[draft] Camp Fredericksburg 21 October 1778 Dear Brother I wrote you a few days [ago] to Express that a large detachment consisting of between 7 & 8000 men had embark'd and sail'd from New York - since which we have had advice that hey did not sail at that time tho they have since - by all accounts they are bound for the West Indies or Europe. The Enemy in New York are still preparing for a further Embarkation. if it takes place I think it may fairly be concluded [2] They intend to evacuate the Continent. There is one event which if it takes places certainly indicates a total evacuation. I mean the evacuation of Rhode Island. We have intelligence of a number of Empty transports going to Rhode Island if so we conclude it is for the purpose of taking off the Garrison. There is a wide field for conjecture. - and after the experience of the Enemys going to Philadelphia by the way of the head of Elk it is all conjecture we cannot draw a conclusion of what will be done by what they [3] ought to do - for they often act directly against their own interest - I shall give you the earliest intelligence of any manuoevre which may affect you We are all w[ell] I am D[ear] Henry Knox [address leaf] Mr William Knox Boston [docket] Genl Knox 28th Octr. 1778 Fredericksburg