Military Service
of Col Albert Pawling during the Revolutionary War
From Burhans Genealogy, page 321:
"Col. Albert Pawling was a distinguished soldier in the War of the Revolution. He first entered service as cornet of light-horse in the company raised by Capt. Stoddard. He served as lieutenant in regiment commanded by Col. James Clinton in the expedition against Canada in 1776; was appointed brigade-major in regiment of Col. William Malcolm, and afterward colonel and aide-de-camp on the staff of the commander-in-chief, Gen. George Washington. Acting under a mistaken impression, Major Pawling in 1779 sent in his resignation, which, however, he could not be induced to recall, even by the following letter from Washington:
'Headquarters, Middlebrook, 2d March, 1779.
'Sir: In your letter of 25th ult., you seem to have misconceived the intention of Congress, upon which is founded your application for leave to resign.
'It is not their purpose to reduce Col. Malcolm's regiment. This will be incorporated with Col. Spencer's, and as you are the only major in the two regiments, of course you will be continued.
'After considering the just claims which the country has on good officers, I am persuaded you will suspend your application.
'I am, sir,
'Your must humble serv't,
'Geo: Washington'To Major Albert Pawling.'
"Col. Pawling afterward served as colonel of a regiment of Swiss for the defense of the New York frontier."
This information is repeated in other publications, including De Kalb County, page 648; Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, pages 699-700; Genealogies of Pennsylvania Families, page 548; and Northern New York, page 231.
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