To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 24 June 1780
From Major General Steuben
West Point 24th June 1780
Dear Genl
The first object of my attention on my arrival here was to collect together all the Spare Arms &c. to be ready for the Drafts, (who are, as I am told, coming in great numbers)1—they are to be returnd to the Field Commissary immediately & a return of them given to General How.2
There being no object to call my attention immediately at this Post I have determined to go on the other side & afford every assistance in my power in Assembling & Arranging the Militia;3 I have communicated my intentions to Genl How who will himself command on that side the River & under his Orders I shall Act.4 I have the Honor to be with great respect—Your Excellencys most Obed. Servant
steuben
LS, DLC:GW. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman wrote “only to be acknowledged” on the docket (see n.4 below).
1. For the orders to have these recruits assembled and sent to West Point, see GW to Robert Howe, 18 and 20 June.
2. This return has not been identified.
3. Steuben is referring to the militia reinforcements GW had ordered Howe to call into West Point (see GW to Howe, 15 June).
4. GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote Steuben from Whippany, N.J., on 25 June. Hamilton’s letter reads in part: “As you are at West Point, The General wishes you to remain there till the present appearances come to some result. He has confidence in your judgment and wishes you to give your advice and assistance to the Commanding Officer. As you have no command in the post, you can only do this in a private friendly way; but I dare say, General Howe will be happy to consult you.
“You will consider this as a private letter in which I rather convey you the General’s wishes than his commands” (, 2:344–45).
Hamilton again wrote Steuben, who was still at West Point, on 30 June: “Agreeable to your request my Dr Baron I communicated your pro[po] sal to the General. Happily the inactivity of the enemy has given us time to make dispositions which render the calling out the Militia unnecessary; and the whole has been accordingly countermanded.
“The General requests that when you have completed the objects of your errand in your departments and put things in train you will rejoin the army” (, 2:349). Steuben’s proposal has not been identified.