From George Washington to Captain Benjamin Tallmadge, 1 March 1777
To Captain Benjamin Tallmadge
Head Quarters Morris Town 1st March 1777
Sir
In answer to yours of the 20th last Month1 I must inform you, that the Order respecting the Colour of Horses, particularly excepted to Whites or those near White, as being too conspicuous for the purpose of reconnoitering, for which the Light Horse will be much used.
I would not wish to have even dark Greys, if others equally good could be got, but if they cannot, you may purchase them, and when they change Colour by Age, we must put them to other Uses in the Army. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS (photocopy), in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW, ser. 9; LS, sold by Sotheby, Parke-Bernet, New York, item 213, 27 Jan. 1977; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Tallmadge’s letter to GW of 20 Feb. 1777 has not been found.