Year: 1861

Dear Sir: Your favor of the first inst, by Mr. Randolph, came safe to hand-the merits of this young gentleman, added to your recom- mendation and my own knowledge Of hlS character. induced me to take him into my family as an aid-de- e-camp, in the room Of Major Mifflin, who l have appointed Qaartermaster General, from a thorough persuasion of his m tegrity, my own experience of his activity, and finally, because he stands unconnected with either of these Governments; or with this, that, or tother man. for, between you and l, there Is more in this than you can easily imagine.

 As we have now nearly completed lines of defence, We have nothing more, in my opin- ion, to fear from the enemy, provided we can keep our men to their duty, and make them watchful and vigilant; but 1t IS among the most dillicult tasks ever undertook in my life to ill dnce these people to believe that there is or can he danger, till the bayonet is pushed at their breasts; not that 1t proceeds from any uncom- mon prowess, but rather from unaccountable kind of stupidity in the lower class of these peope, which, believe me, prevails but too gen erallv among the officers ot the Massachusetts part of the army, who are nearly of the same kidney with the prlvates, and adds not httle to my difficulties as there IS no such thing as oetting officers of this stamp to exert themselves ;n carving orders into execution. To curry

 

 and on whose smiles possibly they may again relyA seems to be one of the principal objects of iheir attention. l submit 1t. therefore, to vour consideration, whether there is,or IS notpro- 1riety in that resolution of the congress which leaves the ultimate appointment of all officers mellow the rank of general to the governments where the regiments originated now the army is become continental? To me, 1t appears i'm proper in two points of view-frst, it is giving that power and weight to an individual colony which ought of right to belong to the whole. Then it damps the spirit and ardor of volunteers from all but the four New England governments, as none but their people have the least chance of getting into office. Would 1t not be better, therefore, to have the warrants which the com mander-in-c chiefs authorized to give pro tempore, approved or disapproyed by the sentimental congress, or committee of their bedy, which l should suppose in any long rece.s must al, ways set? In this case, every gentleman will stand an equal chance of being promoted ac cordng to his merit; in the other, all offices will be confined to the inhabitants of the four New England governments, which, in my opn- ion, is impolitc to a degree. l have made pretty good slam among such kind of officers as the Massachusetts government abounds III since 1 came to this camp, having broken one Colonel and two Captains for cowardly behavior in the action on Bunker's Hill, two Captains for draw ing more provisions and pay than they had men in their company, and one for being absent from the post when the enemy appeared there and burnt house just by it. Besides these, have at this time one Colonel, one Major one Captain, and two subalterns under arrest for trial. In short,I spare none, and yet fear it will not all do, as these people seem to be too inattentative to everything but their interest.

 I have not been unmindful of that part of your letter respecting Point Alderton. Before the receipt of 1t, it had become object of my particular inquiry; but the accounts of it's situa- ton differ exceedingly in respect to the command if has of the ship channel. But my knowledge of this matter would not have been confined to inquiries only if had ever been in condition, a;nce my arrival here, to have taken possession of snca 2 post; but you well know my good sir, that if becomes the duty of an officer to consider ann,o other matters as well as situation, name 1I. what number of men are necessaiN to defend nlace: how it can be supported, and how fur nished with ammunition.

 In respect to the first, conceive our defence of tbis place Point Alderton, must be propor t;oned to the attack of Gen. Cages whole force leaving him just enough to man his lines or Boston aud Charlestown Necks. And with re