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. Стрий Lt. Col. Eb. Huntington's Letter. HEADQUARTERS, MORRISTOWN. MORRISTOWN, 24 Dec., 1779, in Camp. 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 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. சேரியல் Scammell Creighton Urob Lt. Col. Huntington's Letter. 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, Colo. WEBB. E. HUNTINGTON. DEAR WEBB-I wrote you a few days since by Capt. Wyllys, since which have not been favoured with any of yours. I impute it to want of time and opportunity. Since I wrote you by Capt. Wyllys we have been much distressed, four days without meat in our Brigade and six in some others, & by the prospect before us it is only a prelude to greater sufferings; as the provisions received yesterday by the Comm'y will afford not quite two days allowance to the army, and no other Beef within reach unless we make a seizure on the property of the inhabitants, which is very disgreeable to our worthy Genl. Our men bear it with that fortitude which becomes the Christian & freeman-tho' I am fearful their resolution will not be competent to the task, should the evil remain long. Yesterday we drew 114 coats, 117 vests, 12 breeches, 52 shirts, We have nothing new in this part of the world, except a I wrote a tantalizing letter to Hetty & Sally inclos'd in your My compliments, &c., to the Circle, & Permit me to subscribe myself. Colo. WEBB. Yours, sincerely, EBEN. HUNTINGTON. DEAR WEBB :-By my friend Wadsworth, I shall just say that two days since I moved into a hutt, not my own, for that is not built, but into Captain Walker's Hutt, that I may be near to drive on my own. Were I to undertake to tell news I should hobble myself-for we have none-forgive me. Genl. Arnold's trial will be completed in two days as he has given in his defence and a very spirited one. The Court are forming their judgment. It is expected he will be acquitted with honors. Geo. Reed attended the trial and made a very elegant speech to the Court. Col. Beatty is to be the subject of a Court Martial (the Judge Advocate informs me) for getting cloth for a woman's cloak from New York, which the General has some time since forbid in his orders. I do not know enough of the matter to say more. My friend Wadsworth can say more to you about the reduction of Regiments than I know, as he is but three days from the Fountain of knowledge. I have sent a line to him to dine with me this day. I wish he may come, but have not received an answer. As the month of Feb'y is at hand, I must expect you soon unless you will permit me to expect a little from your promise of coming-or less than from your promise of writing. For I assure you I expected several letters before this time, but have received only one, which I have answered by five or six. Indeed that one from you is the only one I have rec'd from Connecticut since I left it, & expect it will be the last. As to the Staten Island frolick and the starving the army, ask Wadsworth. I can assure you I am very sorry that I was one of the party. The weather for four weeks past, has been severer than ever was known here for so long a time. bring on all your acBeers expects to close It is necessary that you send or rather counts of clothing issued in '77 or 8, as Mr. all clothing accounts with the auditors soon. It is really a matter of consequence as well as settling the recruiting accounts. I am fearful you do not sufficiently dread the delay. |