George Washington Papers

From George Washington to the Board of War, 1 June 1779

To the Board of War

Head Quarters Middlebrook 1st June 1779.

Gentlemen.

I transmit you the arrangement of the three New-Hampshire Regiments which I have just received1—and request you will make out and forward me the commissions as soon as it can be done. The board will perceive the several promotions that are to be made, and the dates which the commissions are to bear.2

General Hand writes me of an application for clothing wanted in the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment. Should the board have taken no order on the occasion I am to beg their compliance with it as far as our stores will admit.3

He also mentions in the same letter the great consumption of Shoes arising from the troops being in almost constant motion. The shoes he remarks, which are thrown away after a weeks wear, as useless, would by a little repairs, be rendered very serviceable. To answer this purpose he recommends a set of shoe-makers tools and spare pieces of leather for soles &c. to be sent to each regiment. The proposition appears to me very good. I would therefore recommend it to the notice of the board. A proportion, of sets of tools, and spare bits of leather &c., should be forwarded as soon as possible, part to Gen. Hand and the rest to Easton; of which the board will be pleased to advise General Sullivan, in case it is thought worth the trial.

Inclosed is two commissions with the dates of the resignations endorsed.4 The board will be pleased to return Commissions for the officers next in succession. I am Gen. &.

G.W.

Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1The enclosed arrangement has not been identified. GW acknowledged its receipt in his letter to Brig. Gen. Enoch Poor of this date: “I have received your favor of yesterday transmitting the Arrangement of the three New Hampshire Batallions. I will take the earliest opportunity to forward it to the Board of War, with a request to make out the Commissions and send them to me as soon as it can be done. You shall receive them by the first conveyance after they come to my hands” (Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW; see also Poor to GW, 31 May).

2For the need to submit a revised New Hampshire arrangement, see Peter Scull to GW, 4 June; see also GW to the Board of War, 9 June.

3This letter from Brig. Gen. Edward Hand to GW, probably dated 24 May, has not been found, but for a promise to bring Hand’s request to the attention of the Board of War, see GW to Hand, 31 May.

4The enclosures have not been identified.

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