1To George Washington from Major David Humphreys, 23 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty to present Your Excellency, with the Copy of an Address to the Armies under your command, which was begun for my own amusement, compleated with the Design suggested in the introduction, and suffered to be published, on the representation of my friends, that it might in some measure answer so valuable and important a purpose. Should it be so fortunate as to have any...
2IV. To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
General Greene, directs me to inform your Excellency, that from the best intelligence he is able to obtain, the Enemy are now out in force, with seventeen Pieces of Artillery—At first they made a demonstration of acting on his right; and large parties were seen from the heights of Springfield filing off in that direction: A considerable Column, in the mean time advanced on his left, where...
3To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel David Humphreys, 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received at Lebanon ⟨your favour of the 15th and⟩ shall yield implicit obedience to the contents —but having been obliged to procure a Horse near N. Haven in the room of one of mine which I had lamed, I shall be under the necessity of sending tither ⟨&⟩ my return will be delayed a week or ten days; unless I should be honored with your further Commands which will find me at this place. I...
4From David Humphreys to Richard Platt, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General consents that the Cloathing should go by the way of Morris Town, but would not have it delayed, by any means, on the Road. The Congress will wait, for some time, we shall have Letters to go by him in an hour. Be pleased to forward the Dispatches for Rhode Island. I am Sir Your Most Obed. Servt DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
5From David Humphreys to William Heath, 1 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency will be at West Point before 10 OClock to morrow Morng (Nothing extraordinary happening to prevent it) and wishes if practical that Horses might be provided for him to visit the outer Works. I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your Most Obed. Humble Servt P.S. The General will not go if the Weather proves rainy. MHi : Heath Papers.
6From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 6 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your report respecting the Teams and presented it to His Excellency, who directs me to inform you, that if upon the return of the person you Mention; the necessary Teams shall not be furnished—He will Order a Detachment of Horse to obtain them, under Your direction, in such a Manner, as shall be most equitable & least burdensome to the People. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obed....
7From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 10 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Officer or Non Commissioned Officer commanding the Detachment of the Marichausie Corps now with the Army, will receive Orders from the Quartr Master General respecting impressing of Teams, and carry the same into execution. By Command of His Excellency the Commander in Cheif DNA : RG 93—Manuscript File.
8From David Humphreys to William Heath, 17 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency wishes the distribution of the State Cloathing of Massachusetts may not be made, until the arrival of the Officer send by the Marquis to procure Cloathing for the Detachment of the Massachusetts line under his Command—As a part of that Cloathing may be necessary for these Troops—Capt. Heart, the bearer, informs the Officer may be expected every Moment. I have the honor to be...
9From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency wishes to be informed what success has attended the Measures taken for the transportation of the flour from Ringwood—what number of Teams were procured by the last impress &c. He also requests that you will direct the Forage Master Genl to provide Pasture, as convenient as possible to Head Quarters for the Horses which belong to himself & his Family. We shall shortly be much...
10From David Humphreys to William Heath, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is His Excellency’s pleasure that One of the two Prisoners, belonging to the Massachusetts Line, now under sentence of Death for desertion, should be pardoned. He therefore requests that you will be pleased to Order that One of the two Culprits, whose crime shall appear to you the least aggravated, to be finally pardoned, and released from his confinement. I have the honor to be With the...
11From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 24 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by His Excellency to forward the enclosed Letters from Genl Heath and Major Reese, and to inform you, that he is utterly averse to a military impress, except on great occasions, and when no other expedients can be devised to answer the end proposed. Because he apprehends it may tends to irritate the minds and alienate the affections of the well disposed people from the Army,...
12From David Humphreys to William Heath, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by His Excellency the Commander in Cheif to inform you that the Troops of the Massachusetts Line may receive four Months Pay. I have the honor to be Your most Obedt Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
13From David Humphreys to Nathaniel Stevens, 2 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency directs me to inform you, that he has just received a Letter from Col. Udny Hay, inclosing one from the Bd of War, in which the same measure of putting up a quantity of Fish on this River is advised, which has been already adopted: Col. Hay mentions that Mr Morrell, Major Wyckoff, Judge Wyncoop of Esopus & Col. Stoukenburgh of Albany, would be proper persons to be employed in...
14From David Humphreys to William Heath, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency (who has just rode out with Colonel Menonville first Deputy Adjutant General of the French Army) desired me to inform you, that he will be at West Point tomorrow Morng if the weather is fair : that he must return before dinner, and will expect the pleasure of your company up the river, if your health, & occasions will permit. I have the honor to be With perfect respect Dear Sir...
15From David Humphreys to John Carlile, 10 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency directs that the Detachment which may be call’d for by the Quarter Master General from Col. Hazen’s Regt should be furnish’d to conduct an Impress under his direction. I am Sir your humble Servt NHi : Hugh Hughes Papers.
16From David Humphreys to Edward Hand, 11 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by His Excellency to send you the inclosed, to be issued tomorrow, He also requests (if possible) that from the result of your inspection, or by the return of the Recruits who have joined since the first of April, you will afford the means (this evening) of assertaining our present force with great precision. I have the Honor to be With perfect respect, Your Most Obt Servt P.S....
17From David Humphreys to Edward Hand, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by His Excellency to send you the enclosed to be issued to morrow. He also requests (if possible) that from the result of your inspection, or by the Return of the Recruits who have joined since the first of April, you will afford the Means (this evening) of ascertaining our present force with great precision. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your Most Obed. Servant...
18From David Humphreys to John Mitchell, 4 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Duke de Lauzun will set out for New Port, by day break to morrow Morning. His Excellency requests therefore that you will not fail to have as good a Horse as you can procure ready for the Duke by that time at Fish Kill Landing, and also a person with another Horse to attend upon him and bring back the former, As the Duke proposes exchanging Horses at Storms’s or the next stage beyond where...
19From David Humphreys to George Fisher, 6 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency requests you will have the Letters sent herewith, delivered to the Commanding Officer of Col. Hazen’s Regt before his departure for Albany. I am Sir your hble Servt Privately owned.
20From David Humphreys to Alexander Scammell, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency requests the favor of your Company at dinner tomorrow if you are not engaged. At any rate he wishes to see you some time to morrow without fail, & that you will bring with you, an accurate state of the Troops under your command, and also of Major Porter’s Detachment; noting the present strength, and the number of men who from weakness or any kind of inability, are not very...
21From David Humphreys to Charles Stewart, 30 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General desires that you will give directions not to have any of the Beef Cattle distributed to Brigades or killed, untill you have been at Head Quarters, reported the number & received instructions—He also desires that no pork may be issued while there is salted Beef. I am Sir your Hble Servant MH .
22From David Humphreys to John Pray, 7 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Cheif, directs that the three new Whale Boats built at Wappings Creek under the Superintendance of Mr Sheaf, should be made use of as Guard Boats—Captain Pray will apply to Major General McDougal for the same, or if Genl McDougal has sent them to the Orders of Major Darby—Majr Darby will be pleased to deliver these three Boats to Capt. Pray, on his Order—Should they already be...
23From David Humphreys to Charles Stewart, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is his Excellencys request, that you will take Immediate, & Effectual, measures to have such a number of the Beef Cattle from the Eastern part of Connecticut, and that part of Massachusetts Contiguous to Rhode Island, furnish’d for the Militia stationed at Rhode Island that they may not be under the Necessity of Consumeing a single Barrel of Salted provision,the Salted provision to be...
24From David Humphreys to New York Officers Commanding at Verplanks Point, 15 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am Commanded by his Excellency the Commander in Cheif to inform you that five of the Enemys’ Vessels passed Dobbs ferry up the river just at Evening one of 22 another of 16 Guns the other three smaller—and to direct that no more Vessels or Boats whatever be permitted to come down the river untill further Orders—You will be particularly Vigilant at your Post, communicate the same intelligence...
25From David Humphreys to Charles Stewart, 16 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency desires you will either go yourself, or send some Gentleman of your Department to the White Plains to examine the Position, number & state of the Ovens at that Place; & to report to him tomorrow Morng where they are, What number there are, what quantity of Bread they will Bake pr day, & what condition they are now in, with as much accuracy & precision as possible. I am Sir Your...
26From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 27 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have spoken to His Excellency—He has no objections to your going to Newborough for two or three days, he requests you to take charge of the Letter for Gen. McDougal. The General also desires you to see General Du Portail before you go to West Point, respecting the Materials for the Chevaux de Frize which Genl Du Portail has in contemplation. He likewise requests you will make particular...
27From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 5 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
In order to answer the Questions stated in your Memorandum to me respecting Tents, His Excellency thinks it necessary that it should be ascertained whether there are now a sufficient number of Tents in the several State Lines (including the Tents with their Detachments) to cover the Troops of those Lines, if they should be collected & augmented nearly to the Establishment? If this should be...
28From David Humphreys to Charles Stewart, 8 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Cheif desires you will take immediate and effectual measures, to ascertain with certainty the quantity of salted Provision now lying on or near Connecticut River, specifying by actual Returns the kind, & quality of it, and the Places where it is deposited—also the quantity now in the Magazine at Providence—and whether the salted Provision has been transported...
29From David Humphreys to Calvin Smith, 11 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Cheif, is pleased to direct that Lt Holden of Your Regt should continue to duty with the Corps of Guards untill further Orders. I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
30From David Humphreys to William Heath, 19 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief desires you will order a Court Martial on Doctr McKnight, in consequence of the enclosed Charges, whenever it is convenient—and that you will decide on the sentences of the Court Martial of which Col. Swift is President. I have the honor to be Your Most Obedt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
31From David Humphreys to Mordecai Gist, 6 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Cheif had the pleasure to receive your favor announcing the arrival of the Count de Grasse, at 1/2 past two oClock P.M. near Chester, and directed me to come forward to make some arrangement for expediting the Movement of the Troops, Ordnance, Stores &c. & ha ste ning the embarkation as much as possible. I have it in command from His Excy to write to you...
32To George Washington from David Humphreys, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my arrival at this place, I applied to Colonel Hughs respecting Quarters for Your Excellency—As it was imagined the Governors House would be far more convenient than any other; and the Quarter Master having suggested, that Mr Bedlow’s family (being very small) might be accomodated in Cases House the whole of which he would obtain for that purpose, the proposal was made by him—but some...
33To George Washington from David Humphreys, 7 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Memorandum for His Excellency the Commander in Chief. In consequence of the frequent encouragement your Excellency has given me, to suggest freely whatever might occur which appeared benificial to the public Interest, I have the honor to submit the following observations respecting the object of the Campaign for your consideration & future decision. In the first place, I believe we may venture...
34From David Humphreys to William Heath, 10 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency has received your Letter of this date by Major Tallmadge, and has given it in charge to me to inform you, he has no objection that the Detachment under Major Maxwell should continue at Stamford untill the 25th Inst. by which time he hopes the State Troops will have arrived—and beyond which, the Troops cannot be dispensed with from their Corps—The General desires you will...
35From David Humphreys to William Heath, 13 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by His Excellency to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of Yesterday; and to inform you, that he consents that the Six Teamsters required, should continue with Major Campbell untill the first of May, at which time they must positively join their Corps. I have the honor to be with the perfect respect Your Most Obedt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
36From David Humphreys to Hugh Maxwell, 14 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Cheif is pleased to consent that your Detachment should remain at Stamford until the first of May, at which time, it is his peremtory Order, that you return with your Command to the Army. I am Sir Your most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
37From David Humphreys to William Heath, 27 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have it in command from His Excellency the Commander in Chief to inform you, that Lieut. Col. Hull may have leave of absence for five Weeks. I have the honor to be With perfect respect Your Most obdt Servt MHi : Heath Papers.
38From David Humphreys to William Heath, 5 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in Chief requests you will be pleased to forward the Letter transmitted herewith, in the most expeditious manner, by a Flag. I have the honor to be Sir Your Most Hble Servant MHi .
39From David Humphreys to John Hiwell, 5 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed immediately to Philadelphia, by the way of Elizabeth Town, where you will deliver the Letter addressed to the Commissy of Prisoners to him & receive his Letter for Gen. Hazen, which with the Dispatches for the Secry at War, you will deliver to Genl Lincoln—& receive further instructions from him, if you are to wait any time in Philadelphia the Secry at War will furnish you...
40From David Humphreys to Timothy Pickering, 13 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is the Order of the Commander in Chief, that you furnish Hospital Tents & other Articles for the Accomodation of the Sick in the Field, agreeably to the Requisition of the Chief Physician of the Army. I am Sir Your Most Hble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
41From David Humphreys to Caleb Brewster, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowledge the Rect of the Dispatches addressed to John Bolton Esqr. by the bearer of this; and also to request that you will keep up the communication, & give him regularly every information in your power. I am Sir Your Most Hble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
42From David Humphreys to Hezekiah Wetmore, 8 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have it in charge from His Excellency the Commander in Chief to direct that you should remove your Office to West Point, as soon as room can be made in the Barracks for your accomodation by the Officers going into Tents. A principal object is to prevent detachments & reduce the number of Guards as much as possible. A Single Sentinel from the Main Guard at West Point will then answer all the...
43From David Humphreys to Henry Sewell, 11 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 9th (which is just come to hand) I am directed by the Commander in Chief to inform you; that when it was proposed Lt Col. Popkin should go to Boston to superintend the recruiting Service, the General conceived it would be at the same time a matter of private convenience as well as of public utility—that as he does not know that he is authorized to promise any...
44From David Humphreys to Elias Dayton, 23 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you by the Commd of his Excellency a Warrant for the Execution of George Cook, the time & place are left to your appointment. I am Sir Your Hble Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45From David Humphreys to Hugh Hughes, 10 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief sensible of the immense importance of preserving the Horses & Teams of the Army in good condition for service through the Campaign & considering that the Movements, supplies & success of an Army frequently depend on this Article alone; hath commanded me, to request from you Gentlemen in writing, a joint Report on the following Points, viz. What number of Horses & Teams...
46To George Washington from David Humphreys, 15 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I forward to your Excellency the Report of the Depy Qr Master, the Forage & Waggon Mastr Genls on the subject of Forage, together with their Estimate of the Quantity necessary, and Plan for obtaining it; in hopes that these papers may come to your hands before you shall have left Philadelphia, that the opinion of the Financier may be taken, and definitive Arrangements be made on the spot. The...
47From David Humphreys to George Clinton, 16 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
In the absence of His Excellency the Commander in Chief, the enclosed information has been received, which I take the liberty to forward to your Excellency, as the frontiers of this State appear to be particularly concerned thereby, if the intelligence should prove to be well founded. Since His Excellency left this, I have in consequence of his direction, ordered the Depy Qr Master to forward...
48From David Humphreys to Elias Dayton, 4 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Before the departure of His Excellency the Commander in Chief for Philadelphia, he wrote a Letter to you, dated the 11th of July, of which he has received no acknowledgement, & therefore suspects it may have miscarried; the purport of it was, to relieve Capt. Dayton, to stop all Correspondence with Ward McMichael & every other person within the Enemy’s Lines, and to hold the Brigade in...
49From David Humphreys to Hugh Hughes, 4 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to request that you will immediately and without Loss of Time, make a Report to the Commander in Chief, in Writing of the general State of the Quarter Masters Department at this Moment, so far as relates to this Army, with Regard to Camp Equipage, Quarter Master’s Stores &c. noting as far as may be, the Quantities and Species in possession of the Troops, the deficiency of every Article...
50From David Humphreys to Hugh Hughes, 7 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a Letter from Colo. Swift respecting the expence incurred by keeping his Waggon Horses thro u ghout the Winter; on the subject of which I am commanded by His Excellency to inform you it is his pleasure; that ways & means may be devised, if possible for the payment of this expence before the Horses, are returned in; but in case you are not able to pay the Money that you adjust the...