I take the opportunity of an express going from General Sullivan to your Excellency for to let you know how far we are advanc’d and in which situation is the detachement you have intrusted to my Care—I am here with General glover’s brigade, and we have all cross’d the River—I hope we schall be at coventry the 31st of the present—General Varnum and his officers having Represented to me that on account of the Scarcity of flour, but principally on account of the ferrys which are very frequent and troublesome, it was much better to take the upper Road, I have had no objection to his going that way because he knows the Roads and theyr advantages much better than I do in this part of the Continent—it is true to Say that had we been together, we would have lost at least two days—our men are in good spirits, not much tired for making Such a march, and will not want a long Rest to be fit for action. if the men were too much fatigu’d to morrow I could halt one day at new london, because I do’nt believe General Varnum may be at Coventry before the 1st of next month—I have Sent to day to General Sullivan in order of knowing his directions when I’ll arrive at Coventry which is 18 miles from providence.1

I am very uneasy on account of Clel hamilton as I understand he was not yet arriv’d a few days ago—I hope some of the gentlemen of your family will be so kind as to let me know if they have heard from him.2

it Seems to me that the british have a good mind to defend theyr ground, and I hope we will have a very interesting work to perform—with the highest respect, and most tender affection I have the honor to be My dear General Your most obedient Servant