61From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I will immediately dispatch the orders you desire to the militia of Chesterfeild and Dinwiddie. Your favor of this day being put into my hands after the adjournment of Council I cannot answer as to Mrs. Byrd’s property till tomorrow. I take the liberty of inclosing you some papers relative to the nine men sent to the barracks in Albemarle, on which you will please to give any orders you think...
62From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A warrant was yesterday made out for Mr. Harrison for two hundred thousand Dollars and I shall take the first opportun[ity] of informing him that the money is in readiness. This is in consequence of your requisition communicated by Major Walker. Dr. Evans the Bearer of your Letter will receive from the Gentleman who has the care of our Medicine whatever articles can be furnished from that...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received from Mr. Armistead yesterday afternoon a Copy of the receipt for the 117 blankets. He excuses himself for the error in calling them 155 from having spoken by memory. I did not observe till I delivered it to you that the Certificate of the delivery of Mr. Ross’s blankets (105 I think they were) wanted a date. I know however that they were delivered about the same time with those from...
64Steuben’s Queries concerning Military Supplies, with Jefferson’s Answers, [before 14 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
All are delivered 1 To know if all the State Arms are already distributed. If not where are the remainder? Richmond and Westham. They shall be delivered to Capt. Pryor. 2 To fix on a place where all the Arms Ammunition and Camp Equipage may be collected and appoint some Officer to collect and distribute them. If the Governor thinks proper, Capt. Prior may be appointed to distribute them after...
65From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I think from every enquiry we shall find it impossible to get hats for the men at Chesterfeild. Could not a cap of cloth be made to answer? The grenadiers I beleive wear such. If you think it would do, could you help us to a model? I am with much respect Sir your most obedt. sert., RC ( NHi ); addressed by TJ, but without place; endorsed.
66From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 6 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive have had it much at heart to prevent as far as possible interruption in raising the new Levies while they were constrained to bring a number of Militia into the field. For this reason about one half of the Counties in the northern part of the State were not called on for militia till they had had time to go through their Draught. This being done by them, they have been all of...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is an extract of a letter from Genl. Greene to me. As the Gentlemen of the Army whom he wishes to take Command of the Militia who shall join him are now pretty generally collected with you for the purpose of arranging the line; on which Arrangement it is probable some will become supernumerary I submit to you whether it would not be agreeable to Genl. Greene if you could prevail...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 11 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with your letters of yesterday and this day . The peices of artillery at Cumberland were ordered on the first news of this invasion to be carried up the river to Newcastle and on hearing of their arrival there I ordered them to the forks of James river 50 miles above this but very convenient to be brought down by water whenever wanting. Indeed I think in future to divide our...
69From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 24 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have information this morning from Capt. Maxwell on his own view that the enemy landed at Westover yesterday evening. If it be impossible that he should have been deceived, it is equally unaccountable that we are uninformed of it from the Videts sent. The movements of the enemy up Chickahominy obliged Colo. Innes, incumbered with 20 waggons with stores, and 100 sick to cross Pamunkey at...
70From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
No term having been fixed by the Executive for the Service of the Militia, I do not know whence it could have been collected that it was within ten days of expiring. Nevertheless it is most certain that they would have been relieved long e’er this had it not been for the enterprize meditated against Portsmouth. It was thought too dangerous to change the whole Body of Militia at the critical...
71Draft of a Letter to Officers Retired from Service, enclosed to Baron Steuben, [ca. 1] January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The readiness with which the gentlemen who had formerly borne commissions in the regular line made a tender of their services on the late invasion of their Country, induce me to rely on their aid in repelling the present enemy headed by the blackest traitor who has ever disgraced the American history. With those gentlemen who have continued in service it is not within my powers to give you the...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was informed by a reputable man this afternoon that he saw about 300 of the enemy land this morning at Sandy point. He said that 25 of our guard had crossed the river there last night and carried their boats up a creek on the opposite side: and that the 25 which remained on this side retreated. Since this the inclosed letter has come to hand. This account and Colo. Innes’s cannot both be...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 22 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
[Whether restitution of the identical property taken from Mrs. Byrd might be permitted seems to be a question unnecessary now to be determined by the board as Mr. Hare the Conductor of the flag does not pretend to have brought the identical property, but goods in compensation of it; and to what amount we are uninformed. This kind of compensation we think can by no means be permitted. Let the...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of inclosing you a letter from Colo. Innes this moment come to hand. The circumstance of their halting under a favorable tide seems to shew their destination to be Williamsburg, and that the putting their men into boats is not merely a feint. I am told the Powhatan militia will be at Manchester to-day. Also that a part of Capt. Mosby’s new raised cavalry will be there. It is...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of yesterday’s date. Your representation of the importance of erecting a small Work at Hoods was considered by the Executive as an evidence of your friendly attention to the defence of the State and was by them as you desired laid before the Assembly. The Assembly, pressed in time, did not, as far as I am informed, take it under consideration. The invasion...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Maury, owner of the Brigantine Alert, engaged and fitted as a flag for carrying tobacco to Charles town waits on you to see whether a permit can be obtained for her. You will be pleased to follow your own judgment whether the time be proper to negotiate on this subject. Whenever you think it so, I am of opinion it would be expedient to send the single vessel as first agreed to by Genl....
77From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 10 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of this day’s date, yours of yesterday has come to hand. The orders to the Counties which were to reinforce General Muhlenberg were that their detachments should be with him ‘Capos;on the fifth or at farthest the sixth’. On receipt of the Letter of the 8th. informing us of the almost total deficiency of New-Kent, we ordered 164 men from Chesterfield and 187 from...