1st: Monicatoha their Mentor, 2d Belt of Wampum, or white Thunder, who always keep the Wampum, and has a Daughter call’d bright Lightning 3d: The great Tree and Silver Heels, Jimy Smith and Charles all belonging to the 6 Nations, The General Assured them of his Friendship and gave his Honour, that he never would deceive them, after which they sung their Song of War, put themselves into odd postures, wth Shouting and making an uncommon Noise, declaring the French to be their pepetual Enemies, which they never had done before, then the General took the Indians to the Park of Artillery, Ordered 3 Howtzrs. 3:12 pounders to be Fired, the Drums beating & Fifes playing the point of War, which astonisht but pleased the Indians greatly. They afterwards Retired to their own Camp to eat a Bullock and Dance in their usual manner, with shewing how they fight and Scalp, and expressing in their Dance, the exploits & Warlike Actions of their Ancestors and themselves—Arrived 80 Waggons from Pensylvania with Stores; and 11 likewise from Philidelpha with Liquors, Tea, Sugar, Coffe &c. to the Amount of 400£ With 20 Horses, as presents to the Officers of the 2 Regiments—An Indian came in 6 days from the French Fort, and assured us they have only 50 Men in the Fort, however they expected 900 more soon, yet they purpose blowing it up whenever the Army Appears—as this Indian was one of the Delawars, who never were our Friends he was suspected to be a Rogue—100 Carpenters were Employed in making a Float, building a Magazine & squaring Timber to make a Bridge over Wills Creek, The Smiths were making Miners Tools, The Bakers were baking Biscuit, and every thing was getting ready for a March.
May 21st: A Troop of light Horse & 2 Companies of Sr P. Halkets Regimt. under the Command of Major Chapman came in from Winchester
May 22d: The Indians had Arms & Cloaths delivered to them
Do. 23d: The 2 Regiments were Exercised & went through their Formings
Do. 24th: Employed in Transporting the large Timber to the Fort, The Army consists of 2 Regiments, Each 700 Men; 2 New York, 1 Independent Carolina Companies of 100 Men, 9 Virginia 1 Maryland Companies of 50 Men; 1 Compy. of Artillery of 60 & 30 Seamen
May 25th: Preparations for Marching: 2 Men of Sr P. Halkets were Drum’d out, and received 1000 lashes Each for Theft.
May 27th: The Companies employed in loading 100 Waggons wth. Provisions, A Captains Guard March’d for Winchester to Escort Provisions to Camp—several Delawar Indians came into Camp.
May 28th: The Delawar Indians Assembled at the Generals Tent and told him they were come to Assist him, but desired to know his Intention the General thank’d them, and said that he should March in a few days for Fort Dec Quisne, The Indians then replyed, they would return home, Collect their Warriors and meet them on his March.
May 29th: Major Chapman with a Detachment of 600 Soldiers March’d with 2 Field Pieces and 50 Waggons full of Provisions when Sr John St Clair, 2 Engineers, Lieut. Spendelow & 6 Seamen with some Indians were Order’d to clean the Roads for them.
May 30th: March’d in, Capt. Dobbs with a North Carolina Company