George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead or the Officer Commanding at Fort Pitt, Pa., 5 May 1781
To Colonel Daniel Brodhead or
the Officer Commanding at Fort Pitt, Pa.
Head Quarters New Windsor 5th May 1781.
Sir
Mr Fowler will put into your hands sundry Charges against Mr Duncan Dy Qr Mr General at Fort Pitt, on which you will have him arrested and brought to trial—The proceedings you will transmit to me. should Mr Fowler bring Charges against any other persons who may, from their Ranks or stations, be properly tried by the Court which shall be convened, you will likewise arrest and bring them to trial. Inclosed you have a power for holding a Court.
Mr Fowler has charges also against Colo. Brodhead, who, on account of his Rank, cannot be tried at Fort Pitt. You will therefore, after filling up the Blank for the name, deliver the inclosed deputation to the Gentleman who usually Officiates as Judge Advocate, and he will take the depositions of the parties on the spot, which will enable a Court Martial with the Army to determine the matter.1 I am Sir Yr most obt Servt.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman wrote John Laurance, judge advocate general, from headquarters on this date: “His Excellency has determined to have the Quarter Master at Fort pitt and all persons of proper Rank for such a Court as can be held there to be tried upon the spot, which will save a quire of depositions and you a world of trouble. But Brodheads must be determined upon depositions. If you will draw a proper deputation, leaving Blanks for the Name, it shall be transmitted to the Officer next in Command to Colo. Brodhead with directions to fill up the blank with the name of the Gentleman usually officiating as Judge Advocate at the post. Were you to address him a letter of instructions it might tend to more regularity in the issue. … Plaintiff. Alexander Fowler Esqr. Auditor of Accounts Western department. Deponent Colo. Danl Brodhead” (DNA: NHi: John Laurance Papers; Tilghman wrote on the cover: “should Mr Laurance not be upon the point Genl Heath will be pleased to send this to his Quarters”).
1. The two enclosures have not been identified. Col. John Gibson, who had assumed command at Fort Pitt, replied to GW on 25 Aug. that he had appointed Capt. John Finley to act as judge advocate general in proceedings against David Duncan, deputy quartermaster, and Col. Daniel Brodhead despite Alexander Fowler’s contentions to serve in that capacity (DLC:GW; see also GW to Brodhead and to Fowler, both 5 May).