Posted by Corporal M.A. MacWilliam on July 06, 2000 at 06:58:58:
Cousins Seamus, Flags, and Tales,
We received your most recent message concerning the expedition against the Fort called Carillon. You must all be careful for we have found the French and their savage allies to be cunning and not easily beaten in battle. Your new friend Chauncey seems to be aware of much, maybe he has second sight, and Brother Gunn and I believe this sight should be heeded. Beware, my cousins.
If at all possible, make contact with the 42nd Highlanders, you will know them by their red and buff uniforms, and their kilts and pipes. I jest a bit with you, cousins, for one cannot mistake us Highlanders. But make their acquaintance and if possible, find a kinsman of ours, a sargent in one of the hat companies by the name of Alisdair Robison. Sgt. Robison will give you good company, a braw man especially with a backsword.
Our expedition here in Penn's Woods has bogged down. The quartermaster has decided that we do not have enough supplies to continue on, so detachments were sent to neighboring settlements of this Fort Lyttleton to procure foodstuffs for our continued trek. This brings me to some news which will bring smiles to your faces. For, last evening, sevral carts loaded with dried foodstuffs arrived at the gates. Several cows were herded in with the carts and, do you wonder who the man was in charge of these goods to be sold to us? None other than your father, Seamus, our Uncle Quasi!
It seems that Uncle Quasi had been back at his haunts in Carlisle and hearing of our predicament with goods, procured, at his own expense, the cows and carts of goods for our use. We have wondered where his monies come from, but when asked, Uncle Quasi giggled, pinched several of the ladies who accompanied him, they in turn giggling also. No other explanation was given.
We are thankful for Uncle Quasi's help with the goods for our journey, and several jugs of local whiskey were loaded onto the carts also. Col. Bouquet has given us leave to celebrate a bit this evening, before we leave for Raystown, most likely in two days. We know this from retired Sgt. Shattoe, the horseman, who seems to have fresh news from the Colonel, Shattoe having served with the Colonel in the European Wars. We have already asked for Minstrel Wolf to join us this evening for a night of merriment and music.
As for other news here, all seems quiet. We believe that many of the French and the savages have left Penn's Woods to either go west to protect Fort Duquesne against our possible onslaught, or they have gone north to your Fort Carillon. Many Faces and his Cherokee brothers have reported no sign of Shawnee or Delaware in this area. Several of the Cherokee scouts have threatened to leave our expedition if no action is seen, for they are thirsty for battle and scalps. This scalping is a barbaric act, but in the heat of battle, many of us Scots have found ourselves in a frenzy. So, we are more prone to understand such things than are the English.
I hear the 1st Sgt. bellowing for my presence. He is anxious to leave this provincial fort and move on to action in the west. May St. Andrew protect you all as you ready for your battle with the French.
God Save the King!
Cousins Malcolm and Davey