Washington praises the improvements and compliments Lansdale and his men on their efforts. "... I anticipate the day when the detachments will rival if not surpass in excellence the oldest & best troops in the American service." Both letters appear in J. C. Fitzpatrick, The writings of George Washington, v. 26. The second, however, is published from a draft in the writing of David Humphreys. Lansdale was an original member of the Maryland Society of the Cincinnati. In 1782, a detachment of new Maryland recruits under the command of Major Lansdale served with the Main Army -- see Robert K. Wright. The Continental Army, p. 176 note 51. They remained at Newburgh until June, 1783, when they were ordered home -- see J. C. Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington, v. 26, p. 470. The second letter with integral address leaf. Watermark: C Taylor ; countermark, Britannia. See T. Gravell, Foreign watermarks, #677. Both letters silked. Gift of Evelyn Lansdale Wildman and Clare Lansdale Johnston, through the agency of their father, Philip Moylan Lansdale, a member of the Maryland Society of the Cincinnati