Brigadier General John Stark to George Washington, 26 June 1781
From Brigadier General John Stark
Derryfield [N.H.] 26th of June 1781
Dear Sir
I have been honored with your letter of the 6th of May, and am very happy that the measure I have taken, meets with your approbation.
The Recruiting Officers in the State have sent for the Army 262 Levies; which, ’tho inadequate to the number required, is nevertheless a considerable reinfor[c]emt And by a Spirited Act made last week (while I attended Court) I am in hopes the People will see the nec[e]ssity of uncommon exertions; and in case they do, I am convinced the recruiting service will again flourish.1
The extreme severity of the last Winter, made the Cattle so poor, that no drove could be procured fit for sending to the Army, untill now; but after this, I believe the State will do all in their power, to procure, & send on what supply’s shall amt to their quota.2 Fourteen Hdd’s of Rum is to be sent to day, or tomorrow,3 a quantity more will be sent on as soon as teams can be procured, which I hope will be before many days.
My Health (which is still very dubious,) is much better than it was last Winter, but by intervals, I find myself much troubled by the Infirmity of a Shattered Constitution, which, ’tho it may permit me to enjoy A few months of Health by halves, yet a full enjoyment of that invaluable blessing, it is a wonder if I ever arrive at.4 With the utmost regard and esteem I have the Honor to be, my Dear Sir, Your most Obet & Humble servant
John Stark
LS, DLC:GW. The docket reads: “An Ansr Only.”
1. For current recruitment efforts in New Hampshire, see Meshech Weare to GW, 4 June, n.2, and GW to Weare, 15 June, n.4.
2. For cattle from New Hampshire, see William Heath to GW, 27 June and 4 July; see also GW to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 1 July.
3. The rum was in hogshead barrels.
4. Stark had suffered from a persistent cough (see his letter to GW, 30 Dec. 1780, found at Stark to GW, 30 Nov., source note; see also Stark to GW, 9 April 1781).