General Orders, 15 May 1781
General Orders
Head Quarters New Windsor Tuesday May 15. 1781
Parole Countersigns ——
Returns of the number of Recruits that have joined each State line, Hazen’s regiment, and the Park of Artillery since the first day of April last (specifying the number of those that were sent back as unfit for service) to be given in to the Adjutant General’s office on thursday next without fail.1
Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
David Brooks wrote GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman from Newburgh, N.Y., on this date: “The Bearer of this is Mrs Mary Smith, formerly an inhabitant of the City of New York & in good Circumstances; but at present a distressed, banished Widow & Refugee that Merits the assistance of every humane heart that ⟨is⟩ acquainted by what means she is reduced to strait Circumstances.” Brooks recounted how Mary Smith (Smyth) had assisted prisoners confined in New York, been banished by “Mr. Matthews, the Mayor of the City, (a man of whom, I am sorry to say from experience, I cannot speak one good thing),” and was now “reduced to want” after expending a small sum received from New York officials.
“My Request now is, that you will be pleased to Mention her Case to his Excellency General Washin[g]ton, that she may obtain a lasting Order for a daily Ration to be allowed her; she has spent a comfortable Competency to relieve our distressed soldiery, Justice, not to say humanity, requires that she have at least, Soldiers Fare.
“Gratitude impels me to make this Representation, which is strictly Just; but Very inadequate to what her conduct has Merited” (DLC:GW). For a similar appeal, see Isaac Ledyard’s undated letter to Tilghman (DLC:GW, filed under 15 May 1781)
1. For a similar directive, see General Orders, 4 June. Adj. Gen. Edward Hand discussed returns and recruits when he wrote GW on 17 May.