To George Washington from Captain Richard Dodge, 20 August 1775
From Captain Richard Dodge
[Chelsea, Mass., c.20 August 1775]
Sir
I Recd your Leter Last Evaning1 and I moust acknoledg my Self Not Eapuil [equal] to the Trust Reposed in me But Senc your Exelencey, has intrusted me with So importinant Post I Shall mack it my Stodey to youse the Best of my Pouers to Keep Close to your orders and im Prove the furst and every oppertunity to A-Noy the Enemy at Notles Island2—I have in Closed the miniets tackin By mr Leach.3 I am your Exelencies most Humble Servent
Richard Dodge Capt.
ALS, DLC:GW. Internal evidence indicates that this letter was written from Chelsea about 20 August. See notes 2 and 3.
1. Letter not found.
2. Loammi Baldwin reported on 17 Aug. that the British were entrenching on Noddles Island (Baldwin to GW, that date), and on 21 Aug. Dodge informed GW that some of his men had destroyed that fortification (Dodge to GW, that date). Dodge temporarily assumed Baldwin’s duties at Chelsea beginning 19 Aug. (Baldwin to GW, 18 Aug. 1775; Dodge to GW, 19 Aug. 1775).
3. “A Return of the observations of the Day august 20th,” written and signed by Joseph Leach, is in DLC:GW.