USA > Maryland > Allegany County > Cumberland > History of Cumberland, (Maryland) from the time of the Indian town, Caiuctucuc, in 1728, up to the present day : embracing an account of Washington's first campaign, and battle of Fort Necessity, together with a history of Braddock's expedition > Part 14
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1755.
recovered his senses, and found the Indians engaged in plunder. Fearing they would murder him, he remained quiet and feigned death. While lying thus his mother, whose head had been crushed by a blow of the tomahawk, somewhat recovered, and attempted to rise up, when one of the Indians seized her by the hair, twisted it about his hand, and passing his knife around her head, with a tremendous jerk tore off the bleeding scalp. As soon as the Indians left, the boy fled from the house, and ran into the river, afterwards making his way to the Fort.
About the 1st of October a war party of Indians made a descent upon the families living near the Fort, of whom there were a number on both sides of the Potomac, some near Colonel Cresap's house, and others a few miles east of the Fort. A letter written by Dagworthy at the time said: "It is supposed that near one hundred persons have been murdered or carried away prisoners by these Barbarians who have burnt the houses and ravaged all the Planta- tions in that part of the country. Parties of the enemy appear within sight of Fort Cumberland every day, and frequently in greater numbers than the garrison consists of."
A short distance east of the Fort, near the river's bank, two trappers had built themselves houses, and had brought their families there to settle. About the 4th of October a party of savages suddenly made their appearance, completely surrounding the houses, and taking the people by surprise. Before the men could catch up their arms they were shot down, and scalped in the presence of their terror-stricken families. The houses were plundered, and then
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WASHINGTON COMMANDER IN CHIEF.
1755.]
burned to the ground, the women and children being carried off as prisoners, doubtless to a more horrible fate, as they were never afterwards heard of.
Four other families, still closer to the Fort, were surprised by another war party a few days earlier. On this occasion the Indians crept stealthily up to within a short distance of their unsuspecting victims, fired upon and killed the men, and then tomahawked every living person they found. They tore the bleeding scalps from the still breathing bodies, and with taunting yells approached the fort and waved the scalps in the air, in full view of the garrison. After burning the houses of the settlers the savages departed towards the north.
On the 14th of August, only twenty days after his return to Mount Vernon, as a private citizen, Washington received intelligence of his appointment as commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces. He not only had not sought this appointment, but had declared that he would not accept it unless he could be assured of the rank and emoluments to which the office was entitled; be authorized to name his field officers, and guaranteed such supplies as were neces- sary, promptly. All his requirements were complied with, and he was commissioned as commander-in-chief of all the forces raised, or to be raised, in the colony. Governor Dinwiddie undoubtedly made this appoint- ment under the pressure of public opinion, as it was well known he desired to promote Colonel Innes to the position, and from that time forward Dinwiddie was never cordial with the new commander. Captain Adam Stephens, who had been with Washington at
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1755.
Great Meadows, was made Lieutenant-Colonel. On the 14th of September Washington went to Win- chester, where he made his headquarters, and Lieutenant-Colonel Stephens went forward to Fort Cumberland. After getting matters in a satisfactory shape at Winchester, and sending out his recruiting officers, Washington made a tour of inspection of all the outposts, from Fort Cumberland to Fort Din- widdie, on Jackson's river, and in order to facilitate military movements he built a shorter and better road between Winchester and Fort Cumberland, for the passage of troops and supplies.
In the latter part of this year the old quarrel as to rank between provincial officers and those holding royal commissions was renewed at Fort Cumberland, and it led to many and bitter disputes. Governor Sharpe had sent Captain Dagworthy to the Fort with a company of thirty men, which had been raised in Maryland, and were the first troops furnished by that colony. Dagworthy had held a royal commis- sion, in the preceding war in Canada, and although he had disposed of the commission for half-pay, he assumed now to command all provincial officers, no matter how high their rank might be.
In November, Governor Innes was called to his home in North Carolina to look after his estates, and before leaving he turned over the command of the Fort to Lieutenant-Colonel Stephens. But no sooner had Colonel Innes departed than Captain Dagworthy issued an order assuming command in despite of the protest of the officer left in charge by the Governor of the Fort. This assumption on Dagworthy's part
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THE DISPUTE AS TO RANK.
1756.]
caused wrangling and insubordination amongst the officers of inferior grade, all of whom took sides. The Fort being in Maryland, Governor Sharpe was slow to curtail Dagworthy's pretensions, and appeared rather to sustain him. Governor Dinwiddie argued that the location of the Fort should not affect the matter at all, as it was a "king's fort," built by an order sent to him from the king, chiefly by troops in the pay of the king, and that it could not in any way be regarded as under Maryland authority. The disputes upon the question of rank continued throughout the entire winter, and Dagworthy persist- ently adhered to his right to the command, even after Washington himself arrived at the Fort. Dinwiddie declared that it was preposterous for a Captain in command of only thirty men to pretend to outrank a Colonel who was Commander-in-Chief of all the Virginia forces; but as Fort Cumberland was in Maryland, Dinwiddie would not issue any orders concerning the matter, and Washington then declared that unless the dispute was settled and his authority established he would resign his commission. In order to secure a settlement of the question, it was determined to refer it to Major-General Shirley, Braddock's successor as General in command of the colonies. The officers desired Washington to present the matter in person, and on the 4th of February, 1756, he set out upon a journey to the General's headquar- ters at Boston, a distance of five hundred miles, accompanied by Captain Mercer, his aid-de-camp, and Captain Stewart, of the Virginia light-horse. The journey was made upon horseback, the young
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1756.
officers being dressed in the most stylish uniforms, and accompanied by their black servants.
General Shirley received Washington with the utmost kindness, and entertained him in the most hospitable manner. The question as to his rank, and Dagworthy's pretensions, was fully discussed, and Washington delivered to the General a letter from Governor Dinwiddie, bearing date January 23, 1756, of which the following is an extract:
" Gov. Sharpe has not answered your Excellency's intentions in removing the Dispute between Col. Washington and Capt. Dagworthy ; he has ordered him to keep the command of the Fort,* which he does in an absolute manner. We have purchased and laid in provisions for 1,000 men for one year ; as the Fort was the most safe place, they were deposited there, and a commissary appointed at the charge of this country , he will not allow him to discharge his duty, but refuses any of the provisions to be touched but by his order; and though the provis- ions are supply'd by this country, he insists on a right to supply his own men from our magazine, tho' Maryland pays no part of the charge; he otherways acts in an arbitrary manner, & insists on his Rank superior to any of our officers, and he has not above 30 men, when Col. Washington has upwards of 500.
" This Fort was built by virtue of His Majesty's instructions to me, and by my orders to Col. James Innes, then in the pay of this colony, and with a great charge to this country. It's true it happens to be in Maryland, but I presume His Majesty has a right to build a Fort where he pleases in any of his colonies ; and the guns mounted are guns sent by His Majesty for the service of Virginia ; it cannot reasonably be suggested that His Majesty intended them for the Proprietor of Maryland.
" General Braddock gave a commission to Colonel Innes to be Gov- ernor of the Fort; his private affairs calling him to his estate, in North Carolina, he appointed Lieut. Col. Stephens to command in his absence. Capt. Dagworthy, with his pretended rank, wrested the command from him without any rule but his commission of Captain in the Canada Expedition, tho' not on the half pay list, but received a sum of money in lieu ; by accepting that money I am of opinion he revoked his com- mission.
*Governor Sharpe had ordered Captain Dagworthy to confine his authority to troops within the Fort alone, and not to attempt to command those in the camp.
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THE DISPUTE AS TO RANK.
1756.]
"This affair makes such noise here that I thought it necessary to for'd Col. Washington to you, who can be more particular. If I was to call the assembly now, I know this affair has raised the rancour of the people so much that they would go into extremes of resentment, and do no business for the service. I am sorry I have occasion to be so long on this affair, but as it makes much noise here, and without you interpose your authority, I do not know what will be the consequence ; as formerly, I desire the favor of a Brevet commission to Col. Washington, and to the other Field officers, and that you would please to reinstate Col. Stephens to the command of the Fort till Governor Innes returns. As commander- in-chief of the forces this is in your power only, and without some regulation in regard to this unhappy dispute I shall not be able to do anything with our Assembly.
" I forgot to mention that Fort Cumberland being a King's Fort, I cannot conceive that the proprietor Governor can have any Right to appoint a Governor, and more so as it has been built by this government ; the Right is in you, and I doubt not you will assume it in order to restore Peace."
After reading this letter, and hearing still further details from Washington, General Shirley put a final end to all difficulties as to rank, by writing as follows to Governor Sharpe:
BOSTON, March 5, 1756.
SIR :
Inclosed is the extract of a letter which I have lately received by Col. Washington from Gov. Dinwiddie, calling upon me to determine the right of command between him and Capt. Dagworthy.
You was pleased to assure me at New York that you would send such orders to Capt. Dagworthy as would put an end to this dispute, and afterwards that you had actually done it.
I should be extremely unwilling to do anything that might appear in the least disagreeable to any gentleman who had the Honour of bearing His Majesty's commission, and should have been glad that no such dis- pute had come before me. But as the command I am honored with from His Majesty obliges me upon all occasions to act the best for his service, I must desire that Capt. Dagworthy may be removed from Fort Cumber- land : or acquainted that if he remains there, he must put himself under the command of Col. Washington.
I have taken some time to consider this point, and cannot think that Capt. Dagworthy, who now acts under a Provincial commission, has any right to the command, as there are no regular troops joined with those troops now at Fort Cumberland, which would be the only circum-
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1756.
stance that could occasion a dispute concerning the right of Provincial field officers to command in preference to Captains bearing commissions from His Majesty.
I should have sent my orders to Capt. Dagworthy through my aid- de-camp, but as you have proposed to me to give him such as would effectually remove the occasion of the dispute, I can't but hope you will still do it ; and I think, besides, as he now acts under a Provincial com. mission it will be more regular that they should be transmitted to him from you.
With respect to Fort Cumberland, I am informed by Capt. Morris, my aid-de-camp, that the late General Braddock had private instructions from His R. H. the Duke, to put it in a condition to contain a garrison of 200 men, and that he appointed Col. Innes Gov'r of it, which was given out in orders ; if that be so the matter must remain on the same foot he put it upou.
I am with great Regard, Sir, Your Honour's Most Obedient Humble Servant, W. SHIRLEY.
Upon concluding his mission to Boston, Washing- ton set out on his return to Virginia, spending some ten days, however, in New York, where he became greatly enamored with Miss Phillipse, a very elegant young lady, with whom he became acquainted, and who afterwards was married to Captain Morris, his fellow aid-de-camp while with Braddock. In March he was in Williamsburg, endeavoring to secure the legislation necessary to secure the frontiers, and to enable him to march again on Fort Duquesne, which he was most anxious to capture. He returned shortly afterward to Winchester, where he received most startling news as to the depredations of the savages on the borders.
The Indians had penetrated the country almost to Winchester, and everywhere they were murdering
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INDIAN INCURSIONS.
1756.]
and scalping the inhabitants. He determined then, to enter the woods, and punish the redskins. With this object in view he sent a courier to Fort Cum- berland for troops, intending to take them, with such militia as he could organize, and go in search of the enemy. He quickly discovered, however, that this project would have to be abandoned. The forests about Fort Cumberland were literally alive with Indians, who were constantly devising stratagems for destroying the Fort and garrison. The troops here had been sent out in various directions to punish such parties of French and Indians as they might be able to overcome, and to rescue settlers. Those left in the Fort were scarcely strong enough to defend it, and not a man could be spared. The courier returned to Winchester, and reported these facts. On his return he narrowly escaped with his life, as upon leaving the Fort the Indians fired upon him, and endeavored to cut him off. His horse was shot under him, and his clothes were cut in several places by bullets. Governor Innes, who had returned, and was in command of the Fort, declared that he could do no more than maintain his position, and if his force should be reduced he would be compelled to abandon the post at once. Not only did Washington thus fail to get the troops he expected, but the militia neglected also to respond to his call.
The Virginia Assembly, seeing the necessity of prompt action, appropriated £20,000, and proposed the establishment of a chain of forts along the Alleghanies from the Potomac to the borders of North Carolina. This did not meet Washington's
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1756.
views. He advised the construction of a strong fort at Winchester, which should be a central point for supplies and defense. He said "Fort Cumberland is of little use; there is not an inhabitant living between it and Winchester, except a few settlements about the Fort, and a few families at Edwards's, on the Cacapehon. At Fort Cumberland I would have one company to garrison the place to secure it, to procure the earliest intelligence, and to cover detachments sent to the Ohio River, which is all the use it can ever be put to." His advice as to making the fort at Winchester a strong central point was adopted, and Fort Loudon was the result-the name being given in honor of the commanding General who succeeded Shirley. The plan for a chain of forts was persisted in, the projected number being twenty-three.
Fort Cumberland was still maintained, however, and at great expense. Colonel Innes found it neces- sary in the spring, a second time to go to his home, and on this occasion he left Major James Livingston in command.
Colonel Innes was beyond question a gentleman of much prudence, and one who had a high regard for his "Perquisites;" besides being rather eccentric in his orthography. Mr. Brantz Mayer has kindly furnished a copy of an original letter which came into his possession through Hon. Alexander R. Boteler, and which was written by Governor Innes at the time of turning over the command of the Fort to Major Livingston. It is quite an interesting docu- ment, and is as follows:
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AFFAIRS AT THE FORT.
1756.]
By James Innes Esqr Govr of Fort Cumberland,
May 26th 1756.
To The Fort Major of said Fort or to his assistant when absent on his Maj's Service.
You are to See that all the Out Doors of that Roe of Barracks next to Potomack or fasing the New Store be made Stench & Strong not to be opened upon any account whatever. That the Camp Cullermen be Appointed & to keep the Garrison Sweet & clean.
All the Howses & hutts on the Bottome or near the Garison Not being imediately occupeyd for His Majestys Use & Service Custome hath made them a Perquisite of the Governors. & as farr as the Guns in the Fort cann throw a shott the land is deemd for the use of the Gari- son. You are therefore to insist upon a moderate Rent as my Right. & the account of which you are to trance mitt to me.
Given under my hand att Fort Cumberland this 26th May 1756.
JAMES INNES.
To JAMES LIVINGSTON, Esq.
The "Governor" evidently received some moneys from the rent of the houses near the Fort, a number of which were occupied by traders, who had brought merchandise of such character as the soldiers cared for, in which they speculated. The sums thus collected he regarded as his "perquisites," and was careful to order that Major Livingston should promptly "trance mitt" them to him.
The location of the Fort was such that several spurs of the mountain ranges in the vicinity entirely .overlooked it, although when it was con- structed it was not thought to be within gun-shot of any of them. The Indians, however, found oppor- tunity to considerably annoy both the garrison and the camp at times. On frequent occasions they would post themselves on the side of Knobley Mountain and fire into the Fort. They did the same from the knob now known as McKaig's Hill. And although the distance intervening was too great to 27
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1756.
permit them to do much damage, yet very often their bullets fell inside the palisades, and rendered the men so uncomfortable that they became anxious to put an end to such aggressions. On one occasion, during the summer of 1756, a large party of warriors had been loitering about the Fort for several days with a view to taking the scalps of such unwary soldiers as might venture within their reach. The troops were on their guard, however, and the Indians, despairing of cutting any of them off, took a position on one of the hills, and spent the entire day firing into the Fort. By loading their guns with heavy charges of powder, they were enabled to make it rather dangerous for such of the troops as were exposed. Major Livingston became much annoyed, finally, and determined to punish the redskins severely. Accordingly he ordered a Captain to take seventy-five men and dislodge the enemy. The night was cloudy, and there was no moon. The Captain took his force out under cover of the darkness, crossed the creek at the ford just above its mouth, and in perfect silence marched to the foot of the hill; here they formed a line, and cautiously surrounded the Indians, ascending and approaching to within about seventy-five yards of them. The savages were
totally unprepared for an attack, and had posted no guards, evidently believing the garrison was too weak to molest them. The soldiers lay quiet, awaiting daybreak, at which time they intended to make an assault. As the light broke in the east, every man lay with his hand on the trigger of his gun, and as soon as the Indians began to move about
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KILL-BUCK'S STRATEGY FAILS.
1756.]
the signal was given, when a volley was poured into their midst. The surprise was complete. The savages were utterly confounded; they had no time to secure their arms before the whites discharged another volley, cutting down most of them. Those who were not killed or wounded sought safety in flight, but they were picked off one after another, and few succeeded in getting off with their lives.
The Indians after this troubled the garrison but little by firing from the hills, but they sought by every means to be revenged for the slaughter of their comrades, and gathered in great numbers about the Fort. Amongst the most cruel, bold and bloodthirsty of these warriors was Kill-buck, a Shawanese chief, who had, previous to the war lived near the settlers, on the South Branch of the Potomac, most of whom he knew. He was a powerful man, and possessed of much intelligence, but inhuman in his nature. He had made good use of his knowledge as to the homes and strength of the settlers, and had been guilty of many cruel murders. He had command of the Indians who had gathered about Fort Cumberland, and held a council for the purpose of determining upon the best method of capturing the Fort and destroying the garrison. It was finally determined to resort to stratagem, and a plan was made by which they were to secure an entrance, on the pretense of friendship, after which they were to overpower the troops and put all, officers and men, to death. Accordingly, Kill-buck, marched up to the Fort, at the head of his warriors, making signs of friend- ship, and requested Major Livingston to admit
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1756.
them, in order that they might have a con- sultation; he said they were the friends of the English, and did not wish them harm, but would bury the hatchet. Major Livingston knew the character of Kill-buck too well to trust him, but nevertheless pretended to believe his professions, and ordered one of the gates to be opened to them. Feeling secure in the success of their stratagem, the warriors filed in, grimly looking to the right and left. So soon, however, as the principal warriors had entered, the gates were closed, and Kill-buck found the troops drawn up in line in front of their barracks, with their loaded guns in their hands ready for service. He turned upon the Major and haughtily asked the cause of this treatment, whereupon that officer charged him in the most forcible and con- temptuous language with having come with a lie in his mouth and murder in his heart, to deceive him; he told Kill-buck that he had seen through his stratagem, and now intended to punish him severely for his treachery. Kill-buck and his chiefs were seized and disarmed, and were then dressed in petticoats; the gates were opened, and they were driven forth with jeers and laughter by the soldiers, who taunted them with being squaws, and old women. This humiliation was greater punishment to the Indians than death, and they left the place utterly dejected and disgraced.
One of the parties of Indians that visited Fort Cumberland in August was commanded by Langlade, · who was sent here to ascertain what the English were about, and whether preparations were being
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TWO OPINIONS ABOUT THE FORT.
1756.]
made for another advance. The order under which ' he came was as follows:
" Dumas, Chevalier of the Royal and Military Order of St Louis, Captain of Infantry; commandant of the Ohio and its tributaries : It is ordered that Sieur Langlade, Ensign of Infantry, start at the head of a detachment of French and Indians, to go in the direction of Fort Cum- berland.
" In case the savages prefer to quit the great highway, Sieur Langlade will, with the French detach himself from them, in order to follow them ; the principal object of his mission being to examine if the enemy is making any movement in those parts.
" He will march with caution and distrust, to avoid all surprises and any ambuscade. If he strike in conjunction with his Indian allies, he will employ all his talent to prevent them from the exercise of any cruelty upon those who may fall into their hands :
" Done at Fort Duquesne, the ninth of August, 1756."
Langlade's party advanced no farther than Fort Cumberland, and they did little or no damage.
Washington's views as to the campaign proposed to be now commenced differed from those of Governor Dinwiddie, very materially. Washington was anxious to get rid of Fort Cumberland, as he thought it useless, for various reasons which he gave; among others, it was commanded by adjacent hills; was not strong enough in its construction; and was easily flanked. Dinwiddie had persistently declared that it should be maintained, and he had made it the chief depot of stores; besides which he had sent a portion of the troops from Winchester, and thus interfered with the work on Fort Loudon, which Washington was desirous of having completed. Dinwiddie had found it convenient to oppose Washington in all of his plans, and gave him much annoyance; losing no opportunity to vent his resent- ment in this manner upon the commander of the
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