From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 31 March 1776
To Nicholas Cooke
Head Quarters Cambridge 31. March 1776
Sir
The Bearer Colo. Putnam, who has been employed as an Engineer in the Army under my Command, is now on his Way to New York; I have order’d him to wait upon your Honor to afford you such advice & assistance in the Construction of your Works as his time will permit.1 You will find him capable and ingenious, & I am happy in having this opportunity of sending you an Officer of such experience. I am most respectfully Sir ⟨your most⟩ humble Servant
⟨Go: Washing⟩ton
LS, in William Palfrey’s writing, MH: Cooke Papers. A portion of the manuscript, including part of the closing and part of GW’s signature, is torn off.
1. Col. Henry Babcock requested that Rufus Putnam be sent to Rhode Island in a letter to GW of 3 Mar. 1776 which has not been found. See Robert Hanson Harrison’s reply to Babcock of 4 Mar. 1776 quoted in the letter-not-found entry for Babcock’s letter of 3 March.