To George Washington from Justin Ely, 9 June 1780
From Justin Ely
Springfield [Mass.] 9th June 1780
Sr
By the inclosed Copy of a Resolve of the General Court of Massachusetts Bay of the fifth Instant your Excellency will see that 3934 Men are ordered to be raised to reinforce the Continental Army.1 it is probable some of the Men may be at This Place by the first Day of July and as there [are] but a very few Barracks in Springfield it will be difficult to accomodate the Men here for any Length of Time. and I am this Day informed by Mr Church the issuing Commissary at this Place2 that he now issues Rice instead of Flour having none of the latter on Hand, and only Meat enough for about three Weeks for the People already employed at this Place, and has no Prospect of receiving any Provisions soon, as the purchasing Commissary has no Money wherewith to procure any—I am also informed by him that Mr Smith the Deputy Quarter Master at this Place cannot pay for the Transport of the Meat ordered from Coos to this place—I would propose to your Excellency whither it will not be convenient to order a few Officers to attend at this Place, or whereever else your Excellency shall appoint, by the first Day of July next, and afterwards some more Officers to receive the Remainder of the Troops—I thot it my Duty to give your Excellency the above Information that such Order may be taken thereon as to your Excellency may appear most conducive to the public Weal.3 I am with the truest Sentiments of Respect and Esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient and most hume Sert
Justin Ely
ALS, DLC:GW.
The Massachusetts General Court had appointed Justin Ely (1739–1817) of Springfield to receive the state’s draftees at that place and deliver them to the Continental officers. Ely performed similar duties in 1779 (see GW to Ely, 12 July 1779, found at GW to Henry Knox, 12 July, n.4; see also General Orders, 14 May 1779). Ely represented Springfield in the Massachusetts general assembly for several terms.
1. The enclosed printed copy of the act of 5 June is in DLC:GW. For a summary of its provisions, see William Heath to GW, 8 June, n.3.
2. Moses Church (1736–1810) was assistant commissary of issues at Springfield. He later held several local offices.
3. GW replied to Ely on 20 June from headquarters at Springfield, N.J.: “I this day recd your favr of the 9th—I have immediately directed Genl Glover with a proper number of Officers to repair to Springfeild—they will receive the drafts from you as fast as they come in and march them directly to West point to join the Line of Massachusetts” (Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).
GW wrote Brig. Gen. John Glover on 20 June: “By a letter which I have recd from Justin Ely Esq: I am informed that Springfield is appointed for the general rendezvous of the drafts of Massachusetts and that he is to inspect—register and deliver them at that place to a Continental Officer. You will therefore be pleased to repair immediately thither for the purpose of superintending the Business of receiving and forwarding them to West point. Genl Heath has directions to notify to all the Officers who were upon the recruiting service in Massachusetts that they are to repair as quick as possible to Springfield and take their orders from you. You have therefore only to form the Drafts into convenient divisions as they come in, and send each party under the care of an Officer to Genl Howe or Commander at West point. You may probably find some Officers already in the neighbourhood of Springfeild who will be at hand to take charge of the first divisions.
“As it is of material consequence that the Highland posts should be reinforced without loss of time, you are not to wait for making the divisions large. Even five and twenty or thirty may be sent on at a time should no more be ready.
“You will be pleased carefully to attend to the condition of the Men, should any, who are unfit for Soldiers, be passed by the state Commissioner, you are notwithstanding to reject them, and note their names and the cause of rejection” (Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW; see also Robert Howe to GW, 3 July).
GW also wrote Maj. Gen. William Heath on 20 June: “I have received your favor of the 8th from Roxbury, this I imagine will meet you at Providence. I have directed Genl Glover to repair immediately to Springfield for the purpose of receiving and forwarding the Drafts, and I shall be obliged by your taking measures to inform all the officers who were upon the recruiting service in Massachusetts that they are also to repair as expeditiously as possible to Springfield and take their orders from Genl Glover—Sir Henry Clinton has returned with part of his force from the Southward—what number I cannot yet ascertain—A little time must develope the true meaning of their taking Post at Elizabeth Town—I very much suspect there intention is to amuse us here, and make an attempt upon the Highlands, towards which we cannot conveniently move at this instant without exposing a large quantity of provision upon the communication—our Baggage & stores—which are all removing as fast as possible” (LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW). Heath replied to GW on 30 June.