Major Sargent's Letter. BOSTON, 20 Feb'y, 1788, I thank you, my dear Webb, for your polite, friendly and affectionate favor, and shall (rest assured) call on you upon the first moment of my arrival. It will not be so soon as I had intended, as I am under the necessity of attending the Ohio meeting in Providence the first Wednesday of March, from which place I will begin my journey-so that you may expect me very soon after we have finished our business there, if the river be open. I hope you will not forget to promote the interests of our friend C-r as A-m-y has resigned. I know you are very capable of it-bring forward for me as well as soft persuasion. Adieu and believe me, affectionately, W. SARGENT. I find among my maps one with Col. Duer's name on it which leads me to suspect I omitted sending him one to your care-how is it? Gen'l WEBB. Col. Wm. T. SMITH, Aid-de-Camp, to Gen'l Washington, to Col. Sam'l B. Webb. HEADQUARTERS, KING'S FERRY, DEAR SIR-Yours of the 19th I rec'd at Croton River, therefore it is totally out of my power to pay you the visit that you in your usual friendly manner requested. I should have been happy had duty admitted of my following my plan, which friendship dictated, viz.: of paying you one more visit previous to my departure, but I found it impossible. As to the renewing the matter with Swift, I will give you my opinion fully upon the subject, after I have had some conversation with Gen'l Washington upon our route. If anything upon the subject turns up favorable, I will waft you the earliest intelligence of it. Should I see your friends in the Jerseys, I will report to them what you wish, if I can with propriety express my ideas upon that subject. You will much oblige me Webb, by paying some little attention to my Brother, should it be in your way. Forward the enclosed to my father; & you will oblige, Col. WEBB. Your friend, W. F. SMITH. in a hurry. Letter of Wm. Smith, D. Q. M. G. SPRINGFIELD, Jan'y 27, 1780. SIR-I have just sent by Moses Ball waggoner the cask of wine purchased of Mr. Parsons, which I wish safe to hand. Col. WEBB. And am, sir, Your humble serv't, WILLIAM SMITH. Lt. Col. Smith's Letter. CAMP DOBB'S FERRY, 18th Aug., 1781. Not a stone, my dear Sam, shall be left unturned, that can possible tend to promote your interest. While I think justice holds the reins of government and rules your actions, which I am confident it has hitherto done, every exertion that can possibly be made you may expect from Saturday morn'g. Col. WEBB. Your friend, WM. F. SMITH, A. D. C., &c., &c. Col. Wm. F. Smith, A. D. C. to Gen'l Washington, to Col. Sam'l B. Webb. HEADQUARTERS, HEAD OF ELK, Sept. 7th, 1781. D'R COLO:-The long expected fleet from France is at last arrived, they made their appearance in the Chesapeake, the 26th ult. with 28 Ships of the Line, and 5,000 Land troops which have joined the Marquis, & we hope effectually prevented Cornwallis's retreat to the Carolinas. He observes this and is fortifying himself with the greatest industry. We shall look as stern as the grave upon him about the 14th. His position is at York & Gloster, in Virginia on the South and North margin of York River, the fleet on their passage fell in with and captured a Packet from Charlestown bound to Europe on board of which was Lord Rawdon, the plunderer of the South, returning to bask in the sunshine of Ministerial favours for butchering the patriotic sons of America. Inclosed I send you a Letter which I wish you to forward. Remember me to Mrs. Webb and Miss Heth, & believe me D'r Sam❜l, Your friend, &c., WM. F. SMITH, &c. Lt. Colo. Smith's Letter. HEADQUARTERS, WILLIAMSBURG in VIRGINIA, Sep. 23, 1781. MY DEAR SAM:-Fortune courts us with her smiles. Our troops from the Head of Elk are arrived & landed. We shall advance firmly upon his Lordship in a few days, with near twenty thousand men. He is entrenched but it will not save him-when anything material occurs if I survive you shall have the particulars. Remember me particularly to your friends, & believe me to be as usual, Col. SAM'L WEBB. Your friend, WM. F. SMITH, &c., A. D. C. Lt. Colo. Will'm Smith's Letter. DOBB'S FERRY, 25th Dec'r, 1782. MY D'R WEBB-You are too well assured of my friendship to attribute my silence to anything that can be injurious to the sentiment upon which it is founded. The true reason is, that I am so pressed, Front, Flank & Rear, with official business, that my pen is constantly employed. I have not since I saw you, had the least intermission, but have been confined almost as closely by Mars, that Harsh murdering deity of war as I formerly was by the God of Love, who assisted by his mother, spread the silken net with an enchanting grace, & proved more successful in his capture than I believe his intentions were entitled to. However the Little Villain being almost conquered, I have re-enlisted under the banners of Mars, & shall continue his faithful soldier as long as he keeps them displayed. Under whose shadow should I conquer or prove I'll rest-Superior to the arts of Love. I find myself running into such a singular train of thought and expression, that I must check myself by pursuing the Labyrinth; I shall not only involve myself, but lead my friend into difficulties from which we may have trouble in extricating ourselves. Therefore, altering my phraseology, I shall in as plain terms as the English language will at present furnish me with what I intended ab origine, Imprimis-damn it, here creeps in Latin, what will you expect next. I think I hear you say with the sprightly Frenchman- Vive la Lafayette-well agreed. For it affords them much mirth & as allies what makes them laugh should at least in us produce a grin. I will, however, attempt to inform you of that which I intended. when I sat down should be the subject of this Letter. It is that the prospect of accompanying you to Connecticut has vanished. I have expressed a wish to the Gen'l to be relieved, but he strokes my back with the idea of command, &c., and thinks I had better stay, to which you know I must submit. Inclosed is a letter for Dady. If you visit our friends shake the males by the hand, salute the females for me with your usual delicacy, and tell them it is the present I send accompanied with the compliments of the season. Colo. WEBB. I am, D'r Sam., Your friend, SMITH, A. D. C. Lt. Col. Wm. Smith's Letter. HEADQUARTERS, 24th June, 1782. MY D'R FRIEND :-I arrived here last night from Jersies & I need not say I will be happy to see you if you can possibly make it convenient. Come & spend a day with us-we are almost alone. The Gen'l & his Lady with 3 of the Buff Heroes are gone upon an expedition up the River, not to return in less than 10 Days. God bless you, my friend-may you enjoy every favour that your most sanguine thought can frame. DEAR WEBB-I received the herring, for which I return you my sincere thanks. I am rather unwell to-day. Should the indisposition continue I much fear I shall not be able to visit the Raritan on Sunday, but I will endeavour to do it as soon as possible, and shall acquaint Huntington previous to my setting off. Gen'l S. B. WEBB. I am, yours, W. STEWART. Col. W. Stewart's Letter. V. P. POINT, Sept. 3, 1782. DEAR SIR-The York and Jersey Infantry Companies not having been inspected for the month of July, I must request you issue an order for their being ready on the 5th inst. On the 13th of this month the whole corps will be inspected, when I presume the Commander-in-Chief will be present. The rolls for the York & Jersey Companys I now send, and shall in a day or two forward a sufficiency for the whole for the month of August 8 o'clock will be the hour on the 5th. I am, Yours, sincerely, Gen'l S. B. WEBB. W. STEWART, I. N. Army. |