From George Washington to Robert Erskine, 10 February 1779
To Robert Erskine
Head Quarters [Middlebrook] 10th Feby 1779.
sir
As I think you are much exposed in your present situation to the enterprises of Refugees acquainted with the Country—and the work in which you are employed unquestionably makes you an object with the enemy—I desire that as soon as possible after receipt of this letter, you will remove to quarters more safe by the vicinity of the Army1—You will of course dismiss your guard, and direct the Serjeant to march it immediately and join Col. Clarke.2 I am sir Your most obedt servt.
P.S. It will naturally occur to you to remove with you all your Surveys that might be of any use to the enemy.
Df, in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Mapmaker Robert Erskine was working in his home at Ringwood, N.J., located near the New York line about fifty miles northeast of Middlebrook. For Erskine’s reluctance to move, see GW to Erskine, 3 March, and Erskine to GW, 20 March.
2. Col. Thomas Clark was stationed for the winter with the 1st and 2d North Carolina regiments at Paramus, N.J., about twenty miles southeast of Ringwood (see GW to Clark, 4-7 and 21 Dec., and Clark to GW, 18 Dec. 1778).