of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 101

P. S. As this Service is to be done in your County and
its neighbourhood, we expect you will take the immediate Com-
mand. Provisions must be turnished by Col^o Hollingsworth.
Col^o Cha^s Rumsey.

[Gov. Johnson to Washington.]

Annapolis 20^th May 1778.
D^r Sir
I received your Letter of the 17^th within these few Hours.
We had before ordered about 300 Militia, as Guards to the
Stores at & in the Neighbourhood of the Head of Elk. In
Consequence of your Letter, Orders are already gone to the
Lieuten^t of Cecil to call out a Battalion of that County on the
same Service, for three Companies from Baltimore and two
from each of the Counties of Kent, Cecil, Queen Ann's &
Harford, the Cecil Battalion to be discharged as the Compa-
nies arrive. The Orders are larger than your Requisition, to
prevent any Inconveniencies from the whole Number not
being so prompt as desirable. Two Field Pieces such as we
have with thirty two Matrosses are also ordered. Col^o Rum-

C. C.

sey of Cecil is directed, as soon as he has 400 Men, to advise
Gen^l Smallwood by Express, who is requested to forward the
Information to you, to enable you to give such Orders as you
may judge proper. I hope the Orders from hence will be
executed with Alacrity and your Intentions take Place.
I am D^r Sir with the greatest Respec^t
His Excellency Gen^l Washington &^ca

[Council to Smallwood.]

In Council Annapolis 20^th May 1778.
Sir.
M^r Gassaway delivered his Letters in the fore Part of the
Day. Orders are already given for a Battalion of Cecil
Militia to be immediately called out, to be relieved by three
Companies from Baltimore, two from each of Kent, Cecil,
Queen Ann's & Harford Counties; two Field Pieces with
thirty two Matrosses are also ordered. Col^o Rumsey is
directed, as soon as he has 400 Men, including those already
on Duty, to give you Notice by Express and, as the Compa-
nies come in, to advise you of it. You will please to transmit
such Information immediately to Gen^l Washington who, from
what is wrote to him, will expect it and probably will give
Orders to you, grounded on that Information.
We congratulate you on the bright Prospect opening to
View. And Are Sir &^ca
Gen^l Smallwood

p 161