11From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Berkeley and Frederick, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have with exceeding distress of mind received information that the service to which the Militia of the Counties of Frederick and Berkely have been called Westwardly is so disagreeable as to render it probable that that call will be very imperfectly obeyed. A knowledge that an extensive combination of Indians had been formed to come on our frontier early in the spring induced us to prevent...
12From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be pleased immediately on receipt of this, to order one fourth of your Militia to be assembled and marched without delay to Wmsburg under proper field officers, Captains, and subalterns. Send as many riflemen among them with their rifles as can be had, and of the rest let every man bring a good musket and accoutrements who has one. Let them proceed first to Fredericksburg where we...
13From 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...
14From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Lunenberg, Amelia, Powhatan, Cumberland, and Brunswick, 18 February … (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing where the very rapid march of Ld. Cornwallis may terminate I think it necessary to desire that you immediately assemble the whole of your Militia who have arms, or for whom they can be procured by impressing or otherwise and march them with proper officers without delay to join Genl. Greene who by the last intelligence had crossed the Dan at Boyd’s ferry and was retreating before...
15From 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...