From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 28 May 1779
To Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons
Head Quarters Middle Brook 28th May 1779
Sir
Your favours of the 11th and 15th instant came duly to hand with Lieut. Jackson’s and Ensign Tuttles resignations.1
I have on several occasions expressed my sentiments on the policy of preventing as much as possible all plundering parties. I would only observe on the present that the Officers are to persue my former instructions on this head which I beleive extends to all cases where the Inhabitants act without the civil authority or a commission from the State.2
As General Putnam joins the main Army you will receive the Orders of General McDougal, or any other Officer commanding on the North River if of superior rank to yourself, and make such disposition of your force as he shall direct.
Inclosed is my certificate of Ensign Tuttle’s resignation.3 I have defered sending one for Lt Jackson as you inform me he will call here himself with his Commission. I am with esteem Sir your most Obedt Servt.
Df, in Caleb Gibbs’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. These letters have not been found. Nathan Peet Jackson of Fairfield, Conn., served as a private in the Lexington alarm, and from July to December 1775 he was a sergeant in the 7th Connecticut Regiment. He was appointed an ensign in the 8th Connecticut Regiment in January 1777 and was promoted to second lieutenant in January 1778 and to first lieutenant in March 1778. In 1782, he would serve on a whaleboat in Long Island Sound. Timothy Tuttle of Waterbury, Conn., served as a sergeant in Col. Samuel Elmore’s Connecticut State Regiment from March 1776 to April 1777, and he transferred to the 8th Connecticut Regiment in May 1777. He was appointed an ensign in January 1778.
2. See GW to Israel Putnam, 27 Nov. and 26 Dec. 1778, and 8 Jan. 1779.
3. The enclosed certificate has not been identified.