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The pay heretofore allowed to Mounted
Volunteers (altho as much as could be expected)
is not an Object to real Rifle men, from
the scattered like action of our settlements as
sufficient of such men can only be
drawn out by calling into service a greater
proportion of Officers of every rank; at
present they are too few by one half, I will [venture?]
to say the the Example of a number
of influential Officers going forward
on any Expedition from this Country is
the best and only inducement than can
procure a sufficient body of good Rifle
Men able to cope with them Indians
in the field.

I have the Honour to be with
Very great respect
Your Most [?]
Isaac Shelby

The Honble
Major General Knox
Secretary at [?]