From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 31 January 1777
To the Pennsylvania Council of Safety
Head Quarters Morris town 31st Jany 1777
Gentlemen
As the times of a Number of the continental Artillerymen have expired, that department is left very bare. Major Proctor informs me that there are about one hundred and forty of his Corps now doing duty at the Forts upon Delaware, but as there is not the least probability of their being wanted during the Winter Season, I beg you will immediately detatch at least One hundred of those Men, to put themselves under the command of Major proctor. If one hundred men cannot be spared, you will be pleased to send as many as you possibly can.1 I am &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; copy, PHarH: Records of Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary Governments, 1775–90; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Maj. Thomas Proctor also wrote to the Pennsylvania council of safety on this date to urge the council to forward the militia artillery to Morristown: “By some conveyance you will receive a letter from [GW] respecting a draft of Sixty men from the Artillery of your State to be sent as Speedy as possible to Head Quarters at Morristown to Supply the Vacancy’s made by the Militia Artillery, whose Cannon for the want of Men are Almost Useless—Moreover the Artillery men from the Northern department will Continue no longer than 12th February Next, that I conceive there is the greatest Necessity for your Sending such Number of Men as can be Spared for a Season from your Service, to be sent under the Command of Captain Lt [Hercules] Courtnay” (PHarH: Pennsylvania’s Revolutionary Governments, 1775–90).