From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 December 1779
To Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
Head Quarters Morristown 20th Decr 1779.
Dr Sir
I have been favored with your letter of the 18th.
Of the objects that claim the enemy’s attention it is difficult to determine which is their choice. Should circumstances prevent them making detatchments, or from the prosecution of any remote enterprise, which they may have designed, and their whole force be thereby detained in this quarter, such an attempt as you have suggested is by no means improbable. The doing of something would become a matter of necessity. It would appear, however, that much of their present seeming embarrassment is owing to the Count De Grasse, with his squadron remaining on our coast.1
I should not have the smallest objection to Major Moore’s continuing with you, did not his duties in the line of the army, as brigade Major, and brigade inspector, render his presence here indispensible. That I may be enabled to complete the field officers in which you are deficient, you will be pleased to return the number wanted, and the lines from which they are to be drawn.
I have directed an equivalent of men from the Maryland troops, for those whose times of service have expired, and have left you. The two Pennsylvania companies may remain in Col. Butlers regiment, where you have placed them, at least for the present.
The shoes have not yet reached us, nor is there a single pair in the store. I am not less anxious than you are, to have the men speedily furnished with this article, and shall give you notice the moment they arrive.2
Our situation with respect to provision, or flour, is no wise preferable to yours. Nothing is left undone to bring forward a proper supply;3 till this can be effected you must eke out your quota with as much parsimony as possible. I am Dr Sir Your obt & hble servt
Go: Washington
LS, in James McHenry’s writing, PHi: Wayne Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. The memoirs of William Smith, royal chief justice of New York, for 17 Dec. indicate that the British recently had learned that no French fleet under Admiral de Grasse remained on the coast. Smith’s memoir reads: “To the Scandal of the Admiral [Arbuthnot] here, this is the first Day of our being ascertained that we have Nothing to fear from the French Fleet. A Pilot was taken off Princes Island [Princess Anne County] in the Chesapeake five or 6 Days ago who says that there is there in York River one 74 and one 64 Gun Ship, and no other Vessel of War; that he piloted them in and learnt that they had 600 sick and wounded. They were strong handed enough to set their Sails; that D’Estainge lost 75 Anchors and Cables on the Coast of Georgia, and ’tis supposed is gone to Europe, with a maimed and sickly Fleet in Want of all Kinds of Supplies” ( [1971], 192).
2. For notice of shoes reaching Wayne’s light infantry command, see GW to Rufus Putnam, this date, n.4; see also Wayne’s first letter to GW, 21 Dec., and n.3 to that document.