Autograph letter signed : Wilton [VA], to General Weedon, 1781 May 15.

Expressing his concerns on the lack of readiness of the army and the impending attack by the British; "The arrival of the Enemy at Petersburg, their Command of James and Appamatox River, the approach of Lord Cornwallis who is arrived at Hallifax, such are the reasons which Render our Situation precarious and with the Handfull of Men I Have, there is no chance of Resisting the Combined armies unless I am speedily and powerfully Reinforced - The Army under General Phillips consists of 2,400 men, that under Lord Cornwallis is said to be composed of 28 Bns of Light Inf'try and guards, two Bns of Hessians, the 23rd, 33rd, 71st, 42nd, 64th, 82nd British Regiments, Hamilton's and Martin's Corps and the Legion under Col. Tarleton - our numbers in Continental troops are well known to you - there is more militia going off than there is militia coming in - the new called troops have hardly Received their orders - what we Have is However called 'the Army' and that is expected from us which an Army could perform. Every movement from James River exposes that side where the capital stands, and of course, the whole Northern Country A defeat would be attended not only with a loss of men, but also with an irreparable loss of arms. I am therefore to Request your Best Exertions that we may be furnished with Men, with Arms, with every thing your influence can procure - Riflemen and Cavalry, or at least Mounted Infantry are particularly wanting. No time ought to be lost as the danger is pressing and it will soon be too late to Have it in our power to make a Becoming Resistance...as to the attack of either of the two armies that threaten this State, nothing short of this Army could give them any opposition and I am to Consider this point in my plan of defence. The Executive Having thought proper to call this way the Militia South of Rappahanoke I Request you will Hurry them Here as well Equipped and Accoutred as you can - Every man that has a gun must absolutely bring it with him...The impressing Business chagrins me behind(?) description - I Hate this Mode, and am truly unhappy to see that waggons either borrowed or impressed from poor people cannot be discharged - But no waggons can be got in their Counties and to import others (purchases are out of the question) we must send to a great distance. This detention of waggons concerns me more than I can express;" asking that his concerns be related to General Washington and General Meade.