Genl.:

Agreeable to your orders I have constantly attended at Duplin to receive the New Levys from Wilmington District and am sorry it’s not in my power of informing you of better business. I have Inclos’d you a Return of the Men received, by which you will see the deficiencies of the Countys of Duplin, Bladen and Cumberland and the utter inattention of the commanding officers of the Countys of New Hanover, Brunswick and Onslow.

Major Blount wrote me he intended to Join me the 20th Ulto., but by some accident has not yet. He wrote that he was much put to get daily rations which is much the case with me and am apprehensive the rout prescribed to Head Quarters will be attended with much difficulty.

I wrote Genl. Lillington to give proper instructions to the Commissioner of N. Hanover to Lay in a Magazine of as Much provisions as will furnish the troops to George Town. He wrote me nothing should be lacking in his part.

Capts. Rhodes, Hadly, Lieuts. Ashe and Hill is here with me. I shall in a week or so send you a Nother return by which time I hope the other Countys will Join, & these send the remainder of their Quotas. Till then I shall use all the possible means of collecting the 18 months men, delinquents, & deserters.