.
Any History Researcher’s Apology:
This is presented for vetting. Please feel free to correct, add, question. Most history books look like settled science, as if all loose ends have been found. Any researcher can tell you research never stops. At some point the researcher stops researching. They write what they found so far.
.
This story is included in the story on Fort Ashby.
.
Before 25 July 1756
.
RUTHERFORD’S “DEFEAT” HISTORICAL SIGN
Compiled and written by Jim Moyer April 2015, updated 8/30/16, 10/2/2017, 4/15/2018, 5/4/18, 5/5/2019, 9/24/2019
.
This Sign
This link allows you to navigate around.
.
Wrong Rutherford.
.
Wrong month.
.
This sign sits at intersection of Routes 28 and 46 in Fort Ashby WV.
.
.
.
.
The sign should read:
.
“Lieutenant Thomas Rutherford, with company of Rangers, was attacked by the French and Indians and withdrew to the safety of this fort, July 1756.”
.
.
Also the word “defeat” in this historical marker sign is questionable because it implies men being killed or taken hostage, neither of which is verified. But the word “defeat” is justly chosen because Washington called it a “Defeat.”
.
.
See the sign in center?
Move around with Mouse to Touch.
The Google History Car drove here.
.
The Story:
On a mission of transporting mail, they were attacked and the men panicked.
.
Lieutenant Thomas Rutherford and some of his men withdrew to safety of Fort Ashby.
.
The battle may have continued to the fort.
.
The sign is based on
Ansel’s writings?
.
Captain Ashby had not been at his for on Patterson’s Creek many months until he learned that undisciplined men make poor soldiers. About August 1, 1756, a courier arrived at Fort Ashby carrying dispatches for Colonel Washington who was then at Fort Cumberland. Since the Patterson’s Creek area was infested with Indians at the time, the messenger requested that a detail of soldiers be furnished to conduct him to the Maryland fort, as he was afraid to make the journey alone. Captain Ashby then selected about sixteen men, all from a militia detachment stationed at his fort, to accompany the messenger, and he named one of his subordinate officers, Lieutenant Robert Rutherford, to take command of this party. After beginning the twelve-mile march to Fort Cumberland, Rutherford and his troops experienced no trouble until they were along Turner’s Run within a mile or so of Short Gap, when they were suddenly fired upon by a band of Indians lying in ambush near the road. The militia acted quickly, without hesitation and in unison – they all turned and fled back to Ashby’s at full speed without taking the trouble to fire a shot. Lieutenant Rutherford ordered, threatened and even begged his men to stand and fight but without avail. Left alone, he could do nothing more than follow his flying men. What became of the courier is not recorded, but he probably made his escape with the others, as there is no record that anyone was killed or wounded.
.
FROM “FRONTIER FORTS ALONG THE POTOMAC AND ITS TRIBUTARIES” BY WILLIAM H ANSEL, JR.
.
.
.
Why the Wrong Month
is on the sign
.
25 July 1756 is the date of a letter Lt Col Adam Stephen writes to Col Washington of the “defeat” and the subsequent failure of the escort to bring the mail.
.
Lt Col Adam Stephen writes to Col Washington 25 July 1756:
“The Detachmt of militia at Ashby’s, absolutely refusd to Escort the Express to this place, and am afraid never will get over the pannick which Seiz’d them under Command of Mr Rutherford.3 “
.
Lt Col Stephen, colorfully calling this letter a “memorandy”, adds, “One of them named Croucher has always behavd well, and came up with the express in the night4—Pray Urge the necessity of having more men, the Militia will add to our disgrace but nothing to our Strength.”
.
.
Letter From George Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, 4 August 1756:
.
This date of this letter is a possible reason for the mistake of the wrong month on the sign.
.
Washington writes:
.
“I make no doubt your Honour has ere this heard of the Defeat of Lieutenant Rutherford, of the Rangers, escorting an Express to me at Fort Cumberland; and of the dastardly behaviour of the militia, who ran off without one half of them having discharged their pieces, altho’ they were apprized of the ambuscade by one of the flanking party, before the Indians fired upon them; and ran back to Ashby’s Fort, contrary to orders, persuasions, threats, &c.8 They are all ordered in so soon as the people have secured their Harvest..”
.
The word “ere” assumes some time lapse. Washington assumes someone has already sent a post to Lt Gov Dinwiddie. News takes some time to travel, even if it is bad news. Also Stephens’ letter referencing this incident is dated July not August.
.
From the footnote on above link: Thomas Rutherford, lieutenant in John Ashby’s company of rangers, was in command at Ashby’s fort of what remained of Ashby’s rangers while Ashby himself was on furlough. For an account of Thomas Rutherford’s military career, see GW’s Orders, 10 Oct. 1755, n.2.
.
.
.
Why the Wrong Rutherford
is on the Sign
.
Adam Stephen’s Letter
.
Again this letter, Lt Col Adam Stephen writes to Col Washington 25 July 1756:
“The Detachmt of militia at Ashby’s, absolutely refusd to Escort the Express to this place, and am afraid never will get over the pannick which Seiz’d them under Command of Mr Rutherford.3 “
.
The reference to “militia at Ashby’s” establishes the “Command Mr Rutherford” as Thomas.
.
However we wonder which Rutherford this is in this part of Adam Stephen’s letter:
.
Please to hurry up the officers as Several of the gentlemen are Ailing here, Mr Rutherford is now on the Recovery after a very Severe Spell, . . .
.
.
Washington’s letter
.
Thomas is Lt Rutherford and is addresses as Lieutenant in Colonel George Washington’s letter of 29 December 1755:
.
To Lieutenant Thomas Rutherford. Of The second Company of Rangers.
.
The 2nd company of Rangers is Ashby’s.
.
You are hereby ordered to repair to the Company immediately, and use your utmost endeavours to keep it under due regulation, until the return of Captain Ashby.
.
So soon as you arrive there, you are to acquaint Captain Lewis, it is my Orders that he with his party, return to Fort Cumberland. Given &c. at Winchester, the 29th of December 1755.
.
Founder’s Online foot note to above letter:
.
3. Thomas Rutherford, lieutenant in John Ashby’s company of rangers, was in command at Ashby’s fort of what remained of Ashby’s rangers while Ashby himself was on furlough. For a description of the “pannick,” see GW to Dinwiddie, 4 Aug. 1756. For an account of Rutherford’s military career, see GW’s Orders, 10 Oct. 1755, n.2.
.
.
.
CHRONOLOGY:
.
Thomas Rutherford, appointed first High Sheriff of Frederick Co VA
| Appointed | Thomas Rutherford | 11/11/1743 —- -3/6/1745 |
.
29 December 1755
Letter by Washington is to a ” Lieutenant Thomas Rutherford of the 2nd Company of Rangers headed by “Captain Jack,” aka John Ashby.
.
Source:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-02-02-0248
.
.
January 10, 1756
.
Thomas’ brother Robert Rutherford was Assistant Commissary to Commissary Thomas Walker.
.
Source:
https://founders.archives.gov/?q=Correspondent%3A%22Washington%2C%20George%22%20Correspondent%3A%22Rutherford%2C%20Robert%22&s=1111311111&r=1
.
5 October 1757
Robert Rutherford, who was assistant Commissary, is now picked to raise a new Ranger company on 5 October 1757 —- more than a year after his brother Thomas had his “defeat” in July 1756.
.
In between, those 2 dates,
10 January 1756 and
5 October 1757,
the Thomas Rutherford’s
“defeat”
occurs July 1756.
.
.
.
Robert Rutherford raise a new militia:
.
Colonel Washington writes to Lt Gov Dinwiddie, 5 October 1757, “Mr Robert Rutherford, late deputy-commissary here, says, that he could raise the men in a shorter time than any other: and, from his universal acquaintance on the frontiers; and the esteem the people in general have for him, I am apt to believe he could raise them as soon as any person whatever.3“
.
Col Washington again recommends Robert Rutherford to resurrect a company of rangers 24 October 1757 and lists reasons against a Captain Hogg and that Robert Rutherford will not accept being 2nd in command to Captain Hogg.
.
Lt Gov Dinwiddie writes Col Washington 2 November 1757, approving Robert Rutherford:
.
“Yr Letter of the 24th Ulto I recd—And as You observe the absolute Necessity of having a Company of Rangers, I agree to the raising sixty, seventy or 80 Men to be Commanded by Mr Rutherfurd…”
.
Robert Rutherford writes Col Washington 22 November 1757, needing assurances:
.
“…there seems to Prevail Some Objections that retard the Speedy raising the Company, which I hope you can readily remove—Notwithstanding they have been assured to the Contrary in the Strongest terms. they are Possess’d of a Notion that they are to be ensnared into the Regiment So that if you Can Certify 2. or 3 Words under Your hand that they are not inlisted as Soldiers or to Serve as Such in Keeping Garrisson, Mounting Guards, &c. but only to act as Rangers under their own officers, it wou’d greatly facilitate, and Expedite the Matter, or if they Cou’d be inlisted at First for 12. Months…”
.
Note signing of letter “R. Rutherford.”
.
.
Fort Loudoun Duty
.
Rutherford’s Rangers did garrison Fort Loudoun in 1758 to cover for Colonel George Washington’s troops engaged in Forbes Expedition.
.
May 28, 1758
George Washington writes to President Blair, asking what was to be the future of Fort Loudoun, since every preparation and expense was dedicated towards the Forbes campaign. Washington states several reasons for appointing Lt Smith be left in charge. Norman Baker, page 46.
.
St Clair also recommends to President Blair that 12 or 18 men be left behind to take care of the Fort and its provisions. Norman Baker, page 46.
.
June 24, 1758
Just before Washington leaves, he orders Lt Charles Smith to command Fort Loudoun and do the following:
1. Take over 20 of Capt Robt Rutherford’s 20 worst rangers
2. Two sentries in front of the southern bastions facing town
3. Move sick from Bryan Bruin’s place to the barracks in the fort.
3, Wm Henry, the fort’s armorer clean and store weapons
.
Norman Baker, page 47
.
.
July 1, 1758
Lt Smith reported 28 soldiers left at fort. Rutherford’s rangers didn’t stick around at the fort, causing trouble in town for John Hite to register a formal complaint.
.
.
.
All correspondence between
George Washington
and
Robert Rutherford
.
https://founders.archives.gov/search/Correspondent%3A%22Washington%2C%20George%22%20Correspond
.
.
THOMAS RUTHERFORD
Meanwhile, Robert’s brother, Thomas Rutherford, is no longer with the disbanded 2nd Company of Rangers under Ashby. Thomas Rutherford has been appointed by Lt Gov Dinwiddie in June 1757 “to conduct the Catawba Indians to British forts on the western frontier. Rutherford served as an Indian agent under Christopher Gist from July 1757 until the fall of 1758,”
.
.
.
Then to make matters MORE CONFUSING
Thomas Rutherford takes his brother Robert’s former position of deputy to Commissary Thomas Walker sometime after August 15, 1758. In 1761 he was elected a burgess for Hampshire County, and he served continuously in the Virginia Assembly until 1769.” Thomas later followed his father’s footsteps and became Sheriff of Frederick County, 11/7/1770 to 1/5/1772.
.
Will provide a link to a list of names of Captain John Ashby’s 2nd Company of Rangers. Stay tuned.
.
See all correspondence between Washington and Thomas Rutherford
.
See all correspondence between Washington and Robert Rutherford
.
.
Why does the sign mistakenly refer to a Robert Rutherford?
.
Confusion of names within the Rutherford family is the short answer.
.
Washington knew well the whole Mercer family, just as he knew the whole Rutherford family.
.
.
Washington also knew the Rutherford family.
.
He knew the father, Thomas, and his two sons, Robert and Thomas.
.
.
The Father, Capt Thomas Rutherford:
Captain Thomas Rutherford, Sr. (d. 1760), first High Sheriff of Frederick County 11/11/1743 to 3/6/1745, sold to Washington the Bullskin property and who originally owned the property on which stands Washington’s Office on Braddock and Cork Streets in Winchester. Later the daughter of the elder Thomas Rutherford and who had married James Wood Sr and who was widowed in 1759, gave back to her brother, the younger, surviving Thomas the property around Washington’s Office. See Link: The father was a founder of Frederick County sworn in by Morgan Morgan November 14, 1743, five years after the original creation of Frederick County March, 1738.
.
.
Deputy Commissary Robert Rutherford:
MORE THAN A YEAR LATER after his brother Thomas’ “Defeat”, Washington proposes Robert Rutherford to raise his own Ranger Company at one point headquartering in Fort Loudoun Winchester VA and never was he, Robert, under Ashby’s command. Robert also owns the land under Fort Loudoun. Robert sells this land to John Peyton Jr, on November 1, 1785. John Peyton Jr, who became clerk of Frederick County, married Robert’s daughter , Savannah, in 1780 and built his home on the southeastern bastion of Fort Loudoun (now 406 N Loudoun St) remaining owner until his death in 1800.
.
All correspondence between George Washington and Robert Rutherford
.
.
Lieutenant Thomas Rutherford in Captain Ashby’s company:
Footnote reference states: Washington wanted to get Thomas out of the rangers and into the Virginia Regiment as an ensign, but instead Dinwiddie appointed him Indian agent to conduct the Catawba Indians to British forts on the western frontier. Thomas Rutherford served as an Indian agent under Christopher Gist from July 1757 until the fall of 1758, when he became deputy to Commissary Thomas Walker (sometime after August 15, 1758). In 1761 he was elected a burgess for Hampshire County, and he served continuously in the Virginia Assembly until 1769. Thomas later followed his father’s footsteps and became Sheriff of Frederick County, 11/7/1770 to 1/5/1772.
.
All correspondence between George Washington and the younger Thomas Rutherford
.
.
LETTERS OVER THE YEARS
Here, 2o some years later, is a letter Thomas Rutherford on 18 June 1778 writes to Washington.
.
.
.
The James Wood and
George Washington
Connection with the Rutherfords
.
6 February 1764
James Wood’s widow,
Mary Wood (daughter of Rutherford),
sells land adjacent to Thomas Rutherford
(might be son of the Thomas Rutherford above)
stating this is land being sold next to
where Thomas Rutherford already lives.
.
The Father, Capt Thomas Rutherford:
Captain Thomas Rutherford, Sr. (d. 1760), first High Sheriff of Frederick County 11/11/1743 to 3/6/1745, sold to Washington the Bullskin property and who originally owned the property on which stands Washington’s Office on Braddock and Cork Streets in Winchester.
.
Later the daughter of the elder Thomas Rutherford and who had married James Wood Sr and who was widowed in 1759, gave back to her brother, the younger, surviving Thomas the property around Washington’s Office. See Link: The father was an officer of Frederick County sworn in by Morgan Morgan November 14, 1743, five years after the original creation of Frederick County March, 1738.
.
7 May 1778
Thomas Rutherford sold to Adam Kurtz
for 100 lbs –
Frederick Co Deed Book 17 – page 464.
The Price increase due to inflation or
to the building improving the land?
.
There’s no proof an Adam Kurtz owned that lot or any building on that lot when GW was here before and during the French and Indian War.
.
Proof of the Kurtz family owning this doesn’t come until 1778. By then, GW was everywhere else but here. GW had others manage the then 20 year old Fort Loudoun as a prison camp for the “Convention Prisoners.” The junior James Wood who later became Governor of the state of Virginia was in charge of all Convention Prisoners.
.
10 February 1908
Captain G.W. Kurtz sells the corner to City Council. This property was owned at one time by James Wood’s widow, Mary Rutherford.
.
.
.
More on Fort Ashby here in Wikipedia and here in this link on French and Indian War Foundation’s story of Fort Ashby.
.
.
.
.
Research notes
.
.
To George Washington from Charles Carter, 22 April 1756
From Charles Carter
April 22 1756
Dear Sr
Your favour without date came to my hands yesterday; from a conversation with Lt Rutherfold I judge it was wrote on sunday last from which circumstance I conclude you had not seen Mr Kirkpatrick nor Capt. Stewart who I believe could have satisfied you that the House of Burgesses have the Greatest expectations from yr Personall appearance on our Frontiers and are so farr from imputing any mistakes or irregularities of the officers to you that I am satisfied they would have resentd it to yr Satisfaction if any person had.1
.
1. GW’s letter to Carter in defense of his conduct has not been found, but it would appear from what Carter writes that GW wrote to him on the same day and to the same effect that he wrote Speaker John Robinson and Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie on 18 April 1756. John Kirkpatrick, who had been in Williamsburg to get funds for the Virginia Regiment from Robinson’s committee (see GW to Dinwiddie, 18 April 1756, n.3), returned to Winchester on 23 April. Capt. Robert Stewart was back in Winchester by 24 April. According to Dinwiddie, Lt. Thomas Rutherford of John Ashby’s rangers arrived in Williamsburg on Tuesday, 20 April 1756.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
40893 Friday 5/4/2018 1125am
.
.
.
.
For later research –
.
From George Washington to William Cocks, 4 June 1756
To William Cocks
[Winchester, 4 June 1756]
To Captain William Cockes—of the Rangers.
Sir,
I received yours, complaining of the irregular method of supplying you with provisions; and communicated the contents to Commissary Walker, who writes you on this head: His directions you must follow1 You must make out an accompt of the pay which is owing to you, and transmit it to me per the first opportunity.2 Take care to be very vigilant and active; and to communicate all the intelligence that is remarkable and certain. You must always, upon any alarm, have regard to the summons of each other; and to unite on all extraordinary occasions. Endeavour at working by stratagem; to way-lay and surprize the Enemy; rather than seek them in an open pursuit.
I was greatly surprized and angered to hear of the dastardly behaviour of seven of your men, who fled from a less number of the Enemy, without discharging their pieces. Such behaviour merits the fate that some of our men [(]for the like offence) will soon meet with.3 and, you may assure your company that they shall not escape unpunished for such Offences. Your parties that go for provision, should always be made strong. I am &c.
G:W.
LB, DLC:GW.
1. None of this correspondence between Cocks, Thomas Walker, and GW has been found.
2. A weekly return from Cocks at Patterson Creek, dated 3 July 1756, lists in his ranger company one captain, one lieutenant, three sergeants, one drummer, and thirty-two rank and file (DLC:GW).
3. The Maryland Gazette (Annapolis) for 1 July 1756 reported that on 29 May “an Express arrived [in Williamsburg] from Cox’s fort, with Advice, That the Indians had killed and scalped two Men belonging to it, that were out a Hunting, wounded a third, and a fourth was missing, of the Party which consisted of Seven; that they drew up on an Eminence near the Fort and fired at it several Times.”
.
.
.
To Rocky Shores
9/24/2019 Facebook Virginia Regiment George Mercer Company
.
These are the dates I know.
.
I think you did mention doing two different portrayals.
.
Ashby’s Rangers and Rutherford’s Rangers.
.
Ashby’s Rangers, which was the 2nd Company of Rangers authorized by the House of Burgess of which Lt Thomas Rutherford was a part in 1755
.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-02-02-0248
.
And his brother Robert Rutherford was Assistant Commissary to Commissary Thomas Walker in this letter of 10 January 1756.
.
https://founders.archives.gov/?q=Correspondent%3A%22Washington%2C%20George%22%20Correspondent%3A%22Rutherford%2C%20Robert%22&s=1111311111&r=1
.
5 Oct 1757
Rutherford Rangers idea starts
Colonel Washington writes to Lt Gov Dinwiddie, 5 October 1757, “Mr Robert Rutherford, late deputy-commissary here, says, that he could raise the men in a shorter time than any other: and, from his universal acquaintance on the frontiers; and the esteem the people in general have for him, I am apt to believe he could raise them as soon as any person whatever.
.
Col Washington again recommends Robert Rutherford to resurrect a company of rangers 24 October 1757 and lists reasons against a Captain Hogg and that Robert Rutherford will not accept being 2nd in command to Captain Hogg.
.
Lt Gov Dinwiddie writes Col Washington 2 November 1757, approving Robert Rutherford:
.
“Yr Letter of the 24th Ulto I recd—And as You observe the absolute Necessity of having a Company of Rangers, I agree to the raising sixty, seventy or 80 Men to be Commanded by Mr Rutherfurd…”
.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-05-02-0025
.
22 Nov 1757
Rutherfords Rangers recruiting more.
they are Possess’d of a Notion that they are to be ensnared into the Regiment So that if you Can Certify 2. or 3 Words under Your hand that they are not inlisted as Soldiers or to Serve as Such in Keeping Garrisson, Mounting Guards, &c. but only to act as Rangers under their own officers, it wou’d greatly facilitate, and Expedite the Matter, or if they Cou’d be inlisted at First for 12. Months, it wou’d be infinitely the best Scheem & wou’d render it in my Power to make my own Choice of men imediately, and shou’d always be able to Keep the Company Compleate, as very few of those, wou’d ever Leave the Company
.
Joseph McDowell of the Frederick County militia was also a lieutenant in Rutherford’s ranger company.
.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-05-02-0037
.
Rutherford’s Rangers did garrison Fort Loudoun in 1758 to cover for Colonel George Washington’s troops engaged in Forbes Expedition
.
All correspondence with Robert Rutherford heading Rutherford’s Rangers
.
https://founders.archives.gov/search/Correspondent%3A%22Washington%2C%20George%22%20Correspondent%3A%22Rutherford%2C%20Robert%22
.
.
.