1Instructions to Major General Charles Lee, 10 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The late movement of the Enemy, and the probability of their having designs upon the Jerseys (confirmd by Sundry accts from Deserters & Prisoners) rendering it necessary to throw a body of Troops over the North River, I shall immediately follow, & the Command of the Army which remains (after Genl Heaths Division Moves to Pecks kiln’s) devolving upon you, I have to request[:] That you will be...
2From 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...
3From George Washington to Major Generals Charles Lee and William Heath, 14 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
As an Exchange of Prisoners, is likely to take effect, as soon as the circumstance of the case will admit, and as, in the course of the transaction, it may possibly happen, that an attempt may be made by the Enemy to redeem their prisoners by men in their possession, who were never ingag’d in our service, I must request you, to direct the Colonels, or Commanders of Regiments under your...
4From George Washington to Major Generals Charles Lee and William Heath, 16–17 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed Resolves, that Congress have entered into some New regulations respecting the Inlistment of the New Army, and reprobating the measures adopted by the State of Massachusetts Bay for raising their Quota of Men. As every possible exertion should be used for recruiting the Army as speedily as may be, I request that you immediately publish in Orders that an...
5From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 21 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
It must be painful to you as well as to us to have no News to send you but of a melancholy Nature. Yesterday Morning the Enemy landed a large Body of Troops below Dobb’s Ferry & advanced very rapidly to the Fort called by your Name. I immediately went over & as the Fort was not tenable on this side & we in a narrow Neck of Land the passes out of wch the Enemy were attempting to sieze directed...
6From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
By the negligent and infamous conduct of the post rider, the Eastern Mail of Friday was brought to Heckensec and there stopped to fall into the hands of the Enemy. Supposing it may have contained some Letters from you of a public nature, I have thought it proper to give you the earliest notice, that you may guard against any advantages the Enemy may expect to derive from the Accident. I...
7From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you this morning of the probability, that some of your letters, to me, had fall’n with the mail into the enemy’s hands; My apprehensions on that head, have been since confirmed. By direct intelligence from their camp, I am informed that a letter from you, is confidently said to have come to their hands, & that measures are taking to intercept your march; To prevent them from effecting...
8From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 27 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received the favor of your Letter of the 25th. My former Letters were so full and explicit as to the necessity of your marching as early as possible, that it is unnecessary to add more on that Head. I confess I expected you would have been sooner in motion. The force here when joined by yours, will not be adequate to any great opposition, at present it is weak, and it has been...
9From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 29 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favor of the 26th: Your Letters to Governor Trumbull for a reinforcement of Militia were exceedingly proper, though I doubt much whether they can be obtained, as they have suffered many inconveniences in the course of the present Campaign; Nor was the application to Mr Bowdoin for Cloaths &c. less necessary. I am happy to hear the Men discover so much readiness to...
10From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 1 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are advanci[n]g & have got as far as Woodbridge and Amboy, and from information not to be doubted mean to push to Philadelphia. The force I have with me, is infinitely inferior in number and such as cannot give or promise the least successfull opposition. It is greatly reduced by the departure of the Maryland flying Camp men and Sundry other causes. I must entreat you to hasten your...
11From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, 2 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, 2 Dec. 1776. GW wrote Lee on 3 Dec. : “Having wrote you fully both Yesterday and to day of my situation, It is unnecessary for me to add much at this time.”
12From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, 3 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, 3 Dec. 1776. GW wrote Lee on this date : “Having wrote you fully both Yesterday and to day of my situation, It is unnecessary for me to add much at this time.”
13From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 3 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was just now favoured with your Letter of the 30th Ulto. Having wrote you fully both Yesterday and to day of my situation, It is unnecessary for me to add much at this time. You will readily agree that I have sufficient cause for my anxiety, and to wish for your arrival as early as possible. In respect to instructions or your Route, you must be governed by circumstances, this has been the...
14From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Charles Lee. Lee wrote in his second letter to GW of 8 Dec. : “Major Hoops has just deliver’d to me your Excellencys letter,” and on that same date GW wrote Hancock: “I have no certain intelligence of Genl Lee, although I have sent frequent Expresses to him and lately a Colo. Humpton to bring me some accurate Accounts of his situation. I last night dispatched...
15From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 10 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favor by Colo. Humpton & were it not for the weak and feeble state of the force I have, I should highly approve of your hanging on the Rear of the Enemy and establishing the Post you mention; But when my situation is directly opposite to what you suppose it to be, and when Genl Howe is pressing forward with the whole of his Army except the Troops that were lately...
16From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 8 Inst. by the Light Horseman reached me last night. Having wrote you fully respecting my situation just before it came to hand, it is unnecess[ar]y to add much now; I shall only say that Philadelphia beyond all question is the Object of the Enemy’s movements and that nothing less than our utmost exertions will be sufficient to prevent Genl Howe from possessing it. The force...
17From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 14 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Letter of the 11th Instt by Major Dehart. I am much surprized that you should be in any doubt respecting the Route you should take after the information you have had upon that Head as well by Letter as from Majr Hoops who was dispatched for the purpose. A large number of Boats was procured and is still retained at Tinnicum under a strong guard to facil[it]ate your...
18From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of enclosing you a Letter from your Freind Robt Morris Esqr. with a draft on Major Small for £116.9.3. S⟨tg⟩. It will afford me the highest satisfaction to receive a Line from you, informing me of the State of your Health and your Situation, in both of which I hope you are as happy as a person under your Circumstances can possibly be. Such further Supplies as you may have...