To George Washington from Colonel James Mitchell Varnum, 5 December 1775
From Colonel James Mitchell Varnum
Prospect Hill, 5 December 1775. Informs GW that Private Ralph Morgan of his regiment “hath a Wife and two Children destitute of an House to cover them, & his Household Furniture in the Streets.” Morgan wants an eight-day furlough, “But, as that Regard which the Colo. is happy in paying to General Orders will not admit of a regimental Relief (Morgan declining the Service), begs his Excellency’s Commiseration for the Poor Man.”1
AD, DLC:GW. Robert Hanson Harrison endorsed this document: “Ralph Morgan Order to Col. Varnum to discharge him 5 Decr 75.”
1. For GW’s orders forbidding furloughs for men who had not reenlisted, see General Orders, 17 Nov. 1775.