The New Hampshire Gazette

Extract of a Letter from an Officer in the Expedition against Fort Du Quesne, dated Camp at Fort Loudoun, July 17, 1758.

In my last I advised you the Progress made on our Expedition: and I can now tell you that the Supplies at Ray's Town, on the Road between Littleton and that, Carlisle and this, compleats all the Necessaries for the Expedition. The whole may be at Head Quarters in 10 Days. The Artillery will be here To morrow. The General is expected in 3 or 4 Days. By the present Appearance of Things, I imagine we shall begin the grand March in about 30 Days. The Troops are in high Spirits, notwithstanding the severe Duty; and the Hopes, I may say Assurance of Success, makes them go thro it with Cheerfulness. A Road is opening between Fort Frederick in Maryland, to Fort Cumberland Capt. Joslyn is on this Business. It is yet uncertain the Route we shall take: I am of Opinion a Road will be cut from Ray's Town to Fort Cumberland, where we fall into that made by General Braddock. A strong Fort is building at Ray's Town, and large Magazine. At the Foot you have the Number of Troops destined for this Expedition. I am told there are about 200 Indians with Colonel Bouquet, they are going and coming every Day; they have been supplied with every Thing they asked. The Parties that have been scouting near Fort Du Quesne say, the Indians are very numerous there. We expect Orders to decamp every Moment; we wish their Arrival. Ray's Town is 90 Miles from Fort Du Quesne.

List of the Troops employed in this Expedition.
350 Royal Americans, 4 Companies,
1200 Highlanders, 13 ditto.
2600 Virginians,
2700 Pennsylvanians.
1000 Waggoners, Sutlers, and Followers of the Army 7890 This is the Computation, &c.
800 deducted, Garrisoning the Forts.