George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Brigadier General John Glover, 15 June 1777

From Brigadier General John Glover

Peeks-Kill [N.Y.] 15th June 1777

Dear Sir

This will inform your Excellency I arrived at this place yesterday—recd Genl Putnams orders to march my Brigade to Head Quarters, upon enquirying into the state of the troops, found them in a most Shocking condition without coats, breeches, stockings or shoes, many of them having nothing but a frock & blanket to cover their nakedness.

Colo. Wigglesworth’s & Swift’s Regts are without tents nor is there any to be had here. I have ordered the troops to be ready to march upon the shortest notice, & had the men tents to cover them, & clothes, should cross the North river to morrow.

I beg leave to recommend to your Excelly, Mr Fosdick, a young gentleman who served as adjutant in my Regt in 1775 & 1776, for a Brigade Major.1 He is a dilligent, active young man & a good disciplinarian, & I flatter myself, will do the duty exceedingly well. I am with great esteem Yr Excellys most Obed. hum. Servt

John Glover

Transcript, NN: Bancroft Collection.

1Thomas Fosdick (1756–1801) of Boston served as an ensign in Glover’s Massachusetts regiment from May to December 1775 and as a second lieutenant and adjutant in Glover’s 14th Continental Regiment from 1 Jan. to 31 Dec. 1776. Fosdick was appointed Glover’s brigade major on 1 July 1777 (see General Orders, 13 July). Fosdick’s widowed mother, Frances Hichborn Fosdick, married Glover in March 1781.

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