Head Quarters Valley Forge 28th. Feby. 1778
[Extract] Dear Sir
. . .I sent a party of Artillerymen to attempt to annoy the shipping that lay at Philada while there was Ice in the River,1 but as that must be all destroyed by the late thaw and no great chance of any more during the remainder of the Season, I think you had best order them to return to Camp except you find they can be any how usefully employed. . . . I am &ca.
Df, DLC, George Washington Papers, Series 4. Docketed: "28th. Feby 1778/to/Genl. Wayne." The remainder of this letter concerns the collection of cattle and a postscript on the removal of cannon to keep it from falling into the enemy's hands.
1. See General George Washington to Captain-Lieutenant Jonas Simonds, 24 Feb., above.
