61From 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...
62Memorandum, 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...
63From 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...
64From George Washington to William Vance, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Hearing that you had quit the Branch, which will not only Discourage those left Behind, but also terrify the Lower Inhabitants, and occasion all of them to abandon their Plantations. I do hereby Strictly Order and Require of you, to Halt at Joseph Edwards’s on Cacapehon, until further Orders; unless you should be drove from thence by Superior Force. You will be quickly joined there by Numbers...
65Press Warrant, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Press Warrant. viz. By Virtue of the Power and authority to me given, as Commander in Chief of all the Forces now Raised &c. I do hereby Impower you, Powell Hazel, to impress any Horse or Horses, for His Majesty’s Service, for the better transporting yourself to and from the Fort, wherein William Vance and Company are Given under my hand, this 10th of October, 1755. A Copy of this was given...
66Orders, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Orders for the Recruits of the two Companies of Rangers. Winchester: October 10th 1755. One Corporal and Seven men to Mount a Guard, which is to be Relieved at Sun-set to-morrow. A Centry is to be placed over the Magazine and Gun powder. Lieutenants Limon and Rutherford, are to take it by turns, to examine the State of the Recruits, and see that they commit no Irregularities. An Orderly man is...
67From George Washington to Thomas Bryan Martin, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Captain Harden arrived in about half an hour after you went away, and informs me, he has about Seventeen Men coming to Town. This I thought proper to acquaint you of, that you may advise with his Lordship, whether with these Rangers in Town, the Twenty odd you spoke off, and those Captain Smith thinks he is sure of getting, it would not be necessary to attempt Something—I have sent off these...
68From George Washington to John Jones, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Instructions to Mr Commissary Jones. You are to proceed to Conogogee immediately; where I expect you will meet with the Waggons you yesterday engaged, by the Return of Mr Defever, Conductor of the Train. There should be at Conogogee Thirty Boxes of Musket Ball; these you are to bring with you. If there is any Powder in Store, you are also to bring it, and a Cask of Flints. You are to Load the...
69From George Washington to Andrew Montour, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I wrote some Time ago a Letter of Invitation from Fort Cumberland, desiring yourself your Family and Friendly Indians to come & reside among Us, but that Letter not coming to Hand, I am induced to send a second Express with the same Invitation; being pleased that I have it in my Power to do something for You on a better Footing than ever it has been done—I was greatly enraptur’d when I heard...
70From George Washington to Christopher Gist, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Before I got to Williamsburgh, the Commissions were chiefly disposed of; yet having you strongly in my mind (which occasioned an earnest solicitation) I succeeded in procuring the only Commission that was vacant, i.e. to be Captain of a Company of Scouts. This is attended with equal Honour, Rank and Profit, with the other Captains; but will be accompanied with more Fatigue; which you will not...
71Orders, 10 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
To the Officer appointed to Receive the Recruits at Alexandria. As the situation of our affairs here may detain me longer than I expected, which will prevent me from coming through Alexandria, in my way to Williamsburgh. You are hereby strictly ordered to send (in case I am not at your Rendezvous by the first of November, at night,) an Express to Fredericksburgh, informing me what Officers...
72From George Washington to John Hardin and Thomas Lemen, 11 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Orders Given to Captain Harden, commanding the Militia; and Lieutenant Lemon, commanding the Rangers, at Winchester, October 11th 1755. As I have been informed that there are Indians lurking about the Plantation of Stephen Julian, it is my Orders, that you, with the men under your command, proceed there very ealy to-morrow morning, and Scour all the woods and suspicious places thereabouts,...
73From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 11–14 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
As I think it my indispensible duty to inform you particularly of my proceedings, and to give the most plain and authentic acct from time to time of our situation, I must acquaint your Honour that immediately after giving the necessary Orders at Fredericksburg and dispatching expresses to hurry the Recruits from Alexandria, I rid post to this place passing by Lord Fairfax’s who was not at...
74Memorandum, 12 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Orders given Captain Harden and Lieutenant Lemon yesterday, are countermanded, and they are now to wait until further Orders. LB , DLC:GW .
75From George Washington to Thomas Lemen, 13 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Recruits belonging to the Companies of Rangers, are to march immediately; and make the best of their way to the South-Branch; where they are to join their respective Companies. Given under my Hand, October 13th 1755. LB , DLC:GW .
76Memorandum, 13 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Recruits which come under the command of Lieutenant Campbell, are to have arms immediately delivered them—A Corporal and seven men of the said Recruits, for Guard. LB , DLC:GW . John Campbell went recruiting after GW named him lieutenant and assigned him to Capt. David Bell’s company of the Virginia Regiment at Williamsburg on 3 Sept. Campbell, who later served in Capt. Robert Stewart’s...
77Memorandum and Advertisement, 13 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
An inconceivable Panick which prevailed amongst the people of this County, induced me to write the following Advertisement. Whereas divers timorous persons run through the Country and alarm its Inhabitants by False Reports, of the Indians having attacked and destroyed the Country, even Winchester itself, and that they are still proceeding—This is to give Notice to all people, that I have great...
78From George Washington to John Ashby, 14 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Orders for Captain John Ashby, of a Company of Rangers. It is my express Orders, that you do not presume to March your Company down on any pretence whatsoever, unless compelled by the Enemy. Clothes will be sent up immediately to you, which you may distribute to the most needy of your Company; and money I shall bring up to pay them off, if wanted. Given under my hand, at Winchester, October...
79Orders, 14 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Williams for the Day. Parole Abington. A Return to be given in immediately of the Smiths belonging to Captain Waggeners Command; who are to assist in cleaning the Publick Arms here in Store; the Officer of the Day is to visit the Smiths at work on the arms, and to see that they do not neglect their Business—He is also to visit the Guard and Recruits, and see that no irregularities...
80Orders, 15 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Captain Woodward for the Day—Parole Bedford. Tomorrow one Subaltern, one Sergeant, one Corporal, one Drummer, and twenty five private men, for the Guard—The Recruits to be completely armed, as far as they will go—The orders given at Fredericksburgh, to have the Rolls called three times a day, are always to be observed; and the Officers are, at calling the Rolls in the Evening, to see that the...
81From George Washington to John Hall and John King, 16 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
I received yours, and am as much surprized at your delay in repairing to your Rendezvous, as being at a loss for Orders after you did arrive there. I Order, that upon the receipt of this, you march the Recruits immediately to this place, where Clothes and Ammunition will be provided: for your provision is sent to meet you on Martin Hardens’ Road, by which you are ordered to march. If Captain...
82From George Washington to William Peachey, 16 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered, to send off all the Recruits which are now under your Command at Alexandria, immediately to Winchester; if there is a Captains Command, you are to order the next eldest Captain to march them up; if not, they are to be marched up by Lieutenant Bullet. The Order of the eleventh instant, about sending a Return to Fredericksburgh, by no means to be neglected —All the...
83From George Washington to John Carlyle, 16 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
If the Clothes &c. which were mentioned in the last to you, are not sent up, I desire you will provide Waggons to send them up with the men which are to come up, immediately. Inclosed, you have a list of Tools which we want very much, as the Boots on the Road all want Repairs; therefore desire you will get them or what you can of them, and send them up immediately. Yours &c. LB , DLC:GW . See...
84Orders, 16 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Captain Lewis the Day, to-morrow. One Subaltern, one Sergeant, one Corporal, one Drummer, and twenty-five private men, the Guard to-morrow. The Troops now Quartered here, to hold themselves in Readiness to march to morrow. The Waggon ordered down to Fredericksburgh, to set out immediately; and the Commissary to see the rest of the Waggons (except three which are to carry Provision &c.) loaded...
85From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 17 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Last night by return of the express who went to Captn Montour I receivd the Inclosd from Mr Harris at Susquehanna —I think no means shd be neglected to preserve what few Indians still remain in our Interest, for wch Reason I shall send Mr Gist so soon as he arrives (which I expect will be today) to Harris’s Ferry in hopes of engageing, and bringing with him the Belt of Wampum, and other...
86Orders, 17 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
Captain Waggener the Day to-morrow. One Subaltern, one Sergeant, one Corporal, one Drummer and twenty-five private men, the Guard, to-morrow. The march of the Troops is postponed until to-morrow. The Officers to examine into the state of their Companies, and see if they want any necessaries; and if properly provided for a march, the Commissary to see the Waggons loaded as soon as they arrive,...
87From George Washington to Thomas Gage, 17 October 1755 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Gage, 17 Oct. 1755. On 23 Nov. 1755 Gage wrote to GW : “Your obliging Letter of the 17th Octr was forwarded from Philadelphia . . . & came to my Hands yesterday.”
88From George Washington to Roger Morris, 17 October 1755 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Roger Morris, 17 Oct. 1755. On 3 Nov. 1755 Morris wrote to GW : “Yours of the 17th Octr from Winchester I recievd.”
89Orders, 18 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
The Troops are not to march until to-morrow, there being no waggons to carry the Provisions, &c. Every Officer to keep an Orderly Book, to enter regularly all orders as they issue, that they may be the better complied with. The Sergeant of the Guard with a file of men, to patrole through the Town, immediately after the Tattoo, and about midnight; and he is hereby expressly ordered, to take up...
90From George Washington to Christopher Gist, 18 October 1755 (Washington Papers)
1. You are hereby ordered to Repair to Harris’s Ferry, and other places where the Indians are upon the Susquehanna, and to use your utmost endeavours to engage them to come and lodge their Wives and Families in our Forts, and assist us in fighting their own Battles. 2ly You are, so soon as you arrive at the first of those Towns or Parties, to hire an Indian to go Express to Captain Andrew...