Title: From George Washington to John Robinson, 1 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Robinson, John

To Jno. Robinson Esqr. Speaker.
My dear Sir,Camp at Fort Cumbd 1 Septemr 1758.    We are still Incampd here—very sickly—and quite dispirited at the prospect before Us—That appearance of Glory once in view—that hope—that laudable Ambition of Serving Our Country, and meriting its applause, is now no more! Tis dwindled into ease—Sloth—and fatal inactivity—and in a Word, All is lost. if the ways of Men in power, like the ways of Providence are not Inscrutable—why ⟨erasure⟩ they not? for we who view the Action’s of great Men at ⟨so vast⟩ a distance, can only form conjectures agreable to the small extent of our knowledge—and ignorant of the comprehensive Schemes intended, mistake, plaugily, in judging by the Lump—this may be, and yet every F—l will have his Notions—prattle & talk away—and pray why may not I?
We seem then—to act under an evil Geni—the conduct of our Leaders (if not actuated by superior Orders) is temperd with something—I dont care to give a name to—in⟨deed⟩ I will go further, and say they are d——s, or something worse to P—s—v—n Artifice—to whose selfish views I attribute the miscarriage of this Expedition, for nothing now but a miracle can bring this Campaigne to a happy Issue.
In my last I told you (I think) that I had employd my little abilities in opposing the measures then concerting. To do this I not only represented the advancd Season—the difficulties of cutting a new Road over these Mountain’s—the little time left for that Service—the Moral certainty of its obstructing our March, and the miscarriage of the Expedition consequent thereupon—but I indeavourd to represent also the great struggle Virginia had made this Year in raising a Second Regiment at so

short a notice and great expence—and her inability of a future exertion in case of need; I spoke my Fears concerning the Southern Indians in the event of a miscarriage; and in fine spoke all unavailingly, for the Road was immediately begun, and since then, from one to two Thousand Men have constantly wrought upon it. By the last Accts I receivd they had cut it to the Foot of Lawrel Hill about 35 Miles and I suppose by now 15,00 Men have taken post at Loyal hanning, about 10 Miles further, where our next Fort is intended to be constructed.
We have certain Intelligence that the French Strength at Fort Duquesne the 13th Ulto did not exceed 800 Men, Indians Included; of whom their appeard to be 3 or 400—this Acct is corroborated on all hands. two officers of the first Virginia Regiment in different Part⟨ies⟩ and at different times, having come from thence since that time, after lying a day or two in full view of the Fort Secreted, and observing the motions and strength of the Enemy.
See therefore how our time has been mispent—behold the golden oppertunity lost—& perhaps never ⟨may after again⟩—How is it to be accounted for? can G——l F——s have Orders for this? Impossible: Will then our Injurd Country pass by such abuses? I hope not. Rather let a full representation of the matter go to His Majesty. Let him know how grossly his ⟨Honr⟩ and the Publick money has been prostituted. I wish I was sent immediately home ⟨erasure⟩ some other on this Errand. I think without vanity I coud set the Conduct of this Expedition in its true colours, having taken some pains, perhaps more than any other to dive into the bottom of it. But no more, adieu my dear Sir—It has long been the luckless Fate of poor Virginia to fall a Victim to the views of her Crafty Neighbours; and yield her honest efforts to promote their common Interests, at the expence of much Blood & Treasure; while ⟨her⟩ sincerety ⟨justified⟩ her Measures. We now can only bewail that blindness, and wish for happier times, which seem at so remote a distance that ⟨illegible⟩ rather to be wishd than expected.
Colo. Byrd who is really unwell joins me in Compliments to you—the Attorney and the rest of our Friends—I am with the Utmost Sincerity My Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt & Obligd Friend and Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Charles Smith, 1 September 1758 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Smith, Charles

Letter not found: to Charles Smith, 1 Sept. 1758. On 7 Sept. Smith wrote to GW: “Your Letter of the first come safe to my hand.”


Title: To George Washington from John Carlyle, 1 September 1758
From: Carlyle, John
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Alexandria Sept. 1t 1758

   I Wrote you about Eight days Ago to the Care of Lut. Smith Also Two days Ago Another Letter Inclosing You Severall from Mr Pattinson, Knight & Jno. Alton Wch Suppose You have recd & to which desire to be referr’d. Yours of the 27 Augt Is Now before Me & In answer I have not recd one Letter for You or Myself Since the Last I Sent You Six weeks Ago from Mr Rd Washington[.] When I doe Shall Send them forward Immediatly[.] I owed Mr Washington Abt Sixteen pds & I recd from Mr Meldrum Abt ⟨illegible⟩enty five Which With Yr Money I remitted

him In one bill of 93£ by Two Ships of this Fleet[.] I Shall by Sum Oppertunity Write to Mr Lewis If the Goods Comes Up their to Immediatly Send them Over to Caves Warehouse & to Acquaint Me therewith & I Will Send for them, We have Very little Intercourse With York they may Lay their Twelve Months before an Oppertunity May offer of Your Getting them If A Vessell is Not directed to Call for them on purpose[.] had they been Landed At Either Hampton or Norfolk We have Oppertunity’s Weekly—We have Occation to Send our Schooner down to Norfolk Soon & If I donot have Sum Acct Abt them before Will direct the Captain to Call for them.
I Answerd Mr Simons Letter & Sent it Open to You In my Letter Abt Ten days Ago.
We doubt not Long before this you have Rejoyced On the News of Cape Brittoon being In our hands & With So Small A Loss The Good Effects from it may be to keep the French at home to Gaurd their own Country & Inable Genl Abercumby to make Another & more Successfull Attempt & If you cou’d once gett out We are Still In hopes the Ohio Will fall an Easey Pray to You (Which God Grant).
I am Extream Sorry for our Loss in Capt. Bullen he was the Indian I had the greatest Opinion of for his Truth to English Nation.
On Your return from Rays Town or When it Suits Your Time the favour of A Letter Shall be Gratefully Esteemed—Mrs Carlyle Mr Dalton & All Yr Friends here Joyn in Good Wishes & Am Dr Sir Yr Very Affectionet Hble Servant

John Carlyle

P.S. I have made free to put A Letter Under Yr Cover for Mr Ramsay, Which Please Send him If he’s Not at Ft Cumberland by A specill Messinger the Expence of Which he’l readily pay—Yrs &c.

J:C.

It is Extream Wett Weather & Burriss In his Shirt I recolected I had the Suit of Cloaths that was At Williamsburg I therefor Lett him have them to Carrey Up & Deliver to You.


Title: To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 1 September 1758
From: Fairfax, George William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Belvoir Septr 1st 1758

I have this instant recd yours of the 22d & 27th Ultimo. The first Mrs Fairfax undertakes to answer, as I dont care to detain the bearer, and having several Culpeper People now waiting upon business—You may depend Sir that Mr Patterson shall have all the Assistance I am able to give him, and shall do all I can to forward his Work. But I begin to doubt whether it will be finished before we may reasonably expect you down. One very great reason for my thinking so is The goods from York are not arrived, neither do I know when they will, altho. I have wrote

to your Brother John, & to Mr Ambler if possible to hasten them up.
Your Overseer has housed some Tobaco and by the help of a late very soaking rain, I hope he will secure a good Crop of both Corn and Tobaco, which is more than any I hear can boast of. For I never Remember so very dry a Season, and till this late blessed rain, there was not a green blade of Grass to be seen on my Plantation, and every thing began to whither, indeed most of my Pear, and many of my Apple Trees are dead (and I am sorry to say your two Chestnuts before the House) But thank God the face of things begin to revive. But never so as to make in Genl more than quarter Crops.
Knowing that you have the Philadelphia Papers more frequent and regular than we, I think it needless to recite the particulars of the reduction of Louisburg, and some advantages gained in Europe. And shall only rejoice with you, and every Loyal and well affected Person, upon having the Dunkirk of America in our hands, and at so little loss of blood. I was going to Expatiate upon it’s Advantages, till I recollected it was needless to one of your knowledge of the Continent. And being call’d upon by an impatient Man at my Elbow, which I hope will be a sufficient Apology to conclude with all our Compliments, And to wish you, and our Countrymen may return with Laurels sufficient to Perpetuate their Names to the latest Ages. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedient and very humble Servt

Wm Fairfax

P.S. As there is no dependance on Mr Ballendine, I shall endeavour to get Plank for the Floors else where, otherwise to see whether we cant do without, and make the old look as well as possible.
I am really sorry the Ladies wont dispense my going with them to Hampton, but I will put it off as long as I can in hopes of seeing the goods from York, (which I believe will be about three weeks hence).


Title: To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 1 September 1758
From: Fairfax, George William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Mount Vernon Septr 1st 1758

As soon as I despatched the People upon business, I thought it best to come over here to see whether anything was necessary to have your further advice upon, for indeed the Oftener I come over the more I think it really necessary. For with regard to the Garrett Stairs I am at a loss unless I know whether you intend that for Lodging Appartments for Servts. If not the Stairs may be carried from the left hand room, which you design for Lumber, without making it publick. But if it is for Lodging 6 feet by 12 off from the old Store room will make a retired Stair, and leave a Closet with the Window of 8 by 12 which if not sufficient, you may make a good Room for the same uses above, and leave your Chambers intirely clear. If the Little Stairs (which will be directly opposite to you when you land from the other) will be an Eye-sore you may find a door which will make it uniform. The Landing you know is but narrow & will be almost filled with Door, so that we shall be glad to know whether you intend only the small Vacancies between them to be Paper’d, or the part, [(]supposing where ours is stocoed) to be also. I plainly see Mr Triplett cannot do your

work, before the Frost, for what with Poseys and Major Wests work, He has not begun with the underpinning, but shall write to him immediately, and if he dont come shall employ any I can gett. He now and but lately said he coud not have time, and that your Carpenters must do the larthing Work Sir that you know ought to be done before the Frosts—And I am sorry to say you’l find it necessary to repair all your out Houses—But enough of this for fear you should be uneasy. And I will endeavour to direct for the best.


Title: To George Washington from Sarah Cary Fairfax, 1 September 1758 [letter not found]
From: Fairfax, Sarah Cary
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Sarah Cary Fairfax, 1 Sept. 1758. On 12 Sept. GW wrote to Mrs. Fairfax: “Yesterday I was honourd with your short, but very agreable favour of the first Instt.”


Title: From George Washington to Francis Fauquier, 2 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Fauquier, Francis

To Governor Fauquier
Honble SirCamp at Fort Cumberland Sepr 2d 1758  Your favour of the 17th Ulto I had the honor to receive the 30th following. If you are surpriz’d to find us Still Incamp’d at this place I shall only remark that your Surprise cannot well exceed my own.
In my last I inform’d your Honor that a Resolution was taken to open a new Road from Rays Town to Fort Duquesne, ’twas instantly begun and since that time from one to two Thousand Men have wrought on it continually—they had by the last accots I recd cut it to the foot of Laurill Hill about 35 Miles and I suppose by this time 1500 Men have taken Posts at Loyall Hanning about 10 Miles further, where I understand another Fort is to be built to deposite our Provisions in.
What time it will require to Build a Fort at Loyall Hanning

and after that is accomplish’d, what further time is necessary to cut the Road thro’ very rugged Grounds to Fort DuQuesne (Grounds of which the Enemy are actually posset & know every advantageous Post to harrass & dispute with us in) I say what time is required for the completion of all this, I must leave to time that faithfull expositor of Events to reveal—not caring even to guess at it myself.
The first Division of the Artillery has past the Allegany Hill and I suppose may by now be got up with the advancd working Party, the 2d Division I beleive may be March’d by this, and they talk of putting all the Troops in motion immediatly.
We have not in our Stores at Rays Town two Months Provisions for the army; and if the best Judges are to be credited, the nipping Frosts will soon destroy the ⟨Grass⟩ on the Mountains, and then, tho’ the Communication is not quite stop’d, the Subsistence for horses is renderd very difficult till Snows and hard Frost prevents all intercourse wt. the ohio and these set in early in November.
The Road from Reas Town to Carlyle from whence the Provisions and Stores chiefly come is perhaps worse than [any] other upon the Continent—infinitly worse than any part of the Road from hence to Fort Duquesne along General Braddocks Road and has already worn out the greatest part of the horses that have been employ’d in Transporting the Provisions—the Carriage of which only, it is said and from good authority I have it, stands the Crown upwards of 40/ every hundred weight.
We have certain advices that the French the 13th Ulto had recd no new Reinforcements at Fort Duquesne from Canada and that their Totall strength at that Garrison could not exceed 800 Men Indians Included—This Intelligence is brought by two Officers of the first Virga Regt, who at different times and in different Partys since the aforesaid 13th have been at Fort Duquesne and there lain wait in view of the Fort observing the works and strength for several days there accots agree exactly and have given great satisfaction to the Commanding Officer being corroborated also by Indian Intelligence a Party of Cherrokees having been out there & some Delawares come in—What a Golden oppy have we lost! but this is past—irrecoverably gone.
A Party of our Troops 75 in numr is now 40 miles advancd

waylaying the Road—from whom I hope a Prisoner, if the Enemy passing or repassing—I sent out also the day before yesterday a Serjeant & 5 Men to Fort Duquesne for Intelligence—they will be back in fourteen days.
I can give your Honour no satisfactory accot of the General. He lay ill at Carlyle a long time of a Flux, from thence getting a little strength he mov’d to Shippensbourg where his Disorder return’d & he continues ⟨there.⟩ By a letter the other day he hopes soon to be at Rays Town where he desires to see Colo. Byrd and I—but alas’ the Expedition must either stand or fall by the present Plan.
In the conference I had with Colo. Bouquet and of which I gave your Honour an accot in my last I did among other things to avert the resolve of opening a new Road, represent the great Expence the Coloney of Virga had been at to support the war, the Charge of raising a 2d Regt at so short a notice; the time limited for the Service of it; and the Cruelty therefore of risking the Success of an Expedition upon such precarious Measures when so much depended on it, and our inability to do more—I then exprest my apprehensions of the Southern Indians in case of a miscarriage, and the increase of French strength in new alliances; & after this I demonstrated very clearly the time it would take us to proceed on the old Road; and at how much easier expense, even if we were oblig’d to get all our Provisions and Stores from Pensylvania—and no occasion for this surely—In fine I urg’d everything then I could do now; and repeated it by Letter Copies of which I have now to shew—if required; but urg’d in vain the Pensylvanians whose Interest present and future it was to conduct the Expedition thro’ their Government, and along that way, because it secures their Frontiers at present, and the Trade hereafter, a Chain of Forts being Erected, had prejudic’d the General absolutely against this Road; made him beleive we were the partial people and determin’d him at all Events to pursue that Rout, so that their Sentiments are already fully known on this matter; and to them as Instigators, may be attributed the great misfortune of this miscarriage; for I think now nothing but a miracle can procure Success.
The Contractor has Orders to lay in at Loyall Hanning for 4000 Men the Winter from whence it is imagin’d that our Expedition

for this Campaign will end there: shoud we serve to make up the Number of Troops which Garrison that place our Frontier is thereby not only expos’d but the Soldiers for want of Cloathing & proper conveniences absolutely perish; few of them having a whole Coat to their backs and many none at all; this is a matter I fully and repeatedly wrote about these 12 Months past: I hope it will now merit the Assembly’s notice.
A Major of Brigade to the Virginia Troops is an Officer absolutely necessary, while there is more than one Regt; the General has repeatedly urg’d this matter; and Colo. Byrd who once Recommended another Gentleman that is now found to be too deeply engag’d in Indian affairs, Joins me in proposing Capt. Robt Stewart for this Office; a Gentleman whose assiduity and Military Capacity is second to none in our Service; we beg the favour therefore of a Commission for him, & that your Honour wou’d be pleas’d to have the Date of it Blank in Order that he may take Rank before some other Majors of Brigade to which his longer Services entitles him.
The First Virga Regt have august’s Pay due to them and no money in the Pay Master’s hands—this he will inform your Honour off more particularly, as desired.
Capt[ai]n Bullen and Capt[ai]n French two Catawbas much esteem’d for their Bravery and steady attachment to our Interest, were kill’d about ten days ago on their way from Winchester to this Camp by the Enemy—we got very early notice of it at this place (it happening within 3 Miles) and sent out several Partys to pursue which they did fruitlessly.
I have wrote to Mr Gist who had the Direction of Indian Affairs to make out such a Return as your Honour requires and forward it to you—he is now at Rays Town—Inclos’d is a Return of my Regiment I beleive it is exact but as six of the Compys are upon the new Road I can absolutely say what alterations have happened there since my last advices.
Thus Sir, I have given your Honour a full and impartial accot of the present posture of our affairs here of which any use may be made you think proper—I may be blam’d possibly for expressing my Sentiments so freely—but never can be asham’d of the Truth—and none but obvious Facts are Stated here—The General I dare say—from his good Character—can accot fully

for these Delays that surprize all that Judge from appearances only—but I really cannot.
Colo. Byrd being very unwell has desired me to offer his Complements to Your Honour an excuse (which is Sickness) for his not writing—I am with all due Respect Your Honrs Most Obt & mo: humble Servant

Go: Washington

P.S. Upon Second thoughts I have transmitted Copies of some of the Letter’s I wrote to Colonel Bouquet (who Commands in the Generals absence) upon the Posture of our Affairs; particularly my Sentiments of the New Road. It will give yr Honour some trouble in reading them; but it will at the same time shew, that nothing in my power has been wanting to bring this Expedition to a speedy, and happy conclusion. As I well foresaw that every delay still Subjected Us to further difficulties—and the chance of encountering a French Reinforcement; which very clearly appear’s they had not receivd the Middle of August—long before which, might we have been there had the old Road been timely adopted. as above I am &ca

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Thomas Walker, 2 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Walker, Thomas

[Fort Cumberland, 2 September 1758]
To Mr Walker—or Person acting in his PlaceSir

Colonel Bouquet desires 100 Waggons, if possible, may be Engag’d in Virginia; and, that as many of them as can, may be sent to this place loaded with Flour, & the remainder with Indian Corn (Oats I suppose will do)—where they will receive further Orders.
I beg you will, therefore, use your utmost diligence to Comply with this request; and let me know also, immediately, how far you think you shall be able to comply with it—first in regard to the no. of Waggons, next the qty of Flour & Corn; & lastly, what time you think they may be got to this place. Such Waggon’s as cannot get Loads, must come up empty.
You must not expect an Escort from hence—I shall certainly be Marchd before you can need one. you must therefore apply to His Lordshp who I flatter myself will Order you one from

the Militia, or from Captn Rutherfords Rangers, if they can be spard—I am Sir, Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington
Camp at Fort Cumberld 2 of September 1758


Title: From George Washington to William Ramsay, 2 September 1758 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Ramsay, William

Letter not found: to William Ramsay, 2 Sept. 1758. On 3 Sept. Ramsay wrote to GW: “Yours of yesterday I have.”


Title: To George Washington from Humphrey Knight, 2 September 1758
From: Knight, Humphrey
To: Washington, George

Sir
Mount Vernon: Sepbr the 2d 1758

I Receivd yours and I am very sorry you have not Receid all the Letters I have sent, I can Evedently make it apear that I have wrote Six and Lodgd to be carried up to you but finding some has miscarried I shall write the oftner for the futer I must Needs think you want to hear from your Estate often Especialy this year as Mr John washington is Absent, but I hope all things will be taken cair of that your Honr was pleasd to Interest me with, as to our crop I beleive we have as good as any in the County our corn is Exceeding good according to the Drouth of the summer and I Dont See a better crop of Tobco any where then we have got we have not housd above a room yet, but shall cut very fast now, we have about 50 thousand that will soon be In the house the others a smaller Size but I hope will be good Yesterday we had a very fine rain which has set the mill to work again She has lain IDle cheiff of the Sumer but I hope will wont water no more this fall, I hope we shall make a hhd a shear if the fall turns out favourable our negros has bin very Sickley but lost none 2 or 3 is Sick now but I hope soon will got out our stock is all well we have raisd Eight Calves this Summer which is all we had Dropt, As to the oats I think we shall make 300 bushels and I hope more I believe theyr the best sort, As to the Carpentrs, I have minded em all I posably could, and has whipt em when I could see a fault old Kit is a very poor hand at any thing, the great house has took a vast Deal of Sawing

work besides a vast Deal of other work which the Carprs Did, puling Down the old works and Raising the new which was a long time about and pulling the nails out of the Shingles making Scaffeild for the workmen as to puling Down the old plastering and leaths out of the rooms I made the home house people Do and all other work as they could, the Carptrs has repaird some old Tobco houses at muddy hole and mended the mill house Set up Some hhds and built a new Quartr at muddy hole, which I wrote to you before to A Quint Your Ho[no]r the misfortune we had in loosing the Quartr by fier the Scantlin for the great house is all got out of white oak which made it a bundance the Teadiousr to get, Searching the woods to get all white oak[.] this Day we Counted the Sheep their is 65 old Sheep and 48 Lambs I beleive no Mistake The Carpentrs now is geting leaths to leath the great house and has got a great part of them they are to leath it Mr Pattason Tells me he will see it is well Dun, and hurry em about it we Shall keep no more about it then Needful I have taken other work for em to Do when that is Dun, As to the wheat our one people has thrasht it out and Safe headed in hhd their is 45 bushels of old wheat the Rest went in Colo. Carlyle’s Sloop which was 168 bushels which I wrote to you before as to the new wheat we Sewd but 5 bushels which has made but 20 bushels the old field ground will not bring wheat worth while Sewing I have 70 thousand Tobco hills which we tended Last year at muddy hole and this year I have put it in Corn and it is very fine Corn I gave it a good Distance on purpose to Sew it in Wheat I purpose Soon to Sew it, it will bring as good wheat as the ground in fredrick the Drouth has bin so Despart it was not posable to plow the old fields in time for wheat besides it is Useless to Sew mean ground Sir I hope Your opinion will agree with mine in that affair I shall wait some time hoping for your answer Mr Grymess Vessell first and last had Nine hhd of Tobco of Yours from hunting Creek wairhouse I have got in all the Rents I can and has paid Moxleys order that was in the hands of Mr piper and taken in the order, I have paid the leavies and Other Small Accts which I was oblidgd to pay I hope no Extravagant Charges I shall Receive all the money I can for you and take cair of it after I Riceive it I Cant posable now Draw of the acct of my Receiving and paying for you, but I will Imeadiatly Draw it of and enclose it in a letter

and Send it up I shall Drive on making the Meadow we begun last Fall but I am ⟨scard⟩ it wont stand. I am Sir Your Most Hble Servant to Comnd

Humphrey Knight

Will gates & nathan Willamson is Designd to move of your land.


Title: To George Washington from John Patterson, 2 September 1758
From: Patterson, John
To: Washington, George

Saturday Morning Mount Vernon
Honourable SirSept. the 2nd 1758
I understand you have not recd Letters that I wrote, its certainly by some bad management, for I readly comply’d in puting Letters in Col. Carlyle’ Store, & directed to the care of Lieutenant Smith &c. I asure you Sir its not true any neglegience of mine, for as you are pleas’d to desire hereing how your building goes on, I think its a sadisfaction more then otherwise. In my last I wrote the outside of the House being finish’d, the Closets excepted, & that by reason of not having flooring plank, which Mr Balendine has got a Bill of. I shall have the Old dineing room, with the Room ajacent to it finish’d, about the Ninth of this Inst. & will have the Doors ready at the sd time The goods from York is not ariv’d, but Col. Fairfax informs me he will do

his endeavour to procure them as soon as posible, that Gent. asits me with his advice, & every other article lyes in his power, for certainly I would be at a stop in laying floors if he had not supply’d me with flooring Boads as there were none to be had here about. For fear the last letter has been miscaried Mr Triplet cant do the two Houses & yard wall this year, as Bricks is to be made for them, & at the same time having the House to Plaster. And as your Hon. seemd to be urgent in having them finish’d off directly, I inclos’d your letter to Col. Fairfax to know his opinion of it, he writes its best to have the underpinning, & all the outside work to be done first, But I emagine he does not include those two little Houses (for if so) the Plastering of the great House would not of consequence be done against your return, as Mr Triplet cant even lath to Plaster on, having work elcewhere ingaug’d, as he did not know of those Houses &c. sooner, and as he will direct the Carpenters to lath it will be equally as well. He has finish’d the tops of the Chimneys sometime ago & when finish’d Major West’s House intends here. I layd befor him the disapointment that may accrue from the Work not being finish’d, but he seems to be positive in compleating the Plastering & underpinning against the last of Novr. Col. Fairfax advisd me to imploy a person to paynt the House, as I had as much Joiners work as I could do in the time, & with his consent agreed with a Man for four Shill. ⅌ day, & in my next will let you know how the Paynt, & Paynting goes on.
As to my being positive in fixing a time to have the whole finish’d, its not in my power, but may add without vanity its out of the power of man to stick more deligent, & take all proper means I am master of to forward the whole, & shall allways make it my study, to Oblidge Your Honour & remain Your Honours Most Oblidgd, Most Humble Servt

John Patterson

P:S. I make all the enquiry that posible for hands likewise gives directions to my acquaintance to do the same, & if no accidents happens hopes with the Men I have got to finish the House towards the last of Novr.


Title: To George Washington from Christopher Gist, 3 September 1758
From: Gist, Christopher
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Camp at Rays Town Sepr 3d 1758

I am Sorry to inform you we have at this time in camp three French Spys as I take them to be, at Least they have been takeing our people Prisoners & at this time one of them, has 3 English Prisoners & I am afraid all I can & have Said will be of no weight, with those in command here never the less I Shall press every thing I think for our good. pray forward the inclos’d. Dr Sir yr Most Hume Servt

Christ: Gist


Title: To George Washington from Christopher Hardwick, 3 September 1758
From: Hardwick, Christopher
To: Washington, George

Honorable Sir
Bullskin September 3d 1758

I have Received yours of the 27th Ulto by wch I find you have not Received my last Letter to you, in which I have given an acct of the Crop both of Tobacco & Corn lest it shou’d Miscarry I also send you an acct thereof. Viz. The Tobo is very Backward on acct of the Drought, as also the Corn, we have hous’d I believe about fifteen Hundred which I wou’d rather was still out, if it wou’d allow it, as it might have been better since the late Rain we have had on Thursday & Friday last: what is out is much better since the late Rain.
In regard to the Oats, we have made but a very small Crop By Reason of the Drought also, not more I believe than about Twenty Bushels out of Ten Bushels Sowing, I can’t get any one at present to Thresh the wheat without giving an Extraordy price which is a penny half penny more than usual, & if you’l have it Thresh’d at that price I shall get it done, as I can’t spare any of our own people to do it, the Tobo being so Latter that they can’t be spared from it. I have sent the Mare & four Colts to Mount Vernon, we have lost no horses nor anything else since you have been gone, Mr Smith has Employ’d the Waggon last Week at the Fort, & Employs it also this Week, I have Wrote to Mr Snickers abt the Mares, his answer is that the Mare he Sold you, he Bought of one Samuel Givins in Augusta County, to

whom he wrote about her to make a strict Enquiry for her & if found that he shoud be well rewarded, & says also that if the Mare you had of Capt. Lindsey is not stopt, she will come up to the Blue Ridge within about Nine Miles of where he lives, & if she does that he will secure her for you.
your Negroes are all well, except Adam & old Bland Adam has had the fever & Ague & now is troubled with a Swelling in his Throat, but is getting better, we have Two Oxen here, for which I don’t see any use, more so as we have Horses Enough to do any Business we have to do, also they are very troublesome to the Neighbours Destroying their Corn, &c. & if you approve of it, I shall fatten them & make them fit for Markett, as we have Six head more that I can make fit for the Markett, since I have sent the Mare & Colts to Mount Vernon there has been one Pritchard with me who lays Claim to them, I asked him how he came by them last Winter, he told me they were brought to him by a Man whose Name he does not know, if you Remember, I have told you that one of the Waggon Horses went off with them last Winter, I Desired the man to Write to you about them as the year & a Day was Expired in posting them, I have wrote to you always when I had any thing material to mention to you, & shall Continue so to do.
Our last planting is Just the same since planted by reason of the long drought we have had, ’till this last rain, & am afraid it will never come to any perfection—but shall do my Endeavours to make the most I can of it. I am with due Respect Sir yr most humble & Obedient Servt

Chris. Hardwick


Title: To George Washington from John Kirkpatrick, 3 September 1758
From: Kirkpatrick, John
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Alexandria 3d Sepr 1758.

A few days ago I had the pleasure of Writing you—and now avail myself of an opportunity to Winchr to inform You of my intentions of taking the Benefit of the Convoy which will sail the 20th instant—and not having the opportunity afterwards of addressing You perhaps, Let me now Offer my Warmest Wishes and sincerest Complements of Respect which are the just tribute of Gratitude—for the Many instances of Your Friendship and Affection—and beg a Continuance of that Honour your Agreable Correspondence has and will allways confer upon Me—A letter will find its way to me—at Kirkcudbright—the County Town of Galloway in the South of Scotland—from whence Doctr Craik and I derives the honour of our Births—Shoud Monsieur François forbear his polite importunitys of Visiting

the Kingdom of his Grand Monarque in my passage—I propose to make a short stay—and return to share the Pleasures of a Possession upon the Ohio—which Your Successfull Attempts I hope will bring About this Fall—At all Events, may Providence in a Peculiar manner protect You in every point of Your Life and Crown Your Troubles with Content & Honour.
I need not assure You how much pleasure I shall derive from Your Correspondence—as News from a far Country is a proverbial proof—how much more, from a person of Your Rank, & Distinction—whom Merit & Fame has justly made a worthy object of Esteem—at Convenience Condescend, Dear Sir, to please me with accounts of Your Health &c. intermixt with remarks on the Publick Affairs—to which you have been so warmly & Justly attachd to your lasting Honour—Perhaps a letter from You may reach me e’re I leave the Country—in the Mean while Believe me with Consumate Affection & Real Regard, Dear Colonell Your Very obedt and Much obliged H. Servt

Jno. Kirkpatrick

Please inform Doctr Craik of my Sailing in case he shoud not have reced My Letters—because he has some Commands homewards.


Title: To George Washington from Henry Bouquet, 4 September 1758
From: Bouquet, Henry
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Reas Town Camp 4th September 1758

I detained your Express in Expectation of receiving a Letter from the General which is just come to hand, he Sets out to day, and orders me to go to our advanced Post, where there is Some appearance of an attack, and as Soon as their Intrenchm⟨ts⟩ are raised, and the necessary dispositions made for the Communication I am to return here: It Seems by his Intelligences that the French expects a large body of Indians from beyond the Lakes, and as it is not in their Power to Keep them long, he judges that they could be prevailed upon to make a Push at our Head. He desires me to inform you that the Militia of Maryland and Governor Sharpe himself will be the 10th at Cumberland, where you will leave no Body who is able to go upon the Expedition⟨.⟩ That Militia is to be victualled, and to have Some Liquor.
As we have no accomodation here for your Sick, You will leave them in the Fort, where I Shall Send a Surgeon and Medecines wth furnitures of the General Hospital, Please to let me Know their Number: and to order a Sufficient number of Women to attend them as Nurses, they will be paid.
I can not fix the day of your march as it depends on two things out of my Power, The arrival of the General and a Sufficient Number of Waggons, to Send you from here Provisions, Tools Liquor &ca.
I am Sensible that your March would be more Expeditious had you only carrying Horses, but we have no Keggs for Pork nor Boxes for the Tools, therefore you must have at least 28 Waggons which will be choosen among the best, They will not make a long line.
Your march will be covered by our advanced Post and 300 of the best Woodsmen, and the Indians who are marched to day under Comand of Lt Col. Dagworthy, and are to be advanced nearer to the fort, Keeping continually Spyes and little Party’s about it to give Intelligence of the Ennemys motions; When you are upon your March, I will propose to the General to ⟨S⟩end

500 men from our Deposite to take Post at the Salt Like, and help you to fortify your Camp.
I hear that the most dangerous Place for an attack upon you Would be from Read Stone Creek, as the Ennemy has boats and could go up Mononghehela, It would therefore not be improper to have that Side reconnoitred before you march by, and as it is at a great distance of the Roads you would have time to make the necessary dispositions, and prevent a Surprise the only thing I am in fear of with our new Soldiers.
Here is the Calculation I make for your Ammunition, and Provisions.
20 Rounds carried by Each man, and 80 in Reserve will require

24 Barrills of Powder in
2
Waggons

53 Boxes of Muskett Balls [and] Flints
4
do

Tools
2
do

Liquor and Salt
2
do

20,000 lbs. Pork for 4 Weeks
16
do

Rice
1
do

42,000 lbs. of flour
210
horses

50 Heads of Cattle

I make the Computation for 1000 Effective, including the Waggoners, Drivers, &ca, and I ⟨propose⟩ 4 Weeks of Pork, as I think live Cattle a very precarious thing.
If I have omitted any article I beg you will let me know it We are entirely Stopped for Want of Waggons, and if it is possible to get any in Virga and Maryland, they would be of infinite Service; We have a considerable quantity of forrage on the so. Branches which they could carry to Cumberd.
I am very Sorry of Col. Byrd’s Indisposition, I hope he will be able to march wth his Regt. My best Wishes attends him.
I desired Col. Mercer who will have the Comand here to inform you of the General’s arrival.
I am wth a Sincere Regard Dear Sir Your most Obedient hble Servant

Henry Bouquet


Title: To George Washington from Charles Smith, 7 September 1758
From: Smith, Charles
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Fort Loudoun Septr 7th 1758

your Letter of the first come safe to my hand, which I Sent the Inclos’d Emediately to Hardwick & Desired him at the same time to write you Every Particular.
I have kept an Exact Accout of your smith’s work Done for the Publick & Privet People, I have Wrote to the Governour for a small Supply, to Discharge some Deferent Accots Against the Contry & with all to buoy some Necessaryes Shuch as nales, to Shingle the Barrax as I have most of my Timbers in.
The stone work of the south Bast End is intirely Droping out & without a Preaty Deal of Labour, the Whole must Fall before Winter as I have stone & Lime if you think Proper I will Imploy a Mason to Rectefie the same an on as Reasonable Terms As Can be got.
you never wrote to me concerning Christopr Hensley, a Deserter

from Your Regt from the Great Meadoes the Yr of 54 he is an Exstronary Good hand for Assisting about the Buildings at this Place as there is Absolute Necesity to keep some men Labouring.
am I to make my Pay Roles for the Month of Augt concluding Davis Trottor Allsbery Bolton Hensley who has Recvd no Subsistance sence been here.
The men is very Sickly here with Different Disorders I imployd a Doctr for some time but has Discharg’d him by Reason his being Exstravegant & noing but Little of Phisick.
I Receiv’d your trunk by the waggons which I will take care to send Down by the firs[t] safe Oppertunity.
I was oblig. to keep Burris one Day after he came from Alexandrey, there being many Gentlemen at cort wanting to write to ther friends at camp & withall to send the Last Papers up. I have kept a hors Burris Wrode Down here very Poor, which most People says he is yours, & as Mr Hughs wants to send his Rideing horse Down I have sent one for Bagage for him.
I Receiv’d a Deserter Yeasterday Name David Davis who belong’d to Colo. Stephen’s Detachmt which I Shall send up by Lieut. King.
I have sent you Eight Dozn Eggs & 6 pounds of Allmonds, by Lieut. King which I hope will get safe to hand, if you should want any Particu⟨lar⟩ Necessary’s up by the convoy of waggons I hope you will make free of writeing to me, Mentioning the Particulars.
I Emagin you have heard of poor Colo. Spotsward Dying about Seven Days ago & old Colo. Russell is Dead.
by all Accot there is a worse Prospect of corn & Tobacco as Ever has been in Virginia.
I have Inquired of Every one about your mare but can get no Account of her, it is talkt of by some People the man you bought her off Keeps her in Persession which I am Desired not to advertise her yet, & to send a Private Per[s]on to his house I intend this Day to concult with Mr Sniggars & see if I can get him to go up, I am informd a Mare you bough[t] of Capt. Lindsey’s Son is gone to her old walks on Spout Run this I Shall Inquir⟨e⟩ into.
your Peeter is Extreamly ill I believe with the Plurisy; I have Hireed a Dutch smith for a few Days, untill he gets better.

we have got the well 103 Feet Deep, but no likeliwhood of water Yet, I have no more to add, but Dr Sir Believe I am Your Friend & most Obedt Hhble Servt

Chs Smith


Title: From George Washington to Hugh Mercer, 9 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Mercer, Hugh

To Lieutt Colo. Mercer of Pensylvania or Officer Commanding at Rays Town
SirCamp at Fort Cumberland 9th Septr 1758.
I this moment receivd notice from the Commissary, that only three day’s Flour remaind upon hand for the Troops at this Incampment. Mr Hoops is wrote to on the occasion, and I must beg the favour of you to facilitate any measures he shall propose to supply us in time; by affording an Escort &ca—Not knowing how soon we may be orderd to join you, I can’t tell how much Provisions is wanted—possibly ten days will serve till the Generals pleasure be known. We have no Waggon’s at this place, otherwise I wou’d have given you no trouble in this affair. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Richard Washington, 9 September 1758 [letter not found]
From: Washington, Richard
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Richard Washington, 9 Sept. 1758. On 7 May 1759 GW wrote to Richard Washington: “Your Letter of the 9th of Septr . . . came to my hands.”


Title: To George Washington from John David Wilper, 9 September 1758
From: Wilper, John David
To: Washington, George

Honnorable Collonell
Fort Pearsall the 9. of Setber 1758.

I Sent the 21 of augst, a return of the Garrison in this fort, the Gentlmen who tack the return with him, Come in a Spall hart regin [rain] on the road, So that the return git so Waeth [wet], and Torn all to pieces, here by I Sent another one to you, Capt. mcKenzie Call one of his men away to Jain his Compy

again, it is alls Well here, I mus pagk [beg] your parton, for what I wants to Trouble your Honr it is now 3 Mounths June. July. and augst. that I recd no monye, I do not [k]now, from how [who] I Shall recd me monye, I Sent 2 Letter to Lt Wm Fliming, about it, I never git annye anderws [answers] again. I pagk the favour of your honr to favour me Whit Some monnye I be In Graet Niet of it. Were you obleigt me most, and I be In Duty bound for ever, to you

John David Wilper

S:p: your horss and Cow are not Come this Way, if the[y] Come up, Whe will not miss to tack them up, I aquint your Honr that I tack one the Contery Cow up, and the Bill [bull] Cavf, Here [her] Son, So So[o]n as she hat Caft [calved], I Will Sent here to you, it is a fein Cow.


Title: To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 10 September 1758
From: Mercer, Hugh
To: Washington, George

Sir
Camp at Reas Town Septr 10th 1758

I am favoured with Yours and have sent to collect all our Packhorses (for the Waggons are gone forward) and propose sending off forty, if so many are to be found, loaded with Flower—They will be at CumberLd on Teussday night; And a further suply, may be afterwards sent when the General’s pleasure is known with regard to your march.
I could have wishd to inform you of the generals arrival here. We looked for him Yesterday but understand in the Evening that he remaind at Fort Loudon on friday Morning, with little

probability of his disorder permitting him to march for ⟨some⟩ Days. I am Sir Your most obedt humble Servt

Hugh Mercer


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Chew, 11 September 1758
From: Chew, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Dear sir
New York Septr 11th 1758

I arrived here a few days agoe from New London and still find Cause of Complaint against you having had not a single Line from you for a Very long time. I make many Allowances for the Hurry you must be in and the Place where you are.
I have the Pleasure to inform you that Govr Delancey last night Recd An Express from Albany giving him an Accot of Colo. Broadstreets taking Fort Frontinack with all the Vessells on Lake Ontario two of which is Loaded with Furs & c. just arrived from Niagara—this is a Glorious stroak. Cuts of all Comunication with their western settlements & Forts & will I hope make the Conquest of Duquesne Easie of which I impatiently Expect to hear.
Inclosed is a news paper to which I must Refer you the Post being just Ready to set out, and my head something out of order having Sat up late last night and finished several Bottles to the health of Colo. Broadstreet and his army—our Worthy friend Mr Robinson his good Lady and Family are All well and speak of you with great Affection. believe me at all times to be with the greatest truth my Dear sir Your Affectionate

Jos. Chew

P.S. Please to give my Love to my Brother, who I hope behaves well.


Title: To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 11 September 1758
From: Mercer, Hugh
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Camp at Reas Town 11th Septr 1758

I have sent thirty Pack horses and one Waggen loaded with Flour, amounting to about Seven Thousand Wt; More would have been sent, had horses or Waggens been here.
By intelligence from Major Halket I find the General leavs Loudon to day, so that Colonel Bouquet may be expected from the Westward before the Genl arrives here; And a further suply sent your forces if their stay at CumberLd makes it necessary. I am Sir Your most obedt Servt

Hugh Mercer


Title: From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 12 September 1758 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Fairfax, George William

Letter not found: to George William Fairfax, 12 Sept. 1758. On 15 Sept. Fairfax wrote to GW: “Your favour of the 12th inst[anc]e I had the pleasure to receive last Night.”


Title: From George Washington to Sarah Cary Fairfax, 12 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Fairfax, Sarah Cary

Dear Madam,
Camp at Fort Cumberland 12th Septr 1758.

Yesterday I was honourd with your short, but very agreable favour of the first Instt. how joyfully I catch at the happy occasion of renewing a Corrispondance which I feard was disrelishd on your part, I leave to time, that never failing Expositor of All things.—and to a Monitor equally as faithful in my own Breast, to Testifie. In silence I now express my Joy.—Silence which in some cases—I wish the present—speaks more Intelligably than the sweetest Eloquence.
If you allow that any honour can be derivd from my opposition

to Our present System of management, you destroy the merit of it entirely in me by attributing my anxiety to the annimating prospect of possessing Mrs Custis. When—I—need not name it.—guess yourself.—Shoud not my own Honour, and Country’s welfare be the excitement? Tis true, I profess myself a Votary to Love—I acknowledge that a Lady is in the Case—and further I confess, that this Lady is known to you.—Yes Madam, as well as she is to one, who is too sensible of her Charms to deny the Power, whose Influence he feels and must ever Submit to. I feel the force of her amiable beauties in the recollection of a thousand tender passages that I coud wish to obliterate, till I am bid to revive them.—but experience alas! sadly reminds me how Impossible this is.—and evinces an Opinion which I have long entertaind, that there is a Destiny, which has the Sovereign controul of our Actions—not to be resisted by the strongest efforts of Human Nature.
You have drawn me my dear Madam, or rather have I drawn myself, into an honest confession of a Simple Fact—misconstrue not my meaning—’tis obvious—doubt it not, nor expose it,—the World has no business to know the object of my Love, declard in this manner to—you when I want to conceal it—One thing, above all things in this World I wish to know, and only one person of your Acquaintance can solve me that, or guess my meaning.—but adieu to this, till happier times, if I ever shall see them.—the hours at present are melancholy dull.—neither the rugged Toils of War, nor the gentler conflict of A——B—s is in my choice.—I dare believe you are as happy as you say—I wish I was happy also—Mirth, good Humour, ease of Mind and.—what else? cannot fail to render you so; and consummate your Wishes.
If one agreable Lady coud almost wish herself a fine Gentleman for the sake of another; I apprehend, that many fine Gentlemen will wish themselves finer, e’er Mrs Spotswood is possest.—She has already become a reigning Toast in this Camp; and many there are in it, who intends—(fortune favouring)—to make honourable Scar’s speak the fulness of their Merit, and be a messenger of their Love to Her.
I cannot easily forgive the unseasonable haste of my last Express, if he deprivd me thereby of a single word you intended to add.—the time of the present messenger is, as the last might

have been, entirely at your disposal.—I cant expect to hear from my Friends more than this once, before the Fate of the Expedition will, some how or other be determind, I therefore beg to know when you set out for Hampton; & when you expect to Return to Belvoir again—and I shoud be glad to hear also of your speedy departure, as I shall thereby hope for your return before I get down; the disappointment of seeing your Family woud give me much concern.—From any thing I can yet see ’tis hardly possible to say when we shall finish—I dont think there is a probability of it till the middle of November. Your Letter to Captn Gist I forwarded by a safe hand the moment it came to me.—his answer shall be carefully transmitted.
Colo. Mercer to whom I deliverd your message and Compliments, Joins me very heartily in wishing you and the Ladies of Belvoir the perfect enjoyment of every Happiness this World affords.—be assured that I am Dr Madam with the most unfeigned regard, Yr Most Obedient & Most Obligd Hble Servt

Go: Washington

N.B. Many Accidents happening (to use a vulgar saying) between the Cup and the Lip, I choose to make the Exchange of Carpets myself—since I find you will ⟨n⟩ot do me the honour to accept of mine.


Title: From George Washington to John Forbes, 12 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Forbes, John

To His Excellency Genl Forbes.
SirCamp at Fort Cumberland 12th Septr 1758
In consequence of a Letter from Colo. Bouquet, I wrote to Mr Walker, or Person acting in his behalf for all the Waggons he coud readily procure, and desird that those Waggon’s might be loaded up with Flour or Corn, agreable to the Colos. request. The Inclosd is an answer to that Letter. Colo. Bouquet being advancd I was at a Loss to whom I shoud communicate the contents, and therefore have taken the liberty of sending it to you, Sir, that you may Issue such Orders as appear necessary on this occasion.
I am extreamely sorry to hear of your Excellency’s Indisposition, but hope to have the pleasure shortly of seeing you at Rays Town much amended, if not quite recover’d. I am Yr Most Obedt & Most Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Charles Smith, 12 September 1758 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Smith, Charles

Letter not found: to Charles Smith, 12 Sept. 1758. On 18 Sept. Smith wrote to GW: “Your Letter of the 12th Came safe to Hand.”


Title: To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 15 September 1758
From: Fairfax, Bryan
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Belvoir, Septr the 15th 1758

In Answer to your Enquiry I can scarce say whether I am alive or dead: I have been so long disorder’d both in Mind and Body that I am really between both. Disappointments in Love & repeated Colds have reduced me much; however tho’ I am sensible of the Follies of this Life I am no ways desirous of leaving them: I had rather bear the Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune than venture upon the unknown Regions of Eternity. The Prospect is gloomy even when viewed by a Mind that thinks itself prepared for the Journey; but how dismal it must appear to those who are unprepared for it! As this is Case there seems to be no Wonder why we are so unwilling to leave this World of Troubles and Anxieties.
I am concerned Sir to find you want Employment for from Experience I know a State of Idleness to be very disagreeable. Such a close Confinement and such a constant Round of Inactivity must prove very irksome to one capable of Action; and if you had complained more of the Follies of this life and the Uncertainty of it’s Enjoyments; in your present Situation Sir I should not have been surprised at it.
As we have now begun I shall be extremely proud to cultivate a Correspondence, and if you choose to give me your Sentiments

on the Campaign whatever you desire to be kept secret shall remain so.
My best Wishes, Sir, attend You to the Woods of Action; and that you may return in Safety is the sincere Desire of Yr most obedt Servt

Bryan Fairfax

We have heard Nothing of my Brother since he left N. York.


Title: To George Washington from George William Fairfax, 15 September 1758
From: Fairfax, George William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Belvoir Sept. 15th 1758

Your favour of the 12th inste I had the pleasure to receive last Night and was sorry your last Messenger neglected so much of your business as to oblige you to send a second.
The detention of your goods is really a very great disappt for nothing can be done (I mean finished) till the Glass is in, consequently you cant expect the Work can be done by the time you expected. But I will spur Patterson on to gett every thing preparative for there coming—I am glad you approve of our Plan for the Garret Stairs being diffident of our own in many cases—And as this may be the last Opportunity I may have: should be glad to have your possitive directions about the Passage Floor, which seems to stand very well, but the Nail marks always will remain, for in all things shall indeavour to make your directions the Standard and follow them as near as Possible.
Mr Triplet has certainly used you ill, for he might have put the work a good deal forwarder by doing only a part of his. But he promises to do better, and was the things but arrived from

York, I should please myself with the hopes of seeing the whole carried on properly.
Your Brother Augt. kindly Visited me the other day, to advise me of his intention of Sailing with the London Fleet the 24th inst: from York and would have wrote to you, but was oblige to attend Mr Chapman about business of importance, therefore hopes you would excuse him. Few things have occurred since my last worthy your Observation: neither have we any other News then that you see in the Northward papers—So shall, to convince you, that your business wont stop my Journey to Hampton, inform you that the 25th is fixed for our departure, and hope to return in time to rejoice in your Successes.
I am sorry to hear that you have such Mortality in your Troops, and that desertion is yett as prevalent among them, and more so to find that Colo. Byrd is so dangerously ill. To whom, his Lieutt Colo. and the rest of my acquaintance, I desire you’l present my best wishes and accept those of Dear Sir Your most Obedt and very humble Servt

Wm Fairfax


Title: To George Washington from Hugh Mercer, 15 September 1758
From: Mercer, Hugh
To: Washington, George

Sir
Camp at Reas Town 15th Sept. 1758

I have the Pleasure to inform you that General Forbes arrived Yesterday at Juniata Crossing, and is looked for here by twelve OClock; It is but this minute I understood he had left Fort Loudoun; It seems the Generals health exceeds our Expectations, as he bears the Journey well & has proceeded with great expedition these two days past.
Your Letters were forwarded immediatly on my receiving them some live stock will be sent by the Return of the Party of Virga Troops from hence & I proposd conveying you a Quantity of Flour under the same Escort, but am prevented by an unexpected demand from our advanced Posts; Col. Bouquets anxiety on account of supplies of provisions oblidges me to employ even the Artillery Horses for transporting the flour—I mention this, that what Horses or Waggons can be mustered up at Cumberland may be sent up if you find a further Supply necessary. I am Sir, Your most obedt humble St

Hugh Mercer


Title: To George Washington from Francis Fauquier, 16–29 September 1758
From: Fauquier, Francis
To: Washington, George

Sr
Willmsburgh Sepr 16[–29]th 1758

I am obliged to you for the particular Acct you have sent me of the State of our Affairs wch I received by Jenkins on the 9th with Mr Gists Letter (by wch it appears he is not very sollicitous to make such a Return) and a Copy of your Correspondence wth Coll Bouquet: all wch tend to corroberate the Opinion we had before entertain’d of your Zeal for the Service of this Colony. I have not returnd Coll Bouquet’s Letter, as the Assembly wch are now convened may perhaps call for it: but it shall be returned to you whenever you desire it.
Since it is determined to go by Loyal hanning, I hope the Difficulties attending that Road are not so great as apprehended; that the army may reach Fort du Quesne this year; otherwise I much fear whether the ardor this Colony has shewn to support the war will continue for another Year, the Flame being a little stifled by the inactivity of this Campaign. But one glorious stroke will reanimate us. My Interest here can yet be of no Consideration, yet I will use my Endeavours wth the Assembly that our Troops may not be weaken’d for another year but I much doubt of my Success.
The Treasury is exhausted and I cannot yet say what the assembly will do to replenish it. Arrears must undoubtedly be paid, and you may be assured the first Money that comes there shall be applyed to the Payment of the Army, that they may not have any Room for Discontent from that Quarter.
I have directed the Letters I have received from you and Coll Byrd to be laid before the assembly as you will see by my Speech wch I send you herewith, and must wait their pleasure in Relation to the Major of Brigade as I have it not in my power to issue such a Commission the Number of Officers being limited by the last act of assembly by wch the second Regiment was raised. I shall always recommend it to them, to let you have every thing that is necessary for the Service.
I have detained Jenkins till the House of Burgesses had taken the affair of the Regiments into Consideration and voted their Subsistance, for all the Money before granted was exhausted. I hope your Men are not uneasy but it was impossible for me to provide for their pay before. Mr Boyd may have £5000 whenever

he pleases to come or send for it as I have wrote to him this Day.
We are impatient to hav⟨e⟩ frequent News from your Quarter in the present situation of Affairs. I am Sr wth great Esteem yr Very Hum. Servt

Fran. Fauquier
Sepr 29th


Title: To George Washington from John Forbes, 16 September 1758
From: Forbes, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Raestown 16th Septemr 1758

I had the favour of yours of the 12th, and I am told Mr Rutherford’s complaint is occasioned by Colo. Bouquet’s having refused some cattle of Mr Walkers, that really were not fit to be used in our way, and therefore Colo. Bouquet gave orders not to purchase any more such.
I am extreamly obliged to you for your good wishes of recovery, which I now really stand in need off being quite as feeble now as a child almost, however here I am and I hope profit daily—I am sorry to hear my poor friend Colo. Byrd has been

very bad, I wish he were able to come here, where I should hope to prove a better Physician than he will probably meet with at Fort Cumberland[.] they tell me here that you threaten us a visit soon, which I should be glad off whenever it happens being very sincerely Yr most Obedt hume servt

Jo. Forbes

P.S. My compliments to Byrd.


Title: To George Washington from Charles Smith, 18 September 1758
From: Smith, Charles
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Fort Loudoun Sepr 18 1758

Your Letter of the 12th Came safe to Hand. According to Your Desire I Immediately sent the Inclos’d Down to hardwick.
I have Imploy’d a man of Skill to Assist me in Doing the stone worke of the Bastiane which I am affraid it will be a very Troublesom undertakeing as all the old work must be Taken away & new Pillars rais’d, you may be sure there is no Soldier here fit for Duty but what is kept constantly at Labour to keep things in Repair.
Now I have wrote to Saml Givings for the Brand & markes of your Black Mare, & then will take Every Method, I Can to get them. I will Advertise them at Every Publick Place, I Can think off.
The Horse that Burres rode Down is a Light bay about 14 Hands high, favours a horse I have seen you have no brands, only some white hairs Groing on the top of his Neck the Reason of my Stoping him—Burres first told me he was Your’s, & you Lent him & afterwards Offered him for Sale, hardwick says he Does not know him to be Yours.
Your Peter has mended very Little since my Last but is able to do some small Trifles in the Shop.
Hardwick has been a Speakeing to me, that he is Realy Intended to Leave Your Imploy as soon as his time is up. Your Waggoner John behaves Extreamly ill, & Consults his own Interest more then Yours.
I have got one of your waggons & Neagra addam to Drive for the Publick, & some Imploy I get about Town that is when it can be spard from the Quarter.
As there is many of the officers Looses men by Desertion, Writes to me Desireing, to Advertise them at £2 Reward, I must Certainly Pay the Money when any Soldier Deliver’d to me as a Deserter, & they haveing my Advartisement I take a Receipt for the money I advance that I know, but I Should be vastly oblige to you for your advice, in Leting me know, how I Shall be Repaid, as I have sent advertisemts to all Parts of Virga & some to North Carrolina this I look upon to be my Duty when Required for the good of the publick. I Receivd one of the 1st Virga Regt Deserter from Lieut. Kings’ Commd of the 10th & 3 belonging

to the North Carolinia Detachment (that Scoundral) Hansley after being pardin’d Deserted Last night as I am in a Hurry, of writeing an answer to the Governours Letter I hope you will Excuse my not sending You the weekly Returnes, but there is nothing happened Extraordinary Since my Last only Receivd 4 Deserters, hansley Deserted & one Dead of the old Regt.
it makes our Duty Very hard to keep so many Prisoners I think it would be very Advisable to Clap them to Labour as there is a Nessaity at this time.
Mr Rutherford will have about, 30, or 40, Waggons Ready to start from this Place of the 22d Loaded with Fluor & Forrage, but is at a Loss what to do for a Guard of Men if you think Proper I can spare the 20 Raingers as far as pierce halls, but must have your advice in this case.
I have Inclos’d my Pay Role for the Month of Augt for Subsistance & Workeing Pay, Concludeing my self as Super Intendent of the Publick work—there is David Davis of Colo: Stephen’s Compy Richd Trotter of Capt. Woodwards Comp’y has not Receiv’d any Subsistance for 6 Months, Past, I Did not know if it was Advisable or not to Put them in my Pay Roles or not, but have at the bottoms without you spake to Mr Boyd Concerning the men that is Join’d me sence your Departure he will not send whats Due to them.
As Mr Redeford has Aplied to me for a Guard to go up with the Waggons as Lord Farfax denys sending One of the Militia & the teams Lying here at Expence Loaded with forrage I thought it Nessasary for the good of the Service to Send Express to You to know if I am to Send the 20 Rangers that is under my Command as far as Piercealls Or not I beg for an imediate Answer as the Waggons Lyes here upon Expence.
The Express from Alexandria has not return’d Yet I am Dear Sir Your Very Humbe Servt

Chs Smith


Title: Orderly Book
From:
To:

This orderly book (DLC:GW) includes orders for each day from the time GW and Col. William Byrd arrived on 21 Sept. at Raystown with the Virginia forces from Fort Cumberland until 24 Nov. just before GW viewed with Forbes’s army the smoking remains of Fort Duquesne at the Forks of the Ohio. The primary orders entered in GW’s orderly book are the general orders of the day issued by the senior officer present wherever GW happened to be on that day. Most of the orders are either Forbes’s or Bouquet’s, but for the days when GW was on his own, as he was for part of his march from Raystown to Loyalhanna, 14–22 Oct., and from Loyalhanna to Fort Duquesne, 14–25 Nov., the general orders are those GW himself issued. Furthermore, the clerk has often inserted GW’s orders for GW’s own regiment or brigade before or after Forbes’s or Bouquet’s orders for a given day. All of the entries in the orderly book are in the hand of one man, presumably GW’s clerk or secretary. Robert Stewart’s reference to a Sergeant Poyne in a letter to GW, 31 Dec. 1758, suggests that it was Poyne who

   kept the orderly book. The orders are under the date they were issued, except those that Forbes issued after GW left Raystown on 14 Oct. and before he caught up with GW at Loyalhanna on 2–3 November. The clerk entered these orders of Forbes (14–31 Oct.) in the orderly book right after Forbes’s general orders of 3 Nov. at Loyalhanna, and they appear here as a note to Forbes’s orders of 3 November. The first entry in the orderly book, that of 21 Sept., includes both Forbes’s general orders (G. O.) giving the parole, or password, of the day for the post at Raystown and GW’s brigade orders (B. O.). The brigade orders are to the four companies of the 1st Virginia Regiment and the eight companies of the 2d Virginia Regiment in Raystown. From 22 Sept. through 13 Oct. while GW remained in Raystown, each day’s entry is Forbes’s general orders for that day. On 14 Oct. GW went with 200 men of the 1st Virginia Regiment from Raystown to join Bouquet at a camp on Stony (Stoney) Creek (at present Stoystown). Bouquet earlier had stopped at Stony Creek on his return to Loyalhanna from Raystown when he got word of an attack by French and Indians on his forces at Loyalhanna. The orders entered in the orderly book for 14 Oct. at Shawnee Cabins and for 15 Oct. at Edmund’s Swamp, between Raystown and Stony Creek, are GW’s. The orders of 16 Oct. at Stony Creek and perhaps those of 17 Oct. at Muddy Run are Bouquet’s. Bouquet was back at Loyalhanna on 18 Oct., and so the orders issued at the encampments that GW made between Stony Creek and Loyalhanna (Muddy Run, southeast side of Laurel Hill, and northwest side of Laurel Hill), on 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 Oct., are probably GW’s. GW arrived at the post at Loyalhanna on 23 October. The orders of that day through 31 Oct. in the orderly book are orders issued by Bouquet. GW’s orders to the Virginia companies on 29 Oct. are inserted after Bouquet’s orders for that day. The orders of 1 Nov., issued after Bouquet had left the post to meet Forbes at Laurel Hill, and perhaps the orders of 2 Nov. are GW’s. After Forbes’s arrival at Loyalhanna on 2 Nov., the orders in the orderly book are Forbes’s through 14 November. GW marched from Loyalhanna on the afternoon of 15 Nov. in command of one of the three brigades into which Forbes had divided his forces on 14 Nov. for a rapid march on Fort Duquesne. The orders printed here for 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 Nov. were issued by GW to his brigade on its departure from Loyalhanna and at encampments on its march toward Fort Duquesne, at Chestnut Hill, at a site “near Bush Run,” “at Bullock Camp,” at John Armstrong’s New Camp, at a

place near Turtle Creek, and finally at the post GW established on Turtle Creek, called Washington’s Camp. Bouquet joined GW at Washington’s Camp on 20 Nov.; the entry for that date includes both GW’s brigade orders and almost certainly Bouquet’s general orders. The last four entries in the orderly book are Forbes’s orders issued at Washington’s Camp, at an encampment across Turtle Creek, and finally at Bouquet’s Camp 10 or 12 miles from Fort Duquesne. The clerk has inserted GW’s brigade orders of 21, 23, and 24 November. In the printing of the entries in the orderly book, the format of every entry has been made to conform to that usually followed by the clerk; but the same rules of transcription have been followed as in other documents, except that every paragraph is indented at the beginning and made to start with a capital letter.


Title: Orderly Book, 21 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[21 September 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Thursday Septr 21st 1758
G. O.
Parole Cork
B. O.
Each Regimt to mount its own Qr Guard.
1 C[apt.] 2 S[ubalterns] 3 S[gts.] 1 C[orporal] & 50 Rank & file, to Mount it. as a Picquet to be composed by detachmts in proportion to the Strength of the 2 Regimts an Officer of each Company of both Regimts to see their rolls call’d every morning at Reveille beating.
A Return of each Regimt signed by the Commanding Officer to be given in every morning Precisly at 10 O’Clock, this order to be punctually Complied with.
The Qr mastr of each Regimt tomorrow morning to have Houses of Office’s errected at proper places & any who will be discovered easing themselves any where else shall be severely punished, They are also to see the whole Incampmt sweept very clean & constantly kept so, after tonight no Horses will be suffered to be picquited within the breast Work.


Title: Orderly Book, 23 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[23 September 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Saturday Septr 23d 1758
G. O.
Parole Limerick
Field Officer for to morrow Majr Peachy.
Adjt for to morrow 2d Virginia Regt.
1 Serjt 1 Corpl & 12 Men to parade at 3 OClock this Afternoon to Escort Provisions to Fort Cumberland, 1 Serjt 1 Corpl 12 Men to parade to morrow Morning at 9 OClock, to Escort waggons to the Crossings of the Juniatta.
1 Capt. 2 Subs. & 40 Men of the Pensylvanians to parade this Afternoon at 3 OClock & March to Loyall Hannon as an Escort to Waggons Loaded with Provisions.


Title: Orderly Book, 24 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[24 September 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Sunday Septr 24th 1758
G. O.
Parole Lond[ond]erry
Field Officer for to morrow—Majr Wells.
The Adjt for to morrow 3 Battaln Pensylvanians.
The Genl Court Martial whereof Colo. Mercer was Presidt is disolvd.
The out posts to be releivd to morrow morning at Reveille-beating.
After orders
Adam Davison Soldier in Colo. [Archibald] Montgomery’s Regt Try’d for Shooting his comrade At the Genl Court Martial whereof Colo. Mercer was Presidt is Acquit of the Crime it having appeard to the Court Accidental.
Ostin Smith Soldier in the 2d Virga Regt Tryd for Desertion is acquit.
Jno. Falconer of the Maryland Cos. Try’d for Desertion is found Guilty & adjudged to receive Nine Hundred Lashes.
Abraham Freehold of the Pensylvania Regt Try’d for Desertion is found Guilty & adjudged to Receive 500 Lashes.
Charles Ross private Soldier in the No. Carolina Compys Try’d for Desertion is found Guilty & Judg’d to receive 500 Lashes.
Brigadier Genl Forbes approves of the above Sentences & orders them to receive the different punishments allotted them by the Genl Court Martial to morrow afternoon at 5 OClock upon the Grand Parade where the Picquits of the Line are to Attend.
John Hanna Soldier in the 1st Virginia Regt Try’d for Desertion is found Guilty & adjudg’d to Suffer Death.
Thomas Williams Soldier in the Maryld Comps. Try’d for Desertion is found Guilty and adjudg’d to Suffer Death.
Benjamin Murphy & Sallateell Nicholson Soldiers in the No. Carolina Compys both Tryd for Desertion, are found Guilty & Adjudgd to suffer Death.
Jno. Doyle Soldier in Capt. [James] Pattersons Compy in the

Pensylvania Regimt Try’d for Desertion is found Guilty & adjudgd to suffer Death.
Brigadier Genl Forbes approves of the above Sentences & orders that Jno. Hanna of the Virginia Regt Thoms Williams of the Maryland Companys Benjamin Murphy & Salateel Mixon of the No. Carolineans & John Doyle Pensyla Regimt be shot to Death upon Tuesday morning Next 26th Inst. at 7 OClock when all the Picquets of the Line are to Attend.


Title: Orderly Book, 25 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[25 September 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Munday Septr 25th 1758
G. O.
Parole Belfast
Field Officer for to morrow Colo. Montgomerie.
The Adjutant for to morrow the Highlanders.
After Orders
John Hannah Soldier belonging to the 1st Virga Regt Thomas Williams of the Maryland Compys Benjn Murphy & Salateel Mixon of the No. Carolina Compys orderd by the Sentence of a Genl Court Martial to be shot to morrow morning for desertion But their Officers from some favourable Circumstances and in hopes that the flagrant Example now before them of the Grossness of their Crimes in Cheating & Robing their King & Country will have a proper Influence upon their future Conduct, have Appeald to the Genl to pardon them; He therefore freely grants their request & orders them To Join their respective

Corps to morrow after the Execution in hopes that it may have the desir’d Effect.

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
Privte

Hs.

1
1
1
27

1 Vs.

1
2
1
12

2 [Vs.]
1

2
1
30

3 B. P.

1
12

1
2
5
4
81

Fatigue

Hs.

1
6

1 [V.]

3

2 [V.]

8

3 B. P.

3

1
20


Title: From George Washington to George William Fairfax, 25 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Fairfax, George William

Dear Sir
Camp at Rays Town 25th Septr 1758.

Your acceptable favour of the 15th I had the pleasure to receive Six days afterwards.
I greatly bewail the misfortune that gives rise to the following Relation. Major Grant of the Highlanders with a Chosen detachment of 800 Marchd from Our advancd Post at Loyal Hannan the 12th Instt for Fort Du-quesne what to do there I cannot with certainty say, but it is reported and I suppose justly, to annoy the Enemy and gain Intelligence. In the Night of the 13th He took post with his Troops in seve[ra]l Columns on a Hill just above the Fort, from whence he sent out to Reconnoitre the Works—this they did, and burnt a Log House just by the Walls—Not content with this Success Majr Grant must needs send an Engineer in full view of the Fort next morning with a covering Party to take a Plan of the place—he also orderd Majr Lewis two Miles back to their Baggage Guard where Captn Bullet Commanded, and while this was doing causd the Revielle to beat in different places, which causd the Enemy to Sallie upon

them in very great numbers. hence ensued an obstinate Engagement and the running away of the Pensylvanians, who were just behind, and ought to have Sustained the Highlanders. Majr Lewis nowithstanding his former Orders Marchd up the Virginians with great dispatch & Intrep⟨mutilated⟩ their bravely fell with ⟨5⟩ more of my Officers besides Captn Walter Stewart who was left wounded in the Field (but is since come in). I had also 62 killd; this is a heavy stroke upon the Regiment who only had 8 Officers & 166 Men there. I inclose you a Return of all the Troops that were there—of the killd wounded &ca—Your Friend Bullett has acquird immense honour in this Action, defending himself with what Virginian’s were left against the whole Force of the Enemy while his Ammunition lasted, and then was the last Man that left the Field—It is with infinite pleasure I tell you that the Virginians, Officers and Men, distinguishd themselves in the most eminent manner—that the General has Complimented me publickly on their good behaviour, and that every Mouth resounds their Praises. the Highlanders and them are become one People, shaking each other by the hand wherever they meet tho. perfect stranger’s. I woud be more particular woud time permit me—I can only add some thing in answer to your Letter & then conclude.
The Floor of my Passage is really an Eye sore to me, I woud therefore take it up if good & Seasond Plank coud be laid in its place. You will do me a Singular favour to enquire after my Goods of Mr William Nelson (of York) in whose care they were lodgd at his own request, & promise of sending them up. I have nothing fresh to add, I have long ago, and frequently, told you that if a happy Issue attended this Expedition ’twas more than I expected; I have no Reason to alter my Sentiments from any changes in our affairs that yet have happend. Captn Gist who carries this from hence to W⟨mutilated⟩ to go from thence by Express with Letters to the Governor is waiting, you may imagine therefore I write in haste, and not so full as I woud otherwise choose. Major Lewis is a great loss to the Regiment, & Colony we have the Honr to serve; he opposd that Expedition to the utmost, unavailingly, but went chearfully upon it after his Sentiments were known, he desird his Friends however to remember (as he went out) that he had opposd it, foreseeing I imagine the Disaster that woud happend—Remember me

kindly to all enquiring Friends, & be assured that I am Dr Sir Your Most Obedt Hble Servt

Go: Washington


Title: Enclosure: List of Casualties in the First Virginia Regiment on 14 September 1758, 25 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Fauquier, Francis

[c.25 Sept. 1758]

A list of the mens Names Belonging to the 1st Virginia Regiment, that was kild in last Action near Fort du Quesne Septr 14th 1758
Companies

Colo. Washington
Lt. Colo. Stephens
Majr Lewis

[Casualties]

Majr Lewis

Ensign John Allen
Prisoner

Serjt [James or William] Stephens

Serjt [Joseph] Robert

Rank & file

1 Joseph Crenshaw
1 John Anderson
1 Abraham Blecker

2 Wm Baylest
2 Joseph Edwards
2 Thos Higgam

3 Wm Joram
3 James Hendon
3 Jno. Swinburn

4 Jno. Grinway
4 John Burk
4 Jno. Davis

5 Jno. Parkes
5 Gawen Beasly

6 Wm Weathers
6 John Chambers

7 Edward Whitehead
7 James Duglass

8 Clemmit Scott
8 Samuel Pewgh

9 Thos Daran
9 John Williams

10 Wm Avery
10 Jno. Weatherspoon

11 John Conners
11 George Davis

12 Justanor Chessher
12 Joseph Dansey

13 Paul Quehan

14 Edward Sparks

Companies

Capt. Robt Stewart
Capt. Bullitts
Capt. Walter Steuart

Casualties

Lieut. John Campbell
Lieut. James Baker

Ensign Thomas Gist
Ensign Colby Chew

Rank & file

1 John Skelton
1 Thomas Edwards
1 Benjamin Austin

2 Jeremiah Culom
2 Martin May
2 Edwd Painter

3 Collin Thompson
3 Robt Walters
3 Edward Childes

4 Jasea Sabbey
4 Daniel Parrott
4 James Lowery

5 James Cheeck
5 John Webster
5 James McKay

6 Charles Rowan
6 John Johnston
6 Edward Painter

7 Joseph Hughes
7 Alexander Rankin
7 Wm Bramley

8 John Troutback
8 Wm Crosswell
8 Robt Bassett

9 John Hedgman

10 James Bradbeary

11 Edward Har⟨on⟩

12 Joseph Jackson

Total 5 Commissd Killd & 1 Wounded 2 NonComs. 58 Rank & File


Title: Orderly Book, 26 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[26 September 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Tuesday Septr 26th 1758
G. O.
Parole Dunachadee
Field Officer for to Morrow Majr Campbell.
Adjt for to morrow 1st V. Regt.

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.

1
1
28

1 Vs.

1
12

2 [Vs.]

2
3
1
30

3 B. P.
1
0
1
1
11

1
2
5
4
81

Out Posts

H.

2
2

52

1 Vs.
1
1
2

22

2 [Vs.]
1
2
3
1
57

3 B. P.

1
2

21

2
6
9
1
152

Fatigue

H.

7

1 [V.]

3

2 [V.]

1
7

3 B. P.

3

1
20


Title: To George Washington from Presley Thornton, 26 September 1758
From: Thornton, Presley
To: Washington, George

My dear Colo.
Wmsburg 26 Sepr 1758

To hear of the welfare of my Friend will always give me great Satisfaction, but your kind Letter of 8th Sepr has afforded infinite Pleasure. as in a paragraph of a Letter you some time ago

wrote to Colo. Tayloe you mention’d my being unmindful of you, by not answering a letter that you had wrote to me soon after I had the Pleasure of seeing you last, wch I have never received therefore I must believe it has fallen into the Hands of the curious. I shou’d be pleased if I cou’d find out the person & will endeavor to do it, tho’ I am afraid it will be a difficult task.
Your kind wishes for my Happiness deserve my most thankful acknowledgements. mine you have, with unfiegned sincerity, and I am truly concern’d to find that the prospect of your’s is so distant. I can only wish & that I will do most ardently that success may attend all your undertakings (& that soon) of wch Happiness must be the consequence.
I wou’d write to you the resolutions of the House of Burgesses but none of them as yet are compleated. I am inform’d that the Govr detains Jenkins until they are, that you may be fully advised of them, and my Business obliges me to be absent for a few days, & lest he shou’d be sent off before my return, I shou’d have been wanting in my Friendship to you, if I was not to write, tho’ it shou’d be nothing more than to assure you that I am with the greatest Truth my dear Colo. your mo. Affte & Obedt Servt

Presley Thornton


Title: Orderly Book, 27 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[27 September 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Wednesday Septr 27 1758
G. O.
Parole Down
Colo. for to day Colo. Washington.
Colo. for to morrow Colo. [Hugh] Mercer.
Field Officer for to morrow Lt Colo. [George] Mercer.

Adjt for to morrow the 2d V. Regimt

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.

1
1
1
28

1 [V.]
1
0
1
1
11

2 [V.]

2
1
31

3 B. P.

1
1
1
11

1
2
5
4
81

Fatigues

H.

7

1 Vs.

3

2 Vs.

8

3 B. P.

1
2

1
20


Title: From George Washington to Francis Fauquier, 28 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Fauquier, Francis

[Raystown, 28 September 1758]
To the Honorable Governor Fauquier.Honble Sir,

I forgot to notice in my last (of the 25th instant) that a Flag of truce was sent to Fort du Quesne by Colo. Bouquet. It is now returned, and we learn with certainty (tho’ few things have yet transpired) that Major Grant with two other Highland officers, and Major Lewis, with two officers of the Royal Americans—and one belonging to Pennsylvania, together with 2 Sergeants and 30 private men, were made prisoners in the late action, and sent immediately to Montreal. From all the accounts I have yet been able to collect, it appears very clear, that this was either a very ill-concerted or very ill-executed plan: perhaps both: but it seems to be generally acknowledged, that Major Grant exceeded his orders in some particulars; and that no disposition was made for engaging.
The troops were divided—which caused the Front to give way, and put the whole into confusion—except the virginians, commanded by Captn Bullett, who were (in the hands of Providence!) a means of preventing all of our People from sharing one common fate.
This mistake, I fear, may be productive of bad consequences to the common cause!

The promoters of opening a new road, either do believe (or would fain have it thought so) that there is time enough to accomplish our Plan this season: But others who judge freer from prejudice, are of a quite contrary opinion—As the Road is not yet opened half way, and not 20 days provision for the Troops got the length of this place—which can not be attributed to a juster cause than the badness of the road; altho’ many other reasons are assigned for it. We find that the frosts have already changed the face of nature—among these mountains. We know there is not more than a month left for Enterprize: we know also, that a number of Horses can not subsist after that time, on a Road stripped of its herbage—and very few there are who apprehend that our affairs can be brought to favourable issue by that period. nor do I see how it is possible, if every thing else answered, that men half-naked can live in Tents much longer. I am Hon. Sir, Your most obedient, and most hble Servt

G:W.
Camp, at Rays town, the 28th Sept. 1758


Title: Orderly Book, 29 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[29 September 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Friday Septr 29th 1758
G. O.
Parole Derry
Colo. for to Morrow Colo. Washington.
Field Officer for to morrow Majr Peachy.
Adjt for to morrow the Highlanders.
The Commanding Officers of Corps are to procure Bullock

Feet with which they are to cause Oyle to be made for their Men & whom they are to see always Provided with the same.
The Troops are for the future always to draw their Provisions the day before they become due.
Capt. Anderson is to March on Sunday next with a Detachment of Artillery for Loyall Hannon and the Troops here belonging to the 1st & 2⟨nd⟩ Battallions of Pensylvanians with the Companys of the Lower Counties to be Compleated out of the 3d Battallion to 100 Rank & File as an Escort.

Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.

1
2
1
31

1 [V.]

1

14

2 [V.]

1
2
25

3 B. P.
1
1
1
1
11

1
2
5
4
81

Fatigue

H.

1

15

1 Vs.

7

2 [Vs.]

1

12

3 B. P.

6

2

40

Fatigue

H.

5

1 Vs.

3

2 [Vs.]

5

3 B. P.

1
2

1
15


Title: Orderly Book, 30 September 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[30 September 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Saturday Septr 30th 1758
G. O.
Colo. for to morrow Colo. Mercer.
Field Officer for to morrow Majr Armstrong.
Adjt for to morrow 1st V. Regiment.
The out Posts to be releivd to morrow Morng and the Old Guards to bring in to the Compy of Artillery All their working Tools.
Divine Service to morrow as Usual.
The Detachmt of Artillery & Escort ordered to March to morrow are not to march till further orders.
1 Officer 1 Serjt & 25 Men of the 3d Battaln of Pensylvania to March this Afternoon as an Escort for Bullocks to Loyall Hannon this Escort is to Remain at Stony Creek & Majr Jameson is to detach the like Number who is to proceed from thence with the Bullocks to Loyall Hannon.
The three Troops of Light Horse are to Practise firing with small Cartridges upon Horse Back & any of the Horse men who at any time are seen to ride faster than a Walk without particular orders will be Severely Punished.
It is recommended to the Commandg Officers of Corps that they see that their Officers off duty do Regularly attend the Grand parade at Roll calling.
Each Regimt is to provide themselves with Buck Shot & the Commandg Officers are to Settle wth Capt. Hay how they are to receive it, & the Commandg offrs are to Inspect, Regularly into the Amunition of their Corps that their may be no deficiency when called for.
The Qr Mastr Genl is to see that a Sufficient quantity of Forrage is laid in at all the different posts upon the Rout both above & below this place.

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.

1
1
1
29

1 Vs.
1

2
1
14

2 [Vs.]

1
1
1
25

3 B. P.

1
1
13

1
2
5
4
81

Detail for Detachmt

H.

1
2
1
57

1 Vs.

2

26

2 [Vs.]
1
3
3

17

3 B. P.
1
2
2

22

2
6
9
1
152 [122]

Fatigue

H.

1

14

1 [V.]

7

2 [V.]

13

3 B. P.

1

6

2

40


Title: Orderly Book, 2 October 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[2 October 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Monday Octr 2d 1758
G. O.
Parole ⟨Louisan⟩
Colo. for to Morrow Colo. Washington.
Field Officer for to Morrow Lt Colo. Work.
Adjt for to morrow 3d Battallion.

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.

1
1
2
29

1 Vs.

1

15

2 [Vs.]

2
1
25

3 B. P.
1
1
1
1
12

1
2
5
4
81

Out Posts

H.
1
2
2

56

1 Vs.
1
1
2

27

2 [Vs.]

2
3
1
47

3 B. P.

1
2

22

2
6
9
1
152

Fatigue

H.

1

16

1 [V.]

7

2 [V.]

13

3 B. P.

1

4

2

40


Title: Orderly Book, 3 October 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[3 October 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Tuesday Octr 3d 1758
G. O.
Parole Turin
Colo. for to Morrow Colo. Mercer.
Field Officer for to morrow Majr Campbell.

Adjt for to morrow Highlanders.

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.
1

1
1
32

1 Vs.

1
1
13

2 [Vs.]

1
2
1
25

3 B. P.

1
1
1
11

1
2
5
4
81

For Fatigue

H.

1

14

1 Vs.

7

2 [Vs.]

1

12

3 B. P.

7

2

40


Title: Orderly Book, 4 October 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[4 October 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Wednesday Octr 4th 1758
G. O.
Parole Falmouth
Colo. for to Morrow Colo. Montgomrie.
Field Officer for to Morrow Majr Peachy.
Adjt for to Morrow 1st Virginia.
1 Capt. 2 Subs. & 50 Men of the Pensylvania Regt to March to morrow as an Escort to Colo. Bouquet.
1 Lt 1 Serjt & 30 Men of the 3d Battalln of Pensylva’s To March to morrow Morning at Guard mounting wth a proportion of Tools to repair the Roads to Loyal Hannon, the Officer to recieve his instructions from Colo. Mercer.
A Detachmt of Artillery to March for Loyall Hannon upon Friday next & to be Escorted with all the Troops belonging to the Pensylvania Regt & Compys of the Lower County’s in Camp.
The Artificers of the Pensylvania Regt to Join their respective Corps this night & to March with their Battalions.
The Commissary is to take the Opertunity of this Escorts Marching to send to Loyall Hannon one hundred Bullocks.

Any woman suspected to be infected with the Venial Destemper to be sent to the Hospittal to be examind & those who are found disorderd are either to be kept in the Hospittal till Cur’d or Turnd out of Camp.
The Commanding Officers of Corps are to send in to the Major of Brigade the Number of Pair of Shoes that will be absolutely wanting to each Corps.

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.

1
2
1
35

1 Vs.
1
1
1
1
17

2 [Vs.]

2
2
29

1
2
5
4
81

Out Posts Provost

H.
1
3
4

67

1 Vs.

1
2

31

2 [Vs.]
1
2
3
1
54

2
6
9
1
152

Fatigue

H.

18

1 Vs.

1

8

2 [Vs.]

1

14

2

40


Title: Orderly Book, 5 October 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[5 October 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Thursday Octr 5th 1758
Parole Penzance
Colo. for to Morrow Colo. Washington.
Field Officer for to Morrow Lt Colo. Mercer.
Adjutant for to Morrow the 2d Virginia Regimt.

1 Capt. & 4 Subs. of the Line are to meet immediately to examine into the reasons why 14 of the Contract Waggons Coming from Loyall Hannon under the Escort of Capt. [Archibald] Robinson of the Highland Battalln wer[e] left upon the Road & not brought forward to Reas Town.

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.

1
2
2
36

1 Vs.

1
1
17

2 [Vs.]
1
1
2
1
28

1
2
5
4
81

For the Generals Cow Gd

H.

1
6

1 Vs.

2

2 [Vs.]

5

1
13

For Detachmt to Fort Cumberland

H.

1
11

1 Vs.

1

5

2 [Vs.]

1

9

1
1
1
25


Title: Court-Martial Commission from John Forbes, 6 October 1758
From: Forbes, John
To: Washington, George

[Raystown, 6 October 1758]

   By Brigadier General John Forbes commanding His Majestys Troops in the Southern Provinces of North America &c: &c: &c:
To George Washington Esqr: Colonel of the first Virginia Regimt.
By Virtue of the Power and Authority to me given and granted by His Excellency James Abercrombie Esqr., I do hereby constitute and appoint You to be President of a General Court Martial, to be held on thursday twenty six october 1758 at the Camp at Loyl Hannon. And the said Court Martial is hereby authorized and required, to hear and examine by Oath, or otherwise, all such matters and Informations as shall be brought before them, touching the Misbehaviour of any Officer, or Soldier under my Command, and to proceed in the Trial of such Offenders, and to give Judgement and Sentence thereupon Pursuant to an Act of Parliament now in Force, Vizt an Act entituled, “An Act for punishing Mutiny and Desertion and for the better payment of the Army and their Quarters.” And for so doing this shall be to you, and all Persons concerned, a sufficient Warrant & Authority. Given under my Hand & Seal at the Camp at Rays Town this Sixth Day of october 1758.

Jo: Forbes.


Title: Orderly Book, 7 October 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[7 October 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Saturday Octr 7th 1758
G. O.
Parole Exeter
Colo. for to morrow Colo. Washington.
Field Officer for to Morrow Majr Peachy.
Adjutant for to Morrow 1st Virginia Regimt.

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.
1

2
2
35

1 Vs.

1
1
1
17

2 [Vs.]

1
2
2
29

1
2
5
5
81

Fatigue

H.

18

1 [V.]

1

7

2 [V.]

1

15

2

40


Title: To George Washington from Francis Fauquier, 7 October 1758 [letter not found]
From: Fauquier, Francis
To: Washington, George

   Letter not found: from Francis Fauquier, 7 Oct. 1758. On 30 Oct. GW wrote to Fauquier: “I have been honored with your second favour of the 7th instant.”


Title: To George Washington from Francis Fauquier, 7 October 1758
From: Fauquier, Francis
To: Washington, George

Sr
Wmsburgh Octr 7th 1⟨758⟩

I recd your Dispatches containing the disagr⟨ee⟩able Accts of the Check we received before Fort du Quesn⟨e⟩ forwarded by Lieutt Smith from Fort Loudoun on 2d instant, and laid them

immediately before the Hous⟨e⟩ who are still debating, one Day resolving on one Sch⟨eme⟩ the next, on another in Relation to Military affairs [so] that nothing is yet determined upon.
Our Loss is great if we consider the brave Off⟨icers &⟩ men who fell, but if we think only of numbers ⟨mutilated⟩ inconsiderable, and can be of no great Consequ⟨ence⟩ for by the Behaviour of your Men they shew they a⟨re⟩ not to be soon daunted: They have acted in the Man⟨ner⟩ that was expected from them, and in wch I don’t doubt they will continue to act, and so merit and meet the Applause of their Country.
I have order’d the Blankets up to Winchester to be deliverd as soon as possible that you may repay the General those he furnish’d you with. And have sent up the blank Commissions you desired, and dont doubt but you will fill them up according to merit.
The same Messenger who brot yours brought also an ⟨a⟩cct of the blowing up a Magazine at Fort-Cumberland ⟨w⟩ch surely was owing to Neglect some where; for I should think it highly improper that every Officer should have free Admission into a Magazine, and suppose it is some ⟨p⟩articular Officers Duty, whether Store keeper or other⟨wi⟩se to go in; and fetch what is wanted from Magazines. ⟨Mutilated⟩ this is the Case at present I think Inquiry ought to ⟨be⟩ made where the Neglect lay, if it is not a Rule, I think ⟨it oug⟩ht to be made one.
⟨I am s⟩orry to give you any additional Trouble, but must ⟨mutilated⟩ you will give orders, that whoever is sent down to ⟨mutilated⟩ wth Expresses may be furnish’d with Money in ad⟨va⟩nce to proceed on his Journey, for want of which ⟨D⟩avis a Soldier in your Regiment (I think) who brought ⟨t⟩he Dispatch to me, came almost dead having lain ⟨t⟩hree nights in the Woods almost without Sustenance. He having no Money, no House would receive him, or ⟨su⟩pply him wth common necessaries of Life. This can ⟨mutilated⟩ no hardship on any Body as they are sure to have it ⟨a⟩llowed and repaid. ⟨I⟩ most sincerely wish you better and speedy Success, being wth great Esteem Yr very Hum. Servt

Fran: Fauquier

Davis applyed to Lieut. Smith ⟨mutilated m⟩oney and was refused at least his Desire was without Effect.


Title: Orderly Book, 8 October 1758
From: Washington, George
To:

[8 October 1758]

Camp at Reas Town Sunday Octr 8th 1758
G. O.
Parole Barnstable
C[ol]o. for to Morrow Colo. Byrd.
Field Officer for to Morrow Lt Colo. Mercer.
Adjutant for to Morrow 2d Virginia Regimt.
The out Posts at Juniatta New Shawnees Old Shawnesse & Ft Cumberland Roads, Likewise that on Franks Town path are to be releivd to Morrow morning the rest to be taken off.
The parties at the out posts are to patrole as Usual.

Detail for Guards
C.
S.
S.
C.
P.

H.

1
2
2
29

1 Vs.
1

1
1
14

2 [Vs.]

1
2
2
24

1
2
5
5
67

Detachments

H.

1
3

46

1 Vs.
1
1
1

22

2 [Vs.]
1
1
2
1
39

2
3
6
1
107

Fatigue

H.

1

18

1 Vs.

8

2 [Vs.]

1

14

2

40


Title: From George Washington to John Forbes, 8 October 1758
From: Washington, George
To: Forbes, John

To Genl Forbes—Commanding His Majesty’s Forces, Employd on the Ohio Expedition.
Sir[8 October 1758]
In consequence of your request of the Colonels, assembled at your Lodgings the 5th Instt I offer the Plans on the other side to yr Consideration. They express my thoughts on a Line of March through a Country covered with Wood, & how that Line of March may be formd, in an Instant, into an Order of Battle.
The Plan of the Line of March, and Order of Battle on the other si⟨de⟩ is Calculated for a Forced March with field pieces only unincumber’d with Waggon’s, It Represents; first a Line of March, and Secondly how that line of March may in an Instant, be thrown into an Order of Battle in the Woods.
This Plan supposes 4000 Privates, 1000 of which—(Pickd Men)—are to March in Front, in three Division’s, each Division havg a field Officer to ⟨comd⟩ it besides the Commander of the whole, and is to be in readiness to oppose the Enemy whose Attack, if the necessary precautions are observed, must always be in front.

The First Division must, as the 2d & 3d ought likewise to be sub-divided for the Captain’s; these sub-divisions to be again divided for the Subalterns and the Subalterns again for the Sergeants & Corporals, by which means every Non Commission’d Officer will have a Party to Command under the Eye of a Subaltern, as the Subalterns will have under the direction of a Captain &ca.
N.B. I shall, ’tho I believe it is unnecessary, remark here—that the Captain’s when their sub Divisions are again divided are to take commd of no particular part of it but to attend to the whole sub-division—as the Subalterns are to do with theirs; each C⟨a⟩ptain & subaltern acting as Commandant of the Division he is appointed to under the field officer visiting & encouraging all parts equally alike—keepg the Soldrs to their Duty.
This being done, the first Division is, so soon as the Van-gd is attackd (if that gives the first notice of the Enemy’s approach) to file of to the Right & left and take to Tree’s—gaining the enemies flanks and surrounding of them as describd in Plan the 2d. The Flank Guards on the Right which belong to the 2d Division are immediately to extend to the Right followd by that Division, and to form as describd in the aforesaid Plan—The Rear Grand Division is to follow the left Flankers in the same manner in order if possible to En-compass the Enemy, which being a practice different from any thing they have ever yet experienc’d from Us, I think may be accomplish’d.
What Indians we have shoud be Order’d to get round unperceived & fall upon the Enemy Rear at the same time.
The Front & Rear being thus Secur’d, their remains a body of 2500 Men to form two Brigades—on the Flanks of wch 600 Men must March for safety of them, & in such Order as to Form a Rank entire by only Marching the Captns & Subaltns Guards into the Intervals between the Serjeants Parties as may be seen by the 2 Plan.
The main body will now be reducd to 1900 Men—which shd be kept as a Corps de reserve to support any part that shall be f[oun]d w[ea]k or forc’d. The whole is Submitted to Correction with the utmost Candour by Sir Yr Most Obedt & most Hble Servt

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