 The fort did not figure into Washington's plans for the defense of the frontier for on May 18, 1756 he wrote Col. Stephen stating he wished it were possible to remove the stores at the mouth of Pattersons Creek to Ashby's fort.Stephen was further told that if he found it impractical to move the supplies stored there from the fort, then he was to make the fort as strong as possible and to strengthen the garrison.He was also instructed to "put a more experienced officer than Mr. Brockenbrough (Lieut.