Fort Loudoun Letters for the years 1756 thru 1758

Fort Loudoun, PA - 2 December 1756

if you were truly informed of the situation of this place, of its importance and danger, you would not think it prudent to leave such a quantity of valuable stores exposed to the insults of a few

Fort Loudoun, PA - 17 December 1756

You are strictly required, immediately upon receipt of this, to transmit your provisions and stores to Captain Waggener's Fort, and there leave them.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 19 December 1756

I am a little at a loss to understand the meaning of your orders, and the opinion of the Council, when I am directed to evacuate all the stockade forts, and at the same time to march only one hundred men to Fort Cumberland

Fort Loudoun, PA - 0 February 1757

The posture of affairs in this quarter is really melancholy, and the prospect was rendered more gloomy while there appeared no hopes of amendment; but, from the presence of your Lordship at this time in the Dominion, we conceive hopes of seeing these

Fort Loudoun, PA - 15 April 1757

I have been posted, then, for twenty months past upon our cold and barren frontiers, to perform, I think I may say, impossibilities ; that is, to protect from the cruel incursions of a crafty, savage enemy a line of inhabitants, of more than three hu

Fort Loudoun, PA - 30 May 1757

We receive fresh proofs every day of the bad direction of our Indian affairs. It is not easy to tell what expenses have arisen on account of these Indians, how dissatisfied they are, and how gloomy the prospect of pleasing them appears

Fort Loudoun, PA - 10 June 1757

A person of a readier pen, and having more time, than myself, might amuse you with the vicissitudes, which have happened in the Indian affairs since Mr. Atkin came up.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 15 June 1757

A scouting party, consisting of five soldiers and fifteen Cherokee Indians, who were sent out the 20th ultimo towards the Ohio, under Lieutenant Baker, returned the 8th instant to Fort Cumberland with five scalps, and a French officer

Fort Loudoun, PA - 16 June 1757

If the enemy are coming down in such numbers, and with such a train of artillery, as we are bid to expect, Fort Cumberland must inevitably fall into their hands, as no timely efforts can be made to relieve the garrison.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 20 June 1757

It is altogether evident, if the Indian accounts may be relied on, that the French are bringing howitzers with them for the easier reduction of the place, if they should attack us.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 28 June 1757

but since you are so kind as to leave it discretionary with me, I freely confess, that I cannot entertain any thoughts of parting with the fewsoldiers I have, to strengthen a place that now seems to be in no actual danger.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 30 July 1757

My former letters would inform you how little share I had in confining the Indians to the public jail at this place.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 27 August 1757

The drafts from Lunenburg are arrived, to the num ber of sixteen, which does not replace the soldiers, that have deserted since my last.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 17 September 1757

I apprehend, that thirteen of the twenty -nine drafts from Lunenburg have deserted, as sixteen only have arrived here, and I have no accounts of any more being on their march.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 17 September 1757

It is evident, from a variety of circumstances, and especially from the change in your Honor's conduct towards me, that some person, as well inclined to detract, but better skilled in the art of detraction, than the author of the above stupid scandal

Fort Loudoun, PA - 18 September 1757

it will be needless, I dare say, to observe further at this time, than that the liberty, which he has been pleased to allow himself in sporting with my character, is little else than a comic entertainment

Fort Loudoun, PA - 24 September 1757

The inhabitants of this valuable and very fertile valley are terrified beyond expression. Some have abandoned their plantations, and many are packing up their most valuable effects to follow them.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 5 October 1757

As I cannot now send a proper monthly return of the regiment, for want of the remarks of the officers at the out-posts

Fort Loudoun, PA - 8 October 1757

I am favored with an opportunity ... to inform you of a very extraordinary affair, which has happened at this place, namely, the desertion of our quartermaster.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 25 October 1757

I applied to the Governor for permission to go down and settle my accounts before he leaves the country, and to represent the melancholy situation of our distressed frontiers, which no written narrative can so well describe, as a verbal account

Fort Loudoun, PA - 5 November 1757

I again trouble your Honor on the subject of Indian affairs here, which have been impeded and embarrassed by such a train of mismanagement, as, if continued, must produce melancholy consequences.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 10 April 1758

Permit me, at the same time that I congratulate you, which I most sincerely do, on your promotion, so justly merited, to express my concern at the prospect of parting with you.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 12 April 1758

Are we to have you once more among us? And shall we revisit together a hapless spot, that proved so fatal to many of our former brave companions?

Fort Loudoun, PA - 17 April 1758

I think it incumbent on me to be informed by your Honor, how the regiment under my command is to be furnished with tents, ammunition, cartridge-paper, and many other requisites, that may be wanted in the course of the campaign.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 23 April 1758

I have no higher ambition, than to act my part well during the campaign ; and if I should thereby merit your approbation, it will be a most pleasing reward for the toils I shall undergo.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 24 April 1758

I could by no means think of executing, willingly, that discretionary power, with which you were pleased to invest me, of ordering out the militia, It is an affair, Sir, of too important and delicate a nature for me to manage.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 27 April 1758

I have received Mr. President's orders to obey any command you shall be pleased to honor me with ; also to tell you, that the two companies from Carolina were at Fredericksburg, and may be expected here daily.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 11 May 1758

I must, therefore, beg that you will, from me, assure the General, that the Catawbas have not this year brought in one prisoner or scalp to this place, nor indeed to any other that I have heard of.

Fort Loudoun, PA - 17 June 1758

Although but little skilled in compliments, permit me nevertheless to offer your Honor my congratulations on your appointment, and your safe arrival at a government