Robert Stobo

An illustration of Robert Stobo

(NPS)

Quick Facts

Significance:

Major in the Virginia Regiment taken hostage by the French

Place of Birth:

Glasgow, Scotland

Date of Birth:

1727

Place of Death:

Chatham, England

Date of Death:

June 19, 1770

As a well-off young man Robert Stobo moved to Virginia and set himself up as a merchant.  When Virginia became involved in the conflict with the French over the Ohio River Valley, Stobo enrolled in the Virginia regiment as a major, and commander of one of the regiments.  Journeying to the wilderness to join George Washington at the Great Meadows he traveled in comfort.  He brought a wagon with personal supplies, food and 126 gallons of Madeira wine.  Along with him were ten servant-mechanics, including a hunter and a blacksmith.
 
Stobo and fellow commander, Andrew Lewis, led their two regiments, of about 110 men, into the Great Meadows on June 9, 1754.  Three and a half weeks later the French attacked.  After fighting in the rain throughout the day the British decided to surrender.  As part of the surrender agreement the French wanted two hostages, which were to be exchanged for the French soldiers the British had taken hostage after the skirmish on May 28.  Stobo and Jacob Van Braam with either chosen or volunteered.

The two hostages went with the French to Fort Duquesne.  They were treated very well and had the freedom to move around. Stobo started to learn French. He paid close attention to every detail and determined the fort was weak. A few weeks later, he wrote a letter to the British military telling them everything he knew about life at the fort and drew a map of the fort on the other side. He signed his name and asked an American Indian to smuggle the letter out. 

That fall, the two hostages were moved to Quebec. They still enjoyed much freedom. However, their freedom ended when General Braddock was defeated. In his papers, the French found Stobo’s letter! He had broken the trust of the French and given military secrets to their enemy.  The two hostages were put in jail. When put on trial Stobo admitted writing the letter. He said he thought he had done the right thing sending information to help his country. 

Stobo was found guilty and sentenced to death. News of the verdict was sent to the French king, who needed to verify it before Stobo was executed.  With the help of friends, he escaped twice. Both times, he was recaptured. However, the third time he tried, he got away safely. In disguise, he and eight other people set out in a canoe. 

It took them ten days to paddled two hundred miles down the St. Lawrence River. Then they captured a ship and sailed towards Fortress Louisburg, Nova Scotia. They were shipwrecked in a storm, but shortly afterwards captured two more ships and made it to the fortress where they were welcomed as heroes.   

Stobo volunteered to return to Quebec and help British General Wolfe with his attack on the city.  He had very valuable information on the French military and on the terrain and was often in conversation with General Wolfe.  Although it can’t be proven many people speculate that it was Stobo who showed the British the small path that lead up onto the plateau just outside the city.  After a one-hour battle Quebec, the capitol of New France, surrendered.  

However, Stobo wasn’t there to see the spectacular victory. Less than a week before he was sent to deliver an urgent message to the commander-in-chief in North America, Jeffery Amhurst.  

Five years and eight months after leaving Williamsburg, Virginia he returned.  He was given a glorious welcome and monetary rewards.  Stobo became a Captain in the British Army and witnessed the end of the French and Indian War.  

Years later disappointment, unrealized ambitions, low pay and ill health caught up with him.  He committed suicide after having been “disordered of the mind” for a while.  

However during the French and Indian War, his country had benefitted for his valor, tenacity, and loyalty.  He had experienced the most “extraordinary adventures.”

For more information:
Alberts, Robert C. “The Fantastic Adventures of Captain Stobo.” American Heritage, August, 1963. https://www.americanheritage.com/fantastic-adventures-captain-stobo#11