of the Council of Safety, 1777. 177

as the Militia Reg^ts were to meet, I shou'd keep their Fifer &
Drummer, who wou'd contribute much (by the musick) in pro-
curing Recruits, & promoting that Service, which he not only
very politely agreed to, but order'd the Fifer and Drummer to
continue, the Drummer then applied to me to go to Baltimore,
which I expressly refused, urging the Reason of his being
detained, & that as soon as the musters were over, he shou'd
be discharged, however they went down to the Companys
Boat, about seven miles below Princess Ann. I then ordered
L^t Campbell who was also going in this Boat, to take with
him a File of men well armed to take the Drummer and Fifer,
& send them back to me under this guard, which from the
Inclosed Lt^r of Cap^t Steretts you'll observe he was prevented
by some of the Company from doing. I shou'd not have
taken up your Attention with this Circumstance, but to point
out that I am sorry your Independants had not a stronger
sense of their Duty, both as Soldiers, & as Gentlemen well
affecred to the general Good, and to acquaint you that unless
proper Notice is taken of it, I shall decline in future the com-
mand of your Independants as Militia, unless under better
Regulations, I wish Campbell may have acquitted himself on
this occasion becoming a regular Officer. I have wrote to
Cap^t Starett for the names of those who refused to let him
comply with his orders.
No Persons as yet have brought in their Arms, or claimed
the Benefit of the Proclamation, except such who have been
under examination, & some of those have refused swearing
Allegiance to this State; nor do I think they will generally
come in 'till towards the last Day. I shall not presume to
judge, or draw conclusions, but I am often shocked and con-
cerned for the manner in which this class of men conduct
themselves under Oath, & I sincerely wish it may not be pro-
ductive of many Perjuries, the excepted Persons are still
under Guard, Callelo & Moore not yet taken. 15 Deserters
some Gunby's but mostly of Longs company, & two of Flem-
ings Virginia Reg^t have been taken, and I have now Detatch-
ments out after near 30 more who have deserted from the
Navy and Army, and are Sculking among these People. Cap^t
Shockby an officer of Spirit, & one who on this occasion has
rendered many Services, being the other night in quest of
Deserters, was fired on & rec^d one drop Shott in his Leg and
his Horse was wounded with seven, but the Party being in
the Woods & it being dark, escaped upon our Men's return-
ing the fire, inclosed is 26 Copies of Depositions & have
taken upwards of 100 which shall hereafter be transmitted,
with Respect I have the Honor to be
Your very Obedient H^ble Serv^t
W. Smallwood Brig^r General

C. S. C.