of the Council of Maryland. 89

escorting 150 Prisoners of the Maryland Division; he took the
Party, and released the Prisoners, who are now, upon their march
to Cross Creek where I sent Lieut. Colonel Ford, and proper Officers
to conduct them Hither when these join; our Loss in Continentals,
will be few; in Comparison of what from their once hopeless Situa-
tion might have been expected. Certain Persons have been ex-
treamly anxious that I should remove the Whole Force and take
Post with them immediately in Mechlenburgh and Roan Counties,
on the Western Border of the State. As this does not correspond
with my own judgement, nor with that of many others whom I
esteem very good Officers; I shall defer doing it, until I am con-
vinced by some Movement of the Enemy, which way they point;
and what is the real Object they have in View.
Should Willmington in this State, and Portsmouth in yours be
the Posts they intend to take, I conceive the Southern Army would
be entirely misplaced, at Charlotte, Salisbury, and the Ford upon
the Yadkin; consequently I shall halt all the Continental Troops
here until the Designs of the Enemy become so apparent, there can
be no mistaking them. General Stevens who is posted near Guild-
ford Court House acquaints me in his Letter the 6th Instant, that
his Command, is by Desertion, reduced to 130 Men. I have directed
him to Officer that Number, in a proper Manner; and come himself
with the supernumerary Officers, to Hillsborough, in his Way to
Richmond, where he can receive the Orders of the Executive for
his future Conduct. I am astonished at Colonel Buford's Command,
arriving here this Day; without Tents. Sickness, Death, and Deser-
tion, must certainly be the dire Result, of sending Troops into the
Field at the Autumnal Equinox, unfurnished with so essential an
Article. Cost what they will, or get them how we may, they must be
supplied, or ruin will ensue. I request your Excellency will send an
exact Copy of this Letter, with your First Dispatch to Congress, and
desire the President to order one to be sent immediately to His
Excellency Gen^l Washington

September 9
Brown Book
No. 8
Letter
No. 16

[Fran's Ware, Port Tobacco to Gov. Lee.]

May it please your Excellency Enclosed you have a Return of
the Public Armes ammunition and accoutriments now in Charles
County, the Greatest Part of the Powder is so bad in Quality that
I could not Require men to go to Action with it. and there are
16 of the Muskets Render^d in a most Shattered Condition by Capt
Joseph Marburys Recruiting party Last Spring, Who had the use
of them to apprehend and Guarde deserters, and We have no person
in this County Sufficiently Qualified to Repair them, therefore
should be Glad to be instructed What I am to do with them and the
bad Powder. I have agreeable to instructions notified to those
Classes Who Have not furnished Recruits that Wheat Would be

September 9