I wrote your Excellency this morning, that I had with difficulty, prevailed on three hundred Men to march agreable to your request—I am extremely sorry to inform you, that half that number did not reach this Place—the remainder are going off hourly, being determined they say, to return home—therefore have no prospect of executing your Excellency’s Orders, which gives me great concern.

The only thing that can be said in their favor, is the present Season of the Year—which is by no means a sufficient excuse—I sincerely wish they could have been prevailed on, to have remain’d untill the Enemy had left the State—but tis impracticable. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Ob. St