Transcript

Ringoes Hunterdon County, 28^th Dec: 1777

Dear Susan,

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If I know what news would be acceptable to you, I wou’d with pleasure present you with it - but as you lay in the line of correspondence between Philadelphia & N. York you are probably from time to time furnished with all that is stirring. The situation of our army however I’ll give you in miniature. It must awaken the feelings of every compassionate mind, to see a number of brave men at this season of the year, retiring into Quarters without shoes without stocking or war Raiment of any kind. To see those who have contended for us thro’ the heats of summer, conduct into Quarters, where without any shelter but huts of their own making, they are to combat the [illegible] of weather during the winter yet it is to men labouring under these [illegible] the most animating reflection to hear themselves invited by the commander in chief to brace these difficulties, & that he himself will bear them company in every danger & share with them every hardship- to carry on a war without commercial aid undoubtedly streighten [?] us in necessary supplies, tho’ I believe tis more owing to the want of management & economy in those, who have the direction of the Clothing Department, that out troops are so ill supplied than from the scarcity of the materials themselves.

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