From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 9 November 1779
To Brigadier General William Maxwell
Pompton [N.J.] 9th Novemr 1779.
Sir
I rode down to this place that I might be in the way, should the enemy, by their preparations upon Staten Island, seem to threaten any thing serious.1 But having heard nothing further to make me beleive that they intend to come over in any considerable force, I shall return part of the way to West point this Evening.2 Should they make any move towards you, you will give instant notice to General Wayne, who will be in the neighbourhood of Acquaquanack—And to General Sullivan at this place.
From a variety of circumstances, but particularly for want of Water to grind, we are like to be for a while exceedingly distressed for Flour. I would therefore wish you to put the troops under your command to an allowance for the present of three quarters of a pound ⅌ day and make an equivalent in meat, which they can easily barter for Vegetables, which will be a good substitute for the short allowance of Bread. I hope the necessity of this measure will not be of long duration, as the Commy assures me the want of Water is the principal difficulty.3
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Maxwell received this letter on 10 Nov. and replied on 13 November.
1. For GW’s departure from West Point on 7 Nov., see James McHenry to Clement Biddle, that date, found at GW to Moses Hazen, 6 Nov., n.5.
2. Lt. Rudolph Van Hoevenbergh, encamped at Pompton, wrote in his journal entry for this date: “The Troops from the western [Sullivan’s expedition] were This day Review’d by his Excellency George Washington” ( 283). Capt. Daniel Livermore, also encamped at Pompton, wrote in his journal entry for this date: “His Excellency pays us a visit from head quarters. … The weather is exceedingly uncomfortable and cold about this time” ( 190). The journal entry for this date of Lt. William McKendry, likewise at Pompton, reads: “This day Genl. Washington rode through this Camp” ( 211).
GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman produced a receipt for GW’s expenses on the trip “from West point to Pompton and back.” Tilghman paid $10 for crossing King’s Ferry; $3 for “General Woodford’s sleigh”; $48 for accommodations in Ramapo, N.J.; $86 for accommodations in Pompton; $40 for “Servants and Band of Musick”; $22.50 for the expenses of a cavalry escort; $40 for accommodations at Ramapo while returning; $10 for again crossing King’s Ferry; and $12.50 for accommodations at Stony Point, New York. Tilghman received full reimbursement of $272 from Maj. Caleb Gibbs on 16 Dec. with GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison serving as a witness (Revolutionary War Accounts, Vouchers, and Receipted Accounts 1, 1776–1780, DLC:GW, ser. 5).
3. See Jeremiah Wadsworth to GW, 8 Nov.; see also General Orders, 13 November.