In my march towards Reedy river about a mile to the westward of Salisbury, I was met by an express with dispatches from Mr Stuart dated Hard Labor 14th inst. You will see by the inclosed letter I had dispatched a messenger the 20th from Salisbury: This express was so fortunate as to meet Mr Stuart's dispatch thirty miles from the above town. As Mr Stuart desires I would communicate my instructions to you, I am to acquaint you I shall proceed without delay as far as Love's Ford, and shall then take the nearest and best road to Reedy river therefore desire you will inform the Indian Chiefs I wish they would meet me only one days march from Reedy river, I shall halt twenty five miles from Salisbury this evening, and imagine I shall march upon a medium twenty miles
a day sundays excepted; This information will enable you to give a tolerable near guess at the time we shall be with the Indians, Mr Stuart acquaints me also the Indians will be more than twenty in number This fact makes it necessary you should inform them they must depend upon their own industry for subsistance as the provisions procured for the escort that attends the service will be but little more than sufficient for the support of the escort I have satisfied Mr Stuart's express for his charges to Salisbury