2 Historical Manuscripts, etc. : Military Returns, xxvii., 254.

'Journal of tlie Provincial Congress, " Die Mercurii, P.M , Peb. 21, "1776."

< Journal of the Committee of Safety, "Die Veneris, 10 ho., A.M., Feb. "9, 1776."

WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

[February 9, 1776] a letter was addressed to Colonel Samuel Drake, ordering the skeleton Regiment of Westchester-county Minute-men into active service. That letter may properly find a place in this narrative : it was in the following words :

" New York, Feb'y 9 th 1776.

" Sir :

" You will see by the enclosed Resolution " that Major General Lee now at New York is author- " ized to call in as many of the Minute Men of thi s " Colony as he may think necessary.

" I am directed by the General to have some Regi- " ments of Minute Men called here directly.

" Your Regiment is fixed on by the Committee of " Safety of this Colony as proper to be called.

" You are therefore on receipt hereof to march with " your Regiment to New York with all possible dis- " patch. Take care that your men have their knap- " sacks and Blankets with them & provisiens for their " march. -- The Quartermaster ought by all means to " come with the Regiment.

" It is not doubted but you will give orders that "your Troops observe the greatest regularity in their " march, and if you order the several Companies to " proceed " [precede f] " each other a few miles in their ' march they will be more easily accommodated.