Lt Col Adam Stephen ! Attack Venango !
With great labor and difficulty they carried their provisions from most remote points, and by the middle of July, 1759, there were, at Venango, as has been estimated, nearly one thousand Frenchmen and the same number of Indians, with a sufficient number of boats to convey the whole force down the river. We may form some opinion, as it has been observed, of the number of boats from the statement that at Le Boeuf (Waterford) all the trees of sufficient size to make boats had been cut down, and the project advanced of making pirogues of sawed timber, such as they had seen the English use. From the Frontier Forts of PA. Other sources noted below show Virginia was expecting this assault.
What is Lt Colonel Adam Stephen doing in June 1759? He was retained as a Lt Colonel. Although at one point he claimed he lost his status. House of Burgesses wrote language saying there would be only one Colonel. Did that mean to exclude Lt Colonel? Because often both were called verbally Colonel when addressed. But it turned out he was retained, keeping his rank. He just had a new Colonel as boss.
His new boss was Colonel Byrd.
General Amherst confirmed in March 1759 and the Virginia Excecutive Council noted that confirmation in April 1759 of Byrd as head of the remaining Virginia Regiment since the 2nd VA Regiment was disbanded 1 Dec 1758 and the 1st Virginia Regiment lost its original leader, Colonel George Washington who resigned 23 Dec 1758. Byrd had another assignment too. He was assigned to help Fort Ligonier.
Lt Colonel Adam Stephen
received orders in April 1759 to attack Venango. The French have a fort here they call Fort Machault. Here is an artist' conception of this French Fort Machault. It lies in an area the English have long called Venango.
This place is where the French are building up their forces to retake the three rivers point where their Fort Duquesne was.
This area is now the town of Franklin PA. That's the Allegheny River above the fort in that picture. The Iroquois and the French looked at Allegheny as part of the Ohio River and called it La Belle Riviere. Left of the picture which is north, lies the mouth of French Creek.
Did the attack ever happen?
No letter or references in May or June of 1759 in the records of House of Burgesses and Executive Council refer to any attack commenced by Lt Col Adam Stephen.
In fact, The Virginia Executive Council noted on 3 April 1759 that Adam Stephen did not have 300 men requested for the attack.
And if he had attacked, it looks like June and July of 1759 had shown a buildup of French and Indians far exceeding 300, which Adam Stephen did not have at his disposal.
We do not see any evidence in May or June or July 1759 if Adam Stephen and his men ever came near to attacking Fort Machault, which lies in the area the English always called Venango.
The attack wasn't needed after all.
The French Fort Niagara was reduced 25 July 1759. That loss choked off the supply line to all the French Forts south of it.
Just as the destruction of boats and supplies at Fort Frontenac by Bradstreet in August 1758 hurt the supply line to Fort Duquesne, so too did the reduction of French Fort Niagara completely choke the supply line to forts south of it.
Proof of an invasion force:
But in the month up to May and June 1759, there was an invasion force being assembled to retake The Point, where the Three Rivers held their own destroyed Fort Duquesne. See all these spy reports here.
The end of Fort Machault:
From Founders Online Footnote:
News of the burning of “Venango LeBeuff & Priscile” reached Pittsburgh by 12 Aug. (Hugh Mercer to Stanwix, 15 Aug. 1759, in Stevens, Bouquet Papers description beginsDonald H. Kent et al., eds. The Papers of Henry Bouquet. 6 vols. Harrisburg, Pa., 1951-94.description ends, 3:568).
Status of Virginia Regiment in this area:
Captain Waggener
and 200 men were still at Fort Pitt. Some of his men were killed by Indians recently. Colonel Hugh Mercer of Pennsylania is commander of Fort Pitt. Colonel Byrd of the Va Regiment is assigned to Fort Ligonier. But on 4 June 1759 we get a report from Colonel Byrd about Indian attacks around Fort Cumberland. This report is found in the Virginia Executive Council 13 June 1759.
dated Winchester June 4th
informing that Fort Cumberland is in Danger , the Indians appearing before it every Day — that he had sent Captain McKenzie there with Fifty Men — that several of Capt . Waggoner's Men have been killed at Pittsburg lately — that the Posts are in a miserable Situation above , for Want both of Men and Provisions that the Regiment is at a low Ebb from the Losses they have sustained , the Small - Pox and Meazles amongst them , and great Desertion — desiring a Commis sion to hold a General Court - Martial , some blank military Com missions , and a Sum of Money for Contingent Charges .
The House of Burgesses
had voted to raise 1000 men. They also voted to add 200 to serve as artificers to help build Fort Pitt. But the fulfilling of that act was taking long.
Name Confusion
When you read contemporary accounts
you will often see
Fort Machault and Venango
used interchangeably.
The French built Fort Machault.
The English called the area Venango.
The French burned down Fort Machault in July 1759.
The English built a new fort in 1760 nearby and called it Fort Venango, especially since they've been calling that area Venango for a long time.
That's it.
That's our lead story.
There's always more.
Skip around.
Read bits and pieces.
Compiled and authored , 5/20/23, 5/21/23, 5/29/2023, 5/30/2023, 6/4/2023, 812pm 6/5/2023, 10/13/23, 12/12/2023
Status of Rank and Assignments:
Virginia Executive Council
April 3, 1759
This excerpt confirms Byrd's rank and status and assignment to protect Fort Ligonier.
This excerpt also confirms Lt Colonel Adam Stephen's assignment to attack Venango (French Fort Machault).
Governor communicated a Letter
from Colonel Byrd
dated March 22d Philadelphia
signifying the General
has ordered
him up immediately
with his Regiment
and the Troops of this Province
to reinforce Fort Ligonier
and to be at hand
to sustain the Garrison on the Ohio
in case of an attack
that he has ordered Lieutenant Colonel Stephens to march directly up with 300 men
and to call in the Rest of the Regiment to Winchester and the South Branch that they may be ready to march at an Hour's Warning ,
when he finds he can maintain them , which will be as soon as carriages can be provided — that the General has given him an Officer of General Warberton's to act as Brigade major —
that he shall leave that Place in three Days to take the Command to the Westward ,
and by his present Orders is to attack Vennango and Presq'isle —
begs whatever number of men shall be rais'd, he'd order them to Winchester forthwith — with a Letter from Captain Blagg dated Fort Loudoun March 27th inclosing a Copy of Colonel Byrd's Instructions to Lieutenant Colonel Stephens or the Commanding Officer of that Garrison
which cant be readily complied
with as there is not that number of men in the 6 companies at the South Branch , Patterson's that 295
295. What looks like " at " has been deleted before “ that , ” with which the entry breaks off .
.
Source
Virginia Executive Council
Virginia Executive Council
April 21, 1759
This excerpt shows the status and rank of Colonel Byrd is confirmed.
At a Council held April 21st 1759
A Letter from General Amherst dated New York , March 30th signifying he is glad to find that the Command of the Virginia Forces is offer'd to Col. Byrd ; that upon a strong Presumption it would , and a Certainty of his accepting the same , he sent him to us about a Fortnight before , to be assisting in expediting the Levies , also immediately to order a Detachment of his Regiment to Fort Ligonier - renewing his Request to his Honor to correspond and cooperate with Brigr . - General Stanwix in every Measure that can tend to the Good of the Service
#154 (p.136)
Adam Stephen's Rank and Status?
Fort Loudoun, Decembr 29th 1758 Dear Sir
About 9 days ago Lt Colo. Stephens arrived here. I immediatly waited on him, shew’d him your Orders and offer’d to give them up to him as Commanding Officer but he before several Officers said that as he understood that the assembly had voted away the Lt Colo. he would no further be concern’d with the Command,2
only to Sign the Discharges of the Drafts upon which I retain’d the Command till yesterday he without giving me the least notice, order’d the Adjutant to make him a Return of the Regiment, and that Jenkins might be got ready to go to Williamsbg—as I knew him, was at no loss to account for this extraordinary Behaviour, and plainly saw his Intentions by Signing the Discharges and Transmitting the Returns was to make it appear to the Governor and you that he Commanded while I did the Duty, therefore I desir’d he would either take the Sole Command or no part of it, the former he made choice off, as his being reduc’d was not given out in Orders, and I suppose till then he will be entitled to his Pay—should be vastly glad to know from you what is done in that affair and whether he is an officer in your Regiment or not? or if he is what his Rank is?
t’s whisper’d here that Lt C. Stephens has receiv’d a Letter from one of the Council intimating the Governor’s intention of giving him the Regt whenever you Resign5—
I need not tell you how alarming this is to the Corps but as I did not till Just now know of this oppy I’m oblig’d to write you in a great hurry but as an Express will set out in a few days with an address from the Officers to you6
will write you more at leisure—The fear of losing you has struck a general Grief & Dejection in both officers and Soldiers the men have already begun to Desert—no doubt Colo. Stephens has sent you an accot of the Situation of affairs here—I take the Liberty of sending the Inclosd advertisemints to be Publish’d7
and begs leave to Subscribe myself with the highest Esteem & most perfect Regard My Dear Colo. Your most Affecte & Most Obliged humble Servt
Some of Founders Online Footnotes
2. The defense act passed in October 1758 provided “that there shall be but one colonel to the said [1st Virginia] regiment” (7 Hening 171–79), and GW was still colonel of his regiment.
5. If there was indeed such a letter, it was a mistaken one. Fauquier wrote William Byrd on 23 Jan. 1759: “Colonel Washington has resigned his Command of the Virginia Forces (and is married to his agreeable Widow) This Command is intended for you, on Condition the Assembly, when it meets in February will restore the Officers and put the Regiment upon the former Establishment” (Reese, Fauquier, 1:158–59).
7. Stewart’s “advertisemints” have not been found.
Source:
.
Fort Machault 1759.
After abandoning Fort Duquesne in November 1758, the French fell back to Fort Machault, and the British expected them to launch a counterattack from there in the following campaign season. In July 1759, the French began a campaign to capture Fort Pitt. Nearly a thousand French and Canadiens and a thousand Native Americans mustered at Fort Machault. The British, however, began a siege of Fort Niagara. The fall of Fort Niagara in summer 1759, however, made the French presence in the Ohio Country untenable. The assault on Fort Pitt was abandoned, and available forces were sent to relieve Fort Niagara.[3] On July 25, 1759, the French surrendered Fort Niagara. In August 1759, the commander of Fort Presque Isle sent word to Fort Le Boeuf and Fort Machault to abandon their forts. The French burned Fort Machault to the ground and retreated to Canada in anticipation of a British expedition north from the Forks of the Ohio. In 1760, the British built Fort Venango near this site.
"The Frontier Forts of Western Pennsylvania," Albert, George Dallas, C. M. Busch, state printer, Harrisburg, 1896. Description of the fort, pgs. 585–590. Location of the fort, pg. 586, "On the present plan of the city of Franklin, Elk street passes through the site of the fort, whilst its southern side reaches nearly to Sixth street." https://archive.org/details/historyofalleghe00cush_0/page/n55/mode/2up
Cushing, Thomas (1889). History of Alleghany County, Pennsylvania. Chicago, Ill.: A. Warner & Co. pp. 44–45.
There's of course, even more
Table of Contents
SPY REPORT ON FORT MACHAULT
You know there was an invasion force being assembled at Fort Machault because Lignery who was organizing it, received an emergency request to bring his force up to Fort Niagara to help them.
" . . . Pouchot, [the commander of Fort Niagara], knew that the best time for a British attak had already passed. Niagara had been most vulnerable in the Spring, before he had returned from Montreal with men to reinforce the Winter garrison. When no British force appeared in May [1759], and when his Seneca informants had brought him no word of any British movement in Mohawk-Oswego corridor by the beginning of June [1759], Pouchot had felt confident enough to send 2500 of his 3000 men off to reinforce Lignery at Fort Machault, in preparation for the planned summer's campaign in the Ohio Valley."
But by July 6 [1759] . . . Pouchot ". . . sent urgent word to Fort Machault for Lignery to return with the force intended for the Ohio Country. He [Pouchot] had on hand fewer than 500 men to defend his post [Fort Niagara]. "
Source:
Crucible of War, by Fred Anderson,
a Borzoi Book published by Alfred A Knopf, a division of Random House, Feb 11, 2000
More Spy reports:
THE FRONTIER FORTS OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION TO LOCATE THE SITE OF THE FRONTIER FORTS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
VOLUME TWO. CLARENCE M. BUSCH. STATE PRINTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. 1896. Pages 585-608.
FORT MACHAULT.—Venango County.
In the account of an escaped prisoner from the Indians, William Johnson, late in 1756, it is said that there was "at Venango a Captain's command of about fifty men; the Fort of Stockades, very weak, and scarce of provisions; a few Indian families about the place; and that the new fort intended for that place not built." (11.)
From another statement (12)
made somewhat later in the same year, it would appear the "small fort made of logs and stockades was mounted with nine cannon of a pretty large bore, and was generally garrisoned with a company of sixty soldiers, besides Indians, who to the number of about two hundred are lodged in cabins that have been built for them near the fort."
He further adds that the garrison had been "for some time employed in collecting and preparing materials for building a strong fort there next spring, and being apprehensive, having been informed by two deserters from Shamokin (Fort Augusta, Sunbury), that the Pennsylvanians had come to a resolution to march against them as soon as a body of men could be raised for that purpose."
From the examination of Michael Chauvignerie (13),
taken down the 16th of October, 1757, the fort was said to be of wood, filled up with earth. It had bastions and six wall-pieces, or swivel guns; and the whole works took up about two acres of ground. There were at the fort fifty regulars and forty Canadians.
No Indians were there, but they passed and repassed to and from a little town they have about seven leagues west from Fort Machault, called "Ticastoroga." (14.)
He said further that his father was a lieutenant of marines and commandant at Fort Machault, lately built and then finishing; that at the fort they expected soon a considerable reinforcement from Montreal; and that almost daily there dropped there some of the detachments passing from Montreal to Fort Duquesne. (15.)
He said the French planted "considerable pieces" of Indian corn about the forts for the Indians, whose wives and children do come to the forts for it, and there are they furnished with clothes at the King's expense, but that there are traders in the forts who purchase the peltry from the Indians. That there are several houses, but the people don t care to inhabit them at present, as they would be more liable to be scalped, and keep chiefly in the forts."
Post, in his journal for 7th of August, 1758, says: "By what I could learn of Pisquetumen, and the Indians who went into the fort, the garrison consisted of only six men, and an officer blind of one eye;" (16),
and under date of November 30th, 1758, "The Fort at Venango is the smallest, and has but one officer and twenty-five men in it, and is much distressed for want of provisions, as is the two upper forts." (17.)
An Indian spy found, about this time, at Machault, two officers and forty men, with De Lignerie in command.
Colonel Mercer, in a report from Fort Pitt, as of the 10th of May, 1758, (18),
says: Cutfingered Peter is gone to Shamokin, (Fort Augusta, now Sunbury), two scalping parties were sent from Venango to infest the communication, and another, consisting of twenty over Lakes Indians were to go off about that time.
"There are about one hundred soldiers at Venango, and several officers, besides what are gone upon party with Indians. They are fitting up platforms and lining their stockade; have but a small quantity of flour, and give out that they are four hundred strong on this side of the Lake. That two hundred battoes are on their way, with five hundred soldiers besides Indians to reinforce them. They expect we will proceed up the river, and Le Narie is determined, as he says, to fight us in the woods. They have eleven battoes at Venango, and one great gun of the size of a quart pot which they fire off by a train of powder."
Colonel Mercer further reports, early in 1759, on the authority of Bull, an Indian spy, that there had been found at Venango two officers and forty men. La Marie was given as the name of the commander. The road was trod and good from Venango to Le Boeuf, and from thence to Presqu' Isle for about half a day's journey was very low and swampy, and bridged almost all the way. (19.)
After the loss of Fort Duquesne, and its occupancy by the English, Fort Machault became a place of much greater importance to the French than was originally contemplated. It served as a rallying place for the savages who were yet under their domination; and as they still entertained hopes of recovering Fort Duquesne, the armament and garrison at Machault, from all accounts, were greatly strengthened. At length it was determined to venture on the attempt to capture Fort Pitt. (20.)
Fort Machault became the base of operations for this expedition, and all the men who could be spared were called here from the upper forts, and even from the far western posts of Kaskaskia and the Mississippi. (21.)
Boats were built on French creek to transport the material and men.
With great labor and difficulty they carried their provisions from most remote points, and by the middle of July, 1759, there were, at Venango, as has been estimated, nearly one thousand Frenchmen and the same number of Indians, with a sufficient number of boats to convey the whole force down the river. We may form some opinion, as it has been observed, of the number of boats from the statement that at Le Boeuf (Waterford) all the trees of sufficient size to make boats had been cut down, and the project advanced of making pirogues of sawed timber, such as they had seen the English use.
These boats were probably "dug-outs," run either singly or bound together after the style of the catamaran. (22.)
But when all the arrangements had been made, and the expedition was about ready to start, orders suddenly came to abandon the project. The English were advancing against the French strongholds from different points of attack. Fort Niagara was one of the objective points, and it being a post of the greatest importance, (as its capture would cut off the French from the whole interior country), every effort was made to raise the siege. It therefore became necessary to draw the forces, both French and Indians, from the distant garrisons of Detroit, Presqu' Isle, Le Boeuf and Venango, and hasten them to Niagara. (23.)
Destruction of Fort Machault
This was in July, 1759. The order was given to evacuate the fort and destroy all the supplies there which they could not carry with them, and to dismantle and utterly destroy the fort. To the Indians were given much military apparel and provisions. Dusky warriors were tricked out in laced coats and cocked hats; swarthy maidens were made happy with presents of French calico and red blankets; strings of beads were thrown lavishly around the necks of papooses, all guileless of them before; flour which had been carried on the shoulders of men over those tiresome portages from Kaskaskia were distributed in lavish rations, and other stores were passed freely around among their red allies. All the perishable property was collected together within the fort, and the whole set on fire. The boats and batteaux were also consigned to the flames. The barracks, without as well as within the walls, were involved in one common ruin. The swivel guns, or wall pieces as they were called, were first disabled, then buried in the earth, and everything of value, removed from sight. This destruction was in accordance with instructions from the French government. Vaudreuil, Governor of Canada, in anticipation of an assault from the English, had instructed De Lignerie to "fall back successively upon Forts Le Boeuf and Presqu' Isle, and so completely destroy the works as to leave nothing behind that would be available to the enemy."
The entire party took leave of their Indian allies, telling them that although they found it necessary to leave them now, they would return in a year and stay with them permanently. (24.)
Then they took their way up the creek, and left the place forever. The French Creek Valley was left to silence and to savages. (25.)
There is no tangible evidence of the former existence of the French work. When Franklin was settled, there were some little mounds covered with briar bushes that were a visible token of the site, but all have now disappeared and we have but the points of the compass and the peaks of the hills to points of the location. (26.)
This fort was succeeded by the English-American fort, Venango.
Source:
THE FRONTIER FORTS OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION TO LOCATE THE SITE OF THE FRONTIER FORTS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
VOLUME TWO. CLARENCE M. BUSCH. STATE PRINTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. 1896. Pages 585-608.
FORT MACHAULT.—Venango County.
April 1759 orders of troop movements
April 3 , 1759
Executive Journals , Council of Colonial Virginia
Governor communicated a Letter from Colonel Byrd dated March 22d Philadelphia signifying the General has ordered him up immediately with his Regiment and the Troops of this Province to reinforce Fort Ligonier and to be at hand to sustain the Gar- rison on the Ohio in case of an attack - that he has ordered Lieu- tenant Colonel Stephens to march directly up with 300 men and to call in the Rest of the Regiment to Winchester and the South Branch that they may be ready to march at an Hour's Warning , when he finds he can maintain them , which will be as soon as carriages can be provided that the General has given him an Officer of General Warberton's to act as Brigade major - that he shall leave that Place in three Days to take the Command to the Westward , and by his present Orders is to attack Vennango and Presq'isle - begs whatever number of men shall be rais'd , he'd order them to Winchester forthwith - with a Letter from Captain Blagg dated Fort Loudoun March 27th inclosing a Copy of Colonel Byrd's Instructions to Lieutenant Colonel Stephens or the Com- manding Officer of that Garrison which cant be readily complied
#696 (p.678)
Executive Journals , Council of Colonial Virginia
with as there is not that number of men in the 6 companies at the South Branch , Patterson's that 295
April 6 , 1759
Governor communicated a Letter from Mr. James Abercromby dated the 17th of November , inclosing Copy of a Letter from Gen- eral Abercromby to him concerning the money granted by Parlia- ment for the 3 Southern Colonies . A Letter also from Mr. Aber- cromby to President dated 30th November the Consideration whereof was referd to a fuller Council .
Short Summary
The campaigns of 1759 were more favorable to the English. Under the skillful operations of Major-General J~mes Wolfe, consummated by General Townshend, his successor, Quebec was captured in September. On the 25th of July Fort Niagara, under the command of ~onchot, was forced to capitulate.
.
Presque Isle, Venango and Le Boeuf were, in consequence of lack of support, easily taken by Colonel Bouquet, who had been sent to summon them to surrender.
Page 20
Gleanings of Virginia history. An historical and genealogical collection, largely from original sources by Boogher, William Fletcher Publication date 1903
Some more history starting off with Fraser.
Located at the confluence of French Creek and the Allegheny River, Fort Machault was one of four forts built by the French to control the Venango Path between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Fort Machault was the last stop on the supply route from Canada to Fort Duquesne. The former frontier outpost is located in what is now Franklin, Pennsylvania.
Prior to the arrival of the French in 1753,
Pennsylvania Blacksmith and Native American trader John Fraser
had established a trading operation on this site, supplying Native tribes throughout the region with European trade goods, as well as repairing guns and other metal objects. Fraser's business was an example of the western expansion of Pennsylvania's fur trade that prompted the French to fortify the Ohio Country, for fear of losing trade and influence among the powerful tribes of the region.
Between 1753 and 1759,
France tried to restrict English colonial expansion and maintain their influence over area tribes by building four forts (Presque Isle, Le Boeuf, Machault, and Duquesne) from Lake Erie to the Ohio/ Mississippi Rivers. Due to disrupted maritime supply lines, the advance of the English Army under General Forbes to the Three River's area,
and the defeat of the French at Fort Niagara (1759),
these four forts were each abandoned.
In the following 250 years, the locations of the former forts have been discovered by archaeologists and recognized by monuments created by historians.
This fort was built by the French
to control the Venango Path, between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. It was named for Jean-Baptiste Machault d'Arnouville, the French Minister of the Marine at the time of its construction. It was also known as "Venango," the name of the nearby Delaware Indian village.
Initially, the fort got off to a rocky start in the summer of 1753
when the Native Americans made clear their displeasure at the French incursion. Discouraged, Monsieur Bite and his fifty men retreated, carefully resuming construction in the spring of 1754. The Natives did not respond to their continued construction. Captain Chabert de Joncaire took over the project and a sawmill was set up to facilitate the construction, which was soon finished. Around the fort was planted corn, a peace offering to the Native Americans who were free to harvest the stalks. Eventually, a trade relationship developed as furriers, Natives, and soldiers bartered.
Fort Machault was built on a hill,
60 yards west of the Allegheny River. The fort was in the form of a parallelogram, about 75 by 105 feet. The curtain was made of hewed timber, stacked lengthwise. The four corners had bastions in the form of polygons. The bastions were built of saplings, eight inches thick, and 13 feet in height. The gate fronted the river. Inside the fort were a magazine, several officer's barracks, with two stories and stone chimneys. The soldiers’ barracks consisted of 45 buildings outside the fort.
Reports of how many men were actually in the fort vary wildly.
One account claims there were only six men manning Fort Machault, with their commanding officer only having sight from one eye. Another claims that around five hundred men were hosted in the barracks, along with several officers. Most accounts mention that the soldiers were “scarce of provisions”.
Prior to the arrival of the French in 1753,
Pennsylvania Blacksmith and Indian trader John Fraser had set up shop on this site, supplying Indians in the region with trade goods and repairing their guns and other metal wares. His business was an example of the western expansion of Pennsylvania's fur trade that prompted the French to fortify the Ohio Country, for fear of losing trade and influence among the Indians there.
Fort Machault was the last stop on the supply route from Canada to Fort Duquesne. After abandoning Fort Duquesne in November 1758, the French fell back to Fort Machault, and the British expected them to launch a counterattack from there in the following campaign season.
The fall of Fort Niagara in summer 1759,
however, made the French presence in the Ohio Country untenable. They burned the post, giving all useful supplies to their Native American neighbors, leaving nothing for the oncoming British to use. The French retreated to Canada in anticipation of a British expedition north from the Forks of the Ohio.
In 1760, the British built Fort Venango near this site.
Admin, Clio and Grace St Clair. "Fort Machault." Clio: Your Guide to History. July 14, 2020. Accessed May 28, 2023. https://www.theclio.com/entry/21381 . https://www.theclio.com/web/entry?id=21381 .
Virginia Executive Council 13 June 1759
At a Council held June 13th 1759
Mr. Commissary The Governor was pleas'd to communicate to the Board , the following Letters viz :
A Letter from General Amherst
dated New York, April 22d
sig nifying his concern to find that all the Augmentation the Burgesses have made is only two Companies of 100 Men each to be added to the Regiment as Artificers , which tho ' he cannot but commend , yet this falls very short of his Expectations — that he shall recommend to Brigadier Stanwix to furnish what Number of Arms he shall judge necessary to compleat the Virginia Troops — that as it is probable at the Close of the Campaign the Service will require him to call a Meeting of the Governors , he will endeavour to have it take Place at such a Time , as may not interfere with the Business of the Colony , of which he shall give timely Notice .
Two Letters from Brigadier General Stanwix ,
dated Philadelphia April 28th and May 30th
expressing his Approbation of the Addi tion of two Companies of Artificers , and his Hopes that some Expedient will be found to compleat the Regiment .
End of page
#158 (p.140)
140 Executive Journals , Council of Colonial Virginia
A Letter from Col. Byrd ,
dated Winchester June 4th
informing that Fort Cumberland is in Danger , the Indians appearing before it every Day — that he had sent Captain McKenzie there with Fifty Men — that several of Capt . Waggoner's Men have been killed at Pittsburg lately — that the Posts are in a miserable Situation above , for Want both of Men and Provisions that the Regiment is at a low Ebb from the Losses they have sustained , the Small - Pox and Meazles amongst them , and great Desertion — desiring a Commis sion to hold a General Court - Martial , some blank military Com missions , and a Sum of Money for Contingent Charges .
A Letter from Governor Lyttelton ,
dated Charles - Town April 27th
referring his Honor to Mr. Martin , the Bearer , who was appointed Missionary to the Cherokees , for the latest Occurrences there of any Moment .
Also two Letters from Mr. Davies,
dated Hanover May 30th and June gth ,
the one signifying
that the Society for managing the Indian Missions and Schools , have lately received Mr. Richardson's Journal ; and communicating according to their Order to his Honor some Particulars of Consequence therein contained , respecting the Temper and Disposition of the Cherokees ; adding if his Honor pleases to see the said Journal , his Commands shall be obey'd .
The other signifying
he had desired Mr. Martin , in the Name of the Society , to request his Honor , to order the Interpreter who is in the Pay of Virginia , to assist the Missionary occasionally when he is not engaged in the public Service .
The Governor acquainted the Council with what he had learnt from Mr. Martin , concerning the Cherokees , and desired their Advice thereon ,
Upon which it was the Advice of the Council , that the Goods now in the Country for carrying on a Trade with the said Indians , be forthwith sent away to their Nation ; and that a Present out of them of £ 25 , Value , be given to Hop , and the Little Carpenter , the two Chiefs of that Nation ,
The Board this Day having taken under Consideration the most commodious Place for fixing the Court House for Prince William
End of page
#159 (p.141) Executive Journals , Council of Colonial Virginia 141
County , it was the Opinion of the Council , and accordingly order'd , that the Court - House for the said County be established in the Town of Dumfries , and that in the mean - time the Courts be held in the old Place .
Upon considering the most proper Place for establishing the Court - House of Fauquier County , for Reasons appearing to the Board it is Order'd
That the Court - House of the said County , be fixed on the Land appertaining to Richard Henry Lee Esqr .
#157 (p.139)
Source
End of Virginia Regiment
The war in the north saw the defeat of the French in Canada. But there was a war in the South. The Cherokee felt ill used as allies and white hunters and traders were constanting using and taking their land. The Virginia Regiment then went south to fight the Cherokee on several expeditions.
General assembly of Virginia, Jan. 14, 1762. An act for giving recompense to the officers of the Virginia regiment-- one full year's pay, over and above what shall be due to them until the disbanding of the said regiment, viz.:
Colonel Wil-
LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS. 103
liam Byrd, Lieutenant-colonel Adam Stephen, Major Andrew Lewis, Captains Robert Stewart, John McNeil, Henry Woodard, Robert McKenzie, Thomas Bullett, John Blagg, Nathaniel Gist, Mordecai Buckner, Captain-lieutenant William Danger- , field, lieutenants William Fleming, Leonard Price, Charles Smith, George Wooden, Jethro Summer, John Lawson, William Woodford, Joseph Fent, John Ballard, Thomas Gist, Alexander Boyd, William Hughes, David Kennedy, Robert Johnson, Walter Cunningham, William Cocke, Alexander Menzie, Larkin Chew, Reuben Vass, and John Cameron, ensigns Henry Timberlake, Philip Love, John Sears, Burton Lucas, David Long, Alexander M'Laugham, George M'Night, and Surgeon John Stewart. (Hening's Statutes, page 493.)
On page 378 to 390 of Volume 1, Virginia Magazine of History, are found the names of several companies in the French and Indian Wars. The roster gives rank, name, age, size, place of enlistment, nativity and trade of each man, and shows that the troops were secured from every part of the colony of Virginia. Oct., 1765. An Act for appointing commissioners to examine and state the accounts of the militia lately ordered out into actual service, and for other purposes therein mentioned. (Hening's Statutes, Vol. 8, page 124.)
By this act Archibald Cary, Thomas Walker, John Fleming, William Cabell, George Carrington, Thomas Lewis, and Peter Hog, gentlemen, were appointed commissioners for the counties of Augusta, Bedford, Halifax, and Amherst, and James Hamilton, Richard Lee, Thomas Rutherford, Thomas Marshall, William Green, and James Wood, gentlemen, for the counties of Frederick, Hampshire, Culpeper, Loudoun, Fauquier, and Prince William ; or any three of them to examine, state and settle the accounts of such pay, provision, arms, and etc., of the counties of which they are appointed, and all arrears whatsoever relating to the militia. Section 3, folio 126.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That the said commissioners shall also
104 GLEANINGS OF VIBGINIA HISTORY.
settle an~ allow any claims that shall be produced to them for provisions furnished the volunteers and captives on their return from Pittsburg to this colony.
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Pages 102-104
Gleanings of Virginia history. An historical and genealogical collection, largely from original sources by Boogher, William Fletcher Publication date 1903
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Petition for compensation
March 1759
Lt Colonel Adam Stephen in March of 1759 petitioned the House of Burgesses for compensation for the Sept 1758 loss of supplies in Grant's Defeat near Fort Duquesne during the Forbes Expedition.
Below updated 929pm 5/7/2023
1759 House of Burgesses Journal
Saturday, the 17th of March. 32 Geo. II. 1759.
(meaning 32nd year of King George II)
A Reprefentation of Adam Stephen, Esq; Lieutenant-Colonel in the Virginia Regiment, in Behalf of the surviving Part of a Detachment of the said Regiment, which was engaged in a Skirmish before Fort Du Quesne, under the Command of Major Grant, setting forth That the said Detachment being over-powered by Numbers of the Enemy, was obliged to retreat, with the Loss of their Blankets and Shirts, and praying the Consideration of the House, was presented to the House and read.
updated 5/11/2023
Tuesday, the 20th of March. 32 Geo. II. 1759.
(meaning 32nd year of King George II)
Mr Wythe, from the Committee to whom the Representation of Lieutenant-Colonel Adam Stephen, of the Virginia Regiment, in Behalf of the surviving Part of a Detachment of that Regiment which was engaged in a Skirmish before Fort Du Quesne, under the Command of Major Grant, was referred, reported. That the Committee had had the same under their Confideration, and had agreed upon a Report, and come to a Refolu- tion thereupon,which he read in his Place, and then delivered in at the Table, where the fame were again twice read, and agreed to by the Houfe, as follow:
It appeared to your Committee that the Forces commanded by Major Grant, in an Expedition againft Fort Du Quesne, when they approached that Place, by his Orders, left behind them their Baggage, leaft it might retard their March and encumber them in Time of Adtion: And that 100 Men of the Detachment from the Virginia Regiment, in the Skirmifh near the Fort, overpowered by a much fuperior Number of the Enemy, were compelled to retreat, with the Lofs of their Blankets and Shirts, which they have been fmce obliged to fupply out of their Pay; and thereupon,
Resolved, That the faid furviving Part of the Detatchment of the Virginia Regiment ought to be allowed the Sum of ;i£i75.
Ordered, That the Treafurer's Accounts be referred to M"' Charles Carter, M"' Bland, M' Page, M^ Dudley Digges, M'' Harrifon, M'^ Pendleton, M.'^Cary, M'^ Lewis, TA^ George Johnfton, M' Thomas Lee, M"" Richard Henry Lee, and M'' George Mafon ; That they do examine into the feveral Articles thereof, and report the Balance as it fhall appear to them, to the Houfe.
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Timetable
#259 (p. 233) - 1 matching term
...A Meffage from the Govemour by M' Walthoe, M"' Speaker, The Govemour has commanded me to deliver to your Houfe three Letters juft come to his Hands from Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen;, Major Lewis, and William Shorie an Inter- preter. And the faid Letters were read, and thereon Refolved, That an humble Addrefs be made to his Honour the Govemour, to affure him that this Houfe entirely rely on his Prudence and Wifdom in preparing fuch Pre- fents, and providing for the Indians expedled to come into this Colony, as he fhall think proper. ...
26 March 1761
#297 (p. 271) - 1 matching term
... [ 27' ] be much obliged to you to fee General Amherft and confult with him on this Matter, to whom I requeft the Favor of you to make known thefe my Sentiments at large and let me know the refult of your Conferences as foon as poffible : for as it appears to me much will depend thereon. I have already fent Orders to Lt. Col" Stephen; to rendezvous all the Men returned from Fort Pitt and the other pofts at Winchefter, and to refrefh the Men there, but to have them in Readinefs to march Southwards immediately, on Orders for that purpofe. ...
Williamsburg 16 Feb 1761
from Lt Gov Fauquier
#300 (p. 274) - 4 matching terms
...And they are further to be allowed ;j£i . lo.o p'' Man for their Expenfes in raifing fuch Recruits; which Sum is to include all Expenfes whatever. You are defired to order the Divifion of the Regiment now at Winchefter under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen; - (if not already done) to march fouthwards to join the reft of the Regiment, at the Pofts on the South-weft Frontiers, forthwith : as you fliall judge moft convenient for that Purpofe. As foon as this Jundlion is made, you are defired to proceed forwards to Stahll- nackers' or fuch other poft as you fhall judge moft convenient ; and there to ere(5l a fmall Log-houfe Fort for the Security of provifions, ammunition &ct. and from thence to advance with as many picked Men as j^ou fhall judge neceffary to the Big Islandi; leaving Lieut. Colonel Stephen; to follow as foon as may be with the new raifed Men and the reft of the Regiment, there to wait for Orders from Major General Amherft under whofe Command and by whofe Dire(5tions You are to condudt the intended Expedition into the upper Cherokee Towns. ...
...The L' Governor Acquaints me that he had given Orders for making the Regiment as Compleat as poffible Difcharging the Invalids and Unferviceable Men, and he is fo fenfible • Adam Stephen; was appointed a captain in Fry's regiment in 1754, and became a major or lieutenant- colonel upon Fry's death, ferving until the command was difcharged. He was appointed paymafter to the troops raifed in the winter of 1754-5S and ferved until fuperceded by William Byrd. Stephen; was captain- commandant in the Braddock expedition, with adlual command of the Virginia companies. He was ap- pointed lieutenant-colonel of the Virginia regiment when Wafhington refumed command. ...
#302 (p. 276) - 1 matching term
...I reed your two Favors of the 23'' June on the 28*'' and had very luckily fummoned a Council to meet on the 29'*" (on the advifmg the moft proper Cruize for his Majefty's Ship Affiftance who brought in the London Fleet and is to cruize on thefe Coafts for the protection of the Trade till he returns) to whom I communicated yotu- Letters. I have sent up the Breviats for Colonels to M"" Stephen; and M"" Lewis' to prevent their being subject to the Command of a Junior officer as you defired, and Letters to the Lieutenants of the Countys to prepare Militia to occupy the pofts you will be obliged to leave, in which Service I defire you will employ as few as poffible, in order to fave Expenfe of w'*" the Colony will foon grow tired. ...
#306 (p. 280) - 1 matching term
...Governor Fauquier, agreeable to Mine of the 17"^ Inftant, will have been Enabled to Recall You with the Virginia Regiment, into the province, if not, I muft Repeat my Defire, that You will, to the utmoft Exert Yourfelf in the Annoying the Cherokees in their Upper Country ; and that You will not think of declining the Com- mand of the Virginia Regiment, before the Service to which they are Deftined is Com- pleated. I am, Sir, Your moft Obedient Servant Jeff: Amherst. Colonel Byrd Commanding the Virginia Forces. BANCROFT TRANSCRIPTS. LT. COL. STEPHEN; TO LT. GOVR. FAUQUIER. Camp at Pittf burgh 08' 29, 1759. Sir, I rec'd the honor of your letter, and would have been under the greateft obligation for your fentiments on the Indian Trade. ...
#307 (p. 281) - 1 matching term
...FAUQUIER TO THE LORDS COMM : OF TRADE. W""burgh December 1, 1759. My Lords, I inclofe your LordP^^ a copy of a letter I have juft received from L' Col. Stephen; : which, as it contains fome minute particulars of points of confequence, I ha^'e choofe to communicate to your Right Hon**'® Board in the words of the Writer. ...
#312 (p. 286) - 1 matching term
...My Lords, Under Cover with this, I inclofe to your LordPP^ a Triplicate of a letter I wrote to your R' Hon**'* Board on the i ^' of December laft, with a Copy of a letter from L* Col : Stephen; to me, referred to in it. My reafon for fending this is, my apprehenfion, that the Duplicates were both loft ; one being fent in my Box of public papers to the R' Hon'''* Board, by the Deliverance Capt" White, who, we know was loft on the coaft of France. ...
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To George Washington from John Blagg, 11 May 1758
From John Blagg May the 11th 1758
Sir I Have in Listed twenty two men & thare is Eight or teen more that Has Promised if Can Gitt the money to Give them for thay will Nott take orders for aney Part the officers of the New Rigiment Has Made a Pactiss of Giving the full Bounty So that thay are Nott to be Gott with out[.] Pray send me some Money Down for I Have Borrowed upwards of a Hundred Pound in town & Promised to Return it before I Left this[.]1 Colo. Stephen Has a Return of the Stores which I Sent up by Serjt Edmonson2
I am Sir with Respect Your Hum. Sert John Blagg ALS, DLC:GW.
Founders Online Notes: Lt. John Blagg of the Virginia Regiment, a member of the Virginia forces since December 1754, returned to Virginia in November 1757 from South Carolina where he had gone with Lt. Col. Adam Stephen and Capt. George Mercer the previous June.
1. Blagg had been recruiting in the Fredericksburg area and probably was writing from there.
2. The return of stores has not been found. Thomas Edmondson of Essex County was on 13 July 1756 a 25–year-old corporal in Capt. Charles Lewis’s company of the Virginia Regiment.
Source:
Notes
Fort Machault and Venango
Fort Machault and Fort Venango . This YouTube video claims this is the site of Fort Machault on 8th Street and Liberty. . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHk6ljXZua0 . This is incorrect. The site is supposed to be South of 8th Street on Elm Street 600 block. . Posting this just for vetting and correcting purposes. . longitude latitude 41.38941, -79.82364 Navigate Google Car https://goo.gl/maps/2HCAf6MUgfM2 . The 2 historical signs for Fort Machault and Fort Venango are a block away down 8th Street. And a little stone marker for Fort Venango near corner of 8th and Elk Streets. . See other icons to the east on 8th and Elk. -------------------------------------------- Fort Machault Actual location? description Fort Machault Actual Location? . On 8th St and Elk, is the location of 2 historical markers. But the Fort location itself? . It located somewhere in the 600 block of Elk Street near the Allegheny River, once known by the French "The Beautiful River" - called Belle Rivier on French maps after the Seneca name of Ohio which meant Beautiful River. . http://alleghenyalmanac.com/theallegheny.html . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegheny_River#Etymology . . 600 block of Elk Street. There was an archeological dig there in 2011. . http://www.orgsites.com/pa/northfork29/_pgg6.php3 . Ctrl F and type Machault to find all occurrences of Machault . https://knowledge.library.iup.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=2178&context=etd . Warren Co PA history mention Fort Machault . https://archive.org/stream/historyofwarrenc00chic#page/38/mode/2up/search/machault . . ================================ name FORT MACHAULT (FRANCE) description http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Machault
HISTORICAL MARKER
Behind the Marker
One of four forts built by the French to control the Venango Path between Lake Erie and the Ohio River, Fort Machault was located in modern Franklin, Pennsylvania, at the confluence of French Creek and the Allegheny River. It was named for Jean-Baptiste Machault d'Arnouville, the French Minister of the Marine at the time of its construction. It was also known as "Venango," the name of the nearby Delaware Indian village.
Prior to the arrival of the French in 1753, Pennsylvania blacksmith and Indian trader John Fraser had set up shop on this site, supplying Indians in the region with trade goods and repairing their guns and other metal wares.
His business was an example of the western expansion of Pennsylvania's fur trade that prompted the French to fortify the Ohio Country, for fear of losing trade and influence among the Indians there. An artist's rendition of the French Fort Machault and the barracks erected nearby. Fort Machault was the last stop on the supply route from Canada to Fort Duquesne. After abandoning Fort Duquesne in November 1758, the French fell back to Fort Machault, and the British expected them to launch a counterattack from there in the following campaign season. The fall of Fort Niagara in summer 1759, however, made the French presence in the Ohio Country untenable. They burned the post and retreated to Canada in anticipation of a British expedition north from the Forks of the Ohio. In 1760, the British built Fort Venango near this site.
Beyond the Marker
William A. Hunter, Forts on the Pennsylvania Frontier, 1753-1758 (Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission), 1960.
Louis M. Waddell and Bruce D. Bomberger, The French and Indian War in Pennsylvania: Fortification and Struggle During the War for Empire (Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission), 1996.
Behind the Marker
This 1878 map shows the positions of Fort Venango The purpose of Fort Venango was to protect the passage from French Creek to the Allegheny River. The British intended for it to replace Fort Machault, which the French had destroyed when they retreated from the Ohio Valley in 1759. Fort Venango was essentially a large blockhouse with earthwork defenses. It was much smaller than Fort Pitt, the primary British post in the Ohio Country. Seneca Indians attacked it during Pontiac's Rebellion in June 1763 and burned it to the ground, killing its small garrison. They forced the post's commander, Lieutenant Francis Gordon, to write down their grievances concerning the British occupation of the Ohio Country before torturing him to death. When General Amherst learned of Gordon's fate, he wrote to Colonel Henry Bouquet, " no Punishment We can Inflict is Adequate to the Crimes of those Inhumane Villains." This remark, indicative of Amherst's hatred for Indians, reflects the tone of his exchange with Bouquet about using smallpox as a weapon against them.
Beyond the Marker Howard H. Peckham, Pontiac and the Indian Uprising (Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press), 1999. Charles M. Stotz, Outposts of the War for Empire: The French and English in Western Pennsylvania: Their Armies, Their Forts, Their People, 1749-1764 (Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press), 1985.
STREET VIEW OF HISTORICAL SIGN
FRONTIER FORTS
http://jimmoyer1.wix.com/fortloudounva#!forts-on-the-frontier/c1wi9
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Jim Moyer
Text me first on 540-336-3486 cell
Voicemail 540-667-6241 landline
Winchester VA 22601 USA
jimmoyer1@gmail.com
Fort Loudoun Winchester VA website
https://jimmoyer1.wixsite.com/fortloudounva
Chess Camp
https://jimmoyer1.wixsite.com/jimmoyerchesscamp
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