A. 19-2. LETTERS TO COL. BOUQUET. 1763. B.M. 21649. VOL. VII, PART 2. Major Wilkins to Bouquet. That he has received his commission and is to remain at this post. Major Gladwin left for Detroit on the 2nd, with Captain Etherington, Jehu Hay and Jamet. Movements of other officers. (This letter should be in volume A 18-2, see letters there, written in July, 1762.) Page 369 W. Plumsted to the same. Sends a letter brought by private hand. The difficulty of saving from the mob the Indians brought in. No further account of scalping. Is going to church to pray for the safe arrival of the convoy. 325 Plumsted and Franks. Proposal for the purchase of flour. Patrols out every night; no additional murders. Parson Thompson had preached a suitable discourse for the occasion of the War, &c., &c. 326 Bouquet to Governor Hamilton. The ferment of the inhabitants, who imagine Government to be insensible to their distresses. Will have strict inquiry into the crimes said to have been committed at Lancaster and shall transfer the criminals to the civil power. The law as to transport will prove useful. It would be hurtful to suffer Fort Lyttleton to be burned by the savages, as it affords shelter to Col. Armstrong's parties. Had not intended to go beyond Bedford, but being disappointed of provincial reinforcements, he shall go forward with the troops to Fort Pitt. 329 John Read, Commissary to Bouquet. Respecting the cause of the delay in sending the returns. Same to the same. Sends returns with explanations. 331 332 Robert Callender to the same. How is he to settle with the people for pastures about Carlisle? Respecting money to be paid by Croghan. 334 Major Livingston to the same. Will observe instructions about provisions. Asks him to write Col. Sephen for militia to assist to garrison this fort. Is sure that the two expresses sent on the 9th are killed or taken, as the pistol lent to one of them was found as Cresap's. 335 Same to the same. Is sure that Capt. Barrett will not get more than 12 men; he has now eight pretty good woodmen. The bearer, William Linn and the two lads, will be of great use in scouting. Field has left for men; on his return he will march with Barrett through the woods to Ligonier. There are 42 horses ready at the South Branch, but word has been sent that there is no escort. Governor Sharp sent some militia to scout round Fort Frederick, but will send none above that post. Has asked Col. Stephen for a company to be stationed at the Ohio store. 336 Lieut. James McDonald to the same. On Cuyler's arrival with 30 men, who had escaped to Niagara, word was sent to Christie, who sent an express to Venango to Lieut. Gordon, and Major Wilkins sent word to the General of that and of traders being killed or taken. Had been shown a letter written by Campbell, stating that he (McDonald) was going to Fort Pitt ill, but he is not going. The Army expected, which will probably meet with a warm reception, as the Indians are assembling from all quarters, probably 1,000 men, to attack. Expects to see some of them brought to punishment. Had forwarded shirts, shoes, &c., to Leslie and Etherington. 338 1763. August 1, James Livingston to Bouquet. Has mustered 14 of the best men; Cumberland. has promised to look after the wives and children left behind. Capt. Field expected; rations for the men. Has purchased flour for the garrison; McCulloch can take 30 horses to Bedford after delivering the flour. His garrison very weak. Has advanced money to Barrett and has given lead for bullets and powder. August 2. August 2, August 3, August 3, Page 341 Callender to the same. Nothing new since he (Bouquet) passed Three Indians report at Fort Augusta that the Delawares and Shawanese are innocent, but that the French and seven other nations are hostile; they don't know who they are, or at least don't choose to tell. Montour seems disposed to join the Indians. It was reported that the troops had been sent from Havana to England and that Amherst had sent for troops to Newfoundland, which are hourly expected at New York. Wishes he (Bouquet) were up; many who never prayed before now pray for his safe arrival. It is reported that Byrd made a vehement speech to the three Indians, and threatened to strike terror into their hearts. 343 Capt. Ecuyer to the same (in French). Has received letter by Hudson, who has been three days among the enemy and will report. Has had ten days' council with the Indians, report of which McKee sends to Croghan. On the afternoon of the 28th there was a warm attack, but no mischief done, none killed, seven wounded, himself slightly; the attack lasted five days and five nights. There were certainly twenty of them killed and wounded, besides those not seen. No one allowed to fire until he could see the mark, and when they showed their noses they were shot like flies, for he has good marksmen. The enemy had crossed the Ohio when the express arrived. The scarcity of Indian corn, &c. The men are doing wonders, and are eager to fight, so that he would have been glad had the enemy made an assault. Why he did not fire the cannon when his people were attacked in the garden; the enemy has stolen all his horses and 40 cows; has only a few scalps to offer. Lighted arrows fired to burn the works, but they did not reach. Only two arrows fell into the fort; one wounded him in the left leg. 345 Order by Bouquet to inspect the biscuit reported to be damaged. The report is annexed. 348 Ecuyer to Bouquet (in French). The express has arrived and set out again. The Indians have crossed the Alleghany and have given no trouble since, but he is informed that 400 are round the fort of Delawares, Shawanese, Wyandots and Mingoes. He (Bouquet) may meet small parties on the road; any great number would be at Turtle Creek or at Chestnut Ridge, according to reports, which are probably exaggerated by fear. Hudson will report on his arrival. He reported that when the Indians read his (Bouquet's) letter, the Beaver King went to his town, and that there was a division, some of the Indians being for and others against carrying on the war, the Wyandots declaring they would never make peace, so long as one was alive, so that they must be cut to pieces. He has a large party of volunteers, all good marksmen, who have gone to take them in the rear. Expects news from Lake Erie and from the Scioto. Hopes the Wyandots and Shawanese will do like the Delawares. Suggests cutting the women and children in pieces, whilst the warriors amuse themselves round an impregnable fort. 350 August 6, Plumsted and Franks. That General Amherst had instructed them to Philadelphia. get all orders about provisions from him (Bouquet), &c., &c. August 7, Bushy Run. 353 Major Allan Campbell to Bouquet, recommending a promotion 356 W. Dunlop to the same. How is he to charge the postage on letters Philadelphia. for the officers of the army? August 11, 357 1763. August 11, Fort Pitt. August 11, August 12, Fort Pitt. August 12. August 12, August 15, August 18, August 18, August 23. August 26, August 28, Capt. George Clerk to Bouquet. Recommending Peebles, a volunteer in the 77th, who was wounded in the attack of the 5th instant. Page 358 Same to the same. Asks leave to go down the country on account of his health. 359 Bouquet to Governor Hamilton. The attack by the Delawares, Shawanese, Wyandots and Mingoes had been completely defeated on the 5th and 6th. Before advancing to attack his troops on the march they had kept up an incessant fire on the fort for five days. Basset, who carries the dispatches, will give particulars of the bloody affair, in which the most warlike of the Indians lost their boasted claim of being invincible in the woods. If the Province would enable him to follow up the blow, he might drive them over the lakes or compel them to sue for peace, but that cannot be with prudence attempted with the few troops he has, and if the Indians have time to recover, all will have to be done over again. 360 Robert Boyd to Bouquet. Applies for leave, till he can make arrangements, to retain the girl who has been living with him. 361 Major Robert Rogers to the same. Asks that a note for £100 granted by Ensign Holmes be paid out of money in the hand of the pay362 master. Lieut. Allan Grant to the same. Prays for leave of absence to go down to the country on account of ill health. 363 Major Allan Campbell to the same. Recommending promotions in the 42nd Regiment. 364 W. Murray to the same. Should any imputation on his honesty be the reason he has been ordered to give up the keys of the stores, he asks for a court of inquiry. 365 Lieut. Blane to the same. Congraluations on the victory. Hopes he will no longer be left in this forlorn way, as fatigue is getting the better of him; asks therefore for a proper garrison, not less than four officers, five sergeants, six corporals, one drummer and 80 or 90 privates, for reasons given. Has written to Ourry for provisions. How he managed to keep the people; his accounts, &c. 366 Same to the same. Calls attention to the wants of the inhabitants and their services, and praying that these poor people may not be ruined by being kept here. Calls attention also to the claims of the pack-horse men. 368 Christian Frederick Post to the same. As he can do nothing at present to preach the gospel among the heathen, asks if it would be a proper opportunity to go down the country, &c., &c. 371 Col. John Armstrong to the same. Congratulations on his success. A party of volunteers (between 100 and 200) are gone up the west branch of the Susquehanna; is doubtful of the result. Only single Indians seen since he (Bouquet) marched. There have been 48 or 49 of the inhabitants killed within the county. Has kept men at Lyttleton and Bedford. Young Culbertson put in irons by Ourry; hopes he has been released. The Governor has written for the Indians, who have been sent off under escort. 373 Bouquet to Gladwin. Is glad to hear by his letters that he was able to defend Detroit against such a multitude, the Indians having reported that it was taken. The loss of the detached posts was what might be expected, but Capt. Campbell's death affects him greatly. The steps taken to rescue the others will, he is afraid, hasten their death. He (Gladwin) is to have command of all the troops sent to Detroit to retake the country. The capture of Venango, and LeBoeuf, and the surprising surrender of Presqu' Isle. The attack on Fort Pitt and Ligonier described. To relieve these he was obliged to take his handful of men, the Province 1763. August 28, August 29, having refused to give the least assistance. Describes his march to Bedford and Ligonier, where he left 60 men, 30 at each, and proceeded with 400, who were attacked near Fort Pitt for two days; casualty returns. Sickness caused by fatigue prevents him from sending the men ordered till a reinforcement arrives, &c., &c. Page 376 Bouquet to Lieut. McDonald. Condensed statement of what is given at greater length in the letter to Gladwin. 383 Governor Hamilton to Bouquet. Congratulations on his success and on Philadelphia. the conduct of the troops. Agrees that the best plan is to carry the war into the enemy's country and believes when a plan is formed the Colonies will assist. David Franks to the same. Congratulations on success. 386 388 August 29, August 30, Governor Hamilton to the same. That the provincial stores are to be Philadelphia. removed from Fort Pitt to Philadelphia. August 30, 389 Plumsted and Franks. Their arrangements about supplies, &c. ConPhiladelphia. gratulations on success, but regrets the Province did nothing to help, &c., &c. 390 September 4, Major Campbell to Bouquet. Arrived yesterday. Small-pox broke Fort Bedford. out on the march and the wounded suffered much. Ensign Herring came up with him at the Shawanese cabins and delivered letters from Amherst, which will be sent to Ligonier by Cap. Grant of the 42nd, who goes with a strong escort, to protect 200 pack-horses loaded with flour besides bullocks and sheep. Could not leave men at Ligonier from want of provisions, but this strengthens Grant's escort, as he takes plenty of provisions back. Notes of what was done with waggons, &c. Five regiments arrived at New York from Havana; three sent to Canada, one to Albany and one to Halifax. Waggons sent to Fort Loudoun with a strong escort, but the sick and wounded cannot be sent. Desertion. 394 Capt. Harry Gordon to the same. The delay in waiting for a ship Philadelphia. has enabled him to send congratulations on the success over the In September 4, September 5, September 8, dians. 452 Lieut. Blane to the same. The defeat of the Indians has reduced them to a dismal condition and given quiet even at a distance. The scarcity of flour at the post for reasons stated. Sends returns of stores. Ex. plains the reason why more women remained than had been allowed. The bad effect of frequent changes in the officers commanding the post. Respecting coopers; arrangements for firewood; cutting hay, &c. How he keeps accounts of necessaries supplied. Other accounts sent. Desires to be fort major at Fort Pit. 397 Same to the same. Arrival of a large convoy of provisions. Accounts sent of the losses of the inhabitants, with remarks. 402 403 Capt James Robertson to the same. Has remained according to orders. Arrival of convoy. How he has sent dispatches, &c. Lieut. Blane to the same. Calls attention to the loss that will be caused at the post if the rule against sutlers be enforced. 407 Bouquet to Governor Hamilton. The temporary consequence of the success has been to stun the Indians, but if allowed to recover they will again vent their rage on defenceless families. The argument for an offensive war must convince every one not absolutely determined to act against evidence, and could reason prevail he would not renounce all hopes of assistance from the Province (Pennsylvania), as no other has so much at stake. The enemy know that whilst opposed in Maryland and Virginia by a numerous militia, they can commit depredations almost with impunity in Pennsylvania. Five hundred picked troops, added to the King's, would put the finishing stroke to this savage war, would bring honour to his (Hamilton's) Government, safety to his people and force 1763. the Indians to respect them ever after. Reasons for raising troops, the massacre of 600 persons already, &c. From the impossidility of the few King's troops carrying on an offensive war they will probably be taken to Detroit, and Pennsylvania left to defend her own frontiers. Page 408 412 September 14, Plumsted and Franks to Bouquet. Respecting the supply of provisions; Philadelphia. the character of the agent employed, &c., &c. September 15, Callender to the same. Congratulates him on his safe arrival, &c. Has Shippensburg contracted for provisions and is looking out for transport, partly secured, with which will be sent cattle and sheep. The delay on the part of contractors, &c. September 15, September 17, September 20, September 23, September 24, September 25, September 25, September 27, 420 Col. Stephen to the same. Congratulations. Had he received his (Bouquet's) letter sooner, would have joined him in the fight. Asks for the latest news from the Indian towns, and if they persevere in their hostilities. Is stirring up the young warriors to visit him; hopes he will treat them with provisions and ammunition, so that he may be able to use them on convoy, as by the law of the Colony no militia can be ordered out of it; that must be done by persuasion. If the post should be erected at Red Stone, it is possible the Virginians would garrison it. 422 Lieut. Blane to the same. Returns were sent. No garden seeds here. Blankets, salt, nails, &c., wanted. There is neither surgeon nor medicine here for the sick soldiers; it would be a charity to order them up. The militia have neither shirts, shoes nor anything else. 424 George Turnbull to the same. That he has been appointed to the 1st battalion (Royal Americans) and is now on his way to join, but awaits instructions from Colonel Amherst. 426 W. Murray to the same. Represents the grievance of his being deprived of his office of clerk of the stores. 427 Extract of General Orders relating to the posts at which the troops are exempted from stoppages. 430 Major Allan Campbell to Bouquet. How dispatches have been forwarded. No reinforcements yet arrived. The convoy will be ready to leave this by the beginning of October. Respecting Col. Reid's retirement. General Amherst has a plan to strike at the Indians by Virginian volunteers. Movements of officers. 431 John Read to the same. Asks him to settle a dispute about rations. 434 Capt. James Robertson to the same. Has sent the dispatches through the woods. One of the guards on the cattle and sheep killed within 80 yards of the post. 435 Lieut. Blane to the same. Sends returns. Hopes that affairs at Detroit are changed for the better. Asks what garrison is to be kept here and what is to be done for barracks. There are no masons or carpenters, and the officers' barracks are not habitable without repairs. Where shall he get blankets? Two horses are sufficient to supply firewood. Small parties of the enemy discovered, but no mischief done except the killing of Hugh Henry. Want of hay will render it next to impossible to keep cattle during the winter. 438 Lieut. Donnellan to the same. Asks to be removed to Carlisle for remedies for his health, which is in a bad state, and also for leave to sell out. 441 Capt. James Robertson to the same. Has resigned his command of the post to Capt. Forbes. About beef to be salted. All his command have joined Stewart's detachment. Asks for a convenient route for the troops he is to take down. Trial of one of the 60th for robbery, and his subsequent desertion. 436 |