To Col. William Alston,

Sir:

I have leave from his Excellency Majr Genl Lee to return to No Carolina, to use my endeavours in providing for the Regimt many indispensable articles which the season of the year now coming on, and the Great Distance, and uncertainty of amediately procuring such things may require the utmost diligence. The destrest state of our Regt at first view will Convince you of the absolute necessaty of making (if possible) some provision against the enclemency of the approaching season.

However, Sir, you are now taking the Command of the Regimt. You are to be perticularly careful of the Disciplene off and to your utmost keep up a good understanding among the Officers & Soldiers; acquant them of the Cause of my leaving the Regimt at this time of the year. You are at all times to keep up Strict Disciplene, but to reserve a mode of Clemency as being among young troops. Now and then to throw something of a promising hope among them of a quick return to No Carolina, which I doubt not but some time hence will be the Case. It will engage the mind and for a time despence with Inconveniencys. Be Careful in seeing no fraud is done them by the Commissarys, and there pay Regularly to a month delivered them by there Capts.