From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 May 1780
To the Board of War
Head Quarters Morris Town 8th May 1780
Gentlemen
It appears by the inclosed Copy of a letter from Baron Steuben that about 1500 Muskets fitted with Bayonets and the same number of Bayonet Belts and Cartouch Boxes of the new construction are wanting to compleat the troops in this Cantonment1—You will be pleased therefore to direct the above quantity to be sent forward as speedily as our circumstances will admit—The Musketts which will be returned are for the most part in perfect order, except wanting Bayonets and the Cartouch Boxes are of the old kind. I am &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosure was a copy of Major General Steuben’s letter to GW written at camp, presumably Jockey Hollow, N.J., on 6 May 1780: “Upon a Calculation of the number of Arms wanting I find that the Eight Brigades in this Department will take about 1500 Arms & Accoutrements to Compleat them—allowing all the Arms without Bayonets to be exchanged.
“I would wish your Excellency to order on this number immediately & the same Waggons which bring them may carry back the Arms bad & wanting Bayonets” (LS, DLC:GW).
GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote Steuben from Morristown on 10 May: “General Knox in conversation has observed to The General, that instead of sending to Philadelphia for the 1500 arms mentioned in your letter of the 6th. and sending those here to that place to be fitted, it would be a great saving of expence in the article of transportation, to have the bayonets and accoutrements brought on without the arms, and fitted to those now here which can easily be done at the Park. The question is if the arms here have no other defect than that of bayonets. The General will be glad to know what you think of General Knox’s proposal. It seems to him eligible unless there are reasons he is not acquainted with.
“If there are any other articles you wish to have sent for, (The General thinks you mentioned something of the kind to him) he will be glad to know what they are. …
“We have heard from the Marquis. He will be here at Dinner. Will you dine with us also. The General requests it” (, 2:320). For Major General Lafayette’s arrival at Morristown on 10 May, see GW to Lafayette, this date, n.2.