From Baron Steuben.

Chesterfield Court-House, 15 April, 1781.

SIR,

The expedition against Portsmouth having failed, my first care was to save those articles which had, at so much trouble and expense, been collected for that purpose. And here I must do justice to this State for their efforts on this occasion. I can, with truth, say that every possible preparation was made.

The expectations of the people were accordingly very great, but not so much so as the consternation they were thrown into by the arrival of the British fleet with a reënforcement.

The Marquis has doubtless communicated to your Excellency the project I had formed before his departure. Lord Cornwallis being then in the environs of Hillsborough, I proposed to Government to march with the whole of the militia, and by forced marches cross the Roanoke, and, in conjunction with General Greene, fall on his Lordship before the enemy here could have time to form any plan. This manœuvre, I flattered myself, would at least drive Cornwallis from North Carolina, and probably, by obliging General Phillips to follow us with all his force, have removed the seat of war from this State.

I submitted this plan to the Marquis, to General Weedon, and to Colonel Gouvion, who approved it. On my way to Richmond I met Lieutenant-Colonel Morris, who came directly from General Greene. He informed me that his Lordship had already begun to retire towards Cross Creek, and that General Greene wanted a reënforcement to enable him to pursue with vigor. This served to strengthen my opinion; and, as I had then upwards of four thousand militia together, I confined my requisition to two thousand men, whom I only required for thirty or forty days. The answer of Government to this proposition I have the honor to inclose. The perplexity the arrival of the reënforcement had thrown them into, together with the Marquis’s retiring at this juncture to the northward, made them reject every idea not tending to the immediate defence of the State. My situation here is not the most agreeable, obliged to undertake the defence against three thousand regular troops, with nothing to oppose to them but militia, whose numbers decrease every day. Those who have served since the beginning of the invasion have discharged themselves, and are not yet replaced by others; in consequence of which General Muhlenberg is left on the south side of the river with only seven hundred men, and General Weedon on the north side with about six hundred men. If the enemy have any intention to penetrate the country, the opposition we can make will avail little.

A very great evil resulting from this invasion is, that it stops the recruiting for the army. So long as a county has any militia in the field, so long that county is prevented from drafting; and as most of the counties have had part of their militia either here or with General Greene, little or nothing has yet been done in the business. Only fifty-two have yet come in; and of these some have already deserted. Some who came as substitutes have received twenty-five and thirty thousand pounds^* for eighteen months.

I am much at a loss what to do for arms, when the recruits do come in. I had reckoned on those by M. de Tilly; and I must entreat your Excellency to order them on by land, as we have not the least prospect of a single musket any other way. We shall also be much distressed for ammunition. General Greene presses me for a supply, whilst I can scarce find enough to supply the militia. The Marquis has sent one hundred thousand cartridges to Fredericksburg; these I will take care to forward to General Greene. Your Excellency has, I presume, been informed that the lead mines have given out. This article is not now to be had here. If the Eastern

States do not send us a supply, we shall be sadly at a loss. Powder is also scarce. A powder-mill, near this, was blown up some time since, supposed by an emissary of the enemy. I imagine Maryland would furnish some, on application of the Board of War.

Another important and very difficult object is, remounting the cavalry. The Assembly have passed a law limiting the price of horses for the cavalry at five thousand pounds, a price inadequate to the purchase of the meanest horse. Very indifferent horses, which have been impressed, have been valued from twenty to thirty thousand pounds and upwards. Nothing, therefore, can possibly be done till the meeting of the Assembly. The Southern army will require, at least, three hundred cavalry horses for next campaign. I suppose thirty guineas to have been the old price of such horses. Allowing now forty guineas, the whole will amount to twelve thousand guineas. The price must be limited, or the Continent will not be able to pay the expense of remounting two regiments of cavalry. I beg your Excellency’s directions for my guide in making a proper representation to the Assembly, which meets the 10th of next month. Swords will also be much wanted for the cavalry. I have ordered six hundred to be made at Mr. Hunter’s works, but dare not reckon on them in time. Cartridge-boxes are an article the State cannot furnish. If possible, two thousand should be sent immediately from Philadelphia.

The little success I have had in creating the line of this State, and in furnishing the necessary supplies for the Southern army, induced me to request General Greene to call me to the army. He has, however, refused me, and in such a manner as to engage me, if possible, to redouble my zeal in assisting him from this quarter. I lament only that the invasion not only takes up a part of my attention, but prevents those succours which might otherwise be expected. The number of troops of this State diminishes greatly. When I first arrived here, Colonel Buford had five hundred men with him. Since then, I have sent from hence eight hundred rank and file, exclusive of sergeants, music, waiters, and wagoners; and, by Colonel Morris’s account, they have not now more than seven hundred men in the field. Some speedy and effectual measures must be taken to stop such desertion, or it will be in vain to raise men at such an expense.

I shall be much obliged to your Excellency to order the Commissary of Prisoners to send me, as soon as possible, a list of the southern officers exchanged, that I may order them to join. Many refuse to act, from not having received official accounts of their being exchanged. I inclose to your Excellency a representation of the officers of the Virginia line against General Weedon, the propriety of which Congress and your Excellency will judge. A copy has been sent to the Board of War. The enemy, in Portsmouth, are busied in strengthening their works, and in building boats. They have, also, some parties in Princess Ann, and about five hundred men in Norfolk.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

STEUBEN.

^* This amount was of course in the paper currency of the time.