181To George Washington from Thomas Gage, 10 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I received your obliging Favor of The 14th of April, a few Days ago; & return you many Thanks for the good News you Sent me, of The Defeat of a Body of Indians, by one of your Partys; which tho’ no decisive Affair, nor attended with great Slaughter; may produce very good Effects, & I make no Doubt but it will give new Life & Courage to your People: The many Defeats we have had, & The Terrors...
182To George Washington from William Fairfax, 13–14 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I had the Pleasure to receive Yrs of the 11th inst. by Bryan Fx who I find is so well pleasd with the little military Atchievement He has experienct, that He is desirous of pursuing that Life. I have accordingly encouragd Him and to hope that You have Affection enough to give Him a Lieutenancy as no doubt there are some Vacancys and I heard the Governor tell one Matthew Bowyer (who applied for...
183To George Washington from Peter Hog, 14 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday the 9th Instant I rec’d advice that the Tract of 7 Indians had been discovered at the house of Vanderpool on the head of this Rivr by two Men of the party detached from my Company for the protection of Mesrs Millers & Wilson’s Famillies; I immediatly ordered a Serjt to gett a party ready to March next Morng to Join the sd Detachmt & goe in Search of the sd Tracts But that Evening a...
184To George Washington from Peter Hog, 17 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I forgott to Mention in mine of the 14th a Supply of money from the Comisy to pay for Corn, and Flower which Last I am now oblidged to Buy tho’ at no higher Rate than 15/⅌ Ct delivered here; as there was not Corn Sufficient made on this side the Courtho. to Sustain the Inhabitants. Salt & Iron are also Wanted wt. several other Necessaries for which I must pay the Cash: pray order the Comisy to...
185To George Washington from Adam Stephen, 19 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I reced yours of the twelveth—I am sorry that I did not receive yours from Quantico dated March 25th untill my Boy Came Up —I would have turned the Table directly, to the great Confusion of a cringing Tatling Set, whom I cannot easily forgive. However I gave up nothing; I had my own guard, my Own report, I orderd Out all detachmt and gave them all their Instructions. The Old Gentleman meddles...
186To George Washington from William Fairfax, 20 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d Yrs by the return of Mr Dorrel. I am glad that your Presence has encouragd the few remaining Inhabitants in Winchester and Neighbourhood to wait and see the Issue of your Resolutions and when it was known Colo. J. Wood deserted, no doubt his Example causd many to think their Case desperate. It gives Me concern, that your Causes of Uneasiness continue. You have heard the Governor...
187To George Washington from John Tayloe, 22 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
My friend & Kinsman Capt. Wm Peachey informing me that he stood in need of a little more money than his pay I take the freedom to request the favour of you to supply him & I will gratefully discharge any of his engagements to you or your order & hope his Conduct may intitle him to that from you which to a generous mind is more valluable than even Gold. I have engaged to one Briggs who comes...
188To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 23 May 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Stewart, 23 May 1756. On 26 May 1756 GW wrote to Stewart : “I received yours of the 23d instant.”
189To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 27 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your two Letters of the 23d I recd last Night & note their Contents. I recd Your Journal relating to the Militia which gives me some surprize to observe their dastardly Behavior, in deserting & returning Home, I am sorry their Officers had no better Command over them, & indeed I always was of Opinion they wd not answer my Intentions in sending them to Winchester. I observe the Council of War...
190To George Washington from Adam Stephen, 29 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You have no doubt heard of the Party of Volunters who went out under command of Colo. Cressop; He returned about noon with about 60 of them & Six of the Nottawaies—About bare Camp, his men mutinied, Some were for one thing and some for another—Lt Gist went from this place with him, with Eighteen men of the Regimt and Seven Indians—In Compliance with the mutinous tempers of the men rather than...
191To George Washington from Adam Stephen, 31 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you Saturday last, concerning Cressop’s Party, who has behavd very ill, and about the Skirmish Mr Gist’s Party had with the French and Indians. The Enemy was observed to Dispatch a Runner towards the Crossing immediatly on their meeting our Party—Lieut. Gist brought off the men very prettily, but with the Loss of four, as You will see in the Return —Both parties behaved with great...
192To George Washington from Samuel Cobbs and Thomas Tabb, 1 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
We have this day Sent twenty Seven Soldiers Inlisted the twenty Sixth day of last Month, under the Comand of Majr Wood Jones to be delivered to the Officer appointed by the Govr to receive them at Fredricksburg. the whole Number Inlisted Voluntarily. Most of them are Men of Midling fortunes and were in good Bussiness and we beleive go with a hearty desire to Serve their Country. many being...
193To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer hereof Mr Richd Baker has been very active in getting Men from the Isle of White County & unless he had engag’d to go with them none wou’d have enlisted, his Friends have applied to me for a Commission, which I cou’d not regularly give, not knowing what Vacancies may be. I therefore take this Method of recommending him to You, & if You can fill up a Vacancy by giving him a...
194To George Washington from John Baylor, 7 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I should be guilty of the blackest Ingratitude did I not duly acknowledge the many Civilities I rec’d from you when in Winchester where I would often visit you far as it is were not my Presence at this Season of the year absolutely necessary on my Plantan. With great Reluctance I have heard that many of our Militia have deserted I shall pursue every necessary Step to have them apprehended &...
195To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 12 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I have read over Yr Memo. & observe thereon; I cannot advise how the Virga Regiment will be compleated if the Draughts from the Militia do not answer that End; but must here observe, if the Officers had perform’d their Engagements the Regiment wou’d have been in good Order, their Neglect & Breach of Promise is a great Loss to the Country. The Scheme of forming the Regiment into two Battallions...
196To George Washington from George Mason, 12 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty to address You on Behalf of my Neighbour & Your old School-fellow, Mr Piper; who, without duly considering the Consequences, when he was at Winchester enlisted as a Sarjeant in Capt. Mercer’s Company; he has been down to consult his Father upon it, & finds him excessively averse to it, & as his principal Dependance is upon the old Man (besides the Duty naturally due to a...
197To George Washington from Peter Hog, 14 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are the Returns of the Company Untill this date that goes by the party for the pay. It is strange that Majr Lewis should Mistake his Instructions in refusing to pay arrears to any but the Men originally belonging to his Company. Lt Collo. Stevens who was pay mastr at that time can Inform you how I Came to have 2 Mos. Arrears due more than the other officers vizt from 29th Octr till...
198To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 18 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I desire You to send me a List of the Volunteers ⟨You are⟩ to appoint to the Vacancies in Your Regiment—& the Number of Draughts from the Militia, which I am sorry to think will be much fewer than I expected. As the Regimt will be pretty much divided in Forts &ca I thot it proper & necessary to appoint Mr Boyd the Pay-Mr, Muster Master, by which on paying the Men he will be able to make an...
199To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 20 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the pleasure of receiving your favours of Yesterday and am glad you are safely return’d The Spirrit of Desertion was of late so prevalent here, that I once dreaded no other expediant than Hanging or shooting could affectually crush it. One Rollins who keeps a little tippling House here is in some measure the cause of that infamous and pernicious practice when I first arrived...
200To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 23 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
I just recd yours of yesterday by Rollines and upon Examination it appears that what he complain’d off to you are literally as follows Vizt. Amongst the other precautions I had taken to prevent Drunkeness and Irregularity which by Rollines’s means then became prevalent amongst the Soldiers here, I order’d the Officer of the Guard to visit the Tippling House every Night sometime after Tatoo...
201To George Washington from William Fleming, 24 June 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Fleming, 24 June 1756. On 21 July 1756 GW wrote to Fleming and refers to “Yours of the 24th ultimo.”
202To George Washington from Peter Hog, 25 June 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Peter Hog, 25 June 1756. On 21 July 1756 (first letter) GW wrote to Hog: “I received your several letters of the 14th 25th & 26th ultimo.”
203To George Washington from Peter Hog, 26 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
Refering to mine of the 14th Instant this Comes Express by Corporal Smith to Inform you that When I had Drawn up the Men on the parade to Acquaint them of the Arrival of their pay for 5 Mos., they all Exclaimed because their Cloaths were not Sent along with their pay; Saying they were Imposed on & Cheated out of their 2d. ⅌ day: that the sd Arrears of 2d. ⅌ day had run now almost 18 Months &...
204To George Washington from John McNeill, 27 June 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John McNeill, 27 June 1756. On 21 July 1756 GW wrote to McNeill: “I have yours of the 27th ultimo.”
205To George Washington from Thomas Walker, 30 June 1756 (Washington Papers)
As I am very unwell and our numbers decreasing here I propose going home tomorrow, & Shall go to Fredericksburg as soon as I am able to Settle my affairs there. I have given Mr Rutherford 216.17.8 in gold and paper which sum is as much or more than I had in my hands of the Publick money[.] when that is gone any sum may think proper to supply him with for the publick Service I will be...
206To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 1 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I recd Yrs of the 25th Ulto —I am sorry for the Delay of the Waggon with the Tools, probably occasion’d by the badness of the Horses, but I hope e’er this they are with You. I approve of Your consulting at a Council of War in regard to building of Forts, which I fear will be attended with very great Delays from the small number of Men You have, & I think it will not be proper to...
207To George Washington from William Fairfax, 1 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d Yrs by a Messenger sent by Captn Hamilton who I observe acquainted You He came down from his Post in quest of 12. Men that had deserted, but did not I suppose let You know that He intendd home whither He is come as signified by his Letter without any Leave mentiond I have therefore ordered his imediate Return and to notifie to the Deserters who He probably knows that if They dont also...
208To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 3 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favours by Capt. Gist and agreeable thereto Capt. Bell, he, their Ensigns & Men Marches this day for Fort Cumberland Capt. Gist could not get ready sooner there now remains here only the Sick and my own Men, who till within these few days have been all well and are now turning Sick when the Duty is become hardest, theres 3 of them Sick 2 Lame and 1 Confin’d for Mutiny; I have sent...
209To George Washington from William Byrd, 8 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
The young Gentleman who will deliver you this Letter is the Associator I mention’d to you, when I had the Pleasure of seeing you in Williamsburgh, Shoud it be convenient for you, Sr, to give him some Commission in your Regiment, I don’t doubt but you will approve of him on Tryall. I wish for nothing more than an Opportunity to entertain you at Westover, for I assure you I am with very great...
210To George Washington from William Fairfax, 10 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d Yrs of the 22d ulto by Jenkins enclosing two Plans of the intended Fort You are erecting at Winchester but the Bastions of the different Plans appearing to vary in the Dimensions You have not distinguisht which is the One made Use of; however as I apprehend your Scale is feet I think either of Them well design’d and notwithstanding Colo. I—’s invidious Calling it a Citadel, will be...