To General Washington

Trenton, 13th May:

The late excursion of the enemy prevented my leaving
this place, to visit the different Regiments, which
I shall put in execution the latter end of this week.

I sent a woman into Philadelphia last Sunday who came out this
day, she says that war was certainly declared against France,
that General Clinton had taken the command on Monday,
General Howe preparing to go home but is to give a Grand Fete
Champetre before his departure, that there was great talk of
the Troops embarking, the Transports were taking in wood and
water, indeed their burning the shipping looks like a move,
for if they could hold their present post the ships would
consequently fall into their hands. She heard nothing of the
Hessians having laid down their arms, which was strongly reported here.

I would not trouble your Excellency with a complaint against
the commissary, if I knew who was at the head of that Department,
to whom I might address myself, but the great neglect of providing
anything (flour excepted) for Bland's and Baylor's Regiments
call aloud for redress. They have lived upon salt fish and salt
herrings these five weeks past, which is now expended, and nothing
have they now but flour to live upon.
The issuing commissary says it is the purchaser's fault, but who or
where the purchaser is I cannot find out. Mr. Paxton says if he had
money he could purchase sufficient. Between them the men are suffering.
They have had no pay since October, which with the want of provisions
has produced much discontent amongst them.

How it is with the other two Regiments I cannot say, but
hope they are better off as to provisions Respecting pay
I believe they are in the same situation, which I hope will
not continue long, if it does I may dread the consequence,
I beg. Sir, that the carbines and what other arms are at Camp
for the Cavalry may be sent forward, they are exceedingly wanted.

I have seen General Dickinson who has had some conversation with
Mr. Yard, who left Philadelphia yesterday. He confirms what I had
from my informant except that there was no positive account of war
having been declared but was to have been two days after the
last packet left England.

From the Moylan Biography by Martin Griffin
This letter is referenced to by footnote #61 in GW letter to James Mease 05/16/78
Return to the index.

Thank you for your interest.
Email us at:[email protected]
or sign the guestbook and make your presence known.

or View the Archived Guestbooks

Links to other sites on the Web

The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress
The George Washington Papers at the Virginia State Library

---

Return to IV Dragoon Home Page.

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws