To George Washington from Major Benjamin Whitcomb, 18 July 1780
From Major Benjamin Whitcomb
Camp at Haverhill [N.H.] 18th July 1780
Hond Sir
Lieut. Lyford has Just returned from a Scout to Canada—he informs the Enemy have chiefly drawn of[f] to Quebec with the principle part of their Artillery—That their force in the upper part of Canada is about 400, & their whole force in Canada including Quebec, dont exceed 4000 Men One Thousand has lately been detached for Niagara their shipping constantly cruising up the lake as far as Crown Point—its supposed their object is the New Hampshir⟨e⟩ Grants—The Inhabitants throw out bitter Complaints of the Ill Usage of the British & Hussian Troops who are constantly watching them while in their fields to work, fearing they have connections with our Scouts—This intellegence he received from a former Acquaintence of his, who is well known to be a stanch friend to America, & who is Capable of giving very tollerable intelligence of the Enemies Situation—of which General Baley prehaps may give a more particular Account.1 Your Excellency will please to observe by my Return2—Two of my Lieutenants are discharged—our Situation is such having different out Posts & Lieut. Lyfords service so constantly required on scouts to Canada, think it highly proper to fill one of the Vacanceys—accordingly do Reccommend Mr Saml Clark to be a Gentleman of Ability & every way Capable to fill that Office3—if your Excellency should think it expedient could wish he might be Commissioned Seccond Lieut. in my Company.
My scouts are constantly scouring the Woods on the routs to Canada & Onion River ha[ve]n[o]t as yet made any discoveries of the Enemies intention to Visit this Quarter—should your Excellency have any Commands for me please to forward by this Express—I shall always be Happy to excute them.4 I am Your Excellencys Most Obed. and very Humble Servt
Benja. Whetcomb Maj. Comdg
I have Inclosed my returns I wish one of them may be forwarded to the Board of War that the Officers & Soldiers may have their wages Adjusted.
B.W.
L, DLC:GW. A notation on the cover reads: “P[er] Express.”
1. See Jacob Bayley to GW, 15 July.
2. Whitcomb enclosed two undated returns. On the one titled “Return of an Independant Corps of Rangers in the service of the United States of America commanded by Major Benja. Whitcomb specifying the State & Town they went for, & Town went from,” Whitcomb, one captain, three lieutenants, seven sergeants, five corporals, one fifer, two drummers, and forty-one privates were listed by name. The other return, titled “Monthly Return of Major Benjamin Whitcombs Independent Choir [Corps] of Rangers in the Service of the United States,” gave the strength of the corps in tabular form by rank only. One major, one captain, one lieutenant, one lieutenant “Recommended,” seven sergeants, and two “drummers and fifers” were numbered under “Officers Present.” Twenty-nine soldiers were numbered as present and fit for duty, and two soldiers as sick and absent under “Rank & File.” The table also noted the changes since the last report. A note on the document reads: “2 Lieutenants Discharged Since last Return” (both, DLC:GW).
3. Samuel Clark (d. 1841), of Walpole, N.H., enlisted for the war as a private in Whitcomb’s company of rangers in February 1777. Whitcomb named him assistant commissary in 1778. From May 1780 until the company’s disbandment in January 1781, Clark served as a volunteer lieutenant.
4. No reply from GW to Whitcomb has been found.