1681George Mercer to John Blagg, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As there is a stronger party of the militia now to join you than was expected, Colonel Washington Orders, that, if upon a consultation with the Inhabitants of the place and the officers of the Militia, it is thought best to pursue the Enemy, you join them with your party. You are to observe your first Orders, to send all the intelligence you can procure of the Enemy. I am &c. LB , DLC:GW . In...
1682From George Washington to David Bell, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
To Captain David Bell. of the Virginia Regiment. You are Hereby Ordered to proceed immediately to Conogochege; and are there to take upon you the Command of the Troops now stationed there, for defence of the Stores, &c.—You are to endeavour with all possible expedition, to procure a sufficient number of Batteaus and Canoes (assisted by those which are already gone up with Captain Gist) to...
1683To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You formerly had a Commission to appoint Courts Martial, as that was not explicit enough, but rather a Repetition of the Act of Assembly. I therefore send You enclos’d an Order to appoint such Courts when You shall see proper, & it’s agreeable to Colo. Innes’s Order from General Braddock. I hope the Affairs of the Regimt are not in so bad a Condition as represented here. The Assembly were...
16849 Fryday. (Adams Papers)
Drank Tea at Coll. Chandlers, spent the Evening at home with My Friend Eliot, lodged with him.
1685Orders, 9 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Regimental Court Martial to sit immediately to enquire whether John Hogan, and William Bond, are guilty of the crimes laid to their charge—and to try the Sentinel, who let William Field, who was confined for desertion, escape from the Guard. Captain Peachy, President. The Officers to see that the Recruits now in Town are exercised twice every day: They are to order all the men to appear...
1686From George Washington to Robert Hunter Morris, 9 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I had scarce reachd Williamsburg, before an express was after me with news of the French & Indians advancing within our Settlements, and doing incredable mischief to the Inhabitants which obligd me to postpone my business there, and hurry to their assistance with all expedition: when I came to this place I found everythings in deep confusion: and the poor distressd Inhabitants under a general...
168710 Saturday. (Adams Papers)
A raw cold day. The man to whom Nature has given a great and Surprizing Genius, will perform Great and Surprizing Atchievments, but a Soul originally narrow and confined, will never be enlarged to a distinguishing Capacity. Such a one must be content to grovel amidst pebles, and Butterflies thro the whole of his Life. By dilligence and Attention, indeed, he may possibly get the Character of a...
1688To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Kelsick: Certificate as Burgess and Freeman of Norfolk, 10 April 1756 (Franklin Papers)
DS : American Philosophical Society At THE Borough OF Norfolk the Tenth Day of April One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty six The which Day in Presence of the Worshipfull Richard Kelsick Esquire Mayor of the Borough of Norfolk, John Hutchings, Robert Tucker, Josiah Smith, John Phripp, John Tucker, Wilson Newton, Christopher Perkins, and George Abyoon, Aldermen thereof, Benjamin Franklin...
1689Orders, 10 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Sentence of the Court-Martial, whereof Captain Peachy was President, is approved: and Richard Denny is to receive his punishment at Retreat-Beating to night. LB , DLC:GW . Richard Denny (born c.1730), a soldier in Capt. William Bronaugh’s company, enlisted in Feb. 1756 and was from Northumberland County. Denny was probably the sentinel mentioned in GW’s Orders, 9 April, who had let the...
1690From George Washington to David Bell, 10 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the Inhabitants of the place seem much alarmed, and under continued apprehensions of being attacked—It is my Orders, that you keep out constant Scouting Parties of the Light Horse, &c. in order that you may receive timely notice of the approach of the Enemy; which you are immediately to communicate to the Inhabitants. If you think you can strengthen the place where you are, by throwing up...
1691Orders, 11–12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Officers are to examine the arms, ammunition, &c. of the men, immediately. They are to have all the muskets discharged by some good marksman, in order to see if they are straight, those that are not, are immediately to be carried to the Smith to put them in order. They must also examine the locks and ram-rods, and see that they are fit for Service—They must see that all the men are...
169211 Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Heard Mr. Maccarty preach all Day. Spent the Evening at Mr. Paines, and supped upon fresh Fish with the Coll., Mr. Putnam, Major Gardiner and his Lady. Talking about Law and Pollitics.
169312 Monday. (Adams Papers)
Signs of Rain. Cleard off about 10. A most beautiful Day. Drank Tea with Coll. Chandler, and spent the Evening, at Major Gardiners, with the Coll., Messrs. Maccarty, Paine, Putnam, Green.
1694From George Washington to David Bell, 12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
If you find it impossible to procure a sufficient number of canoes to transport the Stores at Conogchieg to Fort Cumberland at one Trip[,] you are to endeavour to engage as many as you can, to be in readiness against Captain Gists return: and then proceed with them, and those that come with Captain Gist, to Fort Cumberland. Captain Gist is to remain at Conogochieg with his Party, until further...
1695From George Washington to John Fenton Mercer, 12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
If this overtakes you on cape-capon, or any of its waters, you are immediately to return to Joseph Edwards’s, on Great Cape-capon: and there wait with your party, until you receive further orders from me. You are, immediately upon your arrival at J. Edwards’s, to make a Return, and dispatch it by Express immediately to me at this place; of the number your party consists of; and how they are...
169612 [i.e. 13] Tuesday. (Adams Papers)
A fine morning. A Charming warm Day. Every thing looks gay and lively. The Grass begins to spring, and the sprightly sunbeams gleam upon the houses. The windows are opened, the insects begin to buz, and every thing wellcomes the Joyful Spring.—Went to the Drs. Farm.
1697George Mercer’s Orders, 13 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Troops now in Town to hold themselves in readiness to march to Fort-Cumberland at the least warning. It is Colonel Washingtons particular Orders, that for the future the Sergeant of the Guard do not presume to quit his Guard upon any pretence whatsoever, until he is Relieved. Colonel Washington has been pleased to order Edward Chatten, confined for losing his cartridges, to be released....
1698From George Washington to David Bell, 14–15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is my Orders that you send out Scouting Parties of the Light Horse as often as it can possibly be done, without too much fatiguing them. And you must order them to scour the Woods round for six or seven miles: as I am informed they never proceeded more than three or four miles upon any of their Scouts, heretofore. LB , DLC:GW .
1699George Mercer to Robert Rutherford, 14–15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is Colonel Washingtons orders, that you load a Waggon immediately with provision, and send it off to Joseph Edwards’s, for the party there. I am &c. LB , DLC:GW . On 12 April GW had ordered John Fenton Mercer to return with his detachment to Joseph Edwards’s.
170013 [i.e. 14] Wednesday. (Adams Papers)
A pleasant morning. Wheeler drank Tea here. I went with him in the Evening, to Capt. Stearns.
1701Orders, 14 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
1702To George Washington from William Fairfax, 14 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yr Letter to the Governor has been read in Council, but as no Shipping has arriv’d since your Departure the Genl Assembly is at some Loss what to propose, debate on and finish —Some Jealousies interrupt the good Agreement wisht for—Your Appointment of an Aid de Camp & Secretary is thought extraordinary and think the Committee will not allow Pay for —The Ho. of Burgesses adjourn to Monday next...
1703To George Washington from Thomas Walker, 14 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As The Committee have not Settled my accounts with Mr Kilpaterick I shall endeavour to settle them my self, for the following reasons to wit. As I have the Vouchers here it will be attended with trouble & Hazard to carry them up to fort Cumberland, & when that is done they must be brought here again. The Road from the blue ridge to the Fort being at this time dangerous is a further reason for...
170414 [i.e. 15] Thurdsday. (Adams Papers)
Wheeler and I breakfasted at Mr. Maccarty’s. Went to Mr. Dyers. Very warm. Drank Tea and spent the Evening at Mr. Putnams, in conversation concerning Christianity. He is of Opinion that the Apostles were a Company of Enthusiasts. He says we have only their word, to prove that they spoke with different Tongues, raised the Dead, and healed the Sick &c. Joseph Dyer, “an excentric Character ......
1705Mutiny Act, [15 April 1756] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Anno Regni Georgii II. Regis, Magnae Britanniae, Franciae & Hiberniae, Vigesimo Nono. At a General Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania, begun and holden at Philadelphia, the Fourteenth Day of October, Anno Domini, 1755 , … (Philadelphia, 1755), pp. 267–70. On March 3, 1756, the Assembly minutes record that “A Bill for the better Regulation of such Soldiers as are or hereafter...
1706Orders, 15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A trusty Sergeant, and ten private men to parade immediately, and escort the Waggon with provision to Joseph Edwards’s. LB , DLC:GW . See George Mercer’s orders to Reuben Vass, this date .
1707George Mercer to Reuben Vass, 15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered with your party to escort a Waggon with provision, &c. to Joseph Edwards’s, for the men there. You are to be particularly careful, that nothing is taken or lost out of the Waggon, while under your care; as a particular account will be transmitted to Captain Mercer of the load—and you are to be as expeditious as possible in getting up. When you arrive there, you are with...
1708George Mercer to John Fenton Mercer, 15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As Colonel Washington has great reason to believe, from some accounts he has received, that the Indians now rendezvous, and have their prisoners on the back of the Warm-spring mountain. You are hereby ordered to march with the men under your command; a Draught from Lieutenant Blagg’s Party (leaving only a Sergeant and ten men at Edwards’s) the party under Sergeant Vass, who brings up the...
1709To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter by Jenkins I recd & it’s now before the House of Burgesses. I have reason to expect they will pass a Law for a Draught from the Militia to augment the Forces to 2000 tho’ they are very slow in their Proceedings. I am very sorry for the Acct You give of those Miscreant barbarous Murders; I hope You have sent a proper Reinforcemt to Conegachege, & for the present, with the assistance...
1710To George Washington from William Withers, 15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The enclos’d Letter from Gov. Sharpe relatg to the Murder of Lieut. Gordon was omitted to be forwarded with the Governor’s, therefore by his Orders I write, to desire You wou’d inform Yourself of the Affair & direct the Evidences to attend at Frederick Court in Maryland agreeable to Gov. Sharpe’s Letter. I am Sir Your most humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . GW learned of Ens. George Gordon’s murder...