Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources
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To BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM MAXWELL

   Head Quarters, West point, November 1, 1779.

    Sir: I was yesterday favd. with yours of the 30th. by Captain Wool12 acquainting me with your being upon the upper Road, which is rather unlucky [as it has disconcerted me in many respects]. I yesterday wrote to General Sullivan to detach your Brigade to Westfield to cover the forage in that quarter. Should the troops not have marched from Warwick towards Sufferans when this reaches you, you will be pleased to observe

[Note:Capt. Isaiah Wool, of the Second Continental Artillery. He resigned in August, 1780. ]
the following directions. March with your own Brigade to Westfield, order the Regiment late Aldens, and the Rifle Corps under the command of Major Parr to [this place by the rout of] New Windsor, and halt all the remainder of the troops at Warwick, [till further orders.] But should you have passed Warwick, you are to continue the march to Sufferans, filing off with your own Brigade to Westfield at the most convenient place.

    The cover of the forage under the Mountain is to be the principal object of your attention, for which purpose, and as circumstances may require your moving again from thence at a moments warning, you will keep your Officers and Men together, and all things in the most perfect readiness. [If the Scotch plains, or any position thereabouts will afford a better, and more general cover to the forage than West-field, you may make choice of it; the forage Master in that part of the County will be able to give you the necessary information of the places where it principally lays; the State Regiment will (I presume) continue at their present posts; I would not therefore have any part of your Brigade moved down to Elizabeth Town or those places but Posted in such a manner as best to answer the purposes above mentioned.] Wherever this may meet you I would wish you to halt the Troops, and inform me immediately of it, provided they can be tolerably well supplied with forage. Your own Brigade, Alden's Regt. and the rifle corps will proceed as before directed. 13

[Note:The draft is in the writing of Tench Tilghman and Richard Kidder Meade. The parts in brackets are in the writing of Washington. ]