From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 6 February 1780
To Brigadier General Edward Hand
Morristown Feby 6th 1780
Dr Sir,
The number of Genl Officers in Camp is so Small, & of that number, several very anxious for leave to be absent that I am, exceedingly distressed, & put to it to conduct the ordinary business of the Army, with the smallest degree of propriety. I must therefore request, that upon receipt of this Letter you will repair to Camp.1 With esteem & regard I am Dr Sir—Yr obt Servt
Go: Washington
ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The LS, which has not been found, was enclosed in GW to William Irvine, this date.
1. No reply from Hand has been found. For Hand’s request for leave of absence, see his letter to GW of 17 Dec. 1779. Hand had returned from his leave by 13 March. On that date he addressed a letter to Joseph Reed from “Camp near Morristown” ( 1st ser., 8:134–35). On 27 March, Hand attended a council of war at headquarters in Morristown (DLC:GW). He provided his written opinion on the issues raised in council two days later (see Hand to GW, 29 March, DLC:GW).