From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 5 May 1778
To Major General Israel Putnam
Head Quarters Valley Forge 5th May 1778
Dear Sir
Notwithstanding the favorable aspect of our Affairs, Congress have wisely determined to put nothing to the hazard, and have therefore directed the preparations for the Campaign to be carried on with as much activity as possible.1 I must therefore again request you to use your utmost endeavours to forward the Recruits of Connecticut to the North River with all possible dispatch. Those belonging to Parsons’s Brigade will be detained there by the commanding Officer; and those to Regiments here will be sent on to join them. I hope that the fair and I may say certain prospect of success will not induce us to relax, it ought on the contrary to stimulate us, and enable us by one great exertion to seize and secure that peace and liberty which is now within our reach. I congratulate you upon the acknowledgment of our independency by and alliance with the Court of France and am Dear Sir Yr &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. On 22 April, Congress resolved in favor of a committee report that urged: “inasmuch as it appears to be the design of the enemies of these states to lull them into a fatal security, to the end that they may act with a becoming weight and importance, it is the opinion of your committee that the several states be called upon to use the most strenuous exertions to have their respective quotas of continental troops in the field as soon as possible, and that all the militia of the said states may be held in readiness to act as occasion may require” (, 10:379–80).