From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 14 April 1779
To Brigadier General William Maxwell
Head Quarters Middlebrook 14th April 1779.
Sir
I received your favor of the 12th instant with its several inclosures.
I herewith transmit a copy of a representation from Lieutenants Snowden—Burrows &c. complaining of being injured in their rank by the appointment of Mr Aaron Ogden and Mr Martin.1 I wish this to be laid before the gentlemen who were ordered to settle respective ranks; and to know the reasons which induced them to the arrangement which is now become the subject of complaint. It will be necessary for me to know these reasons before I can take any measures in this affair.
You have also inclosed an extract from Genl orders disapproving the sintence of the court martial on Lt Snowden.2 I am Sir &c.
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed representation has not been identified, but see Maxwell to GW, 12 April, n.4. Eden Burrowes (d. 1825) became a sergeant in the 1st New Jersey Regiment in December 1776, and was promoted to second lieutenant in April 1777 and to first lieutenant in January 1778. In April 1780 a captain repeatedly stabbed Burrowes with a hanger, or short broadsword, and nearly killed him, but Burrowes recovered from his wounds and remained in service until 1783 (see General Orders, 29 April 1780, DLC:GW). Absalom Martin (c.1756–1800) was appointed paymaster of the 4th New Jersey Regiment in November 1776 and became a first lieutenant in the 1st New Jersey Regiment in March 1777. He was appointed regimental paymaster of this regiment in November 1779 and was commissioned a captain in January 1783, serving until the end of the war.
2. See General Orders, this date.