Per Express.
Sir:
The enclosed Letter contains the last intelligence I have received by Letters. I was last night informed that General Washington had arrived, escorted by a party of Horse, and from the mode of Information I think it true. On receipt of your last favour I immediately issued Orders for the immediate collections of the horses you formerly required. At the same time I ordered Saddles and Bridles to be impressed, and men drafted to compleat a Body of One hundred horsemen; the whole to rendezvous the 20th inst. at Tarborough, to which Place I shall direct all the Infantry, and shall await your orders as to their operations. Lt. Col. Clinch commands the whole amounting to about 220 men, exclusive of Captain Coleman’s
command. As the time of Capt. Coleman’s men expire the 10th of next month it will be necessary to make a further Draft the 1st of that Month to supply their places, which will make Clinch’s regiment about 350 including the Horse. Militia being exceeding apt to desert or get sick on encamping long at a place. I could wish these to be employed as soon as possible, besides by advancing into the Tory Settlements they save our provision while they consume the resources of the Enemy. I would have ordered out more, but despair of arming even these properly.
Militia Letter from Gen’l Jones, Sept. 9th, 1781.