From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 October 1779
To Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
Head Quars West Point Octr 2d 1779
Dear Sir,
There is one observation which I must make to you that I omitted in my last1—it is, that the position of your corps and the disposition of your guards and patroles ought as much as possible to have referrence to the security of the camp: otherwise we shall be oblig’d greatly to multiply our guards below and diminish the number of men for carrying on the works proportionably, an inconvenience I am particularly anxious to avoid. In the choice therefore of your positions, you will not extend too far to the right, that you may with the more facility dispose the guards on your left, so as to give a good degree of cover to this post. To this I must beg your particular attention. I am Dr Sir your most Obt servt
Go: Washington
LS, in George Augustine Washington’s writing, PHi: Wayne Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS, which is addressed to Wayne “near Haverstraw Forge.”
1. GW’s last letter to Wayne was dated 30 Sept.; GW is presumably referring to his letter to Wayne of 29 Sept., in which he authorized Wayne to shift the position of the Light Infantry Corps.