Colonel Huntington to Governour Trumbull

v4:1205

Roxbury Camp, February 19, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: If a fair occasion should present itself, in the course of your correspondence with our worthy Commander-in-chief, and you should think proper to mention Major Chester as a fit person to fill any suitable place that may be vacant in the Army, I think it will serve our cause, and oblige the General, who is very desirous that persons of character and military spirit should be nominated for officers. Many of a very different spirit have, by some means or other, got into the Army.

The sickness which, for three weeks past, has much prevailed in our camp, and been very mortal, is now abating. Every now and then, some one breaks out with the smallpox, but this has not been mortal.

Three of our sentries, who were taken by the enemy, in their late excursion to Dorchester-Point, were brought out by a flag of truce, and delivered up to us, this day. The others who were made prisoners at the same time, the officers on the lines say, do not choose to come out; but why they have permitted any to return to us, is a matter of speculation.

A vessel, from the West-Indies to this Continent, has been lately cast away on Cape-Cod; cargo and people saved. Among them is a gentleman, who says he is a Prussian officer, and is lately from France; appears to be well acquainted with the history of our times; says the French papers are full of the American affairs, and that every success of ours gives them joy.

The bearer, whom I should have mentioned in the beginning of my letter, is Mr˙ Hooper, of North-Carolina, one of the Delegates of Congress, an old and particular acquaintance of brother Jonathan' s.

JEDEDIAH HUNTINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull.