1To George Washington from Steuben, 6 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Letter whose Original I Shall have the honor to present to your Excellency, will instruct you of the motives that brought me over to this Land. I shall add only to it that the Object of my greatest Ambition is to render your Country all the Services in my Power, and to deserve the title of a Citizen of America by fighting for the Cause of your Liberty. If the...
2To George Washington from Steuben, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
With regard to the first question —We are to examine whether the Enemy may expect formidable Succours—if that be the case we ought to reinforce the army with the greatest dispatch, and strike a daring blow before those Succours arrive—The enemys force is estimated at 10000 men—if ours is under 20000 rank and file, the enterprise would be hazardous, and by exposing ourselves to a general action...
3To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 17 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great Satisfaction to see that Your Excellency has taken Such a wise Step in my Department as to engage the General Officers and Field Officers of Regiments to take the Command of the Troops in our daily Exercise: Nothing could be more useful in the present moment —I had wished some time ago it might Soon be the Case, but in the meanwhile, I was endeavoring with the Gentlemen under...
4To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
My opinion on the different propositions offered for consideration in council yesterday —is as follows. The Intelligence we have hitherto received of the enemys movements, does not sufficiently assure us of his designs, to warrant an enterprise upon Philadelphia—and I believe it would be prudent not to abandon our position without being certain of the evacuation of the city—It would be still...
5To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here this morning and found Genl Scott waiting intelligence, which has since arrived that the Enemy lay last night in two Columns one at Allens Town the other at Imlays Town, this morning about Eight oClock the Column from Imlays Town moved & took the Road to Monmouth Court House, we have not yet received any intelligence of the Column at Allens Town—Colo. Moylan has just arrived...
6To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
We arrived here this morning & it being the best position we can find to observe the motions of the Enemy—have remain’d—we have advanced our parties so near as to fire a Pistol at their Horsemen whilst feeding their Horses—They now lay encamped one Line on the main Road by the Court House & another Line extended on their left from the head of their Column which is not advanced One hundred &...
7To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having been pleased to order me in the General Orders of 22d Instant to resume my Office of Inspector General & make my Arrangements accordingly, I beg leave to refer you to my letter of 17th June on the subject of the Inspection & to your kind Answer of 18th in which you granted me permission to go to York Town & desired me to lay before Congress such a Plan as would be most...
8To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 1 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I cannot any longer defer acknowledging the many favors I have received from you & expressing my desire of your Excellencys continuing the same favorable sentiments towards me. Immediately after my arrival here Congress were pleased to appoint a Committee to hear my Proposals—the Committee consists of Gen. Reed Mrss. Boudinot & Chace, & meet for the first time on saturday 8th Inst.; in the...
9To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemys preparatives at New York—announce either an expedition really meditated—or perhaps only a Feigned one. In the first case let us examine what their plans may be. The first and most interesting is an expedition against Boston and the french Squadron—Six or Seven thousand men might be detached from New York—and the same number would remain to defend the island against all the Force...
10To George Washington from Steuben, 6 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Steuben, 6 Dec. 1778. On 19 Dec., GW wrote Steuben : “I had the honor of receiving a few days since your letter of the 6th instant.”