Tr (NHi); captioned: “Extract from Genl Weedons Letter to the Governor, dated feb: 28.” Enclosed in TJ’s letter to Steuben, 5 Mch. 1781.

The letter of which the above is an extract may have contained additional matter similar to that in Weedon’s letter to Steuben of the same date; in that letter Weedon explained that he had hoped to march earlier, but that the tardy movements of the militia had prevented. He reported further that a total of 286 rank and file from Fairfax and Prince William counties had come in, and added: “The Governor Assured me their one fourth part would amount, from these Counties, to 385, which he had positively ordered out. I have mentioned it to him, and also to the County Lieutenants. Those that have arrived come Sadly Armed. I shall not be able to Arm the whole at this place without delaying too much in waiting for repairs, and have requested his Excellency to forward 200 Stand to meet me at Hanover Court House” (Weedon to Steuben, 28 Feb., NHi). A week later Weedon was still protesting the delay caused by the militia: “Sure I am if an officer ordered to superintend and expedite militia movements does not in that service loos his Reputation, he may risque it on all other occations. … The Conduct of the Loudoun Militia [I] have represented to the Governour and pressed in the most Cogent Terms, an exertion on the side of the Executive” (Weedon to Steuben, 8 Mch., NHi).