1741Orders, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Court Martial to sit immediately, to try those who were confined for being absent from their alarm-post last night. Captain Stewart, President. I do hereby promise to any persons who engage now to go out as Volunteers, without any expectation of pay; that they shall be furnished with provision and ammunition from the public Stores, sufficient for the time they shall be upon the Scout—To draw...
1742Council of War, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War, Held at Winchester, 21st of April. Present Colonel George Washington, President. Governor Innis } { Captain Stewart Captain Mercer Lieutenant Eustace Members Captain Peachy Lieutenant Lowry Lieutenant Hall Lieutenant Gist Lieutenant King Colonel Washington having called the several above members, laid before them the disagreeable accounts he just then received by various...
1743From George Washington to Thomas, Lord Fairfax, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
By several Expresses just arrived from the Officers and Inhabitants between this and Fort Cumberland, their situation seems most deplorable; for they have neither provision, nor a sufficient force at either place, to go out to collect any; and consequently, must run themselves into the jaws of the Enemy, or perish in their places with Hunger: and I dare believe your Lordship is sensible, that...
1744From George Washington to Henry Lee and William Fairfax, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I have just now received several Expresses who bring the most shocking accounts of the distressed condition, not only of the few poor families that yet remain back of this place; but of the Rangers that Garrison the small Forts: as nothing but a large and speedy reinforcement can save them from utter destruction! I must desire that you will not lose one moment in drawing together all the men...
1745From George Washington to Daniel Fitzhugh, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You will please, immediately on receipt hereof, to send up upon Horses, what powder belonging to the Country may be at Fredericksburgh—Should there be none of the Countrys, get two Barrels from the Merchants; which charge to my Accompt. If that quantity can not be procured, send any lesser quantity that can be got. I beg you will lose no time herein; by which you will oblige Yours LB , DLC:GW...
1746From George Washington to Edward Hubbard, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby desired if possible, to retreat with what men and provision you have to Edwards’s; and to Escort what families have put themselves under your protection. But if you find this impracticable without a reinforcement, on your applying to Captain Harrison at Edwards’s, a Detachment will be sent to assist you. You are not to fail in bringing off all the Stores you can. I am &c. LB ,...
1747From George Washington to Henry Harrison, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is out of my power at this juncture to supply you with any Provision. Therefore I would have you apply to Edwards, to whom I write. Acquaint him, that whatever he expends, he shall receive a reasonable satisfaction for: and hint to him, that without his compliance the Garrison now there, must depart to this place. You are likewise ordered (on Mr Hubbard, at Enocks, signifying his want of...
1748From George Washington to Joseph Edwards, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Captain Harrison informs me, his Provision will fall short in a few days. It is impossible for one at this time to grant him a supply. I must desire, therefore, you would assist him. For whatever he expends, I will take care you shall receive a reasonable satisfaction. If you fail in this point, I am under an absolute necessity of Ordering his Detachment to this place. Yours &c. LB , DLC:GW ....
1749To George Washington from Landon Carter, 21 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Mr Swaringham intending up tomorrow for Winchester gives me an opportunity of expressing my great concern for the Death & Defeat of Capt. Mercer and for the dismal apprehension that those who yet Survive the Indian Massacre must necessarily be under And indeed my friend I must add that this Concern is greatly aggrevated when I find by your letter to Colo. Carter that you have suffered your...
175021 [i.e. 22] Thurdsday. (Adams Papers)
Cloudy, black morning. Cleared away very pleasant about 9. Dined at Capt. Stearns’s, with the Officers of the Militia in this Place. Spent the Evening at Mr. Greenes.
1751Orders, 22 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
1752From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 22 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
This encloses several letters, and the minutes of a Council of War, which was held upon the receipt of them. Your Honor may see to what unhappy straits the distressed Inhabitants as well as I, am reduced. I am too little acquainted, Sir, with pathetic language, to attempt a description of the peoples distresses; though I have a generous soul, sensible of wrongs, and swelling for redress—But...
1753From George Washington to David Bell, 22 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Waggons will be sent down to Conogochiege to bring some provisions to this place. Let the chief part of their loads be Flour; and put some Beef and Fish into each waggon—Take care to reserve a sufficient quantity for your own and Captain Gist’s Company, for a month. Captain Gist and you must remain at Conogochieg until further Orders: you must not neglect to procure as many Canoes as possible....
1754Advertisement, 22 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I do promise and engage to all good Woodsmen, &c. who will enter into the Service of their Country now, for a month or longer; if they will subject themselves to military discipline, for the time they engage and undertake to do Soldiers Duty, and obey my Orders—That they shall receive soldiers’ pay, ammunition and Provision, and be discharged at the time agreed on. Given &c. April 22, 1756. LB...
1755From George Washington to Charles Carter, 22 April 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Charles Carter, 22 April 1756. On 27 April Carter wrote to GW : “I recd yr Second and third of the 22d of this instant.”
1756To George Washington from Charles Carter, 22 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your favour without date came to my hands yesterday; from a conversation with Lt Rutherfold I judge it was wrote on sunday last from which circumstance I conclude you had not seen Mr Kirkpatrick nor Capt. Stewart who I believe could have satisfied you that the House of Burgesses have the Greatest expectations from yr Personall appearance on our Frontiers and are so farr from imputing any...
175722 [i.e. 23] Fryday. (Adams Papers)
A pleasant Day. I can as easily still the fierce Tempests or Stop the rapid Thunderbolt, as command the motions and operations of my own mind. I am dull, and inactive, and all my Resolution, all the Spirits I can muster, are insufficient to rouse me from this senseless Torpitude. My Brains seem constantly in as great Confusion, and wild disorder, as Miltons Chaos. They are numb, dead. I have...
1758Orders, 23 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
1759Council of War, 23 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War, Held at Winchester, April 23d 1756 Colonel George Washington, President. Present, Governor James Innis– Captain Mercer } { Captain Peachy Members Captain Stewart Lieutenant Eustace Lieutenant Hall Lieutenant Gist Lieutenant Lowry Colonel Washington asked the opinion of the Council, whether it was most elligible to evacuate the small Stockade at Enocks’s, and draw all the...
1760From George Washington to Henry Harrison, 23 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It has been determined here in a Council of War, that it would be most advisable for you to repair to this place; as a small party would defend Edwards’s Fort. In consequence of which you are hereby ordered to proceed (as soon as you are joined by Ensign Hubbards party) to this place: and escort such of the inhabitants as are willing to come to this place. You must acquaint the people at...
1761From George Washington to Edward Hubbard, 23 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It has been determind here in a Council of War, that it would be most advisable for you to evacuate your Fort at Enocks’s; destroy it, and join Captain Harrison at Edwards’s, with your party, stores, and the inhabitants. As we are not acquainted with their situation at Cox’s, it was thought best that you should send the Sergeant there, a conditional order to join you at Enocks’s, or keep...
1762To George Washington from Robert Dinwiddie, 23 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Your Letr of the 19th by Mr Rutherfurd came to my Hands Tuesday last, but Yours of the 16th by Express did not reach me till the day after. I am heartily sorry for the Death of Capt. Mercer, & the other poor Men that were killed with him, it appears to me that the Enemy drew them out after them, pretending to fly, in order to destroy them from their lurking Places; but it surprizes me that we...
176323 [i.e. 24] Saturday. (Adams Papers)
A cloudy morn. All my Time seems to roll away unnoticed. I long to study sometimes, but have no opportunity. I long to be a master of Greek and Latin. I long to prosecute the mathematical and philosophical Sciences. I long to know a little of Ethicks and moral Philosophy. But I have no Books, no Time, no Friends. I must therefore be contented to live and die an ignorant, obscure fellow. A...
1764Orders, 24 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Evening Orders. Captain Stewart is to see that the Carpenters and all the Soldiers off Duty, set to work to-morrow morning by day-break, on the Breast-Work begun at the Court-House; and that they are diligent. He is to order some of the Subalterns (if necessary) to assist him, in visiting and directing the workmen. LB , DLC:GW . On 6 May 1756 “Daniel Hiver & Carpenters” were paid £6 12s. 3d....
1765From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 24 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Not an hour, nay, scarcely a minute passes, that does not produce fresh alarms and melancholy accounts. So that I am distracted what to do! nor is it possible for me to give the people the necessary assistance for their defence; upon account of the small number of men we have, or is likely to be here, for sometime. The Inhabitants are removing daily; and in a short time will leave this County...
1766From George Washington to John Robinson, 24 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received yours by Mr Kirkpatrick, and am sorry to hear the Reflections upon the conduct of the Officers. I could wish that their names had been particularized; that justice might be done to the innocent, and guilty! For, it is extremely hard that the whole Corps should suffer the most un-genteel reproaches, for the inadvertance and misconduct of a few. The deplorable situation of...
176724 [i.e. 25] Sunday. (Adams Papers)
Astronomers tell us, with good Reason, that not only all the Planets and Satellites in our Solar System, but all the unnumbered Worlds that revolve round the fixt Starrs are inhabited, as well as this Globe of Earth. If this is the Case all Mankind are no more in comparison of the whole rational Creation of God, than a point to the Orbit of Saturn. Perhaps all these different Ranks of Rational...
1768Orders, 25 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
1769From George Washington to David Bell, 25 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the roads at present are so much infested, I do not think it safe to send the things you wrote for until another opportunity. I must desire that you will be very diligent, and guard against a Surprize from the Enemy, as they will certainly attact you, if they find it possible to surprize you. You are to detach Ensign Crawford with twenty men, to reconnoitre the Country towards Hites, on...
1770To 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...