Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 2, 1777. Discusses danger of stationing large forces at Yorktown and Hampton. States that plan to stop shipping on rivers is not effective. Recommends use of light companies. Describes position of enemy. Sends information concerning battle of Oriskany and retreat from Fort Schuyler. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers,...
2From George Washington to Captain Thomas Nelson, Jr., 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 7th Inst. You plead so powerfully and urge so many reasons to leave the ⟨Ar⟩my, that I cannot refuse your request altho it is with regret I see a Gentlem⟨an⟩ go out of it. The principal cause of your Application, However, you have no⟨t⟩ expl⟨icit⟩ly ⟨s⟩tated, But yet I p⟨res⟩ume my Conjectures respecting It, are just and right. I suppose it is your...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Yesterday mornings post, I received Your favor of the 22d. Ulto. It gave me great pleasure to hear of your Appointment, and I wish you to accept my Congratulations upon the occasion. The want of Military experience, you mention, is no Ob[s]tacle to your serving your Country in the Capacity in which you have undertaken. In our infant state of War, it cannot be expected, we should be perfect...
4From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 27 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favour of the 12th—from the present face of things, I am inclined to think General Howe’s Object is so fixed that Virginia will have but little cause to apprehend any Invasion this Campaign, and I suppose it highly probable, that the fleet or the greatest part of it, which went into Chesepeak Bay will come round to Deleware. If my Conjectures on these heads are...
5From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 26th Ulto came to my hands yesterday, & merits my warmest acknowledgements: The Idea’s you entertaind of our force was, unhappily, but too well founded; and I now wish I had given more into your generous proposal; but the distance, and uncertainty of keeping Militia in Service any length of time were obstacles which seemed too great to be counter balanced by the advantage of...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 10 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving yours of the 21st ulto on Wednesday last, but such has been the Situation of the two Armies since, that I have not had an opportunity of answering it before this time. Genl Howe had been for several days making great preparations for a move which they did not scruple to say was intended against this Army, threatning to drive us beyond the Mountains. On Thursday...
7From George Washington to Thomas Nelson, 19 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Nelson, Jr., 19 Dec. 1777. In his letter to GW of 20 Jan. 1778 , Nelson writes “Your favor of the 19th Ultimo should not have remain’d so long unanswer’d.”
8From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 8 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letters of the 24th. of Decmr. & 20th ulto. & thank you for the several articles of Intelligence contained in them. Altho it is devoutly to be wished that Soldiers could engaged for three years, or the war, yet I am perswaded it would not be consistent with good policy to attempt it at this time—consequently, that the plan of drafting for twelve months only, is a...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 15 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
By last nights post I received your favor of the 5th Instant. I thank you for your exertions to raise a body of Cavalry for reinforcing and relieving those belonging to the Army, which by the severe service of the last campaign are much reduced. As motives of generosity and duty bring your Corps to the field, I flatter myself they will render essential services; and that their conduct will be...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 22 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your favor of the 30th Ultimo by the last post. I am sorry to find such a backwardness in Virginia in the service of the army. Perhaps it is fortunate for the cause, that our circumstances stand in less need of the great exertions of patriotism than heretofore, from the changes in foreign councils, and the open interposition of the French in our favor. But I am convinced...