From George Washington to John Stanwix, 21 June 1757
To John Stanwix
[Fort Loudoun] June 21st 1757.
To Colonel Stanwix.
Sir,
Since writing to you by Express last night, I have received a letter from Capt. Dagworthy (a copy of which I enclose;)1 and have had an opportunity of examining the Indians, who brought him the last intelligence, myself. They unanimously agree, there is a large party of french and indians marched from fort du quesne; but, whether they are destined against the frontiers of virginia, maryland or Pennsylvania, or all of these, is yet uncertain. The enemy, however, are without carriages; and by their track, (for the Indians did not see more than a party of about 100) pursued them towards Ray’s-Town.2 This they would do whether they be coming to either of the above Provinces (without artillery.) It is the way they have used altogether of late, in coming to, and returning from us.
I return You my thanks, Sir, for answering my queries;3 as You took no notice of the arms I asked for, by the Governors Order. I am Sir, Your most obt hble Servt
G:W.
N:B. There was a great misapprehension between Capt. Dagworthy and the Indians that first came in: They deny, to me, having said that there was a body of the enemy with wheel-carriages, on their march to attack Fort Cumberland. These indians were not within 30 miles of Fort du Quesne; but nevertheless heard the discharge of the french artillery, which they conceive, was fired at the departure of a large body of troops from that place. Capt. Dagworthy might easily have misunderstood these people for want of a good interpreter.4
LB, DLC:GW.
2. Raystown, Pa., lay about seventy-five miles west of Carlisle, and north of Fort Cumberland, Md.
3. Apparently Stanwix attached to his letter to GW of 18 June his response to GW’s queries of 15 June about the allowance of batmen and other things for officers in the Royal American Regiment; GW enclosed Stanwix’s answers in his letter to Dinwiddie of 10 July 1757. The second clause of this sentence appears to be incomplete. Perhaps the copyist inadvertently omitted part of it.
4. George Croghan wrote John Armstrong on 28 June 1757: “I have seen some of both Parties of Indians that brought the Intelligence of the March of the French Army, and upon examining them, I find that Captain Dagworthy has been at a Loss for an Interpreter” (, Col. Rec., 7:631–32).