From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Gouvion, 24 October 1779
To Lieutenant Colonel Gouvion
Head Quarters West Point 24 Octobe[r] 1779
Dear Sir
As some small works will be necessary to secure the communication of Kings ferry,1 I shall be glad to2 have your opinion upon the subject. Be pleased therefore to return to Head Quarters after you have left the proper instructions for making Fascines with General Howes division.3 I am Dear Sir Yrs &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. The British recently had evacuated Stony Point and Verplanck Point, N.Y., the two terminals of King’s Ferry (see GW to Horatio Gates, 22 Oct., and n.7). For construction of the desired works, see GW to Anthony Wayne and to William Woodford, both 26 Oct.; GW to Richard Claiborne, to Gouvion, and to Samuel Holden Parsons or Officer Commanding the Connecticut Division at Haverstraw, N.Y., all 21 Nov.; and GW to William Heath, 27 Nov. (first letter); see also Heath to GW, 31 Oct. and 27 December.
2. GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder Meade inserted this word above the line on the draft.