To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 23 September 1778
From Colonel William Malcom
Fort Clinton [West Point, N.Y.] Sepr 23rd 1778
sir
Inclosed are the Weekly returns of the Garrison1—General Putnam encamp’d on the Opposite shore, last Saturday2 but we have as yet obtained no fatigue party from his Divission—To morrow he has promised 800 & the boats are waiting for them—they are to work Three days & be relieved by others.
I have employd Poor’s men (off duty) to build Hutts in the manner proposed to Your Excellency.
My officers have enlisted a few good men, & have a prospect of getting several more I have instructed them to prefer lads from the Country—who are Known—not one of those who I enlisted in this State have deserted—The Officers have Settled their former Accounts, as I have also mine for the 2000 Dollars which is all the money I ever drew & there is 200 & odd Dollars due me—I want some money to give the officers for what they have expended, & for what they may want—at present 2000 dollars will be sufficeent—Col. Hamilton will draw it from the paymaster & Send it if your Excellency pleases—The Enemy are most certainly about leaving York—I hope in a few days to give your Excellency some usefull information—The arms are arrived from albany & deliverd to the Carolina Troops. I have the Honor to be with due Respect—your Excellencys most Obedient and very Hble servt
W. Malcom
ALS, DLC:GW.
GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote Malcom on 25 Sept. from GW’s headquarters at Fredericksburg: “I received your letter of yesterday and have procured a warrant from His Excellency for 2000 dollars, the money for which I should receive and transmit; but it seems the Pay Master General has none at present in hand—I therefore inclose the warrant.
“His Excellency commands me to acknowlege the receipt of your favour of the 23d—He hopes your future supply of men will be regular and ample and depends on your exertions for forwarding the works with all possible dispatch.
“Our accounts from various quarters correspond with your idea that the enemy are about to evacuate; but I am sorry that appearances do no[t] yet seem to me so decisive as might be wished. Any intelligence you can procure, that may serve to throw light upon their designs will be very acceptable to His Excellency” (DLC:GW). Malcom’s letter to Hamilton of 24 Sept. has not been identified. The warrant of 25 Sept. for $2,000 was issued on Malcom’s recruiting account (Revolutionary War Warrant Book 3, DLC:GW).
1. These returns have not been identified.
2. The previous Saturday was 19 September. Putnam’s troops camped near Beverly Robinson’s house on the east side of the Hudson about a mile and a half below West Point.