1From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Washington and Certain Other Counties, 28 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Lord Cornwallis from Carolina and a Reinforcement of 2000 Men from New York having joined the hostile Army which was before here and crossed James River renders it necessary for us to bring a very great Force into the Field. As I have reason to believe you have not sent the whole Number ordered to the Southward by my Letter of You will now be pleased to send under proper Officers whatever...
2From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
THE invasion of our country by the enemy at the Close of the last Session of Assembly, their pushing immediately to this place, the dispersion of the publick papers, which for the purpose of saving them necessarily took place, and the injury done at the printing office, have been so many causes operating unfortunately to the delay of transmitting you those acts of Assembly which required...
3From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
THE act of October 1780, For recruiting this state’s quota of troops to serve in the continental army , allowed persons to exempt themselves from certain military duties, by enlisting a soldier after the first day of the ensuing month of April , to serve during the war, and delivering him to a person authorized by the Governour to receive him. Sensible that the burthens of your office are...
4From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Fauquier and Certain Other Counties, 14 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to desire you to send of your Militia under proper officers with such good Arms as they have, and especially Rifles, to rendezvous at Williamsburg on the 1st. Day of May and to continue in Service two Months from the time of their getting to the Rendezvous. As Circumstances may render it necessary to change the Rendezvous, you will be pleased to order them by the way of where they will...
5From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of James City and Certain Other Counties, [24 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to order to on receipt of this of the militia of your County to remain on duty only till releifs ordered from Counties less exposed shall arrive. I hope this call will be thought less heavy on your County as we would avoid calling on it to perform a full tour of duty, and only wish them to serve during those short intervals between the necessary discharge of the militia and arrival...
6From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Hanover and Certain Other Counties, 12 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be pleased to send effective men of your militia immediately to Williamsburg under proper officers. I would advise that they carry what good firelocks they have. Deficiencies I expect may be supplied. I must beseech you to lose no Time in executing this order as the aid of these men is immediately wanting. Should the Call of such a Proportion of your militia render the prosecution of...
7From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Chesterfield and Dinwiddie, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing where the very rapid march of Ld. Cornwallis may terminate, I think it necessary to desire that every man of your Militia who has a firelock or for whom one can be procured by impressing or otherwise be immediately embodied under proper Officers. I do not herein give orders for their march because you are so convenient that you can without it’s causing but little delay give me...
8From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Buckingham and Amherst, 22 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board approve of your having complied with the Call for militia on the Invasion of our Country, tho’ that Call did not proceed immediately from the Executive. Necessity obliged us on the first of Arnold’s (&c. as in the Letter to the County Lieutenant of Culpeper). FC ( Vi ). The remainder of the letter to the two counties was the same as that indicated in the note to the letter to the...
9From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Frederick and Certain Other Counties, 4 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The late misfortune to the southward renders it necessary that we send a reinforcement of militia from this State to assist in stopping the progress of the enemy should they be able to do no more. I have in the first place required the counties which lately sent militia to the southward, to furnish now so many as failed to march then of the quota called on, but to make up a substantial aid...
10From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enemy having last Night past far up James River and seeming to point immediately to this Place or Petersburg, I must desire you without a moments Delay to send every man of your County able to bear Arms to rendezvous at Westham. Let them come in small Detachments as they can be collected and not wait to be formed into Companies. I am Sir your mo obt. hble. Servt., FC ( Vi ). At head of...