George Washington Papers
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To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Uriah Forrest, 17 August 1780

From Lieutenant Colonel Uriah Forrest

Annapolis 17th August 1780

Sir

Your Excellency’s letter of the 1st Inst. directed to the Commanding Officer of the Maryland additional Regt was put into my hands yesterday1—His Excellency the Governor having directed me, to order a general Rendezvous of the Recruits, they have assembled at this place, to the Number of three hundred & thirty—a hundred & fifty more are daily expected from the more distant Counties, returns of which have already come to hand.

The Gentleman appointed to Command this Regiment not having Joined, & the Men being entirely destitute of Cloathing of every kind, has render’d the Execution of your Excellency’s orders with regard to their Marching altogether impracticable. The State Clothier is now busily employed, in getting them fitted with Shirts, Overalls, and Shoes—I hope in the Course of five Days to send forward Major Giles with a great part of the Regt.2

Many Deserters from the Line of this State Troops have been taken up, who I have sent forward to the southern Army with a detachment composed Chiefly of Men left at the Hospitals with a few recruited for the old Regiments, before the Passage of the Law for raising an Extra Battalion.3

It is with real Concern I observe to your Excellency that there is no Prospect of procuring Men to fill up the Regiments. Almost the whole of the Horses and some of the waggons required of this State are Obtained.4 I have the honor to be with Perfect Respect yr Excellency’s Most Obedt humble Servant

Uriah Forrest.

ALS, PHi: Gratz Collection; Sprague transcript, DLC:GW. GW replied to Forrest on 31 Aug. (DLC:GW).

2For the Maryland council’s appointment of officers to lead the additional battalion, including Maj. Edward Giles, see Md. Archives description begins Archives of Maryland. 72 vols. Baltimore, 1883–1972. description ends , 43:233–34; see also Giles to GW, 5 Sept. (DLC:GW).

3For this law, see Md. Laws, June 1780 description begins Laws of Maryland, Made and Passed at a Session of Assembly, Begun and held at the city of Annapolis, on Monday the twelfth of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty. Annapolis, [1780]. description ends , Chapter X.

4For these requisitions for men and supplies, see Samuel Huntington to GW, 29 Feb., n.2; GW to the Committee at Headquarters, 25 May, and notes 1 and 5 to that document; and Circular to the States, 2 June, and n.1 to that document.

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