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Sir:

On looking over the return made me yesterday, I find it not so full as I expected; no number of absentees is expressed. I

therefore desire an addition be made to the return this afternoon, expressing the number of absentees and the cause of absence. I find also some deficiency in the firelocks, cartouch boxes, Belts and Slings delivered you, and a very great one in the Bayonets. I therefore expect to be informed how this deficiency has happened; if through the negligence of the men, I expressly require a court martial to be held on such persons as may be charged, and due punishment inflicted. A complete return of Light Horse is not made; these things must be attended to, and more regularity observed, or the Regiment reduced, for, in the present order of things, it appears to be of no use. Let me entreat you to let me be better informed this afternoon, and have your men marched into the old field, by the Tanyard, to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock, where you shall receive further orders. Leave one-half your Tents, one Cask of cannon, and a cask of musket, powder in the Magazine, with the two same field-pieces, and the round shot, all but 60 Ball. You mention no lead in your return; if that is wasted, you must receive a proportionable quantity to the powder you carry on from the Magazine. Your Commissary may be ordered to carry on only two days' provisions, as further supplies may be had in your route.

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