George Washington Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Washington, George" AND Recipient="Forman, David" AND Period="Revolutionary War"
sorted by: author
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-11-02-0340

From George Washington to Brigadier General David Forman, 26 September 1777

To Brigadier General David Forman

Camp near Potts Grove [Pa.] 26th Septr 1777

Sir

I last night received a Letter from Major Genl Dickinson informing me that 900 Militia had crossed the Delaware under your command & that they were to march Yesterday to Bristol.1 Considering the position of the Enemy, I am sorry you have fallen down so low because it will be impossible for you to form a junction with us safely without counter marching. As the Enemy have possession of Chesnut Hill, it will be necessary for you to march up as high as Bogarts Tavern, from whence you are to turn Westward and proceed, as far as the Baptist meeting House near Bartholemews Tavern.2 You will then be in the Neighbourhood of this Army, as we shall move that way to day and if upon your arrival there, you will inform me of it, I will send a guide to conduct you to whatever place we may be. I do not exactly know where the Militia under Colo. Potter are, they were in Philadelphia, and I imagine are taking a circuit to join us. Be pleased to delay no more time upon your march than is absolutely necessary to refresh the Men as I am very anxious to draw our whole force together.

Genl Dickinson informs me that the particular circumstances of the State of Jersey oblige him to remain there, you will therefore be kind enough to communicate to him as much of the preceding as is necessary. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt sert

G.W.

P.S. If you find before the Rect of this that the Enemy have left Chesnut Hill and have gone into Philada you need not take so great a Circuit, you may in that Case proceed up the Road that leads to the Cross Roads near the S.W. Branch of Neshaminy from whence you may join us.

Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s and Tench Tilghman’s writings, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. All of the draft is in Harrison’s writing except for the postscript which is in Tilghman’s writing.

1This letter has not been found.

2Chestnut Hill, located about nine miles northwest of Philadelphia, was on the east side of Wissahickon Creek at the junction of the roads to Philadelphia from Reading and Bethlehem. John Bogart’s Tavern stood at present-day Buckingham in central Bucks County, Pa., about twenty-five miles north of Philadelphia. Edward Bartholomew operated a tavern, which was known before the war as the Sign of the Buffalo, near Montgomeryville in present-day Montgomery County, Pa., about twenty-five miles northwest of Philadelphia at the intersection of the roads from Coryells Ferry to Lancaster and from Bethlehem to Philadelphia. Montgomery Baptist Meeting House was located nearby on Neshaminy Creek.

Index Entries