From George Washington to the Board of War, 30 March 1780
To the Board of War
Head Quarters Morris Town 30th March 1780.
Gentlemen
Upon receiving information that the enemy are preparing to send a reinforcement to the southward, I have determined to detach Major Lees Corps, both Horse and Foot to that quarter, and have written to the commanding Officer to put them in readiness as expeditiously as possible. As they will undoubtedly want many matters to equip them for so long a march, I have directed the Officer to repair himself to Philada and make application to the Board for what are necessary1—I would recommend a liberal supply if possible, as I am informed by Lieut. Colo. Temple of late Blands that nothing of the kind is to be procured to the southward—I suppose you will think it expedient for the Foot with the Baggage to proceed down Chesapeak Bay by Water and meet the Horse at Petersburg—It will in that case be necessary to give orders for Vessels to be provided at the Head of Elk—Be kind enough to forward the inclosed to Capt. Von Heer of the Marechausé Dragoons, to whom I have written to repair to and take up Major Lees quarters at Burlington.2 I have the honor &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to Henry Lee, Jr., or the Officer Commanding his Corps at Burlington, N.J., this date, and n.2 to that document; see also Council of War, 27 March.
2. GW wrote Capt. Bartholomew von Heer or the officer commanding his troops at Pottsgrove or Reading, Pa., from Morristown on this date: “Be pleased immediately upon the Rec[eip]t hereof to march with your Troop and Baggage to Burlington in New Jersey, and give me information upon your arrival there—There is a necessity for your being there as expeditiously as possible” (Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).
Von Heer replied to GW from Philadelphia on 21 April: “To Day Coming in to thes Cede & Cam to the H[onorabl]e Bourt of Ware, I have Recivet a Lader from under your hand Sining orders me to Move whet My Troop to Borlingtown, which orders, I Endendet to Exeqiout immetiadly, the Bresident of the Bourt of ware, aquendet me not to Move there untill fuider orders as Mgr Lees Corps has Still Rement and not Movet from there, the Leader whas Dadet the 30th of March & I have Recivet him to Day, I am weding now of your Exelencis orders & Schall be Redy to obey your-Command” (ALS, DLC:GW). Von Heer decided to go to Philadelphia after he wrote GW on 15 April.
GW again wrote von Heer from Morristown on 11 May: “You will be pleased immediately upon the receipt of this to come forward yourself or send an Officer with all the Horses of your troop fit for service, and leave directions for the remainder to follow as soon as possible—They are wanted for a very particular service and therefore no time must be lost in reaching this place” (Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW). Von Heer’s Maréchaussée Corps apparently reached Morristown by 28 May (see the general orders for that date; see also , 148–49).