To GW Sept, 25, 1755
Fort Cumberland, Md.
Sir, Sunday about 9 O'Clock two Indians too a fuzee from a Boy within musket Shot of the Sentry in the Bottom as you pass Will's Creek - They took hold of him and asked to go along - why they did not kill him I cannot Say, but upon his refusing they gave him a Couple of Blows with their Fist - And upon his retiring a little, then Shot two Arrows into him, the wounds are but slight - He Roared out murder, & the Savages Ran.
I sent out a party under Lt. Stuart to intercept them, and about twelve, Burris came in wounded. They took him about a mile below the Fort where the Old Path enters the waggon crossing the Potomack above the New Store, and going Steight to the Gape. They there discovered our Party and were only 300 yards behind them - Burris encouraged by the Sight of our men, while the Two Frenchmen and 5 Indians were Sculking, Sprung off - an Indian pursued him and coming up Sides with him threw the Tomhawk and wounded him Notwithstanding, Burris was lucky enough to escape. Lt. Stewart Saw nothing of the Enemy; Burris was oblig'd to take another Course. He learned from the Indian who Could Speak Shanase, That there were Parties all round us, & We have discovered Numerous Tracts, in Several places.
I have no men to Spare to Send in pursuit of them - I have advised the Inhabitants to be on their guard, and have mov'd into the Fort leaving the Tents Standings for Shew, as we believe them daily looking at us. They have taken a Man belonging to Capt. Dagworthis Company, who would not venture to Run with Burris, and another Man who was Batman to Doct. Craik when he was Out. By this means, they will get perfect Intelligence of our Situation, and Weakness. They Indian was very inquisitive at Burris about our numbers-We ply the Work from Dawn to twilight, and for all that the dispatch not equal to my Wishes. I fire a morning Gun, and Rouses Officers and Men by the Break of Day, who all repair to their Posts and wait untill it is light enough to Call the Rolls. No Soldier or Servant is allow'd to Stragle or be Absent, and No gun fird within hearing of the Camp. A Serjt Command is Sent a Couple of miles Round reconnoitring every morning. It Sits heavy upon me, to be obliged to let the Enemy pass under our Noses without ever putting them in bodily fear.
This increase their Insolence, and adds to the Contemptible Opinion The Indians have of Us.
If we may Credit the Indians, Every One that Our people has Conversed with declares that the French design an Attack on Fort Cumberland. The Conduct of the Enemy at this time Seems to be, to obtain Intelligence, more than Scalps; and not knowing how far off A Considerable Body of them was; I sent down for the Light-Horse, and applyd to My Lord Fairfax for Militia, untill we are in a better posture of Defence. I am with respect Sir, Your most obt huble Servant. Adam Stephen

To GW Sept. 27, 1755
Ft. Cumberland, Md.
Sir,
This morning One Packton a Hunter came in quite Spent, being pursued by Indians in Sight of our Sentrys, and having been chas'd five days from the grounds about the Extremity of the Road upon which the Pensylvanians were Employ'd. The Savages pursued him so close, that the Sentry at the Magazine heard him hollow; upon which a party of the Guard was detached, and brought him in. The Man is well known by Several in the Garrison, having hunted for them when they Cover'd the Road-Cutters.
A party of Volunteers were ordered out, under command of Capt. Savage to reconnoitre the Bottom of Will's Creek. They Rous'd three Indians and fired at them but Soon lost Sight of them. We Continue Alert, and want men much. The Indians discover our Parties by the Tract of the Shoes. It would be a good thing to have Shoe-packs or Moccosons for the Scouts. I am with Respect Sir, Your most Obt. Huble Sert.
Adam Stephen

The Cooper has been here but there is No Tools-He comes to work on Tuesday-I congratulate you on the News of Our Success to the Northward Now is the Time to push, on this Quarter Numbers of the Officers are gone from Fort Duquesne, to the Northward-I imagine they are weak there, and Send Out the Indians to procure intelligence.
This Night Sullivan on the S. Branch is to receive 600 lashes for Uttering Treasonable Expressions

To GW Oct. 4, 1755
4 Winchester
Sir,
Matters are in the most deplorable Situation at Fort Cumberland-Our Communiction with the Inhabitants is Cut Off. By the best Judges of Indin Affairs, it's thought there are at least 150 Indians about us-They divided into Small parties, have Cut Off the Settlement of Patterson Creek, Potowmack, Above Cresops, and the People of the Town Ck about four miles below his house-They go about and Commit their Outrages at all hours of the day and nothing isto be seen or heard of, but Desolation and murders heightened with all Barbarous Circumstances, and unheard of Instances of Cruelty. They Spare the Lives of the Young Women, and Carry them away to gratify the Brutal passions of Lawless Savages. The Smouk of the Burning Plantations darken the day, and hide the neighboring mountains from our Sight-Frazer has lost two of his Family and move to the Fort to do the Arms.

Ramsay the Cooper came up and got Some money of Mr. McLean by Commissary Dicks Directions, went down again to bring up his Sons, on Tuesday last, but has never been heard of Since, at home, or at the Fort-So there is another Cooper to be looked for.
I dispatched Barney Curran after Montour, who brought me an Account, that the last news rcevd from him was at Great Island in Susquehanna, where at the Earnest Sollicitation, and by the warm assistance of Monocatotha he had assembled 300 Indians, and was increased agt the French and Indians in their Interest at Winingo. He had Intelligence that there were very few of Either at that Place.
Deprivd of any hopes from that Quarter, I detached two men well acquainted with the woods to make the best discoveries they could, who have not yet returnd. Unless Relief is Sent to the Back inhabitants immediately None will Stay on this Side Monocasy or Winchester.
The Magazine is Securd, and a Well Set about in the Fort-So many Alarms prevented the Works going on with dispatch. I have reason to believe Capt. Dogworthy will look upon himself as Commanding Officer after You have joind the Troops. The Province he Serves has 30 Effective men in the Service. I was attacked by the Indians on my way down, and lost a man. I Savd my Bacon by retreating to the Fort-The party who conveyd me yesterday discovered fourteen and fird upon them, but it was to late to pursue them.
It is by all means adviseable to Send up all the Recruits Immediately, untill we have men enough, to keep the Enemy in awe, So that they keep without Reach of our Sentrys. I am with Respect Sir, Your most Obt. Huble Sert. Adam Stephen

We are intirly acquainted with the Routes and Courses of these Bodies of Indians, but have not Men to Spare to Intercept them-I detached a party of 25 men under Lt. Bacon, who came up with them and prisoners, but was obliged to Retreat with the loss of two men.
I was apprised of the Indians designd Atack, and Sent to my Lord Fairfax for 200 Militia-alarming the South Branch and all the Neighborhoods-I made a pressing demand of the Militia Sunday Seven night-I heard My Lord was very Urgent and assiduous in the Affair, but there is only as few Sent up under Capt. Vance-Had my directions been Observed by Henry Vanmeter, or the Militia Come from Frederik The Lives and Liberty of 100 people would have been saved.