Francis Lightfoot Lee to Patrick Henry requesting that Congress send new troops to camp without delay - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC04807
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1778
Title	Francis Lightfoot Lee to Patrick Henry requesting that Congress send new troops to camp without delay
Date	23 March 1778
Author	Lee, Francis Lightfoot (1734-1797)
Additional authors	Banister, John, 1734-1788.
Recipient	Henry, Patrick
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Co-signed by Banister and free franked in his name. Requests that Congress send new troops to camp without delay. Warns that the Continental army is weak and that it is likely the British will attempt an attack before reinforcements come. Also urgently requests supplies. Writes that he has heard that the British troops in Rhode Island have set out to join General William Howe. States that if this is true, " ... the Enemy will open the Campaign with great advantage over us." Post script advises that General George Washington has been notified by General William Smallwood that a fleet of vessels passed by Wilmington, Delaware apparently to forage near the Potomac. Addressed to Henry as Governor of Virginia.
Subjects	Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Continental Army Military Supplies Navy Government and Civics Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs
People	Lee, Francis Lightfoot (1734-1797) Banister, John (1734-1788) Henry, Patrick (1736-1799) Howe, William Howe, Viscount (1729-1814) Smallwood, William (1732-1792)
Place written	Yorktown, Pennsylvania
Theme	The American Revolution; Government & Politics
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide York-Town Pennsylvania 23. March. 78. Nothing of Moment having occurred since Col: Lee's last letter, we have only to communicate the Ernest desire of Congress that our new Levies of Troops may be sent forward to Camp with the utmost Expedition. The Necessity of pushing this business with vigour arises from the present weakness of our Army, and the great Probability of the Enemy's taking the Field early with augmented Force and overruning the Country, or attempting some thing decisive against our Army before it is reinforced. The next grand Object is to secure all the Provision that can be engaged for the Troops, as many disappointments & difficulties have intervened to lessen the Prospect of the abundant supplies that we expected. Col. Harrison's Regiment of artillery is much wanted at Camp & Congress wishes them to march immediately. It is reported, and, we fear, not without Foundation, that the Troops at Rhode Island have embarked with an Intention [insert: of] joining Gen.l Howe. If this is the Case, without the greatest (Exertions) [2] it is much to be apprehended the Enemy will open the Campaign with great advantage over us. We are with the highest Respect your Excellency's mo. obed. Servant Francis Lightfoot Lee Banister P.S. Since writing the above, General Smallwood mentions in a letter to General Washington that a fleet of Vessels, Ships, &c&c. amounting to near an hundred had passed by Wilmington & anchored at reedy Island; he supposes they are going to forage either up the Bay or Potomack. [address leaf] His Excellency Patrick Henry Esqr. Governor of Virginia Mar. 23d Free Banister.

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