George Washington letter signed ("Go: Washington"). ...

Description

George Washington letter signed ("Go: Washington"). Two pages of a bifolium, 8.25" x 13.25", "Head Quarters, Valley Forge" [Pennsylvania]; February 12, 1778. With integral address sheet, in the hand of Tench Tilghman. Docketed.

General Washington orders McDougall to head inquiry into the loss of Fort Montgomery.

Letter, in the hand of Tench Tilghman (1744-1786), aide-de-camp to Washington during the Revolutionary War, to Major General Alexander McDougall at or near Morristown, New Jersey, in which Washington orders McDougall to head a commission directed by Congress to inquire into the loss of Fort Montgomery. It reads, in full:

"Dear Sir
The Congress, so long ago as the 30th November last, directed me to have an enquiry into the Causes of the losses of Fort Mifflin upon the Delaware, and Fort Montgomery upon Hudsons [sic] River-The peculiar Situation of the Army has hindered me from attending to this matter before this time.

As most of the principal Officers, up the North River, were immediately concerned in the defence of Fort Montgomery, or eventually so, by being very near it, there cannot, in my opinion, be a sufficient number, proper to compose a Court, found upon the Spot. It is therefore my intention to send three at least from this Army, and it is my wish that you should be one, and act as president upon the occasion, if your health will permit you to attend. I shall therefore be glad to hear from you upon the subject, that I may either proceed to fill up the Commission for you, or appoint another, if your health should not be sufficiently established to go thro' the Business.

It is my wish to have this [crossed out: matter] enquiry carried on, not only in obedience to the Resolve of Congress, but for other reasons which I need not explain to you. It is besides impatiently expected by the Gentlemen in the State of New York, who are in hopes that some beneficial Consequences will result from it-You are particularly well acquainted with many circumstances relating to the Situation of matters in that quarter, and therefore more capable of conducting the enquiry than any other Officer. I shall only add one Reason more to induce you to strain a point upon this occasion, which is, that the scarcity of General Officers is already so great, that supposing one as proper as yourself, I could not spare him without injury to the Service. I shall expect an answer by return of the Express and am Dear Sir
Yr. most obt. Servt.

Go: Washington"

In this letter to McDougall, Washington, Commander in Chief of the American forces, informs the general that Congress has directed him the previous November to investigate the loss of two American forts in the fall of 1777: Fort Mifflin on the Delaware River near Philadelphia and Fort Montgomery on the Hudson River at Peekskill, New York. Washington directs McDougall, if his health permits, to lead a commission of at least three officers to pursue the inquiry into the loss of Fort Montgomery.

During much of 1777, American and British military activity occurred around New York City, including the Lower Hudson River region from West Point to New York Harbor. American strategy was to prevent the British from sailing further north by building a river chain across the Hudson River, which included fortifications erected at Peekskill. Among the fortifications on the west bank of the Hudson River was Fort Montgomery below West Point. The intent of British forces was to seize control of the Hudson River with the intention of separating the New England colonies from the other American colonies. While British General William Howe (1729-1814), Commander of British forces in America, decided to attack Philadelphia, another British General Henry Clinton (1730? -1795), in an effort to assist British General John Burgoyne (1722-1792), who was heading south from Canada, attacked and captured Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton on October 6, 1777, thus dismantling the Hudson River chain. The troops stationed at Fort Montgomery were under the command of General Israel Putnam (1718-1790). Putnam, fooled by a feint by Clinton, moved the bulk of his troops from the fort to the east side of the river, while Clinton landed his force on the west side of the river and easily captured Fort Montgomery along with Fort Clinton. Putnam was relieved of command and brought before a court of inquiry.

McDougall responded to Washington's directive in a February 17 letter, stating that his health had improved and reluctantly agreeing to head the commission looking into the loss of Fort Montgomery. McDougall believed that whatever verdict came out of the inquiry, whether it be an acquittal or court-martial, the army would be blamed. As it turned out, on August 17, 1778, after reviewing the report of the court that Washington forwarded, Congress resolved that both forts were lost due not to any fault or misconduct by the commanding officers, but due to the lack of adequate forces to defend them. Congress decided not to pursue an investigation into the loss of Fort Mifflin.

During the winter of 1777-1778, while British forces under General Howe occupied Philadelphia, Washington set up camp at Valley Forge, some twenty miles north of the city. Washington chose Valley Forge for several reasons, including the location which provided his army with a natural fortress, as his camp sat on top of a series of hills; and the fact that it was close enough to Philadelphia for his army to keep an eye on British troops and prevent them from attacking settlements in the countryside. That winter turned out to be extraordinarily cold and Washington's army of 11,000 men, along with approximately 500 women and children, endured seemingly unbearable conditions, as some soldiers lacked shoes, proper clothing, and meager rations. Washington, who spent the time with his troops, spent much of his time writing to Congress, demanding more supplies for his men and training his army. By the time Washington departed Valley Forge in June, his army was better trained and ready to take on the British forces as they headed toward New York.

This letter shows Washington carrying out a directive from Congress to investigate the loss of American forts as well as his high regard for General McDougall's ability to lead the commission. It is accompanied by a print of the Tim Davis painting titled A General Before His King and a hand-colored engraving of Washington in uniform.

Condition: 5.5" separation along integral fold. Two pinholes along the integral fold at the intersections of horizontal folds. Two areas of loss, with a closed tear extending from one, to the address leaf from seal removal upon opening. Minor edgewear, with a few stray pinholes to address leaf. Scattered soiling and foxing.

More Information: Prior to the war, Alexander McDougall (1732-1786) worked as a merchant in New York City. As tensions between the colonies and the Crown continued to rise, McDougall became increasingly furious with Britain's financial interference, eventually joining the Sons of Liberty. In 1769, he was responsible for anonymously printing the radical broadside "To the Betrayed Inhabitants of the City and Colony of New York," which created an uproar in New York City and landed McDougall in jail for libel after his identity was revealed. This further accelerated tensions in the city and led to a riot between British soldiers and the Sons of Liberty in the Battle of Golden Hill. The event also solidified McDougall's place as a known radical patriot and led to his commission as a Colonel in the Continental Army in 1775.

McDougall came to be known as an officer dedicated to the Continental Army and the well-being of its soldiers, particularly after his son, Jack (1753-1775), died of camp fever in November 1775 and his younger son, Ranald (circa 1754-1786), spent time as a prisoner of war following his capture by the British in early 1776. During his service, McDougall was involved in several critical engagements, including the battles of Long Island, White Plains, and Germantown, over the course of which he was promoted to brigadier general (August 1776) and ultimately major general (October 1777). Following the war, McDougall continued his dedication to service and the welfare of his soldiers. In 1780, he represented the army before Congress to protest pay discrepancies, and again in 1783, he headed a committee of officers concerning further pay grievances. Outside of the military, he served as president of the New York Society of Cincinnati, the president of the first bank of New York, and one term as a U.S. Senator.