GW to AS Nov. 18, 1755
By return of the express that brings this, I desire to have a return of the Troops with any occurrances & the News that may have happened.
To GW Nov. 22, 1755
GW to AS Nov. 28, 1755
To GW Nov. 29, 1755
N.B. Mr. Boyd was sick, which Obligd me to send Ensign Gordon with two months pay To the Commander of Fort Dinwiddie. Where was Dekeyser ordered to Recruit? I cannot approve the Conduct of that Young Man.
Fredericksburg
Sir,
I came to this place on Sunday last and intended to proceed immediately up, but receiving your's, and other Letters contradicting the reports late transmitted, determined me to go to Alexandria where I shall wait a few days in hopes of receiving the expre3ss from General Shirley, who the govorner sent to for Commission for the field Officer's.
I beg that you will be particularly careful in seeing that strict Order is observd among our Soldiers, as that is the Life of the Military discipline-We now have it in our Power to enforce obedience, and obedience will be expected from us, the Men being subject to death as in the Military Law: The Country have also offer'd a reward to all who will apprehend deserters, and a severe punishment upon those that shall entertain, or suffer them to pass; also upon any constable who refuses to convey them to their Quarter's, or suffer's them to Escape after such deserter is committed to their custody; these things with the Articles of War, and a proper exhortation I would have you immediately read to the Men; and see that it is frequently done hereafter; I must desire that you will use all possible mean's to facilitate the Salting our Provisions and to give the Commissary such assistance of Men &ca as he shall reasonably require; the governor approves of the Committee's resolve, in not allowing the Maryland or Carolina Company's to be supported out of our Provision's this you are desird to make them acquainted with, and in case either of the Companys should be discharged to use your utmost endeavor's to enlist so many of their Men as you can. Lieutenant McManus has to leave to go to carolina if he desires it. The Assembly wou'd make no alterations in the Militia Law, not would the Govornor order them to be draughted to compleat our Regiment so that the slow method of Recruitg is likely ot be our only means to raise the Men. I think, coud a brisk Officer nd two or three Sergeants be sent among the Militia station'd on the So. Branch, they would have a probable chance of engaging many, as some seemed Inclinable in Winchester to enlist-Doctr Craik is expected round to Alexandria in a Vessel with Medicines and other Stores for the Regiment; so soon as he arrives I shall take care to dispatch him to you.
The Colos Bird and Randolph are appointed Commissioners, and will set out very shortly with a present and $ca to the Country of the Cherokees in order to engage them to our Interest-We have advices that the King return'd to London from Hanover on the 26th of September that War was Proclaimd the 29th, and that we have already taken 5 of their Men of War and 120 Sail of Merchant Men-a bold stroke by Jove-a glorious beginning-and I hope presages our future Success-The Man of War mention'd in my last is not yet arrivd tho hourly expected; it is said (tho I can't believe the King not being arrivd when this ship left England)
That she has Commission's for us; another Ship of War was said to be dispatch'd
To America immediately upon the declaration so that I have Sanguine expectation's we soon shall receive them if they are not already on their way. I am encouraged to hope this as all the Publick Prints, privte Letters, and Gentlemen from England say, that the behaviour of the Virginia Troops is greatly extold, and meets with public praises in all the Coffee Houses In London. Yea they exceed the bound of probability (which I am sorry for) by saying in the London magazine for August, that 800 Virginians maintaind an unequal fight against 1600 French and Indians for three hour's after the Regular's fled. The Generals conduct is much condemn'd and the acct further says - it is not to be wondered tht those Regiments should act so scandalously here when their behaviour reflected such dishonor on the Country at the Battle of Preston Pan's I am Sir Yr Most Hble Servt. Go Washington
Winchester
Dear Sir,
I had just finished my Letter of this date when Capt. Stewart deliver'd me Yours of the 18th Inst.
The Men I am in great hopes will answer Your Expectations They Shoot extreamly well, but are much harass'd at present with the Cattle-I make the Butchers, Cutters, Salters, & Coopers wait on McLean for orders every morning-and a Return is made to me every might of what work is done.
To keep things alive I hurry'd down to expedite Salt; want of which, brings us to a Stand. The Drovers threatened to bring us up the Carolina Cattle, which I thought necessary to prevent, untill I had receiv'd Yr. Instructions.
Your orders with respect to the Maryland, and Carolina Companies, I will take particular Notice Of.
As Recruiting is the only method of compleating Our Regimt I should be glad to know your pleasure about Sending out any Officer who has a mind to go, we Can Spare Some.
I will dispatch one up the Branch.
Capt. Waggener desired me to mention his inclination of going to Philadelphia, please to take Notice of it in your next. Be so good as forgive my not sending A Return Bearer, of the pt of the Regiment at Fort Cumberland-I had one for that purpose but in a mistake put it by in my pocket-Book.
I remember there is 330 in the whole fit for duty, of whom Carolina nd Maryland furnish about 50 betwixt them.
I have discharged four in Winchester enlisted by different Officers that never would be fir for the Service.
Two of our Old Men, One shot in the Wrist and thereby disabled, named Edrington-One old Man, worn out and & infirm, Beaumont, One of Majr Lewis' Company. Th State of Your Regimt in these parts is nearly this.
At Fort Cumbld Effectives: pt. 280 & 40 Serjeans a great Number of Corps.
At Enock's Mill pt. 17 1 Serjt.
At Watkins Ferry pt.16 1 Serjt.
At Winchester 30 New Recruits, Please to Consider the necessity of a party at Coxs (illegible) Ferry.
Regular Returns Shall be duly transmitted to You, and we Shall behave as much like Soldiers as possible. I am hurrying off Some Waggons to Falmuth, and Some to Belhaven as is most Convenient.
I set off now to Watkins Ferry to View the Store and should be glad (to know Something about that Lodged in Maryland side - They will (mutiliated) a Right to them, it is like, when provisions are stopt at the Fort.
There are Sixty of their Militia at Cressops, but I believe they will Stay about the same time their Volunteer Company did. We shall wait your instructions about Buildings with Impatience.
The Accounts of Our Behavior is much Exaggerated, we must give them Credit-and pay the publick the Balance next Campaign.
Commissions from his Magisty would give us New Spirit, and at any rate we will Continue to deserve them-I am with Respect, Sir, Your Most Obt. Hube Sert. Adam Stephen.
This letter appears to have been in response to the Nov. 22nd letter and a second letter which has not been found
Alexandria
Sir, I receivd your two Letter's last night by Jenkins and was greatly sdurprised to hear that Comy Walker was not arri'd at Camp when he came away. He set out from Willmsburg abt the 12th Instant with Orders to proceed immediately up, but such disobedience of commands as I have generally met with is insufferable and shall not go unpunished.
The acct you inclosed of the method of receiving the Beef I suppose is customary, but for want of judgement in these affairs I can neither applaud or condemn it.
I am much astonisd as you were surprised at the quantity of th Salts said to be wanting for the Provisions's but certain it is that if that, or a greater quantity is absolutely necessary it must be had. I have left a discretionary power in Commissary Walker to kill or Winter the Carolina Beeves as the Interest of the Service requires-pray assist him with your advice, and urge him on tomake the necessary purchases of Flour & Pork in time.
The Governor did not seem inclinable to promote the removal of the Fort, however, the Committee have lodged a discretionary power in my hands, and have resolvd to pay for all extraordinary Work; I would therefore have as little labour lost at Fort Cumberland as possible, at least till I come up which will be very shortly; my stay here being only for a few days in order to receive Recruits, and hurry up the Stores to Winchester.
I believe those who say Govt Sharpe is to Command can only wish it-I don't know that Genl Shirley has a power to appoint a chief to our Forces-to regular's he may.
As to that affair of turning the Store Ho. Into a dwelling Room, I don't know yet what better answr to give than-saying, tht this is one among the many instances that might be given of the inconveniences of having the Fort in Maryland; as soon as I hear from Govr Shirley which is hourly expected I can then send a more determin'd answer.
There has been such total negligence among the Recruiting Officer's in Genl, such disregard of the Service, and idle proceedings, that I am determin'd to send out none till we all meet together, when each Officer shall receive his own men, and have only this alternative-to compleat his number-or loose his Comn. There are several Officers who have been out 6 weeks and two months without getting a man, spending their time in all the gaiety of pleasurable mirth with their relation'' Friends-not attempting, or having a possible chance of recrg any but those who out of their great inclination to the service will proffer themselves.
I shou'd be glad to have ten or twelve Waggons sent to this place for salt, enough may be had to load that number and it comes upon easier terms than at Fredericksburg by 6d or 8d pr Bushl.
Those Stores at Watkins ferry and Conogochieg should be hurried up as fast as the Water affords opportunitys if it were only to prevent disputes -The Inclosed for the Lieutt. McManus I should be glad to have forwarded by the first opportunity I am Sir Yr Hbl Servt. Go Washington
If the Paymaster is at Winchester & not on his way to Fort Dinwiddie-order him down here immediately-if he should be going with Pay to Capt. Hog, he is to proceed with dispatch but If he is a Fort Cumberland order him down to Winchester, to wait there till I arrive.
Winchester
Sir,
The Commissary has arrived, and I supposed You will learn a State of the Affairs by his Letter. I was as Active as I could be, in hurrying up Salt. I would have been at Fort Cumberland two days ago, but have been employd in the disagreeable Service of Apprehending deserters-Four, out of a gang of twenty Banditti, all with Arms and ammunition, are apprehended, We are in hot pursuit of the rest, through August. Please to Send us Up the late Act in order we may know how to proceed to Examples. Broadaxes are wanted, Narrow axes I have been obligd to order some to be made. I expected the pleasure of receiving Yr Commands before this time, Jenkins left this place, yesterday See'en night. I found the Stores at Watkins Ferry ill accommodated, and Ordered over the Flour in Maryland Side-Lt. McManus is gone to Carolina. Nothing remarkable on this Quarter; but Desertion, which shall be Quash'd as much as lies in our power-and all diligence used in apprehending them. I am with respect, Sir, Your most Obt huble Servt. Adam Stephen