From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 28 December 1780
To Thomas Johnson
Head Quarters New Windsor 28th Decemr 1780
Dear Sir
Mrs Bainbridge the Wife of Peter Bainbridge has laid before me some papers respecting the proceedings of Capt. Eggleston of Colo. Lee’s Legion on the case of their son Peter Bainbridge which carry the face of a most extraordinary and unwarrantable kind of conduct—But as it is impossible to decide ex part⟨e⟩ I have by the inclosed referred the Matter to Major General Greene commanding the southern Army, and I shall be much obliged to you to procure authenticated Copies of the inclosed papers or any other that you may find necessary and transmit them to General Greene—with my letter1—This is a matter which I would wish to have fully investigated, not only as2 it concerns the rights of a Citizen, but because Captn Eggleston may, if innocent, have an opportunity of acquitting himself of so gross a charge, or, if guilty, meet the punishment of which such conduct is deserving. The Motives by which I am actuated, will I am sure be a sufficient excuse for the trouble which I am giving you.3 I have the Honor to be with great Regard Dr Sir Yr most obt Sert.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW also wrote Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene from New Windsor on this date: “The Honble Mr Johnson of Frederick Town in Maryland (late Governor of that State) will transmit you, with this letter, sundry papers respecting the proceedings of Capt. Eggleston of Colo. Lees Legion, in the case of Peter Bainbridge a soldier of the Legion, who was apprehended for desertion. It appears from the papers which have been laid before me, but which as they are not authenticated I could not regard, that Capt. Egglestons conduct has been highly unmilitary and unwarrantable, in extorting from the Father of the Lad, not only a valuable horse, but a promise to pay for a parcel of leather Breeches—to procure ten able Recruits and to secure three deserters provided he would spare the life of Bainbridge the deserter.
“These matters, if true, reflect highly not only upon Capt. Eggleston, but upon the Army, and you will therefore take the proper mode to give him an opportunity of acquitting himself honorably, if innocent, or, if guilty, to bring him to that punishment which such conduct deserves” (LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, NjP: De Coppet Collection; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).
Peter Bainbridge, Sr. (1721–1806) married twice; first to Isanna Oaks, then to Ruth White.
Bainbridge wrote Greene from Frederick County, Md., on 20 Feb. 1781 to explain that Johnson had refused to help his son, Peter Bainbridge, Jr. (see , 7:322). Another officer considered the younger Bainbridge an “unworthy lad” (see Otho Williams to Elie Williams, 10 March 1781, in , 7:15).
2. Tilghman wrote and struck out “a piece of Justice” after this word on the draft.
3. Capt. Joseph Eggleston, later promoted to major, served in Lt. Col. Henry Lee, Jr.’s Legion for the remainder of the war.