To George Washington from Ensign Thomas Russell, 18 January 1780
From Ensign Thomas Russell
Morris Town Jany 18th 1780
May it Please your Excellency
That I having Obtaind a Furlough from Brigadier General Stark dated the 10th Inst., since which I have been Arrested by Col. Sherburne for Defaming his Character, and a Devision Court Martial order’d by General Stark having meet Yisterday, but the Principle Evidence against me being on Furlough, and my Evidence (being General Stark) who will be Absent till the First of April—The Court therefore being unable to Proceed on the Trial, The Commandant of the Devision has been Pleased to disolve them—I therefore beg your Excelleny’s Liberty to go home till my Furlough expires which is the First of April next, at which time I now Pawn my Honour to Return unless Detained by Sickness.1 I am Your Excellency’s Most Obedint & Humble Sevant
Thomas Russell Ensign & Aid de Camp to Gene. Stark
ALS, DLC:GW. After his signature, Russell wrote the following note, which Col. Israel Angell signed as temporary commandant of the division: “As I am Acquaintd with Mr Russell I do Recomend him to Your Excelleny for the liberty of Going on his Furlough.” A note on the cover in the writing of GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman reads: “wrote to Colo. Sherburne.” A note under the docket, also in Tilghman’s writing, reads: “Ansd told that he cannot leave Camp except Colo. Sherburne is willing.” No letters from GW to Russell or Col. Henry Sherburne on this subject have been found.
Thomas Russell (1758–1801), of Rhode Island, joined Col. Henry Sherburne’s Additional Continental Regiment as an ensign in October 1777. He became an aide-de-camp to Brig. Gen. John Stark in November 1779 and left the army in January 1781.
1. Russell’s court-martial did not take place until 3 June (see General Orders, 13 June).