From George Washington to James Wilkinson, 5 October 1779
To James Wilkinson
Head Qrs [West Point] Octob. 5: 1779.
Sir
I request that you will use every practicable exertion to have All the Coats—Waistcoats—Breeches—Blankets Woollen Overalls—Shirts—Shoes—Stockings—Hats—Caps—Watchcoats & Woollen Mitts—belonging to the Continent, brought on to Newburg without a moment’s delay. The exigency of our Affairs demands it.1 I am Sir Your Most Obt st
G.W.
P.S. You may leave Cloathing at the Eastward for about Twelve Hundred Troops at Rhode Island.2
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. For GW’s planning and preparations for combined operations with the French fleet, which he envisioned might involve keeping troops in the field into the winter, see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 October.
2. These were for the Continental troops with Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates’s command, which GW planned to utilize in operations with the French (see GW to Gates, 3 Oct.).