On the 15th a corporal and four privates, while herding our cattle, were fired on, the Senecas killing and scalping one and wounding another.

On the 16th came a runner from Clinton with news that the Otsego army was on the march and not very far distant from the Ouleout; and a detachment of eight hundred men, under Brigadier General Poor, was sent forward to meet our Right Wing and escort it back to this camp.
By one of the escort, a drummer lad, I sent a letter directed to Lois, hoping it might be relayed to Otsego and from thence by batteau to Albany.

The Oneida runner had brought no letters, much to the disgust of the army, and no despatches except the brief line to our General commanding.

The Brigadiers were furious.

So also was I that no letters came for me.
On the 17th our soldier-herdsmen were again fired on, and, as before, one poor fellow was killed and partly scalped, and one wounded.