1From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Anthony Wayne and William Irvine, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I cannot but premise my answer to your letter of yesterday, by observing that the refusal of the Colonels & Lt Colonels of your line to comply with my request for stating in writing their motives to the part they have taken in the affair of Majr McPherson, is to me as extraordinary as unexpected—I assure you I had not the least idea there could have been any difficulty in the matter and had no...
2George Washington to Brigadier Generals Anthony Wayne and William Irvine, 11 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Tappan [ New York ] August 11, 1780 . Explains why appointment of Major William Macpherson cannot be revoked. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
3From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 16 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Campbell advises by Letter just now received that the Enemy are advancing toward Van Vacter’s Bridge. I wish you to send out fresh scouts immediately, and to make the earliest reports. If this report is confirmed by your scouts you will order your Tents to be struck, and put into the Waggons, and have everything in readiness to move. I am Sir yr mt hume servt LS , addressed to Wayne, in...
4From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne or Officer Commanding the Light Corps, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Butlers favor of last evening I have received—The opinion he has of the enemys designs renders it unnecessary for me to caution you on the score of keeping out the necessary Guards & patroles; The look out boats I have desired Genl McDougal to order down to be under yr command that you may officer & man them, with such persons as you can fully confide in —this will enable you to obtain...
5From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I request that you will join the Army as soon as you can. I wrote you upon this subject before we marched from Middle Brook, but as you have not arrived—It is probable my Letter has miscarried or that it did not come to hand till very lately. I am Dr Sir with great regard Yr Most Obedt servant LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, PHi : Wayne Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript ,...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9–12 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The good People of the State of Pennsa Living in the Vicinity of Philadelphia and near the Delaware River—having suffered much by the Enemy Carrying off their Property without allowing them any Compensation —thereby Destressing the Inhabitants—Supplying their own Army and Enabling them to protract the Cruel and unjust War that they are now Wageing against these States. And Whereas by Recent...
7George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 1 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 1, 1779 . Has appointed Wayne “to the command of the light infantry of the line.” Authorizes Wayne to attack enemy if an opportunity arises. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
8From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 21st—The affair of your line has been singularly mortifying and disagreeable in all its progress. Its influence threatens the whole army. You will have heard of the revolt of part of the Jersey line. Last night we marched a body of troops to their huts to compel an unconditional submission and make examples of some of the leader⟨s—⟩The execution of this...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you the 12th Ultimo, desiring, that so soon as any other General Officer should arrive at Tionderoga, you would immediately leave it and repair to my Head Quarters. I must now repeat that desire, as your presence here is very much wanted; and I shall expect, that after the receipt of this, you will hasten to join me with all the expedition you can. The Troops from Pennsylvania are...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed with the first and second Pennsilvania and the brigade late Conways —by the direct route to Coryells Ferry—leaving a proper interval between your division and General Lees, so as to prevent their interfering with each other—the instructions given to General Lee, are to halt on the first strong ground after passing the Delaware at the said ferry—until farther orders—unless he...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
As you are appointed in the Arrangement of the Army to command a Brigade of Pensylvania Troops, I desire, that you will hold yourself in readiness and repair to my Head Quarters, as soon, as a General Officer arrives at the post where you now command. Your presence here, will be materially wanted, and I persuade myself, you will lose no time in complying with my requisition, when the...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 26th—mentioning the sailing of the second Fleet—General Parsons sends me intelligence by which it appears that this Fleet contained the long talked of Embarkation. As there is now hardly any probability that any thing will be attempted here in the course of the Winter it is unnecessary to keep the men under your command any longer in their present...
13VIII. George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
On Friday —morning, at Sun rising you will march the division under your command to a mile below Acquaquenack Bridge, advancing a Regiment a Mile or two in your front towards New Ark, and remain in this position ’till Retreat beating. You will then renew your march, slowly, a Mile or two forward and till it is quite dark and there halt till further orders. These will reach you in all...
14From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received information of the Guards (and some add other Troops) advancing to Kings Bridge—This though on the contrary side of the river, is in the vicinity of your Camp. Boats hid at Spiten devil and which can be brought up Harlaem river may under cover of Night land Troops at the Slote—Nyack or the Hook before Ten OClock without discovery unless a very good look out is kept They have...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 7 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was favd a few days ago with a letter from you by Mrs Yorke. I wish it had been in my power to have complied with your request, and that of several other Gentlemen, in her behalf, without infringing a Rule which I myself had just proposed to the executive powers of the several States, which was, not to permit any inhabitants of the States to go within the enemy’s lines without a...
16George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 2, 1781 . Commends Wayne for conduct during mutiny. Excuses Wayne from recruiting. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Wayne had been in command of the Pennsylvania troops that had mutinied.
17From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your favor of Yesterday, & immediately sent one of my Aids to represent the Subject of it to the Commissary of Forage & Quartermaster Genl as far as it related to them—they declare that nothing of the Kind has happen’d within their knowledge, but say, they cannot be answerable for the conduct of many of their Deputies as they are not to be depended on, & it is out of their power to...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will send a proper fatigue party from your division, on the road leading from Bull’s Iron works to Litchfield to be employed in repairing the road, in case it should become necessary to march that way—The party will continue out ’till the purpose be completed; and measures must therefore be taken to supply them with provisions—Other similar parties are ordered on the other roads. You will...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Herewith you will be pleased to receive general instructions for your conduct—This you will consider as private & confidential. The importance of the two posts of Verplanks & Stoney points to the enemy is too obvious to need explanation. We ought if possible to dispossess them. I recommend it to your particular attention, without delay to gain as exact a knowledge as you can of the number of...
20George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 5, 1779 . Discusses provisions for clothing the infantry. Regrets that rum supply is low. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 24 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 24, 1779 . Refuses to countermand the order for the trial of Major Henry McCormick. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
22From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Instead of coming to The Ferry you will march your brigade by Storms and Clement’s to West Point sending your baggage by water. You will, for this purpose, send forward your Qr Mr to Kings ferry to prepare boats, with directions, if there are not a sufficiency there, to come on to West Point for them. I am Sir Your most Obedt & huml. ser. If there should be two brigades on their march the...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 18th. It would have been a very desirable thing to have wound up the Campaign by a successful stroke upon the enemy before they retired within Kingsbridge. I have no doubt but if, in the course of your enquiries into their situation, the enterprize had been found warrantable, you would have given me information before any movements would have been...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received Your favor of Yesterday morning, and am apprehensive, as you have not acknowledged the receipt of a Letter, I wrote you the Night before, that It has fallen into the Enemy’s hands. By that, I directed Genl Smallwood & Yourself to march immediately with your Respective Corps by the way of Pots Grove to join me. You will both pursue the Line thereby marked out & which I have mentioned...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with your letter. Accounts received by deserters from Ver-planks-point and the report of a patrole this morning give me reason to believe that the enemy are at least about evacuating this post. You will not fail to give me the earliest information of what further movements you may discover. I am Dr Sir Your most hble svt LS , in James McHenry’s writing, PHi : Wayne...
26From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favored with Yours of the 19th ulto, by Colonel Harrison—at the same time, that I commend the laudable efforts you made to have a Corps of the Troops of Pennsylvania in readiness to march with the Detachment under the Command of the Marquis De la Fayette, I deplore with you the causes which have occasioned this delay, and hitherto frustrated your endeavours. The critical situation...
27From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this day and have issued a General order for regulating the manner in which Cloathing is to be drawn for the Infantry—I have also directed a Briga⟨de⟩ Qr Master Forage Master & Conductor to be appointed. though I have not assigned the duty of Clothier to the first. If it should be found necessary it may be done hereafter. I have appointed the regimental Qr...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have reflected on the advantages and disadvantages of delaying the proposed attempt, and I do not know but the latter preponderate. You will therefore carry it into execution tomorrow night as you desire, unless some new motive or better information should induce you to think it best to defer it. You are at liberty to choose between the different plans on which we have conversed. But as it...
29From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Application is not a little distressing to me; and if comply’d with must have an unhappy influence on the Minds of the detachment which is going to the Southward—Colo. Stewart is already gone—and Colo. Butler on account of his Health is going. three of the first officers then in rank and consequence in the Pensylvania Line, to be away from their Troops when an important & interesting...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of this day is this moment received—I shall take pleasure in paying every attention to the comfort & convenience of the Light Infantry, which the nature of the service they perform may require and the establishment of the army permit, so far as may be consistent with propriety and the general good of the troops—But I do not think a compliance with Mr Measoms proposal would be...
31From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 25th as I did that of the 10th. I think your precautions for the security of your Camp very good—Tho’ I hope, if the Enemy have made a detachment equal to report, which say 2000 to 2500, you will be quiet in your Quarters. You are more in the way of gaining intelligence from New York than I am, and I shall be obliged to you for procuring as much as you can, and...
32From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I rode down to this place to see General Sullivan and to be in the way should the enemy, by their late preparations upon Staten Island seem to threaten any thing serious. But having heard nothing to make me beleive that they will come over in any considerable force I shall return part of the way to West point this Evening. From a variety of circumstances, but particularly for want of Water to...
33From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Officer who is to command the detachment from your line, agreeably to yesterday’s orders will be refered to you for instructions. The inclosed contains the heads of such as have occurred to me—you may possibly think of others. If your old Hutts are too much injured. or if the Wood (for firing) about them is insufficient —there are two places (if my memory serves me) either of which, in...
34From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
As you know that an enterprise against Wilmington is the first object in view for the detachment which is to March to the Southward, and that it is not more than half the distance of, and in the Rout to General Greene’s Army, I shall add no more on the subject, but leave you to act as you have requested—or, if it is more agreeable to you to be absent from the Army for a while, to consent to...
35From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of yesterday inclosing a sketch of the bearings and distances of the Grounds contiguous to Stoney point. It is not to our Interest to disturb the enemy at that or any other detached post just now. Under present circumstances we should endeavour to keep them as much separated as possible, for if part of my plan, recommended to the Count, can be carried into execution, we shall...
36From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 15 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 14th: This will be delivered to you by Lieut. Peyton of Capt. Lees Troop who takes 12 Horse with him, which are all that are not upon command. I wrote to you a few days ago ⅌ Express desiring you to give the proper orders to the eldest Officer of your detatchment and to repair to Camp yourself as quick as possible as the Gentlemen of Congress want to see you much on...
37From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 29 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 27th in due time. Before this reaches you, you will undoubtedly have heard that the enemy have returned to Staten Island. I think you may as well take post with the Infantry, for the present, in the neighbourhood of paramus inclining towards Kakeate, and draw your forage as much as possible from the lower part of Bergen. You will be in a good situation to gain...
38From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of yesterday. I can hardly suppose that a total evacuation of New York can be in contemplation at this time. but it is not improbable that they may endeavour to throw a Body of troops over to the West Indies, and the preparations you observed and have heard of may be for that purpose. However, be it a partial or total embarkation, a very little time must discover it. I am Dear...
39From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 15 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 14th and am glad to find you have got so good and secure a position. The Carolina Troops have returned and Major Murfree will resume his command in the Infantry. This circumstance makes it unnecessary for Lt Colo. Vose or any other Field Officer to be sent down. I will give orders for the Artificers and Tools you mention—& for a conductor and Ammunition...
40From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I observe in your Letter of the 16th of July by Mr Archer that you make particular mention of his intrepidity and firmness in the Assault on Stony point. Is it your wish that he should be the Bearer of my dispatches to Congress? His circumstances are peculiar—he has no appointment in the Army. It will be impossible to provide for him in any particular line; but perhaps he might obtain a Brevet...
41From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of yours of the 19th I gave your Qr Mr an order for 500 pair of shoes which, considering the stock on hand, is a full proportion for your Corps. I have directed all the Commissaries of Hides to collect and send in all the shoes they possibly can procure, and I am not without hopes that we shall in a little time have a sufficiency. It is not in my power to grant the request of...
42From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I with the greatest Pleasure received your Acco. of the Action at Green Spring—as I had just before seen it thro’ the Channel of Mr Rivingston and you may therefore suppose in the most unfavorable Light—The Marquis de la Fayette speaks in the hansomest Manner of your own Behaviour & that of the Troops under your Comand in the Action. I think the Account which Lord Cornwallis will be obliged to...
43From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress, as you will have been informed, have determined that the Pennsylvania line shall compose part of the southern Army, and have ordered it to proceed to Virginia, in detachments, as they may be in readiness to march. I have given General St Clair directions to carry the Resolve into execution as speedily as possible —I think it essential that one of the Brigadiers should proceed with...
44From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 30 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of this date came duly to hand —I shall certainly not undertake any thing (capital) without your knowledge—I wish for your opinion as a friend—not as commanding Officer of the light Troops—whether another attempt upon Stoney point by way of surprize, is eligible—(In any other manner under present appearances, and information, no good, I am sure, can result from it). Lord Cornwallis...
45From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 12 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will see by the inclosed Letter that your presence in Camp is essential to settling matters of importa⟨n⟩ce. you will therefore leave pr⟨oper⟩ instructions with the next in com⟨mand⟩ and return as speedily as p⟨ossible⟩ to Camp. I am Sir Your most obedt Servt LS , in John Laurens’s writing, anonymous donor. Where the document has been mutilated, the conjectured characters are supplied in...
46From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 9 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
It gave me great Pleasure to learn by yours of the 26th ulto. that You had marched from York Town, tho’ I was somewhat disappointed as to your numbers, as I had been made to expect they would be considerably larger. Sudden and exemplary Punishments were certainly necessary upon the new Appearance of that daring and mutinous Spirit which convulsed the Line last Winter, and nothing will make me...
47From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 16 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 10th inst. expressing your desire to have a command in the light Corps—My opinion of your merit will lead me chearfully to comply with your request, as soon as the Arrangement of the army, and other circumstances permit the formation of that Corps. The pennsilvania Barracks appear to be well constructed for the accommodation of the troops, and judiciously...
48From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 4 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself much indebted to you for the congratulatory letter you forwarded to me by Genl Jackson, and for the favour you did me in bringing me acquainted with that Gentleman. Your reflections on the arduous nature of the Station in which I am placed correspond exactly with my own. If the Crisis has demanded my services, I hope the countenance of my fellow Citizens will assist me in...
49From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 15 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a Warrant on the Deputy pay Master General for Fifteen hundred Dollars to pay the rewards promised to the first five Men who should enter the Enemy’s works in the attack upon Stony point: Also f⟨or⟩ One Hundred & forty thousand Nine hundred & Twenty Eight Dollars & Eighty two ninetieths of a Dollar, being part of the value of the Stores taken there, the whole value of which the...
50George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 28, 1779 . States that, since the second British fleet has sailed, Wayne is to return his men to their respective regiments. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.