To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 May 1780
From Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
Phila. 25th May 1780
My Dear General
I was favored with yours of the 18th last evening—& will in consequence render myself in Camp the latter end of next week1—when I shall esteem myself honored by any commands you may please to favor me with.
We have nothing new from Charles town—the Investiture was compleated on the 28th Ultimo2—all rank’s of people are anxiously waiting the event, may it be favorable, & may your Excellency put a Glorious & happy period to the American War by the Capture of the Garrison of New York, is the Ultimate wish of Your Most Obt & much Obliged Hume Sert
Anty Wayne
ALS, DLC:GW. Wayne wrote a note on the cover: “I had anticipated your Excellency’s Order by sending the Guard to Camp two weeks agoe” (see GW to Wayne, 18 May, postcript). Another note on the cover reads “⅌ Colo. Butler.”
Col. Richard Butler wrote Wayne on 5 June: “I waited on his Excellency, who received me with his usual friendship, as did the rest of his worthy family. I had some interesting conversation with that noble and good-hearted soul, [Robert Hanson] Harrison, who, you may depend upon it, is your sincere friend. I told him that you would have been here ere this, were it not for injuring the feelings of some good officers, who have commanded your brigade, whilst you were in command of the Pennsylvania line, and subsequently in that of the corps of Light Infantry, and that your resuming it would necessarily supersede them. … I mentioned at Head Quarters that you would be here very soon, and that you would take any command that would be serviceable, even fascine or road cutting” (The Casket, Flowers of Literature, Wit and Sentiment 4 [1829], 392).
1. Wayne reached camp by 14 June (see General Orders, that date).
2. For the British siege at Charleston, S.C., see Duportail to GW, 17 May.