From George Washington to Major General Oliver Wolcott, Sr., 24 July 1779
To Major General Oliver Wolcott, Sr.
Head Quarters [West Point] July 24th 1779
Sir
I was favored with your letter of the 17th Instant a little time past and prevented from giving it an earlier answer, from the hurry of unavoidable business.
Be assured Sir that I have felt much pain at the destruction of your Towns, and been unhappy that I could not consistent with the general good afford such an aid of Continental troops as might have prevented it;1 I hope however that the late fortunate attack on stoney point will tend to give a check2 to the continuance of the ravages in your State—Genl Glover has been directed to halt his Brigade at Ridgefield,3 a situation that will enable him to afford you some assistance should the enemy return to the object they began with in the Sound. I am with esteem Sr Yr Most Obet, servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, CtHi: Oliver Wolcott, Sr., Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. For the British raids on Connecticut in early July, see GW to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 July, source note.
2. The draft manuscript, which also is in Meade’s writing, initially read “has put an end.” These words are then struck out, and Meade wrote “will tend to give a check” above the line.
3. See GW to William Heath, 19 July, and n.1 to that document.