From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 June 1779
To Major General Israel Putnam
Head Quarters Middlebrook June 2 1779
Sir,
In mine to you of the 24th instant,1 I requested you to join the main army immediately to take the command of one of the wings—As things now are at a crisis2 and every officer ought to be at his station I am to repeat my earnest desire wherever this finds you that you will instantly repair to my Head Quarters—I expect to set out tomorrow towards the Clove by way of Morris Town.3 I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt servt.
Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This reference is to GW’s letter to Putnam of 24 May.
2. GW is referring to British operations then under way up the Hudson River (see William De Hart to GW, 30 May, n.1, and General Orders, 1 June, n.1).
3. GW departed Middlebrook on 3 June and reached Morristown by 9:00 P.M. on that date (see GW to John Jay, 3 June [third letter]). See the general orders for 6 June for evidence that GW reached Smiths Clove, N.Y., by that date.
Putnam apparently arrived at Smiths Clove before GW wrote him a letter from that place on 14 June.