General Schuyler to New-York Congress

v3:177

Saratoga, August 19, 1775.

SIR: Yesterday Lieutenant-Colonel Ritzma delivered me your favour of the 8th instant, with the papers referred to, and inclosed in it.

The mode of procuring arms which you have adopted I believe will afford a sufficient and an immediate supply; but, after all, I fear they will be very indifferent, if I may judge from the Connecticut arms, many of which were procured in the same way. This induced me to hint that no time ought to be lost in supplying ourselves with this necessary article, and that they should be made in every part of the Colony where there is any artist that understands it. I have ordered an hundred gun-barrels to New-York, and as many as the gunsmiths at Albany and Schenectady can repair, to those places, of those that were found at Crown Point.

Colonel Ritzma with the four companies under his command is to march this morning from Mr˙ Niel' s, two miles above this. His detachment has a quantity of baggage, sufficient for three complete Regiments. I hope the remainder of the Troops will leave New-York less burdened.

I am very happy that you have appointed John Duer Deputy Adjutant-General. Should that gentleman refuse to accept, you will I hope immediately appoint another, as I stand much in need of one.

Without an artillery officer it will be almost needless to have cannon, for I cannot find any person amongst the troops that was ever employed in that branch. There are gentlemen who have practised in New-York, and I should hope that if the request was made, that none would refuse to serve his Country on this occasion.

Please to favour me with a list of your military arrangements, that I may know what gentlemen are appointed; those with Colonel Ritzma I had not the pleasure of being acquainted with at New-York.

Fourteen of Col˙ Ritzma' s men have already deserted since his arrival at Half-Moon; and I believe he will lose many more before he reaches Ticonderoga. If those gone are like some that remain, we have gained by their going off.

If it be determined that Ticonderoga is the place to be kept, I should know it the soonest possible, that such men as may be left there may be set to work in making the necessary repairs.

I arrived here yesterday on a visit to Mrs˙ Schuyler, who has been dangerously ill, but is happily out of danger, and propose to return to-morrow to Ticonderoga.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, your most obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

Peter V˙ Brugh Livingston, Esq˙, &c˙, &c˙, &c.