Sir:

It is with astonishment that I have just received information that the Troops raised for the defence of Davidson County were a few days past on this side the Blue Ridge, at the same Time that the Inhabitants of that County are engaged in a cruel War with the Indians and the Militia called off from their Farms to do the duties that were expected by the Assembly to be performed by the Troops, inclusive of cutting the road, which road if the settlements are suffered to be broken up by the savages would for some time be useless if cut open. I therefore require that you also, without any further delay, proceed directly to Cumberland River and carry as far as may be in the power of your Troops, the Act of Assembly for raising men for the defence of that County into effect, you are not to delay any Time whatever on accot. of cutting the said road but proceed by the best practicable route to Nashville, where you will receive orders from the Commanding officer in that County for your further Conduct, unless you may be informed previous to your arrival there by Colo. Robertson of Davidson or Colo. Bledsoe of Sumner County, that it will be proper for you to proceed on the Cutting of the road, in which case you will attend to the same, but untill you do receive such advice you are to lose no Time in your march to Nashville, but on receiving that advice you will consider such part of these orders as relates to your proceeding directly to Nashville, as Countermanded but not in any other case unless you receive express orders from me or the Commanding Officer of the State for the Time being. Pray let me have a return of your strength and Equipment as expeditiously as possible.