General George Washington to Colonel Joseph Kirkbride
December 19, 1776

To Col^o. KIRKBRIDE of Bucks County Pennsylvania Militia.

Sir,

The Hon^ble. the Council of Safety of the State of Pennsylvania having, by a Resolve passed the 17th. day of this inst^t. December, Authorized me to call forth the Militia of the County of Bucks, to the Assistance of the Continental Army under my Command, I hereby require you, immediately to issue Orders to the Captains of your Regiment, to summon the Officers and Privates of their Companies to meet on the 28th. day of this instant, at the usual place for their joining in Battalion, with their Arms and Accoutrements in good Order, and when so met, march immediately to the City of Philadelphia and there put yourself under the Command of Major Gen^l. PUTNAM. And you are further required to make me an exact return of the names and places of abode of such Officers and privates, as refuse to appear with their Arms and Accoutrements, at the time and place appointed, that they may be dealt with as the resolve, above refered [sic] to, directs.

Given under my Hand at Head Quarters
this 19^th. day of Decem^r. 1776.

G. WASHINGTON.

[Note: the same letter was also addressed to Colonels Joseph HART, Andrew KECHLEIN, Arthur ERWIN (EWING), and Joseph SABITTS, of the Pennsylvania Militia.]