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HUGH WADDELL
& NC PROVINCIAL FRONTIER COMPANY
  aptain
Hugh Waddell (1734-1773) was given the NC provincial frontier
company to defend the North Carolina western frontier in 1755
by Governor Arthur Dobbs. Governor Dobbs found Waddell to
be in "every way qualified for such a command, as
he was young, active and resolute."
Earlier that year, Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia offered
Waddell any service in his power. The Frontier Company, forty
to fifty in number, were uniformed in "blue with turned
up red collars." In 1756, Waddell served as a commissioner
of peace, the only NC representative negotiating peace with
the Catawbas and Cherokees.
 Following the construction of Fort Dobbs in 1756, the Frontier
Company began construction of a fort for the Catawbas in present
day Fort Mill, SC. However, the fort was never completed due
to border disputes with South Carolina.
Dobbs continued Waddell as a captain and under General Forbes
sent Waddell to the Ohio River Valley where he commanded three
companies, including his own frontier company. At that time
he was given commission of major to command those provincials.
During the Forbes expedition, Waddell excelled in leadership,
military skills and tactics. His sergeant, John Rogers, took
the only Indian prisoner who gave General Forbes intelligence
concerning Fort Du Quesne. Using that intelligence, Forbes
proceeded to the fort. Upon return, Waddell was given a colonel's
commission and was ordered to command the militia from Rowan,
Anson and Orange counties to act along with the provincials.
At that time, Waddell' s company consisted of fifty-two provincial
soldiers and thirty-four Catawba Indians. |
