George Washington Papers

George Washington to Brigadier General John Stark, 25 June 1781

To Brigadier General John Stark

Head Quarters New Windsor June 25th 1781

Dear Sir

Upon finding it necessary for the operations of the Campaign, to recall the Continental Troops from the Northward I have ordered 600 Militia from the Counties of Berkshire & Hampshire to that quarter, in addition to the Militia & State Troops of New York;1 and I have now to request that you will take the general Command of all the Troops in that Department, as soon as conveniently may be; I am induced to appoint you to this Command, from your knowledge of, & influence amongst the Inhabitants of that Country.

You will be pleased therefore to repair to Saratoga, and establish your Head Quarters at that place,2 detaining with you 400 of the Troops from Massachusetts, and sending the other 200 to Colonel Willet, who will remain in command on the Mowhawk River, as his popularity3 in that Country will enable him to render essential services there.4

In case of an incursion of the Enemy you will make such dispositions as you shall judge most advantageous for opposing them & protecting the frontier. (Not withdrawing the Troops from the Mowhawk River). I rely upon it, you will use your utmost exertions to draw forth the force of the Country from the Green-Mountains & all the contiguous territory; and I doubt not your requisitions will be attended with success, as your personal influence must be unlimited amongst those people, at whose head, you have formerly fought & conquered with so much reputation & glory.5

I request you will be very particular in keeping up proper discipline & preventing the Troops from committing depredations upon the Inhabitants.

Be pleased to let me hear from you from time to time,6 & believe me to be Dear Sir Your Most Obedient Hble Servant

Go: Washington

LS, in David Humphreys’s writing, NhHi: Stark Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1See GW to George Clinton, 21 and 25 June; see also GW to James Clinton, 25 June, and n.6 to that document.

2Stark reached Saratoga, N.Y., in late summer (see Stark to William Heath, 9 Sept., in Stark, Memoir of John Stark description begins Caleb Stark. Memoir and Official Correspondence of Gen. John Stark, with Notices of Several Other Officers of the Revolution . . .. 1860. Reprint. Boston, 1972. description ends , 245–46; see also Stark to GW, 9 and 23 Aug., DLC:GW).

3Humphreys wrote “polularity” on the LS, but he spelled the word accurately when he penned the draft.

4For Col. Marinus Willett’s command in Mohawk Valley, N.Y., see James Clinton to GW, 15–18 June.

5Stark was the victorious commander at the Battle of Bennington, Vt., in August 1777 (see Philip Schuyler to GW, 19 Aug. 1777, and n.2 to that document).

6Stark replied to GW on 15 July (DLC:GW). GW again wrote Stark about the northern department command on 28 June (see GW to Schuyler, 30 June, n.4).

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