Washington, George (1732-1799) [Orders to submit a regimental return]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01205.04 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Morris Town, New Jersey Type: Manuscript document Date: [12 March 1777] Pagination: 1 p. ; 31.2 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy
A working draft of a clerical copy of a circular letter from George Washington. These, or comparable, orders were given by George Washington on 12 March 1777 to various colonels of the Continental Army. (See Fitzpatrick and the GW Papers at the Library of Congress for numerous examples, which demonstrate slightly varied wording.) Instructs recipient to "march all the Recruits you have to Philadelphia, where they will be inoculated and receive farther Orders from the Commanding officers of that City ... Every Commanding officer should know where his inferior officers, and these where their Recruits are; and shou'd be able to collect them in the most expeditious manner. You and the Major must come on with the Regiment, leaving behind a sufficient number of proper officers to carry on the recruiting Service." Possibly a clerical copy related to GLC01205.03.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Sir
You are hereby directed immediately to send me an exact Return of the State of your Regiment; and to march all the Recruits you have to Philadelphia, where they will be inoculated and receive farther Orders from the Commanding Officer in that City. No pleas for delay drawn from the dispursion of Officers and Men, can be admitted. Every Commanding Officer shou'd know where his inferior Officers, and these where their Recruits are; and shou'd be able to collect them in the most expeditious manner -
You and the Major must come on with the Regiment, leaving behind a sufficient Number of proper Officers to carry on the recruiting Service; Also the Lieut. Colonel to direct and hurry them on as fast as they get the Complement of Men respectively assigned to them -
I am Sir
Your mo: hble Servt
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