Being called by General Greene to the Southern Army, I have the honor to Report to your Excellency my proceedings whilst in this State.

The unfortunate Affair of Camden having intirely broke up the remains of the Virginia Line, a few Officers only remaining uncaptured—the State passed a Law to raise 3000 Men, some for 8 Months and others for 18, not more than one half of this number ever came into the field, and of these only 500 were sent to the southard under Colo. Buford, the remainder about 900 for want of Clothes remain’d at Petersburg till the invasion of the State by General Leslie, when they were employed against him.

This was the nearly the State of the Virginia Line, when I arrived in this State, with General Greene in Novr last the Assembly being then sitting.The General laid before them a State of the Supplies necessary for operating to the Southard, and ordered me to remain in the State, to accelerate their being forwarded to him.

The quota fixed by Congress for this State agreeable to the new arrangement, was 8 Regt of Infantry, 2 of Cavalry & one of Artillery, the whole amounting to 5,980 R & file, the Assembly however, after much debate determined to raise only 3000 Men and these only for 18 Months the 10th of February was fixed for the Draft.

The Enemy under General Leslie leaving the State the beginning of December, I immediately ordered the 900 Men, who had been employed against him, to Petersburg, in order if possible to equip & send them immediately to the Southard—But I found them so intirely destitute of every necessary, that it was, with the utmost difficulty I could fit out 400 which I sent off under Colonel Greene about the middle of Decemr. The remainder, I ordered to the Barracks at Chesterfield court house, and exerted myself all in my power to collect sufficient articles to fit them out. I had however hardly entered into this Bussiness when the state, was again invaded by the Enemy under Arnold, the few articles that were collected, were then either taken or dispersed, & this caused such a delay that it was the 25th of March before I could equip the second detachment of 400 Men who marched that day, under Lieut. Colo. Campbell, nor would they have been ready at that time, but for a Transport of Clothing, from Philadelphia, from which I took the necessary Articles, which I afterward replaced, from those the State had provided for that Detachment.

My whole attention was then taken up in forwarding supplies to General Greene, and in collecting the necessary Arms & Equipment for the new Levies.

The preparations which took place about this time, for an Attack on Portsmouth, gave a considerable interuption to this bussiness.

By a Law of the State, while any part of the Militia of a County are in the field that County is not obliged to Draft and a large number of Militia being called out for this Expedition, the Draft was put off till the 10th of April—the reinforcements brought afterward by General Phillips, still obliging Government to keep these Militia in the field, it was at last agreed to relieve them by Counties, in that the Counties might draft as they were relieved—in consequence of which only the upper counties on the north side James River, have sent in any Drafts and in the whole only 450 are yet assembled—indeed if the Enemy continues to operate in this state, and are joined by Lord Cornwallis as is expected, very few more Drafts may be expected, the whole may perhaps amount to 6 or 700 Men & this I believe will be the utmost.

By the Last accounts from General Greene it appears that by the Excessive Desertion the Virginia Infantry there, is reduced to less than 600—Colo. Washington’s Cavalry to 120. & Colo. White’s to about 80, the Latter are now withe Marquis—the Artillery are about 50 Men, add to these 700 Recruits, and the whole Virginia Line, will not amount to more than 1,500 Men.

The arrival of the Marquis to command here, has induced Greene, to call me to the Southward with all the recruits I can assemble fortunately the Arms are just arrived, so that without, waiting, for any thing else, I shall march the moment, I get the Recruits together, which will be in about 8 Days.

I shall call Colo. Mathews to command the next Detachment and if Colo. Febiger can hasten his departure from Philadelphia he might succeed Colo. Davies in the Bussiness, of Collecting and forwarding men & Stores—Colo. Davies having with the consent of General Greene undertaken the Office of Commissioner of War in this State.

I will be necessary that Congress should interfere, in remounting the Cavalry—the State will do nothing in it & the Continental Quarter Master pretends, he has neither the means or authority, necessary for the purpose. with the greatest respect I have the honor to be Sir, Your Excellencies Most Obedient and very humble Servant