631From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I can have no objection to such of the officers of Col. Poors Regiment as are supernumerary returning to their homes—The officers may settle among themselves who a[r]e to go but you will determine upon the number necessary to continue with the Regiment. p.s. I could wish you to attend to the quantity of provision in garrison—that it may be at all times adequate to its support in case of...
632From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Seymour, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 6th Instant by Lt Ellsworth, with the inclosure referred to; and also the Company Rolls and pay Abstract of the Horse under your command, in 1776. The Rolls and Abstract, according to constant practice, were transmitted to the pay master General for examination, by Mr Ellsworth, who reported that they contained a load of inadmissible & unprecedented charges—&c....
633From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall remove this afternoon to Fredericksburg to which place be pleased to address any future intelligence. If the enemy should make any move up the river of a serious nature, you are immediately to call upon Baron de Kalb who will remain here untill the designs of the Enemy are more fully known. I would recommend it to you always to keep a sufficiency of Boats ready to throw over your force...
634General Orders, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Regimental Pay-Masters are to make out their Pay-Rolls for the Month of August and lodge them at the Pay-Master Generals for Examination as soon as possible. A Court of Enquiry whereof Lieut. Coll Temple was President which sat to examine into a Charge against Lieutt Eggleston’s Conduct on the 26th ultimo, report that the Charge was groundless and vexatious and that his Conduct was not...
635From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the memorial which you delivered relative to the defence of the North River at this place —and upon a view of them highly approve what you have offered upon the Subject—Col. Kosciousko who was charged by congress with the direction of the forts and batteries—has already made such a progress in the construction of them as wd render any alteration in the general plan a work of too...
636From George Washington to Captain John Stith, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are as speedily as possible to collect all the men, Horses, & accoutrements remaining of Colo. Baylors Regt & proceed to springfield in Jersey, where you will consult with Mr Caldwell—the D.Q.M., upon the most proper place for the accommodation of the men & Horses, so as not to exhaust the forage that lays convenient for the Travelling Teams, & other purposes—The design of Your being...
637From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 14 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Charles Scott, 14 Oct. 1778. Scott wrote in his second letter to GW of 15 Oct. : “Your Excellencys letter enclosing the Second Warrant for the Execution of Smith Came safe to hand Yesterday.” Scott had requested further instructions in regard to this execution in his first letter to GW of 13 October .
638From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The following is an extract of a letter of the 17th inst. which I had the honor to receive from the Count D’Estaing. “I intreat you to promote the exchange of prisoners already planned by Mr Gerard. The unhappy persons taken before the commencement of Hostilities cannot be fully regarded as prisoners—their lot is dreadfull—The mode adopted for exchanging them by means of your Commissary,...
639From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by yours of yesterday that Capt. Leavensworth is safe. I hope that the Officer left behind will bring something material. I did not mean to reflect on Colo. Shelden or his Feild Officers, or the Officers of that Regiment in particular for negligence while upon commd. I only wished that the Feild Officers in general would point out to the Subalterns, who usually go upon...
640From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed immediately upon the Rect of this with your whole Corps both Horse and Foot and put yourself under the command of Major General Lord Stirling, who will be in the neighbourhood of paramus. As the Enemy are out in considerable force in Jersey, near Hackinsack, you will make particular enquiry of their situation as you advance, lest you should fall in with their parties. I am...
641From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received intelligence of the enemy having thrown a body of about 5,000 men over to Paules Hook, and of their advancing about five miles towards the English neighbourhood —I have also intelligence (from Gen. Scott) that about 3,000 men with artillery &ca were advancing from Kingsbridge —The design of these movements is probably a forage, and the gathering of Stock—&ca. It may also...
642From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 14th instant. Whatever may be the future intentions of the enemy, it is evident that they have lain aside all designs against Boston for the present: Lord Howe having returned to the Hook with his Fleet, and the Troops under Genl Gray have come down the sound again, and have landed at White Stone upon Long Island. I shall keep the best possible watch upon their motions,...
643From George Washington to Colonel John Cox, Jr., or John Mitchell, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that Sundry Goods (in the Military line) addressed to Mr Jas Rivington of New-York, were taken—carried into Egg harbour—and are now in Philadelphia. Among them a compleat sett of Camp equipage—As I am perfectly incompleat in this way, I should be glad if you would enquire into the truth of this matter, and make a purchase of it for me, if it answers the description; and can be...
644General Orders, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
645From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In the Letter, which I had the honor of addressing to you on the 18 Instant—I mentioned the scanty size of many of the Blankets, which had come to the hands of the Cloathier. By this conveyance by Wm Jones, I think it proper to send one for the inspection of the Board—by which they will find—how much we have been deceived—and the public imposed on in this essential article of supply; and also...
646From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to thank you for your favor of the 28th Ulto and its several inclosures—the intelligence given you by Mr Colvill is very interesting if it can be depended on—and particularly to Count d’Estaing—to whom no doubt you have communicated it. Your distribution of the twelve hundred Militia men ordered out by the Council of State—exactly coincides with my wishes—their labour if it has not its...
647From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have determined to send Col. Van Schaicks regiment to Fort Schuyler to relieve Col. Ganseworth. You will signify this to Col. Van Schaick that he may be preparing for it—So soon as the cloathing, expected in camp, arrives, he shall have an order for a competent supply and will then proceed. He can mention the matter to Col. Hay, who will be looking forward to a provision of vessels to convey...
648From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 22d—The three Brigades mentioned to you in my last marched yesterday morning towards Hartford—I have directed General Gates to open a correspondence with General Heath and yourself—that you may give him instant advice of the arrival of the enemy’s fleet which lately sailed from the Hook—should they be designed to operate Eastward—in order that he might...
649From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The certain intelligence of a large number of troops having embarked at New York—the sailing of a considerable fleet, at the moment their departure was expected—and the general purport of the accounts received at the same time—left me no room to doubt, that the fleet, which went out of the Hook the 19th and 20th instant, contained the detachment, of the embarkation of which, I had been...
650From George Washington to Otis & Andrews, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Capt. Smith of Colo. Baylors Regiment, the Officer appointed to procure Cloathing. By the directions of the Board of War, you are only to provide for the number of Men actually now in the Regiment, which amount by the Adjutant Generals Certificate to 159. But there are between twenty and thirty Recruits on the way from Virginia not included in the Return who...
651From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my last letter of the 18th Inst. I observed that the whole tenor of intelligence from New-York suggested an immediate evacuation of the place. My accounts since from different quarters still wear the same complexion and seem to bring it nearer to a crisis. An intelligent officer stationed at Amboy reports—that on the 16th Otbr about twelve ships fell down to the Hook—and the 17th early in...
652From George Washington to Brigadier General John Stark, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 31st Augt and 7th 15th and 28th Septemr. The subject of Mrs McNeils petition comes under the notice of the Qr Mr General. General Mifflin, who was in that Office at the time the grievance complained of was committed, has lately had one million of dollars put into his hands for the purpose of discharging all old demands, and I see that Colonel Hughes is...
653From George Washington to George Clinton, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is of the utmost importance that we should be thoroughly acquainted with the resources of this State in regard to Flour. Can it be procured in any considerable quantity, it will not only save the immense expence that arises upon the transportation from Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland, but it will enable us to lay up suitable Magazines, which I fear we shall not be able to establish...
654General Orders, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
As Coll Greaton is unable to attend the Court Martial whereof he was yesterday appointed President, Lieutt Coll Smith will preside in his room. Major Murphy is appointed an Additional Member of the Court which will sit tomorrow morning nine ôClock at the usual Place. A General Court Martial of the Line whereof Coll Bradley is appointed President will assemble at the President’s Marqui next...
655General Orders, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Captain Thomas Buchanan and Ensign Andrew Johnson of the 1st Penn sylvania Regiment are appointed the former Pay Master and the latter Quarter Master to the same, from the 2nd of June last—Likewise Lieutt Aaron Norcross is appointed Adjutant to the same from Feby 20th last. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Thomas Buchanan (c.1747–1823) of Newville, Pa., who had been appointed a third lieutenant in...
656From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 9th—inclosing a resolution of your legislature—directing two Companies of Colo. Enos’s Regiment to be stationed at Greenwich. I cannot but express my fears that they will be in danger, except they act as a kind of Patroll. The Light Corps of the Army under General Scott affords as much cover to that part of the Country as it is possible for me to give in our...
657From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 23–27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your letter of the 11th Instant. I am sorry at the destruction of property at Egg harbour—but in attending to the general objects of war, we must at times submit to such losses, or depend on the exertions of the militia for their prevention. No doubt you have been informed of the progress of the enemy’s embarkation at New-York—The 19 & 20th Inst. about 150 sail of vessels,...
658From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, I have been honoured with your several favors of the 1st 3d & 21st of this month. The two first came to hand before I left the white plains—& the last at this place—I should not have Delayed acknowledging the receipt of the 1st & 3d till this time—(thereby neglecting to pay that just tribute of respect which is due to you) but for the close attention I was obliged to...
659From George Washington to George Clinton, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency yesterday, requesting your advice on the proposed expedition against Anaquaga. I have given Col. Cortland orders to get his regiment well clad, and prepared without delay, for this purpose, and to wait upon you himself to consult you fully on the most expeditious mode of proceeding and the previous measures proper to be taken. If the troops already...
660From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have read Your Excellency’s two favours of the 18th and 21st, with all the pleasure, which the perusal of your letters never fails to inspire, and which naturally attends the communications of those in whom we are warmly interested. I rejoice with you in the prospect of your being so soon in a state to resume the sea—I cannot but ardently desire, that an opportunity may speedily be offered...