From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 September 1779
To the Board of War
Head Quarters West Point 14th Sepr 1779
Gentlemen
I have been honoured with yours of the 31st Augt and 3d instants.1 Hallet was safely delivered to me by Lt Colo. Washington and I sent him up to Govr Clinton, with an account of his conduct, similar to that which you have transmitted to me.2
I agree with you in opinion, that the Standard, with the Union and Emblems in the Centre, is to be preferred—with this addition, the number of the Regt and the State to which it belongs inserted within the curve of the serpent, in such place, as the painter or designer shall judge most proper.
Lt McCallister, who brought me your favr of the 3d, informs me that you desired him to tell me, that you had recd an Acct, after sealing, that the Vessel with powder had arrived in the Delaware. This is a most agreeable peice [of] intelligence, and General Knox will inform the Board what quantity of the powder it will be necessary to have sent forward immediately to the Army.3
Inclosed you have the Return of Major Gibbs Corps of Guards agreeable to the Resolve of 15th March last.4 I have the honor to be &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. The Board of War wrote to GW twice on 3 September.
3. In his letter of 27 Aug. to the Board of War, GW had indicated that he expected 1,000 barrels of powder by this shipment. The reality fell far short of his expectations, however, as GW indicated in his letter to the Board of War of 18 Sept. (see also the Board of War to GW, 23 Sept.). GW subsequently solicited and received some additional powder from Massachusetts and Connecticut; see his letters of 7 Oct. to Jeremiah Powell and Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.; Trumbull to GW, 14 Oct.; and the Massachusetts Council to GW, 16 October. Brig. Gen. Henry Knox sent an estimate of shot, shells, and powder required for army operations to the Board of War in early Oct. (see GW to Powell, 7 Oct., n.2).
4. The enclosed return has not been identified; for the resolve of 15 March 1779, which apportioned various military units to the states from which they had originally been raised, see 13:316–18.