I earnestly entreat your Excellency will be pleased to permit Col: Kuscuiusco to be The Engineer to serve with The Troops marching under my Command; if I had not an Affectionate regard for This amiable Foreigner, I should upon no Account have made this my request—The out Works at West point are in a manner finish’d & the Body of the place in such forwardness, as to put it in The power of The Two Engineers now There, to compleat the whole with the utmost Facility; I am sorry it is not your Excellencys pleasure to allow Colonel Hay to go with me.1 I must think, that his being in the Advance of your Army would perhaps be of more benefit to it than his remaining here; should Your Excellencys March to the Eastward take place. The Troops halt this Evening about Three Miles from hence, I shall be with them at Bedford by tomorrow noon, any Commands before then, I shall with pleasure receive here, or on the Way. I am Your Excellencys most Obedient Humble Servant