Sir

I arrived yesterday at this Camp. This morning 1 called a Council of War, the minutes of which I inclose your Honour. I could not as yet have Returns from the whole Army as some of the Troops are not yet come up, but by the best judgment we cati make, the number of the whole will not exceed 2850 men fit for 'marching to Crown Point. The army is in general pretty healthy,

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 679

but from the season of the year, and upon various other accounts, there is more reason to expect our sick will encrease rather than decrease. From all the Informations I have hitherto been able to obtain, we may expect a strong opposition. For these reasons & sundry others W^^ time will not permit me to enlarge on, I join in opinion with the Council of War, that speedy Reinforcements will be needful for the Good of the present service, and I hope they will be accordingly sent us from yours & the other Governments concerned in the present Expedition. Our Amunition is rather short and our Arms in general but indiff *. It will therefore I think be very necessary that the Reinforcements be sufficiently provided with the one, & proper Care taken with regard to the other.

We shall loose no time but proceed in our opperations with all possible Dispatch.

I am Su*

Your Honours To the Honourable Most obed*.

Lieu*. Governor DeLancey. hum serv*.

Wm, Johnson.

Col. Cockcroft with his Reg*, is not yet come up, but I hope are to day at the great Falls ab*. 8 miles from hence. I sent 30 Empty Waggons back from Stillwater to lighten his Battoes for to that place there is scarce water to swim a light loaded Battoe. There have been great Desertions in his Reg*. & a great deal of uneasiness, partly owing to the Connecticut Troops & partly to the Commissaries, who were full of frivolous scruples, w*J is the mildest I can say of it.