To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 25 February 1781
From Colonel Daniel Brodhead
Fort Pitt [Pa.] Feby 25th 1781.
Dear General
I am honored with your Letters of the 29th of December & 10th Jany Last. that of the 10th came to hand on the 20th instant, and the other on the day following.
As it is my Duty, so it is my highest pleasure, to execute every instruction I receive from your Excellency, to the utmost of my capacity.
Captain Heth having retired to his farm I cannot at this time, send his rank, but have inclosed the Rank of the Maryland Officers,1 And will forward that—of the other Officers by the next conveyance.
The Indians have lately killed one man upon ten mile Creek. and the Inhabitants are in great consternation. The frontier Settlements will doubtless be deserted, as I have not Troops to protect them.
I shall be happy if the proposed Expedition, under Colo. Clark, answers your Excellencies expectations; nothing in my power shall be wanting to forward his operations.2
In my last I begged leave of Absence untill I could do myself the honor to wait upon your Excellency.3 And as my force will now be much reduced. I take the liberty to renew my Application. With the most perfect respect & esteem I have the honor to be your Excellencies most Obedt Servt
Daniel Brodhead
Postscript
I shall be glad to know if it be your Excellencies pleasure to have a Garrison continued at Fort McIntosh.4
LS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosure has not been identified.
2. For the proposed expedition to capture Detroit, see GW to Brodhead, 29 Dec. 1780.
3. Brodhead made this request in his letter to GW of 23 January 1781.
4. GW replied to Brodhead on 16 April, writing in part: “The keeping up the post of Fort McIntosh must entirely depend upon the utility of it, and the means you have of supporting it. Of this you, who are upon the spot, will be the best able to judge” (DLC:GW).