George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 31 May 1781
To Colonel Elisha Sheldon
Head Quarters New Windsor May 31. 17[81]1
Sir
You will immediately put your Corps under marching Orders, & make every possible provision for a2 movement; It is the intention of this Order, that the whole of the Infantry and all of the Cavalry who have been, or can be prepared for the feild, should be held in the most perfect readiness to march on the shortest notice. Whatever articles there are in the Stores, which are absolutely necessary for your men before they march, You will draw on your own Return, taking care not to extend the Return beyond the Articles now actually wanting, & which cannot be dispensed with. and reporting the same together with a minute state of yr Regt on your arrival at the Army.
As you will before this time be able, to determine what the State of Connecticut will do respecting Mounting & equipping the Dismounted Dragoons of your Regt—if there should be a probability of effecting this and it cannot be compleated previous to your marching, in that case you will be at liberty to leave an Officer (and a few Dragoons if necessary) to assist in collecting and bringing on, the Horses & Accoutrements, and carrying the Resolution of the State effectually into execution.3 I am Dr Sir Your Most Obedt Servant.
Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. For the handling of the receiver’s copy, see GW to Benjamin Tallmadge, this date, found at Tallmadge to GW, 29 May, source note.
1. The year is taken from the docket of the draft.
2. Following this word on the draft, Humphreys struck out the phrase “motion to join the main Army, as soon as possible, after the receipt of this Letter.”