From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 February 1781

To Samuel Huntington

Head Quarters New Windsor Feby 9th 81

Sir

Col. Gansewort has applied to me on a subject, which I am under a necessity of referring to Congress, as they are alone competent to decide upon it.

On the 4th of October 1777 they were pleased to pass a resolution of thanks to him for his bravery and perseverance in the defence of Fort Schuyler—appointing him, by way of reward, Colonel Commandant of the same. He also received a special commission as “Colonel Commandant of Fort Schuyler.”1

It happens that Col. Ganzevort being junior to Colonels Van Schaik and Cortlandt has been obliged to retire on the new arrangement;2 but he conceives that a general regulation of this kind does not vacate a commission granted by special authority and for a special reason; and he therefore still considers himself as an officer in service.

I shall be happy to know the sense of Congress on this point as soon as may be convenient. I have the honor to be With perfect respect Yr Excellency’s Most Obed & hum. s.

Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. There is no record in JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends that Congress read this letter, and it may never have been sent.

In early 1782, Peter Gansevoort, who had become a general in the New York militia, submitted a memorial to Congress on the subject of his reinstatement, but that body deemed it “impracticable with the present arrangement of the army” (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 22:116; see also JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 22:80). Gansevoort submitted another memorial later in that year, but no action was taken on it after Congress referred it “to the Secretary at War” (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 22:349).

1. See JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 9:771.

2. The new establishment of the Continental army had reduced the number of New York infantry regiments from five to two (see General Orders, 1 Nov. 1780).

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 February 1781
Author: Washington, George
Recipient: Huntington, Samuel
Date: 9 February 1781

Reference

Cite as: “From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 February 1781,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-30-02-0369. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 30, 1 January–6 March 1781, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2022, p. 414.]

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