AS to Sir William Erskine, complaining of the savage cruelty of the British troops.
Sir,
It is told us, that Sir William Erskine commanded the British troops covering the foraging party at Drake's Farm, on Saturday of the first instant.
Is it possible that a gentleman an officer so eminently distinguished for his bravery and experience! Should allow the troops under his command to murder the wounded after the manner of savages! Until this time, it was universally allowed that humanity was a certain concomitant of valour. It now appear that Britons, unhappily divested of many excellent qualities peculiar to their ancestors, are become strangers to humanity, and deaf to the entreaties of the brave, after the misfortune of having fallen wounded into their power. Mr. Kelly, a brave officer in my brigade, and five other Virginians, slightly wounded in the muscular parts, were murdered, had their bodies mangled, and their brains beat out, by the troops of his Britannic Majesty, on Saturday the first instant.
The cruelties exercised on the worthy General Mercer, near to Princeton, on the third of January, were equally barbarous. It gives pain to a generous mind, Sir William to see you tarnish the laurels so honourably obtained last war, by permitting such savage barbarity in the troops under your command. Such conduct, Sir, will inspire the Americans with a hatred to Britons, or the least connexion with them.
I can assure you, Sir, that the savages, after General Braddock's defeat, notwithstanding the great influence of the French over them, could not be prevailed upon to butcher the wounded in the manner your troops have done, until they were first made drunk. I do not know, Sir William that your troops gave you that trouble. So far does the British cruelty, now a days, surpasses that of the savages.
In spite of all the British agents sent amongst the different nations, we have beat the Indians into good humour, and they offer their service. It is their custom, in war, to scalp, take out the hearts, and mangle the bodies of their enemies. This is shocking to the humanity to the white inhabitants of America. However, if the British officers do not restrain their soldiers from glutting their cruelties with the wanton destruction of the wounded, the United States, contrary to their natural disposition, will be compelled to employ a body of ferocious savages, who can, with an unrelenting heart, eat the flesh, and drink the blood of their enemies. I well remember, that in the year 1763, Lieutenant Gordon of the Royal Americans, and eight more of the British soldiers, were roasted alive, and eaten up by the fierce savages, that now offer their services.
The Americans have hitherto treated the wounded and prisoners of the British troops with that civility and tenderness natural to a brave and generous people; but should the inhuman cruelty of your men compel the American army to retaliate, let it be remembered that the British officers stand answerable to the world, and to posterity, for the many dreadful consequences.
I am, Sir, with due respect, Your most humble servant,
Adam Stephen B.G. United States

Erskine to AS
February 10, 1777
Brunswick, NJ
Sir,
I received your letter of the 4th instant, and am extremely obliged to you for the good opinions you seem to have had of my past character, but as much hurt at the unmerited charge you lay against me at the present.
It is unnecessary for me to answer minutely every paragraph of your letter, which is wrote in a style and language I have not been accustomed to. I only beg leave to inform you that I never countenanced an act of barbarity in my life time, nor can I think any Gentleman in the British service equal to it. We, on the contary, wish to treat prisoners with lenity, and to take all possible care of the wounded that fall into our hands, as humanity will always meet with the approbation of every officer in the army.
However, I may mention, that it is not to be wondered at if our soldiers are a little exasperated, considering the many cruelties that have been of late commited on them and their officers, even unarmed, passing singly from quarter to quarter.
I am, Sir, with respect, Your most obedient and humble servant,
William Erskine, Brigadier and Q.M.G.

NOTE in the Virginia Gazette: Several officers in the rear of an escort were surprised by a party of the militia, and surrendered to them, but soon after clapped spurs to their horses and fled; upon which the militia fired immediately, and killed three of them, amongst whom was Major Phillips. This is the cruelty alluded to in Sir William's letter.

General Washington mentioned the incident to William Livingston writing from his headquarters
Feb. 14th, 1777
Morris Town,N.J. Morris Town Sir, Morris Town Your two favours of the 6th and 10th inst. I had the honour to receive this Evening-Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to have it in my Power fully to comply with the request contained in the former. The first question proposed is easily solved by a sight of emaciated bodies of all our Prisoners when they have returned - The second admits of quality Proof, as well in the fate of Lieutt, Yates of the 1st Virginia Batn Who was butchered by a British soldier at his deposition, a Copy of which I take the liberty of inclosing You, as in that of Capt. Neill, which Col. Flowers, now at Philadelphia, can inform you of; and also of Adjutant Kelly of the 5th Virginia Batn who experienced the same degree of Brutality in the Action of the 17th Ulto. This last became the subject of a Letter from Genl Stephen to Sir Wm Erskine (who it is said commanded the party) a Copy of which with the Answer, and necessary Affadavits I will transmit to you, so soon as Genl Stephen, to whom I have wrote on the subject, furnish me with them-. . .