The End of 1756 to January 1757
Compiled by Jim Moyer 12/20/2020, adding update to this on 2/22/2020
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We write this with an eye towards those who want to research dates and times, sources, proofs of what happened when, where and why.
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Non-stop George:
Again, we are constantly amazed at how many problems confront Colonel George Washington all at once and how GW meets each challenge.
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Fort Cumberland is not worth it:
Before the problems listed here even start, GW must confront the problem of being ordered to Fort Cumberland - a fort he doesn't believe is worthwhile to defend, nor safe to leave supplies there. To GW the place was an island Alamo surrounded by constant small parties of enemy, threatening mail and communication and threatening to the supply train. On top of that problem is Maryland's Captain Dagworthy who claims an expired commission with the British Army is enough to overrule a provincial Colonel (George Washington) and a provincial Lt Colonel (Adam Stephen).
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And the supplies? No sooner does Colonel George Washington accomplish bringing most of the supplies from Fort Cumberland to Fort Loudoun, then Lt Gov Dinwiddie orders GW to return most of those supplies back to Fort Cumberland. He also orders George Washington and 100 men to leave Fort Loudoun to garrison Fort Cumberland. There are only 80 some viable soldiers available. Dinwiddie's decision was based on George Mercer's report to him when in Williamsburg. Mercer's numbers were no longer current.
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The end of 1756 leading into 1757 is best summed up by Douglas Southall Freeman, page 232, from Young Washington Volume Two. published 1948 by Charles Scribner's Sons.
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We quote him in italics and then expand on each of his comments.
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The weeks of waiting for the visit of Lord Loudoun to Virginia could not be for Washington a time of idleness even at Fort Cumberland in winter.
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George Washington's time period at Fort Cumberland
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December 20 or 21, 1756 George Washington leaves Fort Loudoun for Fort Cumberland, putting his aide de camp Captain George Mercer in charge of Fort Loudoun.
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January 26, 1757 is Colonel George Washington's first letter written from Fort Loudoun. So his stay at Fort Cumberland is some time between December 21, 1756 and January 26, 1757.
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Lord Loudoun Never Visits Virginia
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Lord Loudoun never visits Virginia. He is the new commander of all North America. He is also technically the Governor of Virginia but he never visits the colony. Lt Gov Dinwiddie is often referred to as Governor because he did all the duties of Governor. Lord Loudoun is instead busy planning for the siege of Fortress Louisbourg, which also never happens. And to underscore this as a world wide war, Lord Loudoun later commands much larger forces in Portugal to fight back the Spanish who joined this war, allying with France.
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GW writes to Lord Loudoun
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10th of January 1757, Colonel George Washington wrote this letter to Lord Loudoun. That letter is his second letter written 6 months after his first letter to his Lordship.
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14 January, 1757 while at Fort Cumberland since 21 Dec 1756, GW asks Lt Gov Dinwiddie permission to see Lord Loudoun in Philadelphia. B5ut this never happens because in 6 days, 20 January 1757, Lord Loudoun goes to Boston to plan the siege of Fortress Louisbourg.
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Dagworthy Controversy
How did George Washington skirt the Dagworthy controversy while at Fort Cumberland?
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See Founders Online also on this controversy:
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Mass Resignation Threat
And his men at Fort Cumberland threaten mass resignation in the previous months of October and November in response to an editorial accusing these officers of scurrilous conduct.
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After the Christmas holidays, which some of the men sought to enliven with theatrical performances of a sort,
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About that Theatrical Play
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According to a footnote by
Douglas Southall Freeman,
(page 232, Young George Washington Vol 2)
our Colonel George Washington
paid the players 2lbs from his own funds
on 10th of January, 1757.
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A good example of what that theatrical play may have been like is the record of Christmas 1755 at Fort Cumberland.
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Here is some more about that Christmas 1755 celebration in Charles Lewis' Journal, bottom of page 215 and top of page 216.
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That same day of 10th of January 1757 when Colonel George Washington paid his men playing in that Christmas play, he wrote this letter to Lord Loudoun. It is his second letter written 6 months after his first letter to his Lordship.
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Here is how GW celebrated Christmas over the years:
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George had to find clothing for the half naked troops, who had been expecting it since October,
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and he had to submit to another controversy with the Governor over the appointment of a commissary. Dinwiddie accused George of not giving "proper countenance" to Thomas Walker . . .
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From Dinwiddie to GW 27 Dec 1756:
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I am surpriz’d Mr Walker shou’d leave his Duty after the Assurances made me (last Time he was in Town) of discharging that Duty with all Diligence, I fear he was not properly countenanc’d, his Probity Knowledge & Experience makes him as equal to that Service as any in the Country, & as he & his Assistant have made so large Contracts, I shall not appoint another till I have his Reasons for resigning.
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Source
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