26321To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to Your Excellencys request of last evening, that we should give our opinion concerning the most eligible place for Quartering or incamping the Troops during the winter. As much has been said on the Subject of Quartering in different places some with a view of covering the Country, & others for recovering, recruiting, and gathering the Troops together for another Campaign and to ly...
26322To George Washington from Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to Your Excellency’s requisition I transmit You my Sentiments on the Question proposd in Council Yesterday. I would beg leave to premise that agreeable to my Sentiments, the Army should continue in a Position, where they can most effectually Annoy the Enemy, untill it shall be absolutely necessary on Account of the Severity of the Weather to Quit the Field—2dly That the Preservation...
26323To George Washington from Brigadier General Enoch Poor, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
in answer to the questions propos’d yesterday, Rispecting the Quartering Army this winter I am Clear of apoinyen that the grait Object is to Secure our men from the Inclemency of the wather Incres our numbers Dissapline our men and make our Army as Formadable as possable that we may be able to take the field early in the Spring. I am not acquainted with this Country So as to point out the most...
26324From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since Mr Tilghman’s Letter of last Evening to you, I have advice from the City which convinces me that the Enemy do not propose coming out as we then expected —I therefore wish that if you will not have cross’d the Schuylkill before you receive this, you may remain on the other Side for some time longer—If the Bridge lately built should have suffer’d any Damage by the late Rains, you will get...
26325To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I leave the choice of Ground to those who are well acquainted with the Country—& confine myself to considering the advantages which will attend a continuance of the Campaign, and the Inconveniences which will flow from retiring to Winter Quarters—Our continuing in a state of activity will give courage to our Friends, be an antidote to the Effeminacy of young Soldiers, and enure them to the...
26326To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I can easily conceive that the Prospect of closing the Campaign without some Action & leaving the Enemy in peaceable Possession of Philada gives you some Concern but it must be some Alleviation to reflect, that those Officers who from their Station are intitled to suggest Plans have proposed no vigorous Measure which you over-ruled & that there was almost a Unanimity of Opinion against those...
26327To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
After Considering Maturly the matter Proposd Yesterday with reguard to the Quartering the Troops for this winter, I have at Length thaught that Wilmington and its Neighbouring Villages the Most Elligable. I would not wish to Trouble Your Excelleny with my Reasons as it was So very Fully Spoke upon Yesterday. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW had...
26328To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Distresses of the Army, the Inclemency of the weather, & the approaching Season, combine to point out the Expediency of fixing on Winter Quarters; and in doing this, all local Attatchment ought to be sacrificed to the Public Good, to reduce the Enemy, & free ourselves, I wou’d chearfully resign myself to a Den the ensuing & many other Seasons if found necessary—Three Positions have been...
26329To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Agitating the General Question which your Excellency put to the Council of General Officers Yesterday, there Arose three propositions as to the Stationing of this Army for the Winter, all attended with very great Inconveniencies. That of placeing it at Wilmington does not answer the purpose of Quartering the Army, as the buildings in & about that place are not Capable of receiveing above...
26330To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellenceys Commands I have Considered upon the most Suitable place to Canton the Army During the winter The Several places proposed in Councill have their Advantages and Disadvantages but that which has the Least objections ought to be fixed upon The Intention of the Board is to take that Station which will answer best to Cover the Country Refresh the Troops & Discipline...