It appeared if I recollect right by the Minutes laid before the Board of Officers, by your Excellency a few days ago, that the Enemies force has been reduc’d about 1500 Since the 6th Septr.1 How much our army has weakened since that period, I do not pretend to determin; but should Imagin, from discharges, desertions, Deaths, & other Casualties; (Including Major Lees Corps gone to the Southward,) about Six Hundred; if this is the Case, and the six Months mens times are so near Expir’d;2 when the Massachusetts Lines only, will loose near 4,000 Men—its my Opinion no Troops can be spared from this to reinforce the Southern army.

If the Hampshire, Massachusetts, & New York Lines, be Sufficient to Garison West-Point & its Dependancies, I should recommend, Connecticutt, Jersey, & Pennsylvania Lines to be Cantoon’d in the Jersies.

The Continental Soldiers are almost naked, many of them falling sick with colds, bad Coughs, and Rheumatick Complaints, this with the saving that will be made in the wair of Tents, I think is an Argument to Induce us to take winter Quarters early.3 The last Campaign every thing Suffered by Keeping the Field so long, our Expectations were then Different, which fully Justified the Measure.4 With Difidence I am Sir your Excellencies most Obedt Humble servt