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TRANSCRIPT GLC 6767
George Washington. Letter signed: Valley Forge, to Alexander
McDougall, 1778 May 5. 2 p. + doc. and address leaf.
Head Quarters Valley Forge 5th: May 1778
Dear Sir
I have wrote pressingly to General Heath and General Putnam
to forward the Recruits of Massachusetts and Connecticut to
the North River with all possible dispatch. If they arrive
there during the continuance of your command, you will be
pleased, agreeable to former orders, to send on those, belonging
to the Regiments that are here, immediately.
I very much fear that we, taking it for granted that we have
nothing more to do because France has acknowledged our independency
and formed an alliance with us, Shall relapse into a State
of supineness and perfect Security. I think it more than probable,
from the Situation of affairs in Europe, that the Enemy will
receive no considerable, if any reinforcements. But suppose
they should not, their remaining force, if well directed,
is far from being contemptible. In the desperate State of
British Affairs, it is worth a desperate attempt to extricate
themselves, and a blow at our main Army, if Successful, would
have a wonderful effect upon the minds of a number of people
still willing to embrace the present terms or indeed any terms
offered by Great Britain. It behoves us therefore to make
ourselves as respectable as possible, that, if the Enemy continue
in their present detached state, we may endeavor to destroy
them [2] by piece-meal, and if, on the contrary, they collect,
they may fall heavily upon us in some quarter. I cannot help
thinking, from a late movement of their Shipping, that they
have something of this kind in view. Near two hundred Sail
of light transports have gone down the Delaware within a week
past. New York is too valuable to evacuate, but upon the last
extremity, and I therefore incline to think that the move,
if any, will be from Rhode Island. If the troops should be
brought from thence to New York, we must provide for the posts
upon the North River in proportion to the addition of the
strength of the enemy - If to Philadelphia, we must draw down
our force accordingly. For these Reasons it is my wish to
See the Eastern Recruits brought on towards the North River
as quickly as possible. If there should be no alteration in
the position of the Enemy, you will, as before mentioned,
send on those intended for the Regiments here, without loss
of time. If there should be a move, we must alter our plan
according to circumstances.
I am Dear Sir
Yr. most obt: Servt.
Go: Washington
Genl. Mc.Dougall
[docket]
Genl Washington of 5th May 1778.
113
[inserted – diff. hand: (Copied WWH)]
[address]
On public Service
To Major General Mc:Dougall
at Fishkill
Go: Washington
Notes: Published in Fizpatrick, John C. The Writings of George
Washington. v. 11:351-353.
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