From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 17 November 1779
To Major General Nathanael Greene
Head Quarters West Point Novemr 17th 1779
Dear Sir
The following present themselves to me as the most material general directions necessary for you in laying out the intended encampment.1
The Brigades to stand in the following order from the right—if in one line.
Woodfords |
Muhlenbergs |
Smallwoods |
Gist |
Irvine |
Johnson |
Hand |
Maxwell |
Clinton |
Starke |
Parsons |
Huntington |
If the encampment is in two lines, and eight Brigades in the first—they will be Virginia—Maryland—Hand—Maxwell2—Connecticut. The Pennsylvanians—Clinton & Stark3 the 2d—If the ground should more conveniently suit two lines of Six Brigades in each—The Virginians—Maryland & Connecticut will compose the first line—and Pennsylvania—Maxwell—Clinton Hand & Starke the second—to be placed as they are named from the right. If the situation of the ground will admit of neither of the foregoing regulations, you must govern yourself by circumstances—Wood—Water and a view to defence being principally to be considered.4
The lines to be exactly traced out for arranging the Huts—allowing full room for Officers and Soldiers Barracks—The Quarter Masters or superintendants are pointedly to attend to the limits of the ground laid off for their respective Brigades.
The dimensions of the Soldiers Barracks to be given out & not departed from in the least particular, under pain of having those pulled down which differ from the model—I think the form of the Pennsylvania Huts and mode of placing them at rariton last Winter may be established as a model.5
By the inclosed to General Sullivan you will find directions to him to furnish the number of fatigue men, necessary for tracing the Camp, from General Clintons and Hands Brigades, or should you be of opinion that any advantages will result from those two Brigades moving totally down immediately, you will in that case, call for them.6
We yesterday in a manner determined that the Baggage should move by Junes’s & Ringwood & meet the Troops at Pompton7—But I wish to know whether it will affect, your arrangements, should I hereafter determine that the Troops shall fall in with their Baggage at Junes’s.8 I am Dear Sir Yr Most Obet servt
Go: Washingt⟨on⟩
P.s. As soon as you have traced out the ground you will be pleased to give me notice of it.
LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, PPAmP: Nathanael Greene Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW is referring to a winter encampment for the bulk of the Continental army (see Greene to GW, 14 Nov., and n.1 to that document).
2. At this place on the LS, GW struck out “Starke” and wrote “Maxwell” above the line.
3. GW inserted the previous two words above the line on the LS in his own writing.
4. GW’s desired arrangements for the brigades could not be followed at the eventual encampment, Jockey Hollow, just southwest of Morristown, N.J., where the terrain required a more scattered configuration (see GW to Greene, 30 Nov., n.2).
5. For an overview of the winter encampment at Middlebrook, N.J., see General Orders, 6 Feb., source note.
6. The enclosure was a letter from GW to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan written at West Point on this date: “Provided Gen: Greene may have occasion for any parties to assist in making the necessary arrangements for our winter quarters. You will be pleased to give orders for such a number from General Clinton and Hands brigades, as he may apply for. Or should General Greene find any advantage from these two Brigades moving to the ground which may be allotted for their quarters, you will give them instructions for this purpose” (LS, in James McHenry’s writing, NNGL; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS, which is addressed to Sullivan at Pompton, N.J.).
7. While at West Point on 16 Nov., Greene signed orders titled “The Route of the Troops and Baggage to Winter Quarters,” which read: “The Virginia Division to move with their Baggage from Haverstraw by the Road under the Mountain to Suffran, Pompton and Rockaway bridge to Morristown. The Baggage of the Maryland and Pennsylvania Divisions to be sent from West point to New windsor, and from thence by their Waggons by the following Route Viz.: Ringwood, Pompton, and Rockaway bridge to Morristown. The Troops to march through the wood to Haverstraw-iron-work, thence to Suffrans and to Pompton; where they will wait for their Baggage, and proceed to Morristown. The Connecticut Division to cross at Kings ferry and proceed with their baggage by the Road under the Mountain to Suffrans—pompton, and Rockaway bridge to Morristown. The Newyork and General Hand’s Brigades to march from Pompton, and to be furnished with Country teams (If Continental cannot be had) to Morristown, where the Teams will be dismissed. General Poor’s Brigade to march from Pompton, and be provided with Country teams (If Continental cannot be had) by Suffrans, and the Road under the mountain to King’s-ferry, where the Teams will be discharged, and the Brigade pass the Ferry, and be furnished with Teams from Mr Starr Quarter Master at Danbury: and that the Brigade may not be delayed—General Poor will send forward an Officer to Notify Mr Starr of the Number of Teams he will require, and the time they will be wanted at the Ferry, to proceed by the nearest Route to Danbury. The Baggage of the North Carolina Brigade to be sent to New windsor, and from thence, by their Waggons through the Clove to Suffrans, and thence to Paramus—The Troops to go by water to King’s Ferry, and thence to march by Kakiate to Paramus” (DLC:GW).
8. Zebert June kept a tavern at a road intersection above Smiths Clove, N.Y., about twelve miles from the New Jersey border.