Letter from Colonel Connolly to Captain Lord

v4:618

Fredericktown, Maryland, December 16, 1775.

DEAR SIR: Though your remote situation may have prevented you from hearing many particulars relative to the state of the Colonies, you yet must know enough to discover your own dangerous situation. You were to have joined me at Detroit, by the Ouabache communication, and it was expected, by your advice and assistance, that we would have been able to penetrate through the Colony of Virginia, and thus divided the Southern from the Northern Governments. You were formerly ordered by the General to put yourself immediately under the command of General Carleton, but, for obvious reasons, you were desired to receive your directions from the Earl of Dunmore.

The orders are now — You are therefore, as you was directed, to move yourself and all garrison stores, ordance, &c˙, immediately down the Mississippi to New-Orleans, or wherever you can procure a conveyance for Norfolk, Virginia, where you will join his Excellency the Earl of Dunmore and the Fourteenth Regiment. You had full power to make all expenses, so that you need not be apprehensive on that score. The sooner you get down the better, as I much fear you will be attacked from Pittsburgh very soon. Draw a bill in favour of the bearer, for two hundred dollars, and, also, take him with you to Norfolk. The Fourteenth have just had a skirmish with the Virginians, in which Captain Fordice, of that regiment, was killed, and Lieutenant Batut taken prisoner. I am safely watched here, and now write in bed, with two sentinels at the door. Adieu. God bless you. Remember me to Connolly, and all the gentlemen.

I am, dear sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN CONNOLLY.

To Captain N˙ Lord, or Officer commanding at Illinois.