3351To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The president being still necessarily engaged with his family I have the honour to inform you that your letter of yesterday was recd & laid before Congress. I enclose you sundry resolutions passed this day and am Sr Your obedient humble Serv. ALS , DLC:GW . Included among the enclosed resolutions, which Thomson began writing below the ALS and continued writing on two following manuscript...
3352To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Among the variety & important Objects which I have no doubt every moment press on your mind and command your attention, I beg leave to suggest to you the distress of our prisoners in Newyork, which upon every principle of humanity as well as policy, demands the most speedy method to be come into and accomplished for their relief. Major Welles of one of the Battalions of this State, among the...
3353To George Washington from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 13 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 13 Dec. 1776. On 21 Dec. GW wrote to Heath : “I have been favoured with yours of the 13th Instt.”
3354To George Washington from Robert Morris, 13 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 13 Dec. 1776. On 14 Dec. GW wrote to Morris : “I have before me your favor of yesterday.”
3355To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 13 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
At the particular desire of General Mifflin we have undertaken to give you a detail of our public affairs as Major General Putnam is otherwise engaged in his very important department and General Mifflin about setting off on a Tour through the Counties to try his Influence with our Militia too Many of whom remain in a state of supineness and infatuation which is altogether unaccountable,...
3356To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 13 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
It gives me the most pungent pain to inform your Excellency of the sad Stroke America must feel in the loss of General Lee, who was this morning taken by the Enemy near Veal Town. He ordered me yesterday morning to march for this place early, which I did—and by some fatality he was induced to go to Barnell’s Town, nearer the Enemy by three Miles than we were. Some Tories doubtless gave...
3357To George Washington from Joseph Trumbull, 13 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Night before last, I left Haverstraw, with intent to come to Head Quarters, expecting by the Intelligence, we had then, to have found your Excellency at Brunswick—But on my arrival here I find matters in a very different Situation in this Quarter—& that I can’t expect to see Your Excellency ⟨with⟩out going by Easton, & thence, I know not wh⟨ere—⟩therefore on the whole I have engaged Capt....
3358To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 14 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Council this moment received a Letter from William Attlee Esqr. of Lancaster —extract from which we dispatch to you by express—he says (dated 13th instant). “The inclosed is copy of a Letter from Colo. Burd last night by express[.] I march with my whole Battalion on Monday next—Colonel Galbreaths Battalion, we are told, will move on Saturday next —The Militia of Lancaster seem rather...
3359To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 15 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I recd your Dispatches to day & have sent Capt: Alexanders Company to Philada. Mr Symes (Lt in R. H. Emigrants who now acts as Asst A. De Camp to General How) came over from Burlington this Morning with a Number of Officers & privates to be exchanged—he says that General Lee was taken by Surprize last Friday Afternoon by about 30 Light Horse. Capt: Murray one of the Prisoners, informs me that...
3360To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 15 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
On the 12th Instant I reached Tapan, and Yesterday made a Forced march to this Place, with so much Secrecy and Dispatch that the Inhabitants had no Knowledge of my Coming, The Enemy had left the Town Some Days Since Except five whom we took, Two of them sick, we have taken about 50 of the Disaffected, and about 50 or 60 Muskets the greater part of which had been taken from the Whigs as is...
3361To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 15 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Mifflin sent three hundred Suits of Cloaths to Neshamini Ferry, with orders that they Remain there, untill your Excellency should direct them to be sent forward—On the representation of the Commanding Officer of the Pennsylvania Regiment that his Men are greatly distress’d for want of Necessary Cloathing at this very inclement season of the Year, we have order’d the said Cloaths to the...
3362To George Washington from Colonel David Chambers, 16 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
herewith I send your Excellency 4 prisoners that we took last evening 2 being Regulars—one of the others by name Jno. Vandyke a Malitious Active Tory, and is said to have let some prisoners out of Millstone Goal and assembled and spirited the Negroes against us And as I am Informed was about a week since taken prisoner in Company with some light Horse by our people and confin’d who says he was...
3363To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Arnold this moment received from me Your Excellencys Letter to Him of the 14th Instant—From Intelligence, which he thinks authentic, Rhode Island has been some time in possession of the Enemy, and so considerable a Force from Connecticut had Assembled Opposite to Bristol Ferry, as to render any Further attempt of the British Forces impracticable in that Quarter. upon mature...
3364To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 17 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We lament the loss of General Lee both as it relates to the public and to a General whom we so highly esteem & respect—yet we hope it may be in the power of your Excellency to close the Campaigne with honour to yourself and to leave General Howe in a situation which may afford him little reason to boast—We assure you, sir, this Council will not suffer any thing to abate their exertions, but...
3365To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 Dec. 1776. GW on 21 Dec. wrote Putnam : “I have been favoured with your Two Letters of the 17th and 19th Instt.”
3366To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 18 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellencys favour of the 16th & 17th instant, and shall be attentive to the subjects recommended. Yesterday Captain John Rice commander of a Look out Vessel which we Stationed at Cape May arrived here from his Station and informs us that Five of the Enemys Ships with three Tenders are in our Capes, The Roebuck and Fowey are of the number, the names &...
3367To George Washington from William Gordon, 19 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been for some time past in pain for your Excellency, but still in hopes that You would receive a reinforcement sufficient & soon enough to prevent the enemy’s crossing the Delaware, or marching down by it on the Jersey side towards Philadelphia. Accounts yesterday relieved us from our anxiety, & have given us reason to conclude that the regulars have left Brunswick & gone down by water...
3368To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Rheumatism and other disorders detained me at Haverstraw and seperated me from my Brigade. Eight days since I found myself much better; and followed General Lee’s divission to Morris Town; where I arrived the day after he was unfortunately taken. This Catastrophy determined me by the advice of Friends not to proceed unless I had a Guard. The three Regiments from the Northward under Colonel...
3369To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 19 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 19 Dec. 1776. GW on 21 Dec. wrote Putnam : “I have been favoured with your Two Letters of the 17th and 19th Instt.”
3370To George Washington from the Captains of the Second New Jersey Regiment, 20 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Captains of the late Colo: Maxwells Regiment in Behalf of their men—have thought it necessary to lay before Your Excellency—The Charge brought against them of Cartouch Boxes, Cross Belts, Tomhawks, Haversacks, Priming Wires & Brushes, Canteens, Gunslings, Camp Kettles & Canada Caps—the men have been taught to belive that they would not have to Pay for those things enumerated—Genl Gates...
3371To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 20 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The pressing Necessities of our Troops induced the Council to send persons round the City of Philadelphia to demand Blankets and Stockings for their Use with Authority to take them when refused, paying a reasonable price for the Same—should your Excellency approve of the Measure, we would recommend it to you to send out detachments through the Counties of Bucks and Philadelphia and take...
3372To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Two Persons returned Yesterday from the Jerseys, who inform me, that there is a very great body of the Enemy in, & around Brunswick, but they could not ascertain the Number—one of them say’s, they were sending off Provisions &c., towards N. York. They made strict enquiry about Boats, but could not hear, of any preparations of the kind. Another Person from Crosswicks informs me, that he saw a...
3373To George Washington from Azariah Dunham, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
21 December 1776 . Gives a detailed account of his service since 12 June 1776 as a deputy commissary general in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and he complains of having “been put to unnecessary Dificulties” by a shortage of funds. “I am nearly £6000 in advance for Supplying the Army from the best estimate I can now make a very trifle in hand have no oppertunity of communicating my case to the...
3374To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Honor of yours of the 16th & 18th Instant. I have the Pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that on the 19th Instant a Detachment of our Troops Consisting Partly of Continental Troops and Partly of the Militia of Orange and Ulster Counties, having marched Down to the English Neighbourhood in the night Deceived the Sentinel and Surprised the Out Guard of Colonel Buskirks...
3375To George Washington from Robert Morris, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding there are several British Men of War cruising in our Bay, the Continental Sloop Independance Commanded by Lieutt Robinson has pushed through & got up here yesterday afternoon There is onboard 856 Blankets which were intended with many others now expected in, for the use of the new enlistments, but the inclement weather and the severe duty the Troops now under your Command have...
3376To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 22 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was happy to find that your favor to Col. Vose directed him to Stay in this State. But I am extreamly Chagrined, that the object of that order is not likely to be Effected. This State is totally deranged, without Government, or officers civil or military in it that will act with any Spirit. Many of them have gone to the Enemy for Protection, others are out of the State, and the few that...
3377To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Reed, 22 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Pomroy whom I sent by your Order to go to Amboy & so through the Jersey & round by Princeton to you returned to Burlington yesterday—he went to South Amboy but was not able to get over—upon which he came up to Brunswick pass’d on to Princeton—& was prevented going to Pennington—upon which he returned to Burlington by Way of Cranberry. His Intelligence is that he saw no Troops, Baggage Waggons...
3378To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of the 12th 13th and 15th inst. in the Order of their respective Dates, and to inform you that they were duely laid before Congress. As Genl Lee by the Fortune of War, has become a Prisoner in the Hands of our Enemies, the Congress are anxious to afford him all the Relief in their Power during his Confinement. They have...
3379To George Washington from Robert Morris, 23–24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your obliging favour of Yesterday by Colo. Moylan, the Contents give a most mellancholly aspect to our affairs and I wish to Heaven it may be in our power to retrieve them, it is useless at this period to examine into the causes of our present unhappy situation, unless that examination wou’d be productive of a cure for the evils that surround us, in fact those causes...
3380To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of the 12th Instant, It gives me great Satisfaction to find that the Plan we have adopted for Supplying the new Army with necessaries meets with your approbation. I fully agree with you in Sentiment as to the Importance of having a Sufficient regular force in the Spring—am Informed the Inlistments for that purpose in the Corpse under General Spencer is in danger...
3381To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward, 23 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward, 23 Dec. 1776. GW wrote Ward on 20 Feb. 1777 : “I acknowledge the receipt of yr two favours of the 23d Decr & 17th January.”
3382To George Washington from Col. John Cadwalader, 24 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. John Cadwalader, 24 Dec. 1776. GW wrote in his first letter to Cadwalader of 25 Dec. : “I have yours of Yesterday.”
3383To George Washington from Richard Dallam, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The time of the Flying Camp will be up in a few days (for which Department I was at first Perticularly appointd for.) As I expect they will immediatly go off for Philadelphia and Apply for their pay to the Treasurer, I think it necessary I should be their to settle their Accounts As sums of money have been paid on Account to Many of the Officers & Men, I think it my Duty to Mention this to...
3384To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment dispatch’d a proper Person over the river, to make the followg enquires, (& to return tomorrow morng, at which time a Horse will be provided for him, to wait upon your Excellency, with such Information as he may obtain) Viz: what Guards are posted upon the different roads leading into Trenton, the number on the Mill-bridge, where the Cannon lay & what number; to ascertain...
3385To George Washington from the New York Committee of Safety, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
⟨S ir : We were honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 15th instant,⟩ and most readily ac⟨cept your apology for not answering ours of last⟩ month, since we are not ignorant of ⟨the straits into which our temporary inlistments⟩ have thrown you, and have found in the dif⟨ficulties which your Excellency had to contend⟩ with, no small addition to those under which we ⟨labour. You will see...
3386To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 25 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The present divided State of the Enemys army and the confidence they have gaind by their late successes, are well known to your Excellency, but we think it our duty to acquaint you likewise that there are several Companies of our back Country Militia that have applied to us for Liberty to act as scouting parties of irregulars—this mode of waging war they say is more adapted to their genius and...
3387To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The River was so full of Ice that it was impossible to pass above Bristol, where I intend[ed]—and therefore concluded to make an attempt at Dunks’s Ferry—as soon as it was dark I sent down all the Boats I could muster, & mar[c]hed down about 8 O’Clock—I embarked a few men to line the River & prevent any person escaping to give Intelligence to the Enemy; and these were followed by a part of the...
3388To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We are now perfectly prepared, & would cross immediately, but the Troops lost their Rest last Night—We have determined to pass over to the Neck of Land a little above Bristol at six in the Morning, proceed to Bussel Town, the Square, & from thence to Bordenton—I imagine, if a part of your Army was to take possession of the other side of Crosswix Bridge, which is a pass easily defended, and the...
3389To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
yesterday General Wadsworths Brigade went Home leaving the Stores without a Guard Untill I sent one Down. The Militia of this State are Coming in—None have as yet arrived from the Eastward, Brigadier General Warner was at Danbury the Last night with 4 Companies Only—more are Hourly Expected—General Lincoln is on the Road, I have Sent your Excellency’s Letter by Express to meet him. I have...
3390To George Washington from Robert Morris, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just received yours of yesterday and will duely attend to those things you recommend to my consideration, at present I have to enclose you a letter from Congress which I suppose Contains their resolves of the 20th Inst. but as the President does not say in his letter to me that they are enclosed to you & as it is necessary you shou’d have them, I take the liberty to send herewith a Copy...
3391To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I did not hear from you this Morning, & being prepared to embark, I concluded you was still on this Side & therefore embarked & landed about 1500 men, about two miles above Bristol—After a considerable number were landed I had information, from the Paymaster of Col: Hichcocks Brigade, that you had crossed over from Trenton—This defeated the Scheme of joining your Army—We were much...
3392To George Washington from Major William De Hart, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your Excellencys Orders And Request by Genl Maxwell I have this Day begun the Recruiting Service of the first Jersey Regt And Shall Expedite it with All Possible Speed, Had I been Determin’d to Remain longer in the Jersey Service I Should long before have done it, And Nothing but your Excellencys Request & this Critical Period of time Should have Induced Me to have done it...
3393To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves being of the utmost Importance, will naturally claim your Attention, without any particular Recommendation or Comment. They are ardently calculated to retrieve the Situation of our Affairs, and I trust will have the desired Effect. I have wrote to the Councils of Safety of Massachussetts Bay and Pennsylvania on the Subject of creating Magazines in their respective States...
3394To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Reed, 27 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Joseph Reed, 27 Dec. 1776. Reed says in his narrative of events that after his arrival at Trenton late on this date: “I wrote to Gen. Wash’g by Express informing him of the State of Things of the Progress of Gen. Cadwallader’s Division & the Retreat of the Enemy & urging him to cross the River again & pursue the Advantages which Providence had presented,...
3395To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We arrived here about 1 o’Clock—the advanced party about ten —I have sent Horse-men to reconnoitre & from every Information the Enemy left Allen Town about 8 o’Clock this Morng—If I had been happy enough to have cross’d at Dunks’s Ferry we should have compleatly destroyed the Army in this Quarter—I am informed that the Hessians went off in the utmost confusion—I am sorry some of the Troops...
3396To George Washington from the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have the pleasure to own receipt of your acceptable favour of yesterday by Colo. Bayler & most sincerely do we rejoice in your Excellencys success at Trentown as we conceive it will have the most important publick consequences and because we think it will do justice in some degree to a Character we admire & which we have long wished to appear in the World with that Brilliancy that success...
3397To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 21st Inst., & am much distressed to hear of the disagreable Situation that your Excellency is like soon to be in. None of the Eastern Militia have as yet arrived that I know of except those mention’d in my Letter of Yesterday —When they come in I shall endeavor strictly to observe your Excellency’s Directions. It is truly surprising that whilst...
3398To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosd I have this Minute reced from an Express sent by my Order to Genl Cadwalader—The General not knowing that I was here did not write to me—& as I supposd the Contents of Importance in my Movements I took the Liberty to open the Letter for which I must plead only the Occasion in Excuse. I came here at 4 OClock this Afternoon. 500 Men sent from Philad. Yesterday crossd to Burlington...
3399To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General Assembly of this State at their last session in novemr last ordered four Battalions to be raised in this State, to march and be stationed as part of the Continental Army and to serve untill the 15th of march while our Quota of sd army is filling up. Considerable progress is made therein, but fearing there would not a sufficient number of them arrive in season and before the term of...
3400To George Washington from Hugh Hughes, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have endeavour’d to comply with your Excellency’s Instructions, relative to the Department, as far as Time and Circumstances would permit. The Tents, to the Amount of about eight Hundred, good and bad, have been forwarded to Fishkill, as well as the entrenching Tools, Pots and Camp-kettles, unless it be those rec’d within three or four Days. I have order’d an exact Return to be made from the...