Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09364 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Newburgh, New York Type: Manuscript letter Date: 8 March 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 23.5 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
The wives and children of soldiers in the New York Artillery regiment who are living in camp are to be provisioned by the army, in order to make sure they do not leave and take their soldier husbands with them. This provision only applies to women who are already in camp, and not new arrivals. "The number of Women and Children in the New York Regiments of Infantry before the new System of Issues took place obliged me, either to depart from that System and allow them provision or by driving them from the Army risk the loss of a number of Men, who very probably would have followed." Written at "Head Quarters." Washington's signature clipped.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
[draft]
Head Quarters 8th March 1783
Dear Sir
The women of the New York Regt of Artillery have applied to me on the subject of allowing them and their children Provisions-
The number of women & children in the New York Regiments of Infantry before the New System of Issues took place obliged me; either to depart from that System and allow them provision or by driving them from the Army risk the loss of a number of men who very probably would have followed their [text loss]red the former and [text loss]ted that the whole [text loss] children this with [2] Troops, should be allowed to draw as usual-
So far as the artillery Regimt. was under the same circumstances they are entitled to the same indulgence: but as that indulgence was to remedy, and not to create, an evil- I would by no means extend it to women who on the prospect of it, have since been brought into Camp- and I would wish you to see that no such do draw Provisions- I am Dear Sir
Your very Obedient Servt
[signature purloined]
[docket]
from his Ex Genl Washington
8 March 1783
[inserted in a different hand: Signature purloined No 49]
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