If your Leisure will permit, do be so good as to squeeze out half an hour to let me know your present situation and that of the Enemy's, and how my good old Friend Gen'l Putnam does, who be so good as to salute from me. You have had a very bustling Campaign; and all I wish is, that Gen'l Washington had better Troops to command, and a few better officers, tho' he has some very good ones. The Congress at last, have hit upon the right Plan of having Soldiers by raising them during the War. As Trade & Merchandize makes Merchants, so does War make Generals. As you are now in his Exc'y's Family, in due time you may reasonably expect Preferment, which none of your friends wish more sincerely than him who has the Pleasure to be with great esteem, Dr. Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Serv't HENRY BABCOCK. Compliments to Mr. Harrison, and tell him he owes me a letter -tho' I know his time as well as yours, is much taken up in the Public Service. Col. Geo. Baylor's Letter. N. YORK, Feb'y 3d, 1779. DEAR WEBB:-Agreeable to your request I copied your letter to Governor Franklin, last Evening, and wasted on him this memory with it, and from what you tell me I have not the least doubt but that you will have leave to go to Philadelphia, but from his conversation I fancy you will not be indulged to remain out any time. He is to give an answer on Saturday Morning. If it is to me, I will Express to you, & wait with pleasure for your good Company to Philadelphia, if you are permitted to go out, which I flatter myself you certainly will. I shall take out a carriage and horses. My Compliments to Fritz and all others. Yours, &c., GEORGE BAYLOR. Col. John Beatty's Letter. FISHKILL, 24th Oct., 1779. DEAR SIR-After much fatigue, a severe wetting, a wild goose chase after my Loy, one overset & twice being mired, I arrived here this Evening. I don't know that I was as much thankful, or felt more happy in returning to the Army, than in the present Instance. But do not Imagine from this, that I am forgetful of my friends in Wethersfield, or insensible of the many Civilities received at their hands; it has made an impression not Easily Erased, and I only wish an opportunity of rendering a suitable return. In point of news I have only to Inform you, that on Wednesday night the Enemy Evacuated their Works on Stony & Verplank Points. It appears they went off in some Hurry, as they have left Some Stores & a large quantity of Pioneer's Tools. They have attempted destroying their Works, which they in part completed. They also set fire to their Barracks, which were extinguished by our Troops, who very shortly after took possession of the Posts. I am at a loss to know on what principle to account for this manoeuvre. It would suppose the Count was on the Coast—yet, of this, we are wholly ignorant. It is not impossible as their intelligence must be must speedier than ours-& Rivington in a late paper acknowledges Sir James Wallace's being taken by a French '74. I give you this as mere conjecture, having been here only a few minutes and writing with this opportunity. As the Bearer waits, I cannot add more than I am with the greatest Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obd't Humble Serv't, JNO. BEATTY. Comp. to Mr. & Mrs. Webb-the dear girls Hetty & Sally-& other Friends. I shall write you by the Post-till then Adieu. Col. Sam'l Blagden's Letter. HARTFORD, 25th May, 1780. DEAR COLONEL :-I went to Wethersfield this morning, in expectation of the pleasure of seeing you there, but found your brother with a Lady, Mr. Deane, & Major Tallmadge, just mounting for a ride to Windsor. Capt. Webb just going for Head Quarters, I take the opportunity of communicating in the Confidence of that friendship which I entertain for you, some matters in which it may, perhaps, be in your power to serve me. You know my Reasons for leaving the Army, and I have an opinion that you do not disapprove of them. I thought retirement more honorable than service under an unworthy Commander. As I was ever fond of a military life, and entered very Early into the Service, I made a great sacrifice in giving up the rank I had acquired, but my consolation was that the Gen'l approved of it. Now, my friend, what I would wish of you is that, as your situation places you near and frequently in Company of his Excellency and the Generals, you would take occasion to mention your Friend, not as coming from him, for your own delicacy will point out to you the impropriety of that, but as a spontaneous idea of your own. I cannot ask anything of the General, nor will I of Congress; and yet I wish to take a part in this Summer's Campaign. Your good friend Gen. Green has doubtless many occasions of Employing in his Department those who have served in the Army; if you think it worth while, I beg you to mention me to him. In short as you know me, and what will suit my turn, do for me in the same manner you would have me do for you in the same circumstances. I am, my D'r Sir, Your obliged H'ble Servt, SAM'L BLAGDen. Col. Burr to Col. S. B. Webb. RARITAN, 14th Jan'y, 1780. DEAR SIR-I intended myself, the pleasure of delivering the endorsed letters, the weather and fatigues of my journey, must apologize to Miss Webb, to whom you will please to make my best respects. To you, no apology is due, unless the one which used to serve you last summer when were so often near me without calling, "full of Business." As I do not hear that you will yet acknowledge yourself the slave of Hymen, I am flint on that subject, tho' I might, with propriety, congratulate you on the bliss you expect, were it yet merely in prospect; for if fame does not lie more arrantly than she ever did, you have a certainty of twice as much happiness as you can ever define. May the Lord in infinite Mercy (to her) mend and reform you, & if possible, (which I much fear) make you worthy the hand and heart of Miss Bis the sincere prayer of 14th Jan., Col. S. B. WEBB, A. BURR. Capt. E. Bulkley's Letter. FLAT BUSH, 17th June, 1779. DEAR COLONEL :-Yesterday Rec'd your kind favor of the 9th Instant, by the hand of Capt. Rankins; by it, am agreeably informed of your Safe arrival at the place you much wished; I congratulate you, at the same time I lament you have not effected that you so much more wished for, viz.; an Exchange for yourself and friends; have Dd, and made your Compliments to Mr. Clarkson and family, and your Many other friends. Riley and Hopkins are well, and desire to be remember to you. Mr. Clarkson and family are well, as are the ladies near my Quarters, and desire their compliments to you. Please to make my Compliments to your Brother and his family, to Capt. Riley and his family, and all friends. I have nothing further to add, but wishes for a speedy Exchange for yourself and friends, I am, with the greatest affection dear Colonel, Your Most Obedient, Humble Serv't, COL. WEBB. Capt. E. Bulkley's Letter. CAMP ON THUNDER HILL, 17th Sept., 1781. DEAR COL-I am to acknowledge the receipt of yours, of the 2d and 13th instant, by Chadwick & Bilding, the latter arrived on the 15th, very unwell, by reason of his stay here so long. By both of your letters, I find Mrs. Webb continues in a dieting state. My dear Colonel, I feel most sensibly for you, and fear, ere long, you must taste the bitter cup I have drank so largely of. Heaven forbid that so great a blessing should be snatched from you in the bloom of life. Your letter for Capt. Webb, have sent to him. Last Tuesday, we encamped on this Thunder Hill, and the same evening marched for Stamford, in Conn., with our Brigade. After we arrived within about 7 or 8 miles of our port, was informed that the Burning, Murdering, poor pitiful set of dogs had weighed anchor, and had made the best of their way to N. York-as the particulars of this burning expedition is not got to hand. I shall refer you to public accounts for them; reports say, 60 or 70 killed of the inhabitants in Groton Fort, the greatest part all murdered after they had laid down their Arms. The greatest part of New London in Ashes, we returned to our encampment three days since. The West Point Detachment joins us this week. Orders are out for the Enemy to hold themselves in readiness to start at the shortest notice. I have rec'd a letter from Col. Smith for you, which I have taken the liberty to open; the one inclosed in it to the father I shall forward the first opportunity. Inclosed I send you your letter with the one from Col. Smith. It contains good news. I think Mr. Cornwallis will get the (torn) put taken out of his Eyes this heat, should this be the case, I think Mr. Arnold's Burning Expedition will be at an end. I hope Mr. & Miss Webb's health may be so recovered as we may be honoured with your agreeable company soon. My most respectful Compliments waits on your agreeable family, which has my best wishes for their prosperity and happiness. The gentlemen of the Reg't are well except Capt. Riley, who has been for 2 or 3 days unwell-business calls and I must break short off. I am, Dear Col. with Every Sentiment of Esteem your most obd't Serv't. COL. WEBB. E. B. |