From George Washington to Caesar Rodney, 27 July 1780
To Caesar Rodney
Head Quarters Bergen County 27th July 1780
Sir
I imagine before this reaches your Excellency, the militia of the State of Delaware, required by the Committee of cooperation,1 will have assembled at Wilmington, the place of rendezvous—You will be pleased to give orders to the officer commanding them, to march and join the army under my command whereever it may be.2 I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Your Excellency’s Most obet hum. Servant
Go: Washington
LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, in private hands; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS.
1. For the militia required by GW and the Committee at Headquarters, see Circular to the States, 2 June, and n.1; see also Circular to the States, 30 June.
2. Rodney replied to GW from Wilmington, Del., on 9 Aug.: “The Regiment raised from the Militia of this State to reinforce the Army of the United States embarked here this Morning for Philadelphia. The Commanding Officer has Orders to call upon the Board of War for Arms and Accoutrements, and then to join the Army under your Excellency’s Command as soon as possible” (LS, DLC:GW).