George Washington to Brigadier General John Glover, 9 May 1781
To Brigadier General John Glover
Head Quarters New Winds⟨or⟩ May 9th 1781.
Dear Sir
As some of the Recruits1 begin to arrive, and more may daily be expected;2 and as the season for opening the Campaign is fast approaching; it behoves every Officer (particularly every one of high rank) to be with the Troops of his command, at this moment, to organize, discipline, & prepare them for the field3—I shall expect therefore, that you will commence your return to the Army, as soon as it is possible to be done, after the receipt of this Letter.4 I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
LS (facsimile), in David Humphreys’s writing, Christie’s, New York, 19 May 2000, sale no. 9364; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The probable cover of the LS, which GW signed and is addressed to Glover at Boston, in in PHi: Etting Collection with Glover’s reply to GW on 31 May.
1. The draft, which Humphreys also penned, has “from your State” struck out at this point. Glover was from Massachusetts.
2. Approximately 1,000 recruits from Massachusetts had reached West Point (see William Heath to GW, 3 May, and n.1 to that document).
3. GW soon issued orders for training recruits (see General Orders, 29 and 30 May). For GW’s directive that absent officers rejoin the army, see General Orders, 27 May.
4. GW had granted Glover a leave of absence (see Glover to GW, 28 Jan., and n.4).