1To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 18 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
At the same time that I ordered a Reinforcement to Powlis Hook I wrote to Col. Derkee to know the State of that Post as to force —For tho Col. Humpton had been but a few days ago on that Spot to bring me an exact Return—such is the ever fluctuating State of our Melitia and infamous Desertion—that we are not at any one Post two days in the same State as to Numbers—Your Excellencys Letter was...