Washington, George, First President, as Commander-in-Chief

Manuscript letter in the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison signed by him as "G:^{o Wash.," 3 pages (9 x 7 1/2 in.; 229 x 190 mm), integral address leaf with Washington's franking signature accomplished by Harrison, Headquarters, Middlebrook, New Jersey, [Wednesday], 17 June 1777, to General Israel Putnam, regretting that the latter's troops have insufficient clothing and tents; encapsulated, browned and stained, lower right portion of first leaf cut away costing several words, address leaf remargined costing "ington" portion of the signature and a portion of the address to Putnam, several fold separations affecting text.}

Joseph J. Felcone

Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary Series, 10: 62-63 (transcription of this letter, with mutilated text supplied from the draft letter and shown in brackets as here)

Manuscript letter in the hand of Robert Hanson Harrison signed by him as "G:o Wash.," 3 pages (9 x 7 1/2 in.; 229 x 190 mm), integral address leaf with Washington's franking signature accomplished by Harrison, Headquarters, Middlebrook, New Jersey, [Wednesday], 17 June 1777, to General Israel Putnam, regretting that the latter's troops have insufficient clothing and tents; encapsulated, browned and stained, lower right portion of first leaf cut away costing several words, address leaf remargined costing "ington" portion of the signature and a portion of the address to Putnam, several fold separations affecting text.
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Washington is deeply concerned that for lack of clothing, Putnam's troops in Peekskill, New York,  cannot come to his immediate aid in Middlebrook. "I am extremely sorry to find the Troops are in such distress for Tents and Cloathing. ... for that purpose, Mr Mease, the Clothier General, sent Mr Young to Peeks Kill to receive & distribute them. .... If the Troops can possibly be [cloathed] so as to do duty—send them on. There aid is much wanted. Their not having Tents must not be considered an Objection to their coming."

The Commanding General also assures Putnam that it is admissible—and even desirable—that he mislead his men about the strength of the Continental Army: "You should contrive to throw out hints to magnifye their Numbers—not only of those coming on, but of those who remain. This in War is justifiable—You see the Enemy practice it everyday & if our Officers would do the same ... many advantages might result from it."

Anticipating a British attempt to advance on Philadelphia, Washington had left his winter quarters at Morristown, New Jersey, to a forward position around Middlebrook, near the Raritan River. Here he covered the passes of the Watchung Mountains while situating his army within seven miles of the major enemy outpost at New Brunswick.  He was considerably outnumbered by the British, and wrote to Putnam for immediate reinforcements. He also enclosed a letter for Colonel Sheldon (not present in the lot) requiring the immediate assistance of his cavalry.  

With the Middlebrook encampment in a classic flanking position, Washington hoped to prevent the British from using the overland route through New Jersey to Philadelphia. General Howe sought to lure Washington from this strong position and defeat him.  He deployed south of the Raritan between New Brunswick and Somerset Courthouse. Washington surprisingly admits to Putnam that he is baffled by Howe's strategy. "The Enemy's designs are [truly m]ysterious. On Friday night Genl Howe [advanc]ed with the Main Body of his Army as far as Sommerset Court House. From thence to Brunswic they now form a Line." 

Washington left Middlebrook and split his forces, sending a strong detachment to Metuchen while taking the main body of the army to Quibble Town. By blocking the passes back to Middlebrook, Howe hoped to defeat Washington's reduced forces. However, the detachment at Metuchen under Lord Stirling fought a brisk rear guard action and the main army was able to retreat to Middlebrook. The British returned to Staten Island from which they disembarked by sea to start their successful advance on Philadelphia by way of Brandywine.