Sir:

I rec'd Y'r L'r from the Shannandoa Ferry in Y'r way to Winchester. It gives me much concern y't the Communication from y't Town to the Fort is stop'd, but I hope before y's it is open'd and y't the forces will be able to drive those inhuman Vermin over the Mount's. A Ship from Londo., after a long Passage, leaves us in great Uncertainty as to Peace or War, tho' it's s'd War w'd be very soon declar'd. L'd Loudon and Lieut.-Co. Abercrombie of the Royal Scotts are appointed Maj'r-Gen'ls, and are destin'd for America and expected they will bring over with them two Battalions, but to w't part of the Continent is uncertain. We shall augment our Forces to 2,000 and ab't 60 Cherokees have, after long perswasion, consented to march to Fort Cumb'l'd, and 600 more are to come from Y'r Nat'n on our building them a Fort, w'ch is agreed on. Maj'r Lewis is appointed to oversee it, and carries with him proper Utensils and 60 Men. I am greatly fatigu'd, and can only add y't I rem'n