From George Washington to Thomas Tillotson, 26 July 1778
To Thomas Tillotson
[White Plains, 26 July 1778]
Sir,
You are to proceed, immediately, with two assistants to Doctor Isaac Foster D. Director in the Eastern department, and take his instructions for the procuring of hospital furniture, medicines instruments, and such things as may be thought necessary in the formation of a military & flying hospital for the use and benefit of the troops under the command of Major General Sullivan, at Providence, Rhode Island, in case or provided a proper hospital arrangement has not already taken place in that quarter either by the orders of Major General Sullivan or Doctor Foster. But should there be as yet no establishment of this kind you will repair to and continue with Major General Sulliva[n]1 in the faithful exercise of the several functions of your profession till dismissed by General Sullivan, the commander in that quarter, or the commander in chief of the army of the United States. Given at Head Quarters this 26th day of July 1778.
G. W——n
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Thomas Tillotson (1751–1832), who was appointed a senior surgeon in June 1776, had been serving as physician and surgeon general for the northern army at least since October 1777. He served to the close of the war. After the war, Tillotson was elected to Congress in 1801 but did not serve, and he was New York secretary of state, 1801–8.
1. The draft reads, “Sullival.”