From George Washington to Brigadier General David Forman, 6 October 1777
To Brigadier General David Forman
Head Quarters Philada County [Pa.] 6th Octobr 1777
Sir
You having informed me that the times of many of your present Brigade of Militia are near expiring, and that many others who came out for no certain time are anxious to return home, you have my permission to march them towards Delaware under pretence that you are going to guard the Stores at Trenton, and when they have crossed the River you may discharge them. But I must beg that you will immediately use your utmost endeavours to collect a Number equal to what you were to have brought in yr last Brigade1 and return with them as quick as possible to join the Army under my command. I shall be glad you will let me know, upon your arrival in Jersey, when I may expect you again and with what force. I am Sir yr m⟨mutilated⟩.
L[S] (mutilated), in Tench Tilghman’s writing, Nj. The signature and part of the closing have been torn off the manuscript. For the phrase inserted on the manuscript in GW’s writing, see note 1.
GW on this date wrote and signed a warrant authorizing Forman “to appoint such, and so many persons as you shall see fit to collect for the use of the Continental Army all such Blankets, Shoes, Stockings & other Articles of Cloathing as can possibly be spared from the Inhabitants in Jersey, giving receipts therefor, to be paid by the Clothier General. Obtaining these things from the Quakers & disaffected Inhabitants is recommended, but at all events to get them. . . . P.S. Let there be a list kept of all certificates given—& returned to the Clothier Genl that proper Settlements may be made and all frauds prevented” (ADS, NjMoHP).
GW issued similar warrants on this date to Dep. Q.M. Gen. Robert Lettis Hooper, who was authorized to impress blankets, shoes, stockings, and other clothing in Northampton County, Pa., and Sussex and Hunterdon counties, N.J. (copy, Nj), to Lt. Col. John Siegfried of the Northampton County, Pa., militia, who was authorized to impress those items in his “section of the country” (, 13 [1889], 75 n.1), and to Brig. Gen. William Woodford, who was authorized to impress them in “the Neighbourhood of Bethlehem” (DS, owned [1991] by Mr. Morton L. Ostow, New York). Hooper’s warrant includes a postscript that reads: “Genl Woodford is requested to give any Aid (by furnishing of Men) in his power, to facilitate the above Measure, and for procuring of Waggons. It is recommend⟨ed⟩ to Mr Hooper to get the above Articles from Tories in preference, but to get them at all events” (Nj).
1. On the manuscript GW struck out the word “like” which Tilghman had written before the word “Number.” Then GW inserted in his own writing the phrase: “equal to what you were to have brought in yr last Brigade.”