If upon entering into the detail of this expedition, your excellency should still determine it impracticable, there is an object which though subordinate to that above mentioned, is of capital importance to our southern operations, and may be effected at infinitely less expense; I mean the enemy’s post at Wilmington in North Carolina.  Circumstances require that I should at this period reinforce the southern army under General Greene.  This reinforcement transported by sea under your excellency’s convoy, would enable us to carry the post in question with very little difficulty, and would wrest from the British a point of support in North Carolina, which is attended with the most dangerous consequences to us, and would liberate another state.  This object would require nothing more than the convoy of your excellency to the point of operation, and the protection of the debarkation.

I intreat your excellency’s attention to the points which I have the honour of laying before you, and to be pleased at the same time to inform me what are your dispositions for a maritime force to be left on the American station.

I have the honour to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

NOTE—­No.  IX. See Page 413

Late in October an irruption was made into the country on the Mohawk, by Major Ross, at the head of about five hundred men, composed of regulars, rangers, and Indians.  Colonel Willet, with between four and five hundred men, partly of the troops denominated levies, and partly militia, immediately marched in quest of them, and fell in with them at Johnstown, where they were slaughtering cattle, apparently unapprehensive of an enemy.  Before showing himself, he detached Major Rowley of Massachusetts with the left wing to fall on the rear, while he should engage the front.  On his appearance the British party retired to a neighbouring wood, and the American advance was just beginning to skirmish with them, when that whole wing, without any apparent cause, suddenly fled from the field, leaving a field-piece posted on a height in order to cover a retreat, to fall into the hands of the enemy.  Fortunately for the party, Rowley appeared in the rear at this critical juncture, and regained what the right wing had lost.  Night soon coming on, Major Ross retired further into the wood, and encamped on the top of a mountain.  He seems after this skirmish to have been only intent on repassing the dreary wilderness in his rear, and securing his party; an object not to be accomplished without immense fatigue and great suffering, as Colonel Willet had cut off their return to their boats, and they were to retreat by the way of Buck island, or Oswegatchie.  With a select part of his troops who were furnished with five days provisions, and about sixty Indians who had just joined him, and who, he said, “are the best cavalry for the service of the wilderness,” he commenced a rapid pursuit, and in the morning of the 30th, at a ford on Canada creek, fell in with about