From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 23 April 1779
To Major General Alexander McDougall
Head Quarters Middle Brook 23d April 1779
Dear Sir
After reading the inclosed be pleased to seal and send it forward to Reading by Express—I have recd another letter from General Maxwell of a later date than that enclosed to General Putnam, in which he says that seven of the nine Regiments were embarked with all their Baggage and the other two expected to embark immediately.1 The transports lye in the North River—I do not think, from the embarkation of Baggage and Stores and some other circumstances, that they have any intent of operating up the River, but I think it prudent to make you acquainted with all movements and appearances below. I am with great Regard Dear Sir Your most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, CSmH; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. McDougall’s docket indicates that he received this letter at 5:00 P.M. on 24 April.
1. See GW to Israel Putnam, this date, and William Maxwell’s two letters to GW of 22 April [1] [2]. The movement presaged a British expedition to Virginia; see Maxwell to GW, 3 May, n.2.