To George Washington from Major John Mauritius Goetschius, 8 August 1780
From Major John Mauritius Goetschius
[Closter, N.J.] Dated agust 8 1780
Being Ordered by the Governor of jersey state to take Post near Dobb Ferry their to receave Direction from His Excellency the Commander In Chief. I hereby Inform His Excellency General Wasshington that I am at present near Dobbs Ferry Commanding a Detachment of 150 Men belonging to the state Ridgment being inlisted Perticular for Bergen County and cheef of my men wel acquainted in this County[.] am here Waiting for your Excellencies orders1 and remain in all Respects with submission most Obidient sarvant
John Mauritius Goetschius Major Commadant
laying in Cloaster 3 Mile below Dobs ferry arrived there this Morning
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman wrote on the docket: “Answer within.” Tilghman wrote on the manuscript: “directed to patrol from Closter towards Fort Lee and to communicate any intelligence to Marquis de la Fayette and Commr in Cheif—to make weekly Returns ⟨to⟩ Adjt Genl.” GW soon modified Goetschius’s assignment (see General Orders, 9 Aug.).
For a detailed report of the strength of Goetschius’s command, see Goetschius to William Livingston, 29 July, in , 4:21–22.