George Washington Papers
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From George Washington to James Hamilton, 17 May 1756

To James Hamilton

[Winchester, 17 May 1756]

To Captain James Hamilton—of the Fairfax Militia.
Sir,

Yours last night1—Let nothing put you off your guard, and be prepared for the worst alarms. I would advise you to remain at Pearsalls until Captain [Colonel] Peytons return from escorting Governor Innes; and then you are to take Captain Minors’ post at Kirkendalls; as he is ordered at Colonel Peytons return, also to remove to the South-Branch.2 I hope there is no need of advising you to be diligent and careful, both in the defence of the people, and in taking proper care of your party. When you hear intelligence of the Enemy worth regarding, lose not one moment in transmitting it to, Sir, yours &c.

LB, DLC:GW.

1. James Hamilton’s letter has not been found. See the Memorandum respecting the Militia, 17 May 1756.

2. Either GW or the letter-book copyist may have inadvertently written “South-Branch” instead of Patterson Creek. See GW to Nicholas Minor, 16 and 17 May 1756.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to James Hamilton, 17 May 1756
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Hamilton, James
    Date
    17 May 1756

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to James Hamilton, 17 May 1756,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-03-02-0149. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Colonial Series, vol. 3, 16 April 1756–9 November 1756, ed. W. W. Abbot. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1984, p. 150.]

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