From George Washington to Commodore John Hazelwood, 7 October 1777
To Commodore John Hazelwood
Camp Pawlins Mill [Pa.] 7 October 1777
Sir
Upon Capt. Blewers representation of the importance of Red Bank I have determined to garrison it immediately strongly with continental troops, who are now upon their march. Till they arrive I beg you will do all in your power to keep possession of the Ground, should the Enemy attempt to take it. With the assistance of this Force upon the land, I hope you will be enabled to keep your Station with your fleet, and if you can do that, I have not the least doubt but we shall by our operations by land and Water oblige the Enemy to abandon Philada. I have wrote to Genl Newcombe to assist the Garrison with as many Militia as he can spare.1 I am Sir Yr most obt Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. I intend to send down Capt. Mauduit to command the Artillery. I beg you will afford him every Assistance of Cannon and Stores, and if he should want a few Men to work the Guns, I beg he may have such as have been used to it. I think you should not lose one moment in possessing the Ground at Red Bank.
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, PaVfNHP; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This letter has not been found, but see Alexander Hamilton’s letter to Silas Newcomb of 10 Oct., quoted in GW to Hancock, 10–11 Oct., n.3.