Colonel Huntington to Governour Trumbull

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Roxbury Camp, August 25, 1775.

HONOURED SIR: I have your favour of the 21st instant. I have told Doctors Turner and Cogswell to make out a state of circumstances of their department. As to Armourers, I have just received some tools from Norwich, and a general order was out yesterday to the Quartermaster, to make necessary provision: hope now, though late, to have my arms in good order. I was aware of difficulties you would have in filling vacancies, from the many competitors there always will be: I wish the fittest may ever succeed. My brother Ebenezer is not without some essential qualifications: he has in several instances, whilst at this camp, exhibited evidences of his courage. Poor Tracy, my Adjutant, is very dangerously sick, and unable to attend to any business: I fear he will not recover for the present. Lieutenant Hillyer, of Captain Humphrey' s Company, an old soldier, a sensible man, and good scholar, officiates as Adjutant. I shall likely continue him, if Tracy fails, which will make a Second Lieutenantcy vacant. I am unwilling to interfere much in appointments: I should think the

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My Regiment has been very sickly, and is much so yet; but think the sickness is abating. The old soldiers say my Companies came into camp at a season that always proves sickly to new troops. I do not know any one now dangerous but Mr˙ Tracy. His and Mr˙ Fanning' s sickness has thrown more business on my hands than I could have wished; but I have been so happy as to enjoy much health myself. I remain, with salutations of love and duty, your affectionate son,

JEDEDIAH HUNTINGTON.

Saturday Morning, August 26. — Not having opportunity to forward this, I add that yesterday four boats, from the rastle and men of war below, came up to Fox Point, in Dorchester, sounding the channel. They were fired at by our troops on that station, and made a speedy departure.

We have been told that our enemies have for some time past been toasting the 25th of August, intending then to make a visit to us; and that General Gage has given Earl Percy the command of the lines on the Neck, who is to exhibit such proofs of his military abilities as will retrieve the honour he lost at the Lexington affray; but matters remain this morning in statu quo.

I took leave of Ensign Tracy last evening, expecting next to hear of his death, to which he seems to be well reconciled, and expresses a good hope as to another life.

By return of my Regiment the 25th, there were — fit for duty, 286; sick, present, 101; absent on command, and sick, 42; on furlough, 1; total of privates, 430; dead, 5.

General Spencer' s — fit for duty, 586; sick, present, 132; absent on command, and sick, 98; on furlough, 37; total of privates, 853; dead, 14.

General Parsons' s — fit for duty, 539; sick, present, 123; absent on command, and sick, 35; on furlough, 10; total of privates, 780; dead, 3.