"Come with us, Chauncey!"

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: May ye 29th, 1759                
: at Ft. Augusta

: Pvt. Chauncey Goodrich 
: Rogers’ Rangers
: Rogers’ Island
: Ft. Edward
: Colony of New York

: Friend Chauncey,

: T’was with great joy that I received and read your recent communication. I am pleased to report that we are well, and that I have met with Cousins Malcolm, Davey, Three Tales and Many Flags, Uncle Angus, and my father Quasi, along with Wm. JohnsTon and Andrew Kuntz, the artist, and we will soon be heading for the Carolinas. There we are to meet with a group of citizens who profess to have undertaken a great study of the Mohicans, which I find rather unusual, since we will be in Cherokee country. Some, I understand, also profess to have knowledge of Ft. William Henry and the siege and subsequent destruction there. I have heard some rumblings, too, about a certain Huron...one Magua, I believe they called him...who is expected to be present. I am wondering if these Gatherers might not be French spies. We will have to be cautious. Uncle Angus and his sheep will be along, and if any chicanery is to happen, Mother Ewe will certainly give adequate warning. No matter, though, we are going to have a great time there. It would be wonderful if you could persuade Major Rogers to give you leave to join us there!  Lt. Col. Armstrong will be meeting us at a pre-arranged location.

: 
: Malcolm and Davey have been enjoying leave from the 77th, and have been wandering all over the Susquehanna Valley and Berks County, visiting kin, seeing the land, and talk more and more about leaving the 77th and settling here. They had their heads together the other evening and were trying to figure out how to arrange passage for their families from Scotland. Flags and Tales have shown them much of the country around here, and the more they see, the more they want to be here.

: Since my return here a few weeks ago, Nancy and I have seen to the plantings of our garden next to the cabin, have pruned and prepared the apple trees for the season, made some small repairs to the cabin, itself, and built 30 new sections of fence. We have built cattle guards for around the smaller apple trees to keep the deer from nipping the buds. We have seen several new fawns, and 2 bear cubs. I am nearly worn out from plowing and planting, and getting tangled in the brush, and am longing again for adventure. I am trying to be “civilized,” but am finding it quite hard!

: Chauncey, I must ask this, but it cannot be spoken of out loud, if you understand. Have you heard any rumblings about “freedom from the King” or “freedom from the British flag” or anything concerning independence from the Crown? There is some low talk in some certain circles about here, and, truthfully, I find it quite perplexing. While I am not entirely happy with everything England does concerning the Colonies, I am not ready to risk everything I have worked so hard and bled so much for, do you follow me? Be very cautious of what and to whom you might inquire about it. I think it is much better to just listen. Listen to the talk in the ale houses you go into, and see if you can pick up any of that talk, alright?

: I am glad that you are well, dear friend, and please do ask for leave to come to the Carolinas with us! I would love to see you again! 

: The lads are coming now, laughing and singing, and are ready for some more  excitement, and we are setting about to gather supplies and equipment for our journey. I must go for now. Come with us, Chauncey!

: 
: PaxAye!

: Seamus


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