Dr. Genl:

Yours of the 17th of February, dated at Halifax, surprised me very much; agreeable to your desire, Lt. Wilkinson is in arrest for the crime of Forgery. The Letter did not come to hand before I arrived in Camp or consequently would have taken notice of it before. He was arranged by the Board of Officers previous to my arrival—he did obtain my permission to send the Soldier to Virginia for cloathing, being destitute of Apparel, having lost them by the Tories, but never could imagine he would make use of my name & authority in abusing the public to answer private views.

Since my last Captain Sam Jones joined me and satisfied me for his conduct, tho’ upon coming to Camp a Board was ordered to enquire into several charges exhibited, of which he Acquitted himself.

We are likely to be inactive I doubt for some time. This makes me blame myself for leaving the District of Wilmington, as there is still great prospect of raising men by an Officer that would attend to his duty and is acquainted with the nature of it at such a place. If you think the service will be benefitted by recalling me to that

I hope you have received my list of Deserters.