1758. No date. November 11, No date. November 12, November 20, November 30, December 2. December 14, Directions to the magistrates, &c., of South Carolina, about the quarters, carriages and ferryage of His Majesty's troops. Page 312 Council of War. The reasons for and against an advance on the enemy at this season. 341 Proposition for a winter expedition. Endorsed: Papers concerning the expedition of 1759. 343 Capt. Gavin Cochrane to Bouquet. Capt. Schlosser's company is at Fort Miller, six miles above Saratoga; the other five companies at Albany. Abercromby is recalled; Amherst succeeds. Stanwix expec ted. Clothing for the six companies. 305 Major John Tulleken to the same. Since the second attempt on Ticonderoga has been abandoned, he has decided so go South; will stay here till the questions as to command &c. are settled. Stanwix will probably go home, as Amherst his junior is appointed to command. Gage to be Brigadier; Prevost will probably resign. Officers' movements. Clothing and tents wanted; also recruiting parties. Distribution of troops. 314 Captain Francis Lander to the same. Asking leave to sell out, the campaign being now over. Stephen to the same. Respecting the command at Pittsburg. 317 318 319 Adam Hoops to the same. Respecting provisions at the different posts, Fort Bedford. Cumberland, Lancaster, the upper forts, &c. Is leaving for Carlisle. 320 Captain John Paine to the same. Asking for remittance of procla mation money to enable him to join his regiment. December 15, 321 Tulleken to the same. Rejoicings for his success at Fort Du Quesne, but the uneasiness caused by the long march before him. The letter is full of the details of the movements of officers, the expectants for place, the marriage of Gage to the Duchess of Brunswick, &. 332 December 16, December 19, 326 Morcer to the same. Barracks and bastions well advanced Scarcity of flour. Indians troublesome; their extravagant demands. The people on the South Potomac will bring loaded horses all winter, if encouraged. Indian goods should be sent up to exchange for furs. 331 December 20, Major Alexander Campbell to the same. The deplorable state of the Fort Bedford. troops from sickness caused by want of shelter and clothing. December 20. December 23, December 27, 333 Inventory of officers' and soldiers' effects missing since the last engagement of Fort Du Quesne. 133 Mercer to Bouquet. French fortifying Venango; they are preparing for a descent on Pittsburg and Loyal Hannan; they expect reinforcements from Priscile (Presqu'Isle) to make an immediate attack. He (Mercer) is busy raising defences. Precautions urged as to convoys of provisions, &c. The voracity of the Indians. 324 Armstrong to the same. Royal Americans, Highlanders and other Fort Bedford. troops moving downwards to garrison posts. The prevalence of horse stealing and other villainy, but the neck of infamy is almost broken. Has observed orders as to passports; wishes to go to Carlisle. Remarks on the route chosen for the troops. No date. 337 Detail for the march from Fort Ligonier, showing the proportion of artillery, &c., for 3,000 men, &c. 340 1759. January 3, Pittsburgh. January 4 A. 14-1 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE 1759. B. M. 21,644 Hugh Mercer to Bouquet. Has received news of reinforcements and shall attend to instructions. Nothing to be looked for from the Indians except intelligence of the enemy's movements and that at a high price.. The argument to secure their services is to be sufficiently prepared. On the return of an Indian sent for intelligence, will report the number wanted for the defence of the post; in the mean time 500 men seem sufficient against a winter attempt. If the French are directed by their knowledge of the present force, they will not send a greater, but he thinks they may send a strong force when the Ohio is clear of ice. Measures he has taken to prevent surprise. The bateaux go on slowly for want of sawyers; pitch also wanted. Canoes may be bought for black wampum. The fort may countain 350 men by building barracks, &c. Want of artificers. How the men sent up should be selected. Arrival of flour. Hogs brought up by McCulloch from the Potomac; as he is the first to venture he should be rewarded, and is recommended as a good man for a contract. Page 15 Captain Harry Gordon to the same, Sends the plan of the fort at Pittsburgh, with a letter to Colonel Mercer, for his approbation; asks him to sign it if approved. Did not expect the enemy to move so soon; in any case the ditch could not be made with the garrison left there, and he supposed the post was only intended for a flying party. With the reinforcement sent up, will consider the best means of securing it as shown in the plan sent. Mischief might be done to Ligonier were any accident to happen to the fort at Pittsburgh. Recommends that Captain Robinson be sent to Pittsburgh as a practical engineer. Is sorry his (Bouquet's) stay on the frontiers is so long, as it may endanger his health. His own health injured, and at present his lungs are very much out of order. Asks for the survey of Pittsburgh by Captain Dudgeon. January 6, Colonel John Armstrong to the same. The demand of a detachment Fort Bedford. of 80 Highlanders under Captain Alexander McKinsey (Mackenzie) for blanketting for under jackets and tailors to make them; how the demand was met and on what authority. About 170 more Highlanders and 50 Royal Americans coming will also want jackets; asks instructions for his guidance. Is looking for him (Bouquet) every hour. If he (Armstrong) could be of use in another campaign, is persuaded that this is not the place to be in at present. 4 January 6 January 6, 1 Journal by Colonel Armstrong of what is taking place at Fort Bedford, between these dates. 7 Captain Mackenzie to Bouquet. Order sent by Major Halket to Fort Bedford. Major Campbell to send 200 able-bodied men, but as the order reached him at Fort Loudoun, only he, (Mackenzie,) could be sent with 85 men, of whom he was obliged to leave six at Lyttleton and Juniata for want of shoes, clothing, &c, a want universal among the men. His application for blankets, for jackets (pp. 4 and 7). Has only taken enough for his own party, not knowing but that the General would supply the rest at Carlisle, so as to make up the 200 men. If not he shall be obliged to make further demands on the King's stores here to accoutre them. Had been ordered, if no instructions had been left at Fort Bedford, to proceed to Ligonier; does not expect the rest of the men before Wednesday or Thursday, and if they are unprovided with clothing, they cannot leave this place till the following week. Shall send them forward as accoutred. 1759. January 12, January 17, January 19, January 22. The Commandant Armstrong is timorous and confused, so that he (Bouquet) had better write explicitly what is to be done about the men. The necessity of having the men clothed, which the provincial gentlemen unacquainted with service don't attend to. Page 12 Thomas Boyd to Bouquet. Arrival of hogs, of which 150 are sent to Pittsburgh under a strong escort. Cannot send the howitzers for want of horses. The garrison still sickly. Sends returns of provisions, &c. 19 Captain James Sinclair to the same. Is astonished that he (Bouquet) should have accused him to the General of detaining letters and thus caused the march of the troops from Fort Bedford. Gives the dates of receipt and delivery and calls on him to clear him with the General. 20 In the answer, dated 21st, Bouquet tells Sinclair that when he knows how to write and to whom he writes, he may be answered. Refers him to the General, with whom it may be expected he will observe the decency of his station. 21 Hugh Mercer to the same. A young Delaware who got into Fort Venango, reports that the garrison consisted of 100 men with seven officers all formerly stationed at Du Quesne; 200 men had marched towards the Lakes for Canada. Three Mingoes and one Delaware were hunting for meat for the garrison, whose stock of flour was also small. Description of the fort, which stands about 200 yards from the Ohio, a little below the junction of French Creek. It is intended to watch the communication to Ligonier so he has warned Colonel Lloyd, that he may not send out parties too few in number. Even the pitiful entreprises the French can undertake, if these accounts be true, can be disappointed. Two spies are gone off to watch the enemy's movements above Kaskaskias, one to Priscile (Presqu'Isle), and the Mingoes have agreed to report on the state of Niagara. Another sent up the Ohio to Castologas town, to get the different opinions, &c., of the Indians. Sends return and plan of Pittsburgh, with remarks. The ice has prevented the Indians from bringing either canoes or Indian corn. His difficulty is to save the flour without affronting the Indians, or to make them suspicious of greater parsimony here than among the French. A blacksmith is wanted entirely for the Indians, as their little jobs perpetually impede the public work. Asks advice as to housing some additional men. 30 Richard Peters to the same. Introductory phrases. He attends the Philadelphia. Governor to New castle, when the Assembly meets. His (Bouquet's hints about provincial officers will be useful. Poor Haldimand is in that vile Fort Edward and writes for a news as for an alms. Halket has purchased his majority, and sails by the "Kennington" man of war, with General Abercromby. Did he (Bouquet) or did he not intend an attack against the French fort when he began his march towards Fort Du Quesne from Loyal Hannan?" General Amherst comes here next week, on the 5th, before the Province Politicians meet and will make an Hog or a Dog on it. They say they will do every thing; I wish they may, but I think otherwise. Our proprietor is asleep at the helm, and the present master of the ship is at Athens among some curious antiquities." January 23, January 24, 35 Captain Pearis to the same. Desertion of a sergeant with 14 men. Had read his (Bouquet's) letter to those remaining who promised to serve faithfully till the 15th March. Has sent after the deserters hoping to get them back. Return of six companies of Brigadier General Stanwix's battalion of R A.R. 37 90 Madame Duplessis to Bouquet (in French). Had received his last letter when they were entering their new and large house, and felt keenly the bad manners of her son. She then wrote on that subject at some 1759. January 26, January 28, January 28, January 29. January 31 length and would not repeat. Has not beard from Du Plessis since the eve of his departure for Louisbourg, Has sought in the list of dead and wounded but cannot find his name, so thinks he is still living, but does not know where. These uncertainties afflict her; a good mother may feel this at the prevision of the dangers which her son has to run. There is every race, age and condition among the 50 girls here, from the daughter of the Duke to that of the courtisan but she takes her own part. Has made a pet of General Abercomby's daughter, only four years old; her father calls every day. Gets news from all parts of the world; that from America would be most agreeable, if it brought word of his good health. Every one is going into mourning for the Princess of Orange. Has had a visit from the wife of the minister from Geneva. Page 39 R. Townshend, D.A.G., to Bouquet. Sends the new exercise sent by Amherst to be used in every regiment. 41 Armstrong to the same. Had expected him, but the other road was nearer, so was denied the pleasure. The birth and serious illness of his child. Major Jamieson going to York; had intended to go with him to Philadelphia, but is detained by the child's illness. Has written to Wark to go to Bedford and to Hamilton to take Wark's duty there, should anything happen to prevent him going. Shall not send off the sergeant's guard of Highlanders left here for sentry duty till further orders. Remarks on the unsuitable rations for the sick. Person wanted to take charge of the King's stores. Shall send his (Bouquet's) sword and coat; the other article sent forward. 42 General MacLean to the same. The bad conduct of his (Bouquet's) express. The state of Lieutenant Phillips' health makes it necessary he should be under medical care. Lieut. (James) Sinclair is uneasy about the letter received from him (Bouquet); is sorry that what he wrote had been taken ill (pp. 20, 21). As the General proposes to do something in his favour with Amherst begs for his (Bouquet's) good offices. Hubbard has been strack off the list of officers in the Virginian Regiment; no reason assigned. 45 Sinclair to the same. Explains the reason of his writing as he had done (p 20) and assures him that nothing disrespectful was meant. 47 MacLean to the same. Has received his letter with his opinion of the gaping curiosity of the Americans. Describes a drunken scene on the part of a country justice and other two who had come to his room in Shippensburgh uninvited; their theological discussions, &c. His persecutor Osburn has got into serious trouble. 48 Hugh Mercer to the same. Report from Venango, confirming the former news as to the strength of the garrison, 40 from there had set off for LeBoeuf to wait till the river opens and a supply of flour can be sent. Reported that the garrisons at Presqu'Isle and LeBoeuf were very weak; the men lately there had crossed the Lake for provisions. Two young men from the Lower hawanese town report that the heads of that nation are coming on a visit, and that no body of French is on the river from hence to its junction with the Wabash and Mississippi; other Indians report a party still at the mouth of the Muskingum. Robinson arrived with his detachment, two howitzers, Indian presents &c. Clay. ton's detachment from Ligonier has been recalled. Has only 45 shells and 14 boxes musket balls. Scarcity of flour; the country people beginning to bring Indian meal. Wishes whiskey were not sent up; his care to prevent abuse. 51 Captain Richard Pearis to Ourry. Complains that money to pay the men has not been received and that furloughs have been granted without his leave. 53. 1759. February 5, New York. Hugh Wallace to Bouquet. Had received his letter and would have answered it from the ruins of fort DuQuesne, had he not hoped to see him in New York. Has written Duplessis to join him (Bouquet) at once. Major Prevost leaves for Boston to day. Colonel Young expected to settle with Stanwix and Prevost, who are going home. Halket sails for England. No news from there for three months. Haldimand and Munster well. Respecting arrangements for paying his men, &c. Report of court martial on a soldier attempting to desert. Pearis to Bouquet. Sends report of court martial; mutinous beCumberland. haviour in the garrison. Has sent the prisoner (Ragan) to Fort Bedford, knowing him to be a sower of mutiny. Has sent return of flour &c. recei ved. Reports investigation into the alleged stealing of horses. 58 February 5, February 7, February 15, February 17. February 17, February 18] Page 54 56 Mercer to the same. Hopes his letters have been received since he last heard. Two Shawanese gone to find if any of the enemy are at the mouth of the Muskingum or Yellow Creek. A Mohican reports from the Scioto, two officers and 20 or 30 men to be there, and at the Salt Spring above Kaskaskias a large number of troops. Reports of Lake Indians coming to war here. Indian here have gone off to their towns afraid of the others coming, but due also to the scarcity of flour; will take every precaution to prevent any of the garrison from being scalped. Clayton has gone off to reconnoitre. Indian asks whiskey for delivering up a girl, who had been made prisoner; explains to him and other Indians, that all captives must be delivered up as the price of peace; if not delivered, they would be demanded in the middle of their towns. Sends returns. The late severe weathere had closed the Monongahela, so that not one log has arrived for the new barracks, The men generally healthy. List of what is wanted for the posts, &c. Sinclair to Adam Hoops. Fresh provisions wanted at the posts; to purchase 20 head of cattle. List of the posts co which they are to be distributed. 60 65 Major John Tulleken to Bouquet. Sends this letter by Lapsley, appointed ensign in the battalion, The packet has arrived, but nothing is known of its news. Stanwix sends friendly messages; is waiting here for orders, The King of Prussia is in a fine way; war is the word and peace is no more thought of. 66 Hugh Mercer to the same. Since last writing nothing has happened. The Delaware chief has not gone to Presqu'Isle for reasons given, and his friends of Kaskaskias are angry with him for letting his son go to Venango; the talk of these Indians shows their secret disposition. The old chief went himself to the Salt Spring and found only one officer and 15 men there, who were trading with the Indians. The officer told the chief that a thousand soldiers and a number of longhaired Indians were coming across the Lake from Niagara; the provisions and military stores had already come to LeBoeuf, where a descent on Pittsburgh was in preparation, as soon as the Ohio was free of ice. News confirmed by another Indian. It is difficult to reconcile the different reports, but shall be prepared for the worst. Robertson is of great service; bateau building goes on slowly, from want of pitch, &c. The Ohio broken up and full of ice. The cold has been intense. Has heard that a strong reinforcement is comin. The French at Salt Springs seem left to keep up an interest in the Indians. 68 Sinclair to General Forbes. Why he did not write sooner. Thanks for the manner in which his rash letter is mentioned, but states he did not mean to be disrespectful to Bouquet, and expresses sorrow for having written it. Provisions sent off. Clark has dispatched a person to bring a return of the provisions at the different posts. The means he has |