To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 September 1780
From Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.
Lebanon [Conn.] 26th Septr 1780
Dear General
Yesterday I received an Express from our Brig. General Silliman, informing that the two State Regiments under command of Lieut. Colonels Wells and Bebee were removed further from Horseneck, by which that important pass is laid open to the enemy1—That not only that place, but also Stamford are in the greatest danger of ruin.
Your Excellency will remember that at our interview at Hartford I mentioned their return to their former important station at Horseneck, and your answer, that they should be ordered back soon2—Whereupon I have directed Genl Silliman to expect—as it will not be long before their return.3
This post appears of very great importance to be defended. I have the Honor to be, with every Sentiment of Esteem & Consideration Your Excellency’s Most Obedient & very humble Servant
Jonth; Trumbull
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to Benedict Arnold, 2 Sept. (first letter), and n.3 to that document.
2. GW wrote Col. Levi Wells from headquarters at Orangetown on 2 Oct.: “You will be pleased on the receipt of this to return with the two State Regiments of Connecticut to your former station upon the sound or to any other to which you may be ordered by His Excellency Govr Trumbull” (Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW; see also The Hartford Conference, 20–22 Sept., editorial note).
3. For communications to Brig. Gen. Gold Selleck Silliman of the Connecticut militia, see , 3:166–68.