To George Washington from Robert Rutherford, 6 June 1758
From Robert Rutherford
Winchester 6th June 1758
Sir
Agreeable to what Past when last I had the Honr of Confering with You—Inclosed are copys of the Instructions which I have given to the officers Acting under me1—by which You’ll discover that they are Divided & Weekend in such a maner that Puts them intirely in the Power of the Enemy as they must consty Range—besides they cannot Be of the same sirvice to the Inhabitants being unable to Oppose a strong Party that may sudinly Rush into the Country—You will further Discover that all the support that the whole of the upper part of the County has, is Ensign Fry & 25 of the Rangers. Where as it is Absolutely Necessary that Different Partys of the Militia should be in those Parts—Namely at the fine New Mill formerly Lewis Stephens’s—Holemans Fort & Pennywitz Mill as the Inhabitants cannot subsist Except those Mills & that Fort is Kept up2—& small Numbers at Each place would answer the End together With the Inhabitants—which would enable Mr Frys Party to join Lt Mcdowell, & then they could Range in a strong Body—Pray give me Leave to say it is absolutely Necessary for Militia to be Stationed at the affore said places Other wise the Communication Between Winchester & Augusta will be Emediately Cut off—I am truly sensible Nothing in your Power will be Wanting—I have Done every thing in Mine.
Am Obliged to set out to consult some skilful Physition.
May the Guardian Powers Protect you my Worthy Friend & give me leave Dear Sir to subscrib my self Your Most Obliged Huble Sert
Rt Rutherford
LS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosures included Rutherford’s orders to ranger lieutenant Joseph McDowell, 22 May, to ranger ensign Samuel Fry, 22 May, and to ranger lieutenant Thomas Swearingen, 23 May (DLC:GW). All three officers were residents of Frederick County.
2. Lewis Stephens (Ludwig Steffen) lived on Cedar Creek which flows south into the North Fork of the Shenandoah River at present-day Strasburg about twenty miles south of Winchester. Pennywitt’s Mill was on Mill Creek which runs into the North Fork of the Shenandoah about forty miles southwest of Winchester in what is now Shenandoah County. Holman’s fort was either on the North Fork of the Shenandoah opposite where Holmans Creek runs into the river several miles south of Mill Creek or it was a few miles up Holmans Creek from the river. John Pennywitt, a Huguenot and a miller, came to the Shenandoah Valley from Pennsylvania to build one of the first flour mills in this region. Daniel Holman, for whom the creek on which he lived was named, was one of the first white settlers in this part of the Valley.