Ebenezer Stevens To Henry Knox 14 December 1781

Thanks Knox for forwarding a letter from Robert Morris to David Rhea; he forwarded it on, but as Mr. Rhea was traveling, had not yet received a reply. Promises to send a reply to Knox when he gets one. Relates that his troops only have three days of rations left so he sent someone to Philadelphia to get more. Comments that the people in Burlington (most likely Burlington, New Jersey) are so dispirited that he cannot get supplies from them without the warrant of a Magistrate & the bayonet to enforce it. Relates that the artificers need timber and he was asked by Col. Nelson, the state quartermaster, to procure his Excellency's warrant for the purpose.