To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 26 June 1799
From Daniel Morgan
Soldiers Rest 26th June 1799
Dear Sir
I take the liberty to transmit you a list of the names and Recommendations; who have applied to me since I wrote to you on the 12th instant, which you will receive inclosed.1 I have the honor to be sir Your Obt Hle Sert
Danl Morgan
LS, DLC:GW. Written on the cover: “Battle town June 27th 1799.”
1. Morgan’s list of possible officers for the Provisional Army reads: “James Stephenson—Majr—mentioned in my last since which I have received a recommendation from Mr A. Waggener.
“John Stubblefield Battle town Frederick County—Ensign—Son to Colo. George Stubblefield of the late War, a young man of good character but has seen no Service.
“Elias Edmonds—mentioned in my last since which I have received recommendations from Mr Charles Marshall & Mr [Martin] Pickett.
“Burwell Bullitt recommended by Mr Pickett Mr Marshall, Mr [George Steptoe] Washington & Mr [Robert] Lewis—I know little of Mr Bullitt from my own knowledge, he is half Brother to Capt. Thomas Bullitt in the French War of 1755/6.
“John Campbell Ensign—I could wish Mr Campbell to be appointed, his Father Arthur Campbell being a very leading Character in Washington County Virginia.
“John Bronaugh recommended by Mr Pickett & Mr Marshall—Ensign, I am not acquainted with Mr Bronaugh from my own knowledge, but, suppose him to be a man of good character from the recommendations.
“John Dowdall Son of Colo. [James G.] Dowdall of Winchester a man of good Character has Commanded a Company of Militia some time & I think wo⟨uld⟩ make an excellent Lieutenant.”
The letters of recommendation written to General Morgan referred to here include Andrew Waggener’s letter of 14 June, Martin Pickett’s from Fauquier County of 24 and 25 June, Charles Marshall’s two of 25 June, Robert Lewis’s of 24 June, and George Steptoe Washington’s of 25 June. All of these letters are in DLC:GW. The writers of the letters generally refer to the good reputation of the candidate, his militia service, and to his being a “friend to the Goverment” (Waggener to Morgan, 14 June).
On the next day, 27 June, Humphrey Brooke wrote to GW from Fauquier recommending one of these men: “Mr Elias Edmonds is desirous of entering into the service of his Country in one of the 24 additional Regiments, as a Captain, I have known him from his Infancy, and beleive him to be a very worthy Man, firmly attached to the Government of the United States, and that he will be able to recruit his Men as speedily as any one” (DLC:GW).