ALS, DLC:GW. Robert Hanson Harrison docketed the letter 7 April 1780 and wrote on the docket: “an[swere]d & granted.”

Bernard Ward joined Col. Samuel Atlee’s Pennsylvania Musketry Battalion as a second lieutenant in March 1776 and became a first lieutenant the following July. After his capture and exchange, Ward was declared a supernumerary officer of the Pennsylvania line in 1779. The date of Ward’s promotion to captain is unclear, but it apparently was before the date of this letter as Harrison wrote on the docket “Capn Ward.”

A draft of a pass issued to Ward by Harrison on 7 April is in DLC:GW. The draft reads: “Captain Bernard Ward of the Regiment lately commanded by Colo. Atlee, having represented to His Excellency, the Commander in Chief, that while he was a prisoner of War on Long Island he married & was obliged when exchanged to leave his Wife & the Effects he received with her on account of her being ill with the Small pox, and prayed that he might send in a Letter by a Flag of truce in order to get Her out with Her Effects—This is to certify that he has obtained his Excellency the Commander in Chief’s consent for the same and Mrs Ward has permission to come out with her Cloaths & Other effects; in which however are not to be included any Goods or Merchandize for sale.”