361Orders, 14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
All the Recruits in Town are to be completed to six days provision; and are to-morrow to march to Winchester, under the command of Ensign Deane; who is to see that they commit no irregularities on their march. They are to Halt two days at Winchester, and then to proceed on their march to Fort Cumberland: they will receive provision at Winchester for that purpose. The rest of the Officers here...
362After Orders, 14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
After Orders The Soldiers in town are not to march until further Orders—They are to remain here under the command of Ensign Deane, who is to be very careful that they commit no irregularities. He is to have the Rolls called over thrice every day; and if any of them desert, he is to send in pursuit of them immediately. The other Officers in town are to set out to-morrow for Fort Cumberland. LB...
363From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 14 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
When I was down the Committee among other things resolved that the Maryland and Carolina Companies shoud not be supported with our Provisions—This Resolve (I think) met with your Approbation; upon which I wrote to Colo. Stephen desiring him to acquaint Capt. Dagworthy thereof, who paid slight Regard to it, saying it was in the Kings Garrison and all the Troops had an equal Right to draw...
364From George Washington to Charles Lewis, 27 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
The first of march I appointed for the general Rendezvous; as I conceived a plan of operations for the ensuing Campaign would be concerted and ordered by that time: However, yours is Hereby prolonged until the twentieth of that month; at which time, without a further prolongation, you are ordered to repair to Winchester without fail. I am greatly astonished at Mr Starke’s behaviour, but more...
365From George Washington to George Fraser, 27 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are really appointed to Captain Hoggs Company as Captain Peachy told you; and I am sorry to say, as it is disagreeable to you, that you must abide by this regulation; and repair to the Company with all convenient dispatch. If it is absolutely necessary for you to go by Fort Cumberland; I must recommend diligence, as your presence may be wanting—As to your having Fort Duty this year, it is...
366Memorandum, 30 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Ensign James Roy appointed to Captain John Mercers Company: and a copy of the above Letter sent him. LB , DLC:GW . The “above Letter” in the letter book is that of George Mercer to Denis McCarty, 30 Jan. 1756 .
367From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 1 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
If you find that a good road by Ross’s Mill can be so easily cut; the sooner it is set about the better. As the Governor is still silent concerning what I represented about building a Fort on Pattersons Creek; I would have you desist, at least for a while—and erect such Buildings as are absolutely necessary at Fort Cumberland, and no more. You may depend upon it, I shall take proper notice of...
368From George Washington to Thomas Walker, 1 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the contention about the command is risen to the disagreeable height it now is; and would probably, if not timely prevented, be attended with very bad consequences to the public: I solicited leave, which is obtained, to visit the General, and represent all those matters to him. And accordingly I set out on monday next. When I saw you last, you proposed as a thing which you believed might be...
369Memorandum, 2–3 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
John Sellers, Enlisted by Ensign Deane, was this day discharged; as not being legally Enlisted. LB , DLC:GW .
370From George Washington to John Blagg, 2 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are Hereby ordered to proceed with the utmost dispatch to Winchester; there to take upon you the Command of the Troop of Light Horse, and such other Soldiers as you shall find Quartered there. You are to govern yourself strictly by the orders which you will receive there inclosed by Captain Stewart; he being directed to leave you the same orders which he received, when posted to that...
371From George Washington to John Dean, 2 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to take under your command all the men now quartered in this town; and proceed with the utmost dispatch to Watkins’s Ferry; there to relieve Lieutenant Lomax and his party, who are to march directly to Fort-Cumberland, to join their respective Companies there. Lieutenant Lomax will give you a copy of his Instructions; by which you are to govern yourself. If Captain Stewart is still at...
372From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 2 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
I can but return my very hearty thanks for your kind condescension in suffering me to wait upon General Shirley; as I am very assured it was done with intention to favour my Suit. There is as yet an unanswerable argument against our taking the Field, which I forgot to mention in my last; that is, the want of a Train of Artillery; and, what is full as necessary, Engineers to conduct the Affair,...
373From George Washington to John Kirkpatrick, 3 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to remain at this place until my return; unless you receive orders to the contrary from me. The Pay-Master and Commissary will apply to you for some money; and you are according to their demands on you, to pay them out of the money in your hands; reserving about eight hundred pounds—You are also to pay off the Officers and men now in town, before they march. Given at Alexandria, this...
374From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 25 March 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Adam Stephen, 25 Mar. 1756. On 19 May 1756 Stephen wrote to GW : “I am sorry that I did not receive yours from Quantico dated March 25th.”
375From George Washington to William Shirley, 4 April 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Shirley, 4 April 1756. On 16 May 1756 Shirley wrote to Horatio Sharpe: “Three Days ago I was favour’d with your Letter dated the 10th of April inclosing one from Colonel Washington to me dated the 4th together with another from yourself dated the 14th of the same month” ( Lincoln, Shirley Correspondence Charles Henry Lincoln, ed. Correspondence of William Shirley:...
376Orders, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Washington orders a Return to be given in immediately of the number of Recruits in Town; their arms and Clothes. After Orders. A Subaltern and twenty men to parade immediately to march to Joseph Edwards’s. The Officer to see that the Party is provided well with ammunition. Lieutenant Blagg for this Command: who will receive his Orders from the aid de camp. LB , DLC:GW . GW rode into...
377From George Washington to John Blagg, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are Hereby ordered to proceed with the party under your command, with the utmost expedition to Joseph Edwards’s on Great Capecapon; where you are to remain, and endeavour to procure what intelligence you can, and transmit to me from time to time. I would by no means have you go in pursuit of the Enemy, unless you are joined by such parties of the Militia, as you judge from the intelligence...
378From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday and think it advisable to dispatch an Express (notwithstanding I hear two or three are already sent down) to inform you of the unhappy situation of Affairs on this Quarter. The Enemy have returned in greater numbers; committed several murders not far from Winchester; and even are so daring as to attack our Forts in open day; as your Honor may see by the enclosed...
379From George Washington to John Robinson, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday and though not a little fatigued, and incessantly hurried by the afflicting news from the back inhabitants, who are hourly importuning me for assistance, which is not in my power to give—I can not omit this favourable opportunity to give some account of the gloomy aspect that things bear at present. And I am sorry to say, that unless there are speedy and vigorous...
380From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am very much surprized to hear that the Officers with the Detachments from Fort Cumberland, are returned without meeting with the Enemy: as they were committing their depredations and cruelties in all parts at that time, even as low as Sleepy-Creek. It is determined here by Lord Fairfax and others of the militia, that a number of them shall be raised to march out and scour the Country—They...
381Orders, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Officers now in Town, to give in a Return immediately of the Recruits they brought to Rendezvous, since they were last sent out: and are to have them drawn up, in order to be passed by Colonel Washington. Captain Peachy to see this done, and wait upon the Colonel, to let him know when they are ready. Sergeant Hughes is to march to Conongochieg immediately, with fifteen men from this Town....
382From George Washington to David Bell, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
To Captain David Bell. of the Virginia Regiment. You are Hereby Ordered to proceed immediately to Conogochege; and are there to take upon you the Command of the Troops now stationed there, for defence of the Stores, &c.—You are to endeavour with all possible expedition, to procure a sufficient number of Batteaus and Canoes (assisted by those which are already gone up with Captain Gist) to...
383Orders, 9 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Regimental Court Martial to sit immediately to enquire whether John Hogan, and William Bond, are guilty of the crimes laid to their charge—and to try the Sentinel, who let William Field, who was confined for desertion, escape from the Guard. Captain Peachy, President. The Officers to see that the Recruits now in Town are exercised twice every day: They are to order all the men to appear...
384From George Washington to Robert Hunter Morris, 9 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I had scarce reachd Williamsburg, before an express was after me with news of the French & Indians advancing within our Settlements, and doing incredable mischief to the Inhabitants which obligd me to postpone my business there, and hurry to their assistance with all expedition: when I came to this place I found everythings in deep confusion: and the poor distressd Inhabitants under a general...
385Orders, 10 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Sentence of the Court-Martial, whereof Captain Peachy was President, is approved: and Richard Denny is to receive his punishment at Retreat-Beating to night. LB , DLC:GW . Richard Denny (born c.1730), a soldier in Capt. William Bronaugh’s company, enlisted in Feb. 1756 and was from Northumberland County. Denny was probably the sentinel mentioned in GW’s Orders, 9 April, who had let the...
386From George Washington to David Bell, 10 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the Inhabitants of the place seem much alarmed, and under continued apprehensions of being attacked—It is my Orders, that you keep out constant Scouting Parties of the Light Horse, &c. in order that you may receive timely notice of the approach of the Enemy; which you are immediately to communicate to the Inhabitants. If you think you can strengthen the place where you are, by throwing up...
387Orders, 11–12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Officers are to examine the arms, ammunition, &c. of the men, immediately. They are to have all the muskets discharged by some good marksman, in order to see if they are straight, those that are not, are immediately to be carried to the Smith to put them in order. They must also examine the locks and ram-rods, and see that they are fit for Service—They must see that all the men are...
388From George Washington to David Bell, 12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
If you find it impossible to procure a sufficient number of canoes to transport the Stores at Conogchieg to Fort Cumberland at one Trip[,] you are to endeavour to engage as many as you can, to be in readiness against Captain Gists return: and then proceed with them, and those that come with Captain Gist, to Fort Cumberland. Captain Gist is to remain at Conogochieg with his Party, until further...
389From George Washington to John Fenton Mercer, 12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
If this overtakes you on cape-capon, or any of its waters, you are immediately to return to Joseph Edwards’s, on Great Cape-capon: and there wait with your party, until you receive further orders from me. You are, immediately upon your arrival at J. Edwards’s, to make a Return, and dispatch it by Express immediately to me at this place; of the number your party consists of; and how they are...
390From George Washington to David Bell, 14–15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is my Orders that you send out Scouting Parties of the Light Horse as often as it can possibly be done, without too much fatiguing them. And you must order them to scour the Woods round for six or seven miles: as I am informed they never proceeded more than three or four miles upon any of their Scouts, heretofore. LB , DLC:GW .
391Orders, 14 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
392Orders, 15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A trusty Sergeant, and ten private men to parade immediately, and escort the Waggon with provision to Joseph Edwards’s. LB , DLC:GW . See George Mercer’s orders to Reuben Vass, this date .
393From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
All my Ideal hopes, of raising a Number of Men, to scour the adjacent Mountains, have vanished into Nothing. Yesterday was the appointed Time, for a general Rendezvous of all who were willing to accompany Me, for that desirable End; and only 15 appeared: so that I find myself reduced, to the farther Necessity, of waiting at this Place a few Days longer, till the Arrival of a Party, which was...
394Enclosure I, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Scheme for forming the Quota of Virga Troops 2000 into two Battalions of ten Companies each as the best & chexapest Method Officers following Pay pr Day 1 Colonel who is to have the Command of the whole & have a Compa. £1 10. 0 2 Lieut. Colonels for 1st & 2d Battalion each a Company each 17. 6 2 Majors—with Companies also 15. 0 15 Captains each a Company 10.
395Enclosure II, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Present Establishment of the Virginia Regiment with the pay of each Officer &c.— Pay per Day 1 Colonel £1. 10. 0 1 Lieutenant Colonel 17. 6 1 Major 15. 0 16 Captains 10.
396From George Washington to John Robinson, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote you last, I was in high hopes of being by this time at the head a large party scouring the Allegany Hills. But the timidity of the Inhabitants of this County is to be equalled by nothing but their perverseness. Yesterday was the time appointed for all to meet who were inclined to join for this desirable end, and only fifteen came; some of whom refused to go but upon such terms as...
397Orders, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Court martial to sit immediately for trial of John Garland and Thomas Hope, confined for fighting. Lieutenant Gist is to give in a Return immediately of the Recruits he brought to Town last night: with their names, age, size, &c. Sergeant Clunis to see that the man who is employed in straightening the arms, keep close to his Business; and is to order him all the assistance he can. The Troops...
398Orders, 17 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
399From George Washington to John Fenton Mercer, 17 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the great rains have prevented your march on the expedition Ordered: You are to halt at the place where you now are, until the Waters are passable: and then proceed to Enoch’s Fort and no farther; and remain there until you receive further Orders from me. You must endeavour to procure some good Woodsmen, well acquainted with the place; and honest people, to send out as Spies to the Springs...
400Orders, 18 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Court Martial to sit immediately for Trial of Sergeant Waters, and John Garland. LB , DLC:GW . John Garland, a 32–year-old Virginian, was listed on Robert Spotswood’s size roll of 13 July 1756 as having been enlisted on 1 Feb. 1756 in North Carolina. Garland was later transferred to Woodward’s company. GW mentioned a Sergeant Waters earlier (see GW’s Orders for 8 Jan. 1756 ), and this may be...
401From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 18 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It gave me infinite concern to find in yours by Governour Innis, that any representations should inflame the Assembly against the Virginia Regiment; or give cause to suspect the morality and good Behaviour of the Officers. How far any of the individuals may have deserved such invidious reflections, I will not take upon me to determine; but this I am certain of; and can call my conscience, and...
402From George Washington to John Robinson, 18 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It gave me infinite concern to hear by several letters that the Assembly are incensed against the Virginia Regiment; and think they have cause to accuse the Officers of all inordinate vices; but more especially of drunkenness and profanity! How far any one individual may have subjected himself to such reflections, I will not pretend to determine: but this I am certain of; and can with the...
403Orders, 19 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Guard is immediately to be reinforced to a full third part of the men in Town fit for Duty—and the eldest Subaltern to mount. He is to see that three or four good hands are immediately set to making Cartridges, and that they do not waste the ammunition or paper—and that his Guard have their arms in good order. The other officers are to inspect the arms of the rest of the men, and see that...
404From George Washington to Thomas, Lord Fairfax, 19 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is the Copy of a Letter that came to my Hands by Express this Instant, which I send in Hopes that your Lordship will give Orders for raising not only a part of the Militia of this County, but of the adjacent ones also, & that with the utmost Expedition otherwise it is uncertain how far the Enemy may attempt to pursue their Victory—I have consulted Colo. Innis & the Officers of my...
405From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 19 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Since writing my Letter of Yesterday’s date the inclosd came to hand by which your honr will be informd of a very unlucky affair. I immediately consulted Colo. Innis and such Officers of my own Regiment as were at this place on the necessary steps to be taken: they unanimously advisd that I shoud remain here with the 50 Recruits that are in Town for the defence of the place till the Militia...
406From George Washington to Henry Harrison, 19 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to repair to Joseph Edwards’s Fort, and there to take upon you the command of all those different parties that are at that place. You are to use your utmost endeavours to protect the people, and be very circumspect in your conduct; taking care to do nothing without first advising with your Officers, and receiving their counsel. You are to be very careful that you are not...
407Orders, 20 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
All the men off Duty, are to go out immediately to assist the towns’ people in cutting down the Bushes about Town. LB , DLC:GW .
408From George Washington to William Stark, 20 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I received yours, dispatched last night by Express, about two o’clock this morning. There is ammunition already sent up, but I send you more now. I hope ere this, Captain Harrison is safe arrived with you. Let him know it is my Orders, that he return the Horses he took up with him, per the first safe hand that is coming down: and that he transmit me constantly, what intelligence he may...
409From George Washington to Henry Harrison, 20 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate you on your safe arrival at Fort-Edward—If Ensign Hubbard applies to you for a reinforcement, you are to detach to his assistance a party of ten men: and if you have the same application from Homer’s-Fort, let them have the like number; and a small quantity of ammunition, if it can be spared. Yours LB , DLC:GW . See GW to Harrison, 19 April 1756, notes 1 and 2 . Horner’s, or...
410From George Washington to Edward Hubbard, 20 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You will receive by the Bearer as much powder as I think will suffice: Ball, according to your own account, you have enough of. I am informed by the Bearer, that the Inhabitants at Enochs’s (where your party is garrisoned) are desirous of moving. I would therefore recommend that you may, if you can convey them, and such Stores as are in your custody, to retreat to Edwards’s. If you find this...