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 3
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The French Governor of Canada quickly perceived the importance of establishing such strongholds as would enable him to sustain the position assumed by his government in regard to American territory. He had already fortifications extending along the lakes,
39
CAPTAIN TRENT'S MISSION.
1753.]
and the English soon received intelligence to the effect that he was preparing to erect fortifications and establish posts on the head waters of the Ohio River. In fact, he had determined to construct a complete chain of military works from Canada to Louisiana, reaching from Lake Ontario to the forks of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny, thence along the Ohio to its mouth, and from that point to Louisiana along the Mississippi.
This aroused the English to action at once, and as their traders had been driven away from the Ohio by the French, and some of them taken off as prisoners, they conclued that no time was to be lost in checking the operations of their enemy. A mes- senger, Captain William Trent, was sent over the mountains by Governor Dinwiddie's order, in the guise of a trader, with presents of fire arms and ammunition for the Indians, his mission being to ascertain their temper and disposition, as well as to learn accurately the movements and intentions of the French. He was directed to extend his visit to the important points along the Alleghany River, but, either from intimidation or deception, his mission was only partly accomplished, and he returned with little information of a satisfactory character.
During Trent's absence Governor Dinwiddie had received orders from the British Ministry to build two forts near the Ohio River, in order to establish possession, and to serve notice upon the French to leave that section, as well as to cultivate the friend- ship of the Indians, and to intimidate those who might prove unfriendly. There had been, however,
40
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1753.
already too much delay, and the Governor of Canada had by that time established military posts throughout the disputed territory. For months he had been sending his troops across the lakes, to the headwaters of the Ohio, while others had ascended the Mississippi from Louisiana, and taken position near the falls of Ohio. They were well supplied with arms, ammu- nition and stores; roads had been opened, and communication established from the forks to the Lakes.
Accompanying the orders of the British Ministry to Governor Dinwiddie were thirty light cannon and eighty barrels of powder. To carry into effect the orders received, the Governor called upon Major George Washington, believing him to be particularly well qualified for the delicate duties to be discharged. Washington was as yet barely twenty-one years of age, yet he was known to be possessed of mature judgment, nice discrimination, undoubted ability, great endurance, as well as pretty accurate knowledge of Indian manners and customs. He had spent much time in the woods, was a good surveyor, and had the energy necessary to overcome any obstacles that might reasonably be expected to present themselves. Washington accepted the charge offered him. He was furnished with written instructions, the necessary credentials, and a passport bearing the great seal of the colony of Virginia. His orders were, to proceed at once to Logstown, there to see Tanacharisson, Scarooyadi, and other Indian Chiefs, and make known to them the object of his visit, and after learning the whereabouts of the French to request an escort
41
WASHINGTON AT WILL'S CREEK.
1753.]
of warriors to the headquarters of the French commandant, to whom he was to present his credentials, together with a letter from the Governor of Virginia, and demand an answer in the name of His Britanic Majesty. He was also to inform himself accurately as to the strength and position of the French, what reinforcements they expected from the Canadian borders, the number, character and location of their forts, the disposition of the Indians, and such other facts as might be of import- ance, including the object and intentions of the enemy.
He left Williamsburg, on this perilous undertaking, on the 31st of October, 1753, the day after receiv- ing his instructions. On arriving at the town of Fredericksburg, he secured the services of Jacob Vanbraam, his old fencing-master, a Dutchman by birth, and John Davidson, an interpreter. He then repaired to Winchester, where he procured an outfit of tents, blankets, horses, and such other equipments as were necessary, after which he proceeded to Will's Creek. Here he found Christopher Gist, who had a cabin at this place, and who gave him a cordial welcome. Gist was an intrepid pioneer, versed in woodcraft, and familiar with the forests, which he had penetrated time and again, having previously rendered valuable services to the Ohio Company, as a guide. Washington induced Gist to accompany him, and secured, besides, four other frontiersmen, with which company he set out to cross the mountains. In Gist's Journal, published in the Massachusetts Historical Society's collections, 6
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1753.
we find the following entries regarding this matter: "Wednesday, 14th Nov., 1753 .- Then Major George Washington came to my house at Will's Creek, and delivered me a letter from the Council in Virginia, requesting me to attend him up to the commandant of the French fort on the Ohio river.
"Thursday, 15th .- We set out, and at night encamped at George's Creek, about eight miles, where a messenger came with letters from my son, who was just returned from his people at the Cherokees, and lay sick at the mouth of the Cono- gocheague. But as I found myself entered again on public business, and Major Washington and all the company unwilling I should return, I wrote and sent medicines to my son, and so continued my journey, and encamped at a big hill in the forks of the Youghiogany, about 18 miles."
Several days later they encamped at Gist's new house, near the Big Yough, which he had built as the nucleus of another settlement. The following night they spent at Jacob's Cabins, twenty miles further on, and the following day reached John Frazier's, twelve miles distant, at the mouth of Turtle creek. Frazier had long been engaged in trading with the Indians, and spent a considerable portion of his time in repairing the guns of the trappers and savages. He had recently been located in the Indian village of Venango; but the French had compelled him to leave, and he returned to his house on Turtle creek. The season was most unpropitious, the mountains being covered with snow, and the streams swollen to such an extent
1
43
WASHINGTON AT LOGSTOWN.
1753.]
that they could not be forded, so that the horses were forced to swim them. The roads were poor and difficult at best, but now were almost impassable in numerous places, and the adventurers could take themselves and their baggage across the streams only by means of hastily constructed rafts. After reaching Frazier's, Washington was furnished with a canoe, in which he placed all his baggage, and putting it in charge of two of his men, sent it down the Monongahela to its mouth. He went on by land, with the remainder of the party, and arrived there ahead of the canoe. Washington examined the ground very carefully, and declared it to be an' admirable point for a fort, which opinion was justified by the action of the French officers shortly afterwards, when they built, on the identical spot, Fort Duquesne.
On the 24th of November, Washington arrived at Logstown, where Tanacharison, the Half-King had his headquarters. The Half-King held a private conference with Washington on the 25th, and on the day following the Chiefs, including Shingi, the King of the Delawares, met in the council house, when Washington addressed them in a speech, explaining the objects of his mission, telling them what were the wishes of the Governor, and requesting an escort of young Indians to accompany him to the French commander's post. The speech concluded, he presented the letter he had brought and a belt of wampum, both of which were accepted by the Half- King, who said the English were the brothers of the Indians, that his people would return to the French the speech belts that had been left with them.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1753.
and that the requisite escort would be furnished. As the young men were absent, Washington was compelled, much against his will, to wait three days, at the end of which time he set out with four Indians and an additional trapper. The distance to the Frenchman's headquarters was only about one hun- dred miles, but the inclemency of the weather, and the condition of the roads, were such that seven days were consumed in the journey, and it was the 4th of December when the party arrived at Venango, where Captain Joncaire was in command. The headquar- ters, however, was some distance further on, and through the worst kind of weather, Washington, after two days' delay, pushed on to that point, where he presented his letters to the Chevalier de St. Pierre, the commandant. He was a dignified, courtly gentleman, of mature age, a knight of the military order of St. Louis, and affable and kindly in his manners. He had Washington and his attendants comfortably provided for, and promised to give his immediate attention to the letter brought him from the Governor of Virginia. This letter was a protest against the encroachments of the French upon what Governor Dinwiddie declared to be lands belonging to the English crown; it demanded to know by what right, and upon whose authority, French soldiers had been sent across the lakes, to establish military posts, and it concluded by insisting that they should with- draw to Canada without delay. The French commandant responded, by letter, that he did not make the treaties and could not discuss them; he was a soldier obeying orders, and that the protests made
45
RETURN OF WASHINGTON AND GIST.
1753.]
should be addressed to the Governor of Canada, Marquis Duquesne, under whose instructions he was then acting and should continue to act. He declined to retire from his position, and said he would endeavor to carry into effect such orders as he might receive hereafter from those whom he was serving.
The preparation of this letter occupied some days, and during this time Washington made good use of his opportunities, in taking observations of the fort, and making a drawing of it, which was complete, showing its size, shape and strength, both in men and artillery. He had his men also take cognizance of everything about the place, count the canoes on hand and those being constructed.
On the 25th of December, Washington and his party set out on their return home, from Venango, and after twelve days of exposure and hardships, conse- quent upon the severity of the weather, he reached Will's Creek, on the 6th of January, where he spent the night with Mr. Gist, and left the following day for Williamsburg, at which town he arrived on the 16th of January, and delivered to Governor Dinwiddie the letter of M. de St. Pierre.
Washington's journal, and the letter he bore from the French commandant, were submitted to the council by the Governor, and after a careful considera- tion of the matter it was unanimously concluded that immediate steps should be taken to repel the invasion of the French, by force of arms. There could no longer be a doubt as to the intentions of the French, since they had emphatically declared their right to the territory in dispute, and their determination to
-
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND. [1754.
retain possession of it, if possible. The council, therefore, endorsed the Governor's determination to send an armed force at once to the Ohio, and orders were issued directing that two companies, each one hundred strong, should be raised by voluntary enlistment; in case the requisite number could not be secured in that way, resort was to be had to drafts from the militia. Major Washington was chosen to the chief command of these troops, and his journal was published in all the, newspapers of the Colonies, with the purpose of arousing the people to an appreciation of the situation.
The importance of securing the establishment of a military post on the Ohio, before the French would be able to begin operations in the spring, led the Governor to confer the command of one company upon Captain William Trent, who had quite a familiar acquaintance with the frontiers, and who it was supposed could readily enlist a large force of
trappers and pioneers. Captain Trent enlisted about seventy men, and, as time was important, did not wait for more, but started with these for the Ohio. The sum of £10,000 had been appropriated by the Assembly of Virginia, for the purpose of erecting a fort or forts at the junction of the Monongahela and Alleghany Rivers, at which point the Ohio Company had already partly constructed a fortified trading house. Captain Trent's command was supplied with ten four-pounder field pieces, and eighty barrels of powder, all of which had been sent over from England. In addition, Governor Dinwiddie supplied such small arms and accoutrements as were necessary, together
47
ENSIGN WARD'S SURRENDER.
1754.1
with thirty tents, and flour, pork, beef and rum, to last six months. The uniform worn by these troops was of the most conspicuous character, consisting of a red coat, and breeches of the same color, with white cross belts. Trent arrived with his company, at Will's Creek, early in February, and after making such preparations as were necessary for the march through the wilderness, pushed on to the Forks. On arriving there he set his men to work to prepare timbers and construct a fort, on the site now occupied by Pittsburgh. In March, he left Ensign Ward in command of his company, and returned to Will's Creek, at which point he seems to have had some business. On the 17th of April, during Captain Trent's absence, Monsieur de Contrecœur, with a force of about eight hundred men, eighteen pieces of artil- lery, sixty batteaux and three hundred canoes, came down the river from Venango, and demanded the surrender of the fort. Ward was a young officer, and had scarcely fifty men with him. Nothing was left for him but to yield to the greatly superior force in his front; and upon receiving permission to march out with his men and their tools, he gave up the fort to the French, who at once proceeded to strengthen it, and add new works, soon making it capable of resisting any force that was likely to be brought against it. The post was then garrisoned by nearly one thousand men, under such officers as Jumonville, de Villiers, and La Force, and was named Fort Duquesne.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Virginia had concluded to increase the force destined for the Ohio to six
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1754.
hundred men, and the command was tendered Washington, but by reason of his youth, he was doubtful of his own fitness for so great a responsi- bility, and therefore declined it. Colonel Joshua Fry, a gentleman of English birth, highly esteemed, and in every way capable, was then given the command, and Washington accepted the position of Lieutenant Colonel, becoming second in authority. The ranks were slowly increased, by the acquisition of a lot of shiftless fellows, who were destitute of everything except very scanty clothing, which was rather discouraging to the officers. Dinwiddie, in order to encourage enlistments, issued a proclama- tion, offering some two hundred thousand acres of land on the Ohio, to be called "garrison lands," which were to be divided among the men who should serve in the expedition. This offer led hundreds of young men from the Virginia farms to take up arms, with a view to securing homesteads for themselves. North Carolina took steps towards aiding Virginia in the contest against the French, but Maryland was inclined to do nothing at all.
Washington left Alexandria for Will's Creek, on the 2d of April, with two companies of seventy-five men each. Colonel Fry was to follow with the remainder of the regiment, and the artillery. After being detained a whole week at Winchester, in impressing the horses and wagons necessary for the transportation of stores, Washington pursued his march, building the roads as he went. He arrived at Will's Creek on the 20th of April, where it had been arranged that Captain Trent should have a
49
A BILL OF EXPENSES.
1754.]
supply of pack horses ready for the use of the command in crossing the mountains. Instead of finding the horses, however, he found Trent here, totally unprepared for him, and was utterly downcast by a rumor brought him to the effect that the entire command at the Forks had been captured. Trent's inefficiency and incapacity had been demonstrated on a former occasion, and Washington was now thoroughly dissatisfied with him. The intelligence from the Ohio was partially confirmed by the arrival of Ensign Ward and his men at Will's Creek, on the 25th. Ward was accompanied by two Indian Chieftains, whom Tanacharisson, the Half- King, had sent as messengers to plight his faith to the English, and to ask them to come on to the Ohio.
The following account was filed with Governor Dinwiddie, by Captain Trent, on account of expenses incurred in the expedition made under his command, showing the method of transporting ammunition, and the character of presents given the Indians:
"The Government of Virginia to William Trent, Dr.
"For Carriage of Fourteen Horses Loaded . with Powder, Lead and Flints, from Col. Cresaps' to Ohio River, at 2 Pistoles a Load is 28 Pistoles, &c .-
"To 12 Deer Skins-For 9 Doe Bear Skins- 3500 Black and White Wampum-For Piece of match coat to wrap powder in-
"1 Gun, 1 Pistol and Match Coat, gave to one of the Six Chiefs of the Six Nations, who came down from the upper Towns,-as he came upon Business he brought no arms with him, he said it was hard for him to go home without armes, as he should run a 7
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1754.
great Risque, as he was obliged to go through the French to warn their People from amongst them- One Case of neat Pistols 'gave to the Half-King and Monecatootha, and 2 fine Ruffled Shirts, and 2 plain shirts for themselves and Wives'-These given as a particular Present, sent by the Governor to them- &c., &c. *
"N. B .- There is no carrying out Powder without Skin Wrappers, &c-there is no such thing as Carry- ing Powder, without damaging without.
WILLIAM TRENT."
Washington's situation became one of the most serious character, for a young officer. Will's Creek was on the very outskirts of civilization. The country beyond was an unbroken and almost pathless wilderness; it was separated by many miles of tortuous mountain roads from the settlements in the East; the French were vastly superior in numbers, and he was advised that their strength was daily increasing, while at least six hundred Chippewas and Ottawas were also about to reinforce the enemy. Colonel Fry had not yet arrived, and Washington keenly appreciated the heavy responsibility resting upon his shoulders. To add to his annoyance, Captain Trent's men, never having known the restraints of wholesome discipline, roved about the camp at Will's Creek, in utter disregard of orders, and set so bad an example for the other troops that Washington feared all would become demoralized, and subordination in the ranks of his own men be destroyed. After spending hours in deep thought in his own tent, over the situation, he concluded to call
51
THE FIRST ROAD TO THE WEST.
1754.]
a council of war; and summoned his officers to meet him at once. He notified them that he had sent expresses to the Governors of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, telling them of his condition, and asking that reinforcements be sent him at once. The resolution of the council of war was promptly taken, and preparations were instantly made to push on boldly and vigorously into the forests, and to build a road as they went. The project was, to proceed to the store house of the Ohio Company, at the mouth of Redstone Creek,* there to establish fortifications, and wait until the arrival of reinforcements. In compliance with this determination, orders were issued detailing sixty men and a number of subordinate officers, who were directed to proceed in advance and prepare the roads. The route taken from Will's Creek led immediately into a virgin forest, which presented innumerable obstacles. Great trees were cut away, rocks removed, and bridges built. This road was the same that had been blazed by Nemacolin at the time he and Colonel Cresap first selected a route over the mountains. It was afterwards followed by a part of Braddock's army, under the advice of Sir John St. Clair. The writer, in company with T. Leiper Patterson, Esq., an eminent engineer in Cumberland, walked over several miles of this road, starting at Cumberland, in the summer of 1877, and clearly traced it as far as the Six Mile House, on the National Road. The route pursued on leaving Will's Creek was along the valley in which Green street extended now lies, the same being the exact
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1754.
course of the old National Pike. About a hundred yards East of Mr. Steele's house, and just where the Cresaptown Road now leads off southward, the road which Washington followed bore slightly to the North, and ran in almost a perfectly straight line to nearly the top of Will's Mountain, involving a very heavy grade, and from there descended to the level of the Old Pike at Sandy Gap. The ascent of the mountain is steep enough to explain the slow progress made with heavily laden teams and artillery, yet in many respects the road was admira- bly chosen; it avoided the ravines so as to obviate the necessity of bridges or culverts, until the valley beyond was reached, and much of the distance on the higher part of the mountain was smooth and comparatively clear of rocks. At Sandy Gap it crossed to the valley in which the present National Road lies, and by an easy descent led to the base of the hills. Near the Five Mile House the old road can be traced, where it crosses from the left to the right side of the National Road, and runs along within a few yards of it, a little higher up, on the hill side, until within two hundred yards of the Six Mile House. The road is as plain to-day as it was a hundred years ago, notwithstanding trees of more than a foot in diameter are growing thickly in its bed. Having been used for sixty-five years, as the only road to the West, until 1818, when the National Pike was built, it became well worn. The banks of the road and the evidences of its having been much used are surprisingly plain. The descent from the highest point on the mountain is easy enough for
·
53
1754. THE ADVANCE FROM WILL'S CREEK.
safety, and from the point of passage through Sandy Gap was quite gentle. This was the first road built across the mountains, and must ever possess a peculiar historic interest.
Washington had sent a message to Governor Dinwiddie, asking him to forward at once a sufficient quantity of artillery and ammunition, while he prepared the road for the heavy wagons and guns, so that there might be no delay when they arrived. The magnitude of the work, however, was such that not · more than three or four miles a day was accomplished, and even this required great exertion. He left Will's Creek on the 29th of April, with all of his troops, except a small guard, which was to await the arrival of Colonel Fry, and the next day overtook the advance, near George's Creek. His whole force then numbered about one hundred and fifty men. With these he arrived at Little Meadows, on the 9th of May, when a number of traders came in from the West, on their return to the settlements, having been warned off by the French. These traders informed Washington that the French were in great strength at the Forks, where they were building a fort, and that they were endeavoring by the free distribution of gifts to win the Indians to their standard. He recognized the infeasibility of assaulting Fort Duquesne with his little force, yet he was desirous of getting as near as possible to the French post without provoking an attack. Shortly after leaving Will's Creek his store of provisions, clothing, &c., had been discovered to be well nigh exhausted, and now his men were in a suffering
54
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND.
[1754.
condition. Notwithstanding this he pushed forward, and with a determination almost unconquerable in its nature he overcame every obstacle, and on the 23d of May took up a position at Great Meadows, where he made an entrenchment and cleared the ground, so as to be able to defend himself against surprise. On the 28th he, in company with Scarooyadi, and a few of his warriors, who had joined him, attacked a detachment of the French, consisting of thirty-five men, under M. de Jumonville, . who were in camp not far distant, and killed and captured almost the entire party. Jumonville, who was a gallant and esteemed young officer, fell at the first fire. Only one of the party escaped, and he proceeded at once to Fort Duquesne, where he gave intelligence of the affair. The French commander declared this act to be no less than murder, since no declaration of war had been made; and asserted that Jumonville was on a mission as a civil messenger, to warn the English not to trespass on the lands of the French, and that he had no hostile intentions. In France it was the occasion of much comment, and the government made the most of it.
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