To George Washington from Lieutenant William Munday, 15 June 1780
From Lieutenant William Munday
Morris Town june 15th 1780
Sir
Nine days past I delivered a letter to General Green from Colonel Cortlandt, the intention of which was to procure me employ in his department;1 the General told me that the Gentleman who he believed wanted help was absent, but that if I would call on him in four or five days, by which time he expected the Gentleman back, he would give me a line to him—I attended accordingly, but the General had gone to the lines, I acquaintd Major Claiburne with my business, who said he would write to the General, and was pleased to invite me to continue with him (for I came to Town expecting [to] stay) till he received an answer; an answer came, and the Gentleman to whom I were directed, said he wanted no assistance.2
So that I am at last obliged to present you, Sir, with the inclosed certificates3—I do not want to enter the core of invalids nor to retire, but wish to remain in service—However you can do as you please, and may that prerogative be for ever yours; but pray let me know your pleasure Soon, for I fear the Major is tired of me.4 I am your Excellency’s, most Obedient, humble servant
Willm Munday
ALS, DLC:GW.
William Munday (d. 1829) joined the 1st New York Regiment as a sergeant in July 1775 and rose to ensign in August of the following year. When the state organized new regiments late in 1776, Munday joined the 2d New York Regiment as a lieutenant. He was wounded at the Battle of Freeman’s Farm on 19 Sept. 1777. In May 1778, he became regimental quartermaster. A court-martial later convicted him of disobedience and neglect of duty and sentenced him “to be dismissed the Service” (General Orders, 11 Oct. 1781).
1. This letter from Col. Philip Van Cortlandt to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene has not been identified.
2. Neither deputy quartermaster general Richard Claiborne’s letter to Greene nor Greene’s letter to Claiborne have been identified.
3. Munday enclosed a document with statements from Daniel Menema, surgeon of the 2d New York Regiment, and John Cochran, surgeon general of the middle department. Menema gave his statement on 29 May at Jockey Hollow: “This may Certify that Wm Munday Lieutt in the 2d N.Y. regiment is much afflicted with a Lameness the consequence of a Wound received the 19 September 1777. previous to the Capture of Burgoyne and by reason of which he is rendred totally unfit to undergo the necessary Fatigues of a Campaign.” Cochran’s statement, dated 14 June at Morristown, reads: “I have examined the Case of Lieut. Munday and am of Opinion that he is altogether incapable of Field Duty, on account of the wound as above set forth” (DLC:GW).
4. No reply from GW has been found.