26101General Orders, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Government of the State of Pennsylvania, having appointed Commissioners in each county thereof, to collect blankets and cloathing for the army—All officers sent round in the state for that purpose are, by their commanding officers, to be called in as soon as possible, with what cloathing they have. Richard Claiborne Esqr: is appointed Brigade Major to General Weedon’s brigade, and is to be...
26102To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col: Fitzgeralds favor of 6 oClock last Evening I received. A Young fellow of Character has been recommended to me (by a Gentleman of my acquaintance in whom I can entirely confide) as a suitable person to give information of the Enemy’s designs—He is now in the City—& will be with you so soon as he makes the discoveries I have ordered—If they attempt Redbank, by throwing our Troops from the...
26103From George Washington to Major John Clark, Jr., 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of this date, and send you Fifty dollars for the purposes you mention. I beg I may have the most instant intelligence of any accounts that you may obtain, because I beleive that some move of consequence is in Agitation among the Enemy. I shall for that reason be obliged to you for remaining a few days longer at your present station, as I can put more dependance upon having...
26104To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
A few Minutes ago one of my Friends came to me & informs me about 5000 of the Enemy crossed from Philadelphia at the Middle Ferry; they are on the Chester Road encamped a few Miles from Chester—they have a great many Baggage Waggons & a number of Field pieces, one of the Officers waiters assured my Friend the whole Army were moving on—others of the Privates say they are going to cross the...
26105To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bearer of this has been employed by me to bring intelligence of the Enemy’s movements at Chester, from which place he has just arrived, & informs me the Enemy have been busy since their arrival putting their Horses on board, & embarking Troops, a Ship, & a Brig, were loaded & hauled of from the Wharf into the Channel before he came away, he immagines they have at least 3000—are encamped at...
26106To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not been Able to gain any intellegence of Consequence since I had the Honour of Adressing your Excellency. The enemy intend some Grand Menouver in Jersey very shortly which I hope to be inform’d off. the have been makeing small enquiries respecting the Northern Army, and what number of Men your Excellency has in Jersey. Enclos’d is a rough Draught of the enemys lines, I have been so...
26107To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receiv’d information of Lord Cornwallace’s crossing in Jersey Last night with four thousand men. I Shall write more percticularly this evening. I have the Honour to be Yr Excellencys Most Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The cover indicates that Craig sent this letter “⅌ Dragoon.” For a fuller account of the British and Hessian troop movements on the night of 17–18 Nov., see John...
26108To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have had I beleve a True Accot of Lord Cornwalss rout Last night about 12 OClock his Lordship March’d from the City with Two thousand Granadiers & light Infantry, he intends his march for Willmington where he is to Cross the river and march Up the other side and Make an Attackt on red Banks Fort. I have the Honour to be your Excellencys Most Obt Servt this is the only paper I...
26109To George Washington from Lieutenant John Heard, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just now creditably inform’d by Mr Peter, direct from the City, that last Night at 11 oclock, a large Body of the Enemy under the command of Cornwallis, march’d to the Neck. Their intentions are to cross over the River below the Fort. Mr Cooper further adds, that this detachment has so much weaken’d them, that, they have not now, in the City, Men sufficient to Man their Lines. I have...
26110From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 7th Instant should not have remained so long unanswered, but for the uncertainty of Colonel Pickering’s acceptance of his new Appointment. He has now determined to do this, which leads me to say, that I am really at a loss to recommend a proper person as a Successor to the Office of Adjutant General. The Gentleman I named to you some time ago will not, you say, answer. I...
26111To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hamilton directed me when I arrived nigh The River to send an Express to Head Quarters for your Orders, and wait at the Ferry until he returned, I am now at Lamberton and expect to be at the Ferry on thursday Morning without fail Mr Haskill an Adjutant of my Brigade I send to you for Directions and shall wait at the Ferry until his Return, Generals Poor & Glovers Brigade are Just in my...
26112To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
you have been informed of the enemys move to Chester last night and of Generals Reed and Cedwaleder and me Reconnetring them, by Reeds latter of this day from Darbey I am Now to inform you that the are all Imbarked on Bord there ships and gon over to the Jarsey—Redbank must now fall. I am your Excelancey Most obedant Humble servant P.S. I send you enclosed the Deposition of Mr Sellers. ALS ,...
26113To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with your two Letters, of the 11th Inst.—As to the Blankets stopped for this department; Mr Young Informd me there were between five and Six thousand going on to the southward, besides the 400 that I detained here—The Artillary Regt here, had not Recd a single one since their entering the Service—Most of them lost all their Cloathing at Fort Montgomery, and without Blankets, they...
26114To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 18 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Joseph Reed, 18 Nov. 1777. In a letter written to GW at “½ past 9 oClock” p.m. on this date, Reed refers to an earlier letter that he had written to GW “this Afternoon.”
26115To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you this Afternoon we have got Intelligence, out of Chester, which may be depended on that the Troops at Chester began to embark at 11 oClock this Morning & past over to Billingsport with their Cannon Waggons &c.—they made no Secret of their Intentions to attack Redbank—They gave out their Number was 5000 & the Informt says there was certainly a great Number chiefly British. They...
26116To George Washington from Colonel William Shepard, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am now on my way to Deleware River with Genl Glovers Brigade now under My Command; Since we Crost Hudsons River I have Labour’d under Many Disadvantages to Retard my March; by Reason the Brigades which had Gone Forward had taken the Waggons which I Made Dependence on to Carry my Baggage; but with Much Difficulty I have Obtain’d Nearly A Sufficiency of Waggons to Carry what Baggage we Bro’t...
26117To George Washington from Captain Robert Smith, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer is kind enough to take Charge of a Packet of Letters brot out by a Flag, all private. Not a Syllable new ’till just now, Some People say a Body of their Troops Horse & Foot march’d last Night. they do not say their Destination. The Flag deliver’d a Message for the Comy of Prisoners desiring in future all Bundles may be directed to the Persons for whom they are intended, & that all...
26118From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Body of the Enemy marched last night from Philada and crossed the Bridge at the middle ferry and proceeded to Chester. Their numbers are variously reported from 1500 to 3000 but I imagine the former is most likely, altho’ some people from the City think they are much lessened upon their lines. They this day embarked their Horses from Chester on Board Brigs and Ships. This would seem as if...
26119Wednesday Novr. 19. 1777. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Storms, lodged last night and breakfasted this Morning at Loudouns at Fish Kill. Here We are at Coll. Morehouses’s a Member of Assembly for Dutchess County.
26120From John Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 19 November 1777 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed Letter, I this Moment received and can think of no other Way, to answer the Expectations of Mr. Smith, than to request you to take the Trouble of doing what, by the inclosed Letter I am requested to do. I am Sorry to take off your Attention from things of more Importance or Amusements of greater Pleasure. But having often experienced your obliging Disposition, I presume upon it...
26121General Orders, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Pennsylvania Field Officers are desired to bring in their old commissions and receive new ones. All the General Officers are desired to assemble to morrow, at ten, o’clock in the forenoon, at Genl Huntington’s quarters, in order to settle the rank of the field officers of Horse, who are to attend this Board of General Officers and exhibit their respective claims. All arms unfit for...
26122From George Washington to Colonel John Bailey, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours dated Hardwick the 16th. I have only to desire you to march forward with all expedition and join me at this place. If you have not left an Officer on whom you can depend to bring on the Men left at Goshen as soon as they are fit for Service I desire you will send such an one back for that purpose. I am &ca. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . At...
26123From George Washington to Maj. John Clark, 19 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. John Clark, Jr., 19 Nov. 1777. Clark’s third letter to GW of 18 Nov. is docketed in part “Answd 19th.”
26124To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by a person in this place that Lord Cornwallis commands the party that came down from Philadelphia they compleated their embarkation about Sunset Yesterday the following Regiments are with his Lordship Vizt the 5th 15th 17th 33d 77th & 56th exclusive of the Hessians & Light Infantry with 12 pieces of Cannon & several Howitz, the Troops went from this with the greatest reluctance,...
26125To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I reciv’d various Accounts yesterday respecting The enemys Measures for makeing an Attackt on Red Bank In my last Letter to your Excellency I mentioned the enemys intending to march by Willmington, haveing reciv’d that information from the City, But I think it very improbble, That Cornwallace is March’d with a party of Troops is a Certainty, Said to be two Thousand Grannadiers and Light...
26126To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last letter, I recived a Certain Account of a Number of Heighlanders Crossing to Jersey last Night about Nine OClock The Cross’d at Coopers ferry their Piquets ware Drawn in last night, their lines very Weak by every information. I am Yr Excellencys Most Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The cover indicates that Craig sent this letter “⅌ Dragoon.” Craig is referring to his earlier letter to GW...
26127From George Washington to Brigadier General John Glover, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy haveing thrown a considerable part of their force over Delaware with an Intention as I suppose of making an attack upon our Fort at Red Bank, Occasions me to Reinforce the Garrison & troops already there with a large Detachment from this Army in addition to which it is my desire & you are hereby order’d to March by the most convenient Route after receipt of this to Join the...
26128From George Washington to Commodore John Hazelwood, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with yours of the 15th instant covering the Resolution of a Council of War, held the preceding day upon the Subject of my Letter of the 13th. The General Officers who has been sent from here in order to examine into & determine upon the Measures to be adopted in that Quarter have, I expect, by this time put matters in such a Train as will be most conducive to the public Interest,...
26129To George Washington from Captain James Knox, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
To his Excellency George Washington, Esquire General and Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States. The Representation of James Knox, a Captain in the Eighth Virginia Regiment sheweth That some time in July last he received of the Continent a considerable Sum of Money for the purpose of paying the Wages and arrears of pay due to the Officers and Soldiers that were under his Command...
26130To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honour of writing to you the 13th to 15th Inst. I have received no other Commands from Congress your Excellency with except the two Inclosed Resolves. the 15th Inst. relative to Clothing & Blankets for the Army. the 17 Inst. for appointments to Rank in the Army the Chevalier Duportail, Messrs Du Lemoy, dela Radierre & Govion—Commissions in obedience to the Resolve are granted &...