213
I find we have deceived ourselves not a little, by counting on the whole numbers of the militia which have been in motion, as if they had all remained with General Greene, when, in fact, they seem only to have visited and quitted him.
The Marquis Fayette arrived at New York on the 15th. His troops still remained at the head of the bay, till the appearance of some force which should render their passage down safe.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the highest esteem and respect, your Excellency s
most obedient and
most humble servant,
TH: JEFFERSON.
LETTER XLVIII. TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Richmond, March 21, 1781.
SIR,
The enclosed letter will inform you of the arrival of a British fleet in Chesapeake bay.
The extreme negligence of pur stationed expresses, is no doubt the cause why, as yet, no authentic account has reached us of a general action, which happened on the 15th instant, about a mile and a half from Guilford Court House, between General Greene and Lord Cornwallis. Captain Singleton, an intelligent officer of Harrison s artillery, who was in the action, has this moment arrived here, and gives the general information that both parties were pre pared and desirous for action ; the enemy were supposed about twenty-five hundred strong, our army about four thousand. That, after a very warm and general engagement, of about an hour and a half, we retreated about a mile and a half from the field, in good order, having, as he supposed, between two and three hundred killed and wounded ; the enemy between five ana 7 seven hundred killed and wounded : that we lost four pieces of artillery : that the militia, as well as regulars, behaved exceedingly well : that General Greene, he believes, would have renewed the action the next day, had it not proved rainy, and would renew it as soon as possible, as he supposes : that the whole of his troops, both regu lars and militia, were in high spirits and wishing a second engage ment : that the loss has fallen pretty equally on the militia and regulars : that General Stevens received a ball through the thigh.
