George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-24-02-0485

To George Washington from the Board of War, 28 February 1780

From the Board of War

War Office [Philadelphia] Feby 28. 1780

Sir

We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 23d I have given Orders to the Comissy Genl of Military Stores in Consequence. As many Colours as possible shall be provided but until we recieve the Articles from France, of which we have lately had agreeable Accounts, we cannot have the Standards prepared agreeably to the Plan proposed vizt to have two for every regt—one the Standard of the United States—the other the regimental Standard the Ground whereof to be the Colour of the Facing.1 The Regiments must shift with what Colours can now be given them until the Arrival of our expected Supplies. We believe there will not be much Difficulty in procuring a sufficient Number of Drums & Fifes but we wish we knew the Numbers required. Perhaps the A[d]ju[tan]t Genl could get the necessary Returns & enable your Excellency to inform us. The Hessian Hangers (without our Knowledge) were ordered by Genl Knox out of the Hands of Mr V. Renslaer at Albany but we know not for what purpose. We intended them for the Non Com[missione]d Officers. There is a great Number of ordinary Hangers imported from France which we have ordered to be fitted up & sent to Camp. They will at best be miserable Things but we have no other Means of furnishing the Non Comd officers with this Article. Belts are making for them, but we have few Workmen & we fear we shall have fewer as the Men in Col. Flower’s Regt whose Times are out will be averse to reinlisting, the State having refused them the Benefits of their Supplies tho’ they have counted them to their Quota & thereby gained every Advantage to themselves without Benefit to the Officers or Men.2 This gives much Uneasiness to Col. Flowers Regiment & the State having agreed to supply Coren’s Company adds to their Chagrin. We have the Honour to be with the greatest respec⟨t⟩ & Esteem

Richard Peters
By order

ALS, DLC:GW.

1The board is referring to the regulations of the army. For this requirement in the regulations and the order of material from France to make the standards, see the Board of War to GW, 10 May 1779, n.2. For the agreeable accounts of the order from France, see James Lovell to GW, 23 Feb., and n.2 to that document.

2For this legislation of the Pennsylvania general assembly, see Benjamin Flower to GW, 25 Feb., and n.5.

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