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Subject Area: History
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. I (1748-1757) [1889]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1889-1893). Vol. I (1748-1757).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

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TO GOVERNOR DINWIDDIE.

Fort Loudoun, 16 June, 1757.

Honble. Sir,

This instant the enclosed letters came to my hands. I have not lost a moment’s time in transmitting them to you, as I look upon the intelligence to be of the utmost importance. 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. I send you a copy of a council of war held upon this occasion. The advice I intend to pursue, and until I shall receive orders how to conduct myself. It is morally certain, that the next object, which the French have in view, is Fort Loudoun, and that is yet in a very untenable posture. They have no roads for carriages into any other province, but thro’ this; and there lies a quantity of stores here, belonging to his Majesty and to this colony, very much exposed and unguarded.

I shall not take up your time, with a tedious detail. You will be a sufficient judge of the present situation of affairs, from those circumstances already related. I have written to the commanding officers of Fairfax, Prince William, and Culpeper counties, (a copy of which letters I enclose your Honor) requesting them to march part of their militia to this place immediately, that no time may be lost. I shall you may be assured, Sir, make the best defence I can, if attacked. I am, &c.

P. S. I have wrote to Colonel Stanwix an account of this affair, and enclosed him copies of the letters and council of war.1

[1 ]Six Cherokee Indians came to Fort Cumberland, and told Captain Dagworthy, that they saw the French near Fort Duquesne coming in that direction with wagons and great guns. “Three Indians,” wrote Washington to County Lieutenants, “are come in wounded, and saw the French army this side of Monongahela, near the place of Gen’l Braddock’s defeat, so that the truth of this report is I believe, unquestionable.” An attack was apprehended, the country alarmed, the militia called out, and Colonel Stanwix’s regulars were put in motion; but it proved to be a false report.

The Council of War was held at two o’clock in the morning. Its determination was: “That, as reinforcing this garrison is absolutely necessary, that the detached, enfeebled situation of the garrisons on the south Branch must make them fall an easy prey to the enemy, and that as drawing them all to one place on the Branch would be giving up all the settlements except that place, which (supposing it could be maintained) would by no means be of such consequence as reinforcing this important place, that, therefore, they ought to be ordered hither immediately.” “Colonel Washington told me,” Armstrong wrote to Gov. Denny, “if he [the enemy] came without erecting something by the way, that it was not in his power to be early enough to assist the garrison, nor would all his men be more than a breakfast to the French and their Indians.”—Penn. Archives, iii., 189.