51From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The object of your present command consisting of two Regiments (formed into 4 Battalions) under the command of Colo. Scammell and Lieut. Colo. Sprout—of a detachment of artillery under the command of Capt. Burbeck—of the Corps of Watermen under the command of Major Darby, and the Water Guard under the command of Capt. Pray, is to attempt the surprise of the enemy’s posts upon the North End of...
52From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your favor, and have only to express my wish that you will cross as soon as possible & take possession of the Heights of Kings Bridge so as to support the Duke de Lauzun & prevent the Enemy from attempting to cut him off by that way or to prevent their retreating if they are out. I shall be at Valentines Hill in Mile Square by tomorrow morning if practicable. I am...
53From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just been informed the Refugees have been impressing Horses to day—If they have any design, it is against our Piquets, this hint will be sufficient to excite unusual vigilance. I am Dr Sr DLC : Papers of George Washington.
54From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 6 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
On perceiving that I should be under the necessity of drawing down the Continental troops from the State of New York, I wrote upon the 25th of June to General Fellows desiring that 600 Militia (part of the quota required from the State of Massachusetts) might be marched from the Counties of Hampshire and Berkshire and those contiguous to them to Albany and take their orders from the Officer...
55From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The detachment under your command is to march to Springfield in New Jersey by two Routes. The left Column with which you will go is to be composed of the Light Troops and York Regiments (if Courtlands should get up in time) and four light Feild pieces with the Baggage of these Corps. The right Column is to consist of the park of Artillery— O’dnance Stores—The Quarter Masters and Commissary’s...
56From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Troops composing the Detat c hment under your Command may, till they are united with the Force in Virginia, be formed into three Brigades—Vizt—The light Infantry, to be commanded by Colo. Scammel, on the Right—The two York Regiments under Brigr Genl Clinton on the Left—& Hazens, Jersey & Rhode Island in the Center. You will march Tomorrow at four oClock in the morning—in two Columns—for...
57From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last Evening I received advice from Gnl Forman of the Arrival of 18 large Ships of War, which were discovered Yesterday morng standg in from the Southward—a Frigate had gone out from the Hook to speak with them—& was retung back again, having sent out a Boat towards them—The Conjecture was that it may be the Fleet of Admiral Hood from the W. Indies—I expect to hear further this Night or...
58From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon Enquiry I have too much Reason to fear we shall not be able to secure Craft eno’ to embark all our Troops, Stores, Baggage, Cannon &ca upon the Water—in which Case some must go by Land—You will be pleased to consult Colo. Lamb, respecting the heavy Cannon, Carriages, Military Stores & Baggage, & find what will be most cumbersome & heavy to transport by land, & let that have the first...
59From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of this Morng—upon Consultation with Count Rochambeau, I find him inclined to march the French Troops by Land from Trenton to Head of Elk—which will give a larger proportion of Craft for the American Stores & Troops. You will therefore, notwithstandg my preceedg Letter, after allotg a sufficient Number for the French Baggage &ca (their Request is Six)—first put on Board the...
60From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
A skilful Navigator, and a man of respectable character should be appointed Commodore—He is to give to each Skipper his Orders—fix signals for the whole to be governed by—to keep them in compact order—run them to Burwells Ferry, or James Town on James River, where they are to debark unless they meet other orders, on the passage—and to return with all possible expedition to Baltimore for the...
61From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Let the Corps of Sappers & Miners be part of the Troops which compose the first Embarkation of our Army. I am sincerely & Affectionately—Yrs Privately owned.
62From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is to be feared from the Scarsity of the Craft which appears on the Bay—that you will not be able to embark the whole of the Troops on two Trips—of this however you will be the best Judge, upon a Calculation of the Vessels that carry the first Division—& the Number which may be collected at Baltimore by the Time of the second Embarkation—If you should find that the whole cannot be...
63From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 15 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon information of the Sailing of the Fleet from the Chesapeak Bay, I gave Orders for the Troops, which were embarked, to be stopped. Since my arrival at this place, I am informed that the Count de Grasse has been joined by Count de Barras, and having captured two English Frigates, is returned to his former Station at the Capes; on this pleasing information, I have sent forward Count Fersen...
64From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
All the Troops which are about to return to the Northward will be under your Command— and I entreat you to use every means in your power to dispatch them by Land, or Water, or partly by both, as circumstances may require. The Ordnance, and Stores of every kind, must be dispatched, or in such train for it, as to need no further cover or aid from the Troops, ’ere they can move from their prest...
65From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 3 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Troops which you will have under your command are to be Marched, after debarking at the head of the Bay, into the States of New Jersey & New York—Those of New Jersey will take Post somewhere in the Vicinity of Morristown, to cover the Country adjacent, & to secure the communication between the Delaware & North River. The two Regiments of New York, unless the situation of our affairs to the...
66From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 4 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to refer to your attention the inclosed letter from Capt. Swan, particulary so much of it as respects the furnishing three hundred sets of Horse Accoutrements which only want Bits and Stirrups to compleat them. The swords which are the most essential Weapons for Dragoons with their Belts should also be procured if possible. I presume a certain proportion of Cloathing will be...
67From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 5 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the tenor of your private letter of this date, I presume you are unacquainted with my recommendation of General Knox to Congress (at the time Genl Duportail was mentioned to that body by me). If my expressions in his favor were not warm and full, they fell as far short of my intention, as of his merit, and did injustice to both, because I absolutely refused to recommend the latter without...
68From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 9 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
My opinion is that Doctr. Shield should be sent immediately back to York Town, & Colo. Gibson reprimanded for having permitted him to come to this place before leave had been obtained for him to go into New York—Unless Gibson has some appointment unknown to me he can only be considered in the light of a private person having resigned the command of (the Virga. State Regimt) which he formerly...
69From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 21 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 19th inclosing A copy of the Contract for supplying the Post of West point & its dependencies. The quaeries & observations on it which follow are submitted to you. 1st Do the Contractors mean to supply only the Garrison of West point and the dependant Posts Which May amount to 3000 or 3500 Rations? or will they increase the supply to any number of Men Which...
70From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the Plan of Inspection which you did me the honor to put into my hands yesterday. I have compared it with the draft I sent to you a day or two before—and I return them both with the following observations. Artl 2d Instead of the words "and the Secretary at War" I ask if it would not be better to substitute, "Duplicates of which to be, by them, transmitted to the Secretary at...
71From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I took up the estimates which you put into my hands for examination, and had made some observations upon them, when finding the calculations run upon 25000 Men instd of the number resolved on by the late Act of Congress, and that my remarks—as you will perceive by the inclosed specimen—were very unimportant—indeed could not be of much use unless it went to the precise Force...
72From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 30 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
You have enhanced the value of the Trophies with which Congress have been pleased to honor me in their Resolve of the 29th of October, by the polite and affectionate manner of presenting them. When I consider how much I am indebted, for this singular mark of public esteem, to the exertions of the General & indeed all the other Officers who accompanied me to that rich Field of Glory to the...
73From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a letter which I recd from General Parsons by the last post—As the business to which it relates arises from a former correspondence between him and the Board of War, I have thought it most proper to refer it to you to be acted upon. I am with Respect and Esteem Dr sir Yr most obt Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
74From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I shall be glad to meet you here tomorrow Evening at 7 OClock on the business of the allowance of servants to Officers. You will be pleased to bring with you any Resolves of Congress or Papers which may be relative to the Matter. Inclosed is a letter from General Mcdougal recommending Docr Ledyard to a continuance in the new Hospital arrangement. I have no particular knowledge of the...
75From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Two things appear to me to be greatly necessary as the basis, and foundation of all the arrangements of the ensuing Campaign—Vizt Effectual measures for filling up the Army, & certain prospects of being able to support it. As the completion of our Battalions as early as possible is a Matter of the utmost importance, and as the success of Recruiting them will depend greatly on putting the...
76From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 31 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
As I do not know of any Gentleman in your State so capable of promoting the Recruiting service as yourself, I am induced to commit to your Care the Dispatches on that subject, & request your attention to it as far as your business will permit. I have also taken the liberty to forward to you the Dispatches for New Hampshire and wish you to address & send them as early as may be to such Officer...
77From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
The alteration which has lately been made in the system of the Inspectors Department, having left the Department of the Adjutant General, which was blended with it, in a vague & deranged State, it has become necessary that some new regulations & appointments should be made—for this purpose, I wish the enclosed Plan, may thro’ the channel of the War Office, be proposed for the consideration of...
78From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 21 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to a Resolve of Congress of the 19th of December last I am to make known to you the number of General Officers which I shall judge necessary to be in the Field in the Main and separate Armies and in different parts of the United States. This at the present moment considering the uncertainty of the operation of the Campaign which will depend not only upon the dispositions of the...
79From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to reply to your favor of the 26th March which was handed me on my way to this place. When the matter respecting the number of Servants to be allowed to the offices of the Army, was taken up by the General Officers, If I am not mistaken, it was the general Sentiment that the indulgence ought to be confined to the officers of the Line, that as the Staff were in general allowed a pay...
80From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have devoted almost my whole time & attention since leaving Philadelphia to reviewing & examining into the particular state of the Troops which compose the Army under my immediate command—It gave me equal surprize & concern to find that several Corps had not been able to get the new Cloathing compleated, so as to be delivered to the Soldiers, & that the Men were actually in the most naked &...
81From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 12 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received your two Favors of the 8th instant per Mesrs Edwards & Phelps. Respecting the Requisitions of Colo. Carrington; as you are at the Fountain of Intelligence, you are probably better informed than I am & therefore better able to decide on those Estimates than I can at present determine. The Nature of our Operations, you are sensible, must depend greatly on the Views of...
82From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 17 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favord with yours of the 9th. The same Observations I think will apply to Colo. Sheldons Requisition, as were made to you in mine of the 12th—respectg Colo. Armands Corps—If the Circumstances of the Campaign (wch are yet to be known) should require the full Compliment of Horse, we shall be as able perhaps to procure them some Time hence as at present. I am &c. DLC : Papers of...
83From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have only time by Mr Eveleigh to acknowledge the rect of your private letter of the 2d & to thank you for it. The moment I am at leizure & a good oppertunity offers I shall write you more fully on the subject. Permit me to recommend the Letters herewith inclosed to your care—if no better oppertunity offers, be so good as to forward them by the first Post. Most sincerely & Affectionately I...
84From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Recipt of your Favor of the 10th instant—inclosing the Resolves of Congress respectg the Pay Master Genl & Department. I never had in Idea when we conversed on the Subject of Contingencies in the Army, & Warrants being drawn by the Commander in Cheif for their payment, that it was to have a Retrospect beyond the Commencement of the present Campaign, or that it was to...
85From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose you a Letter from Colo. Vanschaaik—of the 1st New York Regiment—asking a continuation of that leave of absence which Congress before granted him—what that leave was I know not, but I think it absolutely necessary that something should be determin’d on in this matter—as Colo. Vanscaaik has already been absent from the Army near a twelve month. I am Dr Sir &c. DLC :...
86From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Letter from Governor Clinton, with my Answer to him, you will be pleased to submit to the Consideration of Congress: the Subject will be disclosed by a perusal, from whence you will also observe the Importance of an early Decision. The Necessity of the Case only, grounded on the Govrs Representation, could have induced me to have consented so far as I have done and this...
87From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 25 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 2d Instt came to my hands the 20th by Doctr Craik—I am much indebted to you for the sentimts & calculations contained in it. You have however, if my information & estimation of the Enemys strength in New York is right, fallen a good deal short of their numbers—and if I may be allowed to ground an opinion upon present appearances, information and past experience—I...
88From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 27 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Finding the Commissioners appointed to liquidate the accounts of Monies due for the maintenance of Prisoners, and make permanent provision for their future support, have seperated without accomplishing any thing; I think it highly expedient that measures should be adopted, at this moment, for taking the German Prisoners of War into our service: as this measure has been considerably agitated, I...
89From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Defines a Ration—& expressly declares, that as a component part, the Commissioned and Staff Officers is to have West India Rum of Merchantable Proof . Non Comd & Privates, Country R. & W. Provides that these Rations shall be issued “in such proportions, numbers & quantities” as the Secretary at War or person appointed by him shall direct. And gives a certain price “for each & every Ration...
90From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hall of the Delaware Regiment writes me that General Greene has transmitted to the of the Delaware State—Charges against him, of being absent from his Regt since 1778—drawing his full rations of Provisions & forage at his Home and giving furloughs & discharges to Men for compensations in Grain for his own use—he requests me to order him tried at Head Quarters or Philadelphia My answer I...
91From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Observations on the Nature & practice of Challenges, have been produced in Consequence of the Tryal of M. Genl McDougall upon the Arrest of M. Gl Heath. On this Occasion M. Gen. McDougal, havg made Objections to several Members composing this Court—& no Rules havg been prescribed by Congress for the Regulation or Extent of these Objections, much Delay & some Difficulty have been...
92From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 4 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
By the Letter to Brigdr General Hazen, which I have enclosed to you under a flying seal for your inspection, you will observe the distressing alternative to which we are at last reduced; I must request you will give that Letter a safe & speedy conveyance. As soon as the British Officer, whose unfortunate lot it is to be designated as the object of Retaliation, shall arrive in Philidelphia, it...
93From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 13 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of Majr Genl Heaths representn to you, before my arrival at this place and your Letter of the 3d I wrote a letter of which No. 1 is a copy to Maj. Genl Heath and obtained a specification of complaints made by the Officers against the Contractors No. 2. Upon Receipt of this Colos. Humphry and Trumbull held a conference with Mr Sands and at my desire inclosed is their Minutes of...
94From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 15 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I should be glad to know whether Colo. Pickering is detained in Philadelphia by proper authority, or whether his remaining there is to answer any valuable purpose? I am sorry to add, but I cannot well avoid it, that for any good, or even knowledge I derive from this Gentleman, in his office, I might almost as well act without a Qr Mr Genl—When I arrived at Phila in Novr last and found I was to...
95From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 15 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to reply to your several favors of the 6th & 7th Instant. I have taken measures to obtain the sentiments of the Officers respecting their Actions so soon as I am favor’d with them they shall be communicated to you. When a furlough was granted to Major Wooster for three Months it was determined that he should join his Regiment at the experation of that time or should resign—he may...
96From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 18 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favord with yours of the 13th instant. Disagreeable to me as the Measure is, I am compelled by necessity to give Orders to Genl Hazen to select an Officer from among those under Capitulation or Convention—inclosed are my Instructions to him—which you will be pleased to forward. I think it necessary & expedient that the Aides D. Camp, to the Brigadiers, & the Brigade Majors, should...
97From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 15th is received—with its several Inclosures. The Resolution of Congress respectg the Inhabitants of So. Carolina, would have been commincated to the British Comander in Chief in N. York, before this Time, but for the disagreeable Circumstance of Retaliation which has intervened—the purport of that Resolve is transmitted in my Letter of Yesterday to Lord Guy Carleton....
98From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned to you my Intention to submit the Complaints of the Officers against the Contract for the movg Army—to the Superintendt of Finance they now go to him by this Conveyance—I refer you to his Letter for a Disclosure of their Subjects, of the very serious & alarming Circumstances which we are now brot to from that Quarter—serious indeed they are, & of such Importance as to demand your...
99From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the resignation of John Lawrence Esqr, Judge Advocate Genl. for the determination of Congress thereon, & to solicit, upon its being accepted a successor may be appointed to him—I have further to inform you that Mr Edwards a Liutt. in the 9th Mass. Regt is now the only Depy Judge Advocate with the Army, of whose capacity to fill the Office as a Principal, I am not...
100From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 4 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Hazen in the same Letter which acquaints me of the Designation of Capt. Asgill of the Guards for the purpose of Retaliation, also informs that there are two persons in our power at York & Winchester, who come under my first Description—I have therefore immediately given him the inclosed Orders, which you will see, & which I beg you will cause to be conveyed to him. If Lieut. Turner or...