum respecting the Militia, 6 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
May 6th: the Prince William Detachment consistg of ⟨8⟩ Officers and 121 private Men arriv’d here and abt an hour or two after them came Colo. Ewel. AD , DLC:GW . See Memorandum respecting the Militia, 1–2 May 1756 . Ewel was probably Bertrand Ewell (1715–1795) of Prince William County, vestryman of Dettingen Parish, justice of the peace, and county surveyor.
26Orders, 6 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
27Memorandum respecting the Militia, 7 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
May 7th Lieutenant Colo. Peyton came to Town —and Captn Joseph Murdock with 2 Officers and 20 Men from King George sent up by Colo. Champe, a detacht of 50 private left the County the rest deserted on their March. AD , DLC:GW . See Memorandum respecting the Militia, 1–2 May 1756 . Henry Peyton, lieutenant colonel of the Prince William County militia, insisted on marching with his men to...
28Orders, 7 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Three or four men that understand making cartridges, and are careful, to be put to that Duty immediately—An officer to see that no waste is made of the ammunition or paper, and that the men are Diligent. James Colley enlisted by Captain Gist, being unfit for Service; and Richard Best and Thomas Livings, being judged uncapable of Service by the Surgeon, are all discharged. The first Subaltern...
29From George Washington to William Stark, 7 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to proceed immediately to Edwards’s Fort, to relieve Ensign Hubbard: and acquaint him, it is my Orders, that he proceed directly to this place. If your command there should want provisions, you are hereby empowered to purchase Beef, mutton, &c. upon the best terms; and draw upon the commissary for the money—Taking care to purchase only as you want; for it is uncertain,...
30Memorandum respecting the Militia, 8 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
May 8th The County Lieutt of Prince Wm Colo. Henry Lee arriv’d. this day we began to experience in a surpg degree the suparlative insolence of the prince Wm Detacht who made use of every mean’s to treat not only the Private Soldrs but the Officer’s of the Virga Regt ill and upon one of them being seasd and order’d to the guard House for abusg in the Most insolt manr & offg to ⟨ illegible ⟩ one...