.ODQ.MjA0OTY
<html>To the citizens of James City, York, & Warwick Counties
For the defence of the approaches to
the Capital of the State from Fortress Monroe
consideraable amount of labor is required
immediately. More especially for the
country between Williamsburg, Yorktown, & the
[James?] wharf. Citizens of these counties
living above the line from Yorktown to the
[James?] are required to send by the 1st of
next week the full quota that
can be offered from their [farms?]. The
civil officers will notify the able bodied free
negores within the above limits that they are
to assist in these works of defense and
that a failure to attend will be visited by
a severe penalty. Spades, & hoes, will be
wanted - weeding, hilling, & grubbing hoes - and
a few axes. About 25 are needed [today?] with
(for the [?] part) axes. They are to
report to Captains Meade, [?] or to
Mr. [Swed?] - just below Williamsburg.
Benj. S. Ewell
Lt. Col. Va. Volunteers.
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