Washington, George

Autograph letter signed ("G^o Washington"), 1/2 page (13 1/4 x 8 in.; 336 x 203 mm), New Windsor [NY], 29 January 1781, to Brigadier General John Glover, being a leave of absence, docketed on verso; formerly folded, some fold-tears mended with tissue. With typed transcription. In a blue cloth folding-case.

Timothy Alden (presentation inscription to Robert Bolton, dated Meadeville PA, 7 July 1820 on verso, possibly the founder of Allegheny College)

Fitzpatrick, ed., Writings of GW (1937), 21:155

After his Regiment ferried Washington across the Delaware River in December 1776, Glover (1732-1797) went home to tend to his sick wife and look after business affairs. He turned down a promotion to brigadier general in February 1777, but rejoined the war after a personal appeal from General Washington. He served in the successful Saratoga campaign in 1777 and the failed Battle of Rhode Island in 1778. He was stationed along the Hudson River for the remainder of the war, guarding against British moves up the river from New York City.

To judge from the present letter, he was again pressed by family matters into seeking leave: "I could have wished, as General Howe is about to make his journey, in consequence of leave formerly granted him, that you could have remained at the Point till his, or General Patterson's return; but as this seems inconvenient, and family concerns presses your departure thence, I yeld my consent to it; provided General Heath sees no particular inconvenience resulting from it at this time."