From George Washington to Colonel Otho Holland Williams, 11 June 1779
To Colonel Otho Holland Williams
Smiths Clove [N.Y.] June 11th 1779
Sir
I have just received your favor of this date, and for the reasons you offer for continuing the detachment a longer time than was intended I shall readily consent to it—but instead of its drawing provision from the Fort, I shall direct the Commissay here, to afford the necessary supply; and you may depend on having it with you in proper time1—I inclose you a letter written yesterday, which you will communicate as well as yr instructions to the Officer who may relieve you.2 Yrs &c.
G. W——
Df, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See General Orders, this date and 13 June.
2. At this place on the draft manuscript, Meade wrote and then struck out: “approving of the steps you have taken & relying on yr judgment.”
For GW’s instructions to Williams, see his letter to that officer of 9 June. For the enclosure, almost certainly a letter from GW to Williams of this date, rather than 10 June, with directions on how to communicate intelligence, see the same letter, n.3.
A letter from GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton to Williams, written at headquarters, presumably Smiths Clove, and dated “Six oClock” on 12 June, reads: “The Genl sends you four fresh horsemen to enable you to transmit him intelligence—The General will take the road you marched to your quarters.
“Mind your eye my boy, and if you have an opportunity, fight damned hard!” (PHi: Dreer Collection). An undated note at the bottom of this letter, obviously written much later, in part reads: “It was sent by General Hamilton … inclosi[n]g the letter from General W. of 11th June dated 1779.”