To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 30 December 1778
From William Shippen, Jr.
General Hospital Philadia Decembr 30. 1778.
Dr Sir
I have the honor of enclosing you a general return of the sick & wounded in the hospitals of the United States till December.1
Give me leave Sir to rejoice with you on this day & give thanks that no fatal disease rages in your Army or Hospitals; And to assure you that I am with the truest Esteem & warmest Affection Your Excellencys most obedient & very humbe Servant
W. Shippen jr
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed “general Return of the sick & Wounded in the Hospitals of the United States,” dated 1 Dec., lists 2,294 sick, convalescent, and wounded; with 2,789 “Admitted since my last,” 1,233 discharged, 37 deserted, and 162 dead. The hospitals included were Yellow Springs, Trenton, Princeton, Brunswick, Albany, “Flying hospital,” “New England,” Fishkill, “Robinson’s,” and New Windsor; no returns had been submitted for the southern department (DLC:GW).