61To George Washington from John Champe, 30 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
Youl observe by the inclosd what is requested of me. I know nothing off the Bearer. but can safely say Colo. Tayloe is a Gentleman of great Honour & presume must know something of the Man therefore am in hopes his own behavor will be the Only recommendation. & am Sir your most obedt hum. Servt ALS , DLC:GW . John Champe (d. 1763) of Lamb’s Creek was a planter in King George County. His...
62To George Washington from John Champe, 30 September 1755 (Washington Papers)
I am again Solicited to write you in favor of the bearer Mr Brockenbrough, am in great hopes his Modest Behavour will recommend him. his Circumstance’s are such, that nothing but a View of Serving his Country could induce him to this undertaking. your Protection so far as is right & Justifiable will Extremely oblige Dear Sir yr most obedt Humble Servt ALS , NN : Emmet Collection; Sprague...
63Memorandum, 2 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
After Examining into the State of Affairs here, and giving such Directions as seemed convenient; I set out on my Return to Alexandria, where I arrived the second of October; and gave the following Instructions, &c. LB , DLC:GW . GW is referring to Fort Dinwiddie. See GW to Peter Hog, 24 Sept. 1755 .
64George Mercer to Thomas Waggener, 2 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
As Colonel Washington has been informed by Governour Dinwiddie, that you was Dispatched from Williamsburgh before the Seventeenth of last month, with Orders to proceed here immediately; he is much surprized at your Delay, and can only attribute it to Sickness; as he imagines you would not, at this time, when your presence is so necessary, have been absent so long, unless some such accident had...
65To George Washington from John Defever, 2 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
A Return of Stores belonging to his Majesty Royall Train Left at the Undermentioned places viz. at Mr. Ambrose on the Maryland Side of potomack Musquett Shot in Boxes 22 at Konokagig . . ditto 30 Casks of flints 05 at Winchester Iron Guns 12 poundes 4 Travelling Carriages with Limbos 3 Round shot 12 pounders 1200 ADS , DLC:GW .
66From George Washington to Thomas Waggener, 3 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Captain Waggener. As the Service at present will not allow of Colonel Stephen, as was first intendend; you are hereby ordered, to follow the within Instructions, which were designed for him. If your Leisure will admit, while you command here, you are to frequent the publick places hereabout, and endeavour to Enlist what men you can for the Service. As all the Officers...
67From George Washington to Francis Triplett, 3 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered to Repair to all the publick Places, where you have the greatest probability of Success; and are to use your utmost Endeavours, to Enlist Men for His Majesty’s Service under my Command: and you are to observe such farther Directions as are contained in the General Instructions herewith given You: and are by no means to exceed the time appointed for your Rendezvous here....
68From George Washington to John Carlyle, 3 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered, to give out of the Stores left under your care by the English Troops, Beds, Blankets, &c. to the Officer appointed to take care of the Recruits; taking his Receipt for the same, for the number Delivered. You are also Ordered, to deliver the allowance of Flour out of the Virginia Stores, and Beef from the Irish Beef left in your care, by Robert Leake Esquire. Any...
69From George Washington to David Bell, 3 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
As His Majesty’s Service requires that the Garrison at Fort Cumberland should be Strengthened; You are hereby Ordered, to march your Recruits to that place immediately, and to put yourself under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen, or in his absence, the Officer commanding the Fort. Given under my hand, this 3d of October 1755. LB , DLC:GW .
70Memorandum, 3–5 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Ensign Deckiezer’s Day of Rendezvous is prolonged to the twentieth Instant—October. LB , DLC:GW .
71To George Washington from Adam Stephen, 4 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Matters are in the most deplorable Situation at Fort Cumberland—Our Communication with the Inhabitants is Cut Off. By the best Judges of Indian Affairs, it’s thought there are at least 150 Indians about us—They divided into Small parties, have Cut Off the Settlement of Patersons Creek, Potowmack, Above Cresops, and the People on Town Ck about four miles below his house, —They go about and...
72Memoranda, 5 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Captain John Mercers Day of Rendezvous is prolonged to the 20th Instant. October the 5th 1755. Arrived at Fredericksburgh, in my way to Williamsburgh. LB , DLC:GW .
73Orders, 6 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
As Captain George Mercer of the Virginia Forces, has been appointed aide de camp to Colonel Washington, and declared in Publick Orders at Fort Cumberland—To prevent any Disputes or delays of Orders, which may be issued by him. It is also thought proper to acquaint all Officers, &c. at this place, with the said appointment; and that all Orders which come from him, are to be as punctually...
74From George Washington to Henry Woodward, 6 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered, to proceed with the Detachment under your Command to Fort Cumberland, according to the Route prescribed in the General Orders: You are to provide yourself at this place, with Sufficient Ammunition for your Detachment, as there is none at Winchester —When you arrive at Winchester, you are to procure a Waggon to assist you to Fort Cumberland. You are to apply to the...
75From George Washington to the Ordinary Keepers, 6 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Orders to the Ordinary-Keepers, on Captain Woodwards Route to Fort Cumberland. You are hereby Ordered and strictly Required, to make proper provisions of Meat, Bread, &c. for Sixty men one day: they will be at your House on the Day of October, on their March to Fort Cumberland: and I will see you paid a reasonable allowance. Friday: October 6th 1755 . A Copy of the above sent to Mr Picket,...
76To George Washington from Peter Hog, 6 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you the Weekly & Monthly Returns, by which you will Observe their is no Variation in the State of the Company the Drum[me]r is not Yet Come so that I imagine he is either Sick or has deserted, the party Mentd in the Monthly Return was Sent to Green Briar to protect some of the Inhabitants in Securing their Crops they all Intend to goe out during the Winter if they can be...
77Memorandum, 7 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
From hence I set out on the 7th to Williamsburgh; and from Todds Ordinary wrote the following, in answer to a Letter I received from Major Lewis. LB , DLC:GW . GW traveled from Fredericksburg to Dr. George Todd’s ordinary in Caroline County, on the stage road. Andrew Lewis’s letter has not been found.
78George Mercer to Andrew Lewis, 7 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I am Ordered by Colonel Washington to acquaint you, that there is Clothing at Winchester, for which he sends an Order on the Store keeper there. If any of the men can not march without Shoes; you must apply to Mr Dick, who has a Quantity. He desires that Captain Waggener would proceed immediately to Alexandria his Orders are left there with Major Carlyle. I am Yours, LB , DLC:GW .
79George Mercer to Storekeeper, 7 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
It is Colonel Washington’s orders, that you Deliver to Captain Woodward Clothes, for the Detachment of men under his command; taking his Receipt for the number he receives. LB , DLC:GW .
80To George Washington from Landon Carter, 7 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Captain Peachey calling to give me the Compliment of his departure gives me opportunity of acknowledging the obligation you laid on me in the favour by Mr Brockenbrough. And you must give me leave to encrease the debt by a further recommendation of Mr Peachey From experience I say his Merit has intitled him to every respect I can shew him and I shall forever acknowlege myself mistaken if he...
81Memorandum, 8 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
From hence I continued my journey to Colonel Baylors, when I was overtaken by an Express sent from Colonel Stephen, informing, that a Body of Indians had fallen on the Inhabitants, killed many of them, destroyed and Burnt several of their Houses. Thereupon wrote to the Governor, and returned immediately to Fredericksburgh; and wrote a second Letter to the Governour, one to the Speaker, &c. LB...
82From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 8 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place in less than three hour’s after I wrote you from Colo. Baylors, and some small time after the arrival of Colo. Stephen who brings a worse acct than he related in his Letter; but as he is the bearer I shall be less prolix refering to him for paticular’s. I shall set out this Evening for Winchester where I expect to be join’d by the Recruits from Alexandria and this place...
83From George Washington to John Robinson, 8 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Being much hurried, I shall refer you to Colonel Stephen for Particulars; who brings a melancholy account of our Back-Settlers. He waits on you for some money to pay the Recruits, and answer such immediate Charges as may arise before I can see you in Williamsburgh; which can not be now, until about the 8th or 9th of November; at which time I should be glad to see you there, and to Receive such...
84From George Washington to Andrew Lewis, 8 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are to March all the Recruits, now Rendezvousing in Fredericksburgh, under the conduct of the following Officers: viz. Captain Henry Woodward, Captain Charles Lewis; Lieutenants John Edward Lomax, and Peter Steenbergen; Ensigns Hubbard and George Weedon, to Winchester immediately; using the utmost Dispatch in your March. You are to leave Orders with Captain Spotswood, to Recruit...
85From George Washington to Thomas Waggener, 8 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered to proceed to Alexandria, with all possible Dispatch, and to take all the men there under your Command; which, with what Officers you shall think necessary for the number, you are to March immediately to Winchester, when you will receive further Orders. You are to provide them at Alexandria with Arms, as far as they will go—ammunition, &c.—if there is any ammunition...
86From George Washington to Henry Lee, 8 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
As I understand Lord Fairfax has had great reason to order one hundred of the Militia of your County to march, to assist in the protection of our Frontiers; I must desire, that you will see that they come on Horse-back: as they will thereby be enabled to make Dispatch, and to carry Provisions with them, which must be done, as the scarcity of Bread between this and Fort Cumberland, renders it...
87From George Washington to John Carlyle, 8 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
From the concurring Accounts from Will’s-Creek, we have reason to believe, that a greater number of men is wanting than what we are able to Muster at present: it would therefore be advisable to order a Troop of Horse of your County, to hold themselves in Readiness to March at an hours warning, in case they should receive such Orders from Lord Fairfax, with whom I expect to be, as soon as the...
88From George Washington to Thomas Waggener, 8 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
After appointing what Officers you think most proper to your Command; I would have you leave some Officer whom you think most capable, to Recruit about Alexandria; and to Receive the Recruits which shall be sent to that Rendezvous; with Orders, that as soon as he shall collect a Party of about twenty Men, he is to send them off to Winchester, with a Subaltern or a Trusty Sergeant. If there...
89Memorandum, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
At this place I pressed Horses, and Rode immediately to Lord Fairfax’s and Winchester; and finding every thing in the utmost confusion, and no certain accounts of the Enemy; I hired two Scouts to go to the Branch, and Endeavour to procure Intelligence: by them I wrote as followeth. LB , DLC:GW . GW was in Fredericksburg. They were probably James Sands and Power Hazel. See GW to William Cocks...
90From George Washington to William Cocks and John Ashby, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
In the summer of 1755, during Braddock’s expedition and after his defeat, Governor Dinwiddie issued a number of commissions for raising companies of rangers to patrol the Virginia frontier and offer some protection to its inhabitants. The ranger companies came under the command of GW in early September when he became colonel of the newly formed Virginia Regiment. These companies were never a...