[draft] Albany July 14.th 1777 Sir By a gentlemen just setting off for Casco Bay, I have an opportunity to send you a line, to inform you that I am here in a weak State of health, having just arrived from Fort Edward, - As to the particular of the retreat of the Army, I am not at present able to communicate, - thus much as to myself I can say, that I have lost all my Baggage of every kind except what I have now on, which is the condition every one is in who left Ticonderoga - Burgogne with his army are in possession of the Post which I commanded at Skeensboro', and are expected to advance towards this place every day - Our force at Fort Edward is at present about 10 Thousand men, who are determined to maintain their ground at all events - Our army augments very fast - Genl, Sullivan is hourly expected, with 3 thousand men, so that I shall be able if I live to give you a favourable account of affairs the first opportunity - If it were possible [2] I would write by this person to Mrs Gray, but he cannot Tarry - I shall write every opportunity - Upon our retreat from Skeensboro' to Fort [Hun], I had the command of 220 men, and was pursued by a party of the British Troops under the command of Colo Hill of the 9th Regimt, and upon my arrival at Fort-Ann made a halt, - this was the 11th inst. the 7th in the morning, countermarch'd my party into the woods about half a mile, when I met the Enemy, and gave them fire which they return'd and after skirmishing with them about four hours, oblig'd them to retreat to a mountain, where they had a covering party, - I had this day two killed & three wounded - killed of the Enemy three, their wounded they carried off the 8th in the forenoon attacked them again, & took 1 Captain, 1 Surgeon, & 2 privates, their killed and wounded are unknown - I can say nothing further at present concerning after conduct, as the time will not allow me - Pray write me every opportunity and address your Letters to the Kings Arms Tavern, as [3] long as you know I am here - my love and duty to the family I am yours & c James Gray N.B. The Fatigue has almost killed me - If I can with Honour, I shall resign my commission, to some person who can undergo the Hardship of a Campaign better - yours ut supra J G - y [address leaf] Mr Theodore Parsons Newbury Port New England [written in different hand on top of page] Capt James Gray to Theodore Parsons of Newburyports - [written in different hand on left margin] The original of this letter having been presented to the ma[illegible] Hist. for - this copy is not to be used for publication without the society's leave - (JW. [vit] 56)