January 1-December 31, 1781 87

Lethargy & try the most strenuous Efforts to endeavour to check
the Progress of the Enemy the war must be brought into our Bowells
immediately — you will therefore see the necessity of anticipating this
event by ordering the men to be raised and forwarded with all possi-
ble dispatch
You will observe General Green's letter without Date or place the
Baron supposes him at Charlotte, but I should rather think him
further on his Retreat and Cornwallis advanced least to Salisbury
or the Moravian Town which must place him in a Position above
General Green to the Westward & of course upon a direct line nearer
the Frontiers of Virginia.

February 26
Brown Book
No. 2
Letter 87
[Copy]

[Steuben, Maj. Gen'l, Richmond, to Major Gen. Smallwood.]

Dear General Soon after you left this State, the Enemy took
post at Portsmouth where they have remained very quietly ever since.
A sufficient number of Militia are collected to prevent their making
incursions into the Country, but not to attempt any thing against
them while they remain where they are. With respect to the South-
ern Army this State is perfectly Lethargic, not a man is yet raised
on the new plan, & it has been with the greatest pains that about
400 men now at Chesterfield Court H^o have been tolerably clothed
& I hope will be ready to march by the 20^th ins^t
Gen^l Greenes situation notwithstanding his late successes is very
disagreeable & calls for the immediate exertions of this state of
Maryland I must beg you My dear General to push your state to
raise & send on a reinforcement without delay to the Southern Army.
By the enclosed you will perceive that something must be done
without loss of time, Gen^l Greene in the hurry of business forgot
to date his letter but I suppose he must be somewhere near Charlotte

February 12
Brown Book
No. 2
Letter 75
[Copy]

[Nat. Greene to Gen. Steuben.]

Since I wrote you by Major Giles Lord Cornwallis has been con-
stantly in pursuit of Gen^l Morgan & has burnt his Waggons & equip'd
his army in such a manner as to move with the greatest facility his
force is about 2500 men. Gen. Morgan by forced marches kept out
of the reach of his Lordship & has got off his Prisoners in safety,
but it was partly owing to the happy intervention of a great storm
which raised the Catabaw so high that the Enemy could not cross,
During which time the Prisoners were pushed on over the Yadkin
& an on their march for Virg^a
The moment I got intelligence that the Enemy were penetrating
the Country, I put the Army in motion upon the Pedee & left it
under the command of Gen^l Huger & crosS^td the country with a
small Escort in order to collect the Militia & make head against the
Enemy until we could make a junction of our forces, we made the

Brown Book
No. 2
Letter 75
[Copy]