From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 September 1779
To Major General Stirling
Hd Qrs [West Point] Sept. 1st 1779
Sir,
Genl Greene has represented to me the bad state of the road leading from new Windsor to Easton and the delays occasioned in consequence of it—to the transportation of our provisions1—The number of men necessary to be employed immediately in this service is 100; one half to begin at Sussex court house, & repair to Easton—the other from New Windsor to the former place—As we obtain our supplies by this upper route, and a delay in their coming on may be attended with disagreeable consequences, I am to request you will impress the commanding Officer of each party, with the absolute necessity, of doing the business in the most effectual manner. yrs Dr [Sir]
G. W——n
P.s. on a supposition that the Delaware battalion was still at Middle Brook I had given orders to Col. Hall who commands it to go on this duty,2 but as I find he had left that place, I thought proper to give the above orders—Yet should Col. Hall have gone on the business he may proceed, and it will be unnecessary for you to send the party.
Df, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The draft is docketed: “to Lord Stirling or Officer command⟨ing⟩ his Division.”
On this date, GW’s aide Richard Kidder Meade wrote to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene from headquarters: “I am directed to inform you that on hearing Col. Halls regt was near slotes His Excellency wrote to Lord Stirling desiring him to furnish immediately two parties of 50 men each, the one to begin the repair of the road from Sussex court House to Easton the other from New Windsor to the former place; this step was taken from an apprehension that your letter might escape Col. Hall, and from the importance of entering upon the business without delay. particular orders were given to do the business effectually—If on the present plan your directions respecting to[o]ls should be necessary you will be plea[s]ed to give them. In the letter to his Lordship it was mentioned, that in case Col. Hall should have proceeded on this duty it would be unnecessary for him to send the two partys” (DLC:GW).
1. See GW to Greene, 31 Aug. (first letter).