Fort Loudoun - Is it Finished Yet?
As we follow 1758 in this year of 2022, we come across a letter dated 23 Feb 1758 about Fort Loudoun's incomplete status.
Lt Charles Smith is the Superintendent Foreman, assigned by Colonel George Washington in 14 Nov 1756.
He learned the art of building forts from Captain Thomas Waggener.
Capt Waggener was tasked by Colonel George Washington to build forts along the South Branch of the Potomac River.
While the building of Fort Loudoun carried on, our Colonel George Washington is dealing with dysentery since last November 1757 and really won't get over it until March 1758.
When GW gets over the Dysentery he launches right into the Forbes Expedition while getting elected to the House of Burgesses at the same time.
Here is Lt Charles Smith's report to Colonel George Washington.
He first discusses the Baylis challenge to a duel and his accusations of how some officers of the Virginia Regiment rioted and beat up a man they thought was Baylis. By the way, Baylis surveyed the 1752 addition to Winchester VA. Years later Baylis is killed in a duel. Contrast that to the story of how Colonel George Washington avoided a duel.
For now we look at the rest of the letter dealing with the status on building Fort Loudoun.
The text of the letter is in orange italics inter-mixed with notes and links.
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To George Washington
from Charles Smith,
23 February 1758
From Charles Smith Fort Loudoun February the 23d 1758
Concerning the work at Fort Loudoun
has gone on tolerable Well in your Absence
Of the two buildings on the south end of the fort
(the buildings at the front wall door),
the one on the right in the picture was the building Colonel George Washington moved into 2 Dec 1756, after paying a year of rent to William Cocks, owner of Cocks Tavern (21 S Loudoun St) and who was the Captain of the first of two Ranger Companies created in 1755.
the third Barrack is Intirely Covered In,
and the Last one now aframing in Order to raise.
We are thinking this last barrack is the one on the west, (left most one in the picture). This last barrack also became the last one standing. Sometime around 1820 it became known as the Oyster House and was painted yellow. Later it was owned by a Tailor. After that it was taken apart and reassembled on Fairfax Lane.
the Parapet on the Last Curtain is up,
the Last Bastian Is Lay’d Over with logs
and two of the ambuziers [embrasures] done
and now is about the Other four,
we have done all the joyners Work in the Second Barrack,
We are in Great want of a Barrell of Double tens for the Last Barrack
we not having One,
Our Stone Masons has been Sick Ever Since you have been away,
and our Stone Work is much Behind hand.
The well has been allmost full of Water
But now is Cleared
and they are at Work in it A Gain
And there is Near Ninety foot deep.
I Cant Say that there Is any Likelyhood of Any Spring,
We are almost out of Iron and plank,
and am afraid I Shall find it very difficult to be Supply’d
without a small quantity Of money
to pay them of the old arrears
I have advanc’d all the money I Can possibly Spare.
The Black Smiths belonging to the publick work
has behav’d Exstreamly well.
The blacksmith shop for Fort Loudoun stood at corner of Braddock and Fairfax Lane.
I Should Send you the particulars of The Work they have done]
but being in haste and my Books not being Settled,
Sr I am your most Humble. Servt Chs Smith
ALS, DLC:GW.
Founders Online Footnote
GW put Charles Smith in charge of the construction of Fort Loudoun in November 1756. For GW’s plans and specifications for the construction of the fort, see William Fairfax to GW, 10 July 1756, n.3. John Christopher Heintz, a German, was the well digger.
Source:
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Authored and compiled by Jim Moyer 2/27/2022.
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