1To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am now on my Road to the Settlements forming on the River Ohio; and take this only Method in my power to take leave of your Excellency & to assure you of my most cordial Wishes for your Happiness; should any Occurrances render my Services in that Country of Use to you, I shall never be more happy than in devoting myself to the execution of your Wishes—The State of our Country must give very...
2To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
You certainly fully understood me, when you suppos’d me fixed in my Determination of leaving the Army at all Events; the Reasons I then assignd were such as I could not surmount, and they continue in full force to this Time. but the Matter being undecided, when I last saw you, whither a Derangment of General Officers would take Place, agreable to a Resolve of Congress, and that being the only...
3To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Messrs Reuben Smith Norton, Samuel Mix & Ezekiel Cowles are young Gentlemen whose Family Connections render them respectable in this State & whose personal Accomplishments give fair Prospects of their being Serviceable if admitted to Command in the Army. They are desirous of Subalterns Commissions in the Corps of Sappers & Miners: I beleive they will not disappoint your Excellency’s...
4To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I receivd last Week a Letter from General Lincoln in Answer to mine of the 10th of April on the Subject of retiring from the Army, in which he informs me that no General Officer will be sufferd to retire on the proposd Derangment, and adds "if your Want of Health forbids your taking the Field at present I see Nothing which will prevent your being indulged—this however is solely with the...
5To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
When I was last with you I forgot to mention the Name of Mr William Heron of Redding who has for several Years had Opportunities of informing himself of the State of the Enemy, their Designs & Intentions with more certainty & Precision than most Men who have been imploy’d: as I have now left Service I think it my Duty to inform your Excellency of this Person & my Reasons for beleiving him more...
6To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 27 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
After a long Confinment to a sick bed, I have just recovered Strength to be brought Home; and am able to attend to a little Business though I have not strength to go abroad. The Board of War in a Letter to me of the 23d of October, directed that the disabled Officers of the Connecticutt Line might, if they consented, go out of Aervice as retireing Officers, a Copy of which Letter is enclosed....
7To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
By a late Resolution of Congress, the States of Rhode Island & Connecticut are made one District for the purpose of Promotion, & intitled to two Brigadiers; the same Resolution provides that where a Brigadier is necessary one shall be made from the Senior Officer of the District. that to which we belong has hitherto had but one; we think the service, perticularly at this time, deserves...
8To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 28 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the Inteligence I have receivd from the Country and from my own Observation, I am convincd that the Inhabitants in the Rear of the Army are intimately connected with the Refugees who are on the Roads in our Rear & at many Times form part of the Robbers who are constantly distressing the Inhabitants & render it dangerous to pass the Roads. I would therefore propose as a further Security...
9To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
According to your Excellency’s Direction, I am to State in writing the Claims of the different Ranks of officers in the Connecticutt Line to a Board of officers to settle their relative Rank: or that your Excellency would decide the Claims without a Board. Captains Bulkley & Morris at the Time of settling the Rank of Captains were Prisoners and have never had Opportunity to be heard & suppose...
10To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 26 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Comittee from the Connecticut Line appointed to adjust their Accounts with the State have returned without effecting a settlement, the Lower House of Assembly refuse to pay any part of the Subsistance of the Officers before the first of April last, & from that time no more than Eight pence half penny per Ration; the Resolutions of Congress notwithstanding. In stating the accounts the...
11To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letter by Capt. Walker. The Detachment at Danbury shall march as soon as the Quarter Master has provided Teams for transporting the Provisions from Danbury, which I hope will not exceed two or three Days. the prisoners which cannot be tried before they march will be sent with them to Fishkill. inclos’d are the Proceedings of a Court Martial against,...
12To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d yesterday with your Letter of the 30h of April & shall as soon as possible send the Men you direct. I find an Uneasiness arises among the Officers respecting the Appointment of several Field Officers in the Light Infantry under the Command of the Marquis; if there shall be any alteration in that Command, I would request your Excellency to appoint Lt Colo. Gray of the Connec ticu...
13To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Inteligence from New York as late as Saturday (which I have every Reason to beleive) General Arnold was every Hour expected there to take Command of an Expedition. Admiral Arbuthnot is going to England his Officers refusing to serve with him since the Action with the french Fleet—his Baggage was landed. Admiral Graves who commands the Fleet was in New York on Saturday but expected to sail...
14To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Fever by which I have been confined has left me exceedingly weak, and unable to attend to any business of importance, nor do I expect to recover my strength soon unless a Journey to which I am advised, shall restore me—I hope to be able to join the army by the forepart of June, but have no expectation of being sooner able to do my Duty there—Two severe Fevers in Six months are very...
15To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is now five Days since I have first walked from my Bed to the I have moved as fair as I have any Right to expect since that continues very weak. I hope the Day to go abroad; and when I gain Strength sufficient hope a Journey will restore my Strength as well as Health; I am at present unable to attend to the Business you committed to my Charge; Captain Walker will take charge of those...
16To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys Orders; I have attended to the Business with which I was Charged; and have been through Various parts of the State where I judged the most Essential service might be Rendered; have succeeded in some Measure; but being Seized a few days ago with a fever am at present unable to stir abroad; hope in a short time to be able to attend to my duty where your Excellency...
17To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 14 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellencys directions I have to this time been pursuing the objects of the Enqury you have ordered: but have not been able to make the Discoveries wished for with a sufficient degree of precision, to make any attempt to secure the Persons concernd. I believe it is certain that an Association is formd to submit to British Government, on the terms of the last...
18To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 24 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I left my Hutt last Tuesday to visit the Rhode Island Troops, with General Heath’s Permission to make a Small Excursion to see my Family which was Twenty five Miles East of that Line of Troops on Condition I was to be again at my Quarters to Day —I understand, on my Return, that Capt. Walker has gone Eastward, with your Excellency’s Commands for me; I have not seen him, if any Thing of...
19To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 18 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colo. Huntington of the 3d Connectt Regiment informs me he has a Claim to a prior Rank to Lieut. Colonels Grosvenor & Johnson of the connecticutt Line—Lieut. Colonel Gray also claims a prior Rank to Lieut. Colo. Huntington—these Claims will consequently involve some Questions relative to the Rank of the Majors—And the Rank of some of the Captains has never been settled in the Line. Lt...
20To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last Night Six prisoners were brought to the Provost Guard in Fishkill; who belong to the State of Connecticutt, three of them viz: Jos. Easton Trowbridge Henry Gibbs and Benja. Prescott were sentenced last October to be confind in Symsbury Mines Eighteen Months, the two former escapd on their Way & joind the Enemy[.] Prescott, a Brother in Law to Roger Sherman Esqr. made Interest through his...
21To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was on my Way to wait on your Excellency but the Difficulty of passing the River prevents my pursuing my Intention. The inclosd Letter from Major Alden & Certificate from the Officer commanding the Regiment, is to request his Discharge from the Service —I am sorry his Circumstances require him to leave the Army, but am convincd his Reasons are such as ought to intitle him to his Discharge—I...
22To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Instances of Firmaness in the Connectt Line exhibited amongst the Privates since I had the Honor of seeing you fully convinces me of the Justice of my Observation Yesterday on that Subject and I beleive the same Spirit pervades the whole of the Line. In two Instances Application was made this Morning for furloughs by Privates who had been three years absent the Men were informd that the...
23To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my Return to Camp I was favor’d with the Act of Congress for releiving the Garrison of Wioming and would beg Leave to inform your Excellency that many of the Inhabitants of New Jersey are interested in the Land on the Susquehanna under the Claim of Pensylvania and at different Times have assisted the Pensylvanians in their Attempts to remove the New England Settlers. this being a Matter...
24To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lieuts. Grant and Cook who were made Prisoners on the Surrender of Fort Washington and are now exchangd, apply to me to be arrangd in the Connecticutt Line; on which I beg your Excellency’s Direction—these Gentlemen were appointed Officers for the Army raisd in 1777 but being Prisoners were not Commissiond in the Regiments rais’d on the present Establishment; they were noticed of, and accepted...
25To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this Day receivd Notice of my promotion; and am also favor’d with the present Establishment of the Army. when I left Camp I had no Intention of joining the Army again unless the restoration of my Health should enable me to reassume a Command for the present Campaign; I had therefore turnd my Attention to resuming some Station in civil Life, and joining my pursuits With those of my...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
If I should remain silent on the Subject of General Smallwoods Promotion, my Conduct would receive Constructions very different from the real Motives; I therefore feel myself under a Necessity of troubling your Excellency on the Subject. I do most sincerely acquiesce in the Promotion of that Officer, the strong existing Necessity at the Time as well as his own distinguishd Merit in saving our...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to excuse my not waiting on you with the inclos’d Letter: I am so exceedingly unwell as to be unable to go from my Quarters, if I should recover Strength enough & the weather should clear off serene I will ride down to Day. the inclos’d Letter is from General Arnold, the Cover & Seals as they came to me except their being broke you may still see the inward Seal has not been broken. I...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of your Letter of 5th Inst: previous to which I had orderd the March of the Troops from Horseneck agreable to the Order of the 2nd Inst. & had gone to take a Command there. on Receit of your Last Letter I shall join the Army as soon as possible. I should set out to Morrow but the Return of my Son last Night from a Cruize necessitates me to continue one or Two Days longer in the...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am induc’d to beleive very few Recruits will be added to the Connectt Line this Campaign, and I should wish your Excellency’s Permission to join my Brigade —some Success has attended the inlisting Volunteer Companies to be cal’d when New York is invested & to continue subject to the Regulations of the Army during the Seige. I am not yet certain of the Numbers ingag’d three or four Companies...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday honored with yours, of the 16th Instant, and shall take every Measure in my Power for the immediate Return to Camp of such Officers as are now in the State: I have detained only four nor have any continued in the State by my Direction or Licence; I beleive it will not be necessary to retain more than Six or Seven within the State to receive and forward Recruits to Danbury—The...