[marginalia: Apr — letter of 28 Mar[ch]] War department, 25^th March, 1791. Sir I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's message of the 19^th instant. The main force to be employed in the proposed operation against the Indians will consist of three thousand effectives composed of regulars and levies. It is presumed that this force will not be assembled until July. In the mean time desultory operations, at the discretion of Major general St. Clair, such as were mentioned in my letter of the 10^th and the defensive protection mentioned in my letter of the 11^th instant will be authorized on the part of the General government. The two thousand levies mentioned in the act of Congress of the 3^d instant, will be arranged into two regiments, each regiment to consist of three battalions, and each battalion of four companies, each company of eighty three non commissioned and privates. One battalion will be raised in the territory of the United States, South of the Ohio. One in Virginia, below the mountains; to rendezvous principally at Winchester. One in Maryland, Two in Pennsylvania, and One in New Jersey. The said levies to be raised by voluntary enlistments, on or before the fifteenth of May next, and if not then completed the deficiency to be made up by drafts from the militia. It has been thought proper to avoid raising any of the levies upon the frontiers, reserving the militia of Kentucky, and the other counties for the desultory operations, and for any exigencies which may arise. These are the general out lines of the measures to be pursued, and which are committed to your excellency in confidence. For more particular information, I take the liberty of referring to the President of the United States, who will shortly be at Richmond. I have the honor to be with great respect Your excellency's most obedient Servant, H Knox Sec of War [His excellency the governor of Virginia]