From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 November 1779
To Brigadier General William Woodford
Hd Qrs West-point 21 Novr 1779
Dr
I have this moment your favor of the 20th.1
The prisoner directed here, I have forwarded to Genl Heath, to be sent to the State of Connecticut to which he belongs.2
As you think the fatigue party may be employed at Stoney point, without occasioning any delay when you are ready to march, it may remain at work. The connecticut troops who have crossed will give every assistance.3 You will also be pleased to continue your parties in repairing the road to sufferans. in the manner mentioned.4
I inclose you a copy of a letter which I dispatched this morning.5
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Woodford’s letter to GW of 20 Nov. has not been found, but it likely shared contents with a letter that Woodford wrote Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne from Haverstraw, N.Y., on the same date: “I have taken proper care of your Dominie and sent him under Guard to Head Quarters. From the few Questions I have asked him, he answers the character you give him, of an artful designing villain.
“Some vessels of the Enemy have been up to Tarry Town and have been Firing off and on the whole Day and part of yesterday; what is their object? I have not been able to discover.
“I understand the Troops are in motion for winter quarters, we expect orders to move every hour.
“The affair in Georgia went very contrary to our expectations but the disappointments will happen. We must make the best of it.
“My compliments to Maj. Fishburn and thank him for his favour of the 11th with the N.Y. Paper which I carried to Headquarters the next Day” ( 2:1109–10; see also Wayne to GW, 19 Nov.).
2. For this prisoner, John Eliott, see GW to William Heath, this date, and n.1 to that document.
3. See GW to Samuel Holden Parsons or the officer commanding the Connecticut Division at Haverstraw, this date, found at GW to Richard Claiborne, also this date, n.1.
4. GW wrote the previous four words on the draft.
5. GW almost certainly is referring to his first letter to Woodford of this date.