1From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
In mine from Hallifax I promised your Honour a particular detail of my remarks and observations, upon the situation of our Frontiers, when I arrived at this place. Altho’ I was pretty explicit in my former, I can not avoid recapitulating part of the subject now : as my duty, and its importance for redress, are strong motives. From Fort-Trial, on Smith’s river, I returned to Fort-William, on...
2Enclosure: Proposal for Frontier Forts, 9 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Plan of the number of Forts, and strength necessary to each, extending entirely across our Frontiers, from South to north. Names of the forts, or persons Commandg in ’em. On what waters placed Distance from each other in miles No. of men Garrisoning each Capt. Harris Mayo 20 Galloway Smith’s-river 15 miles 20 Terry
3From George Washington to John Robinson, 9 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from a tedious and troublesome tour around our frontiers which has afforded me many unpleasing views of the melancholy condition of our countrymen: arising chiefly from the indolence and irregularity of the militia, posted in different places for their protection. I have always made it a principle of duty to promote the interest and Service of my Country by every endeavour,...
4To George Washington from William Peachey et al., 12 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
On the 5th or 6th of October, We met with a papr in the Virginia Gazette intitled the Centinel N : 10, wherein some person or persons have undertaken to callumniate Us in the most vile & scandalous Manner, on which We address’d ourselves to Lieutt Collo. Stephen (a Copy of which Address You have herewith) desiring him to apply to the Governr for Redress, but as his Honour has not thot propper...
5Enclosure: Officers of the Virginia Regiment to Adam Stephen, 6 October 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Coppy of The Officers (of the Virginia Regimt) Letter. To Lieut. Collo. Adam Stephen Commandr at Fort Cumberland dated October the 6 1756. Sir. To our no small Astonishment We (last night) perus’d a Paper in the Virga Gazette intitled the Centinel No: X. The Contents of Which are so Scandalous and altogether so Unjust, that We think it a Duty incumbent on Us, Who have the least Regard for...
6Orders, 13–14 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Soldiers to parade to-morrow at 11 o’clock, to hear prayers: and this to be a standing order for the future. The Officers are no longer to take their tour of Duty in overlooking the workmen—Ensign Smith is appointed for that purpose, and to be exempt from all other duty. No orders upon the Commissary, Quarter-master or any other person or persons for necessaries for the work or work-men to...
7From George Washington to Peter Hog, 15 November 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Peter Hog, 15 Nov. 1756. On 8 Dec. 1756 Hog wrote to GW: “I am favoured with yours of the 15th.”
8To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 16 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter of the 9th I recd with a Report of Yr Journey along our Frontiers—The abuses mention’d in Yrs I have been made acquainted with from several Hands, but I expected You wou’d have been more particular in regard to the Officers neglecting their Duty, & the different Forts not being properly garrison’d with Men, nay witht their Officers: this vauge Report makes it impossible for me to...
9Enclosure: Minutes of the Council, 15 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
At a Council held Novemr 15th 1756. Present The Governor John Blair Peter Randolph William Nelson Philip Ludwell Esqrs. Thomas Nelson Mr Commissary Philip Grymes William Byrd Esqr. The Governor was pleased to communicate to the Board a Letter from Colonel Washington dated at Winchester the Ninth of November, with his Observations on the Situation of our Frontiers; and inclosing a Copy of the...
10To George Washington from John Robinson, 16 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
I reced your Favours by the Express and am extremely sorry to find you are made so uneasy in your Duty; while you are venturing your Life and fortune for the good of your Country, to be aspersed and censured by a vile and Ignorant Scribler, I must confess is sufficient to raise the indignation of every Gent. of Spirit, and no Man can blame you for Shewing a proper Resentment at it, but my Dear...
11From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 24 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
At this place, on my way to Williamsburgh, I received your Honor’s letter of the 18th instant: and shall take care to pay the strictest obedience to your orders and the opinion so far as I can. The Detachment ordered from Winchester, exceeds, I believe, the number of enlisted we have there; and the Drafts, which made our strength at that place to consist of about 160 men, will leave us in 7...
12Orders, 29–30 November 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Return to be given in immediately of the number of men in this town, distinguishing the Drafts from the enlisted Soldiers; and mentioning the strength of the two companies. LB , DLC:GW . GW had recently returned to Winchester from Alexandria. For the count of soldiers, see GW to Dinwiddie, 2 December . For a listing of the draftees discharged, see Memorandum, 4 Dec. 1756 .
13From George Washington to John Carlyle, 30 November 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Carlyle, 30 Nov. 1756. On 2 Dec. 1756 Carlyle wrote to GW : “I was favd with yours of the 30th Ulto.”
14Orders, 1–2 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
15From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 2 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote your Honor from Alexandria, I expected to have been at or near Fort Cumberland by this; but upon coming here, and expecting waggons & provisions in readiness to go up with this escort, I received the enclosed from the commissary—which I send to evince that no delays or protracting of orders proceeds from me. The returns of our Strength, which I called in so soon as I arrived, is...
16To George Washington from John Carlyle, 2 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
I was favd with yours of the 30th Ulto, & Observe Your directions Abt Your orders for London & may depend they shall be Executed with the Greatest Exactness —Capt. Thompson is here & has Agreed to take half the Tobacco to Yr Namesake, he has Gott the Tobacco that is here & as fast as more Comes it shall be shipd—I am Afraid We Cannot gett You Good Crop Tobacco under 14/ ⅌ Ct but will gett You...
17Orders, 3–4 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
All the Officers in town except the Adjutant and Ensign Smith with 25 men, to provide themselves with Horses immediately, and pursue the 18 men that deserted last night. LB , DLC:GW . See GW to Dinwiddie, 4 Dec. 1756 .
18From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 4 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to your Honor yesterday, a very base and villainous scheme has been discovered; which has been I believe, the sole cause of 18 Soldiers deserting from us last night. The Gentleman concerned is our (late Ensign) Denis McCarty; of whose Character and practises, the enclosed Depositions will afford your Honor a specimen: and with whom all ties of honor and morality are of no force....
19Memorandum, 4 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
List of Drafts discharged from the Virginia Regiment; having served to the 1st December, according to Act of Assembly. County Soldiers names County Soldiers names Prince-George County Henry Lewis Middlesex Oliver Wallace Alley Hinton Edward Waldin Christo[phe]r Hinton John Callaham Danl Ryan Wm Dare Jno. Walker Isle of White Joseph Williams Franc. Eppes
20Orders, 5–7 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
21From George Washington to John McNeill, 7 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours by Mr Jones, was delivered to me this Evening—I know of no better expedient to relieve your distress than directing you to send the valuation of the Servants to the Governor representing the case at the same time as it really stands. I wrote you before in what manner I was instructed to proceed; and can not swerve from my orders, and advance you money, without positive direction. His...
22Memorandum, 7 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Memorandum—Wrote to Capt. Hogg per Mr Jones ordering him to meet the Commissary & Paymaster with all his papers, &c. at Staunton the 27th instant, in order to make a distinct and definitive Settlement of every thing preceding that day. LB , DLC:GW . Neither GW’s letter to Peter Hog nor Hog’s response (1 Jan. 1757) has been found , but see GW to Hog, 26 Jan. 1757, n.2 .
23Orders, 8 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
24From George Washington to Abraham Bosomworth, 8 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am informed you have enlisted one Patrick Murphy a Deserter from my Regiment who was confined in the Goal at York, tho’ you had previous knowledge of his being so. You must be sensible such proceedings are repugnant to the public interest, and contrary to established articles of war; to say nothing of the ill effects that follow precedents of this nature. The suspicion of a Soldiers...
25To George Washington from Peter Hog, 8 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 15th Accompanying the £500 with which I have paid off the Company to the Last of Octr as also the Wages of the party working on the fort the rest has been Expended in paying the provisions Bought at fort Dinwiddie. But as Lieut. Bullet has Laid in a Large qty of Beeff, there Is yet a great deficiency of Cash to pay off the Whole. I imagined you would Left...
26From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 December 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Robert Dinwiddie, 9 December 1756. On 15 Dec. 1756 Dinwiddie wrote to GW : “Yours of the 9th I have recd.”
27Orders, 9–10 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Sergeant, and ten men who can be best spared from the works to parade immediately, and march to Joseph Edwards’s to strengthen the party there, and escort the Cattle as far as Pearsalls, and to return here again immediately —This party to draw four days provision. All the men to parade to-morrow morning at beating the prisoners march, with their arms & ammunition; and march to the Fort there...
28From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 10 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Mercer returned the 7th with sixteen of the Deserters; the other two escaped his diligence. They confirm the suspicion of Mr McCarty’s villany, by confessing, he had inveigled them with promises of protection, rewards, and good usage! and a deep-laid plan was concerted for accomplishing his base designs, binding each individual with an oath to follow him; to stand true to each other in...
29To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 10 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 2d by Jenkins I recd two Days ago, & observe its Contents, the Return of Your Strength at Fort Loudoun supriz’d me, when I consider’d that Capt. Mercer declared to the two Mr Nelsons & the Speaker, that You had there 160 enlisted Men, which with the fifty Servants recruited after, I thought You might have march’d 100 Men from thence for reinforcing Fort Cumberland, & left a...
30Enclosure: Minutes of the Council, 9 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
At a Council held Decemr 9th 1756. The Governor was pleased to communicate to the Board, and to desire their Advice upon, a Letter from Col. Washington dated from Fort Loudoun the 2d of this Instant, signifying his Apprehensions that the Order of Council of the 15th of last month will be productive of many Evils, and inclosing the Returns of their Strength at Winchester, amounting to Eighty...
31Orders, 11–13 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is once more desired that the men be kept close at work, according to a former Order given by Colo. Washington. LB , DLC:GW . This probably refers to the Orders for 13, 14 Nov. 1756.
32From George Washington to Thomas Waggener, 13 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
I was not a little surprized to find what a quantity of provision had been consumed by your command, in the short space they have been stationed on the Branch: There certainly must have been great waste & neglect. To prevent which for the future, it is my Orders—That you direct each of the commanding officers where the troops are stationed on the Branch, to appoint a Sergeant of his command...
33Orders, 14–15 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Sergeant, and 8 men that can be best spared from the works, to parade immediately, to escort some waggons, belonging to the South-Branch, as far as Pearsals. The Sergeant when his party is ready, to repair to the Head-Quarters for Orders. LB , DLC:GW .
34To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 15 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 9th I have recd—I am glad Ct. Mercer has brought back sixteen of the Deserters, upon Promise of Pardon, which I agree to on Your Recommendation; but I hope You will make them sensible of their Crime & that they are pardon’d on Your Solicitation. You recommend Messrs Carlyle & Ramsay to be Commissaries in the room of Mr Walker, which I by no means approve of—the first resign’d when...
35Orders, 16–17 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
36From George Washington to William Bronaugh, 17 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are strictly required, immediately upon receipt of this, to transport your provisions and Stores to Capt. Waggeners Fort, and there leave them: Then march your Company to Pearsals, in order to escort a quantity of Flour to Fort Cumberland; where you & your whole Company are to remain, to strengthen that Garrison. I expect you will pay due regard to this Order, and put it in execution with...
37Memorandum, 17 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
N.B. A Copy of the above Orders was sent to Captains Cocke & Lewis on the Branch. Wrote Capt. Vanmeter to procure waggons, &c. and to assist in the removal of the provision & Stores; & to take due care of them. Wrote Lt Walter Stewart, to receive those Stores and Provisions, and take care of them. LB , DLC:GW . See GW to William Bronaugh, 17 Dec. 1756 . Thomas Cocke, probably of Suffolk...
38From George Washington to Robert Stewart, 17 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Crawford has referred a dispute to me concerning his rank in the Army. I must determine in his favour: and allow their officers to rank by the dates and dignity of their Commissions. For these reasons—vizt That Companies, tho’ esteemed and called Scouts, are raised and supported upon the same funds as those of the Regiment; have the same pay—entitled to the same priviledges and...
39After Orders, 17–19 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter-Master is immediately to provide Quarters for 42 Recruits which will be in town this evening: and to procure a room for 8 Indians, that they may be separate by themselves. Victuals to be dressed for the whole, and to be ready against their arrival. LB , DLC:GW . These recruits are the servants that John McNeill recruited in Augusta County; and the eight Indians were “6 Cherokees...
40To George Washington from John Robinson, 17 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favour by Mr Ramsey and as soon as I could get the Committee together I communicated the Contents of it to them, they were generaly of Opinion that the Commissary ought to reside, and they also approved of Mr Carlyle and Ramsey in Case Mr Walker resigned, but did not care to appoint them, till Mr Walker informed them himself of his intentions to resign; I am sorry to hear your last...
41From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 19 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 10th came to hand the 15th. In consequence whereof I dispatched orders immediately to all the Garrisons on the Branch to evacuate their Forts, and repair to Pearsalls, where they wou’d meet the Flour &c. from this place; & to escort it to Fort Cumberland. I expect the provisions purchased for the support of these Forts, and now laying in bulk, will be wasted and destroyed,...
42From George Washington to John Robinson, 19 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are no stranger I presume to the late resolutions of the Governor & Council; the consequence of which I meditate with great concern. We are ordered to reinforce Fort Cumberland with 100 men: and, to enable me to carry that number thither, all the Stockade-Forts on the Branch are to be evacuated, & in course all the Sett[lemen]ts abandoned, except what lie under the immediate protection of...
43From George Washington to George Mercer, 20 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Instructions. As I have received Orders from his Honor Governor Dinwiddie to repair to Fort Cumberland, and leave an Officer here with the command of this Garrison; I have appointed you to this command, and expect your particular diligence and care. You must observe all former Rules & Orders which have been given for the regulation of this Garrison; and let no Stores or other thing issue...
44To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 27 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 19th by Jenkins I recd last Night—& do observe You have ordered the Garisons on the Branch to Percealls, to escort the Flour to Fort Cumberland. The Provisions lying in Bulk at the different Forts, if possible shou’d be Smoked, which wou’d be a great Saving to the Country & I hope You have order’d it so. As we have had great Rains lately I hope a sufficient quantity of Flour may...
45To George Washington from John Robinson, 31 December 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am truly concerned at the uneasiness you are under in your present Situation, and the more so, as I am sensible you have too much reason for it, The Resolution of defending Fort Cumberland and evacuating the other Forts was taken before I knew or mistrusted any thing of the Matter, I must confess I was not a little surprised at it, and took the Liberty to expostulate with many of the Council...
46Return of the Virginia Regiment, 1 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
A Return of the Strength and Disposition of the Virginia Regiment Commanded by Geo. Washington Esqr. January 1st 1757 Officers Companies Where Posted Commissioned Staff Non Commission Effective Rank and File [Field Officers] Captains Lieutenants Ensigns Sergeants Drummers Fit for Duty Sick On Command On Furlow Total Colo. Geo. Washington
47To George Washington from Peter Hog, 1 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Peter Hog, 1 Jan. 1757. On 26 Jan. 1757 GW wrote : “Yours from Staunton of the 1st instant I have received.”
48From George Washington to Thomas Bullitt, 1 January 1757 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Bullitt, 1 Jan. 1757. On 24 Mar. 1757 Bullitt wrote to GW : “I Recd yours Janry 1st.”
49From George Washington to John Campbell, Earl of Loudoun, 10 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
To the Right Honourable The Earl of Loudoun, General, and Commander in Chief of all His Majesty’s Forces in North America. and Governor, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s most Ancient Colony and Dominion of Virginia. My Lord Fort Cumberland [Md.] January 10th 1757 The following Sheets contain a Concise, Candid, and Submissive Account of Affairs on this Quarter: particularly of the...
50From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 12 January 1757 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 27th ultimo came to hand the 9th instant—I wrote to your Honor by Capt. Spotswood (who was charged with the care of the Cuttawba Indians as far as Williamsburgh) that I had sent Colo. Stephen with a Detachment, to bring the mutineers on the Branch to this place in irons. They were secured before he got there; and he has brought all but six, who deserted from Capt. Joshua...