George Washington Papers

III: To Colonel Theodorick Bland, 11 September 1777

III
To Colonel Theodorick Bland

Chads ford [Pa.] 11th Septr 1777
20 Mints. after ⟨mutilated⟩ O’Clock1

Sir

I earnestly entreat continuance of your vigilant attention to the movements of the Enemy and the earliest report, not only of their movements, but of their number, & the course they are pursuing. In a particular manner, I wish you to gain satisfactory information of a body confidently reported to have gone up to a Ford Seven or Eight miles above this. It is said the Fact is certain. You will send up an intelligent—sensible Officer immediately with a party to find out the truth—What number It consists of, and the Road they are now on. be particular in these matters. I am Sir Your Hble Servt

Go: Washington

LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, PWcHi.

1. GW apparently wrote this letter in late morning after learning of Hazen’s report about a British force near the Brandywine forks (see Document IV) and before receiving Ross’s intelligence of Howe’s column marching toward the forks (see Document II). The time of writing probably was 11:20 A.M. (see Smith, Brandywine description begins Samuel S. Smith. The Battle of Brandywine. Monmouth Beach, N.J., 1976. description ends , 12).

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    III: To Colonel Theodorick Bland, 11 September 1777
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Bland, Theodorick
    Date
    11 September 1777

    Reference

    Cite as
    “III: To Colonel Theodorick Bland, 11 September 1777,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-11-02-0190-0004. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 11, 19 August 1777 – 25 October 1777, ed. Philander D. Chase and Edward G. Lengel. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2001, p. 197.]

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