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Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: War and Peace
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO COLONEL BOUQUET. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. II (1758-1775) [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). Vol. II (1758-1775).

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

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TO COLONEL BOUQUET.

Camp atFort Cumberland, 6th August, 1758.

Dear Sir,

The General’s orders,—or the order of any Superior Officer will, when once given, be a law to me. I shall never hesitate in obeying them; but, till this order came out, I thought it incumbent upon me to say what I could to divert you (the Commanding Officer present) from a resolution of opening a new road, of which I had the most unfavorable reports, and believe from the hight of the hills,—the steepness of them, the unevenness of the ground in general,—and what above all principally weighed with me the shortness of the Season, that it was impossible to open a road in time to answer our purpose. I am still in this opinion, partly from my own observations of the country, and partly from the information of as good judges as any that will be employed.1 My duty therefore to his Majesty, and the Colony whose troops I have the honor to command, obliged me to declare my sentiments upon the occasion with that candor and freedom of which you are witness. If I am deceived in my opinion, I shall acknowledge my error as becomes a gentleman led astray from judgment, and not by prejudice, in opposing a measure so conducive to the public Weal as you seem to have conceived this to be. If I unfortunately am right, my conduct will acquit me of having discharged my duty on this important occasion; on the good success of which, our all, in a manner depends.2

I have repaired the road over the mountain at this place as Sir Jno. St. Clair desired. I had also sent the 2nd company of artificers to make bridges on the Rays Town road, according to your orders transmitted by Colo. Stephen to me.—’Twas yesterday before I could get them in, and to-day they march.

Nineteen waggons came here yesterday loaded with Ball (musket Ball), from Fort Frederick; 18 more left their loads at the Old Town, and are gone back.—The first 19 wagons and an escort are gone to bring up their load, and will be here to-day. I can’t send you a return of the contents having received none.

The waggoners are constantly applying for grain. I should be glad if you would direct how I am to act in this case.

Inclosed is a return of provisions wanting to serve us till our next convoy arrives from Winchester. We have not above 5 days flour upon hand. I shall therefore send the waggons to Rays Town to-morrow for this article, &c., after they return from the old Town.

Twelve Tents was the number I returned for, and they are arrived safe.

If you approve of it, I would send 50 men the length of the great ring to way lay the road thereabouts; I think it the most eligible method of getting a prisoner for intelligence. The enemy are watchful when they are near our garrisons, and it is too far and unsafe to bring one from their own.1

[1 ]“The road up the Allegheny Mountains so far as cleared (by information), is steep, stony, and of very difficult access, even alpine difficulties attend the lightest carriages. How the artillery, &c., will be got up this and Laurel Hill, must be left to better judges and time to determine.”—Wm. Ramsay to Washington, 17 August, 1758.

[2 ]“They flatter themselves with getting a better [road] than General Braddock’s. They may do so, and I shall believe it when I am an eye-witness thereof—not before.”—Washington to Walker, 11 August, 1758. “I offer you my sincere congratulations upon the discovery of a good road, which I hear you have made.”—Washington to St. Clair, 13 August, 1758.

The question of the road by which the troops were to reach the Ohio occasioned great uneasiness in Washington, and gave rise to a belief on his part that Lord Loudoun had been unduly influenced by Pennsylvania in his decision. In March, 1757, the General had called for a description of the frontiers, and Pennsylvania promptly replied, showing that through the county of Cumberland was “a great and good wagon road thro’ this Province to Virginia and Carolina, on which are Harris’ Ferry, the towns and forts of Carlisle and Shippensburg, the Magazine at McDowell’s Mill, and Forts Loudoun and Lyttleton; to this fine valley there is an easy access from the Ohio by several good passes in the mountains.” Through one of these passes ran a path through Rays Town, 65 miles from Shippensburgh, and through another, a path leading to Franks Town situated about 30 miles north of Rays Town, and affording a bad passage by reason of swamps and broken hills. “A new road was opened and cleared thro’ Rays Town over the Allegheny Hills, for the use of General Braddock, and is now a good one.”—Penn. Col. Records, vii., 445. In June Sir John St. Clair asserted the necessity of opening one or more roads on the frontiers of Cumberland County, and it was doubtless to his efforts that an attempt to cut a new road was determined upon. This new route instead of passing through Carlisle was to be directed through York Town, Fort Frederick and Fort Cumberland, making the distance from Lancaster to Fort Du Quesne about 245 miles, or no longer than the existing road, but easier to get over, and allowing some use of the Potomac for transport of goods. Not only would the passage of the troops carry advantage to the colony through which it was made, but the rich lands of the Ohio would attract settlers and it was the wish of Virginia to possess the main road to that region. This was one of the reasons for Washington’s insistance and he was certain of a support from the colony. “The Virginians are making great interest that our Rout may be by Fort Cumberland, but I hope they will not succeed.”—James Young to R. Peters, 23 July, 1758. “The Virginians are much chagrined at the opening of the road through this government, and Colonel Washington has been a good deal sanguine and obstinate upon the occasion.”—Armstrong to Peters, 3 October, 1758.

Such was his insistance that General Forbes took offense, and in writing to Bouquet advised him to consult with Washington, “though perhaps not follow his advice, as his behaviour about the roads was no ways like a soldier.” General Forbes had good reason for delay, as the Indian allies of the French were in council with the English colonies, and should they be weened from their hostility a serious blow would be given to French influence and French power in that quarter, a success far greater than mere force of arms could attain. It was Bouquet’s opinion after the fall of Du Quesne that had the Braddock road been taken at first, as Washington wished, the expedition would have been doomed.—Bouquet to Allen, 25 November, 1758. As it was, the treaty of Easton deprived the French of their main strength, and when it was perceived that the season was too advanced to complete the new road, the troops employed upon it were recalled, and an advance ordered by way of Turkey Creek, with ultimate success.—Parkman, Monicalm and Wolfe, ii., 133 et seq.

[1 ]“I was this instant favored with yours per express. I am not surprised to hear the enemy are about, but have really been astonished at the calm that has prevailed so long. I shall this moment send out a party to waylay the road. I anticipated this order by requesting leave to do it in a letter I wrote to you yesterday.”—Washington to Bouquet, 7 August, 1758.

“I could wish most sincerely that our accounts from the northward were clearer, and more favorable than they appear to be. If you have any intelligence from Ticonderoga, I should be extreme thankful for the account. We have expected hourly to hear that Louisburg is in our hands. Pray Heaven, we may not be disappointed at last.”—Washington to Bouquet, 13 August, 1758.