Letter of Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Orange Old Court House to Colonel Josiah Parker, Smithfield, June 8, 1781.
CWF Rockefeller Library, Special Collections - SCMS 2001.23.9

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Orange Old Court House June 8th , 1781

Dear Colonel

,

By your letter of the 30th of last month
to the Honble Majr Genl Marquis La Fayette I
find that the Lieutenants of the counties adja-
cent to Portsmouth have their doubts with
respect to ordering their Militia into the field
without particular orders from the Governor.

To prevent in future any inconveniencies
arriving from [such] doubts I do hereby impower
you to call on [tear] County Lieutenants of Norfolk
Princess Ann, Nansemond, Southhampton, Isle Wight,
& Surry for as many militia from those
countys as you can arm observing to make
the requisition in proportion to the numbers
of the militia in each County. — These
milita militia I desire you will take
the command of & arrange them in such man-
-ner as you shall think most conducive to
the interest of the service.

This is all the commission I can
at present send you the Executive being
at so great a distance from us as to put it
out of my power to obtain a proper one for
you. With respect to the disposition of these Troops
you will receive orders from the Marquis.

I inclose you a warrant for the purpose
of impressing horses which I wish you to put
into proper hands to [execute].

I am Dr Colo
your most
obedient servant

Thos Nelson B. G.
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88

On Public Service
Colo Josiah Parker
Smithfield

Genl Nelson
8 June 81
56