Re: Respite at Fort Carlisle

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: : Dear Malcolm,
: :      Praise be that you are well. I just read your dispatch and was pleased to hear from you.Please be on constant guard with that Girty still about.
: :      I have heard after our meeting yesterday that I may indeed be travelling south to Fort Frederick in the late spring. It was good to see Seamus again. Col. Weiser has also told us that we will be sending a detachment to Augusta for a short time. I am hoping that I will be able to accompany Adjutant Kern to Augusta and return in time to head south.
: :      I will indeed alert my men to ask for the where abouts of Many Flags and Three Tales and if I come in contact with them to invite them to any comforts I can offer.
: :      I have not yet met your Aunt Maggie nor her husband but will
: : endeavor to do so next time I am in the Allemangel area. My patrols keep us constantly busy and I can only hope that our powder and flints soon come!
: :      I must tell you what a delight the lass Nancy was. I believe Seamus would be a very happy man were he to take her as his bride. Time will tell.
: :      I fear that Col. Weiser did not appear well yesterday and I can only pray that whatever affliction was present be be relieved soon. We need his sound judgement.
: :      I must see to my men's needs so till next time, God's speed.
: : At Fort Henry,
: : Sgt. Toot
: :    

: 
: Cousin Malcolm,
: I have returned from the recent journey to Tulpehocken to Col. Weiser's home. The colonel, I regret to report, is not well. He was not able to join us in the drilling of the troops this time. My journey was uneventful, save for snow and rain, making an otherwise pleasant trip rather uncomfortable, especially for Nancy. She did not complain, however, and was roundly welcomed by the ladies of Weiser's Battalion, and made to feel quite at home. Along the way we encountered a young couple, Timothy and Gloria, who were going to the same place, so we asked them to travel with us. Timothy has designs on entering the King's service, and young Gloria has voiced no objection. He has seen the recruiting posters and is already spending the gold the recruiting officers are promising. Aah, the gullibility of youth! I tried, to no avail, to get him to rethink his plan, Cousin. I guess only the harsh reality of mortal combat will awaken him. I only hope it will not be too late for him, nor do I wish to see another young widow. Timothy has inquired as to whether I would take him to Ft. Frederick with me. I told him perhaps he best accompany me for a fortnight before he decides if he really wants a soldier's life. He agreed that it would be a great help to him to learn something about the woods,since he was raised in the town, and knew nothing of camp life at all.
: We had left Fort Augusta and travelled to Montgomery's, and then crossed over the North Branch of the Susquehanna, travelling alongside it for some distance and through the Bear Gap. I had no word at all on Many Flags and Three Tales, Malcolm, during this part of the journey, having made inquiries of the inhabitants of the cabins were passed on the trail. We rested the horses at one of the cabins, a settler named Martin, and had a light meal. Nancy had brought some corn cakes and jerked venison, which we consumed quite readily, and washed it down with cold spring water which was flowing from the hillside in a torrent. The melting snow has saturated the ground here and water is plentiful.After descending Little Mountain below Bear gap, we crossed Mahanoy, Mahantango, and several smaller ranges below them and entered a broad valley known as Lebanon Valley. The weather cleared somewhat, and although it was quite windy, we encountered no further rain or snow. We continued on to Tulpehocken and thence to Weiser's. The settlements are becoming closer and closer down there, Malcolm. I am afraid it will not be many more years until we see our beautiful Susquehanna valley over run with people, too.
: Col. Weiser has  a fine Battalion, with our old friend, Sgt. Toot, as its drill master. He has whipped his men into a fine force! Their red-faced green regimentals do cut an impressive figure during drill. I am sure they will be adequate to deal with the French and their heathen allies, should they be so foolish to venture this far east. The good Sgt. is going to come to Frederick with us, if he can get leave. He will be an asset, for sure! Because the colonel was ill, I met with his Aide, Major Ritchie, and gave him a report on the late Kittanning Expedition, He inquired as to circumstances in the West Branch Valley and when I told him of the continuing depredations, he assured me he would support us in every way he can with men and equipment should we need him. I am to report to Major, no, Colonel Burd at Augusta this information. I am sure he will be quite pleased. I cannot get used to the colonel's new rank! Since Col. Clapham resigned his commission over a flap with the Commissioners...something about them not paying the men, and Col. Clapham exhausting his own resources to pay them...and then not being reimbursed, I guess it broke Col. C.'s spirit. 
: We returned to Augusta today, arriving late this afternoon, and I must say, Nancy was quite an enjoyable travelling companion, as were Timothy and Gloria. I have sent young Timothy off to procure some leggings, moccasins, and a hunting shirt. I do not know where I am going to get him a rifle...But first things first. Just what I needed...first a woman, now a son!  My regards to Captain Croy, and all my friends in the 77th! I am anxious to rendezvous with them at Fort Frederick.

: Seamus


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