To George Washington from Colonel Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 19 September 1777
From Colonel Henry Emanuel Lutterloh
[c.19 September 1777]
N.B. if from each Brigade was ordered an officer to bring all unnecessary Guards whi[c]h are Gone allong with the Baggage it would strenghten the Regiments.
There is a great Complain[t], That where ever our Baggage marches—they Soldiers & Waggoners plunder all houses & destroy every thing. it is the Waggon Masters Genl or his deputys duty as allso the Commanding officers—Sergts &ca to prevent this Cruel actions.1
The Deputy Wagon Master or the Waggon Master Genl ought to remain with us allways—as it is his duty to Keep the Waggons & Waggon Masters in order—which March with the Army. Two Issuing forage Masters ought at least march with Head-quarters allways—One of the Comissarys Generals Ought to March with Head-quarter allways to Keep his Issuing Commissarys in order & to give orders for Waggons &c. &c.
H. E. Lutterloh
ADS, DLC:GW. This undated memorandum apparently was written shortly before the issuance of the general orders for 20 Sept. (see the third paragraph of that document and GW to Thomas Polk, 23 Sept., and its source note).
1. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg laments in his journal entry for 17 Sept. that it was useless to flee from his house at Trappe, Pa., “for no place is safe. Where the two armies do not go, one finds thieves, robbers, and murderers who are taking advantage of the present times and conditions.” In his entry for 19 Sept., Muhlenberg writes that “at midnight a regiment camped on the street in front of my house. Some vegetables and chickens were taken, and a man with a flint came to my chamber, demanded bread, etc.” The following day, Muhlenberg says, “the marauders who are following the American army are still stopping in to complain of hunger and thirst, etc.” (, 3:76–78).