|
|
94 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
|
|
Letter Bk. III
|
orders marched to garrison Fort Cumberland while the Rest
were left at Fort Frederick to patroll on our Frontiers at a
small Distance beyond the Settlements & by this Disposition
of them the Inhabitants have been so effectually secured this
Summer from the Incursions of the Enemy that we have not
lost a single Person exclusive of Soldiers & such as attended
them. The Money which had been appropriated for the Sup-
port of these Troops being now expended I have convened
the Assembly again & recommended it to them to grant
farther Supplies for their Support but I am sorry to inform
you that they have absolutely refused to provide for any Men
that are or may be ordered to Fort Cumberland, & that they
are also resolved to reduce the Troops in the Pay of this
Province to 300 who shall they say on no Account whatever
be employed otherwise than in garrisoning Fort Frederick &
patrolling just beyond our Frontier Settlements. I am for my
own part well convinced that Nothing can contribute so much
to the Safety of our People while we are obliged to carry on
a defensive War in these parts as our keeping a strong Gar-
rison at Fort Cumberland or some other advanced Post for
tho it may be proper to have a place of Strength & to have
Parties patrolling near the Settlements yet that alone will not
be effectual the Indians may pass them, come down, destroy
the Inhabitants & retire again in a few hours without being
observed & before an Alarm can be given; but when another
considerable Body of Men is posted at a Distance as at Fort
Cumberland & the Commanding Officer frequently sends
small Parties to observe the Enemy's Motions & keeps larger
ones constantly patrolling the Indians find it no easy matter
to make Incursions without being discovered, if they fall in
with any Party from such advanced Post on their way down
their Progress is for that time stopped for tho they should be
victorious as has often happened this Summer yet they dare
not venture lower lest the Alarm should be given & the Troops
& Inhabitants on the Frontiers be prepared to receive them
& in Case they should pass the advanced Post will probably
be advised thereof before they can retire & their Retreat will
become very difficult. By these & many other Arguments I
have endeavoured to convince the Assembly of the Use &
propriety of our supporting a Garrison at Fort Cumberland
agreeable to the Earl of Loudoun's Requisition, but finding
that they will not be diverted from the Resolution that they
have taken by any Arguments that I can urge nor by any
orders that the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces
in America can issue I have intreated the Earl of Loudoun to
take some other Measures for the Preservation of Fort Cum-
berland, & lest the Troops that are at present there should be
|
|
 |
