Brigadier General John
Lacey, Jr., to
Thomas Wharton, President,
Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania
February 15, 1778
Camp, Bucks County, Warwick Township,
Feb. 15th, 1778.
Sir,
My force is reduced to almost Cypher, only 60 remain fit for duty in Camp; from this Number you must, of Course, Suppose we are in no way Capable of Guarding so extensive a Country as this, nor even safe in our Camp, as our number will not afford sufficient Picquet [sic] or Scout for our Protection. I hear some troops are on their way to Join me, from Cumberland county; Six or Seven who out Travelled [sic] the rest, Arrived in Camp last night.
A Party of the Enemy's light Horse Came up as far as Butler's Tavern, on the Old York Road, about fourteen miles from Philada, the Night of the 13th Instant took Mr. BUTLER, One of the Light Horse Men, and thence Struck a Cross the Country to Majr WRIGHT's Tavern, near White Marsh, and took him, with some others Prisoners, and then Retired to the City. Yesterday another party of Foot and Horse advanced up the Newtown Road as far as Smithfield, took, it is Reported, near fourty [sic] Prisoners, the Collectors and Militia Officers. I hear they are yet in the Neighborhood.
I remain,
Sir, with respect
Your
Excellencys [sic] most
Obedient Humble Servant
John LACEY, Junr.
Directed,
Thomas WHARTON, Jun. Esq., President of the Executive Council, Lancaster.
§ favour of Majr CUMMINGS.
Pennsylvania Archives, 1st Series, Vol. IV