From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 9 January 1781
To Colonel Israel Shreve
Head Quarters New Windsor 9th Janry 1781
Sir
I have just received your Letter of Yesterday; I am extremely sorry that the Proportion of Cloathing for the Jersey Troops is not more ample, and of better quality. You must be sensible it is owing to the Misfortune of not receiving the supply expected from France,1 and that unhappily for us the remainder of the Troops are not in a more eligible situation—The States are now called upon in the most pointed Manner to remedy this evil as far as possible.2 And I cannot but hope Matters of Cloathing will soon be put on a better foundation.
I am surprised that any of the Men of Spencers Regt should be detained as Waiters, after orders being given to the contrary.3 I would have immediate & effectual measures taken for recovering these Men to the service, by sending an Officer after them. And wish also that the other Men who are absent from that Regt May be collected as early as the circumstances will permit.
You will make use of the proper Means to have the Articles of Cloathing you Mention forwarded on. I am with great regard Sir.
P.S. I find by Your Letter, that you proposed going to Chatham. I hope you will not have set out before this reaches You, because I think it of great consequence for you to continue with the remains of the Brigade, especially at such a Critical Moment as this is—if you have not gone, you will not leave your Command at present.
Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW refers to the failure of the expeditionary force that arrived from France in July 1780 to bring the expected large quantity of uniforms for the Continental army (see Lafayette’s second letter to GW, 26 July 1780, and n.5).