To George Washington from Captain Josiah Stoddard, 14 January 1779
From Captain Josiah Stoddard
Durham [Conn.] January 14th 1779.
Sir
It was my fortune by the Severity of the Service in the fall of 76 to contract a disorder of the Lungs, by which means, have been since troubled with an Obstinate hoarsness, and frequently a Slow fever, which, tho’ it has seldom prevented my doing duty, has still marr’d half the pleasure of Life & by regress sapped the vitals of my health.
I therefore beg leave to inform Your Excellency that a Number of Gentlemen of Estimation among the faculty of the Army, have given it, as their Opinion, that, for the first & most probable means of reestablishing my health I must make a Voyage to a warmer Climate & more Salubrious Air—My request is therefore that Your Excellency wou’d please to indulge me with leave of Absence from my Regiment while the proposed Voyage is made.1
I have Montpellier in the South of france in View long since the Resort of pulmonic invalids—Your Excellency will perceive that I expect to be indulgd in holding my present Rank during my Absence.
After a young fellow of good prospects in Life has Sacraficed business health & time in public Service, & no longer Able to perform the duties of his office to be Absolutely compelled to die on his post or resign his Commission is being reduced to an alternative in every Sense unjust and a predicament in which no wise man wou’d wish to be caught—During my Absence I will make the Lieutenants pay, whose promotion might be expedited by my Resignation, equal to a Captains.
Hope I may also mention without the imputation of Vanity that I have been Actively engaged in the Service, war Since the Surprise of Ticonderoga in May 75 of which Expedition I had the honour of being one of the Directors—And Since the raising of this Regiment have never left it at all except on public Duty. Every public demand against me is satisfied and nothing is wanting, but your Excellencies Approbation which if I have the happiness To Obtain shall sieze the favourable Opportunity, which now offers, of going with a french Gentn of family & fortune from <whose> friendship have every thing to expect. Flatter myself, shall be favourd with An Answer as soon as convenient.2 I have the Honour to Remain with the greatest Respect your Excellencies most Obed. and humble Servant
Josiah Stoddard Capt.
2d Light Dragoons
LS, DNA:PCC, item 152; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169.
1. Surgeon John Homans of the 2d Continental Light Dragoons wrote to GW on 12 Jan. from Durham, Conn.: “ ’Tis now two Years since I was first acquainted with Capt. Stoddard of our Regt during which time, he has often been much afflicted with a Cough & obstructions on his Lungs, contracted in the Campaign of ’76; He has tryed almost every reputable expedient, whether of Diet, Exercise or Phisick; It is however obstinate, and yields not to any thing hitherto attempted—After consulting higher experience, than my own, I am fully convinced, that a voyage to a Warmer Climate is allmost the only probable chance left him of regaining his health—He has been confined to his Room, ’till within a few days, since we arrived at Winter Quarters—a few more such turns will probably prove fatal—I therefore beg leave, as much to fulfill my duty, as to comply with the request of Capt. Stoddard to recommend him to your Excellency for leave of absence from the Regt while he is making the necessary Voyage” (DNA:PCC, item 152).
Surgeon Darius Stoddard wrote to GW on this date from Durham: “I have been acquainted and well observed the complaint of a disorder seated in Captain Stoddards Lungs—A variety of means have been attempted for its removal without much Affect; it is my Opinion, as well as of the experienced of the faculty in the Army that a voyage to a warmer climate is indispensable to the recovery of his health—with a view to which beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency for leave of absence” (DNA: RG 360).
2. GW replied to Stoddard on 27 Jan., the same day that Congress granted his request for a furlough (, 13:117).