[Draft] Camp 24 Miles from Philadelphia 15th octb 1777 My dearest and only Love I have received your short Letter by Doctor [Lulling] but am extremely sorry to observe that [struck: you] two posts have arrivd here by [whom] I have not received a single Line - it is impossible that my Lucy should [struck: be] have known of [these] circumstance of the posts going from Boston otherwise she would have written to the man who adores her - nothing gives me half so much pain as not hearing from you by the same medium which other people hear from their friends in Boston I mean not to complain but hope you will not give me the least reason for the [future] - I send you this by Capt Randall who has the misfortune to be again made a prisoner after being slightly wounded in 7 or 8 places I sent you early in the summer a certain gold watch - you never have mentioned to me whether you received which induces me to believe that something unfair has happened with it - The matter you mention about rations cannot be complied with - and I thank God I have too much reliance for his divine providence to have any of those [2] misgivings and forebodings of which my dear Lucy seems so apprehensive I trust the same divine being who brought us together will support us - The enemy have not yet reduc'd our obstructions in the river Delaware below Philadelphia and consequently have not got their shipping up to the Town - they have made several efforts, but [struck: in v] hitherto in vain, in one of which we took 2 officers & 56 privates prisoners - If the enemy cannot get their shipping up Philadelphia is one of the most ineligible places in the world for an army - surrounded by rivers which are impassable - and an army above them - we have been pretty quick since the action of the 4th but we have yet to tolerable prospects and hopes to winter in Philadelphia I mean our army - for however clouded the prospect may be yet I have sanguine hopes of being able to live this winter in sweet fellowship with the dearest friend of my heart - however I cannot as yet point out the Way - Ere' you receive this you will receive the Account of the loss of Fort Montgomery, which I own to you is in my opinion exceedingly heavy but it must stimulate us to much greater exertions - America almost deserves to be made slaves for her non exertions in so important an affair - an affair [3] of the most infinite consequence to ourselves and prosterity - observe my dear Girl how providence supports us the advantages gain'd by our Northern army altho we have not yet heard the minute particulars - yet we have in General and very authenticly [sic] too gives almost a decisive turn to the contest. For my own part I have not yet seen so bright a dawn as the present & I am as perfectly convinc'd in my own mind of the kindness of providence towards us, as I am of my own existence. I most earnestly wish the contest finished that I might return to the arms of her who I flatter myself [strikeout] loves me equal to my love for her - without this hope I should [Lucy me] the most miserable of the human species - kiss my dear babies & pray for it, Give my love to Mr & Mrs Jarvis and all other friends - I have to complain that I have not received a Line from [struck: Harry for about month] for those two posts past nor from any other person in Boston I am my dear Lucy with the utmost purity of [strikeout] affection your Harry Knox