To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 April 1777
From Major General Benjamin Lincoln
Bound brook [N.J.] April 28th 1777
Dear General
The Maryland, and the ninth Pennsylvania regiment were, by a mistake, returned yesterday as being in camp here, they were left behind.
Colonel Brodhead informs me that there are many vacancies in his regiment—he hath handed to me the inclosed list, wishes the Gentlemen therein named might be appointed to fill them.1
I cannot git a return from the independent companies in any measure satisfactory. one of the captains who went in pursuit of deserters, carried off with him his papers as early as2 I can come at the truth I will mention it in the next return. I wish they were ordered to join some Regt.
Major North, of the 10th Pennsylvania regiment informs me that a sergeant & ten of his men are at samptown, he wishes that they may be ordered to join him as he is now paying and cloathing His men.3
ADf, MHi: Lincoln Papers.
1. This document has not been identified.
2. At this place in the draft, Lincoln inserted the word “if” above the line, but he did not strike out any of the other wording.
3. Caleb North (1753–1840), a merchant at Coventry in Chester County, Pa., who early in the war had engaged a British deserter to teach him the manual of arms, became a captain in the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment in January 1776 and major of the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment in March 1777. North was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment in October 1777. He transferred as lieutenant colonel to the 9th Pennsylvania Regiment in July 1778 and the 2d Pennsylvania Regiment in January 1781. After retiring from the Continental army on 1 Jan. 1783, North returned to Coventry.