To George Washington from Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 23 March 1778
From Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh
spring House Tavern [Pa.]
Monday Evening 23rd March 1778
Sir,
I recd your orders ⅌ Express this Morning one o’Clock & in obedience to them returned on my way to Camp thus far, where I was obliged to remain till this time to get provision for the Men who suffered much for want of it on their March.1
I Just recd information that a large detachment of the Enemy came out to Germantown, but hearing of our being here turned off to their right, & are on the old york Road, others Say it is not so, but that a Large party were to Set off this morning to Escort a Number of Quakers out. In short the reports are so various, that I am at a Loss how to act. I have heard nothing Certain of our Cattle yet, I know your Excellencys Intention principaly in Sending me out was the protection of them & carrying them off under various other pretences may be the Enemys Aim. therefore I intend Staying here this Night which may produce more certain inteligence to Govern my future determination. & I have not heard yet from Captain Craughan whom I sent downwards with 25 Men for Information.2 I have the Honor to be Yr Excellencys Most obt Hble servt
Lachn McIntosh.
ALS, DLC:GW. The cover indicates that this letter was sent, “⅌ Capt. Du Val.”
1. These orders have not been identified.
2. McIntosh may be referring to William Croghan (1752–1822), who was commissioned a captain of the 8th Virginia Regiment in April 1776. On 7 April 1778 Croghan became brigade major for Brig. Gen. Charles Scott’s brigade. His subsequent promotion to major was backdated to May 1778. After joining the 4th Virginia Regiment through consolidation of regiments, Croghan was captured at Charleston, S.C., on 12 May 1780, and he remained on parole at the end of the war. He subsequently settled in Kentucky as a surveyor.