To George Washington from Captain William McMurray et al., 26 May 1780
From Captain William McMurray et al.
Morristown May 26th 1780
May it please your Excellency—
We the subscribers Officers in the Corps of Sappers & Miners, hoped and expected, when we solicited and accepted Commissions in said Corps, that we should find our duty a species of service, well worthy the ambition and zeal of those who wish to acquire Military knowledge.
Had the first and sixteenth articles of the regulations of the Corps been put in practice, we firmly believe it would have answered our expectations;1 and as almost every General Order respecting the Corps expressed an intention of having the Companies formed without delay,2 we flattered ourselves we should have long since been put into a capacity of doing honour to ourselves, & essential service to our Country; but we find ourselves at a loss to know why a Corps represented to us of so important a nature, should be so long neglected when several other Corps have been formed, we conceive long since this was set on foot.
In case men could not have been draughted conveniently from the Line, we are fully of the opinion had the Officers been put upon a proper footing for the recruiting business, we should now have the pleasure of seeing the Corps compleated; but the unexpected delays we have repeatedly experienced, renders our present situation very disagreeable and uneasy, liable to the reproach (repugnant to the principles upon which we entered the Corps) of being supported by the publick, without rendering it any manner of service.3
We therefore humbly implore your Excellency to take an active part in our favour (as in our present state of suspence we know not where to apply) hoping through your means we may be able, yet to serve our Country with honour & satisfaction.4 We have the honour to be your Excellencies most obedient and most humble servants
Wm McMurray Capt.
Js Beebee Capt.
David Bushnell Capt. Lt
J. Welch Lt
LS, DLC:GW.
1. The first article of the regulations of the corps of sappers and miners specified that until men were enlisted for the corps, companies “not exceeding three shall be formed … by drafts from the line at the direction of the Commander in Chief and be under the command of the Commandant of the Corps of Engineers until otherwise ordered by Congress.” The first article also determined the number and rank of officers and men that were to constitute each company (General Orders, 2 Aug. 1779). The sixteenth article directed the “Commandant of the Corps of Engineers” to appoint engineers “whom he shall judge best qualified, to read lectures on fortification proper for towns or the field,” and on other subjects including the “use of Mines and their construction” (General Orders, 4 Aug. 1779). For the complete regulations of the corps of sappers and miners, see the general orders for 2, 3, and 4 Aug. 1779.
2. See, for instance, the general orders for 11–12 Aug. 1778, and 19 May 1779.
3. Officers in the corps of sappers and miners had not received their commissions, and unsuccessful recruiting efforts had delayed the formation of companies (see Duportail to GW, 16 Jan. 1780, and GW’s second letter to Samuel Huntington of 26 Jan. 1780).
4. No reply from GW has been found, but the general orders for 22 July directed “that one man be drawn from each regiment” for the corps of sappers and miners.