From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Ward, 16 November 1779
To Colonel Joseph Ward
West point Novr 16: 1779
D. sir
The prospect of a cooperation with His Excellency Count D’Estaing—in this quarter being at an end for this Year1—It is my wish as soon as possible to prevent a farther accumulation of expence to the public by detaining the Militia in service; and as it is my desire that they should be paid as soon as it can be effected—I request that some Officer in Your departmt may proceed immediately to Albany and Muster those from the Massachusetts State assembled there. The Officer who goes on the business cannot be too expeditious in setting out and in completing it. He will keep an account & vouchers for his reasonable Expences which shall be paid. I write to the Officer who commands these Militia to day—that there will be no farther occasion for him.2 I am Dr sir with great regard Yr Most Obedt sert
Go: W.
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW is referring to his intention to attack the British in and around New York City after rendezvousing with a French fleet under Vice Admiral d’Estaing. Due to the lateness of the season, GW had curtailed preparations for combined operations even before he received official notice of the American and French defeat at Savannah on 9 Oct. (see Samuel Huntington to GW, 10 Nov.; see also Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct., editorial note, and GW to Horatio Gates, this date, and n.1 to that document).
2. See GW to John Fellows, this date, found at Fellows to GW, 10 Nov., n.5; see also notes 1 and 3 to that document.