George Washington letter signed ("Go: Washington"). One page, 8.5" x 13.5", "Head Quarters, Fish Kill" [New York]; October 8, 1775. Docketed. General Washington, ever the strict disciplinarian, orders McDougall to arrest four soldiers accused of abuse against civilians in New York. Letter, in the hand of James McHenry (1753-1816), signer of the U.S. Constitution and aide to Washington, to Major General Alexander McDougall in Fredericksburg [Patterson], New York, concerning orders to confine officers responsible for committing an "outrage...on some inhabitants of this State." It reads, in full: "Dear sir. An outrage has been committed on some inhabitants of this State, by a Lieut. Henderson—Marshal—B. Ball and an Ensign Smith, as appears from the deposition in the hands of the bearer of this letter. As these officers are in your command, you will be pleased to direct them under immediate confinement; and to remain so till the civil power can take up the matter. Henderson and Ball I beleive [sic] are of the Pennsylvania line, and they can inform you of the others. I am D. Sir your most ob.t Servt. Go: Washington p.s. I inclose you two letters on the subject, one from Govr. Clinton, the other Gen. Nixons, which you will be pleased to return." Washington had received a letter on the same day as this letter to McDougall from American Brigadier General and future Vice President George Clinton (1739-1812), located at Poughkeepsie, New York, informing Washington of violent and unprovoked abuses committed by American officers on three residents of New York. According to Clinton, the victims planned to seek justice in a court of law. Washington replied to Clinton that he would immediately order the officers responsible to be held until civil proceedings could take place. In this letter to McDougall, Washington demands the Major General put the four officers under immediate arrest. The four officers in question and the abuses they committed are not known. The letter from Brigadier General John Nixon (1727-1815) that Washington mentions has not been located. Washington was a strict disciplinarian in military matters. From the beginning of his taking command of American forces in the Revolutionary War, Washington was critical of militia units, primarily because of their lack of discipline and disrespect for superior officers. When he took over command of the American army, he was determined to enforce strict discipline in his officers and men, introducing various punishments, including the use of the lash, the pillory, and court-martials. Misbehavior by American soldiers, such as stealing food, stores, and household goods from farmers and those identified as Tories, was not tolerated by Washington. Officers, especially, were held to a higher standard, as they were supposed to serve as models of deportment and character for enlisted men. In the fall of 1778, Washington, unsure of the next moves of the British Army, decided to move most of his army to positions that would counter three possible British moves: a direct attack on his army, a foray up the Hudson River, and a naval expedition against the French fleet at Boston. Washington and his staff departed from White Plains on either September 16 or 17 and arrived at West Point on September 18 and then moved on to Fishkill the next day. By September 20, Washington had moved to the Fredericksburg (Patterson, New York) area, where he established headquarters. He remained in the Fredericksburg area until the end of November, except for several brief excursions to Fishkill, where he was located when he wrote this letter to McDougall. This letter shows Washington, who was known as a strict disciplinarian, moving quickly to address allegations of misconduct by four officers under the command of Major General McDougall. It is accompanied by a hand-colored engraving of a uniformed Washington on horseback. James McHenry, a surgeon in the Fifth Pennsylvania Battalion in the Revolutionary War, was appointed secretary to General George Washington in 1778. He served in that capacity until August 1780, when he was transferred to General Lafayette's staff. A signer of the Constitution, he represented Maryland in the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1785, served as Washington and Adams' Secretary of War from 1796 to 1800, and was instrumental in the formation of the United States Navy. Fort McHenry in Baltimore harbor is named in his honor. Condition: One minute area of separation along the integral fold at the intersection of horizontal fold. Light scattered soiling. HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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