Fort Loudoun Winchester Virginia
Designed & built by Colonel George Washington
1756-1758
Also related events 1752-1764 before and after French & Indian War
Cowardice, Desertions and Heroism
Battle of Great Cacapon
DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE
15 soldiers and 2 officers killed. Two wounded.
From letter - William Stark writes to George Washington 18 April 1756
See version of Battle of Great Cacapon in Court Martial of Lt John Lomax
Testimony on 2 May 1756 tell of a:
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A pond, a hill, and a dam.
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This was a running battle about a mile and half away from the Edwards Fort, in today's Capon Bridge WV.
Begin excerpt:
"Ensign Dennis McCarty, first Evidence sworn, says; That the action with the Indians began about one and an half miles from the Fort; and that it continued, he thinks, half an hour, before their party began to retreat—He further says— That their retreat might have been much secured, had a party of even ten men from the Fort taken possession of a hill, betwixt them and a pond, over which they were obliged to pass; but no assistance being there, or nigh them— only Lieutenant Blagg, with a few men upon the opposite side of the pond; they were obliged to retreat with the utmost precipitation, to the Dam of that Pond: otherwise, had the Enemy intercepted them, they must have all been inevitably cut off." End Excerpt.
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After the Battle of Great Cacapon - Washington's letter to Dinwiddie 3 May 1756
I have sent down an indian scalp which was taken off at the place where Captain Mercer had his Engagement. He was found thrust under some rocks, and stones piled up against them. They have reason to believe there were more killed, from the quantity of blood found on the ground, where the Indians fired from; and from other discoveries of their attempts to make more Graves—But a hard shower of rain prevented their making a farther search
Much preceded this battle:
April 1756 is just one attack after another.
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After a long trip started in February 1, 1756 to Boston to see Gov Shirley of Massachussetts, who was also Commander in Chief of all North American forces, to settle the issue of Capt Dagworthy not submitting to Washington's command at Fort Cumberland, Washington finally arrives BACK IN WINCHESTER APRIL 7 1756 to find the frontier in turmoil.
A report is received about a dead Frenchman who had plans to destroy the depot near Williamsport MD on the Potomac ...in the heart of many settler's forts and homesteads.
That's just one of many reports of skirmishes in April.
End of March 1756 Battle of the Lost River
End of March Early April 1756 – BATTLE OF THE TROUGH
7 April 1756 Sieur Douville is killed and scalped
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8 April 1756 Lt Bacon of Maryland and 5 Ashby’s rangers reported killed, and Cox Fort attacked
15 April 1756 Attack on Martin’s Fort (Seller’s Fort).
15 April 1756 attack on Fort Ashby .
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18 April 1756 Battle of the Great Cacapon near Fort Edwards, 20 miles from Winchester
Col Washington writes Lt Gov Dinwiddie of Virginia:
See link to this letter
"However absurd it may appear, it is nevertheless certain, that five hundred Indians have it more in their power to annoy the Inhabitants, than ten times their number of Regulars. For, besides the advantageous way they have of fighting in the Woods, their cunning and craft are not to be equalled; neither their activity and indefatigable Sufferings: They prowl about like Wolves; and like them, do their mischief by Stealth—They depend upon their dexterity in hunting, and upon the Cattle of the Inhabitants for provisions."
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This reality although true, contained a real hidden nugget. Col Washington in the north and Washington's right hand man, Maj Andrew Lewis, in the south, who had just come from the failed Sandy Creek Expedition, were about to be hit by ONE SINGLE INDIAN. AGAIN.
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Because this one Indian was already there at the Battle of Jumonville Glen in May 1754 leading to Fort Necessity July 1754 and at Braddock's defeat in July 1755 and later that Fall around Fort Cumberland.
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JOHN KILLBUCK SR. (BEMINO)
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KILLBUCK Sr masterminds The Battle of the Trough which just occurred at end of March or early April.
Other attacks masterminded by KILLBUCK SR resulted in many deaths, heroism, cowardice and ensuing court martial trials held in Winchester.
Building of Fort Loudoun begins next month, May 18, 1756, one month after The Battle of the Great Cacapon near Fort Edwards, 22 miles from Winchester.
Court Martials resulting from
the Battle of the Great Cacapon
were held in Winchester VA:
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Court Martial of Lieutenant John Lomax.
See date and time of this trial Washington ordered
See this trial link.
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Notice Lomax, after being exonerated, sits as jury member on the 2nd trial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis.
Court Martials of Sergeant Nathan Lewis
See link - 1st Court Martial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis results in no decision
2nd Court trial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis
http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-03-02-0066
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See another link on this same 2nd trial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis
http://www.wvculture.org/history/frenchandindian/17560502dinwiddie.html
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Orders after this trial, see this important link
SOME MORE DETAIL.
WASHINGTON WRITES THIS on 18 May 1756 AFTER THE COURT MARTIALS
I want much to pay them off, to appease murmurs, and silence complaints. I received a Remonstrance of theirs in justification of their Behaviour—Tell them, that I hope their conduct will ever be stimulated by a just sense of their Duty—
That Heroick Bravery and Sobriety, influenced by a hearty zeal to serve their country will always be the standard of their actions, and is the certain means of meriting my regard and esteem, as well as obtaining the love and applause of the Country:
while a contrary Behaviour, you may strongly assure them, shall never fail to meet with adequate punishments—
Instances of this are now before them of Nathan Lewis, Corporal James Thomas, and Henry Campbell—all under Sentence of Death—
The first for his cowardice at the action at Edwards’s; the others for desertion.
I have a warrant from the Governor for shooting of Lewis, and shall delay the execution until the arrival of the new Recruits. The others were tried but to-day; and the proceedings of the Court will be sent to the Governor; if he approves the Sentence—I shall make it my particular care to see them executed; as I shall every individual that offends in the like cases.
TRIAL OF LIEUTENANT JOHN LOMAX
I do Hereby constitute and appoint you President of a General Court-Martial, to sit between the hours of eight and three; for trial of Lt John Lomax
A General Court Martial, to consist of four Captains, and five Subalterns, to sit immediately for trial of Lieutenant Lomax, of the Virginia Regiment
Lieutenant John Lomax, accused of neglect of Duty, in not covering the Retreat of a Detachment, under command of Captain John Mercer, engaged with the French and Indians, nigh Edwards’s Fort, the eighteenth ultimo ... At a General Court-Martial, Held at Winchester, the second day of May, 1756.
Colonel Washington has approved of the sentence of the said Court martial, which was unanimous in opinion, that Lieutenant Lomax was not guilty of neglect of Duty; and that he remained in the Fort in consequence of his Orders; and that his conduct is not culpable.
A General Court Martial, to consist of four Captains and five Subalterns, to sit immediately for trial of Sergeant Nathaniel Lewis; for retreating with a party without orders—and those men, confined for throwing away their arms in the retreat of the party, defeated on the eighteenth of April last, near Edwards’s Fort
FIRST TRIAL OF SERGEANT NATHAN LEWIS
After hearing the Evidences for and against Sergeant Nathan Lewis’s Behaviour—The Court was divided; and could come to no Determination See first court trial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis
Evening Orders. 2 May 1756 First trial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis
The General Court Martial, whereof Captain Woodward was President, is dissolved—and Colonel Washington approves of the Sentence of the Court, in regard to Fling and Clarke; who lost their arms. Sergeant Lewis is to have a further Hearing.
A General Court Martial, to consist of five Captains and eight Subalterns; to sit immediately for Trial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis
No transcript of why the first trial ended without a judgement. Not enough evidence?
SECOND TRIAL OF SERGEANT NATHAN LEWIS
Highly irregular to put Lt John Lomax on this jury the very day after he John Lomax was acquitted of cowardice.
No notes on why first trial was dissolved 2nd Court Trial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis who gets sentenced to be shot
And web link stating same trial above but should be date May 3 not May 2 See this transcript of 2nd Court Trial of Sergeant Nathan Lewis
Colonel Washington approves of the Sentence of the Court— was unanimous in opinion, that Sergeant Nathan Lewis, for his misbehaviour, in running away with his Party, should suffer Death.
WAS THE SENTENCE CARRIED OUT?
Letter Washington to Dinwidde 3 May 1756
"I inclose your Honor the Sentence of a General Court Martial, which was held here upon a Sergeant for running away with his Party. They have, I think, very justly adjudged him to suffer Death: which Sentence I hope you will approve of; as there never was a fitter object to make an Example of—being the second time he has been guilty of the same crime; nor a better time, as the Newly-draughted Recruits for the Regiment may be here by that time to see it executed; and it will be a good warning to them." (Question: when was last time this happened?)
see August and October 1755 laws on discipline discussed - from notepad of notes on Douglas Southall Freeman Young Washington Volume 2
The law allowed only for the Governor to approve capital punishment. The way around this was for Dinwiddie to give blank death warrants for Washington to fill out and thus not go against the spirit of the law
Letter Dinwiddie to Washington 8 May 1756
I send You a Death Warrant for shooting Sergeant Lewis, which I doubt not You will order to be executed, by having as many of the Forces present as You can, that he may be a public Example to deter others from such like Offences; You are to fill up the Blank to the Day You may think most proper, declaring the Crime for which he suffers
see Enclosure: Death Warrant 8 May 1756
Lewis was not executed, and therefore the blanks were never filled. Any execution would be illegal without filling out this form.
Scroll down to page 562 in this link to find the following quote from the August 1755 law: “…and that execution of all and every such sentence and judgment shall be suspended until the pleasure of the governor, or commander in chief, for the time being, be known, who if he thinks proper, is hereby desired to issue his warrant under the seal of the colony, for putting such sentence or judgment into execution, and to transmit the same to the presiding officer at such court martial.”
MORE COURT MARTIAL TRIALS IN WINCHESTER VA
Winchester—Monday, May 10th 1756.
A Regimental Court Martial to sit immediately, for Trial of George Forman, and John Collins
Winchester: Saturday, May 15th 1756
A Court Martial to sit immediately for Trial of Thomas Hicks.
James Clarke, who has accused Aaron Paul and John Robinson of Robbing him: must produce his Evidences to this Court Martial; in order to proceed on their Trial also.1 Else they will be Discharged.
see letter from George Washington dateline Winchester May 18 1756
SOURCES AND WEB LINKS
FOUNDERS ONLINE "Washington, George" AND Starting date=1 January 1756 AND Ending date=31 December 1756
Washington document for year of 1756
