31Instructions to Major General William Heath, 12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The uncertainty with respect to the designs of the Enemy renders any disposition of our army at this time a little unsettled; but for the present, your division, with such Troops as are now at Forts Constitution, Montgomery, & Independance are to be under your Command and remain in this Quarter for the security of the above Posts and the Passes through the Highlands from this place—and the one...
32To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 6 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The first instant I was favoured with your letter of the 13 Octr. Agreeable to your directi⟨ons⟩ I have forwarded those articles mentioned to th⟨e⟩ Q.M.G., and to make up two loads have se⟨nt⟩ a quantity of 10d. nails which were in store h⟨ere⟩ as I understood they were wanted. I am sorry that the Enemy have been a⟨ble⟩ to get any of their ships up the north River, a⟨nd⟩ interrupting our...
33To George Washington from New England Delegates, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We are this Moment informd by a Gentleman who is Brother of Collo. Griffen and has lately been at New York, that a Body of ten thousand of the Enemies Troops are actually arrivd at Rhode Island. As Congress is now adjournd to Baltimore in Maryland, and the President and the Board of War are not in Town, we think it our Duty to send you this Intelligence; and as there is no General Officer in...
34To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 7 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
By an Express from Major Clarke stationed at Dobbs ferry I find the Enemy are encampt right opposite, to the number of between three and five thousand—and the Major adds from their disposition and search after Boats they design to cross the River—A frigate and two Transports or Provision Ships past the Cheveau de frize Night before last—they were prodigiously shatterd from the fire of our...
35From George Washington to William Shippen, Jr., 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated at Bethelem the 8th Inst.—Your proposition of opening Dr Morgans stores, I entirely approve of, & which you are authorized to do immediately, as it is, in every instance my ardent wish, that the sick be provided for, in the most happy & comfortable manner, our circumstances will admit of, & I know of no good reason, why stores should be...
36General 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...
37From George Washington to the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 1 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor and pleasure of acknowledging your favors of the 28th and 31st Decr and Mr Morris’s of the 30th and 31st. The Messenger delivered me the two parcels of hard Money, which I suppose will turn out right, not having had time to count it. The Sum that is lodged at Ticonderoga shall be ordered down, provided the Commander in the Northern Department, finds no better use for it there,...
38Orders to Carpenter Wharton, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Lay in Provisions for Twenty thousand Men—at the following Places—and in the following quantities. At York Four Months. At Lancaster Two Ditto[.] At Mill Town Ten days. Besides the Provisions at these places, which are to be considered as Magazines, you should have some deposited on the Roads leading from Lancaster to Winchester in Virginia—And from the Head of the Bay to Alexandria in the...
39Orders to Colonel David Forman, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having received Information that there is danger of an Insurrection of Tories in the County of Monmouth, and it being highly necessary that the most speedy check should be given to [a] Measure of so pernicious a Tendancy, you are hereby ordered to march with the Regiment under your Command into the said County of Monmouth, and on your Arrival there you are authorized to apprehend all such...
40From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 22 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 18th and 20th. I am of opinion with you, that the Ships, which made their Appearance in Delaware Bay, were never intended to come up, unless to create a diversion below, and thereby draw your Attention from the upper part of the River. But I hope the Weather will soon rid you of all Apprehensions of an Attack by Water for a time to come. Your Collection of old...
41To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Arnold this moment received from me Your Excellencys Letter to Him of the 14th Instant—From Intelligence, which he thinks authentic, Rhode Island has been some time in possession of the Enemy, and so considerable a Force from Connecticut had Assembled Opposite to Bristol Ferry, as to render any Further attempt of the British Forces impracticable in that Quarter. upon mature...
42From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you yesterday, I have received Information that the Enemy are still moving downwards, and by their making Fascines, they either have not yet laid aside their Designs upon Philada, or they mean to quarter in the small Towns along the River, in which Case I suppose they would throw up small Works to prevent a surprize. In either Case, if there are any Artillery or Stores at...
43To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Hampton will give you a return of the Militia already assembled and of those (if it can be call’d a return) expected—the whole will as it is said make by tomorrow morning one thousand—my Corps that pass’d the N. River will amount (for We are considerably diminish’d) to seven and twenty hundred—in fact our Army may be estimated at four thoushand—If I was not taught to think that your...
44General Orders, 30 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
The frequent, indeed constant complaints of the men, for want of provisions upon any Move, which is necessary for them to make, induces the General once more to desire, the commanding Officers of Regts and Corps, to see that they are never without three day’s provisions ready dress’d by them. All Detachments and Parties are to parade, wherever ordered, with their Packs and Provisions, that...
45From George Washington to Colonel Richard Humpton, 1 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed to The Two ferry’s near Trentown and to see all the boats there put in the best Order with a sufficiency of Oars and poles and at the same time to Collect all the Additional Boats you [can] from both above and below and have them brought to those ferry’s and Secured for the purpose of Carrying over the Troops & Baggage in most expeditious Manner: & for this purpose you will...
46From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed?, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning favoured with yours & thank you much for your kind congratulations & wishes. I regret much the Accident that prevented the passage of our Troops. had it not been for that cause and the Several attacks intended, had been made, I am persuaded our Plans would have succeedd to our warmest wishes. I have several Letters to write & therefore must refer you to Colo. Cadwalader who...
47To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 29th Ultimo—and am glad to hear of your Excellency’s safe Arrival at Brunswick, without the least interruption from the Enemy. I am happy to find my honest Endeavours to do my Duty crowned with your Excellency’s Approbation—In addition to the Stores which I before mention’d to have been secured & bro’t off, a Quantity of Pearl-Ash, Bees-Wax,...
48To George Washington from the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have the pleasure to own receipt of your acceptable favour of yesterday by Colo. Bayler & most sincerely do we rejoice in your Excellencys success at Trentown as we conceive it will have the most important publick consequences and because we think it will do justice in some degree to a Character we admire & which we have long wished to appear in the World with that Brilliancy that success...
49From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a Copy of Sundry Resolutions of Congress, which came to hand since I left the Plains. They will discover to you their Opinion as to the necessity of taking the most early measures to levy the New Army. The Resolves cannot have any Operation but in the instance of the Rhode-Island Regiments, Commissioners having come from the States of Massachusets & Connecticut and...
50From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you of my arrival here Yesterday and that the whole of the Troops belonging to the States which lay South of Hudsons River and which were in New York Government have passed over to this side, except the Regiment lately Colo. Smalwoods, which I expect is now on their march. That they may be ready to check any incursions the Enemy may attempt in this Neighbourhood, I...
51General Orders, 8 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Court Martial of which Genl McDougall is President, to sit immediately for the trial of Major Austin in Arrest, upon Charge of “Burning the houses at White-Plains, contrary to General orders.” Col. Graham and Capt: Gerrish, tried by a Court-Martial whereof Genl McDougall was President, for “Misbehaviour upon the approach of the enemy”—are acquitted. Capt. Poole of Col. Cary’s Regt and Genl...
52To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The president being still necessarily engaged with his family I have the honour to inform you that your letter of yesterday was recd & laid before Congress. I enclose you sundry resolutions passed this day and am Sr Your obedient humble Serv. ALS , DLC:GW . Included among the enclosed resolutions, which Thomson began writing below the ALS and continued writing on two following manuscript...
53To 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...
54To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Denison, 1 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
After Orders came to hand that the two Companies raised here Should march & Join your Excelency: it was Conjectured by many here that your army were much Weak’ned by Reason of the monthly mens Times being up. I was therefore desired by a Number of Respectable Neighbours to Inform your Excelency that if they Should be needed, they Would Turn out two months as a Company of Volunteers (provided I...
55To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I some Days Since Presented to your Excellency The Disposition of the Troops at this Post. I have not as yet received your Excellency Express approbation I am Endeavouring to Compleat the Business your Excellency Assigned to me, as fast as Possible. On the 21st Instant I received a Letter from General Lee a Copy of which is Inclosed, I returned him for Answer that my Division was Posted at...
56From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 22 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote to you on the 14th Instant, I had little doubt of receiving considerable support from the Militia of this State, and was taught to believe that a large part of the old Troops (coming on with General Lee) had reinlisted—In the first, I have every reason in the world to fear a disappointment—In the latter, I find myself woefully deceiv’d—It is easier therefore to conceive, than...
57From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Thomas Mifflin, 24 November 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Thomas Mifflin, 24 Nov. 1776. On 26 Nov. Mifflin wrote to GW : “At 10 O’Clock last Evening I receivd your Letter of the 24th Inst.”
58From George Washington to Lieutenant General William Howe, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I would beg leave to recall your Attention to the proposition for the Exchange of prisoners, to the several Letters I have lately written on that subject, and to inform you that I have not recd such officers in Exchange as were requested by me. I am persuaded Sir, that this Mistake has arisen from Mr Commy Loring’s Zeal to facilitate the Business, but I would at the same time desire, that you...
59To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 Dec. 1776. GW on 21 Dec. wrote Putnam : “I have been favoured with your Two Letters of the 17th and 19th Instt.”
60To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 29 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s obliging Favor of the 22d Instant, I had the Honor to receive Yesterday—I read with sensible Satisfaction your judicious Remarks on the Militia—I assure you they are reallized in this Quarter and if General Gates was not so very importunate to have them at Tyonderoga, I should certainly dismiss many of them, as they move with much Reluctance, and will neither assist in...