To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Leven Powell, 29 January 1777
From Lieutenant Colonel Leven Powell
Dumfries [Va.] Janry 29th 1777.
Sir,
By a letter from Colo. Grayson which I recieved three days ago I am inform’d of an Appointment which your Excellency has Honourd me with in the Continental Army,1 this I esteem the more Honorable as it was unsolicited by me, my only fears are that my Abillities will not enable me to come nearly up to your Excellencys expectations, However I take leave to inform you that no exertions on my part shall be wanting, nor shall any time be lost by me ’till the men are raised, I wish the prospect of doing that was such, that was such, that I could promise being with you soon, but the Number of recruiting Officers now out in this State will prevent that; at the same time I have hopes that Two months may do the business, I am with great respect, Your Excellencys Obt Servt
Leven Powell
ALS, PHi: Gratz Collection; Sprague transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This letter has not been identified. For Powell’s appointment to lieutenant colonel of Col. William Grayson’s Additional Continental Regiment, see GW to Robert Hanson Harrison, 10 Jan., and GW to Grayson, 11 Jan. 1777.