31From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 7 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have thought myself very unfortunate in missing of you for two days tho’ riding over the same ground on which you were. On my arrival here I was informed you were at Ampthill and was setting out there when a gentleman came who assured me you were at Ozborne’s, and having rode thirty miles thro’ the rain have not resolution enough to undertake to go to Ozborne’s, this evening. I received your...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 10 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favour of the 8th. instant and am sorry to find that this distressing flag is not yet off our Hands. I sincerely wish that by the perplexities she has introduced, she may not be more effectually working for our Enemies than if she had pursued their original Purpose. This can only be avoided by candid explanation and dispassionate Judgment. The line of Conduct which the...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 18 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Genl. Weedon which I suppose will inform you, as he did me, that he has between 6 and 700 men embodied, and expects 500 more in the course of this week from the Western side of the Blue ridge. By a letter of the 16th from Genl. Nelson he informs me he has ordered the Louisa militia (about 150) to turn off to Fredericksburg. They were not called on at all, so that...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 12 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honored with yours of yesterday by Colo. Loyauté. General Weedon to whom the care of the works at Fredericksburg had been committed being now at Hanover Court-house I have referred Colo. Loyauté to him, and given them authority to make use of the brass canon Howitzers or Mortars at New Castle if they can use them, for they are unmounted. I heard in the same instant that 744 riflemen...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters No. 1. are this moment come to hand. The public stores at this place are almost wholly removed and by this evening will be as high as the Manakin town ferry. The heavy cannon are still here. I understand the Henrico militia will be in to day. I believe I mentioned in my letter of this morning that those of Powhatan would be at Manchester to day, with a part of Capt....
36From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 7 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of this morning on the subject of finding where the arms have been sent and having them put into the hands of the militia I have this moment received. I think most of these arms have been sent off in different directions by the orders of Colo. Davies who I beleive therefore to be best acquainted with their situation. If I did not misunderstand him to-day he has accordingly directed...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 2[6] April [1781] (Jefferson Papers)
One half the Cumberland militia and of those of Amelia were ordered down. Some of the former are come in. I have ordered them to go to you, but what should be done with such of them as have no arms I think doubtful. We have found by experience that the men of those counties where the enemy are, cannot be kept in the field. They desert and carry off their arms. It also seems reasonable that...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 19 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you herewith a state of the militia required to come into the feild in which is not comprehended any at present there, except those of Culpeper who having passed Hanover Court house about the 10th. are supposed to have joined Genl. Muhlenberg some time ago. We are endeavoring to get our militia to the fixed term of two months in the field with a right to retain them one week longer...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 30 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to the letter of the 29th instant , with which you were pleased to honour me on the Subject of Artificers, we are enabled to do nothing further than to say that if you think proper to order the Continental D.Q.M. to engage the Artificers we will use our endeavours to furnish him with money debiting Congress therewith. You will be pleased to observe that the requisitions of Congress...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 3 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I was equally surprized and mortified to learn by your letter of yesterday that mine of the day before had not been delivered. The resolution of assembly was put into my hands at two o’clock in the afternoon of Friday. At 7. o’clock I delivered letters to an express for yourself, Genl. Lawson , and Genl. Muhlenberg , with orders to be with you at farthest by an hour by sun on Saturday. I was...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 27 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
When we desired the resigned and supernumerary officers to come into command, we took the liberty, after establishing the rules by which they should be given, to ask the favor of you to arrange the Commands accordingly. As the gentlemen are likely to be exposed in action with the enemy, and if taken would have no commissions to produce, circumstances which give them uneasiness, I will ask the...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 15 February 178[1] (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night a letter from Genl. Green referring me for particulars to you. However he gives me enough to convince me that reinforcements of Militia must be sent him. I think the most speedy and effectual reinforcement would be the Militia of Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham and Shenandoah now encamped below, provided they can be induced to go willingly. The length of their march...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 22 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you two letters from Colo. Innes just received. We are in very great anxiety for him. His force we are told is very considerably reduced by desertion, and he has no Cavalry. I make no doubt you see how far it is necessary to send him reinforcements and will order them accordingly. I have no return of the numbers of Militia here. Indeed it is changing every hour by the arrival of...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 31 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received information that 27 sail of vessels, 18 of which were square rigged, were yesterday morning just below Willoughby’s point. No other circumstance being given to conjecture their force or destination, I am only able to dispatch Genl. Nelson into the lower country to take such measures as exigencies may require for the instant, until further information is received...
45[From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, ca. 15 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, ca. 15 Jan. 1781 . Letter not found, but the following clearly elliptical version of it appears in a Virginia Militia Order Book for Dec. Jan. 1781 (ViU-McG): “The Genl. takes this Oppertunity to Inform the Troops before they Separate that he has been honour’d with a letter from his excellency the Governour of which the following is an extract—I beg leave in the behalf of my...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have laid before the Council the proposition for exchanging two of the British souldiers for Mr. Hurst and Mr. Locke , on condition that we give Colo. Alligood for Colo. Warner [Warneck]. I am sorry the enemy should annex impossibilities to their proposition, as it seems to throw on us the refusal to exchange. Colo. Alligood has been proposed in exchange for Colo. Matthews , a full colonel...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 1 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment received your letter, and have extended Mr. Elliot’s powers to the procuring subsistence for the marching troops. You will perceive by the inclosed resolution of assembly (which was put into my hands about two o’clock to-day) that they doubt whether the time, for which Genl. Lawson’s corps is enlisted, will not be so nearly expired before they reach the scene of action as, under...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 15 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am glad my proclamation has offended Arnold: it proves it to be right. The exchange of the prisoners must await a board of Council, which I doubt having immediately. I will have every thing done which can be done here for providing the deficient clothing. Doctor Pope set out about three days ago for Genl. Muhlenberg’s camp, with powers to employ assistants, so that I hope there will be no...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 5 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you extracts from two Letters received from General Weedon. I fear his arrival will be so late as to disturb your plans. I have urged him to expedition and been obliged further to let him know it is not in your power to furnish him arms or Cartouch boxes. You desired us to collect our powder. I trust that if you wish it at any particular place, you will notify it with an appointment...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 25 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Officers were desired to give notice to the militia when arms were delivered them that no man would ever be discharged till he had returned his arms or given justifiable reasons for not doing it, and this was given out in general orders by the commanding officers. Nothing was said at that time about other stores, but I shall when the order for their discharge is given out, desire that...
51From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 23 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
You were pleased to observe in a conversation with me some time ago that you would furnish us with a description of horses proper for the Cavalry and appoint some person to receive such as we should purchase under that description. As soon as it is convenient for you to do this we will resume the business of purchasing horses for the Continental Cavalry. The resolution of Congress for allowing...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 20 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the Liberty of inclosing to you a Letter to Major Genl. Phillips with the Determination of the Board of War as to the British Flag vessel with Necessaries for the Convention Prisoners which I will ask the Favour of you to forward by Flag. I presume it is necessary Prudence to put an Officer and Pilot of our own on Board. This has been the Practice here and if you approve of it you will...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 9 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Granville Smith a State Quarter-master now waits on you. As I am not thoroughly acquainted with the Continental regulations I shall just mention to you my ideas on this particular matter without laying any stress on them and leave to your determination the propriety of using Mr. Smith. I have ever understood that the rule of Congress was to admit no expences to be Continental which were...
54From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 8 Mch. 1781 . This letter is virtually identical with the first part of TJ’s letter to George Washington, same date . For variations in the text see note there. RC ( NHi ); 3 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and addressed by TJ: “The Honble Major General Baron Steuben Williamsburg ⅌ Express.”
55From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 7 February 178[1] (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Colo. Gaines a militia Officer in the County of Amherst being desirous to become qualified in fact for the command he holds in his county, has applied to us to be permitted to serve on such a footing as will place it in his power to acquire a knowledge of his duty, asking nothing but rations and forage; while others, offended at the preference given to Officers formerly of...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 11th. by Mr. Smith. I cannot say at what point of time the Expences attending an Invasion become Continental. I suppose Congress have some fixed rule on that Subject which, whatever it be, when applied to all the States, will be equal. From the time at which they called for specific Quotas of Provisions from the several States they seem to have considered their...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed resolutions of Congress of Janry. 8th. and Aprl. 9. 1777 under which Capt. Heth’s independant company at Fort Pitt were raised, will inform you of a condition to which they seem entitled of not being removed from that Station without their consent: the subsequent one of Octor. 3d. 1780 incorporates them in positive terms into the troops of the State. The former resolutions were...
58From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 14 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As so much of the subject of Colo. Davies’s letter as relates to the conduct of the Continental Issuing Commissary General in this State lies within your powers of reformation altogether, I take the Liberty of handing on the letter to you. It is very interesting to us that the provisions issued for Continental use be issued to persons authorized to give proper vouchers for debiting the...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of inclosing to you an order for the Shoes, Shirts and Cloth you desired. Mr. Armistead the Commissary of Stores to whom it is directed and who now waits on you, sais he has not that number of Shoes, but will call on the Continental Q.M. in hopes he may have some which are of course subject to your order. He has no white cloth but will if it be possible in our circumstances...
60From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Majr. Dick calls on me for an order for the militia of this place to march. I beg you will be so good as to consider the militia of every place as under your command from the moment of their being embodied, and to direct their motions and stations as you please. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir your most obedt. servt., RC ( NHi ); addressed and endorsed.