To George Washington from Colonel Alexander Scammell, 18 October 1779
From Colonel Alexander Scammell
Octr 18tnth 1779.
Agreable to your Excellency’s Directions, I have inquir’d into the Cause of the Dificiencies of Arms in those Brigades near this post1—Those in the 1st penna Brigade are owing to Deserters & Recruits who have very lately join’d—The Conductor is now supplying them—The same Reasons are alledg’d for those in the 2nd Maryland—The Conductor of that Brigade is accus’d of Neglect of Duty in not supplying them sooner, as the Officers assert they have frequently apply’d to him—The Conductors of the Maryland Line were left at New-Windsor, where they still remain—I have receiv’d no Answers from the right & left Divisions to Letters I have wrote on the Subject.2 Yr Excellency’s most Obedt Servt
Alexdr Scammell A. Gl
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. GW’s directions to Scammell may have been verbal; no letter from GW to Scammell on this subject has been found.
2. On 14 Oct., Scammell, at West point, wrote to Brig. Gen. Henry Knox: “There are a Number of Arms deficient in the Brigades here, say 60 or 70—They complain that it is very inconvenient to supply themselves from Fish-Kills. The Genl wishes a small supply might be sent to the point for the purpose of occasional supplies. I suppose 200 would be sufficient, during the Continuance of the Army in its present Incampments. If you would therefore please to order that Number lodged in the Hands of one of the Commisaries of military Stores, it would obviate the present Inconveniency alledged in Excuse, and fix a supply much more central than at Fish-Kill” (DLC: William A. Oldridge Collection).