Capt. Jos. Walker's Letter.

STRATFORD, Feb'y 27, 1780.

DEAR SIR :- Knowing your anxiety for the Welfare of your Reg't & your great desire for having it recruited, induces me at this time to offer you my sentiments upon the subject, as I am inform'd you expect to go on to Headquarters this week, and my business being such as will unhappily prevent me having the pleasure of seeing you in this place.

The prospects of Recruiting in the country as well as with the army you must be sensible are very dull at present, though I am confident there are a great many recruits may be got among those whose time of service has expired this Winter, and others, especially these State Regiments that are now raising to send down to the Lines, if proper encouragements are offered & pains taken.

I heard Gen'l Parsons propose a plan, and such as I believe he means to adopt in his Brigade on his return to the army. That was to send into this State a number of likely Serjents & some Musick under the care of some officers, & let them go from Town to Town among the State Troops and beat up for Recruits. You must be sensible that there are numbers of men now only awaiting to know what is done for the army & what bounty is given to encourage them to enlist.

Our Regt. is on as good footing as any now is, the service from this State, & I think might stand a good chance to recruit should the officers exert themselves. All this I offer on the strength of

your being exchanged, which I suppose is almost a certainty, & be assured is the most earnest wish of your sincere friend &

Colo. WEBB.

Humble Serv't,

J. WALKER.

N. B.-Excuse the above scrawl as it was wrote in great haste.

Jos. Walker's Letter.

MIDDLETOWN, 28th Mar., 1782.

DEAR COL.:-I have got so far on my way to Wethersfield where I flattered myself should have the pleasure of seeing you before my return to camp, but upon my arrival here find the General

set out for Camp in order to resign his commission, shall therefore return with him as far as Stratford and prepare myself to join the Regiment by the 10th of April, where I hope to meet you, so you see we go from one degree of grace to another-from the Horse to the foot. However you will know that it is more than what I have done before, & thank God am able yet, and not above doing the duty of Captain.

Bivens who has been with me for a year past will hand you this. He is a soldier in your Reg't, a good honest lad, & has served in the Reg't from the first, though he has not been able to discharge the duty of a soldier by reason of a pain in his back, which at times he is subject to. He has a brother who will enlist to take his place. The lad is about seventeen years of age & am informed he is a strong, hearty Boy-should think might be more beneficial in the Reg't than this one. I wish you would inform Bivens whether you will accept of his Brother or not. I also request you to inform me what your opinion of the matter may be. I suppose you will go on to Camp soon. I wish if you could make it convenient you would come by the way of Stratford, & I will be your company.

Our good Friend Sally Johnson is on the decline & I fear is not long for this world-was there yesterday. The family desired their compliments to their Wethersfield friends. My best respects to your Brother's family and all friends.

DEAR COLONEL :-This Letter will be handed you by Lieut. Gorham, who is on his way to Hartford. I beg you to notice him as he in my opinion a gentleman of merit.

Had promised myself the pleasure of spending a little time with you when I went with the General to Hartford; but the weather unfortunately prevented, and my business obliged me to return to this place so soon after, that it was impossible for me to make you a visit. How long before I shall be that way again unless business should call, is uncertain.

Was informed when at the Eastward that you had thoughts of quitting the service-what new reasons you may have to me are unknown. As to the late unforseen misfortunes in your family,* perhaps may in your mind at present be thought a sufficient reason. Be assured, sir, I feel for you, and sincerely lament your situation. Your prospects were doubtless great and very pleasing; you had arrived at a situation in life which promised much happiness, & to have them all blasted in a moment must deeply wound your feelings. However melancholy & distressed you may at present feel, yet I must say I should be exceeding sorry to have you leave us at this interesting Period, if you can any way make yourself & friends contented.

My most respectful compliments to your Brother & family, also Col. Chester.

CAMP at SMITH'S CLOVE, June 17th, 1779.

DEAR SIR-I received your agreeable favor dated at the South Branch of the Raritan since my arrival here. Had I been so fortunate as to have found it when I returned to Raritan it would have been a very agreeable introduction to Miss B., who everybody says you are engaged to. If I am ever in that neighborhood again I shall certainly do myself the honor to call on her. This is a most villainous county. Rough, rocky, and a bad climate. Rattlesnakes and robbers are plenty. It was an infringement on the right of wild beasts for man ever to enter this clove. to have remained as nature certainly intended it, for the sole use of snakes, adders, and beasts of prey.

It ought

Harrison says he will write you soon, but don't think Congress have done anything very effectual. What they have done I don't know. If the Carolina news is true your fears of being re-called are over, but entre nous I am yet an unbeliever. I am alone, every

* Death of his first wife.

body else believes it, but no official information is come to hand, and the time is so long, I confess there is great doubt. The enemy remain at the two points, Verplanks and Stoney Point fortifying, and are expecting re-enforcements, which they will certainly have. Then I expect we shall have some serious business among these dreary hills and dales. I intend to be pretty regular in my correspondence with you, if you are not like my other friends-too lazy to keep it up. You will remember the possibility of your letters miscarrying, and write accordingly. My love to your brother & sisters, and to Col. Chester and family.

Mrs. Greene goes from hence to-day. Five or six days will bring her to Hartford. I need not say how much I am interested in her being attended to. She is a good woman and has more virtues than are generally found among the sex.

My compliments to all friends, among which I have a few at Hartford, with whom you are acquainted.

DEAR SIR-Last Tuesday I received part of a letter from you to which this is an answer. I thank you for it, however, if you will now begin and correspond like a man. But while you only write what you cannot avoid I will count and you shall have word for word.

I have a deal of news, but won't tell you any. Now if I had ever so great an inclination letter must be short, for without news I am nothing in the letter way. I have a very fruitless noddle. The little girl I ran away with is well and sends her compliments to you and Major Huntington. She desires me to tell you the Miss Johnsons are in health. She heard from Sally this evening.

I am, &c.,

JERE. WADSWORTH.

Who do you think wrote the above Letter, Sam. If you can't guess, get ye Major to guess, & if he can't tell, ask General Huntington.

Colo. WEBB.

J. WADSWORTH.

Col. Jere. Wadsworth's Letter.

SAW PITTS, 2 Oct., 1776.

DEAR SIR-The enemy will soon prevent our bringing anything by water-yesterday two ships and a brig were cruising here, and I expect we shall soon be obliged to transport everything by land. The roads Eastward you are too well acquainted with to need information, especially about Horse Neck-where are a large body of Militia and more daily coming. Suppose they were to mend these roads this hint may be improved as you think best. There is some danger of affronting the Militia-but if all the roads were ordered to be repaired, which is really necessary it would prevent any uneasiness. I am sick with a cold, take care of your health these cold mornings & evenings, you should be very careful. in great haste.

D'r s'r,

Your very obd't serv't,

I am

JERE. WADSWORTH.

P. S.--I saw a Lady of your acquaintance after I saw you the 30th Inst. I'll tell you a tale when I see you that will please or displease you, and you shall wait till then before I tell you. If you had not run away, I would have communicated all now, but deserters must be punished.

(In another hand on opposite page.)

W.

For God's Sake Sam-Let the Militia be ordered to mend the Road while they stay. They who cat ought to work.

Yours,

Speak to the General & use my name.

J. TRUMBULL.

I don't believe the tale Wadsworth will tell you, to be good. I know better.

Col. Jere. Wadsworth's Letter.

HARTFORD, Dec. 31st, 1775. DEAR SAM-I was abroad when yours of the 21st inst. came to hand per post.

Have been to New Haven with the two French gentlemen who came from Cambridge. Joseph Webb went with me through