I beg your pardon sir, if my letter is so badly written, but I want to send it soon and to rest one or two hours.
I have the honor to be, &c.
Be so good as to send a speedy answer of what you think proper to order me.
Endnote:
1. In answer probably to Gen. Washington's letter of the 26th June. Sparks' Washington, vol. 5, p. 419.
TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.
(ORIGINAL.)
Cranbarry, half past nine o'clock, 29 June, 1778.
Dear General,—Inclosed I have the honor to send you a letter which Colonel Hamilton was going to send me from this place when I arrived with the detachment, and which may give you an idea of the position of the enemy. I will try to meet and collect as soon as possible our forces, tho' I am sorry to find the enemy so far down that way. We will be obliged to march pretty fast, if we want to attack them. It is for that I am particularly concerned about provisions. I send back immediately for the purpose, and beg you would give orders to have them forwarded as speedily as possible, and directed to march fast, for I believe we must set out early to-morrow morning. The detachment is in a wood, covered by Cranberry Creek, and I believe extremely safe. We want to be very well furnished with spirits as a long and quick march may be found necessary, and if Gen. Scot's detachment is not provided, it should be furnished also with liquor; but the provisions of this detachment are the most necessary to be sent as soon as possible, as we expect them to march.
If any thing new comes to my knowledge, I will immediately write to your excellency, and I will send an express in the morning.