Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-04-10
NEW SERIES, VOL. XXXv, NO. Is

5sth, who 1andedat Alexandria, Virginia,
in the Spring of .755. Here they were
Joined by the following companies of
provincial troops, viz
Independent Company, New York,
Capts. Rutherford & Gates. 100
Carpenters, Capt. Poison, so
Virginia Rangers, Capt. Peronnie, so
WaggOner, so
Maryland Rangers. Capt Dagworthy, so
These were added to the 44th regiment
of British regulars, and formed one
division, commanded by Sir Peter Hal
ket. The second division was command
ed by Col. Dunbar. and was composed as
follows:
4sth regiment, British regulars, 700
South Carolina Detachment, Capt.
Demarie, 100
N Carolina Rangers, Capt. Dobbs, 1co
Carpenters, Capt Mercer. so
Virginia Rangers, Capt. Stevens, SO
q Hogg, so
Cox or Cooke, so
Roads at that time We're very scarce,
The longest was the great Indian road
which began at Unitas on the Yadkin
River in North Carolina, skirted the base
OF the Blue Ridge, passed through the
mountains where the Roanoke River now
passes, thence via Looney's Ferry across
the James, via Staunton, Winchester,
,r-y,.s, H. u, +-.,,,., - XNr:r,:,...,- L -.
now Williamsport, via York and Lancas-
ter to Philadelphia. Another started at
Williamsburg, thence via Fredericksburg.
via Ashby's Gap, to Winchester, and from
thence across the mountains to Fort Cum
berland Two roads led westward from
Alexandria, one crossing the Blue Ridge
atWilliams Gap and the other at Vestals,
both leading to Winchester
In preparing for this march. Braddock
had the active assistance of Sir John ST.
Clair, whose name still fingers in Sir
Johns run in Morgan county. Sir John
arrived in this country in January 1755,
and busted himself to organize the plan
of the campaign. He descended the
Potomac from Fort Cumberland to Alex
andria in canoe. 1t was his purpose at
firstto send the expedition up the Potomac
in boats, and after having inspected the
the Great Falls of the of the Potomac sup
posed that channel could be made with
powder for the passage of boats. This
was afterwards abandoned. He arranged
to have new road cut from Winchester
to Cumberland, and also to have one cut
on the Maryland side of the river from
the Conechogeague to Cumberland. This
latter however was not prepared in time.
He also suggested to General Braddocll
that he make two divisions of his army
and send one via Winchester and the
other via Frederick, Md. The division
going by the way of Winchester to take
the powder and cannon, and that
going by the way of Frederick to
carry the ammunition and military and
hospital stores. On the 9th of April Sir
Peter Halbet with companies of the 44th
regiment started for Winchester Lieu
| tenant Col. Gage was left to bring the
other companies and escort the artillery
later The line of March of Halket's
brigade from Alexandria to Winchester
was as follows: From Alexandria to
the Old Court House IS miles, to Mr..
Coleman s on Sugar Land Run, ~ miles
to Mr.. Miners, IS miles; to Mr. Thomp-
sons the Quaker. IL miles to Mr.. Theys
Ghe Ferry to the SHENANDOAH II miles
from Mr. They's to Winchester, 20 miles.
1t is probable that they crossed the Blue
Ridge at Williams Gap, as this route is
more direct and shorter than that via
Vestals Gap, further north This is the
division of the army that passed near
Charles Town and accounts for the tradi.
tions there.
The other division marched by the way
of Frederick The stores were carried
by boat to Rock Creek, and were to be
conveyed in wagons to the mouth of the
Conochogeague, and thence by boat tc
Cumberland On the arrival of Colonel
| Dunbar at Frederick it was found that
the road to Fort Cumberland which was
TO have been cut on the north side of the
Potomac had not been prepared. and ii
was impossible to transport the stores by
boat. 1twas therefore necessary to change
the route, so that instead of marching
along the Potomac on the north side Of
that river they were compelled TO eros.