From George Washington to Robert Lettis Hooper, Jr., or Officer Conducting Major Generals William Phillips and Riedesel, 22 November 1779
To Robert Lettis Hooper, Jr., or Officer
Conducting Major Generals William
Phillips and Riedesel
Head Quarters West point 22d Novr 1779.
Sir
By a letter from the Board of War I am informed that they have directed you to conduct Majors General Phillips and Riedhesil and their families to Eliza: Town.1 As I would not wish them to see the Ground near our new encampment,2 you are to avoid the Chatham Road and conduct them by the way of Bound Brook to Elizabeth Town. You are not to communicate your reasons to them for this change of the Route.3 I am Sir Yr most obt Servt.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The docket of the draft reads: “By Jno. De Camp. Express.”
1. See the Board of War to Hooper, 15 Nov., found at the Board of War to GW, same date, n.1.
2. GW is referring to the possible site of the Continental army’s winter quarters in northern New Jersey, a matter then under vigorous consideration (see Nathanael Greene to GW, 14 Nov., and n.1 to that document, and GW to Greene, 30 Nov., and n.2 to that document).
3. A desire to conceal preparations for potential combined American and French operations had interrupted the journey from Virginia to New York City of Phillips and Riedesel, both paroled Convention Army prisoners (see Phillips to GW, 28 Oct. and 21 Nov., and Riedesel to GW, 29 Oct.; see also Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct., editorial note, and GW to John Beatty, this date).