To George Washington from Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 5 June 1780
From Colonel Elisha Sheldon
Windsor [Conn.] June 5th 1780
Sir
I have just recd a letter from Col. Mead which first informed me that Lt Mumford had been to Hd Qtr⟨s⟩ & applied for leave to Resign1—It is true he applied to me as well as to Major Tallmadge in my absence, for the Necessary Certificates preparatory to a Resignation; but we both rejected his request on the same principle (viz.) his having never served a Campaign since he was appointed an officer in the line.
I would further beg leave to Inform your Excellency that all the officers of my Regt have recd their full proportion of Cloathing procured for those who intend to serve the Ensuing Campaign—How far this may operate towards precluding Resignations, you[r] Excellency will best Judge; It has become my business, if required to give Certificates that they are not indebted to the Public. I have the Honor to be with the Greatest Regard your Excellencys most obt and most Humble Servt
Elisha Sheldon Col. 2d L.D.
ALS, DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 18278. A note on the cover of the letter reads: “Pr Capt. [Ezekiel Porter] Belden.”
1. GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder Meade wrote Sheldon from headquarters on 28 May: “Lt Mumford of yr Regt has offered his resignation to the Commandr in Chief & he would have obtained a discharge had your cretificate agreeable to Genl orders accompanied the others which he produced—the reasons which he mentiond that prevented yr giving him a certificate is of such a nature, that if you should not think proper to grant the usual certificate, if you will be pleased to assign the reason by a letter & let it accompany Mr Mumfords commission & the ce[r]tificates he has—I make no doubt but the Genl will grant him a discharge—I understand, that yr only objection to interfering in the matter, is the very late appointment of this Gentn which was made at your request” (DLC:GW).
David Mumford, of New London, Conn., joined Sheldon’s 2d Continental Dragoons as a surgeon’s mate in May 1778 and became a lieutenant in the regiment in November 1779. He left the army in June 1780.