Fitzgerald, John, Aide-de-Camp to George Washington

Autograph letter signed ("John Fitzgerald"), one page bifolium with integral address leaf (13 1/8 x 8 in.; 333 x 203 mm), Headquarters [Valley Forge], 29 January 1778, to Col. Walter Stewart, Newtown, Pennsylvania; tape repair to one fold split, several short fold separations, light toning, some soiling, stains along bottom margin of address leaf from glue mount, minor loss from seal tear not affecting text. Brown cloth folding case, brown morocco spine label lettered gilt.  

The mounting crisis at Valley Forge. Fitgerald writes to Col. Stewart in command of the 13th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line: "The General is fully of opinion that the Cloth belonging to such persons as you mention should be taken for the use of the Army—giving them Certificates of the Quantity and Quality of the pieces belonging to each." At this juncture, provision shortages at the winter encampment had reached what Washington called a "fatal crisis" that threatened to unravel the fabric of the Continental Army. Mismanagement and incompetence in the commissary department coupled with a breakdown of transportation nearly brought supplies and provisions to a complete halt. For many days bread was scarce and meat almost nonexistent, and there was little or no forage for horses and service animals.

Clothing, too, was wholly inadequate. Long marches had destroyed shoes. Blankets were scarce. Tattered garments were seldom replaced. At one point these shortages caused nearly 4,000 men to be listed as unfit for duty. Washington sent Anthony Wayne and Henry Lee on extended foraging expeditons and forced neighboring towns to provide food and clothing for the troops. In spite of these vigorous efforts, one quarter of the 10,000 men at Valley Forge died during the winter and spring of 1778.