From George Washington to a Continental Congress Camp Committee, 9 April 1778
To a Continental Congress Camp Committee
Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 9th April 1778.
Gentlemen
By a Resolve of Congress, the appointment of Officers to the Corps which Brigadier General Count Pulaski is authorised to raise, has been refered to your decision in conjunction with me1—as I know the superior confidence which a Commandant places in officers of his own choice, I have given him my approbation of the Gentlemen whom he has nominated; it remains with you to decide in their favor, or have others substituted.2 I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Gentlemen Your most obedt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in John Laurens’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The LS is docketed in part, “read 18” (see , 10:364). GW also wrote Col. Stephen Moylan “or the Commanding Officer of the Cavalry” on this date to inform that “Brigadier General Count Pulaski is hereby authorised to draught from each Regiment of horse, two Privates of his own choice, with their horses Arms and Accoutrements—and one Serjeant belonging to Sheldons Regiment” (Df, DLC:GW).
1. For the resolution of 29 Mar. authorizing Pulaski’s corps, see Henry Laurens to GW, 29 Mar., n.3; see also , 10:291. A separate resolution of 30 Mar. provided that a report of the Board of War “be referred to the committee at camp, and that they be authorized to consult with General Washington and Brigadier Pulaski respecting the appointment of officers for that corps, and to act thereon as they judge proper and expedient” (ibid., 294).
2. On 18 April the committee reported to Congress, which resolved “That Michael de Kowatz be appointed colonel commandant; Count Julius de Mountfort, major; John de Zielinske, captain of lancers” (, 10:364).