"We thus lived in want and perfect idleness for years: tho sometimes
if Books could be obtained we made out to read: if paper, pen, and ink
could be had we wrote. Also to prevent becoming too feeble we
exercised our bodies by playing fives, throwing long bullets,
wrestling, running, jumping, and other athletick exercises, in all of
which your Father fully participated. Being all nearly on the same
footing as to Clothing and pocket money (that is we seldom had any of
the latter) we lived on an equality.

"In the fall of 1777 the Brittish Commander was informed a plan was
forming by a party of Americans to pass over to Long Island and sweep
us off, release us from captivity. There were then on the Island about
three hundred American officers prisoners. We were of course ordered
off immediately, and placed on board of two large transports in the
North River, as prison ships, where we remained but about 18 days, but
it being Very Cold, and we Confined between decks, the Steam and
breath of 150 men soon gave us Coughs, then fevers, and had we not
been removed back to our billets I believe One half would have died in
six weeks. This is all the imprisonment your----"

The rest of this valuable letter has been, most unfortunately lost,
or possibly it was never completed.

We have given a great deal of it because of its graphic description of
the men who were captured at Fort Washington, and of the battle
itself. Major Bedinger was a dignified, well-to-do, country gentleman;
honored and respected by all who knew him, and of unimpeachable
veracity.