From George Washington to Officer Commanding Pulaski’s Corps, 16 December 1778
To Officer Commanding Pulaski’s Corps1
Head Quarters Middle Brook [N.J.] 16th Decemr 1778
Sir
I am informed by the Qr Mr General that you have returned to Easton with the Horse of Count Pulaski’s and Colo. Armands Corps, not being able to procure Forage at Minisink or in that Neighbourhood. It will not be possible for you to remain at Easton without the greatest inconvenience to the service, as you must consume that Forage which is necessary for the Teams upon the communication and a great deal of that which is intended for this Camp. Colo. Hooper the Dy Qr Mr Genl has directions to canton the Horse under your command in such places as he shall find least liable to the objections above mentioned, you will therefore be directed intirely by him and remove to such place as he shall point out. That no more Forage may be consumed than is absolutely necessary you are to divest yourself of all supernumerary Waggon and Baggage Horses and of all Dragoon Horses unfit for service, which are to be Delivered up to Colo. Hooper who will dispose of them in a proper manner. You are to take particular care that the Officers attend to their Men and Horses that they may be kept in good order and ready to be collected for service at a Moments warning. I am &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
GW’s aide Tench Tilghman wrote to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene from headquarters on 15 Dec.: “His Excellency is not a little surprized to hear that Count Pulaski’s legion has got back to Easton, from whence he will remove them the moment he knows where to send them. Colo. Moylans Regiment is certainly to remain at Lancaster so they cannot go there, and it will not do to send them to Frederick town upon the chance of that place being vacant. If there is a possibility of subsisting them at or near the Minisink His Excellency would order them back, he thinks their coming down is only a pretence to get into more comfortable quarters. Be pleased to enquire of Colo. Biddle whether he has had any representation of the state of Forage in that Country. If he is of opinion that they really cannot be subsisted there, let him name any place where there are no Horse at present and they shall be instantly ordered thither” (PHi: Washington-Biddle Correspondence).
1. The commanding officer of the corps at this time, when Pulaski was absent in Philadelphia, may have been Col. Michael de Kowats.