Beschreibung:

WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington") as Commander-in Chief, Continental Army, to [Colonel Israel Shreve], Head Quarters, Morristown, [New Jersey], 8 January 1780. 4 pages, folio, very slight fold separations, pages 2 and 3 neatly reinforced with Japanese tissue . A SECOND VALLEY FORGE? WASHINGTON AUTHORIZES THE SEIZURE OF PROVISIONS FROM CIVILIANS, IF IT CAN BE DONE WITH DUE "REVERENCE FOR THEIR RIGHTS" While the nearly disastrous Valley Forge encampment over the winter of 1777-1778 is vivid in the popular imagination, the 1779-1780 winter encampment of the Continental Army at Morristown is regarded by many historians as an even more serious test of the American soldier and the army's supply and quartermaster corps. The winter of 1780 was one of the most severe ever recorded; the only shelter was hastily built log huts, severe food and clothing shortages developed, sickness was rampant and there were inadequate funds to pay the troops. Here, Washington gives confidential orders for requisitioning essential food from the local inhabitants, authorizing outright seizure if voluntary requisitions fail: "The present distresses of the Army with which you are well acquainted, have determined me to call upon the respective Counties...for a proportion of Grain and Cattle according to the ability of each. For this purpose I have addressed the Magistrates...This mode I have preferred as the one least inconvenient to the inhabitants; but in case the requisition should not be complied with, we must then raise the supplies ourselves in the best manner we can..." "I have pitched upon you to superintend the execution of this measure in the County of Burlington...You will proceed there with all dispatch, and, calling upon the Justices, will deliver them the inclosed address [see Fitzpatrick 17:362-364 for text], enforcing it with a more particular detail of the sufferings of the troops...You will at the same time delicately let them know, that you are instructed, in case they do not take up the Business immediately, to begin to impress [seize] the Articles called for [grain and beef cattle], throughout the County. You will press for an immediate answer..." "If it be a compliance, you will concert with them, a proper place for the reception of the Articles; and the time of delivery, which for the whole is to be in eight days after the application...[T]he Owners...are to chuse whether they will receive the present market price, or the market price at time of payment...In case of refusal you will begin to impress till you make up the quantity required. This you will do with as much tenderness as possible to the inhabitants...having regard...that no family may be deprived of its necessary subsistence. Milch Cows are not to be included in the impress..." "I have reposed this trust in you from a perfect confidence in your prudence, zeal and respect for the Rights of Citizens. While your measures are adapted to the emergency. I am persuaded you will not forget, that as we are compelled by necessity to take the property of Citizens for the support of the Army on whom their safety depends, we should be careful to manifest that we have a reverence for their rights..." "The winter quarters became an ordeal of almost unbelievable suffering...The commissariat again broke down and the 10,000 to 12,000 troops at Morristown faced death from cold and starvation..." (Boatner, p. 747). Published (from Washington's letterbook copy) in Fitzpatrick, 17:780-781 (where Shreve is noted among recipients of Washington's instructions).