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WASHINGTON, George, President. Letter signed ("Go Washington") to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, at Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh); Morristown, New Jersey, 14 March 1780. 3¼ pages, folio, 331 x 207mm (13 x 86in.), light dampstain to outer portions of both leaves, not obscuring text or affecting signature. Text in the hand of his aide, Robert Hanson Harrison.
WASHINGTON'S INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST
Writing from his winter quarters, Washington gives instructions for the garrison of the Northwest frontier: "What I hinted...respecting an expedition against the Natches [tribe] and the English settlements upon the Missisippi is now at an end, the Spaniards having already possessed those posts." On the prospect of attacking Detroit, he observes that "from the accounts which you have received of the enemy's force at Detroit...it is evident that you can make no attempt upon that place; but if you think yourself competent to an excursion against any of the hostile tribes of Indians, you are at liberty...to undertake it." (Brodhead had destroyed ten Indian villages on an expedition the previous summer.) He reminds Brodhead to "specify the terms of service [of his men], [and] what States the Men who compose them, belong. This is necessary, to enable me to give the States credit for their Men serving in detached Corps." Supplies and ordnance were in desparately short supply, even at Headquarters, but he had asked "the Board of War to prepare a certain quantity of Ordanance and Stores for Fort Pitt...if they should be of the opinion, that it would be possible to pass the Mountains at that season....I have directed Genl. Knox to detach an Officer of Artillery with a proper number of Men for the duty of the Garrison at Fort Pitt." He discusses the Court Martial of Lt. Gordon, then chides Brodhead on the subject of boats: "My apprehensions, that the Boats would be lost, if they were suffered to be taken into employ for common purposes, was the reason for my directing them to be carefully laid up until wanted. And I perceive...that my fears were not groundless. The expense of the materials for boat building and the wages of proper workmen, are at this time so enormous, that, as there is little prospect of any offensive operations, I shall not give orders for the number of Carpenters you mention. The boats that have been saved are, I imagine, more than sufficient for the purposes of transporting stores...." In conclusion he allows Brodhead leave to visit his family, but stipulates that "Colo. Gibson will remain at the post should you come down, as I would not choose that a place of such consequence should be intrusted to an Officer of inferiour Rank." In the end, the key British base at Detroit was never threatened by American action. Published (from the retained draft) in Writings, ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 18:111.
WASHINGTON'S INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST
Writing from his winter quarters, Washington gives instructions for the garrison of the Northwest frontier: "What I hinted...respecting an expedition against the Natches [tribe] and the English settlements upon the Missisippi is now at an end, the Spaniards having already possessed those posts." On the prospect of attacking Detroit, he observes that "from the accounts which you have received of the enemy's force at Detroit...it is evident that you can make no attempt upon that place; but if you think yourself competent to an excursion against any of the hostile tribes of Indians, you are at liberty...to undertake it." (Brodhead had destroyed ten Indian villages on an expedition the previous summer.) He reminds Brodhead to "specify the terms of service [of his men], [and] what States the Men who compose them, belong. This is necessary, to enable me to give the States credit for their Men serving in detached Corps." Supplies and ordnance were in desparately short supply, even at Headquarters, but he had asked "the Board of War to prepare a certain quantity of Ordanance and Stores for Fort Pitt...if they should be of the opinion, that it would be possible to pass the Mountains at that season....I have directed Genl. Knox to detach an Officer of Artillery with a proper number of Men for the duty of the Garrison at Fort Pitt." He discusses the Court Martial of Lt. Gordon, then chides Brodhead on the subject of boats: "My apprehensions, that the Boats would be lost, if they were suffered to be taken into employ for common purposes, was the reason for my directing them to be carefully laid up until wanted. And I perceive...that my fears were not groundless. The expense of the materials for boat building and the wages of proper workmen, are at this time so enormous, that, as there is little prospect of any offensive operations, I shall not give orders for the number of Carpenters you mention. The boats that have been saved are, I imagine, more than sufficient for the purposes of transporting stores...." In conclusion he allows Brodhead leave to visit his family, but stipulates that "Colo. Gibson will remain at the post should you come down, as I would not choose that a place of such consequence should be intrusted to an Officer of inferiour Rank." In the end, the key British base at Detroit was never threatened by American action. Published (from the retained draft) in Writings, ed. J.C. Fitzpatrick, 18:111.