To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 20 September 1778
From Colonel George Baylor
Hackingsack [N.J.] Septr 20th 1778
Dr Sir
Enclosd is the return of the Rigiment agreeable to the directions given me, by Colo. Banister.1
An officer will set out tomorrow for Boston, for the purpose of procuring c[l]oathing, I should of sent him off on my arrival here, but have waited for the making of a coat, which is to be the fashion of the Regiment.2
I neglected to mention to you when I was in your company, that Lieut. John Baylor who is under arrest, had joind the Regement agreeable to your orders.3
We have just receivd intelegence from good authority, that the British commissioners have been siting for six days past, and that ten thousand men were to embarke on wednesday next.4 their destination is only conjecture by the Inhabitants of the City. I am Sir with the greatest respect your most obt & very Humble Servant
George Baylor
ALS, DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 18300.
1. This enclosure has not been identified, but for reports of the strength of Baylor’s 3d Continental Light Dragoon Regiment, see GW to Otis & Andrews, 27 Sept.; David Griffith to Stirling, 20 Oct., in Israel Putnam to GW, 28 Sept., n.1; Edward Conner’s return of 29 Sept. in William Woodford to GW, 29 Sept., n.3; and GW to Robert Smith, 11 Oct., in Smith to GW, 4 Oct., n.2. John Bannister was a member of the congressional committee of arrangement that had recently met at GW’s headquarters.
2. The officer was Capt. Robert Smith of North Carolina. For the delay of his departure for Boston, see Baylor to GW, 22 Sept., and GW to Otis & Andrews, 27 September.
3. For arrest of George Baylor’s older brother John Baylor on the charge of gaming, see George Baylor to GW, 13 July 1778; William Washington to GW, 30 Nov. 1778, OMC; and GW to William Washington, 30 Nov. 1778, 9 Feb. 1779, both in DLC:GW. John Baylor became a captain in the 3d Continental Dragoons in 1780.
4. The following Wednesday was 23 September. The large expeditions that the British were planning to send to the West Indies and the Floridas did not sail until November.