1General Orders, 21 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The hurried situation of the General for the two last days, having prevented him from paying that attention to Col. Glover, and the officers and soldiers who were with him in the skirmish on Friday last, that their merit and good behaviour deserved—He flatters himself that his thanks, tho’ delayed, will nevertheless be acceptable to them, as they are offered with great sincerity and...
2From George Washington to an Anonymous Officer, 21 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
My Lord Sterling Complains, & so justly, of the want of Tents, & the Baggage belonging to his Brigade that I would have you enquire particularly into the matter and endeavour to have it sent on to the sevl Regiments now suffering at the White Plains for want of it. Tell Genl Mifflin & Colo: Reed (in short let the Genl Officers below know) that some expedient must be fallen upon to bring off...
3To George Washington from Colonel Jacob Bayley, 21 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I recved your Excelencys Favour by the hand of Mr Wallace, by which I am Informed and think it Just that Vou[c]hers Should be had and Should have Sent them but was Informed that only an abstra[c]t was needfull and also I determined to have waited on your Excelency my Self as I was desired by the committee and by the State of Newhampr. to Continue the Men I had Imployed on the road to fortify...
4From George Washington to Colonel William McIntosh, 21 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you a few days ago, desiring, if you did not find Matters ready for the Expedition to Long Island, that you would move forward with the two Massachusets Regiments under your Command. I have no further Reason to repeat my Orders to you on that Head. The Enemy are advancing by Parties from their Main Body which now lays at New Rochelle and taking Possession of the Ports upon the Sound...
5From George Washington to Major Zabdiel Rogers, 21 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
you are hereby requested to make the best Stand you can, with the Troops under your Command, against the Enemy who I am ⟨in⟩formed are advanced this Morning to ⟨M⟩aroneck and I will as soon as possible order a party to attack them in flank, of ⟨w⟩hich you will be further informed ⟨in⟩ proper time, be Cautious of Mentioning ⟨my⟩ design. I am your Most Obedient Servant be pleased to send the...
6To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowlege the receipt of your favour of the 15th Instant, inclosing the Copy of a Letter from Peter R. Livingston Esqr., which came to Hand at this place and was communicated to the General Assembly now sitting here; by their Desire I have sent Orders to Major Elisha Sheldon with the Troop of Horse under his Command, and two Companies of the first Regiment to march to Fish Kill in...
7From George Washington to Joseph Trumbull, 21 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you yesterday expressive of my apprehensions on Acct of Provision’s for this Army—I came to this place just now in order to enquire further into the state of this Article, and to look a little into the Situation, and nature of the Country—I have no reason either from Information, or observation, to alter my opinion of yesterday; & therefore, again & again entreat your every exertion to...
8From George Washington to Elizabeth Williams Philipse, 22 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Misfortunes of War, and the unhappy circumstances frequently attendant thereon to Individuals, are more to be lamented than avoided; but it is the duty of every one, to alleviate these as much as possible. Far be it from me then, to add to the distresses of a Lady, who, I am but too sensible, must already have suffered much uneasiness, if not inconvenience, on account of Colonel Philips’s...
9From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
From my Remote Situation, & my Ignorance of the Country in which the Army under Your Command to the Northward, is to act, it is impossible for me to give any Peremptory Orders or scarcely my Opinion as to the Direction of Matters in Your Quarter. I am Confident Your own good Sense, Zeal & Activity will suggest to You the most probable Means of making amends for the Heavy Loss we have sustained...
10General Orders, 23 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Guards of the Camp are to be mounted from the several divisions of the Army—their Numbers to be fixed, and their Posts assigned them, by the General Officers of that division—General Spencer’s division to furnish the Main Guard, Quarter Master General’s and Commissary General’s Guard, Bullock Guard and Provost Guard. It has been observed with some Concern, that scouting parties go out...
11To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 23 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Sent out in the morning Two parties ordered one of them to the Right of the Enemy & the other to the left & to meet in the Centre of their front each performed the part Assigned him on their meeting they joined a party of Rifle men and march[ed] in a body to the eastd of wards Tavern were soon discovered by the enemy who attempted to incir[c]le them they fell back to Wards where they posted...
12To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Commissioners of Arrangement, 23 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Anxious Concern we feel for the General Cause as well as the particular Line of Duty marked out to us by our Instructions from the State of Pennsylvania, is the Occasion of the present Trouble to your Excellency. When we had the Honor of waiting on you at this place about a Month ago, we were assured by the Adjutant General that Recruiting Orders should be Imediately issued for the...
13To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 23 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received Mr Harrison’s Letter of the 18th Instant, respecting the Stockbridge Indians —They have all left the Army in the Course of the last Week and are returned Home—I have not had a Line from General Gates since the 16th —The British Army under the Command of General Carlton were at Crown point on Monday last, and I suppose will make an Attempt on Tyonderoga in a few Days, if...
14General Orders, 24 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Commanding Officers of regiments are immediately to have Necessaries dug, decently covered, at a small distance from their Encampments—They are every day to be covered over with fresh earth, and once a week to be filled up and new ones dug—All bones, meat and other dirt of the Camp, to be carefully gathered up every day—Those regiments who have not appointed Camp-Coulour-Men, are to do it...
15To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have a Copy of the Letter in answer to mine, to Congress, relative to Cartridges; As soon as the Cartridges comes up they shall be forwarded—Colonel Biddle has wrote to Amboy for Ninety thousand that are at that Post. We have collected all the Waggons in our power and sent over—Our people have had extream hard duty, the common Guards, common fatigue, and the extraordinary Guards,...
16From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 24 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 24 Oct. 1776. Greene’s letter to GW of this date is docketed: “Genl Greene 24th Octr 1776. Ansd same day.”
17To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have only Time to forward the enclosed Resolves. The Cartridges are on the Way, and I hope will arrive in Season. The Congress will be attentive to all your Requests. With Sentiments of Esteem and every Wish in your Favour I have the Honour to be Sir your most obed. & very hble Servt LS , DLC:GW . The enclosed copies of Congress’s resolutions of 14–16, 18, 21, and 23 Oct. concerning various...
18To George Washington from Richard Peters, 24 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Board of War have directed me to enclose you the Plan they intended to present to Congress for preventing Abuses in Regiments or Companies recieving more Rations than they are entitled to; an Evil which has been complained of perhaps with too much Foundation. It frequently happens that sick Soldiers are either left behind at Posts or Places thro’ which their Regiments or Companies are...
19To George Washington from Richard Peters, 24 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Order of the Board of War I have the Honour to inform your Excellency that the Congress have this Day given them direction to order the two Virginia Regiments now at Chester, immediately to Trentown, there to wait your Excellencys Commands; and at the same time to acquaint you of the Situation of the People of this State, that having as comprehensive a View of the State of Affairs as...
20General Orders, 25 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Guards are to be continued as settled the last evening, ’till further Orders, and the Brigade Majors to be very careful that the Guards are properly relieved. The General most earnestly recommends to all commanding Officers of Brigades, and Regiments, to extend their care to the Waggons which they have, or may employ, and to dismiss them as soon as they have brought their baggage, and have...
21Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 25 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The whole of our Army is now here and on the Neighbouring Heights, except the Troops left at Mount Washington & Kingsbridge (about Fourteen hundred at the former & Six hundred at the latter) and Genl Lee’s division, which now forms the Rear & which is on their March. Our Removal & that of the Stores, have been attended with a great deal of Trouble, owing to the scarcity and difficulty of...
22To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 25 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Convention having thought it proper to direct me to repair to this place, in order to give (in concurrence with some other Gent.) every necessary support to the northern army, I did not receive your Excellencys favor till this day. I am extreamly affected at the wants under which the army labour, & your Excellency may depend on my utmost endeavours to remove them, I can at present only...
23From George Washington to Edward Rutledge, 25 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edward Rutledge, c.25 Oct. 1776. Robert Hanson Harrison wrote John Hancock on 1 Nov. that “the most material” of GW’s letters that had been intercepted at Bristol, Pa., on 28 Oct., “was to Mr Rutledge” (see also Hancock to GW, 28 Oct. , and note 2 ).
24From George Washington to Martha Washington, 25 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Martha Washington, 25 Oct. 1776. GW wrote Hancock on 14 Nov . that Gen. William Howe had returned the letter “from myself to Mrs Washington of the 25 Ulto” that had been intercepted at Bristol, Pa., on 28 Oct. (see also Hancock to GW, 28 Oct. , and William Howe to GW, 11 November ).
25General Orders, 26 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Ebenezer Huntington is to assist the Adjutant General in regulating the duties, and details of Genl Heath’s division, ’till further orders. An Aide-De-Camp from each Major General, is to attend at Head-Quarters, at twelve o’clock, every day, to receive the General Orders—he is to see that the Brigade Majors execute them in the division. An Orderly Serjeant from each Brigade, of General...
26From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 26 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, 26 Oct. 1776. The Custis Papers at the Virginia Historical Society include a “List of Washington’s letters sent to B[enjamin] Lossing,” one of which is a letter to John Parke Custis of “26 Oct. 1776” written at New York.
27To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 26 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Mr Harrison’s Letter of the 20th Instant, I received Yesterday, and a few Minutes afterwards I received a Letter from General Gates, Copy whereof I do myself the Honor to inclose. I am in great Hopes that General Carlton will not be able to dislodge our Army from Tyonderoga, but should such an Event unfortunately take place, such Measures will be taken as I think will certainly prevent them...
28General Orders, 27 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Lieut: Sickles of Genl Scott’s Brigade, tried by a Court Martial whereof Col. Holman was President, and convicted of “disobeying General Orders, by loading a Waggon with Goods, not the proper baggage of the regiment; and also when charged therewith of behaving in a scandalous, infamous manner, unbecoming an officer and the Gentlemen”—The Court sentenced him to be cashiered—The General approves...
29To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Major Howel you will receive 119000 Musket Cartridges. Part arrived today and part last Night. as soon as the remainder comes up from Amboy & Philadelphia they shall be sent forward. I have been to view the roads again; and fixt upon Aquacanack, Springfield Bownsbrook [Bound Brook], Prince Town & Trenttown to establish the Magezines at. Trent Town and Equacanack, to be the principal ones,...
30To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 27 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate you sincerely on the several advantages your Troops have lately gained over the enemy, for ’tho each has been but small, yet in the whole they are considerable, and will certainly have the effect of inspiriting our army, whilst it wastes and discourages the other. May the great Dispenser of justice to Mankind put it in your power, before this campaign ⟨e⟩nds, to give these foes...