From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 July 1779
To Brigadier General William Woodford
New Windsor July the 21: 1779
Dr Sir
From the intelligence I have just received, it would seem that the Enemy mean to evacuate their posts at Stoney and Verplanks points.1 If you have not removed the baggage of the two Brigades from Sufferans—You will let it remain till further Orders.2 The body of the Enemy that was coming up—has fallen down again. I am Dr sir Yr Most Obed. servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, sold by Christies, Sale No. 1851, 19 June 2007, item no. 0313; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See William Heath to GW, 19 July (first letter); GW to Alexander McDougall, 20 July; and Anthony Wayne to GW, 20 July. For intelligence of a British return to Stony Point on 21 July, see Henry Lee, Jr., to GW, that date (second letter).
2. Woodford had written GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder Meade about baggage from June’s tavern on 20 July: “You’ll please to inform his Excellency that we arrived here yesterday fore noon, & that Colo. Gibson with the Artilery got safe to Suffrins.
“when you deliver’d me orders at the point you said nothing about our baggage, & Commissarys—I therefore did not think proper to give any order for their return to this place, not knowing but it was his Excellencies design that it should continue there some time longer. we were fortunate enough to get two Days provisions here, but if it Rains our Men will be exposed, as well as their Amunition.
“be so kind to give me a line by Junes return” (DLC:GW).
Meade’s reply to Woodford on the same date reads: “I am this moment favored with your letter by Mr June and communicated the contents to his Excellency; who thinks from the present situation of the enemy; that it would be prudent, to have the baggage of both Brigades brought, to Junes; of this it will be proper to give Genl Muhlenberg notice—He will remain at Dean Forest, & your own Brigade at Junes for the security of our right flank—Genl Putnam has no doubt communicated this arrangement to you, but lest it may not have reached you I am directed to mention it” (DLC:GW; see also GW to Israel Putnam, 19 July).