Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 2
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To ROBERT DINWIDDIE Fort Cumberland, April 16, 1757.

    Honble. Sir: Your letter by express, of the 5th 9 instant, I fear has fallen into the hands of the common Enemy, for I never have seen it. The other of the 7th I this day received; and being exceedingly embarrassed to come to your Honor's intentions, and really at a loss to know in what manner to act, in such perplexed and difficult circumstances, I called a council of officers to my aid. The result of their advice you will find in the enclosed.

[Note:The "Letter Book" copy has the 8th instant. ]

    It will not be in my power to be in Williamsburg by the 22d, as your Honor desires; but as soon after as I can, I certainly will. I shall leave orders with Colonel Stephen to march this garrison to Fort Loudoun, as soon as it is relieved, which cannot be before this express may return, and then your Honor's further orders may be received. We have no advice of Dagworthy's marching, tho orders were sent to him.

    I shall order all the country's stores to be carried to Fort Loudoun, and the two companies on Patterson's Creek to be posted on the Branch, to complete the number that was designed for that place. I have ordered a particular return of the provisions to be made out, and Colonel Stephen to take Captain Dagworthy's receipt for the quantity left.

    We have been at a good deal of unavoidable expense and trouble to furnish the Indians with such things as they wanted. Some enemy Indians killed two Catawbas on Thursday last, at about one hundred and fifty yards from the fort, and seventy from a sentry, and made their escape, tho pursued by other Catawbas and near two hundred men. And the day before yesterday, two soldiers were killed and a third taken prisoner,

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as they were coming to this place from the fort below. The rest of the party, being ten in number, with Captain Waggener among them, made their escape.

    The enclosed remonstrance: 10 I received just now and think it expedient to send it to your Honor, that you may know the temper and disposition of the troops. As I expect to be with your Honor in two or three days after the express, I think it needless to add any thing but an apology for the incoherence of this. The Indians are all around teazing and perplexing me for one thing or another, so that I scarce know what I write. I have the honor, &c.

[Note:See following document. ]