TNGenWeb Project/TNGenNet, Inc., (a Tennessee nonprofit public benefit corporation). "The Howard-Smith Collection" Transcription copyright: 1998, by Mrs. F. A. Augsbury; all rights reserved. The originals are at the McClung Library in Knoxville. This file is in text format. Please use your browser's "back" button to return to the previous page. ********************************************************************************* To: James Gaines, Hawkins County, New Canton, Tennessee From: James Matlock, Philadelphia ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Philadelphia, November 14th, 1814 Mr. James Gaines Sir I make use of the present leasure hour in drafting you a few lines informing you where I am and what I am a doing and what has took place since I see you the Second day of the present inst I inlisted the United States Service 2nd. regiment light Dragoons for the period of Eighteen months was orderly Sergeant amediatly and has been on the recruiting service ever since in Virginia untill the 2nd day of last July and on account of inability I could not march on to the lines I was transfered into the core of artillery near this city Fort Mifflin and was station there untill about three weeks past I have been acting as Clerk for the adjutant General of the 4th. Military District which is J. N. Barker No. 36 8th Street corner of Chestnut Street. The commanding General of the District is by the name of Edmund P. Gaines I presume to say is your [br]other. I have I believe seen the general when [I was] a boy: but not certain. I have never asked th[e ge]neral his state of naitivity he has a great favour of your fathers family he is in as good health as could be expected after his wound & he has to make use of his crutches, but is a geting better he succeeded general Bloomfield in this District and is very much beliked after entering on the duties of his office he visited all the troops came as he was and then immediately issued a thundering long order. I have been solicited to make application for a commission by a gentleman who has been this three years in the Service I intend to do so I re'cd a letter last evening from my friend John Sevier who tells me he will do what he can for. I want you if you please to write to me and be so good as to write to the general for me if I am not mistaken in the general he must be your brother and you can use your influence with him in my favour that will never be forgotten by me in this life. The British was on our shore yesterday and took several oyster boats the _____(?) has not come to day I cannot inform whether they have moved or not. If you are willing we will enter into a correspondence once a month. I am with every Sentiment your most obedient humble Servant James Matlock P.S. my best respects to your family J M