To George Washington from Robert Stewart, 25 July 1758
From Robert Stewart
Cresaps [Md.] July 25th 1758 8 oClock P.M.
Dear Sir
From the bottom of a heart that overflows with Joy I beg leave to offer my Congratulations on your happy Election! doubly so in it’s manner, which considering the vast majority of votes, your absence and your having so long Commanded the whole of that Country in the worst of times, must greatly redound to your honour; and in all human probability will be thrice happy in it’s consequences.
Tomorrow morning a Strong Party Marches from hence to Escort our two Heroes up.1
Inclos’d is my weekly Return.2
Nothing remarkable has happen’d since my arrival here—Our Reconnoitring Partys have made no Discoveries.
My bad State of Health continues or rather encreases. That you may enjoy Health and every thing else agreeable are the sincere wishes of him who ever is with the highest Esteem & regard My Dear Colo. Your most affecte & Obt hble Servt
Robert Stewart
Please offer my Complemts to Colo. Byrd & Colo. Mercer.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Capt. John McNeill and Dr. James Craik were returning to GW’s camp after having joined other friends of GW at Winchester in working for his election to the House of Burgesses. See Stewart to GW, 23 July.
2. The enclosed return of Stewart’s horse troop, dated 24 July, reported 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 2 sergeants, 1 drummer, 40 men (2 sick and 10 on command), and 42 horses (3 with sore backs and 10 on command). Stewart’s other returns of his troop in DLC:GW, dated 13 July, and 1 Aug., are almost identical except a cornet was returned for the first time on 1 August. On 2 August, Francis Halkett wrote from Forbes’s headquarters at Carlisle that Stewart thereafter should send his returns of the horse troop to him as the general’s aide instead of to GW. Stewart retained his captaincy in the 1st Virginia Regiment under GW during the expedition, but he held his command of the horse troop from General Forbes.