Weedon returned to Fredericksburg with orders from the Virginia executive for the counties of Fauquier, Prince William, Loudoun, and Fairfax to send one fourth of their militia (estimated at 1,090) to Fredericksburg to be placed under General Weedon's Command. Prince William troops numbered 185. Weedon made one "good" regiment of Grayson's Prince William militia and a "batallion" of the rest.

On a recommendation from the Court of Prince William County a commission issued appointing Alexander Keith an assistant inspector of tobacco at Dumfries Warehouse.

..... an impress warrant.......50 saddle horses........130 waggon horses......

.......warrant for five thousand pounds in paiment for two horses.... ......three thousand five hundred pounds for a horse......8 Jun 1780 ......three thousand five hundred pounds for a horse......

SIR
Prince William County April 9th. 1781.

On the first Instant a Small Schooner Vessel tender to the Trimer privateer belonging to Goodrichs Company with 21 Men Commanded by one Dickson went up to Alexandria and in the Night Attempted to Cut out before the town a Vessel belonging to Baltimore. Fortunately they were discovered and the wind Changing prevented their Succeeding. They immediately made off down the river and were pursued by two Armed Vessels and owing to a favourable North West wind was taken before they got to the Trimer which with the Supprise and another Sloop of War laid at Cedar point belonging to the same Company. As soon as the Schoner found she Must be taken the Men took to their boats and landed on the Virginia Side of the River. 16 of them were taken by the Inhabitants 8 of whom were sent to Fredksburg from whence I hear they are sent to Winchester. The others were sent up in the Vessels that Pursued them to Alexandria and are Confined in that Goal. Among them is Dickson. The Privateers as they Came up took thirty Negroes and the Oveerseer from a Plantation of Consellor Carters at Coles point in Westmoreland and have Plundered the Houses of Messrs. Gerard Hooe, John Washington and many other persons of all their furniture and other Valuable Effects and taken off some Negroes. On Friday last in the Night (we had an Account Yesterday from a Man from Maryland ) they went up Port Tobacco Creek and there did great damage, Plundered the houses of Mr. Walter Hanson [and] Mr. Neale, Carried Mr. Neale off and also a son of Mr. Hanson, Plundered the house of the Preist and many others. Mr. George Dents houses they Burnt and a fine Stallion and two Chair horses suffered in the flames. Mr. Lawson Manager to Colo. Tayloes Neabsco Iron works Near me, lost also a Vessel loaded with 100 barrels of Corn; was taken from Nanjamy. On receiving official Notice from the County Lieutenant of Stafford that the Enemy were making up the river and the Town of Dumfries with the Warehouses on Quantico Creek might be their Object and that the Inhabitants might be Secured against these Plunderers I immediately ordered all the Militia that Could be Armed to rendezvous at the Mouth of Quantico and there have been these two days about forty there on duty. If the Enemy do not appear on the Shifting of the Wind which being this two days at Northwest and against them, I shall only keep a few lookouts. If the Enemy had succeeded at Alexandria they intended; one of the Prisoners say, to have burnt Genl. Washingtons Houses, Plundered Colo. Mason and myself and endeavoured to have made me a Prisoner. As the Act of Assembly impowers you to raise any Number of horse it would be Adviseable to order a few horse to be raised in the different counties on Potomack and constantly keep in pay to give notice of the movements of the enemy from time to time which would be of amazing utility and quiet the inhabitants in their possessions and save many families from being plundered. I hope to receive your answer by return of the post with such orders as you may please to give which shall be implicitly obeyed by yr excellencys most obt. servant Henry Lee Coty Lt.

In Council, 12th. April, 1781.

Sir,

We were honored with your Letter of the l0th. Instant, a sufficient Number of Militia may be always collected to deter the Marines of the armed Vessels and Privateers from landing and repel them if they should, which makes us perfectly easy on their Account, and although we coincide with in Opinion, while the British continue superiour on the water, their Advantages are such our Attempts to make opposition at any particular Point may be rendered nugatory by their changing their Design, and carrying on their Operations else where, yet we must suggest that some Town and Places from their Situation and other Circumstances of Moment must be greater Objects of Attention than others and more likely to be attacked. We have the strongest and most irrefragable Proof of your Zeal to advance the Interest and happiness of the States and knew that alone was sufficient to prompt you to comply with our Requisition if restricted Instructions and other Objects had not made it improper. Your Resolution to march with the greatest Rapidity to reinforce the southern Army imparts to us the greatest Pleasure and merits our warmest Applause, and your halting at such Points as would enable you to give the most speedy Assistance to either of the three Towns you mention would be highly agreeable, yet we do not wish that the temporary Releif that would be derived from your Stay among us should impede your moving rapidly to the Succour of the Southern Army. We have issued orders to Mr. Poe to collect at Baltimore what Waggons and Horses may be necessary for your Detachment and required Mr. James Calhoun our Commissary at Baltimore to provide for your Use a Number of fine Cattle and a Quantity of Flour. You may depend on finding every Thing furnished agreeable to our Desire. Your Stores that were left at the Indian Landing were ordered to be removed to George Town on Patowmack, but when we were apprised of the Enemy's Intentions against Alexandria, Orders were given to stop them ten miles on this Side, which is unquestionably a Place of Security and in your Route from Baltimore to the Southward. We are convinced the disaffected and Emissaries of the Enemy are dispersed through the State, and are busy in collecting and supplying them with Provision, and communicating every kind of Intelligence by which Means they have Notice of all our Preparations and Movements. It is our Desire that Examples should be made of them in the speediest Manner whenever detected. We have directed the Lieutenant of Harford County to go to Gun Powder Creek, and make immediate Inquiry after Major McPherson, that Part of the County is well affected and we think you need not be uneasy about his Safety; a Letter from A Gentleman of Alexandria wrote at 7 oClock Yesterday morning informs us that the Enemy are moving up Patowmack in considerable Force consisting of eight Vessels of various Sizes, that the last Accounts say they are above Drumfries and that they have no Doubt but that they are intended against Alexandria, where every Exertion is making to oppose them, we shall give you minute speedy and frequent Intelligence of every Movement and Design of the Enemy as soon as it is obtained.

The order for seizing live cattle for the supply of the army is like to produce much confusion and oppression in this part of the country from the vague, and (as I apprehend) illegal instructious of Mr. Brown to his deputies, who are acting very differently in the different counties, according to each man's interpretation of instructions which no man understands. This, if not timely prevented by clear and precise orders from the executive, will in many instances occasion lawsuits, and in some, most probably, violence. The instructions I have seen from Mr. Brown direct his deputies to take a tenth part of every man's stock. The true construction of this I take to be a tenth part of every man's stock, in quantity and quality. But it would be a wanton waste of cattle. In some counties the estimate the value of a man's whole stock, and take the tenth part of that value, in beef cattle. In other counties (particularly in this) the deputy commissary thinks himself authorized to take in beef cattle the tenth part of the number of each man's stock, which would generally be near half of the value of the whole. And as, upon the common average of stocks, there is not a tenth part of them beef cattle, if the measure was to be executed throughout the State in this manner, every family would be left without beef, tallow, or leather for the ensuing year; the quantity of cattle immediately taken would be enormous, not less, upon a moderate computation, I conceive than forty or fifty thousand beeves, and there would not be a beef left to supply the army another campaign. The only laws I know of upon which this power of seizure is founded are the two acts passed in the last May session, one " for procuring a supply of provisions and other necessaries for the army," empowering the governor and council to appoint commissioners for seizing certain enumerated articles at fixed pnces, and the other " an act for giving further powers to the Govemor and Council," extending the powers given by the former act to the obtaining so many live cattle as may be wanted for supplying the militia or other troops, to be valued and appraised by two disinterested persons upon oath &c; provided always that not more than one half of the bullocks and barren cows belonging to any person, fit for slaughter, shall be subject to such seizure. These two acts are continued by a subsequent session, with only an augmentation of the prices enumerated in the first act, occasioned by the depreciation of money in the meantime. But I think nothing is therein said about the price of live cattle, it being unnecessary as the price had not been ascertained by the former acts, and the cattle were to be appraised at the time of seizure. The words fit for slaughter can hardly be literally conformed to at this season of the year, and may reasonably be extended to such cattle as are fit to fatten for slaughter. But certainly the power is limited to the half of such cattle belonging to any such person, and any commissary presuming to exceed it will act contrary to law, and distress the people unnecessarily, as the one half of such cattle will afford more than an ample supply. There are also doubts with respect to draught oxen, which I am sure it was not the intention of the legislature to seize for beef, nor do they come within the description of the law. The people might as well have their waggon or plough horses taken from them as their draught oxen.

Another subject of dispute is the price of cattle. By a vote of both houses in November last the executive is empowered to pursue such measures as to them appear practicable and effectual for the laying in such quantity of beef and salt as shall be necessary for supplying the army, allowing for grass beef 24/ per pound and for salt 㿲 per bushel. And although from the whole tenor and style of the said vote, it is evident that it relates only to the supply of the army during the then slaughter season, and not at all to the powers, prices or valuatious described in the before mentioned acts, yet some of the deputy commissaries apply it to the present seisure of live cattle, and instead of appraisement, the weight is judged by two men upon oath, and certificates given at 24/ per pound, for which they say they have late instructions. In some counties the judges fix this at what they think the nett weight of the cattle in their present poor condition; in other counties at what they think would be the nett weight if the cattle were fat and fit for slaughter, or what they would weigh in the slaughter season next fall, as in the mean time they would not cost their owners a penny. A grass bullock which would have weighed 400 last November, will not at this time weigh 200 pounds, so that in some counties the people will get less that half what their neighbors receive, or of the real value of their cattle, besides the loss by depreciation since last November. The commissary in this and some other counties is, by these difficulties, prevented from proceeding, whereupon I promised to lay the matter before your excellency and the council, and to communicate to them the result. Sensible of the important objects in which the time of the executive is now taken up, I should not have troubled them with this, if I did not foresee that the purposes of the law will be in a great measure defeated, and great confusion ensue, unless prevented by speedy and precise iustructions to the deputy-commissaries so as to put their business upon a just and equal footing.

The people in this part of Virginia are well disposed to do everything in their power to support the war, but the same principles which attach them to the American cause will incline them to resist injustice or oppression I would further beg leave to suggest that it might be better to take now only such a number of cattle as are wanted for immediate use, and suffer the others to remain longer on their own pastures, where at this season of the year they will thrive fatter, upon grass alone, tban fed with corn, collected in numbers in strange pastures, and a great expense be saved to the public. It will be necessary also to order that the cattle be collected in places out of the reach of the enemy, when the situation of the county will admit it. I am led to mention this last circumstance from my knowing that the place pitched upon in this county is so near the river that a party from a single veasel might carry off the cattle in two or three hours although a considerable part of the county is out of the reach of the enemy, except in great force.

I beg the favor of an answer by the first post, or other safe conveyance, and remain with the greatest respect, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

G. Mason.

His Excellency, Thomas Jefferson, Esq.:
Govemor of Virginia.'

Besides seeing to it that the militia in counties north of the Rappahannock "ware Arranged and held on the Minute plan," General Weedon called out into the field Prince William, King George, Stafford, and Spotsylvania militia and established camp, during the emergency, at the "Heights" near, Hunter's" at Falmonth across from Fredericksburg. Four hundred militia arrived; the two hundred fifty King George and Stafford militia, however, went home after ten days contrary to Weedon's "request." Weedon called out one-half of the militia of the lower counties of the Northern Neck, who were to rendezvous to King George Court House, twenty-five miles from Fredericksburg. He ordered the Prince William militia to join Lafayette. Acting on a request by Lafayette, Weedon sent Charles Dick out to contact General Wayne and hurry him on.[7] Weedon also made arrangements for boats for Wayne to cross at Norman's Ford, on the upper Rappahannock, and prepared himself to join Lafayette with his militia.[8]

Gold Mine Creek Southana River
29 May 1781

dear Sir.
The first object of the Enemy has been to fight & disperse us; the second to destroy our Stores, the third, which they think themselves better able to effect, will be to push for Fredksburg. They have repaired Bottom s Bridge and crossed it last Night. Their D'gons came as far as Hanover C. House this morning.

This position is nearer to Fdksburg. than the Enemy now are. This and precautions taken to embarrass them will I hope give me time to arrive before their main body. As to their 500 Horse and what Infantry they can mount behind they will ever have the Start of us. Leslie is said to be gone to take Command at Portsmouth, but I suppose they intend to send a Detachment up by Water. I march this Evening by Ground Suirrel Bridge to Andersons Bridge on the No. side of Pamunky. My march is parallel to that of the Enemy, but I keep the upper part of the country. Until you arrive I cannot think of a material opposition.

I request my dear Friend, you will leave your Baggage behind and come on by forced Marches. I shall tomorrow write you again, and wish to hear where you are that We may form a junction as soon as possible. Shou'd the Ennemy destroy Hunters Works before We meet, it will be a heavy blow to these Southern States. A few hours may perhaps decide a great deal in the fate of this Warr, and I shall not loose a Moment to forward the movements of this Army towards the wished for junction "with your troops, at all Events your rout is through Dumfries. Camden is evacuated. With the highest regard I have the Honor to be Sir your most Obedient Humble Servant

Lafayette
LS (PHi: Payne Papers), in William Constable's hand.

The schooner Isebella was drove on shore, on the coast of North Carolina, and the vessel lost; some part of the cargo was saved,..................... The ship General Washington is fitted out as a privateer, and I believe is now upon a cruise. She arrived from Amsterdam in a New England port,.............. Our bay and rivers are entirely in the possession of the enemy, our little trade totally at an end, and almost all the Virginia vessels taken..............
GM

of bread and twelve hundred gallons of vinegar.[37] With only six wagons, Weedon sent to Lafayette on June 20 seven hundred gallons of whisky and three hundred gallons of vinegar.[38] "With Spirited Aid," Weedon wrote Richard Graham, the pun unintended, "we might have signaliz'd Virginia with a Cornwalliad.'' He asked Graham, at Dumfries, to throw in a ''Quarter Cask of Wine for our good Marquis. [39]

In accordance with his instructions, orders will at once be issued respecting the deposits of Forage to be made on the road from Georgetown to Hanover Courthouse- Georgetown, Colchester, Dumfries, Fredericksburg, Bowling Green, Lynch's Tavern, and Hanover Courthouse had been chosen for this purpose. Col: Hendricks at Alexandria and Mr Young on this side of the Rappahannock will attend to the business- their agents will act under Continental regulations * *
Wagons for the Marquis' Army about to come in from different parts of the Country, he desires to know whether they shall be detained here or sent on to the Army- Desires prompt information, that his department may render proper service.

After dining at Mount Vernon, Greene and his aides bid goodby to their hosts and started for Alexandria. When they arrived that night, Greene was sick with a fever. He was taken to the home of Colonel Fitzgerald where he lay for eight days desperately ill. Dr. Brown, a graduate of Edinburgh, attended him during his sickness during which he did not eat a thing for six days. Many prominent men, among them Richard Henry Lee, visited him but he was too weak to enjoy their company. While he lay sick, Alexandria held a public dinner in his honor. "You Sir," said the chief speaker, "have had the honor of proving to the World that circumstances of the greatest distress and a Situation surrounded with danger and with difficulty can be nobly surmounted by brave Men, animated with the spirit of liberty and under the command of wise, virtuous, and persevering Leaders."

"Dear Sir,
Let me request you in very earnest terms to employ the militia ordered out by the Govenor, in repairing the roads from the ford at Occoquon through Dumfries to the limit of your county. To do this & to do it well is of such essential importance that I cannot forebear urging it in strong terms. The baggage wagons f the French & American Armies, the Cavalry & beef cattle will all merch by this route & may be expected in the course of a few days- neglect of or delay in the executionof this business, will not only retard the march of the wagons, but may be productive of esential injury to them. For dispatch and the better performance of this work, it may be proper to divide the Militia into several parties under good Officers, strongly impressed with the necessity of the service. If the ford at Occoquon admits of improvement, let me entreat that you & Colo: Wagener will give the best means of giving it. These services well performed, may probably exempt your militia from further service, & a march to York. I expect Count de Rochambeau (Commander of the French Army) the Chevlr. de Chastellux & their respective suite at this place, tomorrow on their way to join the Army below. It would be a sad relief to them and their horses, and a mark of attention w'ch I am persuaded would be pleasing the Gentlemen of this state would assist them along in their carriages from stage to stage. Permit me therefore to request the favor of you to provide at Dumfries the means of carrying them to Fredericksburg, where I will engage other Gentlemen to take them up, from hence they wil be furnished with carriages & horses to Dumfries.
With much esteem & regard I am
Dr Sir, yr: most obed't Serv't
Go: WASHINGTON.

Henry Lee Esqr. County Lieut. of Prince William.

I expect the Gentlemen before mentioned will dine at Dumfries on Wednesday, if they arrive here as I expect. Be so good as to communicate so much of this Letter as relates to the repairs of the road, to the Lieut: of Stafford County, & in my name & behalf entreat him to attend to the business in his district. I wish particular attention could be paid to the ford at Falmouth."

Wm. S. Smith 17 Sep. 1781, 1 Dec. 1781 Washington Papers

Richd: Graham to Col: Wm. Davis

On my return from Philadelphia, I found your favor of the 6th instantt.- I have not yet had it in my power to see many of the people, but you may rely on my utmost exertions in prevailing on them to thresh out their wheat, and getting it sent to the mill, but I am doubtful that unless the farmer can be put on some certainty of the mode of payment, the quantities will not be sufficient for the demand- Col: Blain C. Genl. (with whom I had some conversation on the subject in Philadelphia, called on me yesterday on his way to Williamsburg) is upon a plan to make a joint purchase for the French & American Army, if this can be affected, the ready money of the former will assist the credit of the latter & bring the Wheat to the mills & the flour to the Army in sufficient quantities immediately- whereas, in my opinion every attempt to get flour by impressment will retard a supply- because in this case the millers will not buy wheat if their flour is impressed- and it will be a very slow and uncertain supply to impress wheat & men & horses to thresh it out &c.- * It will always give me pleasure to render you any service in this quarter & am with the greatest respect,
Dear sir, Your most Ob'y Serv'nt.

Charles Stewart and Eph: Blaine Com: Gen: of Stores, apply to Govenor Nelson for vessels, boats and other means of transportation for 5136 Blls: of Flour and Meal, purchased at George Town, Baltimore, Richmond, Petersburg, Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Dumfries, and Head of Elk. The cattle procured in Maryland is to be slaughtered and salted Boats to transport it in bulk, there being no casks to be gotten, will be wanted at Yienna in Dorchester Co and at Snow Hill in Worcester County

The wants of the Army demands great and immediate exertions.

The fiscal year often ended on 29 Sept......Feast of Saint Michael, ye Archangel......St. Michaelmas Day.

28 September

From Marumsco Creek to Aquia Run near Peyton's Tavern

Description of Marches

From the Marumsco camp you go through some woods with occasional clearings. You cross a brook. 2 Miles

You pass some fine meadows on the left. You go uphill and down. You proceed through the woods, passing Blackburn House on the left.[22] 2 Miles

[Obs.] There is plenty of hay in this neighborhood.
[22]. Rippon Lodge, built ca. 1725 by Richard Blackburn, an architect who later designed the Orignal Mount Vernon. Colonel Thomas Blackburn was the occupant in I781.

For about I mile you cross a beautiful valley which extends towards the Potomac.[23] 1 Mile
[Obs.] Pasturage is abundant in this neighborhood.
[23]. The valley formed by Neabasco Creek

You pass a house on the right. When you come to a fork, take the left, cross a brook, go uphill, passing a house on the left, and cross another brook. 1 Mile

At the top of the hill you pass a house on the right. You go through some woods with occasional clearings and some negro cabins and arrive at Dumfries.[24] 2 Miles

[Obs.] Dumfries is a small town containing 15 houses, situated in a hollow at the head of a meadow that extends to the marshes along the Potomac a mile or so beyond.

[24] See map, No. 122, which shows the camp made here by the French when on their northward march in July 1782.

After passing through Dumfries you keep on your left Quantico Creek, which you ford one-half mile from town. You pass a road on your left. You proceed through the woods and pass a road on the right. 4 Miles

You go down into a hollow, which you follow as it becomes a small valley. This valley leads to the bay of the Potomac. You pass a road on the left, then ford Chopawamsic Creek. Keep on through the meadow, where there are houses on either side. The road turns right. You pass woods on the left and a collection of houses on the right called Chopawamsic 1 Mile

[Obs.]In general this country is covered with woods, with here and there some clearings and negro cabins.

Keep on through the woods and come to Aquia Run near PayTown Tavern [Peyton's Ordinary].[25] 4 Miles Total: 17 Miles

[Obs] This position would be too confined for the camp of a whole regiment.

Keep on through the woods and come to Aquia Run near PayTown Tavern [Peyton's Ordinary].[25] 4 Miles Total: 17 Miles

[Obs] This position would be too confined for the camp of a whole regiment.

Baraques is french for "wooden huts" or "shanties", = negro cabins in English.

Other contemporary writers describe these cabins.

Dumfries

Decm'r 8th 1781

A great part of thc Corn collectcd was " Sold out to the French troops for cash at 10s hard money pr: Bush'l by a Mr. Con[n], a Dep: Quarter -master from Alexandria."