1General Instructions for Recruiting, 1–3 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
General Instructions for the Recruiting Officers of the Virginia Regiment. Septr 1755. First; That each Captain shall, by beat of Drum or otherwise, Raise Thirty men; Each Lieutenant Eighteen; and each Ensign, Twelve men. Secondly: That each Captain shall appoint proper Persons to act as non—commissioned Officers, during their Recruiting Service: But those noncommissioned Officers, so...
2Memorandum, 3 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
All the Officers then present received the foregoing Instructions, and money for Recruiting; and some of them were appointed to act ’till further Orders, as followeth: viz. To Captain Spotswoods Company, Lieutenant Lomax and Ensign Carter, were ordered to do Duty as Subalterns: and to Captain Harrison—Lieutenant John Hall; Ensign Nathaniel Thompson. To Captain Lewis: Lieutenant Peter...
3Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
At the same time, the Instructions given to the other Subalterns were the same with these, differing only in this Respect; those who were ordered to Rendezvous at Fredericksburgh, were to apply to Mr Dick for orders, in case the Field Officer for that place was not arrived; and those who were ordered to Alexandria, were to apply to Mr Carlyle. After issuing the aforesaid Orders, I set out for...
4From George Washington to Peter Hog, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
By the new Appointment and Regulations, you stand as eldest Captain in the Virginia Regiment; which I hope will be agreeable: I have therefore sent you your Commission, and orders to Relieve Captain Lewis; which I expect will be immediately complied with, his presence at Fredericksburgh being much wanted. As these kind of Orders will admit of no Delay; I must again repeat, that I expect your...
5From George Washington to Peter Hog, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered, and strictly commanded, to repair immediately, upon the Receipt of this, to Jackson’s River, or the Head-Quarters of Captain Lewis’s Company; and there take upon you the Command of said Company. You are therefore to be very punctual in obeying such Orders as have or may be given, by the Governour; and such as you shall receive, from time to time, from me: And above all;...
6From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Country have come to a Resolution, to Raise Sixteen Companies, to be Formed into a Regiment; the command of which they have honoured me with; and were kind enough to allow me the Liberty of appointing my Field Officers. In consequence of which I have commissioned you, Major, and must desire you will, so soon as Captain Hogg arrives, to take the command of your Company; repair to...
7From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered, to repair to Fredericksburgh immediately upon the arrival of Captain Hogg; who is to take the command of your Company: And upon applying to Mr Dick, you will meet with your Commission and Instructions—You must, before you quit your Company, be careful in collecting an exact Return of the Effectives, and non-effectives; the State of their Arms of all sorts; the...
8Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After this, I sent to Mr Dick and finding him irresolute and indetermined, whether to continue to act as Commissary or no; I took an opportunity to write as followeth, in order to receive a written answer. LB , DLC:GW .
9From George Washington to Charles Dick, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I called at your Store last night, in order to converse farther with you, concerning the Commission of Commissary; but not meeting with you there, I have taken this method of desiring to be better informed of your Sentiments; I have enclosed you a Copy of that article of my Instructions, which empowers me to appoint another , in case you do not act; that you may see by what authority I am...
10Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Mr Dick hereupon Resolved, to act until a Meeting of the Committee in October—and Received the following Orders. LB , DLC:GW .
11From George Washington to Charles Dick, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Orders for Mr Commissary Dick You are hereby ordered, to ascertain as near as possible the Country’s Debts, that they may be transmitted to the Governour. You are to Lay in Provisions at Winchester, Fredericksburgh and Alexandria, as they arrive, and to send up a Quantity of Salt for Curing the Beef at Fort Cumberland—Also to procure Coopers to make Casks for Pickling the Beef. You are to...
12From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Major Lewis. 1st So soon as you arrive in Town, you are to take upon you the Command of the Troops that are Recruited, and brought in from the different Counties by the several Officers: and after Reviewing, you are to Receive and reject such men as fall under the enclosed Instructions; which were delivered to each Recruiting Officer, to Regulate his Conduct by. 2dly You are...
13From George Washington to Robert Spotswood, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
As soon as you arrive in Town with your Recruits, you are to put yourself under the Command of Major Andrew Lewis, or the Field Officer appointed for that Rendezvous: and you are to be strictly obedient to all such lawful Commands, as you shall from time to time receive from him: and particularly to observe, that the Muster Rolls of your Men are regularly called three times a day, and that...
14Memorandum, 6 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
A Copy of these Orders was also enlosed for Captain’s Lewis and Harrison, and Lieutenant Lowry, and Ensign Weedon. From hence I proceeded to Alexandria, and left the following Orders. LB , DLC:GW . Carter Henry Harrison (1732–1796), son of Benjamin Harrison (d. 1745) of Berkeley plantation, was “laid up with the Fever & Ague” for a time ( Dinwiddie to GW, 18 Oct. 1755 ). As late as 18 Nov. he...
15From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Lieutenant Colonel Stephen. 1st So soon as you arrive in Alexandria, you are to take upon you the command of the Troops that are Recruited and brought in from the different Counties, by the several Officers; and after reviewing them, you are to receive and reject, such men as fall properly under the enclosed Instructions, which were delivered each Recruiting Officer, to...
16From George Washington to William Peachey, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered, as soon as you arrive in Town with your Recruits, to put yourself under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Adam Stephen, or the Field Officer appointed to that Rendezvous: and you are to be strictly obedient to such Lawful Commands as you shall from time to time receive from him; and particularly to observe, that the Muster Roll of your Men is regularly called three...
17Memorandum, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
A Copy of these Instructions was also left for the other Officers appointed to this Rendezvous; and the following Letters wrote. LB , DLC:GW . For the officers assigned to rendezvous at Alexandria under Lt. Col. Adam Stephen, see GW’s Memorandum of 3 Sept. 1755 .
18From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After waiting a day or two at Fredericksburgh, writing Orders for the Recruiting Officers appointed to that Rendezvous, and dispatching an Express for Major Lewis, who I have ordered Captain Hogg to relieve; I set out for this place in order to examine the Clothing, Provisions, &c.; an exact Return of which I herewith send. I also enclose your Honour a List of such Things as Major Carlyle can...
19From George Washington to John Robinson, 11 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After a small Halt at Fredericksburgh, to issue out Orders to the Recruiting Officers appointed to that Rendezvous, I proceeded to this place, in order to collect a Return of the Provisions, Clothing, &c. that were lodged here; an exact Copy of which I herewith send you. I find after the Soldiers have their short allowances, there will arise great inconveniences, if Stores of Clothing are not...
20Memorandum, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After giving the necessary Orders, and collecting Returns of the Provision, Clothing, &c. at this place, and Stores at Rock-Creek, I continued to Winchester, where I arrived on the fourteenth, and sent for John Mercer, late Lieutenant of the Light Horse, and acquainted him and Deckiser, of their Promotion: appointed Deckiser to act as Ensign under him; gave them Money, Recruiting Instructions,...
21From George Washington to George Gordon, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered, and appointed to act as Cornet of the Light Horse, until further Orders: you are therefore to repair immediately to the Troop, and take the Command thereof, until the arrival of Captain Stuart; and I do hereby Order and require strictly, them and each of them, to obey you as their Cornet. Given under my hand at Winchester, the fifteenth of September, 1755. LB , DLC:GW ....
22From George Washington to George Gordon, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Ensign Gordon. 1st You are immediately upon your coming to the Troop, to dispatch a trusty Corporal with the enclosed Letter to the Store-Keeper at Connogogee, ordering him to receive an answer, and to proceed thence with all imaginable Dispatch to me, at Fort Cumberland. 2ly You are to collect and send to me, by the said Corporal, an exact Return of your Men; the State of...
23From George Washington to John Jones, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I have sent the Bearer (of the Light Horse) to desire an exact Return of all the Things and Country’s Stores which are in your possession; and must desire, that you will be very particular in the Quantity and Quality of all Things, and send it immediately. I am your &c. LB , DLC:GW . John Jones, the storekeeper at Conococheague, served the Virginia Regiment as a commissary in this area until,...
24From George Washington to David Bell, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
If it happens that I am not in Winchester when you arrive there with your Recruits; You are hereby ordered to put yourself &c. under the Command of the oldest officer then present; observing particularly, all such Directions as you shall from time to time receive from him. But, if it should so fall out, that you are the first that arrive there, or if you should be the oldest Officer there; you...
25Orders, 15 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for the Commanding Officer at Winchester. 1st So soon as you arrive in Town, you are hereby Ordered to take upon yourself the Command of the Recruits Raised and brought in by the several Officers appointed to that Rendezvous; and to keep it until another Officer arrive, who shall be Senior to yourself in Rank: then and in that case, you are immediately to give up the command, and...
26Memorandum, 17 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
From thence I continued to Fort Cumberland, and took upon me the Command of the Troops there; issuing the Daily Orders, and giving such Instructions and Directions, as appeared necessary. LB , DLC:GW . GW presumably received “A Daily Return of the Nine american Companys Fort Cumberland Sepr 17th 1755” shortly after his arrival at the fort and before issuing his orders of that date, in which he...
27Orders, 17 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Forgie for the Day. Parole Success. Fort Cumberland: September 17, 1755. George Washington Esquire, is by His Honor Governour Dinwiddie, appointed Colonel of the Virginia Regiment, and Commander in Chief of all the Forces that now are, and shall be Raised &c. &c. Captain Adam Stephen is appointed Lieutenant Colonel; and Captain Andrew Lewis, Major of the same Regiment—Captain George...
28Memorandum, 17 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Lieutt Colo.—Adam Stephen Andrew Lewis—Major Captains Lieutenants Ensigns 1st Peter Hogg 2 Jno. McNeill 12–1st Thomas Carter 2 George Mercer 3 William Starke 3d–2 [Edward] Hubbard 3 Thomas Waggener 4
29Orders, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Buckner, Officer for the Day. Parole Diligence. Fort-Cumberland: September 18th 1755. Lieutenant Bronaugh is promoted as a Captain in the Virginia Regiment. All the Men of the Virginia Troops are to be formed into two Companies, which are to be commanded by Captains Savage and Bronaugh, ’till further Orders. Captain Savage, Lieutenant Blegg, and Ensign Smith, to take care of Captains...
30After Orders, 18 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
After orders. The commanding Officers of Companies, are this Evening to Recommend such Men of their Companies, as they think fit for Sergeants, and Corporals for the new Companies. It is desired, that none of the officers will recommend any, but such as they can vouch for their Behaviour. LB , DLC:GW .