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[Read May 4, 1776.]
Holland-House, before Quebeck, April 10, 1776.
SIR: I arrived here about a week ago; and General Arnold, by his desire, sets off this morning to supply my place at Montreal.
By a return of the state of the Army, which General Arnold sent, about ten days since, to Mr˙ Deane, you will see what we have to rely upon. Our situation is truly very disagreeable. We have between two and three thousand mouths to fill, and not many more than half the number of men to do duty; and many of them expect to leave us the 15th instant. We are erecting two or three batteries; but our powder and artillery stores are so trifling, that I rather
In making out the arrangement of officers for the two regiments directed to be raised out of the broken corps in Canada, I promised them to write to the honourable Congress, to exchange them for two other regiments from the Colonies, which might be sent into this country, and their places in the Colonies be supplied by the two regiments raised here. As the troops who will compose these regiments have undergone great hardships, and have been from home near a twelvemonth, (which is much longer than they expected,) I think their request a reasonable one, and could wish to have it complied with.
I am, sir, with the greatest esteem and respect, your most obedient and very humble servant,
DAVID WOOSTER.
To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.
Letter from General Wooster to the President of Congress: The situation of the Army before Quebeck is very disagreeable with two or three thousand mouths to fill there are not more than half that number of men to do duty and many of these expect to leave on the 15th instant: The Powder and Artillery stores are so trifling that little can be effected
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imagine no great results ought to be expected from them. Troops come in to our assistance but slowly; and a great part of those who have arrived have been but of very little service, on account of the small-pox.