Feby 20 1799 Capt Littlefield Confidential Sir I have the honor to enclose you a return of [illegible] for the month of Jany 1799: since which Daniel Coolbrath has joined. He, Coolbraith, deserted from my company in the summer of 96. has lately been apprehended by David Hale at Portland and forwarded to me by Captn Gates of Boston.
As his crime is capital and merits the sentence of a General Court Martial, I will thank you Sir, for orders respecting him - John Doyle, a deserter from Fort Mifflin is here also. In a country like this where every man is, in a degree, acquainted with the Laws and all extremely tenacious of their rights, I have in many instances omitted punishment when it was justly due for the want of a Court Martial. Least any misrepresentation should be made I will take the liberty to inform you that I lately detected a sentinel sleeping on his post and drunk. I ordered him to the Guard House and when sober had fifty [lashes] laid upon his naked back. This is the only instance where prompt punishment has been indispensible.
Signed Wm Littlefield Corp Commdr