Reduced Fac-simile of Letter, from Governor George Clinton, to Col. Henry Ludington.
(Original in possession of Charles H. Ludington, New York City)
We have already quoted correspondence between Governor Clinton and Colonel Ludington, showing the difficulties which were encountered in raising troops for various services. As time went on these difficulties increased rather than diminished, so that now and then the governor was impatient at the unavoidable delay. Thus he wrote on one occasion as follows:
Pokeepsie 9th June 1779.
Sir,
I wrote to you a few Days ago requesting you to expedite the raising of the Levies to be furnished by your Regiment but as I have not since heard from you I conclude the Letter has miscarried. I have now therefore to repeat my Orders that your Quota be raised with all Dispatch and marched down under the Command of an active subaltern to join the Detachment from Major Crane’s and Colo. Drake’s Regimts (stationed at Crompond, to cover the Country there from the Depredations of the Enemy) until my further Orders.
I will send an Officer to relieve, as soon as possible, the subaltern you shall appoint for this service.
As I think it more than probable that I shall be under a Necessity of employing the Levies from your Regiment, in the Quarter to which they are now directed, I expect it will be an Inducement to the Officers to exert themselves in raising them and that the Men may more easily be obtained. I have only to add that I expect also a speedy and effectual Compliance with these Orders and that you will make me immediate Report of what shall be done in consequence of them.
I am Sir
Your most obed