From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 December 1779
To Brigadier General William Smallwood
Head Quarters [Morristown] 18th Decemr 1779
Dear Sir
When you were last at Head Quarters you mentioned that there were some Men in your Brigade, who claimed their dismissions now, but who might, upon a strict construction of their inlistments, be detained a while longer. perhaps it may be as well, all circumstances considered, to endeavour to reinlist those who come under the above description by giving them a furlough now, but if they will not engage for the War upon those terms, you may discharge them, immediately as they will render little service between this & the time when their inlistments evidently expire, and they contribute to the consumption of provisions.1 I am &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW also wrote Brig. Gen. Mordecai Gist on this date: “General Smallwood informed me a few days ago that there were some Men in his Brigade who claimed their dismissions now, but who might upon a strict construction of their inlistments be detained a while longer. I have desired him to endeavour to reinlist those who come under the above description, by giving them a furlough at this time, but if they will not engage upon those terms to discharge them as we shall derive little benefit from their services and they contribute to the consumption of provision. Should there be any in your Brigade under similar circumstances you will be pleased to take the same measures with respect to them” (Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).