31To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 21 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 14th Inst. I just now recd. La Force was taken two Days after he made his escape & is properly secur’d—No doubt Your Men will be fully employ’d in garrisons &ca. I have in my former given You my Opinion in regard to Fort Cumberland, & now I am of Opinion that You shou’d send for some of the Stores from thence to Winchester for fear of Accidents or an Attack of the Enemy against...
32To 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...
33To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 9 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Upon hearing the many Alarming Accots at Williamsburg, I hasten’d away as soon as possible, tho. there was some particur Acts I should have been glad to have seen pass’d, as they were Relative to our Militia, But upon my arrival, I found the Militia ordered out by Colo. Carlyle, whove Marched many days before; otherwise I believe I should have Accompanied them. Your letter dated at Winchester...
34To George Washington from Thomas, Lord Fairfax, 13 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
Coll Lee having applyed to me for orders for a further Draft of his Militia, to make up the Number of Men, who have deserted, as he has receivd orders from the Governor to follow my Orders; I humbly conceive Coll Martin & I have nothing to do with the destination of the Militia of the lower parts but that they are intirely taken out of our hands; I have therefore desired Major Baylis to wait...
35To George Washington from Thomas, Lord Fairfax, 1 September 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours I receivd last night wth the melancholly account of the People on Potomack deserting their Plantations; I had orderd Captain Paris to releive Cap. Caton with Thirty six Men from several Companies of these parts, as I had notice of the disagreement between him & Captain Sweringen, who has alway done every thing in his power to occasion confusion if his advice was not taken in every thing....
36To 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...
37To George Washington from William Fairfax, 4 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Butler the Express was presented by the Governor & read in Council and immediately after Sent to the Ho. of Burgesses. A Vessel fraughted wth Gunpowder &c. has been already sent to Fredericksburg under Dr Walker’s Care for yr Direction, and another is Since orderd wth 500 Arms, half Barrls of Gun Powder of which I am to have for our County fifty small Arms & Powder &c. wanted. I...
38To 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...
39To George Washington from William Fairfax, 13–16 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
I had the renew’d Pleasure to receive your Epistle brought down by Captn Mercer. I suppose the Govrs Orders to dismiss our Militia after Harvest were conditional in Case You had Men enô in the Regiment to garrison the little Fortresses and repel the skulking invading Enemy. However I am glad the Militia are on their Return, thô by their many and frequent Desertions They discover that a good...
40To George Washington from William Fairfax, 9 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter to the Governor, G. Fx, and what accompanied them from Colo. Carlyle &c. describing the calamitous State & Condition of Hampshire & Frederick Countys, And Some Apprehensions of the blood thirsty and savage Enemy’s near Approaches to Shannondoah River and the blue Ridge, both the Council and Ho. of Burgesses thought it necessary the Governor should issue his Orders for half the...
41To George Washington from William Fairfax, 3 September 1756 (Washington Papers)
On Monday the 30th August past We held here a Council of War and had the single Men present drawn up in a Line and being askt if Any inclind voluntarily to enter into his Majesty’s Service, None offering We proceeded to call over the Lists given in by the respective Captains whereby above Sixty not appearing and no reasonable Excuse made for their Non attendance I have issued Warrants to have...
42To 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...
43To George Washington from William Fairfax, 22 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
We have repeated Advices of the Desertio⟨n⟩ of our Militia, wherefore We have had a Meeting of our Officers and agreed that the respective Captain shall on Sunday next wth a sufficient Number of armd Men make diligent Enquiry after and a Search for Such Deserters as are within their Districts and when found and Secured, to have Them conveyd to the public Prison here and afterwards by an Officer...
44To 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...
45To George Washington from William Fairfax, 26–27 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d your Favor with the enclosd Estimate of your present Corps and proposd Regulation for 2000 Men to be formd into two Battalions. Those I have talkt with Seem to approve of the Scheme and wish it may be Effected. The Proceedings below Stairs go on slowly notwithstanding on hearing of the many and repeated Invasions of our Enemys, They appear alarmd and are for immediate Dispatch, Yet a...
46To 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.”
47To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 19 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
I have your Favours of July 23. and Aug. 3—but that you mention to have wrote ⅌ Mr Balfour, is not come to hand. I forwarded the Pacquet inclos’d in that of July 23. as directed; & shall readily take care of any other Letters from or for you, that pass thro’ my hands. The Post between this Place & Winchester was established for the Accomodation of the Army chiefly, by a Vote of our Assembly;...
48To George Washington from Thomas Gage, 26 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
In my last I inform’d you that our Regt was to march to Fort Wm Henry, but the scheme is alter’d; the 48th is moved that way; but we are the latter end of this week to set out for Oswego, whether we are to remain there in order to fortify that post which at present is in a bad condition, or to move against Niagara I cannot give the least guess; The Provincials destind for the Crown-point...
49To 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...
50To George Washington from Christopher Gist, 30 July 1756 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have my Companys Receipts as far as I have been able to have them Signed, the two Wilsons are yet with Govr Sharpe, Thomas Pritchard is with You, or at Edwards’s, Gist Vaughan is on Command after Deserters, that left Us sometime before we went to Fort Cumberland; George Plummer and William Fulton are dead. Pray speak to Mr Kirkpatrick to Settle my Country Accots with the Bearer, I...
51To 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...
52To George Washington from Peter Hog, 31 July 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Peter Hog, 31 July 1756. On 8 Sept. 1756 GW wrote to Hog: “By Captain McNiel I received only a part of yours, dated the 31st July.”
53To 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.”
54To 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...
55To 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...
56To 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 &...
57Enclosure: William Hughes to Robert Stewart, 12 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you on Sunday Concerning the Imbaselment of the Stores which I have Recoverd and am going to Serch and to have men upon tryal this day Concerning the Loss with Lieut. Lomax which I have great Reason to think will be found out, Mr Rollins as one of the Soldiers was standing Centurie at the Barn Came & leand over him & Looked at the flower and said it was almost gone & that if Lomaxs...
58To George Washington from John Kirkpatrick, 19 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Cocks after a Melancholy stay of ten days, Spent in Murmur, Silence, Complaints, Grief, and Remorse, hurrys homewards to taste true happiness in Content & retirement, protesting never to risque his fortune to the Caprice of Committeemen hereafter—declaring his Loss & Sufferings were never to be repaired, nor expects any Satisfaction by his being Shifted from Man to Man, for Money—The...
59To George Washington from John Kirkpatrick, 14 August 1756 (Washington Papers)
An opportunity offering to Fredericksbg I thought it requisite to Acquaint you of Our progress, & prospects of dispatch. The Speaker was from home when we call’d—its Said on Courtship of Miss Chiswell —and only came to town last night—today he proposes a Committee, but the uncertainty of Collecting a Sufficient Number is so great that I fancy this day Will Stand a Blank in Business—& then we...
60To George Washington from John Kirkpatrick, 22 September 1756 (Washington Papers)
I had your favour at Noon, before Which the Express had set out for Mount Vernon, after giving him half a Dollar for Expences. The uneasiness you Lye under from the Vain Babling of Worthless, Malicious, Envious Sycophants, give me much Concern—Conscious of a Due & Honorable Discharge of Your Duty, (as undoubtedly you Must be) Their Censure, & Scurrility loses it’s force & Venom by Your Silent...