January 1-Deccmber 31, 1781 261

for, but they expect their Cloathing before they move & some of
them have not got the whole of their substitute money, which they
also expect.

May 31

[Rt. F. Hooe, Alex^a, to Gov. Lee.]

I rec'd your Excellency's Letter of the 29^th and would have sent
you the disagreeable intelligence we had Yesterday, but the accounts
being vague & uncertain I thought it best to Postpone writing untill
I could collect intelligence that might be depended on.
Major Dick came here last night, I did not see him, but have his
relation of matters from Col^o Fitzgerald. He says Lord Cornwallis
with ab^t 6000 Troops was at Hanover Court House on Tuesday last —
that the Marquis with ab^t 2000 Regular Troops & ab^t 4000 Militia
was ab^t 12 Miles distant from him throwing obstructions in their
way by falling Trees, breaking up bridges &c That Gen^l Lesly with a
detachment of ab^t 1000 or 1200 Men had embarked in James River
destined it is supposed for Potomack River. Major Dick is gone
express to Gen^l Wayne.
Unless we are soon reinforced the Enemy will shortly March thro
this State our Militia being very generally without Arms.

May 31
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 49

[Robt. F. Hooe, Alex^a, to Gov. Lee.]

An express this moment arrived from Fred^sbg tells us that the
Enemy was from their last information at Pages Warehouses, that
the Marquis was to be this night in Fred^bg. Uncertain whether Lesly
was bound to Baltim^o or this Town — but more generally thought to

this Town. And generally believed that Cornwallis means to March

thro' Virg^a to Baltim⁶ where a fleet and part of the British Army
it is supposed will meet him. We are in a miserable Situation for
want of Arms. Our Men are in good Spirits but we are destitute of
everything necessary for opposition and defence

May 31
1/2 past one
in afternoon
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 48

[John Sterrett's Application]

George Blunt was put by Cap^t Yellott as a Prize Master on Board
the Ship Windsor She was retaken by a British Ship [of] War and
Blunt (in consequence of his attempting to impose upon the British
Officer who was sent on Board to examine his Papers) was put into
Irons and now remains on Board the Prison Ship at New York and
has been there upwards of Nine months past. We would wish to have
him exchang'd for one Nicholas Byrn who was taken by Capt. Folger
of the Antelope and now remains in Baltimore Goal.
P. S. Col. Stone is requested to represent this to the Council and
if the above can be effected it will much oblidge Jn^o Sterett

May
Red Book
No. 23
Letter 117