211Memorandum, 30 January 1756 (Washington Papers)
Ensign James Roy appointed to Captain John Mercers Company: and a copy of the above Letter sent him. LB , DLC:GW . The “above Letter” in the letter book is that of George Mercer to Denis McCarty, 30 Jan. 1756 .
212From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 1 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
If you find that a good road by Ross’s Mill can be so easily cut; the sooner it is set about the better. As the Governor is still silent concerning what I represented about building a Fort on Pattersons Creek; I would have you desist, at least for a while—and erect such Buildings as are absolutely necessary at Fort Cumberland, and no more. You may depend upon it, I shall take proper notice of...
213From George Washington to Thomas Walker, 1 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the contention about the command is risen to the disagreeable height it now is; and would probably, if not timely prevented, be attended with very bad consequences to the public: I solicited leave, which is obtained, to visit the General, and represent all those matters to him. And accordingly I set out on monday next. When I saw you last, you proposed as a thing which you believed might be...
214From George Washington to John Blagg, 2 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are Hereby ordered to proceed with the utmost dispatch to Winchester; there to take upon you the Command of the Troop of Light Horse, and such other Soldiers as you shall find Quartered there. You are to govern yourself strictly by the orders which you will receive there inclosed by Captain Stewart; he being directed to leave you the same orders which he received, when posted to that...
215From George Washington to John Dean, 2 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to take under your command all the men now quartered in this town; and proceed with the utmost dispatch to Watkins’s Ferry; there to relieve Lieutenant Lomax and his party, who are to march directly to Fort-Cumberland, to join their respective Companies there. Lieutenant Lomax will give you a copy of his Instructions; by which you are to govern yourself. If Captain Stewart is still at...
216From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 2 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
I can but return my very hearty thanks for your kind condescension in suffering me to wait upon General Shirley; as I am very assured it was done with intention to favour my Suit. There is as yet an unanswerable argument against our taking the Field, which I forgot to mention in my last; that is, the want of a Train of Artillery; and, what is full as necessary, Engineers to conduct the Affair,...
217Memorandum, 2–3 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
John Sellers, Enlisted by Ensign Deane, was this day discharged; as not being legally Enlisted. LB , DLC:GW .
218From George Washington to John Kirkpatrick, 3 February 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are to remain at this place until my return; unless you receive orders to the contrary from me. The Pay-Master and Commissary will apply to you for some money; and you are according to their demands on you, to pay them out of the money in your hands; reserving about eight hundred pounds—You are also to pay off the Officers and men now in town, before they march. Given at Alexandria, this...
219From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 25 March 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Adam Stephen, 25 Mar. 1756. On 19 May 1756 Stephen wrote to GW : “I am sorry that I did not receive yours from Quantico dated March 25th.”
220From George Washington to William Shirley, 4 April 1756 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Shirley, 4 April 1756. On 16 May 1756 Shirley wrote to Horatio Sharpe: “Three Days ago I was favour’d with your Letter dated the 10th of April inclosing one from Colonel Washington to me dated the 4th together with another from yourself dated the 14th of the same month” ( Lincoln, Shirley Correspondence Charles Henry Lincoln, ed. Correspondence of William Shirley:...
221Orders, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Washington orders a Return to be given in immediately of the number of Recruits in Town; their arms and Clothes. After Orders. A Subaltern and twenty men to parade immediately to march to Joseph Edwards’s. The Officer to see that the Party is provided well with ammunition. Lieutenant Blagg for this Command: who will receive his Orders from the aid de camp. LB , DLC:GW . GW rode into...
222From George Washington to John Blagg, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are Hereby ordered to proceed with the party under your command, with the utmost expedition to Joseph Edwards’s on Great Capecapon; where you are to remain, and endeavour to procure what intelligence you can, and transmit to me from time to time. I would by no means have you go in pursuit of the Enemy, unless you are joined by such parties of the Militia, as you judge from the intelligence...
223From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday and think it advisable to dispatch an Express (notwithstanding I hear two or three are already sent down) to inform you of the unhappy situation of Affairs on this Quarter. The Enemy have returned in greater numbers; committed several murders not far from Winchester; and even are so daring as to attack our Forts in open day; as your Honor may see by the enclosed...
224From George Washington to John Robinson, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday and though not a little fatigued, and incessantly hurried by the afflicting news from the back inhabitants, who are hourly importuning me for assistance, which is not in my power to give—I can not omit this favourable opportunity to give some account of the gloomy aspect that things bear at present. And I am sorry to say, that unless there are speedy and vigorous...
225From George Washington to Adam Stephen, 7 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I am very much surprized to hear that the Officers with the Detachments from Fort Cumberland, are returned without meeting with the Enemy: as they were committing their depredations and cruelties in all parts at that time, even as low as Sleepy-Creek. It is determined here by Lord Fairfax and others of the militia, that a number of them shall be raised to march out and scour the Country—They...
226Orders, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Officers now in Town, to give in a Return immediately of the Recruits they brought to Rendezvous, since they were last sent out: and are to have them drawn up, in order to be passed by Colonel Washington. Captain Peachy to see this done, and wait upon the Colonel, to let him know when they are ready. Sergeant Hughes is to march to Conongochieg immediately, with fifteen men from this Town....
227From George Washington to David Bell, 8 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
To Captain David Bell. of the Virginia Regiment. You are Hereby Ordered to proceed immediately to Conogochege; and are there to take upon you the Command of the Troops now stationed there, for defence of the Stores, &c.—You are to endeavour with all possible expedition, to procure a sufficient number of Batteaus and Canoes (assisted by those which are already gone up with Captain Gist) to...
228Orders, 9 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A Regimental Court Martial to sit immediately to enquire whether John Hogan, and William Bond, are guilty of the crimes laid to their charge—and to try the Sentinel, who let William Field, who was confined for desertion, escape from the Guard. Captain Peachy, President. The Officers to see that the Recruits now in Town are exercised twice every day: They are to order all the men to appear...
229From George Washington to Robert Hunter Morris, 9 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
I had scarce reachd Williamsburg, before an express was after me with news of the French & Indians advancing within our Settlements, and doing incredable mischief to the Inhabitants which obligd me to postpone my business there, and hurry to their assistance with all expedition: when I came to this place I found everythings in deep confusion: and the poor distressd Inhabitants under a general...
230Orders, 10 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Sentence of the Court-Martial, whereof Captain Peachy was President, is approved: and Richard Denny is to receive his punishment at Retreat-Beating to night. LB , DLC:GW . Richard Denny (born c.1730), a soldier in Capt. William Bronaugh’s company, enlisted in Feb. 1756 and was from Northumberland County. Denny was probably the sentinel mentioned in GW’s Orders, 9 April, who had let the...
231From George Washington to David Bell, 10 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
As the Inhabitants of the place seem much alarmed, and under continued apprehensions of being attacked—It is my Orders, that you keep out constant Scouting Parties of the Light Horse, &c. in order that you may receive timely notice of the approach of the Enemy; which you are immediately to communicate to the Inhabitants. If you think you can strengthen the place where you are, by throwing up...
232Orders, 11–12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
The Officers are to examine the arms, ammunition, &c. of the men, immediately. They are to have all the muskets discharged by some good marksman, in order to see if they are straight, those that are not, are immediately to be carried to the Smith to put them in order. They must also examine the locks and ram-rods, and see that they are fit for Service—They must see that all the men are...
233From George Washington to David Bell, 12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
If you find it impossible to procure a sufficient number of canoes to transport the Stores at Conogchieg to Fort Cumberland at one Trip[,] you are to endeavour to engage as many as you can, to be in readiness against Captain Gists return: and then proceed with them, and those that come with Captain Gist, to Fort Cumberland. Captain Gist is to remain at Conogochieg with his Party, until further...
234From George Washington to John Fenton Mercer, 12 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
If this overtakes you on cape-capon, or any of its waters, you are immediately to return to Joseph Edwards’s, on Great Cape-capon: and there wait with your party, until you receive further orders from me. You are, immediately upon your arrival at J. Edwards’s, to make a Return, and dispatch it by Express immediately to me at this place; of the number your party consists of; and how they are...
235Orders, 14 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
LB , DLC:GW .
236From George Washington to David Bell, 14–15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
It is my Orders that you send out Scouting Parties of the Light Horse as often as it can possibly be done, without too much fatiguing them. And you must order them to scour the Woods round for six or seven miles: as I am informed they never proceeded more than three or four miles upon any of their Scouts, heretofore. LB , DLC:GW .
237Orders, 15 April 1756 (Washington Papers)
A trusty Sergeant, and ten private men to parade immediately, and escort the Waggon with provision to Joseph Edwards’s. LB , DLC:GW . See George Mercer’s orders to Reuben Vass, this date .