1Board of War to Board of Trade, with Reply, 20 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ] 20 Nov. 1779 . Approval, with the concurrence of the executive, of the purchase of cloth, to be paid for in part by cannon at the foundry. Signed by Innes, Nelson, and Lyne. Countersigned: “In Council Nov. 23. 1779. This purchase is approved: paiment to be made in Cannon as above proposed, so far as they will go towards full paiment; the balance to be paid in money as soon as...
2To George Washington from the Board of War, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is a copy of a letter we have just dispatched to Lt Colo. White. We thought if these suspicions were well founded that it was of consequence your Excellency should be made acquainted with the facts; & they might coincide with other circumstances which may fall within your immediate knowledge. If any satisfactory intelligence should be recd it shall be forwarded without delay. We...
3To George Washington from the Board of War, 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 25 Oct. 1779 . GW wrote the Board of War on 19 Nov. : “I have duly received your several favors of the 25th of Octbr and the 2d 8th 10th and 13th of this month.”
4To George Washington from the Board of War, 27 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 27 Dec. 1777. GW wrote the Board of War on 2–3 Jan . 1778 that “Your several Letters of the 23d, 24th & 27th Ulto have been recieved.”
5To George Washington from the Board of War, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 2d inst. & are extremely concerned at the Want of Shoes. We hope some Relief may be drawn from the Commissaries in the Vicinity of the Army & we will put in Motion all the Shoes there are in the Hands of those more remote. Mr Henry is now in Town & will exert himself as much as possible. He has about eight thousand Pair which were...
6To George Washington from the Board of War, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 22d. We will report the Affair of Genl Irvine to Congress. He will doubtless think it hard that because he was taken Prisoner & could not be promoted in Season he should suffer as to his Rank. But the Reasons your Excellency offers are so forcible that it should seem impracticable to comply with Genl Irvine’s Wishes without very...
7To George Washington from the Board of War, 20 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board do themselves the honor to inclose copies of some letters which they have recd on the subject of the Supplies of the Army. They are exceedingly concerned that the prospects from some of them, are so unpromising. And are much alarmed for the consequences; nor can they conjecture what may be the event, unless the late regulations in the finances produce a favorable change in our...
8To George Washington from the Board of War, 13 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Letter of the 8th and have communicated to Mr Murray and Major Stein the mode of procuring the Exchange of the latter for Major Murray as pointed out by your Excellency and which we think very just and right both as to the Thing itself and the manner of conducting it. We will enquire into the Numbers of Men of the marching Regiments detained as Artificers. These...
9To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have the Honour to transmitt your Excellency Copy of a Letter to Congress from Brigadier General Irvine referred to the Board. As we think this like all other Disputes about Rank should go in the usual Line we request your Excellency will be pleased to lay it before a Board of Officers & on your Certificate we will report to Congress. As Col. Magaw who is absent may perhaps be affected by...
10To George Washington from the Board of War, 8 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Board have been honoured with yours of the 2d instant relative to the Massachussetts Line. The Commns were delayed by some Embarrassments thrown in the Way by the Government of the State who had made Appointments clashing with the Arrangement as made at Camp & as now confirmed by Congress agreeably to a Report of the Board. These Difficulties being removed the Commissions are now ready &...
11To George Washington from the Board of War, 30 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board do themselves the honor to inclose to your Excellency, the proceedings of a General Court Martial, held at Philadelphia on the 19th instant, for the Trial of Capt. Coren, & Capt. Lieutenant Godfrey. With respect to Capt. Coren, the board beg leave to transmit the proceedings of another Court Martial on a former occasion, conceiving it to be proper that Your Excellency should be...
12To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 13 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 13 Nov. 1779. Instructions desired as to whether a soldier’s oath on his own behalf concerning his allowance of clothing shall be legal testimony for his compensation. The legislature at its last session elected a commissary of prisoners, who has declined serving, though the law constituting the Board of War vests that power in the Board. The Board proposes electing a proper...
13To George Washington from the Board of War, 10 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Congress appointed for the purpose having met the board this morning, after a full consideration of the subject, the following route was agreed on for the march of the Virginia troops to South Carolina; viz. Those troops to embark at Trenton with their baggage & proceed to Christeen, & cross to the Head of Elk; there to embark again & proceed down the bay to Williamsburg,...
14To George Washington from the Board of War, 28 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 23d I have given Orders to the Comissy Genl of Military Stores in Consequence. As many Colours as possible shall be provided but until we recieve the Articles from France, of which we have lately had agreeable Accounts, we cannot have the Standards prepared agreeably to the Plan proposed vizt to have two for every regt—one the Standard...
15To George Washington from the Board of War, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lt Colo. Connolly has a son about ten years old who is an ensign in the 17th regt British. His parents are anxious to get him into New York to put him to school. His father wrote a letter to your Excellency requesting your permission for his going in on parole: but as that letter may have miscarried, and the lad’s mother has repeatedly importuned us on the subject, We beg leave to ask your...
16Board of War to Board of Trade, 5 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 5 Nov. 1779 . Recommends the immediate purchase of a list of articles needed for the officers and soldiers of the Virginia troops in the northern army. Signed by Innes, Griffin, Barron, and Lyne. Countersigned: “Approved. Th: Jefferson.” RC ( CSmH ); 1 p. Above the list of articles needed is a list of articles supplied to the northern army, dated 25 Oct. 1779, signed by Samuel...
17To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 18 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 18 Feb. 1780 . Encloses a plan of forming the detachment of troops to be sent to South Carolina, with an estimate of camp apparatus needed. This plan proposes augmentation of garrison regiment to man the forts intended to be erected, and retention of part of artillery regiment for a laboratory, which must be established to equip artillery in the field. Two letters are enclosed to...
18To George Washington from the Board of War, 12 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 12 Oct. 1776. On 22 Oct. Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to the Board of War: “I am directed by his Excellency, whose business has called him from hence, to acknowledge his receipt of your Favors of the 12th and 15th Instt, and to inform you in Answer to the first, that he will mention the case of the French Gentn to Genl Lee, and obtain his Opinion as to...
19To George Washington from the Board of War, 3 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Board have to acknowledge the Reciept of your Excellency’s Letters of January 10th, 31st & Feby 19th & 23d. The two first should have been answered sooner but the first was mis laid & we waited to have the Determination of Congress on the Subject of the second which is not yet recieved. It is a standing Instruction to the Commissaries of Hides to make Leather Caps out of all Leather which...
20To George Washington from the Board of War, 19 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
So many of the soldiers are taken from the ranks for various purposes, and so many troops detached for the defence of the frontiers, that ’tis with much regret we intimate the necessity of detaching more: yet the facts stated in the inclosed papers seem to require it. The letter from Lt Colo. Dorrance was brought down by Lieut. Buck, who will have the honour of delivering this to your...
21To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 21 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 21 Mch. 1780 . Agreement with Mr. Moody for himself and others for compensation for labor in the service of the state for five years. Signed by Innes and Barron. Countersigned: “Mar 23. 1780. The Executive agree to the Articles of contract proposed by the Board of War with Mr. Moody restraining the determination of the term to five years or the end of the war if it shall sooner...
22To George Washington from the Board of War, 7 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board are desirous of seeing Capt. Bowman of the Jersey Troops, on the subject of his command at Squan, during the last Winter & Spring, & would be much obliged to your Excellency to order him to repair to Philadelphia without delay. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Yr Excellency’s Most obed. Hble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison docketed this...
23To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board have the honor to inclose the copy of a letter from Coll Broadhead for your Excellency’s consideration. The Military Stores are already forwarded agreeable to your request of sometime ago; And the board have reported to Congress, that six blank commissions should be sent to Col. Broadhead, to be filled up with the Names of such faithful Indians of the Delaware Tribe, as he shall...
24To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honour to inclose you a letter from the board to Major General Howe at West Point, relative to the provisions to be thrown into that post. We submit it to your Excellency’s inspection; and if you judge it necessary, you will be pleased to alter or add to our instructions on the subject. We subjoined a direction concerning the stores at the post not wanted for immediate use...
25To George Washington from the Board of War, 31 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of Mr Boudinot’s information handed to us by your Excellency in May last, relative to a Mr Hallet, then Chaplain to the Confederacy, he was brought before us and examined. We found he had formerly recd from your Excellency recruiting orders to raise an independent company; which not being able to effect, he was about January 1778 discharged, after settling his accounts, as...
26To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
There are about four hundred of the Oneidas & Tuscaroras in & about Schenectady who from their Attachment to the Cause of the United States have been under the Necessity of abandoning their Settlements & taking Refuge under the Protection of the United States. These People are extremely wretched being destitute of Clothing & but precariously supplied with Provisions. It is unfortunately but...
27To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 5 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 5 Apr. 1780 . Encloses Maj. Quarles’ return of men raised in his last tour; Quarles “complains extremely” of inattention of county lieutenants to the execution of laws which fall within their departments. He has also applied for compensation for his services; six hundred dollars per month is recommended. Signed by Innes and Barron. Countersigned: “April 5. 1780. I approve of the...
28Board of War to Board of Trade, 21 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 21 Mch. 1780 . Recommendation of the purchase of a suit of colors from Jesse Taylor. Signed by Barron and Lyne. Counter-signed: “Approved. Th: Jefferson.” Tr in Board of War Letter Book ( MiU-C ), 1 p.; printed in Official Letters Official Letters of the Governors of the State of Virginia , ed. H. R. McIlwaine , ii , 109.
29To George Washington from the Board of War, 8 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lewis (a Brother Deligate) has given Congress Information that Application had been made to your Excellency by a Flag from Genl Howe to permit Mrs Watts & Mrs Barrow the Pay Masters Wife to go to their Husbands in New York and at the same Time requested Congress to assi[s]t him with their Authority to obtain the Release of his Lady whom the Enemy would not permit to come out—the House...
30To George Washington from the Board of War, 10 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 10 Sept. 1779. On 18 Sept., GW wrote William Woodford and Peter Muhlenberg: “I have just received the Arrangement of the Virginia line from the Board of War—as settled at Middle Brook in March—which I inclose with a Copy of the Board’s Letter of the 10th Instant.”
31To George Washington from the Board of War, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 26 March. GW wrote the Board of War on 29 March : “I have the honor to receive your favours of the 25th and 26th with the Commissions mentioned for the Connecticut Officers.”
32To George Washington from the Board of War, 23 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Board have been honoured with yours of the 22d enclosing Letters to Col. Bland & Lt Col. Washington. Copies of the Resolve of Congress have been sent to the Officers commanding these Regiments merely for their Information. The Board avoid in all Cases except by the immediate Direction of Congress giving any Orders about the Movement of Troops presuming these Matters more properly to come...
33Board of War to Virginia Delegates in Congress and Motion of Delegates, [22 December] 1780 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( Journals of the Continental Congress , XVIII, 1181–82). The letter of 21 December from the Board of War has not been found, but it is summarized in the Journals , preceding the motion made the next day. For the possible context of this item, see Matthias Halsted to Virginia Delegates, 17 December 1780 , and n. 2. The delegates for Virginia laid before Congress a letter, of 21,...
34To George Washington from the Board of War, 13 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board have the honor to inclose a letter from Lt Col. Conolly. It being the opinion of Col. Maegaw, that Lt Col. Conolly might be able to negotiate his exchange for Lt Col. Ramsay were he upon the spot —The board submit the propriety of granting his request to your Excellency. I have the honor to be With the highest respect yr Excellency’s Most Obed. Hble Serv. ALS , DLC:GW . The board...
35To George Washington from the Board of War, 5 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have the Honour to enclose an Extract of a Letter from Mr Henry of Lancaster on the Subject of Hides whereby we find little good Effect has been produced from the Order you were pleased to give at our Instance for 2,000 to be sent to Philadelphia. The general Account of the Hides in Mr Hatfield’s Care deserves serious Attention & Enquiry as, if it be true, great Mismanagement must appear on...
36To George Washington from the Board of War, 13 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board request your Excellency’s opinion upon the Subject of the inclosed memorandum of Genl Green; dictated by the necessities of the Public. The boats mentioned are about 70, or 80 in number, & will command £14.00. or £1500 each. and not more than 100 barrels of Tar will be wanted for several months to come. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Yr Excellencys Most Obed. Hble...
37To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 16 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board, from a variety of circumstances, think it probable that the British army may intend some Offensive operations against this State the ensuing Winter. Not only the exposed position of this Country, and its particular situation so favorable to the plans of predatory warfare, lead them to this opinion, but they are Strengthened in it, by the unsuccessful Attempt on the Savannah, and the...
38To George Washington from the Board of War, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Board have the honor to inclose the extract of a letter from Genl Woodford, respecting the situation of his health, and his desire to be removed to a more Northerly climate: as the Board are satisifed of the truth of what the General alledges, they are much surprized that Sir Harry Clinton should be so wanting to humanity as to refuse so reasonable a request. The terms on which the General...
39To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 8 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Lieut. Colo. Muter of the Artillery Colo. State Garrison Regiment. Major Matthews Lt. Colo. Artillery Captain Edmunds Major Artillery The Board having not in possession a Regular and proper Roster of the State Artillery, cannot certify precisely how far the chain of preferment occasioned by Colonel Muters removal may extend. We have specified the field promotions, and will notify those of a...
40To George Washington from the Board of War, 28 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 28 Dec. 1777. On 2–3 Jan. 1778 GW wrote the Board of War : “Your Favors of the 28th & 30 Ulto came to hand this Morning.”
41To George Washington from the Board of War, 30 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
By a letter just received from Capt. Starr it appears that many tanners in Connecticut are possessed of public leather, having received hides of the commissaries or officers of the troops which have been stationed in or marched thro’ that state; and that now they offer him in exchange shoes so bad that he is obliged to refuse to take them. They say they will give him better shoes if he will...
42To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 22 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board of War wish to be informed by his Excellency whether the Henry Galley now at Hampton under repair and one side finished, shall be completed, and furnished for the protection of that post. As Vessells bound to Sea frequently make that their Harbour when wind bound and if not protected by a Galley or some other vessell of force they must, if chased up by the enemy, fall into their...
43To George Washington from the Board of War, 8 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 8 July 1779. GW wrote the Board of War on 11 July: “I am this morning honored with your letters of the 3 and 8th.”
44[To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 4 August 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 4 Aug. 1779 . Minute in Board of War Journal (Vi) under this date: “This Board do recommend to his excellency the Governour and the honorable the Council, Mr. Theophilus Field as a proper person to be appointed a Lieutenant in the Navy of this Commonwealth.” Not located.]
45To George Washington from the Board of War, 7 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
For some time after the corps of artificers & Coren’s company of artillery for the laboratory were raised by Colonel Flower, pursuant to your Excellency’s orders, there was a good agreement between them: but at length the officers of artillery (themselves artificers) affected to despise the other officers, to whom the stile of artificers was annexed; and obeyed with reluctance the orders of...
46Board of War to County Lieutenants and Recruiting Agents, 4 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclemency of the season having prevented the officer appointed to review and receive the new recruits raised under the act of Assembly concerning officers, soldiers, sailors, and marines, to perform the duties there prescribed on the days advertised in the gazette of December the 11th . The Board of War have changed the days of general rendezvous in the following manner, viz . At...
47To George Washington from the Board of War, 28 September 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 28 September. On 2 Oct., GW wrote to the Board of War: “I have this moment received yours of the 28th inclosing a Resolve of the same date directing the detention of Majors General Phillips and Reidhesel and their families untill the further order of Congress.” For an indication of additional contents of this letter, see GW to Abraham Skinner, 2 October.
48To George Washington from the Board of War, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter from General Thompson is transmitted to your Excellency to correct a mistake he made of the name of a captain in the 21st British regt proposed to be exchanged on parole, the board being informed that the determination of the matter is by Congress referred to your Excellency. We are, with great respect, your very obedt servants ALS , DLC:GW ; copy, MHi : Pickering Papers....
49To George Washington from the Board of War, 14 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Board do themselves the Honor to inclose you some papers relative to the annexing Porters, Jones, Lees and the Company late Corens to the regiment of Col. Procter. The Board would be glad Your Excellency would be pleased to arrange them in such manner as you think proper, under the powers delegated to you by Congress. If however you should think proper to decline it from any reasons which...
50To George Washington from the Board of War, 18 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
When Capt. Joel was committed to our Charge we thought it proper to examine him & among a Variety of Matter of an unimportant Nature he informed us of there being a Major General in the Service of America who was in British pay. As we conceived this to be a Tale calculated to magnify his Importance or to extract Money from the public we contented ourselves with mentioning the Circumstance to...