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Sir:

The bad state of the Commissarys stores in the route I have taken, require inspection, and I believe removal of the managers of the several stations and County Commissioners are extremely necessary; we have Sir, greatly suffered from the negligence of this department, rather than take from the inhabitants through which we pass, whose disposition show every readyness and continually complain of the Lazyiness of the County Commissioners in Genl. in making the collections of provisions from the people which the present

state of the troops require. I have directed Maj. Dixon to make you report of such districts as have rendezvoused and the officer who superintended the receiving of the drafts of the district. You will find great deficiences and desertions, which I have endeavoured to stop by approving of a general Court Martial whereat two were sentenced to be put to death, one of which accordingly was shot, the other was pardoned, yet nevertheless three deserted us that evening and several since. My expectation of being supplied with arms in repair is now otherwise, three hundred and odd wanting repair, we shall however be able to march three hundred rank and file equipped except bayonets this evening or very early tomorrow morning. I shall leave Major Hogg and Blount at this place who are to follow as soon as a number of these musketts can be put in repair. I have also left Captain Chapman at Harrisburg station, who is also to act as a detail officer there, untill further orders. Capt. Armstrong I have sent to aid Col. Jas. Armstrong in receiving the remaining drafts of the districts of Newbern and Halifax. Lieut. Knot and Kennon, being refused a furlough at Hillsborough to return home went off without it. Major Murfree of Edenton district and Captain Doherty have not yet joined me, but might be far advanced on their march.

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