362 Journal and Correspondence

C.S.C.

dont urge altogether thro' inclination (tho' I believe nothing
would be more desirable to both officers and men who wou'd
more readily than ever return in the Spring) but should it be
necessary could point out the expediency of their return, upon
a principle that it wou'd contribute much to the benefit of the
service, so far as their small force could have any weight.
Our Army in general have been well supplied with good
provisions & indeed with more than a sufficiency. Vegitables
and some other small necessaries could not be procured, but
in general there has not been the least cause of complaint on
this head.
You mention my having the command of the Flying Camp,
which I have not, altho' we frequently act together and have
encamped close bye each other for better than a month. I
thank the Convention for the resolve in my favor, their
intention was good tho it has not had the desired effect,
owing to an impropriety in their mode of appointment, tho
was I to insist, General Washington has said I ought and
should have the command, tho' it might raise some difficulties
here perhaps in other commands. M^r Bell without doubt is a
brave and an honest man, but I leave you and the Convention
to judge, whether with propriety he can expect he will do
himself and his country any honour in the chararter of a
General. He is considered here as the second edition of the
Eastern Generals and the distinguishing gentlemen here, who
now begin to entertain more favorable sentiments of our State,
are not a little surprized at the impropriety of this appoint-
ment, but their will be done, even tho' I suffer an indignity,
where it has not been intended.
Gen^l Lee has just arrived, and is appointed to the command
of one of the Divisions, who are to oppose the enemy above
King's Bridge. The Enemy have landed their Chief force on
Frog's neck, and are making every disposition to march across
from the sound to their Ships in the North River, thereby to
cut off our communication by land with Albany and the New
England Governments and to coop in and starve us, for I am
apprehensive it will be in their power by their ships at any
time to cut off our retreat into Jerseys, both which should they
effect, it will just pin up the Casket. The situation of the
Country favors our troops, being very uneven and rockey,
interspersed with some few bushes, and abounding in Stone
Walls. Were our officers good, and our men well trained, it
would be impossible to effect their purpose, for we have now
on this side the bridge thirteen brigades, which do not exceed
thirteen thousand men (by this you may see how far short the
Governments of furnishing their respective quotas, none I
believe have compleated but Maryland) but with this force,