American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online

9 1/8 x 9 in., creasing, toning, some separations at creases, wear to edges. Addressed on integral leaf to "Robert Barnett, Lieut. Invalid Regt., Newburgh." 

Arnold writes to Barnett that he is sorry to hear that his health is growing worse. Apparently, Barnett had inquired about a lengthy furlough, and Arnold informs him that furloughs longer than ten or twelve days are not in General Knox's power to give at present. He advises Barnett to "aply [sic] to His Excellency as Leave for a long time cannot be obtained without or from any other person." 

Thomas Arnold was an officer during the Revolutionary War, starting out as a lieutenant in 1776 and being promoted to captain of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment in 1777. He was severely wounded in the leg by a musket ball at the Battle of Monmouth on 28 June 1778, causing his leg to be amputated. As such, Arnold served in the Invalid Corps from 1779-1783. 

Robert Barnett (b. ca 1735) was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of the 5th Continental Infantry on 1 January 1776. That September, he contracted smallpox and scurvy, being confined to quarters until January of 1777 when he was sent home for his illness. In June of 1779, he was transferred to the Invalid Corps, in which capacity he served until the war ended.