From George Washington to James Wilkinson, 2 November 1779
To James Wilkinson
Head Qrs West-point 2d Novr 1779
Sir
I am informed that Very little of the uniform clothing has as yet got to the place of distribution. The advanced season of the year makes it absolutely necessary to employ such further measures as you may judge effectual to facilitate its arrival.
There are at present a number of matters which claim your personal attention at camp. Besides the general distribution which should take place as soon as possible the pressing wants of the army call for an equal division of such blankets shoes &ca as are now in store. These and other objects of your department which will occur to your self renders your immediate presence here indispensible. I shall expect you after receipt of this letter1 and am &c.
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
Apparently due to Wilkinson’s absence, GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman wrote John Moylan from West Point on 4 Nov.: “The uncommon severity of the Season makes it necessary that the Blankets should be delivered before the general distribution of other Cloathing. It is uncertain when Mr Wilkinson will be here, and as you cannot yet be supposed to have a sufficient insight into the Business to proceed to a distribution without having some previous information, His Excellency wishes you to come down to Head Quarters where you will receive some general instructions. The Blankets are of a variety of sizes, for which reason, His Excellency desires you to have them sorted, and an account taken of the number of each size. … P.S. Be pleased, if possible, to bring down the particular account of the Blankets with you” (DLC:GW). Moylan, recently named assistant clothier general, was at New Windsor, New York.