From George Washington to Major Benjamin Throop, 20 January 1781
To Major Benjamin Throop
Head Quarters [New Windsor] Janry 20th 1781
Sir,
On the reciept of this you will be pleased to return with Your Detachment to West Point, when you arrive there the Men will join their respective Regiments.1 I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt
Go. Washington
Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The receiver’s copy of this letter may have been dated 21 Jan. (see the next paragraph).
On 21 Jan., GW’s aide-de-camp David Humphreys wrote Throop from headquarters at 11:00 P.M.: “I have it in command from His Excellency to inform you, that he would have you continue Your Detachment together, and hold it in the most perfect readiness to act agreeable to the orders you may receive from him. And that you will not return to West point, according to his Letter of this day by Col. Barber, as the Detachment may be necessary where it is since the defection of the Jersey Troops. Under all circumstances, & upon all occasions the General relies most confidently on the New England Troops, of this you may let them know, & as he doubts not you will find the best disposition in your Detachment, he wishes you to cultivate it, and inform him if any thing extraordinary should happen” (DLC:GW).
1. For Throop’s command of troops detached from the garrison of West Point to cover the public stores at Ringwood, N.J., see William Heath to GW, 8 Jan., and n.2.