From George Washington to Major General Johann Kalb, 23 October 1778
To Major General Johann Kalb
Head Quarters Fredericksbg 23d October 1778
Sir
The Quarter Master General has an immediate occasion for 250 Men with a proper number of Officers to assist in getting forage down the North River while the Navigation is open.1 You are to furnish that number from the two Maryland Brigades and put them under the direction of Colo. Hay Deputy Qr Mr Genl who will assign them to their posts and duties. The fatigue will be extraordinary and the Qr Master General will for that reason make them some allowance. He desires as many of the Men and Officers as possible may be such as have been used to go by water. I am &c.
p.s. 20 Carpenters and 20 Masons are also wanted. If that number or any part of them can be procured from your division be pleased to furnish them to Colo. Hay.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
Tilghman wrote Asst. Q.M. Gen. Charles Pettit on this date: “Genl Greene applied to His Excellency [GW] for 250 Men fatigue Men to bring forage down the Hudson. The enclosed to Baron de Kalb directs him to furnish that number to Colo. Hay from the Maryland Brigades. Some person was to have called for an answer to Genl Greenes letter, but as he has not done it, we thought he might have forgot, and as the affair is of consequence, His Excellency desired the letter to the Baron might be sent to you” (NN: U.S. Army, 1775–1789).