Washington, George (1732-1799) to Col. Daniel Brodhead re: court martials and war news
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02867.03 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Near Passaic Falls, [New Jersey] Type: Letter signed Date: 1780/10/13 Pagination: 3 p. + FF 34 x 21 cm Order a Copy
In addition to discussing the court martials of Capt Thomas Beal, Peter Davis and David Gamble, Washington also mentions his hopes to attack Detroit, thoughts on Virginia and his need for provisions.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Dear Sir
Your favors of the 18th: and 21st: of August reached my hands a few days before I set out for Har[t]ford to meet the French Admiral and General. This has occasioned their remaining unanswered to this time. I have approved the sentences of the Court Martial against Captn. Beal [sic] - Peter Davis of the 9th: Virginia and David Gamble of the 8th: Penn Regiment - Gamble appearing to me the most proper object for an example, I have directed his execution. The time and place is left to your option. The Adjutant General transmits you the extract from General Orders respecting the above. -
I am sorry that I cannot, considering the former good character of Capt. Beal, comply with the recommendation of the Court in his favor. The circumstance of his receiving the Grain and Rifle Gun for transferring McCloud to another Corps is so inconsistent with the Character of an Officer, that I cannot, with any degree of propriety, reinstate him.
I return you part of the proceedings of a Court Martial upon John Gosset of the 9th: Virginia Regt. I imagine the remainder has been left out when your packet was made up -
[2] The want of provision is a clog to our operations in every quarter: We have several times, in the course of this Campaign, been without either Bread or Meat, and have never had more than four or five days beforehand. The smallness of your force will not admit of an expedition of any consequence, had you Magazines: you must therefore; of necessity, confine yourself to partizan strokes, which I wish to see encouraged.
The State of Virginia are very desirous of an expedition against Detroit, and would make great exertions to carry it into execution. But, while the enemy are so formidable to the southward, and are making such strides in that quarter, I fear it will require a greater force of Men and supplies to check them than we, since the defeat near Camden, shall be able shortly to draw together.
I am Dear Sir
Your most obt. Servt.
Go: Washington
Col. Brodhead
Colo. Brodhead
[3]P.S. Since writing the foregoing I have received your favors of the 5th: 14th: and 17th: Septemr. Your distress for provision, considering the distance you are from supplies and the approach of Winter is very alarming, and I shall therefore take the earliest oppurtunity of laying before Congress the situation of the Garrison, and the necessity which there seems to be of furnishing the department with more certain means of procuring provisions, than a bare dependance upon the requisitions made from the States. Necessity must in the mean time justify the measure of taking by impress what the inhabitants can spare.
When the Court Martial have finished the business before them, it may be dissolved. -
With free frank "on public service," signed "Go: Washington".
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