Head-Quarters, July 23, 1780.
I have received, my dear Baron, your two letters of the sixteenth and
eighteenth. On the formation of the Light Infantry, the General has
already written to you. I presume it will be, ultimately, nearly as you
have proposed.
Smith set out, some days since, to join you. Bradford, I am told, is
undecided about entering into the office. Col. Scammel has promised
to bring him to me; and if he accepts, we will forward him. I believe
Prescott will be appointed in the Light Infantry. _Entre nous_, ’tis
not easy to find good Majors for this corps in the Massachusetts Line;
and as it will act a good deal with the French troops, we wish it (for
this additional reason) to be well officered. Prescott will answer
the purpose: but he is not yet to know that he is in contemplation.
We shall not long continue in our present position. The distinctions
of departments are an old story, which now do not exist except with
respect to South Carolina. You are with a detachment of the main army.
I dare say all you are doing will be found right. I shall join my
_beau-pere_ to save you from the cord. The arrangement for your
department was unfortunately sent to Congress soon after you went
from here; with the most pressing instances to determine upon it
without delay. We have heard nothing of it since. We have repeated our
_prayers_ and _exhortations_. If we get no answer in three or four
days, we must determine for ourselves.
Major Francis is returned from Philadelphia; but I have not seen him
since the arrival of your letters. I will move the inquiry you wish,
when I see him. Can you do any thing for him in your department?
A severe stroke upon us, is, that our arms, expected from France, are
not arrived. I do not know how we shall be able to arm our recruits.
Graves sailed from the Hook the nineteenth. We had been playing off and
on two days.
Adieu, my dear Baron, and believe me always, with the most respectful
attachment,
Your humble servant,
A. H.