From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, August 1777
To Colonel Theodorick Bland
[August 1777]
Sir,
I have received your three several favours of this day1—I have spoken to the Commissary & forage master, who have promised to take the proper measures for furnishing you with supplies in their respective departments.
You will be pleased to send all Capt. Lee’s troop that remain behind with the regimt to join the detachment now with him and you will also return immediately to him, whatever men he may send with prisoners, or on any other errand. He is so entreprising and useful an officer that I should wish him not to be straitened for the want of men. I am with respect Sir Your most Obdt serv.
Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The draft originally was docketed “Col. Bland Augt 1777.” The word “Augt” subsequently was struck out, and “Decr” was written beside it. This letter could not have been written in December 1777, however, because Hamilton was absent from the main army on a mission to Horatio Gates from 30 Oct. 1777 until 29 Jan. 1778. The original August 1777 date, therefore, has been used for this letter.
1. These letters have not been identified.