To George Washington from Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 1 November 1778
From Colonel Goose Van Schaick
Continental Village [N.Y.] 1st Nov: 1778
Sir
General Clinton having informed me that my Regiment is Shortly to Releive that of Colonel Gansevoort’s now at Fort Schuyler, I have taken the Liberty to request your Excellency for leive to precede the March of my Regiment a few days, in order to make some Provision for my Family at Albany, where I shall be ready to join the Regt and proceed with it to Fort Schuyler, my Lieutenant Colonel1 & almost all the officers are present. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s—Most Obedient Servant
G.V. Schaick
ALS, DLC:GW.
James McHenry replied for GW from headquarters on 2 Nov.: “His Excellency received your letter of yesterdays date. I have it in command to signify the Generals approbation of your request to precede the march of your regiment a few days. It is his Excellency’s desire that you previously make every necessary arrangement to facilitate the putting of the troops in motion and take the necessary measures to provide them with cloathing and such things as are ordered from the public stores” (DLC:GW).
1. The lieutenant colonel of Van Schaick’s 1st New York Regiment was Cornelius Van Dyck.