George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Robert Howe, 24 August 1783

Philadelphia 24th August 1783

Dear sir

Major Gibbs marched with Sprouts Regiment yesterday morning very early—Having furnished him with a waggon to take the baggage of some soldiers who had been sick & who with that indulgence can march, his numbers will I imagine be about three hundred and fifty: and as the Court-Martial will now very soon close their proceedings I have not detached the small number deficient of the four hundred, mentioned in your Excellency’s letter, as the whole may soon march off together: And as I had written to your Excellency upon the subject and expected to have heard from you before this, having been informed you were at Princeton.

A number of our men never having had the meazles, they took that disorder (on the march I beleive, as many houses on the road were full of it,) and have mostly all had it; since which some have been ill of fevers and of the disorders which generally succeed that distemper—These are now however recovering. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect sir Your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant

Robt: Howe

DLC: Papers of George Washington.

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