AS to Henry Bouquet
AS to Col. John Stanwix
AS to Genl Stanwix
AS to Bouquet
AS to Bouquet
May 3d, 1759
Bedford
Sir,
I have this instant receivd your orders of the 29th Ult. & will execute them as far as I can, but find it impossible to do any thing toward the heavy repairs necessary on the Roads in case let 50 men at this place, as the Rainy weather, high waters, and bad roads has thrown down many of my Detachment, for which reason I carry all able to march along with me, & leave the reinforcement of Bedford to your further Consideration. I understand Sr. John St. Clair acts again on this Quarter; and beg the favour of your informing me if any further respect is to be paid to him than formerly-I wrote you yesterday, and am with great esteem. Sir, Your most ob. Huble Ser. Adam Stephen
May 25th, 1759
Bedford
Sir Cap Bullit with a party of Virginians Consisting of Three Subalterns, four Serg. Two Drs. & a hundred rank and file, escorting fifteen Waggons with Bacon & Pork for Ligonier, was Attackd a few days ago within three Miles of That place. The Contest continued very hot for Sometime, and both Sides were Alternatly in possession of the Waggons for Several times, but at last the Enemy prevaild, & entirely routed our party; at the Date of my Letter forty were killed, or wounded, or missing. Amongst the wounded is Ensign Chew, dangerously ill.
All the waggon horses are killd or taken, & five of the Waggons burnt.
Cap. Woodward who had some days before carried up a Convoy for Pitsburg; & Cap. McKenzie, marchd two hundred men out from Ligonier, & savd the Rest of the Waggons with the greatest Part of their Loads.
The Enemy knows the State of the Garrisons & will no doubt, exert their utmost endeavours to Cut off the Communication at this time. No Convoy escorted by a Number much Smaller than the French have at Vanago, can be Safely depended on.
Three Escorts have returned latly, & I expect Cap Woodward tomorrow, when He Arrives, I shall set out for Ligonier with a Considerable Supply of flour & fresh Beef. Capt. Bullit with the remains of this party, Stays at Ligonier, & I understand Capt. McKenzie is on his way to this place; I shall be Oblig’d to Leave this post & Juniata in his Care, untill you are pleasd to order a Rilief, in order I may Strengthen the Escort of so Considerable a Supply, with the Pennsylvanians in them Posts.
The Indians have lately taken two Virginia Soldiers prisoners, at Pitsburg, & have killd a pennsylv. Soldier at that place, & one Very latly at Stoney Creek.
The impunity with which they Committ all these outrages tends prodigiously to increase their Insolences, In order to check which, Secure the Communication, & prevent their Insults; it is absolutly necessary to march up a Body of Troops to this place, I can expect no Convoys to follow me untill that is done and if I have the misfortune to be drubd -
The Garrisons advanced will be in extreamly bad Circumstances. I have the Honour to be Sir, Your most Ob Hub Servt. Adam Stephen
July 18, 1759
Bedford
Sir,
I have now dispatched six expresses with matters of importance and am uneasy about receiving no answer, or any Acc’t from below.
I suspect They have fallen into the hands of the Enemy.
The Convoy I hope has arrivd Save at Pitsburg, but the Quantity was not at all equall to the trouble of escorting it.
This place was in a very bad posture of defense, the Small trial wee had gave us opportunity of discovering our week side, and no pains has been spard to put it in a better situation. A few days labour will enable us to dispise any Number, without artillery. In the mean time we are much upon the Watch.
Amidst our great hurry, & when the assistance of every particular Officer & Soldier was much wanted, I have been obnlig’d, contrary to my inclination, & after the failure of all soft measures to put L’Biddle of the Pennsyl under arrest. He wantonly Confind the Contractors Agent here, without complainging to me, or informing me of his grievances; and after Cap Cochran & two or three more Officers, to whom I referd the Affair, had informed him of his mistake; he with a great deal of Stubborness confind him the second time & threatened him with Irons. This completely interrupted the service. Mr. Givin refused to Act, untill I unwarrantable Usage and I labourd two or three days to accommodate matters in an Amicable manner, & when that faild, I found I could do better without Mr. Biddle than as useful a publick Officer s the Commissary.
I have nothing new since the 13th which I hope has come to hand by some of the many Expresses sent down. I have the honor to be Sr, Your most ob humble Ser, Adam Stephen
July 25th, 1759
Ligonier
Sir,
Inclosd is a Return of the troops at this post, now Capt. Jocelyn’ s Detachment is returned – besides Cap Gordons Artificers Three hundred men exclusive of Artificers & Indians march for Pitsburg to morrow I have about 120 Waggon horses, some of them much hurt & about 240 Carrying horses at this place. The Effective I cannot Distinguish, at present but shall Send down the Weak, as soon as they have refresd a Little.
Our provisions are all exhausted to Cap Mather Convoy, & I will send all forward that I can possible spare I have the honor to be Sr, Your most Ob hub Ser, Adam Stephen
July 29, 1759
Ligonier
Sir,
Bouquet to AS
October 24, 1759
Williamsburg
Sir,
As I am always glad to hear of any thing which concerns our Troops, I take this Opportunity to acknowledge th Receipt of your Letter. Our Affairs are in a prosperous Situation and our Enemy, I suppose, master’d all over the Continent, which must necessarily bring in all the Indians.
I hope our Conduct towards these will be such as to convince them of the Advantage they will reap by changing Sides. As it is agreeable to yu I congratulate you on being relieved from the post which you protected with so much honour to yourself and Advantage to the Colony, and am Sir Your very Humble Servant
Fran:Fauquier