(This account by General Adam Stephen of the
Ohio Campaign of 1754 has lately come to light among the papers of Dr. Benjamin
Rush, (and) now is in the possession of the Library Company of Philadelphia, to
the directors of which institution my thanks are due for permission to publish
it. The manuscript is endorsed, in the handwriting of Dr. Rush, "Col Stevens's
life written by himself for B. Rush in 1775." Peculiarities of spelling, etc. of
the original are here retained. A sketch of General Stephen may be found in the
Journal of Colonel Washington," edited by J.M. Toner, Albany, 1833, p.
27-Bunford Samuel.)
After wandering for a certain period; Natural to the Young --
Curious--Stephen came to America and Settled in Virginia, made himself known by
making an incision into the Liver of Mrs. Mercer of Stafford County, cleansing
and healing the Ulcers there, Contrary to the Opinion of all the faculty
employ'd to cure the Lady - by performing the Operation for the Aneurism, on
Abraham Hill - restoring him the Use of his Arm -- hand.
Col. Fairfax was a particular friend in those days to Mr. Washington the
present Commander of the American forces; the Colonel conceiv'd a favorable
Opinion of Stephen from the distinct Acct. he gave of the Port l'Orient
Expedition; and in a manner forc'd him to Enter the Service in the year '54.
One Col. Fry was Appointed to Command the Expedition, Washngton was Appointed
Lt. Col., a Certain Mr. Muse was made Major; and Stephen was appointed first
Captain. The various fortune so frequent on this Globe in the Course of the
campaign, Consituted Mr. Washington Commander in Chief, -- Stephen Second in
Command. In which Situation they Continued to the end of the Campaign of '58,
when Col. Washington Resign'd.