Letter to Seamus MacWilliam

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: Seamus MacWilliam
: Fort Augusta,
: at the Forks of the Susquehanna

: 17 April, 1759

: My friend Seamus,

: It has been ages since I have heard from you, but I have heard rumors and reports of some terrible things during the past half-year, and I'm writing now in the hopes that you can find me here at Fort Edward and tell me you are well, and tell me if the rumors of a massacre last fall are true or exaggerated.  I fear that I won't hear from you at all.

: As I say, I am at Fort Edward, on Rogers' Island where we Rangers have our camp.  Spring is in the wind but of course up this far north it is still quite cold.  The ice is breaking up on Lake George but it was very very thick this winter and we were able to march across without worry of anything but slipping and being heard.  And now exciting things are happening.  We are about to receive a new order of muskets, specially designed for the Rangers at my Major's insistance.  We have word that the artillery has tried and approved them and we expect them any day.  They are said to be slightly shorter in the barrel than the those we are used to, among other changes.

: More than that, though, we are expecting the arrival of a large number of Stockbridge Mahicans!  The Earl of Louden it was who issued the orders to increase our own Indians to complete a company and Gen. Amherst then approved my Major's request for three such companies.  My Major himself wrote to the Sachems for the Stockbridge Mohegans.  "Brother Uncas", he wrote, for I was fortunate enough  to pen the letter myself as he occassionally allows an adjutant to assist him and I, thanks to my father's support of my schooling, am able to give the assistance my Major requires.  But I stray.  "Brother Uncas," he wrote to one of the three the Sachems, addressing him just as he should, and requesting in all the right manner suitable to the Indian mode of address, that he should come to Fort Edward with perhaps 50 Indians to be private soldiers but dressed in Indian style.  He addressed similar letters to the other two Sachems.  

: The Mohocks, you know, are often out with us and have proven to be brave friends, but they cannot be organized as the Stockbridge Indians can be.  But to think the British generals should wish to put the Indians under the King's pay, is most astonishing!  We await their arrival in great anticipation.

: Well, I must conclude and prepare for inspection.  Seamus, my friend, please respond if you receive this missive.

: I remain, 
: Your obedient humble servant and friend,
: Chauncey

: Rogers' Rangers, Rogers' Own Coy.
: Fort Edward


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