To George Washington from Abraham Bosomworth, 4 July 1758
From Abraham Bosomworth
Camp at Reas Town 4th July 1758
Dear Sir
I Desire you’ll be so good as forward the enclosed to Captn Gist that he may not be imposed upon by a Scalp which Captn Johnny pretends to have taken with his Catawbas. Colo. Bouquet is well convinced of the Deceit & desires you will take Care Gist’s letter getts to Winchester before Johnny can,1 The Circumstances are so strong against him that they admit of no manner of doubt, therefore think he has been sufficiently rewarded for the Service he has done us & deserves not the least Countenance for such a Scandalous attempt. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you soon & am Dr Sr With perfect regard Your most Obedt Hble Servt
A. Bosomworth
my Complts to Colo. Byrd &ca. Please to Seal Gists letter.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Captain Johnny of the Catawba brought a small party of Catawba to Virginia for a time in the fall of 1756, and he also probably came with the party of Catawba who were in Williamsburg and Winchester in March–May 1757. He was certainly back in Winchester by May 1758, and on 1 June Captain Johnny and twenty-five Catawba marched with Adam Stephen and his troops from Winchester to Fort Loudoun in Pennsylvania. On 28 June Bouquet wrote Forbes: “This morning I sent off Captain Johny and his Catawbas to the Ohio, and gave them Lieut. [Colby] Chew of the Virginians, a very alert young man, with two other men. They have orders to try and take a prisoner, and to reconnoiter the enemy’s forces” (, 2:142–44). Presumably Captain Johnny returned from his mission with the suspect scalp. Bouquet wrote Forbes on 11 July that “the Catawbas have left us like scoundrels, after bringing us one scalp, which was recognized by the Cherokees as an old scalp which they themselves gave them in the spring” (ibid., 179–83). For Bouquet’s missing letter of 6 July to GW about the Catawba, see GW to Fauquier, 10 July.