An Attack, Virginia closes session, Bastion crumbling
October 12, 1758 was an interesting day. The French and "their" Indians attacked Loyalhannon. On that same day, the VA House of Burgesses ended their session. That's important because they're going to need to come back to extend the December 1st deadline ending 2nd Virginia Regiment's service. And on this same day there is a report written to Colonel George Washington that the base of the southwest bastion of Fort Loudoun needs refortifying and the barracks need covering and they need money to get this done.
We will tell you a little bit about all three events, as we continue our look at 1758 in this year of 2022.
The first event occurring 12 Oct 1758:
1. Attack on Loyal Hannon
The fort and encampments at Loyal Hannon were not called Fort Ligonier until 1 Dec 1758 by General Forbes' decree.
Prior to that, all letters by all the officers called this place Loyal Hannon or Loyalhanna or variations of that spelling.
Most modern references call this the Battle of Fort Ligonier, even though it was not dubbed so at the time.
The ATTACK
The attacking force consisted of " approximately 440 French Marines and Canadian militia and 150 Native warriors, under the command of Captain Charles Phillip Aubrey," according to
page 141 of The British Defeat of the French in Pennsylvania, 1758: A Military History of the Forbes Campaign Against Fort Duquesne: by Douglas R. Cubbison.
2 hours the battle lasted starting at 11am.
Then another attack.
A lot of cannon fire from the colonials kept the enemy at bay.
The enemy never breached the fort.
Then a night of a lot of Indian yelling. All night.
Then they were gone.
The next day many of the out guards and those posted outside the fort guarding cattle were found dead.
It seemed like they found a lot of bodies lying in the woods.
Maybe 200 horses were stolen.
But this Army was not going away.
Not like Braddock's army in 1755.
And btw some of that Braddock's Army is still there on the battle grounds in a dark wood, three years later.
A burial party finds them.
Not too much to bury, though.
Colonel George Washington was not there that day.
He was at Raystown (later called Fort Bedford by General Forbes' decree on 1 Dec 1758).
Colonel George Washington was ordered to leave Fort Cumberland right after news of Grant's defeat which was a month ago, 12 Sept !758.
The forces at Fort Cumberland MD, posed the threat to French.
The French thought the British were again coming up the Braddock Road.
But James Grant's defeat alerted the French that the British threat was coming another way, directly from the east.
Because Fort Cumberland no longer served as a decoy, General John Forbes wanted Washington to join his main force at Raystown.
GW got his men to Raystown 16 Sept 1758 and then to Loyalhannon 23 Oct 1758.
Forbes finally made it to Raystown on the night of 15 Sept., and GW was there the next night. Forbes sent GW back down to Fort Cumberland on 17 Sept. to fetch the Virginia forces, and GW returned to Raystown with Byrd and the Virginia troops on 21 September. According to Founders Online footnote.
Colonel Henry Bouquet was not at Loyalhanna either that day.
Clear Fields, at the eastern foot of Laurel Hill, was the site of Fort Dudgeon. This was where Bouquet was on 13 Oct. when he got word from James Burd of the attack on Loyalhanna (see Orderly Book, 13 Oct., n.1). Source: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-06-02-0070
Who was in charge at Loyal Hannon?
Burd.
The best quick sketch of the movements of this battle are detailed on pages 141 to 146:
The British Defeat of the French in Pennsylvania, 1758: A Military History of the Forbes Campaign Against Fort Duquesne: by Douglas R. Cubbison. More on this author here. And a review here.
The second event occurring 12 Oct 1758:
2. Virginia Session closes
On the same day of that attack, not yet known by the legislature, Ooctober 12, 1758 Lt Gov Fauquier announces the last day of this session of the House of Burgessess:
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That you may have a proper Time
for the Discharge of your private Functions,
it is convenient
you should now be prorogued,
and you are accordingly
prorogued
to the
Third Thursday in December next.
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Porogued meant closing down. This session was ending. Next Session? Third Thursday in December next? That meant December 21, 1758.
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Source:
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That was going to be way too late.
1 December 1758 was the ending date of service for most of the recruits of the Virginia Regiments. This would have been okay if the Forbes expedition was going to sit out the Winter and resume the campaign in the Spring.
But reports emerged in November from captured enemy indicating Fort Duquesne was vulnerable. This meant the expedition needed to move forward towards the enemy Fort Duquesne. This might involve a long seige. This might take longer than the 1st of December.
So, the House of Burgesses came back into session to extend date of service past 1 Dec 1758.
November 9, 1758
Lt Gov Fauquier opened an emergency session of the House of Burgesses.
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Gentlemen of the Council,
Mr Speaker,
and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses, It was very far from my Intention,
when we last parted,
to call you together again so soon;
but by a Letter I have received from Colonel Byrd,
/ find our Forces will most probably be in Action before Fort Du Quesne, at the very time prescribed for their Return into this Colony; I therefore thought it not only expedient, but necessary, to summon you on this Occasion.
. The withdrawing our Regiments from the rest of his Majesty’s Forces at a time when the Event of the Expedition (for which only, Part of them were raised) is at the Crisis, would be the greatest Disservice to the common Cause, and at the same Time subject this Colony to all the Censure Disappointment can invent for the Failure of the Expedition, if that should be the fatal Consequence of such Measures.
. But, when I reflect on the whole Tenor of your Conduct during the Course of the War, I feel the strongest Conviction that I need not use these, or any other Arguments, to induce you to make such Alterations, in the Disposal of, and Provision for, the Regiments, as the present Circumstances require:
I am very sensible that one of our Regiments
[meaning the 2nd Virginia Regiment]
cannot be continued beyond the first of December,
without Breach of the public Faith, which I shall always deem too sacred to be touched; but I have great Reason to hope that Honor will supply the Place of Law, Law, and that this Body of Virginians will be influenced by the first, to do that voluntarily, which the last cannot compel them to.
. I have nothing to add, but to recommend to you the utmost Expedition;
for if your Resolves are not known to the Army before the first of December,
all will be frustrated:
And, in order to remove all Obstacles which may occasion Delay, I am desirous (on my Part) to waive all Forms of Ceremony, which Custom may have introduced in Relation to myself.
Mr Speaker also reported,
that the Governor had delivered to him
a Letter of the 22d of October last,
from General Forbes,
also a Letter from Colonel Byrd,
of the 21st of October,
which he had desired him to lay before this House; and he accordingly delivered them in at the Table, where they were read, and ordered to lye on the Table.
. Upon a Motion made, Resolved, That this House will resolve itself into a Committee, to consider of the Governor’s Speech immediately.
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Source:
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About Virginia Governors
Lt Governor Francis Fauquier was appointed January 26, 1758, but assumed office June 5, 1758.
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The Lt Governor was the top managing official of this Crown Colony.
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Who were the absent Governors of this time?
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First Governor John Campbell, 4th Earl of Loudoun (1756–1759) ruled. He then went to Portugal to fight the Spanish who entered the war.
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Then came Governor Jeffery Amherst (1759–1768).
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Both Governors were absent governors of Virgina. Both were Commander of all North American forces at the same time.
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The third event occurring 12 Oct 1758:
3. Fort Loudoun bastion crumbling
The bastion needed to be reinforced as its foundation was giving way.
That bastion was the one holding the magazine. The magazine was the depot that held blackpower, muskets, musket stocks, extra firelocks and powderhorns. And during the Forbes Expedition maybe it held hardly anthing, as supplies for such were always needed. This bastion wa located on the the southeast corner. Near that bastion was a chute for Necessaries, a pee trough. All this according to Norman Baker's research. See his booklet on Fort Loudoun, pages 50-51 covering September to October 1758.
And the barracks need covering.
This is a report made by Lt Charles Smith, foreman of the work crews building Fort Loudoun in Winchester VA.
That's it.
There's always more down below.
Skip around.
Read bits and pieces.
And stay in tune.
We will be adding more links to this story.
Compiled and authored by Jim Moyer 10/16/2022, updated 10/17/2022, 10/18/2022
French attack on Loyal Hannon
Loyalhanna Creek joins the Conemaugh River to form Kiskiminetas River which in turn flows into the Allegheny River.
Founders Online footnote about 12 Oct 1758 attack:
1. General Forbes altered these orders on the morning of the fourteenth when he received a letter from Bouquet, written on the morning of 13 Oct. and now missing, with the news that the forces at Loyalhanna had been attacked by a body of French and Indians the day before. Col. James Burd of the Pennsylvania Regiment, who was in command at Loyalhanna in Bouquet’s absence (see Orderly Book, 4 Oct., n.1), wrote Bouquet on the evening of the twelfth: “This day at 11 A: M the enemy fired 12 Guns to the South west of us upon which I sent out two partys to surround them but Instantly the firing increased, upon which I sent out a large party of 500 men they were forced to the Camp and Immediately a regular Attack Insued which lasted a long time I think above two hours. . . . I have drove them of[f] the field, but I don’t doubt of a second Attack . . . “(Stevens, Bouquet Papers, 2:552). Upon getting Bouquet’s letter, Forbes ordered GW to march immediately with a contingent of the 1st Virginia Regiment to reinforce Bouquet at Stony Creek just over Allegheny Mountain on the road to Loyalhanna. At the same time he ordered a party of the 2d Virginia Regiment to relieve the detachment of the 1st Virginia Regiment that had marched with the wagons the night before so that they could join GW, bringing his party to a total of 200 men (see Forbes’s general orders for 14 Oct. quoted in note 8 of Orderly Book, 3 Nov. 1758).
2. See the chart and note 5, Orderly Book, 22 September.
Source:
Fort Ligonier
Attack at Loyalhannon (Fort Ligonier)
Pages 141-146 of the battle at Loyal Hanna ---The British Defeat of the French in Pennsylvania, 1758: A Military History of the Forbes Campaign Against Fort Duquesne: by Douglas R. Cubbison. More on this author here. And a review here.
Colonel George Washington's movements
From Fort Cumberland to Raystown to eventually Loyal Hannon
Lt Col Adam Stephen at Loyalhannon 13 Sept 1758
14 Sept 1758
Founders Online Footnote to a Forbes letter to GW 15 Sept 1758:
GW and Bouquet were in agreement that both GW and William Byrd should come up from Fort Cumberland to see General Forbes as soon as he should arrive in Raystown. See, for instance, GW to Bouquet, 28 Aug., and Bouquet to GW, 30 Aug. 1758. Forbes finally made it to Raystown on the night of 15 Sept., and GW was there the next night. Forbes sent GW back down to Fort Cumberland on 17 Sept. to fetch the Virginia forces, and GW returned to Raystown with Byrd and the Virginia troops on 21 September.
Forbes took the occasion to inform the two Virginia colonels of his feelings about their vocal opposition to the route he had chosen for his army to follow from Raystown to Fort Duquesne. He reported the interview to Colonel Bouquet on 23 Sept.:
“Col. [Adam] Stephens writes Col. Washington that he is told by everybody that the road from Loyal Hannon to the Ohio and the French fort is now impractible. For what reason, or why, He writes thus I do not know; but I see Col. Washington and my friend, Col. Byrd, would be rather glad this was true than otherways, seeing the other road [Braddock’s] (their favourite scheme) was not followed out. I told them plainly that, whatever they thought, yet I did aver that, in our prosecuting the present road, we had proceeded from the best intelligence that could be got for the good and convenience of the army, without any views to oblige any one province or another; and added that those two gentlemen were the only people that I had met with who had showed their weakness in their attachment to the province they belong to, by declaring so publickly in favour of one road without their knowing anything of the other, having never heard from any Pennsylvania person one word about the road; and that, as for myself, I could safely say—and believed I might answer for you—that the good of the service was the only view we had at heart, not valuing the provincial interest, jealousys, or suspicions, one single twopence, and that, therefore, I could not believe Col. Stephen’s descriptions untill I has heard from you, which I hope you will very soon be able to disprove” (James, Writings of Forbes, 218–21).
Source:
GW at Raystown still on 13 Oct 1758
GW at Camp at Shawnese Cabins Saturday Octr 14th
GW at Camp at Stony Creek Octr 16. 1758 Monday
Camp at Muddy Run Tuesday Octr 17th 1758
The campsite may have been at or near Kickenpauling’s Old Town on Quemahoning Creek, about six miles from the last encampment on Stony Creek.
Camp at White Oak Ridge Friday Octr 20th
It would appear that the troops remained encamped at the same place on 21 Oct., and the Orderly Book entry of that date places the encampment “at the S. E. Side Laurel Hill.”
This suggests that
White Oak Ridge and Laurel Hill
are perhaps one and the same.
Clear Fields, at the eastern foot of Laurel Hill, was the site of Fort Dudgeon. This was where Bouquet was on 13 Oct. when he got word from James Burd of the attack on Loyalhanna (see Orderly Book, 13 Oct., n.1).
Camp at the S. E. Side Laurel Hill Saturday Octr 21
Camp at the N. W. Side Laurel Hill Sunday Octr 22d 1758
Camp at Loyal Hannon Monday Octr 23d 1758
Orderly Book
Orderly Book 21 September–24 November 1758
Fort Loudoun bastion crumbling
Lt Charles Smith, foreman of building Fort Loudoun
He punched a man and the man died
To George Washington
from Charles Smith,
12 October 1758
From Charles Smith Fort Loudoun Octr 12 1758 Dr Sir
I Receivd Yours: from Rays Town bareing no Date, but an Answer to mine of the 18th of Septr. Lieut. Swearingen with 20 Rangers in Compy with Lieut. Slawter & 20 of the Culpepper Militia is a Guard to the Waggons as far as Fort Cumberland as there was no Others to be had.1
I have Imploy’d two Very good Masons to Assist in Underpinning the Bastion
which we have Laboured at this ten days past.
I Could not Ingage any Person of Skill for Less than 5s/ pr Day for Each & finding them Diet.
Horses I have Advertis’d Your two Mares in the Virga Gazite & at Fredricksburgh & Several Other Places at 20s/ Each Mention’d Stray’d away on the first of June, from Colo. Spotswoods, the Mare You Bought from Captn Linsey is a bright Bay & about 14 hands high well Sett, a Trotter, & Branded with fore Ses.
The One You bought from Saml Givends is a black Ma⟨re⟩ Trotts, About 14 hands & a ½ high no brands, but a Small Star in her forehead, & a Small S on her Near Shoulder.2
I have sent the Horse I Stopt from Burris to Your Quarter,3
Barracks
I have Imploy’d Your Waggon 7 Days in fetching Stone, Lime & Water for the Masons & timber for Covering the Barricks which is done for the Publick,
Blacksmiths
I have Imploy’d her 5 Days more for the Town’s People at 10s/ pr Day. & now must imploy her a few Days, in fetching Cole Wood for Your Smiths & after that I shall have more Business for Different People, As for Your Smiths work I have not time to give You a full Account but Shall take Care to Let You know Every Particular in my Next.4
Contractors not getting Paid The Country People about here is Very Uneasy to find there Accounts not to Pass at Williamsburgh for Plank, Iron, Steal & Many Other Nessesaryes that I was Desired by You to Contract in the behalf of the Country, to furnish those Nessasaryes for the Use of the Publick work. I believe the Sum due, when You Left this Place, Amounted to £28, for Waggonage & all.
The £25 You Left with me I have Paid to the Miner which I have taken his Recept for & he has Near £20 More due besides what I am in Debt for Cartridges Paper Brimstone for Matches Smiths Work & Masons & Waggonage must at Least amount to £140.
Need more money I wrote to the Governour for a Small Supply of Money,
Where he returnd to me in his Letter, as You Left £25 with me to furnish the Well, & Cover all the Buildings,
You must be Sencible there was 8 or 10 £ due to the Miner When You Left
this & his Work since is Amounted to near £40 the Masons Near £12 & many Other Expences that must be Paid[.] the Governour & Council Seems to think that I have Run the Country to this Expence by no Ones Orders but my One, as they imagine by Your Letter Leaveing me £25 would Compleat the whole, I am Still Desired by them not to Let any of the Building Suffer, & Carry On the Well, I will Leave You to be a Judge if you think Workmen is to be had Or any Nessasaryes got without Money therefore I ⟨ha⟩ve Advanced some Money of my Own Credit, I am now desired by the Council to Let them know by whose Orders I Contracted, but at the Same time they have Promised to Pay what is Due, as What is Done was highly Nesasary for the Good of the Country, I Shall Just send all Accounts Against the Country Down, & then if they Order me to Carry On the Well they must Raise more Money.
I have Ingaged 30 Bushels of hair for You & Shall send it Down by the first Oppertunity to Your House in farfax.5
I have sent You the Exact Return of this Garrison inclos’d with some Letters,6
I have no News worth Notice—
I am Dr Sir Your Most Obedient & Very Humble Servt
Chas Smith
Founders Online Footnotes:
1. Thomas Swearingen, Jr., of Frederick County, was one of the two lieutenants in Capt. Robert Rutherford’s company of rangers, and William Slaughter was a lieutenant in the militia of Culpeper County. No letter to Smith from GW written after GW’s arrival at Raystown on 21 Sept. has been found. Christopher Gist carried down several letters from GW written on 25 September.
2. For the references in the correspondence to these two lost mares, see Christopher Hardwick to GW, 3 Sept. 1758, nn.3 and 4.
3. For the problem about the horse that Thomas Burris rode down to Winchester and Alexandria at the end of August, see Smith to GW, 18 Sept., and note 3 of that document.
4. What GW received at this time for the use of his wagon and the work of his smith has not been determined, but it may be noted that in his cash accounts (DLC:GW) he records at Mount Vernon on 11 April 1758 having received £80.4.10 on his smith’s account and £13.1.10 “for waggonage”; and on 20 May at Winchester, near his Bullskin plantation, he records £17.0.3 in his smith’s account (General Ledger A, folio 36, 39).
5. Presumably GW had instructed Smith to purchase hair for use in the plasterwork being done at Mount Vernon.
6. For a later return of the garrison at Fort Loudoun, dated 27 Oct., see Smith to GW, 16 Nov., n.7.
Source:
Sources
Raystown (Fort Bedford) and Loyalhannon (Fort Ligonier)
Fort Bedford
Fort Ligonier
Chestnut Ridge to Laurel Ridge
Attack at Loyalhannon (Fort Ligonier)
Pages 141-146 of the battle at Loyal Hanna ---The British Defeat of the French in Pennsylvania, 1758: A Military History of the Forbes Campaign Against Fort Duquesne: by Douglas R. Cubbison. More on this author here. And a review here.
Grant's Defeat 12 Sept 1758
Braddock Army remains
House of Burgesses sessions
on retaining recruits past 1 Dec 1758
Fort Loudoun bastion and barracks
Lt Charles Smith, foreman of building Fort Loudoun
He punched a man and the man died
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compiled by Jim Moyer 2/8/2019, updated 10/16/2022, 10/17/2022
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