To George Washington from Major General Arthur St. Clair, 13 July 1779
From Major General Arthur St. Clair
Smiths Clove [N.Y.] July 13th 1779
Sir
Colonell Craig waits upon your Excellency to solicit leave of Absence for some Time for the Recovery of his Health—He has been for a considerable Time afflicted with the Scurvy and the Physicians advise him to go to the warm Springs in Virginia1 and he has requested me to signify to Your Excellency my Approbation of his Application. I cannot have any Objection to it as I am certain nothing but Necessity would oblige him to make it at this time.2 I have the Honour to be Sir Your Excellencys most obedient Servant
Ar. St Clair
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. St. Clair could be referring to Warm Springs then in Frederick County, or Warm Springs, also known as Little Hot Springs, then in Augusta County.
2. It is unlikely that Col. Thomas Craig of the 3d Pennsylvania Regiment traveled on leave to Virginia for his health because he served as president of a division court-martial on 23 Aug. (see General Orders, 10 Oct.).