1Credentials of the Massachusetts Delegates to the Continental Congress, 6 February 1775 (Adams Papers)
Resolved, that the Hon. John Hancock Hon. Thomas Cushing Esquires Mr. Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat Pain Esquires appointed by the last provincial Congress “to represent this Colony on the 10th of May next or sooner if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia” be and they hereby are, authorized and impowered “with the Delegates from the other American...
2To John Adams from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Mrs. Adams mentioned to me last evening that you wanted to know the state of our forts, the number of men we have to support the lines and the number of cannon in the town and vicinity of Boston. She desired I would write upon those matters. We have on Fort Hill in Boston a square fort about an hundred feet Curtin with four Bastions, a good ditch with pickets therein; a small fort at...
3To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Militia from the State of Massachusetts Bay were directed by the General Court to receive their Amunition at this place and the Court Ordered out a quantity of Powder for that purpose which has not yet arrived —The Troops are Collecting here and finding it dificult to git supplies and detaining them till the Powder shall come in will greatly incommode those who are following and being...
4To 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...
5To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 4 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I just arrived here—Find only part of two Regiments of the militia, from the Massachusetts—The badness of the roads hath much retarded the troops—I have left some of our best Officers, at different posts to forward them, and provide every necessary to facilitate their march. I flatter myself, from the provisions, that hath been made, and is now making, that the time will not be long, nor the...
6To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 9 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 9 Jan. 1777. When writing to William Heath on 12 Jan. , GW referred to Lincoln’s “letter of the 9th.”
7To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 2 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sensible the State of Massachusetts Bay are determined, to use every vigorous exertion, to raise their proportion of the Continental army—It is my indispensable duty, to promote their determination. I am conscious, many good men, from the militia of that State now in camp, might be engaged, were they indulged a furlough, on their enlistment. But, as the design of the Court, in sending out...
8To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am inducd to write you in consequence of a [letter I] have just receivd from Lord stirling acquainting me that some troops from Virginia were on their march to join the army and that he had directions to quarter them between Baskenridge, and the first ridge of mountains next to Boundbrook as thereby in case of necessity, they would be well situated to march to the assistance of either...
9To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 13 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 13 April 1777. In his letter to Hancock of 12–13 April, GW writes: “13th I have this Moment recd a line from Genl Lincoln informing me that the Enemy attempted to surprize him, early this morning, at his post at Bound Brook, but he made good his Retreat to the pass of the Mountains just in his Rear, with trifling Loss.”
10To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this morning, honoured with Your Excellencies favour of yesterdays date, On General Heard leaving his present post Colo. Broadhead will possess it every assistance in my power will be afforded him in placing the Guards Patrols &c.—our mutual safety depend on our acting jointly—I had information last night that the enemy were imitating our dress in order to deceive & surprize us we shall...
11To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 27 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Spotswood marchd in this morning with a detachment from the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, & 12th Virgn. regiments, 533 privates, fourth Maryland Regt, 99, the 2d 3d 4, 9, 10, 11 & part of Colo. Pattens regiment from Pennselvania, 357, privates, The detachment from the 3d, 4th 5 6 & 9th Virgna amo: to 67 privates are to march and join their respective regiments toward Chatham. We had here...
12To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Maryland, and the ninth Pennsylvania regiment were, by a mistake, returned yesterday as being in camp here, they were left behind. Colonel Brodhead informs me that there are many vacancies in his regiment—he hath handed to me the inclosed list, wishes the Gentlemen therein named might be appointed to fill them. I cannot git a return from the independent companies in any measure...
13To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this moment receivd an extract of a letter from Genl Stevens to your Excellency of this days date, purporting the situation & designs of the enemy—and a letter from Colo. Harrison expressing your desire that I woud avail myself of the intelligence containd in the extract, and be gaurded in the best manner possible, to elude, & baffle their designs, I shall most chearfully do it —I have...
14To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
One of the Hessians left their camp at the landing this afternon, his account of their numbers & situation is very simelar to that we have often had from others. He informs there are no appearances of removing at present, they are waiting for a reinforcment which they daily expect—That the treatment they receive is so very different from what they expected, & so injurious, (were promised 16d....
15To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have in the Guard House an infamous tory said to be one of Skinners men who on an attempt made by our people to secure him fired on them & wounded one—he also was wounded but is now almost well—By the enclosed warrant your excellny will learn more of the matter than I can explain —Wish to know whether he is to be tried by the civil authority of this State or by a Genl Court martial—By a...
16To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencies directions of the 20th forwarded by Colonel Harrison. In order to prevent in some measure the too frequent desertions, and to promote the safety of this camp I have detached a few companies of good faithful men on whom we can depend as well for their atteachment to the cause as for their bravery and activity, to act as scouts ⅌ day and patrols by night, they...
17To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
A number of Colo. Brodheads men, 8th Pennsylvana regiment, were some time since tried for desertion—Your Excellency was induced from the disordered state of that regiment to suspend the execution of the several sentences untill a court of enquiry could ascerta[i]n the real cause of such disorder no court hath set & from the long confinment of the men they have lost their healths & are become...
18To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 3 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 3 July 1777. Charles E. Tuttle Co. of New York reportedly sold in 1951 an autograph letter signed “addressed to ‘His Excellency Gen. Washington’, regarding the march of General De Hoar’s brigade to Morristown to join the main army. Washington’s reply (as written by his adjutant T imothy P ickering ) is written at the bottom of Lincoln’s...
19To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I met General Schuyler the 30th ultimo; a mile or two above Fort miller, just after the General officers had in council resolved to remove the army to Saratoga, as a place more tenable and convenient for disciplining the troops; I hope he will have it in his power there to make a stand, and be able soon to attack the British troops, or at least some parties of them, with success, And give a...
20To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 12 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s orders I waited upon General Schuyler on my way to the militia, who had assembled and were assembling at Manchester on the grants, received his instructions, and met the troops the second instant, found only five or six hundred there—but one regiment was on the road from the Massachusetts, and about thirteen or fourteen hundred from New Hamshire, before many of...
21To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the unhappiness to acquaint your Excellency, that on the morning of the 8th inst. I had the misfortune, to r[e]ceive a shott from the enemy in my right leg, by which it was broke, and the bones very much fractured; altho’ The appearance of the wound was, at first, so bad as left not the least probability of saving the leg—Yet such are the favourable symptoms at present that my surgeons...
22To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 1 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Claiborne, who has acted as my Aid de Camp, and whom I have permitted to return to Virginia, will have the honor of delivering this to your Excellency. The great distance from Virginia to New-England, and the uncertainty of my state of health, and in what part of the Continent I may serve, should I ever be able to take the field, may render it uncertain whether he can again join my...
23To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 1 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 20th of Jany last a few days since, on my journey from Albany to this town; and the last evening, with your favor of the 9th ulto inclosing a copy of the former. I have read the two resolves of Congress, in the operation of which, you suppose, I shall be effected. I find by the first that the officers of the Pennsylvania regiments are now to...
24To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 17 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Would not an early attempt upon the city of New-York by part of the Continental Troops, and the Eastern Militia be attended with great probability of success? Indeed if there was but a small prospect of our carrying the city it appears to me, that our collecting a respectable body of men in its vicinity would be attended with many good effects; as thereby we should probably divide the enemy,...
25To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 1 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your kind favor of the 7th Ulto the 19th accompanying your valuable present the epaulettes & sword knot —you will permit me to return my most cordial thanks for them, and to assure your Excellency, that this testimony of your approbation of my conduct fills me with the highest sentiments of duty & affection, will always be remembred with the warmest gratitude, and ranked...
26To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On consideration of the several questions proposed by your Excellency to the Council, the last evening, I beg leave to give it as my opinion—that the army ought to be immediately removed eastward—One division of it consisting of a number sufficient fully to reinforce the troops in the Highlands and in conjunction with them be equal to the defence of that post to be marched to Danbury and there...
27To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I find by the report of an Officer, I sent to observe the state of the roads, by Bull’s Iron works & New Milford, to Litchfield (30 odd Miles) that some parts of the road are much out of repair—but that the bridges are passable—On this Road the Troops may halt well at the distance of nine Miles (Draper’s Tavern) next at Peets Mill 9 Miles, next at Stones over Mount Tom , 8 Miles after that, to...
28To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s favor, of yesterdays date, the last evening. I immediately gave orders that a party from each Brigade in my Division should this morning be marched to repair the roads as mentioned in your letter—and to prevent their interfering one with the other & with the party which should be ordered by General McDougal I have assignned to each, of mine, its district...
29To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was on the 15th instant honored with your favor of the 9th with several letters one to Mrs Washington I shall do my self the honor of waiting on her if I pass through Alexandria—I am greatly obliged to you for your introductory letters to Gentlemen in Carolina and for your many unmerited marks of friendship, for them, I can only thank you over and over again—As early as I can know a state of...
30To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on my arrival here I called for a return of the troops and continental stores in this state, and the state of Georgia, but have not yet obtained them—otherwise I should have done myself the honor of inclosing them; but from all I can learn there are very few continental stores in either of the states. The troops have been supplied by this state, and the heads of the several...