ANTHONY WAYNE* TO THE COUNCIL OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY.

TICONDEROGA, 25th March, 1777.

GENTLEMEN, A party of Cochnawaga Indians under the command of Capt McCoy of the British forces have killed several of our people and taken Capt Baldwin with twenty one men prisoners at a place called Sabbath-daypoint, on the 20th instant, by which means the enemy, who are now all collected at Montreal, Chamella, St John's and their vicinity, will be but too soon informed of the debilitated state of this garrison, which at present does not consist of more than twelve hundred men, sick and well, officers included, four hundred of which are militia from Berkshire and Hampshire in your State, whose time expires in ten days, but this in confidence.

It's the opinion of those who are best acquainted with the Lake Champlain, that it will be navigable in the course of two or three weeks at farthest, so that we have every reason to expect the enemy here in full force as soon as that happens, being ready prepared for the purpose.

It is my duty therefore to request you in the most pressing manner to use every possible means in pushing on the troops properly equipt; near one half of those who have arrived are destitute of arms and accoutrements, and sent on without any officers except a few subalterns. For God's sake rouze your field and other officers from their lethargy. It's their duty to be on the spot, in order

* Gen. Anthony Wayne was born in Easttown, Penn., Jan. 1, 1745, and died in Presque Isle, Penn., Dec. 15, 1796. He received his first commission in the army in January, 1776, and served with distinction during the war. On the conclusion of peace he withdrew to civil life, and for a time lived in Georgia, but in 1792 he was recalled to military service, and afterward conducted a successful expedition against the Western Indians. See Appleton's Cyclopædia of American Biography, vol. vi. pp. 398–400; Sparks's American Biography, vol. iv. pp. 3-81. — Eds.

to manoeuvre their people, and to give them some idea of discipline, previous to their entering into action.

I would beg leave to suggest that the most speedy way of forwarding the baggage and other necessaries, thro these bad roads, will be by pack horses. You can't use too much dispatch; there is not one moment to spare. I am confident that you have too just a sense of the importance of this place to suffer it to be lost for want of timely succours, when in your power to throw them in. I shall therefore say no more on the subject than just to assure you that nothing shall be wanting on my part to render the post tenable, and to defend it to the last extremity.

Capt Rayman, a gentleman well acquainted with the lake, and a worthy officer, who is charged with this express, will be able to give you such information as you may require.

I'm, Gent, with the utmost respect,

Your most obedient and very humbl servt.

ANT WAYNE, Col.

P. S. Just as Capt Reyman was setting off he was taken extremely ill. Lt McClure is therefore charged with the express. He is an active, hearty officer.

Honble President and Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay.

A true Copy. Attest. JN° AVERY, Dep Sec.

WILLIAM HEATH TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.*

BOSTON, March 28th, 1777.

DEAR GENERAL, - Yesterday I received the honor of yours of the 13th instant, and immediately directed my orders accordingly.

Brigadiers General Nixon and Glover with Colonels Greaton, Sheppard, Nixon, Putnam, Wigglesworth, Alding,

* Washingtou's answer is printed in 5 Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. iv. pp. 48, 49.- EDS.

Bigelow, and late Patterson's regiments I have ordered to Peeks-Kill — Brigadier General Patterson, with Colonels Marshall, Brewer, Bradford, Frances, Bailey, Wesson, and Jackson's regiments to Tyconderoga. Such as are armed and equipt in those regiments destined to Peeks-Kill I have ordered to march immediately to that place, and their clothing to be sent on, as Mr Levingston informs me it cannot be got ready here soon. Such men as are not armed and equipt I shall order under inoculation agreable to your Excellency's orders. I much honor your Exy" opinion of the importance of having a respectable body of troops at Peeks-Kill, as they will be well situated to answer those purposes you are pleased to mention, should occasion require it. But if your Excellency's intelligence (that the enemy mean to draw a part of their force from Canada by water) be true, is there not some probability that they will attempt a landing some where more eastward than their main army is at present. Monsieur Marmadale, who came to town the day before yesterday from Providence, informs me that the enemy (by the accounts of deserters) have received a reinforcement at Rhode Island, and that their whole force is upwards of 4,000 men; how much credit is due to the reports of deserters your Excellency can well determine.

As to the harbour of Boston, altho it has already several good works, is far from being in such a condition as I think it ought to be; a very considerable work should be immediately constructed on Governor's Island (so called) which has great command of the channel and also of the castle.

The French Brigadier General De Borre is here waiting for orders from Congress or your Excellency, as are a number of the officers of Colonel Faneuil's intended regiment. They begin to grow uneasy. They yesterday informed me that they had spent a considerable sum of money, that they were here on expence, that it was

uncertain whether they should be established or not, that they had not heard from their Colonel for some time, that several vessells were soon to sail for France, and that if nothing was in prospect for them they would return. I have advised them to wait a few days in which time it' was highly probable they would have some intelligence from their Colonel.

The General has also applied for money; he has, as your Excellency will observe, in his agreement with Mr Deane received five or six months pay. He considers that sum as a gratification to furnish him for his voyage and not as his pay; his wants are many. I beg your Excellency's direction as soon as agreable. I know policy leads us to do much for them, but how far I am to go I am at loss. I have been obliged upon his pressing application to give him an order for four hundred dollars as advance pay.

I have the honor to be, with great respect,

Your Excellency's most hble. servt.

His Excellency Gen. WASHINGton.

W. HEATH.

WILLIAM HEATH TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.*

BOSTON, April 9th, 1777.

DEAR GEN, Yesterday I received p' Col Johonot the honor of yours of the 29th ultimo and observe your Excellency's pressing and positive orders for hastning the troops. This I have been doing with unremitted assiduity, and the moment a detachment is equipped I order them to march. There are now on the march to Peeks-Kill a detachment of Col° Greaton's regiment, upwards of one hundred fine fellows well armed,

&c;

they

* Washington's answer, dated April 19, is printed in 5 Mass. Hist. Coll., vol. iv. pp. 49, 50.-EDs.

marched the last Fryday; a detachment from Col° Nixon's who marched about the same time; a detachment from Colo Sheppard's marched on Monday; a detachment from late Patterson's this morning; and a detachment from Colo Wigglesworth's and Col° Putnam's will march in a day or two; a detachment from Col Bailey's (200) and about the same number from Col° Wesson's will march to morrow or next day for Tyconderoga; and a detachment from Col° Jackson's about the same time. Marshall's, Brewer's, Bradford's, and Frances's regiments have been marching for some time to Tyconderoga, and since my last I have sent on the field officers of those regiments. I intend to send on all the men that I can possibly arm and equipp by the next Thursday or Fryday, whether they have had the small pox or not; after that I shall continue the same mode of conduct with those destined to Tyconderoga; and to Peeks-Kill such only as have had it, and innoculate those who have not, sending them after as soon as they are able to endure the fatigues of the march. General Nixon is now under innoculation. The State troops do at present furnish me with guards for the stores, so that I shall not detain a man, saving for the guards at the hospitals.

As to the number of men enlisted it is at present impossible to ascertain them, as the recruiting officers are scattered in every part of the State. The last return from the muster masters was 3,824; but such returns as I have received are much larger. I have not the whole. I believe 6,000 men at least are enlisted. The recruiting service is now pretty successfull, but Colonels Henly, Jackson, and Lee labor under discouragements, the State at present declining to do any thing for their regiments, least it should retard the filling of the 15 (as they say). Colonel Crane's has obtained every encouragement and fills fast.

A day or two agoe the powder made in and belonging