Volume 14 , Issue 33

1755 - Orders To Peter Hogg Regarding Ft. Dinwiddie (Virginia)

Gerald Mclaughlin sent me the 1755 Orders to Peter Hogg Regarding Ft. Dinwiddie that can be found in the Library of Congress, pages 207 thru 209, in the manuscript division. It was hard reading some of the words so please excuse if I misspelled or misrepresented some of the names or words. Also see the following George Washington writings -

To CAPTAIN PETER HOGG 65 September 6, 1755 - [Note: Washington inclosed these instructions in a short note, reminding Hogg that he was the senior captain, and that as the orders admit of no delay "I must again repeat, that I expect your immediate compliance; and that no excuse shall occasion the least delay." ]

You are hereby Ordered, and strictly Commanded, to repair immediately, upon the Receipt of this, to Jackson's River, or the Head-Quarters of Captain Lewis's Company; and there take upon you the Command of said Company. You are therefore to be very punctual in obeying such Orders as have or may be given, by the Governour; and such as you shall receive from time to time, from me: And above all; you are to be particularly careful in using your best Endeavours, to Guard and Protect the Inhabitants and Settlers in those Parts from the Incursions of the French, and their Indians; and to conform and regulate your Conduct, in every respect, by the Strict Rules and Discipline of War.

The Letters Orders and Instructions reads something like the following:

6 - To see that both officers and soldiers, are regularly and constantly, exercised twice a day, and that the adjutant is very diligent in his duty.

7 - To be particularly kind to Captain Mountour, and to treat the Indians, if any arrive with him in the most familiar manner.

8 - To leave instructions with Captain Savage to observe the same directions, when you come to Williamsburgh.

9 - When the Coopers arrive, to see they are constantly employed, they are to make their task, so small, that a horse may carry two of them. If they do not arrive soon, you are to send an exprep (?) for them.

10 - To see that the gun smith is as expeditions as possible, in repairing the arms and to order the carpenters to make ram 20-35 for them.

11 - To send three sergeants to each place of rendezvous, as soon as they shall be thought capable of teaching the recruiting and to deliver each of them one of the country. Horses, if it is thought advisable - as they are to be answerable for them.

Given under my hand at Fort Cumberland, September 20th, 1755. - Signed by G. W. (George Washington)

From thence I proceeded to Fort Dinwiddie, on Jackson's River, where I found it very far to give the following directions.

Instructions for Captain Hogg of the Virginia regiment.

Virginia Regiment

You are hereby ordered to add bastions to, and build barracks in the fort, immediately and to fall all the wood within musket shot, that you may be quarried against surprises.

You are to engage grain enough to serve your company twelve months, and to draw upon your commissary for money to pay for it. Beef you may also engage to be delivered at your fort, upon the most reasonable terms you can, and draw as a love, for the money.

You are to see that the muster-dolls of the company are regularly called three times a day; at which times an officer is to be present; and that they are duly exercised, when the service with admit of it.

Gerald Mclaughlin sent me the "Orders to Peter Hog Regarding Ft. Dinwiddie" that can be found in the Library of Congress, in the manuscript division.

You are to transmit me weekly returns of your company, to be signed by yourself and officers; and a return the first day of every month, reporting the variations that may have happened.

And when any of the non-commissioned officers or soldiers, should happen to die; they are to be continued on the rolls as effective men, twenty-eight days, to pay for their coffins, etc. You are not to supply the men with any necessaries, deducting the same from their pay; you are only to be careful in seeing they lay out their pay, or past thereof, for such necessaries as they stand in need of. You are to use your utmost endeavors in protecting the inhabitants of Greenbriar, jackson's river, and those within, from the incursions of the French and Indians. In order to do which, you are frequently to send out strong parties to scour the woods and mountains, in those parts.

Lastly, you are to be very particular in seeing that good discipline and order are observed in your garrison, and you are to govern yourself, in every respect, by the rules, and articles of war.

Given under my hand at Fort Dinwiddie this 24th of September 1755. - signed by G. W. (George Washington)

After examining into the State of affairs here and giving such directions as seemed convenient, I set out on my return to Alexandria, where I arrived the second of October; and gave the following instructions.

To Captain Thomas Waggoner, A Colonel Washington has been informed by governor Dinwiddie, that you was dispatched from Williamsburgh before the seventeenth of last month, with order to proceed here immediately; he is much surprised at your delay, and can only attribute it to . . . . .   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---