1756 Letters

Winchester, VA - 5 January 1756

There is nothing more necessary than good intelligence to frustrate a designing enemy, and nothing that requires greater pains to obtain.

Alexandria, VA - 14 January 1756

I have given all necessary orders for- training the men to a proper use of their arms, and the method of Indian fighting, and hope in a little time to make them expert.

Alexandria, VA - 14 January 1756

When I was down, the Committee among other things resolved, that the Maryland and Carolina companies should not be supported with our provisions.

Bethlehem, PA - 15 January 1756

Benjamin Franklin letter to Deborah Franklin... We move this Day for Gnadenhutten.

Alexandria, VA - 1 February 1756

You may tell Mr. Livingston from me, that, if the soldiers are not skilled in arms equal to what may reasonably be expected, he most assuredly shall answer for it at my return.

Alexandria, VA - 2 February 1756

I can but return my very hearty thanks for your kind condescension in suffering me to wait upon General Shirley, as I am very well assured it was done with the intention to favor my suit.

Frederictown, PA - 21 March 1756

Benjamin Franklin letter to Deborah Franklin... Peter was taken ill with a Fever and Pain in his Side before I got to Newcastle; I had him blooded there...

Williamsburg, PA - 30 March 1756

Benjamin Franklin letter to Deborah Franklin... I wrote to you via New York the Day after my Arrival, acquainting you that I had a fine Journey and Passage down the Bay...

Winchester, VA - 7 April 1756

The enemy have returned in greater numbers, committed several murders not far from Winchester, and even are so daring as to attack our forts in open day

Winchester, VA - 18 April 1756

I wrote your Honor in my last how unsuccessfully we attempted to raise the militia, and that I was reduced to the necessity of waiting here for the arrival of an escort from Fort Cumberland.

Winchester, VA - 19 April 1756

I immediately consulted Governor Innes, and such officers of my regiment as were at this place, on the necessary steps to be taken. They unanimously advised, that I should remain here with the fifty recruits that are in town

Winchester, VA - 22 April 1756

This encloses several letters, and the minutes of a council of war, which was held upon the receipt of them. Your Honor may see to what unhappy straits the distressed inhabitants and myself are reduced.

Winchester, VA - 24 April 1756

Three families were murdered the night before last, at the distance of less than twelve miles from this place ; and every day we have accounts of such cruelties and barbarities, as are shocking to human nature.

Winchester, VA - 24 April 1756

You may expect, by the time this comes to hand, that, without a considerable reinforcement, Frederic county will not be mistress of fifteen families. They are now retreating to the securest parts in droves of fifties.

Winchester, VA - 27 April 1756

The inhabitants, who are now in forts, are greatly distressed for the want of ammunition and provision, and are incessantly importuning me for both; neither of which have I at this place to spare.

Winchester, VA - 3 May 1756

I have sent down an Indian scalp, which was taken at the place where Captain Mercer had his engagement. He was found thrust under some rocks, with stones piled up against them.

Winchester, VA - 25 June 1756

Your Honor never gave me a decisive answer to a question I asked, about assigning companies to the fieldofficers. For this reason I have presumed to repeat it again

Winchester, VA - 4 August 1756

Giving the necessary orders and directions, about the chain of forts to be built on the frontiers, has kept me so closely employed, that I could not write fully to you until this time.

Winchester, VA - 5 August 1756

Fort Cumberland at present contains all our provisions and valuable stores, and is not capable of an hour's defence, if the enemy were only to bring a single halfpounder against it; which they might do with great ease on horseback.

Winchester, VA - 14 August 1756

Repeated complaints and applications from all quarters for men, but more especially from the garrisons, which secure the communication with Fort Cumberland, obliged me to order a company from Captain Waggeners detachment

Winchester, VA - 29 August 1756

It is with infinite concern, that I see the distresses o the people, and hear their complaints, without being able to afford them relief. I have so often troubled you for aid from the militia, that I am almost ashamed to repeat my demands

Mount Vernon, VA - 23 September 1756

Under your kind indulgence I came to this place a few days ago, expecting to meet the executors of my deceased brother, in order to make a final settlement of his affairs.

Halifax, VA - 10 October 1756

Finding that it was impossible to get a party to range and scour the frontiers, it remained only to proceed without men to see the situation of the forts, or to return back.

Winchester, VA - 9 November 1756

With this small company of irregulars, with whom order, regularity, circumspection, and vigilance were matters of derision and contempt, we set out, and, by the protection of Providence, reached Augusta Court-House in seven days

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

Winchester, VA - 19 December 1756

We are ordered to reinforce Fort Cumberland with one hundred men, and, to enable me to carry that number thither, all the stockade forts on the Branch are to be evacuated, and in course all the settlements abandoned