From George Washington to Colonel William Davies, 16 December 1779
To Colonel William Davies
Head Quarters Morris Town 16th Decr 1779
Dear Sir
The whole of the Virginia line being ordered to the Southward it becomes indispensibly necessary, that a sub Inspector should accompany them, to perform the duties incidental to that Office1—Should you have so far compleated the arrangement of your private Affairs, for which you obtained leave of Absence, as to be able to proceed with the troops from Virginia, you can join them upon their march thro’ the State. But should it not be convenient for you, you will be pleased to signify the same to General Woodford, who has authority, in that case, to appoint—Lt Colo. Cabell.2 I am &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The draft is addressed to Davies at Strasburg, Virginia.
1. For the movement of the Virginia line to the southern department, see GW to Huntington, 29 Nov., and the source note to that document.
2. Davies declined the office of sub inspector, leaving the appointment to Lt. Col. Samuel Jordan Cabell (see William Woodford to GW, 8 March 1780, DLC:GW).
Davies subsequently wrote GW from Petersburg, Va., on 20 March 1780: “In obedience to your Excellency’s command I joined the Virginia line at this place, but finding that no regiment had been allotted for me, I signified to General Woodford my willingness that Lieutenant Colonel Cabell should be appointed Sub-Inspector, which accordingly took place on the 6th instant, agreeable to your Excellency’s permission.
“I have to thank your Excellency for your indulgence to me in prolonging my furlow, and am now ready to attend to any military duties which may be required of me. Should your Excellency have any commands for me, a letter directed for this place would find me” (ALS, PHi: Gratz Collection; copy, DLC:GW; see also Davies to Robert Hanson Harrison, same date, and GW to Davies, 20 April 1780, both in DLC:GW).