To George Washington from Colonel Anthony Wayne, 14 May 1776
From Colonel Anthony Wayne
Albany 14th May 1776
Sir
In Obedience to your Excellencies Commands I have waited on the Genl and find Sufficient of Arms for the Remainder of my Battalion—for which I Obtained an Order, and expect they will be put into proper repair, by the time Liet. Col. Johnston Arrives with the troops—except Bayonet Scabbards which cannot be procured for want of Leather.1
I also have the pleasure to Inform your Excellency that some Hundred stand more may be had here which with a Little Improvement will be fit for Service.
The day after tomorrow I march with the Detachment of my Battalion now on the spot, The Other part of the Brigade are either gone or go tomorrow with Genl Sullivan.
I shall always be glad to Receive and Ready to Obey, any Orders your Excellency may please to favour me with; and to serve you with the best Service of Sir Your most Obt & very Hume Sert
Anty Wayne
We have Disagreeable Intelligence from Canada—the particulars of which I doubt not but you are acquainted with before now—we keep it as Secret as possible here.
ALS, DLC:GW; copy, written and signed by Wayne, PHi: Wayne Papers. The postscript appears only on the ALS.
1. Francis Johnston (1748–1815) of Chester County was elected to the Pennsylvania provincial conventions in 1774 and 1775, and in January 1776 he was commissioned lieutenant colonel of Wayne’s 4th Pennsylvania Regiment. Johnston became colonel of the 5th Pennsylvania Regiment in January 1777 and served in that capacity until the rearrangement of the army in January 1781 obliged him to retire. Returning home, Johnston was appointed receiver general of Pennsylvania in April 1781.