Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Washington, George (1732-1799) to Anthony Walton White

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04859 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Wilmington, Delaware Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 1 August 1777 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 21.6 x 25.1 cm. Order a Copy

Washington writes that the recipient should scrutinize the characters of his men and immediately dismount any suspicious ones since "the loss of a worthless soldier will occasion less regret when it is not accompanied with that of a Horse and Accoutrements." Written in response to the disappearance of a horse from White's unit.

Anthony Walton White was the lieutenant-colonel of the fourth regiment of light dragoons in the Continental army, and had previously served as an aide-de-camp for George Washington.

Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Head Quarters Wilmington
1 August 1777.
Sir
A Letter just received from Brigadier General Maxwell informs me of the desertion of one of your light horse - this disagreeable Circumstance will naturally put you upon your guard; but I desire that you will farther make very particular Scrutiny into the Characters of your men and if you shall find any more suspicious ones among them, that you will immediately dismount them and order them to Head Quarters - the loss of a worthless soldier will occasion less regret, when it is not accompanied with that of a Horse and Accoutrements.
[text loss]am Sir
Your most obedt hble Servt.
Go: Washington

Lieut. Collo. White

[docket]
Letters from his Excellency Genl. Washington
[struck: illegible]
July 1840 from Dr. Sprague who had access to Washington's papers

Washington, George, 1732-1799
White, Anthony Walton, 1750-1803

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