Fort Cumberland Letters for the years 1755 thru 1758

Fort Cumberland, MD - 14 May 1755

As wearing boots is quite the mode, and mine are in a declining state, I must beg the favor of you to procure me a pair that are good and neat

Fort Cumberland, MD - 18 July 1755

As I doubt not but you have heard of our defeat, and, perhaps, had it represented in a worse light, if possible, than it deserves, I have taken this earliest opportunity to give you some account of the engagement as it happened

Fort Cumberland, MD - 18 July 1755

We have been most scandalously beaten by a trifling body of men, but fatigue and want of time prevent me from giving you any of the details, until I have the happiness of seeing you at Mount Vernon

Fort Cumberland, MD - 16 April 1757

Your letter by express, of the 5th instant, I fear has fallen into the hands of the common enemy, for I never have seen it.

Fort Cumberland, MD - 3 July 1758

According to orders I marched from Winchester on the 24th ultimo, and arrived at this place yesterday, with five companies of the first Virginia regiment, and a company of artificers from the second

Fort Cumberland, MD - 9 July 1758

Colonel Byrd, with eight companies of his regiment, arrived here yesterday. He left many sick men behind, and, as he posted a company at Edwards's and Pearsall's, our strength is considerably reduced.

Fort Cumberland, MD - 16 July 1758

I was favored with your letter of the 14th instant, at eleven o'clock last night. The express, who brought it, informs me, that he was twice fired upon by Indians, and was obliged to abandon his horse to save himself.

Fort Cumberland, MD - 19 July 1758

I am exceedingly obliged by the handsome and polite manner, in which you are pleased to give me leave to attend the election at Winchester.

Fort Cumberland, MD - 21 July 1758

I had, before Colonel Stephen came to this place, abandoned all thoughts of attending personally the election at Winchester, choosing rather to leave the management of that affair to my friends

Fort Cumberland, MD - 25 July 1758

would it not facilitate the operation of the campaign, if the Virginia troops were ordered to proceed as far as the Great Crossing, and construct forts at the most advantageous situations as they advance

Fort Cumberland, MD - 2 August 1758

I am just returned from a conference with Colonel Bouquet. I find him fixed, I think I may say unalterably fixed, to lead you a new way to the Ohio, through a road, every inch of which is to be cut at this advanced season

Fort Cumberland, MD - 2 August 1758

The matters, of which we spoke relative to the roads, have, since our parting, been the subject of my closest reflection ; and, so far am I from altering my opinion, that, the more time and attention I bestow, the more I am confirmed in it

Fort Cumberland, MD - 18 August 1758

I am favored with yours of yesterday, intimating a probability of my proceeding with a body of troops, on General Braddock's road, and desiring me to retain for that purpose a month's provisions at this place

Fort Cumberland, MD - 21 August 1758

Twenty-five Catawbas came here this evening, and the convoy may be expected the day after to-morrow, as it was at PearsalPs last night.

Fort Cumberland, MD - 1 September 1758

That appearance of glory, which we had once in view, that hope, that laudable ambition of serving our country, and meriting its applause, are now no more ; all is dwindled into ease, sloth, and fatal inactivity.