WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington"), as Commander-in-Chief, to Gov. George Clinton, Head Quarters, VALLEY FORGE [Pennsylvania], 16 February 1778. 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, short separations at creases, address leaf with seal hole . [With:] WASHINGTON. Free frank signature ("G: o Washington") on address panel, marked "on public service," intact wax seal containing Washington's coat of arms.
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington"), as Commander-in-Chief, to Gov. George Clinton, Head Quarters, VALLEY FORGE [Pennsylvania], 16 February 1778. 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, short separations at creases, address leaf with seal hole . [With:] WASHINGTON. Free frank signature ("G: o Washington") on address panel, marked "on public service," intact wax seal containing Washington's coat of arms. "NAKED AND STARVING" AT VALLEY FORGE: "THE PRESENT DREADFUL SITUATION OF THE ARMY...OCCASIONS ME MORE DISTRESS THAN I HAVE BEFORE FELT, SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR" Washington makes a desperate plea from Valley Forge, beseeching supplies for his "Naked and starving" troops before there is "a general mutiny and dispersion." "It is with great reluctance," he tells Clinton, that "I trouble you on a subject, which does not properly fall within your province; but it is a subject, that occasions me more distress, than I have before felt, since the commencement of the war; and which loudly demands the most zealous exertions of weight and authority, who is interested in the success of our affairs. I mean the present dreadful situation of the army, for want of provisions, and the miserable prospects before us, with respect to futurity. It is more alarming, than you will probably conceive, for to form a just idea, it were necessary to be on the spot. For some days past, there has been little less, than a famine in camp. A part of the army has been a week, without any kind of flesh, and the rest three or four days. Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been, ere this, excited by their sufferings, to a general mutiny and dispersion. Strong symptoms, however, of discontent have appeared in particular instances; and nothing but the most active efforts, everywhere, can long avert so shocking a catastrophe." The amount of food available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland would last no more than a month. "When the forementioned supplies are exhausted, what a terrible crisis must ensue, unless all the energy of the Continent is exerted to provide a timely remedy? Impressed with this idea, I am, on my part, putting every engine to work, that I can possibly think of, to prevent the fatal consequences, we have so great a reason to apprehend." Sensible of New York state's difficulties "from having been so long the scene of war," Washington nevertheless reminds the Governor "any assistance, however trifling in itself, will be of great moment at so critical a juncture, and will conduce to keeping the army together till the Commissary's department can be put on a better footing, and effectual measures concerted to secure a permanent and competent supply." Desertions were high, and lack of shoes may have been the only thing preventing more from deserting in the snow. Chants of "No meat!" echoed from the hungry, angry troops. Some even grumbled against the Commander-in-Chief, wondering why such a barren, wind-swept site was chosen for the winter encampment. Whatever doubts he had about the site, Washington knew the real problem was logistical and political, not geographical. Congress and the state governments dropped the ball, failing to provide basics like shoes, coats and blankets--"naked" troops was no figure of speech. Indifferent or corrupt civilians wouldn't lift a finger to help unless they could profit. At least Washington took constructive action. Moreover, Washington stayed and suffered along with his men. It was no mere gesture for the sake of morale. As he explained to Gen. James Sullivan when he denied him permission to visit his family on 14 February, Washington felt if any officers left camp, even briefly, it might snap the last frail thread of discipline and authority holding the army together. Then things got worse. Heavy snows fell and rations ran out. Washington wrote this desperate letter to Clinton
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington"), as Commander-in-Chief, to Gov. George Clinton, Head Quarters, VALLEY FORGE [Pennsylvania], 16 February 1778. 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, short separations at creases, address leaf with seal hole . [With:] WASHINGTON. Free frank signature ("G: o Washington") on address panel, marked "on public service," intact wax seal containing Washington's coat of arms.
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington"), as Commander-in-Chief, to Gov. George Clinton, Head Quarters, VALLEY FORGE [Pennsylvania], 16 February 1778. 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, short separations at creases, address leaf with seal hole . [With:] WASHINGTON. Free frank signature ("G: o Washington") on address panel, marked "on public service," intact wax seal containing Washington's coat of arms. "NAKED AND STARVING" AT VALLEY FORGE: "THE PRESENT DREADFUL SITUATION OF THE ARMY...OCCASIONS ME MORE DISTRESS THAN I HAVE BEFORE FELT, SINCE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR" Washington makes a desperate plea from Valley Forge, beseeching supplies for his "Naked and starving" troops before there is "a general mutiny and dispersion." "It is with great reluctance," he tells Clinton, that "I trouble you on a subject, which does not properly fall within your province; but it is a subject, that occasions me more distress, than I have before felt, since the commencement of the war; and which loudly demands the most zealous exertions of weight and authority, who is interested in the success of our affairs. I mean the present dreadful situation of the army, for want of provisions, and the miserable prospects before us, with respect to futurity. It is more alarming, than you will probably conceive, for to form a just idea, it were necessary to be on the spot. For some days past, there has been little less, than a famine in camp. A part of the army has been a week, without any kind of flesh, and the rest three or four days. Naked and starving as they are, we cannot enough admire the incomparable patience and fidelity of the soldiery, that they have not been, ere this, excited by their sufferings, to a general mutiny and dispersion. Strong symptoms, however, of discontent have appeared in particular instances; and nothing but the most active efforts, everywhere, can long avert so shocking a catastrophe." The amount of food available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland would last no more than a month. "When the forementioned supplies are exhausted, what a terrible crisis must ensue, unless all the energy of the Continent is exerted to provide a timely remedy? Impressed with this idea, I am, on my part, putting every engine to work, that I can possibly think of, to prevent the fatal consequences, we have so great a reason to apprehend." Sensible of New York state's difficulties "from having been so long the scene of war," Washington nevertheless reminds the Governor "any assistance, however trifling in itself, will be of great moment at so critical a juncture, and will conduce to keeping the army together till the Commissary's department can be put on a better footing, and effectual measures concerted to secure a permanent and competent supply." Desertions were high, and lack of shoes may have been the only thing preventing more from deserting in the snow. Chants of "No meat!" echoed from the hungry, angry troops. Some even grumbled against the Commander-in-Chief, wondering why such a barren, wind-swept site was chosen for the winter encampment. Whatever doubts he had about the site, Washington knew the real problem was logistical and political, not geographical. Congress and the state governments dropped the ball, failing to provide basics like shoes, coats and blankets--"naked" troops was no figure of speech. Indifferent or corrupt civilians wouldn't lift a finger to help unless they could profit. At least Washington took constructive action. Moreover, Washington stayed and suffered along with his men. It was no mere gesture for the sake of morale. As he explained to Gen. James Sullivan when he denied him permission to visit his family on 14 February, Washington felt if any officers left camp, even briefly, it might snap the last frail thread of discipline and authority holding the army together. Then things got worse. Heavy snows fell and rations ran out. Washington wrote this desperate letter to Clinton
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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