From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 11 February 1779
To Brigadier General James Clinton
Head Quarters [Middlebrook] 11th Feby 1779.
Dear Sir.
Upon a farther consideration of the subject of my letter of the 25th Ulto—it appears to me of the utmost importance to secure a1 communication between Fort Schuyler and Schenectady—in case any expedition should be formed.2
You will therefore regard this as your primary object—and make the best dispositions relatively to it, that your force and the nature of the Country will allow.
Inclosed is an extract of General Orders for reinlisting Soldiers who are not engaged to serve during the war—which you will have executed without loss of time.3 I am Dr Sir Your most obedt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in John Laurens’s writing, PPRF; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW franked the cover of the LS, which is addressed to Clinton at Albany.
1. The draft manuscript, which also is in Laurens’s writing, reads “the” rather than “a” at this place in the text.
2. Fort Schuyler was about ninety miles west of Schenectady, N.Y., along the Mohawk River.
3. The enclosure has not been identified, but GW is referring to re-enlistment instructions in the general orders for 7 February.