To George Washington from Richard Peters, 28 July 1778
From Richard Peters
War Office [Philadelphia] July 28th 1778
Sir
Col. Nicola complains that altho’ his Corps might be exceedingly useful in Garrison were he enabled by its Numbers to turn out sufficient Guards yet from the great Inattention of the Officers commanding Regiments or Corps in Camp who repeatedly give Discharges from the Service to Men very capable of Duty in the Invalid Regiment his Number is now very small. I am therefore to request your Excellency will be pleased to remind the Officers under your Command of the Regulations on which Col. Nicola’s Corps is established1 & to direct them to assist in encreasing its Numbers not only by not discharging Men fit for Garrison Duty but by taking proper Measures to have them conveyed to Philada there to join the invalid Regiment.2 Officers at Hospitals should be particularly attentive to this Matter. I have the Honour to be with great Respect Your very obedt Servt
Richard Peters
If Col. Nicola’s Regiment was full there would be no Necessity of detaining Troops in this Town for Garrison Duty who are capable of doing Service in the Field.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Peters was probably referring to Congress’s resolution of 26 Aug. 1776 (, 5:705).
2. GW addressed this issue in the general orders of 4 August.