no i Lieut. Col. Wm. Smith's Letter. DOBBS FERRY, 28th Nov., 1782. MY DEAR WEBB :-I received yours by Lt. Swain. The Letter to the General is of importance, therefore do not Love (table) Slain? ? Lt. Col. Wm. Smith's Letter. HEADQUARTERS BEFORE YORK, MY DEAR WEBB :-Our old friend Scammel paid the last debt < men. fourth made a stroke at him with his sword, but the shot having weakened him even after he was carried in did they treat him with any kind of MARK IT. Our first parallel is now complete and our batteries in full roar. We opened upon them yesterday 3 o'clock P.M., & have kept up the most sprightly peal ever since that you can form an idea of. I think we shall be able to give a good account of them before long. You may depend upon hearing from me when anything material happens I am as yet well, but like to have lost my hat by a 12 pounder yesterday Remember me particularly to the good family on the Banks of the Raritan and at Wethersfield, and consider him as your friend, who is known by the name of Copud WM. S. SMITH, Lt. Colo. Wm. Smith's Letter. 18 Fit 1987 D'R SAM'L-Upon my arrival at Morristown I found letters from his Excellency and the Marquis,* the contents of which rendered it necessary that I should set off immediately for Camp, and deprived me of the promised pleasure of visiting your family as I intended; but as I am the person disappointed I conclude an apology to you is in some measure unnecessary therefor― I am informed that the arrangement of your line is returned to have some alterations made. If I could get my name enroll'd I should be happy, & as I must consider myself at present a member of the State I think my intentions not slightly founded. There is a Lt. Col. Johnston in your line who I am informed wishes for for an opportunity to retire. I should be happy to give him one by taking his place in the line. It can injure none of the inferior officers and the superior, I flatter myself would have no objection. I am told they have conversed upon this subject & no objections were started except by Lt. Col. Gray. His reasons I am not acquainted with, therefore cannot give you my sentiments upon them, but am a little dubious whether they will stand a strict scrutiny if they should refer to its being a precedent that might hereafter prove injurious. That may be easily obviated as there is *La Fayette. no Gentleman at present in the army in a similar situation, & as I mean to enter upon no other consideration than by an unanimous consent of the field officers, it will be setting an example that will in my opinion rather be of service than otherwise. I intended to have waited on you this morning, but am detained in order to join the Marquis, &c., &c. If you will inform me after consulting on the subject how matters stand I shall acknowledge myself obliged. Laurels & Life attend you is the wish of WM. S. SMITH, &c. AFTER TRENTON. Joseph Webb's Letter. MY DEAR BROTHER:-Yours of the 27th ult. was handed me on Thursday Morning. I opened it at Breakfast and never was more flattered in my Life. It was agreeable & Unexpected News. It overcome us so much that scarcely one of us Could finish our Breakfast. Colo. Knox's Lady was in the Company who has been at our House Some days on her way to Boston. Heavens be praised for this lucky, Happy and Important turn in our favor. Nothing in life could happen at a more critical Junction. In every place and almost every face you may`See, almost a surprising alteration. Tho' no one was willing to own any doubts or fears before, I must own New England has fewer tories than I think Jersey or Pennsylvania, yet we have Some. Good God had His Excellency met with Misfortune. My Blood chills at the Very Reflection. Heaven Reward & preserve Him. I believe Jack will accept under Sheldon. He seems pleased with it, and I think Jack will make a very Genteel Good Officer. Blagden is Major. Belding has accepted a Lieutenancy. I think this bids fair to be a very Genteel Corps. Accept my sincere thanks for your attention in writing me. knowledge myself under the Grateful Obligations for them. Chester Baggage is at Jere Wadsworth's. The Needful shall be done. The Bearer is waiting, cannot add, except that I ac Your Repeated fr. 6.29. I am, Jan. 4th, 1777. Affectionately Yrs. J. W. Risiatia fr. 6.26. I shall write you by Next Post, but I have not been Good in writing on account of the uncertainty of the times which you must Excuse. It's a remarkably Healthy time, and our Connections are well. AFTER BUNKER HILL. Chas. Whiting's Letter. MY DEAR SIR-I most heartily congratulate you, Sammy, on your safe return from the Field of Battle. Am highly rejoiced to hear that you behaved worthy of yourself and proved that your Courage was genuine. I want much to see you and tell you a Thousand Things & as k 2000 Questions. Write me as soon as Leisure permits every thing concerning the Engagement, for as yet amidst the endless Variety of accounts I don't know what to depend on as truth. I must fear that the melancholy Tidings of the death of the amiable and worthy Dr. Warren will prove true. How many and what men have you lost? Yesterday I rec'd a Line from He remembers you. The doctor is going * * * * My hearty Compliments to Capt. Chester, squeeze his Hand for me. onic Adieu, My Dearest Sam., Tuesday Morning 7 o'clock, 20th June, 1775. C. WHITING. Mis Laidley Jere Wadsworth's Letter. DEAR WEBB:-I have the pleasure to inform You that your friends are well. Jack will soon be with you & tell you everything that concerns you in this quarter. Mrs. Wadsworth troubles you with a little memorandum for seeds to which I have added a shaving apparatus. If it is quite convenient when you go to N. York send them and not otherwise. I have no news. Everything is as usual here, would like to ef |
