From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9–12 February 1778
To Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
Head Quarters Valley Forge
9[–12]th Feby 1778
Sir
The good People of the State of Pennsa Living in the Vicinity of Philadelphia and near the Delaware River—having suffered much by the Enemy Carrying off their Property without allowing them any Compensation—thereby Destressing the Inhabitants—Supplying their own Army and Enabling them to protract the Cruel and unjust War that they are now Wageing against these States.
And Whereas by Recent Intelligence I have reason to expect that they Intend making an Other grand forage into this Country—It is of the utmost Consequence—that the Horses Cattle Sheep and Provender (Within fifteen miles West from the River Delaware between the Schuylkill and the Brandywine) be Immediately removed to prevent the Enemy from Receving any benefit therefrom, as well as to Supply the present exegencies of the American Army.
I do therefore Authorise, Impower, and Command you forthwith, to take, carry off, and Secure, all such Horses as are Suitable for Cavalry, or for Draft, all Cattle and Sheep fit for Slaugter, together with every kind of forage, for the use of this Army—that may be found in the possession of any of the Inhabitants within the aforesaid Limits causing Certificates to be given to each person for the Number, Value and Quantity of the Horses, Cattle, Sheep & Provender so taken1—Notice will be given to the holders of such Certificates by the Commissary and Qr Master Genl when and where they may apply for Payment that they may not be disappointed in calling for the money.
All Officers Civil and Military—Commissaries Quarter Masters &ca are hereby Ordered to obey aid & Assist you in this necessary buisness.
All the provender on the Islands between Phila. and Chester, which may be Difficult of Access or too Hazardous to attempt Carrying off—you will Immediately cause to be Destroyed giving Derections to the Officer or Officers to whom this duty is Assigned to take an Acct of the Quantity—together with the Owners names, as far as the Nature of the Service will admit.2 Given at Head Quarters Valley Forge 12th Feby 1778.
G.W.
Df, in Anthony Wayne’s and Tench Tilghman’s writings, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Tilghman docketed the draft: “12th Feby 1778 to Genl Wayne Instructions for a Forage Party.”
1. Tilghman wrote the remainder of this paragraph in place of an earlier passage in Wayne’s hand that he crossed out: “Mentioning a Certain time and place for the People to repair to in Order to receive their pay—it being my wish that the Inhabitants should experience as little delay as possible in Receiving a Compensation for their property.”
2. GW sent a nearly identical letter to Nathanael Greene on 12 Feb., and it may be that the final version of this letter was not sent to Wayne until that date. Alternately, as John C. Fitzpatrick and the editors of the surmise, GW may have decided to send these instructions to Greene instead of Wayne (, 10:455; , 2:282). In the event, Greene was placed in overall command of the grand forage, operating in Pennsylvania, with Wayne and Henry Lee acting as his subordinates in New Jersey and Delaware, respectively (see GW to Greene, 12 February).