[Major Bedinger / Col 22 May 179[undecipherable] / [undecipherable] forwarded] [15] Col Samuel Hodgdon Philadelphia [Col] Shepherds Town May 3. 179[undecipherable] Sir Your letter of 20^th Ult did not arrive untill the Evening of the 3^d Inst. — I had the good fortune immediately, to meet with Two Teams, on whom I could depend that will carry the Tents to Pittsburg — The quantity required to be brought in will weigh about 38 or 39 Cwt, and as I could not prevail with Them to Carry 40, they will [strikethrough: find] make up the balance of the load (say about 5 to 6 [undecipherable] at least poles, unless some fortunate occurrence should prevent, by some persons wishing to have a few Hundred weight, carried out from this place, (and thereby Save the addition of the full poles) These Teams will be ready to Set out on monday next the 7 Inst — (and will detch Pittsburg about the 22) as soon as they Set out I will [strikethrough: inform] inform you. The particular weight carried. The Waggoner would not Consent to receive them here at Pittsburg, have therefore engaged to pay them on their return at the rate of 7 [undecipherable] 5 [undecipherable] for carriage. that being the lowest I could obtain /. And to Commence them from the 10^th [undecipherable] on account, (which from you were pleased [undecipherable]) [undecipherable] next past) and on the Waggoners return will forward the Vouchers of the expenses, as will be Satisfactory to you — You did not mention on yours, to whom these Stores are to be delivered at Pittsburg, but [undecipherable] Maj [undecipherable] soon on board, I shall request the Waggoners to obtain the receipt, for the Same — Maj Gen[undecipherable] Langham will return from there, how soon no [undecipherable] — I have promised to act. in the [undecipherable] half to that [undecipherable], any (order respecting the Stores have too to any this [undecipherable] prompt on which I can be [undecipherable]) shall be obeyd with alacrity — But I cannot omit mentioning that [the?] [L]ingham has determined Shortly to leave this place (and reside in the Scotch Country. That he has Signified his intentions to the Hon^ble the Secretary of War (and that he has recommended me, as his Successor — That this being Known has raised up, a Number of [underline: Competitors], Some of whom no doubt, will use some [underline: art] (and considerable [underline: industry], to Supersede. Under these Circumstances, a word from yourself, to the Secretary of [War], (with whom I have many years lived in the Habits of Friendship), in my favor, would probably greatly favor me, (and will in any event be gratefully acknowledged — by Sir your Obt Serv^t Henry Bedinger [Col Sam. A Hodgdon]