From George Washington to Field Officers of the Connecticut Light Horse, 16 July 1776
To Field Officers of the Connecticut Light Horse
New York 16th July 1776
Gentn
In answer to yours of this date, I can only repeat to You what I said last night, & that is, that if your Men think themselves exempt from the Common duties of a Soldier—will not mount Guard—do Garrison Duty, or the service seperate from their Horse, they can be no longer of Use here—where Horse cannot be brought to Action And I do not care how soon they are Dismiss’d. I am Gentlemen Yr Most Hume servt
G.W.
LB, in Samuel Blachley Webb’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The LB is addressed to “Colo. Seymore & other field Officers of the Connectt Light Horse.”
Samuel Blachley Webb wrote to Gov. Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut on 18 July: “The General [GW] has rode out this morning and directed me to acquaint your Honor, that on the first arrival of the Light Horse under command of Colo. Seymour he acquainted them that they could not be of use as Horsemen, on which they concluded to tarry and do duty as foot till the arrival of the new Levies. The latter part of the time they grew uneasy and refused their duty as Soldiers, though their services were much wanted; pleading in excuse, that there was an express Law of the Colony which exempts them from doing duty separate from their horse. It was only requested they should mount guard, which they refused, on which the General was obliged to discharge them yesterday, altho but a small proportion of the new Levies had arrived” (Ct: Trumbull Papers).