GW to AS Sept. 6, 1756
GW to AS Sept. 28, 1756
GW to AS Oct. 23, 1756
Winchester
To Lieutenant Colonel Adam Stephen of the Virginia Regiment at Fort Cumberland
Sir,
Yours of the 17th and 23rd August I received-Mr. Boyd just returned from Williamsburg, settling his accompts, and getting a supply of cash-He will be with you to pay you off.
I am in hopes our men for the future will be better satisfied, as the Committee have allowed them 8 d. per day and their clothes, without any stoppages or deductions. The Governor expects this encouragement will engage the Rangers to enlist.
I wrote him about Fort Cumberland being put down; but he says, as it is a Kings Fort, he can not venture to abandon it, without further orders from a higher power-He says Lord Loudon will be at Williamsburgh about the 20th of November, and then the affair may be properly represented to him. He has however sent me orders to draw from thence a sufficient quantity of Stores for this and the other Forts, and IO have accordingly sent waggons to be loaded with ammunition, &c. for that purpose.
The Governor informs me too, that he just received an Express from Major Lewis, acquainting him, that he might expect 150 cherokees to be at this place in a fortnight: That the Catawba King was gone to South Carolina, and had engaged to send 50 warriors to our assistance, on his return from thence. This will be a considerable help to us, as we shall be able to carry the war into their own Country, and use them in the same manner they have us for 12 months past-He adds, that the Catawbas' and Cherokess re very firmly attached to our interest, and will still furnish us with more assistance, when the Fort in the country is completed.
'Tis already in great forwardness. I have wrote to Captain Waggener of this; and ordered him to keep up a correspondence with yours & the other Forts-that you may hear from each other every week. I beg you will see to have every man at the fort supplied with a powder horn & shot bag.
The governor has sued Hedgeman for Scandal and has ordered Lieutenant Hall to attend the General Court, the 14th of October, as an Evidence; acquaint Mr. Hall of this, and send him down.
I have got orders from the Governor to enlist Servants; the masters to be paid a reasonable price upon the first purchase; deducting for the time they have served-you will observe this, if any should fall in with you. Complaint has been made that the Officers and Soldiers upon party, take up the Strays they find in the woods-Let these practices be discouraged.
Ensign Roy had my promise to be appointed to me company, as it is the company he before belonged to - -n case my Brother did not accept, and he has declined it - I desire you will send Mr. Roy down immediately to this place. I have received no monthly returns, which I expected regularly, besides weekly ones.
Let all your leisure hours be employed in disciplining the men; for as Lord Loudon is to be here, and will probably see them, I would willingly have them make the best appearance possible.
The waggons must be dispatched as soon as possible, loaded with powder, chiefly-the rest with Grenades, Musket-ball, and with powder of Flints; with some 12 lb. And 4 lb., grape-shot.
The powder is the most material, so let the greater proportion of that be sent. The men returned by the Officers above-mentioned, at this place, are employed on the public works: But they must still continue them on their Rolls and Returns, and shall have them returned to their Companies, as soon as they have done here-if they belong properly to them.
Walters and Burrass behaved extremely ill when they were sent down last: If I could lay my hands on them. I would try the effect of 1000 lashes on the former, and whether a General court-martial would not condemn the latter to a life eternal!
I shall not at this time enumerate the different kinds of charges laid to both-but desire you will enquire minutely of Mr. Burrass what he did with the mare he brought form Fort Cumberland: She was a creature belonging to the Heirs of Theobald, caught by Captain Ashby for me.
I intended to have had her appraised, and allowed the heirs her full value. She was first carried to Fort Cumberland, then brought down by that villain Burrass, and here sold or swapped-I want to know to whom, that I may get her, & do as I first intended. Captain Peachy applied to me for leave to take up Strays, &c and said it was practised by the marylanders and pennsylvanians.
If the people of those provinces are guilty of unlawful practices, I cannot think it should be any excitement to us to follow their example, for under the pretence of getting Strays n the mountains, is carried on a scene of the greatest iniquity that can be imagined.
The Horses on Patterson's Creek, South Branch, and other of our deserted Settlements hitherwards, are taken up, sold and made away with, to the infinite detriment and oppression of the people; who complain of these Grievances in the most sensible manner; and urge they are more oppressed by their own people, than by the Enemy.
Were there a limitation given, the officers might but the Soldiers would not observe any; and all strays whatever got, would be said to come within limited bounds. However, if you think you can put the Garrison of Fort Cumberland under proper restraints in this particular, I would rather that they be benefited by any advantages of this kind than the Enemy-or those who have no pretence, shou'd take them off.
Therefore suffer no Horses to be deemed strays, or taken up as such, which run anywhere below the Flatts, either on the virginia or maryland side: and if any are caught above, if it is not known to whom they belong, let them be appraised by indifferent officers upon their Honor; and the valuation, with the marks and brand be registered in a book for that purpose: Then let the person who takes such horses up, and claims by his right, deliver to the owner, if any should come, the valuation-if such horses should be sold, or in his use & service-or else to deliver up the Horse. But if the horse should die, be killed or stray away from the Fort, in that case the person who takes him up, not to be answerable for the horse or valuation.
No person tho' is under any pretence to take up, with a view of keeping and detaining as his property, Horses where the owner is known. I will by no means consent that any horses below the Flatts shall be taken upon the above terms-let the property of people be affected, when they may have better chances of securing their own. In the above I have given you my sentiments-which you may, in a Court of Officers put under proper articles and heads, and made publick to, and strictly practised in the Garrison under very severe penalties on Officers, and heavy corporal punishments on the Soldiers.
One thing more I think necessary before any Officer or Soldier can pretend to lay just claim under the aforesaid articles: that is, to advertise in the nearest publick places in maryland and virginia, such as Winchester & Frederick Town, Any horses so taken up that the real owners upon procuring attested proof, may receive their Creatures by coming or sending for them.
You will receive herewith a cask of Shoes containing, 14 dozen pairs; which are to be distributed among the needy of the Soldiers; taking care that account is kept to whom they are delivered; so that the price may be stopped from their pay, at the usual rates of 7/6 per pair-and let me be immediately advised of their delivery and payment.
You will order as strong an Escort with the waggons as you can, as far as Pearsalls; and should any of the waggons want provisions, let them be served, ordering your Commissary to remit an account of it to the Commissary here; that it may be deducted from their wages, I am &c. G:W
Winchester
To Lieutenant Colonel Adam Stephen at Fort Cumberland
I arrived here last night, and observe your several letters concerning your present situation; and must acknowledge I have the greatest appreciation of your danger; but as I have frequently expressed them to the Governor, and he has returned me no satisfactory answer-and know the determination of the Assembly & Committee is against improving that Fort:
I cannot give any orders as to your erecting new, or strengthening the old works, I have (enclosing one of your letters on the subject) wrote in most express terms now; and as the Assembly are sitting, it will be laid before them by the Governor; I expect his answer, which I shall immediately acquaint you with.
The waggon you mention was proved here to be the property of a poor man, who was obliged to quit it near Cox's Fort, being pursued by the Indians; and it was delivered to him, but I never concerned with the Horses; I understand they were claimed here by people who have left their Settlements-You have more waggons and many strays.
Upon representation of the affair you are to be allowed two pistoles for the Rangers or Drafts you enlist; of which you may acquaint the Officers. I shall very shortly send up ten or twelve waggons, which you must load with what you think least necessary to you, and most so to the Enemy, should they fall into their hands. The powder & grape we shall want-There was no accompt of the Stores sent down.
This makes me at a loss what to order-so leave it to you. I set out for Augusta to-morrow, to settle affairs on that Quarter, I am &c. G:W
To Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Stephen at Fort Cumberland
Sir,
Last night returned from a very long and troublesome jaunt on the Frontiers, as far as Mayo; where affairs seem to be in a dangerous situation; and to add to our misfortunes, I find our neighborhood here on the wing-you you and your Garrison, in great distress & danger.
The Enemy ravaging the country about Conongochieg, stony run, and South Branch-Loud and general complaints for protection-few or no men to send abroad for any Service. In short, so melancholy a scene, without the power of changing it to our satisfaction and interest, fills me with the greatest anxiety and uneasiness.
I shall recite you all the Governors last letter to me relative to Fort Cumberland as I had written for his positive directions-vizt.
'You have frequently complained to me of the situation, &c. of Fort Cumberland; and I have wrote you how disagreeable it was to me to give up any place of strength, as it wou'd raise the spirits of the enemy, at the same time they wou'd suspect us to be infear of them; and therefore if that place could be stationed with safety, until Lord Loudon gives orders thereon, I should be glad.
But as you are upon the spot, and think it very prejudicial to the Service to keep that Fortress; I desire you may call a council of Officers, and consult whether it is most advisable to keep it or demolish it; if the last, you must take care to have all the ammunition, &c. brought to Winchester; and destroy every thing which you conceive may be of service to the enemy.
This affairs is now left to the determination of a Council of Officers; and I desire you to be very explicit in your arguments on the head, as they must be laid before Lord Loudon.
I was always averse to smal Garrisons on our frontiers, as they in courses divided our men into small parties; but you know the Assembly were so fond of them, that they passed a Law for that purpose-and I can not at present alter that determination-' Thus far his Honor.
As it appears to be an affair of much importance, I can not pretend to offer my advice; but would desire you and the Officers there, to deliberate seriously in council, what you think most proper tobe done; and send me immediate notice, that I may come up with a sufficient number of Waggons (if to be abandoned) to remove the Stores-and likewise to hold a General Court martial on the matter to avoid future reflection.
I have frequently mentioned my dislike to the place, for these reasons-First, Its insufficiency for any tolerable defence -Secondly its distance from the inhabitants-difficulty of communication-and answering no other purpose than burying the Service of 170 men, in guarding the Stores, which might be more conveniently done in the other forts.
Indeed, had we men enough to afford constant scouting parties from that place, and cou'd defend the country hereabouts-Ishou'd pprove its being supported and improved in strength, on account of the advantages we might expect from it-bust as this is not the case, I look upon it as rather prejudicial to the Country.
The additional works you mention, as necessary to strengthen the fort, I can not consent to without positive orders from the governor; as I sho'd become answerable from my own Estate for such purposes, unless commanded by the Governor or Assembly.
The Assembly is prorogu'd to the second Thursday of next month. When we may depend upon some alterations in our present constitution; and if you think, after the removal of part of the Stores, it can be mentioned, til we have their determination-probably may be more adviseable, as His Excellency Lord Loudon is then expected.
But upon the whole-as you must be a better judge of your own situation & danger: I refer the case entirely to your discretion; hoping you will observe the greatest circumspection & prudence in all your measures; so that we may be liable to no blame for any future consequences.
Enclosed is a scheme I intend to offer the Assembly, if they can not be persuaded off their defensive notions, although I am determined to urge my utmost to evince the advantages and necessity of an Offensive campaign; as you & every body else must allow that carrying the war into the Enemys country, is the surest method of peace at home & success abroad, and until an attempt is formed against Du Quesne, so as to remove the fountain of all our disturbance and trouble-we never may expect a peaceable day.
The policy of the French is so subtle that not a friendly Indian will we have on the continent, if we do not soon dislodge them from the Ohio.
I shall exert every power to make this plan go down with the Assembly. And press them to vigorous measures for the safety and interest of the Country, preferably to the Defensive; and remonstrate fully to them every thing I think demands their concern, as to the Frontiers, I also would have you collect whatever comes under your observations for the Assemblys regard. As the fund for support of the Rangers, is long since exhausted, the Governor orders them to be discharged. You will therefore acquaint the officers and men of the Companies that they are discharged; accordingly-&c. &c. I am &c. G:W