1From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
All my Ideal hopes, of raising a Number of Men, to scour the adjacent Mountains, have vanished into Nothing. Yesterday was the appointed Time, for a general Rendezvous of all who were willing to accompany Me, for that desirable End; and only 15 appeared: so that I find myself reduced, to the farther Necessity, of waiting at this Place a few Days longer, till the Arrival of a Party, which was...
2Enclosure I, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Scheme for forming the Quota of Virga Troops 2000 into two Battalions of ten Companies each as the best & chexapest Method Officers following Pay pr Day 1 Colonel who is to have the Command of the whole & have a Compa. £1 10. 0 2 Lieut. Colonels for 1st & 2d Battalion each a Company each 17. 6 2 Majors—with Companies also 15. 0 15 Captains each a Company 10.
3Enclosure II, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Present Establishment of the Virginia Regiment with the pay of each Officer &c.— Pay per Day 1 Colonel £1. 10. 0 1 Lieutenant Colonel 17. 6 1 Major 15. 0 16 Captains 10.
4From George Washington to John Robinson, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote you last, I was in high hopes of being by this time at the head a large party scouring the Allegany Hills. But the timidity of the Inhabitants of this County is to be equalled by nothing but their perverseness. Yesterday was the time appointed for all to meet who were inclined to join for this desirable end, and only fifteen came; some of whom refused to go but upon such terms as...
5Orders, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Court martial to sit immediately for trial of John Garland and Thomas Hope, confined for fighting. Lieutenant Gist is to give in a Return immediately of the Recruits he brought to Town last night: with their names, age, size, &c. Sergeant Clunis to see that the man who is employed in straightening the arms, keep close to his Business; and is to order him all the assistance he can. The Troops...
6George Mercer to Robert Rutherford, 16 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is Colonel Washingtons Orders that you (as soon as you conveniently can) give in an exact Return of all the Stores of what kind soever you have in charge. In this Return you must be very particular. If you have occasion for any of the Sergeants to assist you; apply to Captain Peachy for one. LB , DLC:GW . As assistant commissary Robert Rutherford made a return of stores at Winchester on 18...
7Orders, 17 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
8From George Washington to John Fenton Mercer, 17 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the great rains have prevented your march on the expedition Ordered: You are to halt at the place where you now are, until the Waters are passable: and then proceed to Enoch’s Fort and no farther; and remain there until you receive further Orders from me. You must endeavour to procure some good Woodsmen, well acquainted with the place; and honest people, to send out as Spies to the Springs...
9To George Washington from John Fenton Mercer, 17 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday about seven O’Clock in the Evening the Waggons arrived here by which I received my Instructions to march to the Warm Spring Mountain, but finding it impracticable to attempt crossing the N. River between this an Enochs’s Fort, have, by the Approbation of the Officers here halted till the Waters shall fall, Great Cacapon having raised 8 Feet perpendicular since last Night & is still...
10To George Washington from John Robinson, 17 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I recd your Letter by the Express and am sorry to find by it the unhappy situation our back Inhabitants are in from the frequent Incursions of the French and Indians, owing in my Opinion in a great Measure to the obstanctcy and dasturdlyness of the People themselves, and, I am sorry to say it, I fear from the Conduct of some of our Officers, of whom there are terrible reports, but I make no...
11Orders, 18 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Court Martial to sit immediately for Trial of Sergeant Waters, and John Garland. LB , DLC:GW . John Garland, a 32–year-old Virginian, was listed on Robert Spotswood’s size roll of 13 July 1756 as having been enlisted on 1 Feb. 1756 in North Carolina. Garland was later transferred to Woodward’s company. GW mentioned a Sergeant Waters earlier (see GW’s Orders for 8 Jan. 1756 ), and this may be...
12From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 18 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It gave me infinite concern to find in yours by Governour Innis, that any representations should inflame the Assembly against the Virginia Regiment; or give cause to suspect the morality and good Behaviour of the Officers. How far any of the individuals may have deserved such invidious reflections, I will not take upon me to determine; but this I am certain of; and can call my conscience, and...
13From George Washington to John Robinson, 18 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It gave me infinite concern to hear by several letters that the Assembly are incensed against the Virginia Regiment; and think they have cause to accuse the Officers of all inordinate vices; but more especially of drunkenness and profanity! How far any one individual may have subjected himself to such reflections, I will not pretend to determine: but this I am certain of; and can with the...
14To George Washington from William Stark, 18 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The purport of this is to acquaint you of an Engagemt we had with the Indians late this Evening—Three of our Men going out on pretence of looking after some Horses met with a party of Indians within sight of the Fort two of which escaped and alarm’d us, we immediatly pursued them with a party of between fourty & fifty Men undr Command of Capt: Mercer Lieut: Williams, Ensn Carter Ensign McCarty...
15Orders, 19 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Guard is immediately to be reinforced to a full third part of the men in Town fit for Duty—and the eldest Subaltern to mount. He is to see that three or four good hands are immediately set to making Cartridges, and that they do not waste the ammunition or paper—and that his Guard have their arms in good order. The other officers are to inspect the arms of the rest of the men, and see that...
16From George Washington to Thomas, Lord Fairfax, 19 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is the Copy of a Letter that came to my Hands by Express this Instant, which I send in Hopes that your Lordship will give Orders for raising not only a part of the Militia of this County, but of the adjacent ones also, & that with the utmost Expedition otherwise it is uncertain how far the Enemy may attempt to pursue their Victory—I have consulted Colo. Innis & the Officers of my...
17From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 19 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Since writing my Letter of Yesterday’s date the inclosd came to hand by which your honr will be informd of a very unlucky affair. I immediately consulted Colo. Innis and such Officers of my own Regiment as were at this place on the necessary steps to be taken: they unanimously advisd that I shoud remain here with the 50 Recruits that are in Town for the defence of the place till the Militia...
18From George Washington to Henry Harrison, 19 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to repair to Joseph Edwards’s Fort, and there to take upon you the command of all those different parties that are at that place. You are to use your utmost endeavours to protect the people, and be very circumspect in your conduct; taking care to do nothing without first advising with your Officers, and receiving their counsel. You are to be very careful that you are not...
19George Mercer’s Orders, 19–20 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
After Orders. No Soldier is to fire his piece, under pain of the severest punishment, without orders. The Sergeant-Major is to go through the Town, and acquaint the towns’ people, that it is Colonel Washingtons particular desire, that none of them fire off their guns (as it will be impossible to know when an alarm happens) without applying to Captain Peachy for leave; who will allow them, if...
20To George Washington from William Stark, 19 April 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Stark, 19 April 1756. On 20 April 1756 GW wrote to Stark : “I received yours, dispatched last night by Express, about two o’clock this morning.”
21Orders, 20 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
All the men off Duty, are to go out immediately to assist the towns’ people in cutting down the Bushes about Town. LB , DLC:GW .
22From George Washington to William Stark, 20 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I received yours, dispatched last night by Express, about two o’clock this morning. There is ammunition already sent up, but I send you more now. I hope ere this, Captain Harrison is safe arrived with you. Let him know it is my Orders, that he return the Horses he took up with him, per the first safe hand that is coming down: and that he transmit me constantly, what intelligence he may...
23From George Washington to Henry Harrison, 20 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate you on your safe arrival at Fort-Edward—If Ensign Hubbard applies to you for a reinforcement, you are to detach to his assistance a party of ten men: and if you have the same application from Homer’s-Fort, let them have the like number; and a small quantity of ammunition, if it can be spared. Yours LB , DLC:GW . See GW to Harrison, 19 April 1756, notes 1 and 2 . Horner’s, or...
24From George Washington to Edward Hubbard, 20 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You will receive by the Bearer as much powder as I think will suffice: Ball, according to your own account, you have enough of. I am informed by the Bearer, that the Inhabitants at Enochs’s (where your party is garrisoned) are desirous of moving. I would therefore recommend that you may, if you can convey them, and such Stores as are in your custody, to retreat to Edwards’s. If you find this...
25Orders, 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...
26Council 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...
27From 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...
28From 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...
29From 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...
30From 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 ,...