From George Washington to Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 5 March 1779
To Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh
Head Quarters Middle Brook 5th March 1779
Dear Sir
The prest of Congress a few days ago transmitted me a Resolve, of which the inclosed, is Copy by which they have directed me to appoint an Officer to succeed you in the command to the Westward, you having requested to be releived from that duty1—I have in obedience thereto directed Colo. Brodhead to take the command, and have desired him to make application to you for a communication of all matters respecting the department, and particularly of the Steps and measures which you may have taken in consequence of my letters of the 31st January and 15th February last. I have inclosed Copies of those letters which you will be pleased to deliver to Colo. Broadhead, with that directed to him2—Should he not be at Fort Pitt when this reaches you, you are to forward the letter to him wherever he may be by a special and trusty messenger, as not a moments time is to be lost. Should he be absent I shall depend upon your going on with the preparations and making the enquiries pointed out in my letters untill the time that you give up the command to him. After that is done I shall be happy to see you as soon as convenient at Head Quarters.3 I am with great Regard Dear Sir Yr &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
GW’s assistant secretary James McHenry wrote a letter from Middlebrook on 6 March to John Mitchell, assistant deputy quartermaster general, that reads: “You will be pleased to employ a trusty messenger for the conveyance of the inclosed packet to General McIntosh at Fort Pitt—It is of much consequence—and besides should be sent forward with as much expedition as possible. This, perhaps will be best effected by one person provided he is faithful & can have a change of horses” (DLC:GW).
1. GW is referring to John Jay’s letter to him of 22 Feb. and an accompanying copy of a congressional resolution adopted on 20 Feb. concerning McIntosh. The copy of that resolution enclosed with this letter to McIntosh has not been identified, but see , 13:213–14.
2. See GW to Daniel Brodhead, this date. The enclosed copies of GW’s letters to McIntosh of 31 Jan. and 15 Feb. have not been found.
3. McIntosh reached GW’s camp at Middlebrook by early May (see McIntosh to GW, 3 May, DLC:GW, and GW’s first letter to John Jay of 11 May, DNA:PCC, item 152).