[C. P. 58. To Major Gen'l Knox Secretary of War] Hobson's Choice 9. May 1793.— Sir, I have the honor to announce to you our safe arrival at this place on the 5^th instant after a passage of six days without a single accident.— We are now Encamped a mile below Fort Washington on the margin of the river with a wide swamp in our front and the Ohio in our rear; there is no good ground for manoeuvre or encampment in the neighbourhood of Fort Washington; add to this, that the village of Cincinnati is directly upon our right flank, filled with ardent poison and caitiff wretches to dispose of it!— In fact, there is no ground between the two Miamis in the vicinity of the Ohio suitable for an Encampment; except near some dirty village; I have therefore called this place [underline: Hobson's Choice].— I now anxiously wait the arrival of Major Hughes with the old Garrisons of Forts Franklin, Fayette and Cusawaga; by whom I hope to receive permission to take such position or positions as will enable me to make the necessary arrangements for effectual operation, which with all our industry will be a work of time fatigue and difficulty.— nor is the difference in the price of the ration to be put in competition with the certain advantage or disadvantage that may eventually result from making the deposits in time or, neglecting that essential business until the moment of operation.— I must also beg leave to bring to your recollection the deposits of provision — ordered to be laid in at the advanced Posts.— Query! what is to become of that provision if we are not to advance to use it.— Enclosed is a copy of a letter of the 8^th instant from Gen'l Wilkinson which will give you every information worth communicating.— his attention to the discipline of his troops and to the various objects of his command bespeaks the Officer and merits my highest approbation: Let me now pray you to give the necessary orders for forwarding every species of stores & clothing without one moments delay; for I dread the low state of the waters of the Ohio much more than. I do the prowess and number of the Indians.— The troops I brought with me are totally destitute of summer and almost of any kind of winter clothing; the far greater part of them having been in service from 12. to 15. months with but one compleat suit: nor is it to be expected that raw recruits under young and inexperienced officers can take equal care of their clothing the first years that old soldiers from time and experience are taught to do: add to this — their exposed situation and fatigue in hutting during the inclemency of the winter, and they have scarcely preserved them beyond expectation.— Its an old observation— and it is a very just one— that it requires three years for a soldier to learns to live upon his ration and take proper care of his arms & clothing. I am however happy to have it in my power to declare that both Officers & soldiers have acquired a greater degree of military knowledge in the course of a few months, than I ever saw acquired in twice the time by any soldiers during the late war.— how they will behave in action is yet to be determined; a very great proportion of them are certainly good marksmen; and they perform the different evolutions with a velocity seldom practised or excelled.— I am also endeavoring to make the Riflemen believe in that arm, the infantry in heavy buckshot & the bayonet, the Dragoons in the sword and the Legion in its united prowess!— I have the honor to be with true esteem your most obed'l & very hum'l Serv't the Hon'l Maj. Gen'l Knox Sec'y of War. Wayne