Capt. J. Heron's Letter. E. TOWN, Jan'y 14th, 1779. MY DEAR COL.:-I applied to Gen'l Maxwell as you directed but without success. He has, however, given me his word that he will write instantly to General Washington for his approbation, and in case his permission can be got, I have left directions for Col. Beatty to purchase some flour, &c., and send it in for your use. Be assured I shall leave nothing undone to serve a friend as I so much esteem. Neither Beatty nor any of his assistants are here at present, nor is there any supply of money left here to carry us to our different destinations (cursed refuge). I've met with Col. Jiles here whose horses and servant I get to carry me the length of Philadelphia where I shall do myself the pleasure of delivering your letter. You may expect a line from me as I pass through this to join the Reg't, which I understand is at Danb'y. It is a cursed place, & I'm ready to quarrel with everything and everybody, so not being in a humour to write I must bid you Adieu. My compl❜ts to Mr. C's Family, the ladies, &c., &c. I am my Dear Colo. with the greatest esteem and friendship, Yours, J. HERON. Isaac Hartmann's Letter. SIR-I call'd at your lodgings this morning but was not fortunate enough to find you at home. I engaged a party to attend the representation of May Day in consequence of your informing me you had reserved box No. 2 for me, as the box was probably taken in your name. I'll be much obliged to you to send me an order on the box keeper to receive checks for said box. With Compl❜t, I am, Sir, N. Y., May, 1787, Friday, 2 o'clock. Your Humble Ser't, ISAAC HARTMANN. Titus Hosmer's Letter. HARTFORD, June, 1780. MY DEAR SIR :-I have nothing to write. Colo. Wadsworth will deliver you the act of assembly respecting your battalion which I flatter myself will be agreeable to your wishes. I can only acknowledge the receipt of your two last letters. I thank you for their contents and assure you of the inviolable affection with which I have the honor to be D'r Sir, Your friend & humble servant, TITUS HOSMER. Major Huntington's Letter. QUARTERS, RIVERTON, Rhode Island, 13th June, 1779. DEAR WEBB:-By Mr. Jones the Bearer of this, I had the first information of your Return to Wethersfield, tho' had before heard you was out of N. York on Parole. When he informed me you had got home, my first question was, have you got any Letters or letter for me, to which he gave me an answer in the Negative. You will readily believe me not a little disappointed; I assure I was, but when he informed me you did not know of his setting out, I Pardoned you, but shall not extend it for forty Days, tho' Mr. Jones tells me you expect to be here next week. I wish it may be sooner. I wish to see you much, both on my own acc't and yours, as I believe you will not find your money accounts in the situation you expected they would have been before this time. I hope you will bring on your papers that you may be able to close some of the accounts that remain unclosed. Your clothing accounts I have with me. You will scarcely know your Regiment when you arrive, your officers new as to the Rank they now hold, except two. The soldiers as usual well around, tolerably Disciplined, but badly clothed. You know it is natural for a man who is answerable for the appearance of a Reg' if he is faulty, to make or rather to meditate. an excuse. My great and principal one is, the new method of Discipline introduced, makes an alteration from the old greater and more difficult than to instruct new troops-why they will appear to you raw undisciplined is obvious, because your situation has much too long been where we have been taught to look as a Pattern for Discipline. But why need I trouble you with that, you will say-I can give you a very good reason, which is, that when you left the Regiment you thought them disciplined, and of course you might have reason to expect to find them so when you return. Unless I informed you to the contrary, the mortification you would show in your countenance would be so great that I could not but discern it, & of course feel it myself, which to avoid, this serves to make you come prepared. Pray did you see anything of Lieut. Col. Livingston as you came from Philadelphia, has he resigned, is he dead, or is he coming to join the Regiment? I have not heard a word from him since Jan. 7 last, except in the Round about way. The Gentlemen officers desire their friendly compliments to you, I rejoice that you are once more in the Land of Liberty, tho' universally wish, and I believe most sincerely, that your stay was like to be longer than the uncertainty of a Parole will give them reason to believe; tho' they are highly flattered with the pleasing expectation you will soon pay them a visit, altho' they are stationed in this dreary and Dismal Part of God's Creation. I wish most earnestly, that your Exchange may be so speedy, that instead of a visit, you may join in and take Command of a Reg't, who regret your inactive situation as they wish to be under your Immediate Command, as doth your Truly affectionate friend. EBEN'R HUNTINGTON. P. S.-Present my affectionate compliments, respects, love and whatever you please to the Circle. Wish you to bring with you the amounts of moneys rec'd from Mr. Lockwood due to the soldiers, which you have in your hands, as some of the soldiers are anxious to have their money. Col. SAM. B. WEBB. Lt. Col. Eb. Huntington's Letter. HEADQUARTERS, MORRISTOWN. DEAR WEBB:-Your favor of the 11th Instant came safely to hand. Permit me to thank you sincerely for it, as it took me to Weth'f'd while reading it. You will by the date perceive that we are in camp, tho' expect if good weather, to have the men's Hutts so far completed that they may go into them on Sunday or Monday. The officers hutts are not begun, nor will they be meddled with till the men are covered. My own Hutt will not be meddled with till after the officers have finished theirs. The severity of the weather hath been such that the men have suffered much; without shoes and stockings, and working half leg deep in snow. Poor fellows, my heart bleeds for them, while I Damn my country as void of gratitude. I wish that you would send me all the clothing in store immediately, I much want it for the men, though am positively forbid by the General using any scarlet coats on any acc't. I wish that Wyllys who will be at home soon might have it in his power to receive me clothing and forward it to the Regiment. Since I saw you I have had a small interview with Col. Livingston, but expect to have a thorough investigation of matters to-morrrow. Apropos Livingston & Van Zandt fought a duel the day before yesterday-fired twice each, Livingston lodged both his balls in Van Zandt's body or rather Breast, tho' neither of them entered the trunk of his body. He is now confined to his room, tho' he is likely to be well soon. Friend Scammell will give you the particulars. Money is good for nothing here, no not a Rush. So if you intend to live when you come to camp, do you bring a good store. I am sorry that Hetty should be vexed for having the credit of a speech, which too frequently may be made with propriety. My love to Her & Mrs. Webb, Compliments to your Lazy Brother, & believe me, sincerely Yours, Colo. WEBB. EB. HUNTINGTON. Col. Beatty has this minute call'd on me in expectation of Receiving some Coffee which your Brother informed him I had brought on in my wagon-it is a mistake, as I brought on only one box & that was for Genl. Greene. I have deliv'd the box to Genl. Greene, & suppos'd it was for him. Possibly part of it was for Col. Beatty. Your Brother can tell. Lt. Col. Huntington's Letter. CAMP, near MORRISTOWN, DEAR WEBB-A few days since I wrote you by my old friend Col. Freewell, since which have not been favored with any of yours. At that time I wrote you about forwarding the clothing now in store, must again wish it done if possible, particularly the small clothing, as we are in very great distress for the want of it. Our men are very destitute of clothing and entirely so of State refreshments, I wish it was better attended to by the State, as the money if the men had it, would not purchase them refreshments here which are highly necessary for their comfort. If Cols. McGaw, Ely, Ramsay, &c., came out of N. York on Parole three days since with proposition from Sir Henry Clinton for an Exchange. They laid those proposition before his Excellency yesterday, but as yet have not received his answer. they do not effect it, they will return again soon. Capt. Williams is on duty at Paramas where (he writes us) he is most agreeably situated. I expect his return in about a week. Our men's Hutts are so nearly completed as to receive nearly all the men under cover, to-morrow; God willing they will leave their tents and the officers will begin on theirs. Capt. Wyllys who delivers this goes on to meet the Committee for Settling the Depreciation, hope justice will be done & the Army be satisfied. My most friendly compliments attend the Circle in their winter pleasures. The Gentlemen of the Regiment Present their Compliments to you, & wish your speedy exchange to join the Reg. I am, dear sir, Yours, most sincerely, Colo. WEBB. E. HUNTINGTON. |