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George Washington, 7 August 1782
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On the retirement of John Glover
George Washington, 7 August 1782
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Letter signed (“Go:Washington”) as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army to John Glover, "Head Quarters," [Newburgh,] 7 August 1782.
One page, 294 x 180mm, bifolium (some mild soiling and dampstaining). Docketed on verso by John GLOVER (1732-1797). Body of text in the hand of Benjamin WALKER (1753-1818).
On the retirement of John Glover, who helped Washington and his troops cross the Delaware. Washington, who had “By The last Post… the pleasure to acquaint you with the determination of Congress permitting you to retire from the Army agreeably to your request,” now moves on to ensure the commander of his famous Marblehead regiment returns any supplies. The commander-in-chief adds, politely, "As the Servants, public waggons &c allowed you whilst in the Army will now no longer be necessary — I have to desire you to order them on to the Army as soon as possible.” John Glover's regiment, recruited from Marblehead, Massachusetts, included numerous mariners, and soon became known as Washington's "amphibious" regiment. At the end of August 1776, the regiment famously saved Washington's forces from being cut off by the British after the Battle of Long Island—evacuating his entire force from Brooklyn to Manhattan over the course of a single night. However, Glover's men are best remembered today for their assistance in ferrying Washington's army across the Delaware on Christmas night 1776 to set the stage for the surprise attack on the British garrison at Trenton the next morning. Glover would also participate in the battles at Saratoga and Rhode Island and also helped construct many of the fortifications at West Point. Following the victory at Yorktown, Glover was sent to Boston to supervise recruiting, and in July 1782, citing poor health, Glover requested permission to retire from the army.
George Washington, 7 August 1782
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Letter signed (“Go:Washington”) as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army to John Glover, "Head Quarters," [Newburgh,] 7 August 1782.
One page, 294 x 180mm, bifolium (some mild soiling and dampstaining). Docketed on verso by John GLOVER (1732-1797). Body of text in the hand of Benjamin WALKER (1753-1818).
On the retirement of John Glover, who helped Washington and his troops cross the Delaware. Washington, who had “By The last Post… the pleasure to acquaint you with the determination of Congress permitting you to retire from the Army agreeably to your request,” now moves on to ensure the commander of his famous Marblehead regiment returns any supplies. The commander-in-chief adds, politely, "As the Servants, public waggons &c allowed you whilst in the Army will now no longer be necessary — I have to desire you to order them on to the Army as soon as possible.” John Glover's regiment, recruited from Marblehead, Massachusetts, included numerous mariners, and soon became known as Washington's "amphibious" regiment. At the end of August 1776, the regiment famously saved Washington's forces from being cut off by the British after the Battle of Long Island—evacuating his entire force from Brooklyn to Manhattan over the course of a single night. However, Glover's men are best remembered today for their assistance in ferrying Washington's army across the Delaware on Christmas night 1776 to set the stage for the surprise attack on the British garrison at Trenton the next morning. Glover would also participate in the battles at Saratoga and Rhode Island and also helped construct many of the fortifications at West Point. Following the victory at Yorktown, Glover was sent to Boston to supervise recruiting, and in July 1782, citing poor health, Glover requested permission to retire from the army.
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