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Sir:

The present state of the legion, of my officers and Myself Call me to Philadelphia, the only place where our affairs may be done. As I Have been under your Command ever since you joined the army, I wishes you to give me a Certificat, if not such one as given by a friendly Hand which could more flater me in being an addition to those I Have been already honored with by His Excellency Grl. Washington, at least a Certificat that I Have Constantly obeyed Your orders. I wishes it had been in my power to do more, but the bounds in which the small number under my

command reduced me could not allow it. As for the present use which you may Have for the legion, it cannot be answered with the fulless you may Expect. The troops are entiraerly disabled and the officers so much ruined by their severals lost, that they have Expressed to me their desire to be send and remain in quarter where their Horse men and them selves may be refited, or to leave the army. As I suppose this last resolution will be followed by the gretist part of us if we can not be remounted and our Command encreased, it become yet more necisary that I should go immediately to Congress. I Have been so unhappy as to Have my servant taken, with fourthy portugais, great deal of paper money, and all my papers. It is necisary to me to see the ambasadeur of my court on that matter. Many horses of my own were killed in the action and taken after. This affaire may be settled only with Congress. I Hope, Sir, that those severals will persuad you to give me leave to set off for Philadelphia, from which I shall return Here as soon as possible, but certainly at time Enough for anny thing which my troops may be able to perform. Should you Have any commands for Philadelphia, and trust me with them, I shall be ready to carry them. If, after Having taken a view of the legion, you think it proper to send it in a part of the Country where they may be relieved and equiped, I shall establish them in their quarters previous to my setting of for Philadelphia. The Horse cannot remain one day more in this neighbourhood, as no forage is to be got.

From Col. Armand,
Hillsboro, 4th Septembre, 1780.

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