51To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Favor of the 23rd, accompanied with one to General Putnam, which was immediately forwarded. The Closing the Communication thrô the Enemy’s Lines, has been explained by a Forage, made by Colonel Emerick to East Chester—That Measure was necessary for them; as many Waggons were collected, least our Parties might disturb him. The Object of the Enemy for the Campaign, is now...
52To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 6 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Sufferings of this Garrison last Winter, the present State of the Post and the advanced Season, constrain me to trouble your Excellency with this Address. The Supplies of Forage in this Vicinity are in the best Seasons, but small, compared to other Parts of the Country. And the most of the Inhabitants South and West of Crumpond, were deprived of an Opportunity of mowing their Hay, by the...
53To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 3 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 3 June. GW wrote Brig. Gen. Henry Knox on 4 June: “By a letter this moment arrived from General McDougall dated two OClock yesterday.”
54To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 26 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
All the Non-commissioned officers, rank and file of my Regiment, are enlisted without time, except one company, recruited before the instructions for raising the four Regiments, Issued from Congress. And I doubt not to be able to engage this on the same Establishment. By the instructions to Colonel Dubois, I observe, he is authorised to give Ten Dollars bounty, to Such Soldiers as shall enlist...
55To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 29 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received the inclosed Intelligence. The Enemy’s march to the plains is very probable, but have had no advice of the appearance of the Enemy on the River. I have written for General parsons Brigade, to march here with all possible dispatch, and notified Governor Trumbull of the intended movement of the Enemy, and Suggested the propriety of holding the Western Militia in...
56To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
We, the Officers of the part of the Army remaining on the banks of the Hudson, have received Your Excellency’s serious and farewel address to the Armies of the United States. We beg your acceptance of our unfeigned thanks for the communication, and your affectionate assurances of inviolable attatchment and friendship. If your attempts to ensure to the Armies the just, the promised rewards of...
57To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 13 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with the Receipt of your Favors of the 31st Ultimo & 6th Instant. The inclosures in the last have been forwarded agreeable to your Orders. No Service would be more agreeable to me than an Attack upon New-York, could I recommend it consistent with any probable Prospect of Success. But the Condition & Strength of these posts, utterly forbid it. Especially when the consequence of a...
58To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to address you Yesterday, by the Express which handed me your’s —The other with whom I intended to transmit these Inclosures, went off unknown to me. The Gold by Mr Lawrance and Colonel Malcom was received in due Time—You have herewith some of the first Fruits of it —The Person, who brought me General Tryon’s Letter of November has, so establish’d his Reputation with the Enemy,...
59To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with the receipt of your favors of the 12th and 13th Instant, containing information against sundry Persons wickedly engaged in the service of the Enemy. You may rest assured no pains will be wanting to secure those miscreants. It’s probable Van Wagoner is secured; a person of his Character, being lately taken with a Number of Recruits for the Enemy. The late resolution of...
60To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 23 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
The numberous court martials in our Service has long been disagreeable to me, as they are disreputable to our Service. The points of Military duty in dispute between General Heath and me, have been decided by the Court Martial. And altho the charges made against him by me, can be Supported, as my prosecuting him will have the appearance of malice, with Some persons, and as the French Army it...
61To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 3 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor to address you last, I was favoured with your Excellencys Commands of the 24th Ultimo; throˆ Farmington. If the Enemy had appeared in the neighbourhood of Connecticut, or near it, I should not have considered the spirit of my first orders, binding to remain at Hartford, till I should receive others, as I knew the object of marching the Troops, from Fredericksburgh and...
62To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 8 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Favor, of the 6th Instant, in due time. General Huntingtons Brigade arrived at Crompond the same Day. I conclude General Parsons has informed you the reason of his not sending on the other. Colo. Cilley’s Regiment, was to have marched to Day; but the Wind blowing hard down the River, and no Teams to be had, to remove even the little Baggage they carry prevented it....
63To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 4 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
In a few Days, I hope to be able to make your Excellency, a full report of every Department at these Posts. On the first of April, 847 of the nine month’s mens time of Service expires—Vizt 357 of Patterson’s, 187 of the late Learned’s, and 303 of Nixon’s Brigade. By the last week’s Return, I have 1653 present fit for Duty, exclusive of the necessary Commands, for protecting my Front, and...
64To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearrer hereof Mr Philip Pelton is a known Friend to our Cause; He will communicate to you a matter of importance which prudence forbids I should commit to paper. I must refer you to him for particulars. But least he should forget to inform you; the Enemies Force to the Northward is but 5,600. Question him how we have received this intelligence, and it will be explained to your...
65To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with yours of Today; by the express riders. It has been my express orders, that no officer shall have furlough on any pretext whatsoever. The extreme hurry, which I am Continually kept in, by the arival of Small detachments and other business, prevented my examing those returns, with that attention I should otherwise have done. The adjut. of Colonel Cortlandt’s has had...
66To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 23 October 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 23 Oct. 1775. In a letter of 10 Nov. to McDougall , GW refers to “your Letter of the 23d Ulto.”
67To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 15 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of the part of the Army who agreed on the inclosed address, having committed to us the honor of presenting it. With great pleasure we now offer to your Excellency this testimony of their affectionate attachment & respect. We have the honor to be, with perfect consideration, sir, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servants, DLC : Papers of George Washington.
68To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You may remember, I informed you this morning, I had Sent Col. Putnam to inspect the roads to Farmington; and directed him to cause Such routs be mended from this, throˆ the Severals Towns you mentioned, to that Town, as he on inspection should Judge most eligible for the march of the Army. I beg leave to inclose his report on this Subject, handed to me by the Bearer, who returns to the Party...
69To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of addressing you yesterday. This will be on the Subject of Cloathing. Fearing those at Fish-Kill, might ⟨be⟩ damaged in the Transportation, I have ⟨ord⟩ered the whole to be unpacked, aired and ⟨repackt.⟩ The Labour was not lost. Many of the ⟨woolens⟩ were damp, and others damaged. Officers ⟨of the⟩ hospital, Commissaries of Issues, and ⟨the⟩ Ordnance Store; in short almost...
70To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been extremely reluctant to trouble your Excellency while you were at Philadelphia, least I might draw your attention from public Objects of more moment, than the Case of an Individual. The same Consideration still influences me, till you are settled in your Quarters; But as I am apprehensive, Major General Heath may immediately apply for leave of Absence from the Army, I am constrained...
71To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Two Hours ago, I had the Honor, to cover Sundry Copies of Original Letters and papers from New-York, to which I beg Leave to refer you. This will be handed to you, by Mr Elijah Hunter Assistant Commissary of Forage at Bedford in this state. He is the person, mentioned in my last, the link of the Chain between me and ——. He goes to Head Quarters, for such Intelligence, as you shall judge...
72To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 17 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Doctor mcKnight, who attended me in my Illness, having asserted to me with great confidence that my Constitution had received So great a Shock, it was in Vain for me to think, of returning to the Army till the opening of the Campaign; was the reason of my removing so far from Camp, to a place of Safety. I think he was mistaken; for my Health is now perfectly restored; but I cannot say the same...
73To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 12 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the Receipt of your Favor, of the 6th Instant. The several Matters ordered therein will be strictly attended to, and diligently pursued. Since my last, Colonel Livingston’s Regiment arrived here, after your Commands reached me; to assemble the troops of this State at Pecks Kill. I did not therefore send him down to the lower part of this County, as I intended. The...
74To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 11–15 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored in due time, with your favor of the 16th Ultimo from Paramus. The pressing duties of the Post, obliged me to defer an answer to the Several important Questions on which you were pleased to ask my opinion. I was the rather induced to this, as I presume, they were Stated on a Supposition that the Enemy would soon evacuate the united States, but there is no appearance now or Since I...
75To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellencys favor of the 6th instant in due time. The whale boats were Collected as speedily as posible, and delivered to your last order. Not knowing that they were appropriated to any particular Service, one of them was Sent down to row Guard at night a Cross Kings-Ferry, to give me the earliest advice of the approach of the Enemy; should he pass the boats below...
76To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 29 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The wind blowing Fresh Northerly on Monday, and likely to continue for Two or three days, whenever I received a litle provission for the men I marched at 10 at Night, with about 1200 and one Field piece towards Bedford, in hopes to fall in with the Enemy there from the intelligence contained in No. 8 of the inclosure. At Ten the next Morning I arrived at the South End of the Town, at the Road...
77To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 13 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Conscious to myself that I have studiously oeconomized in discharging the public trust committed to me, as well in my disposition of the troops under my Care, as the public Stores committed to it; I was astonished to learn, that a Report had been made to your Excellency, of my having a Number of Invalids at work for me at Robinsons Farm. This must be founded on Mistake, if not on a baser...
78To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 15 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
All the necessaries for Soldiers Cloathing, are so very high and the Pay of the middle department so much below the Eastern Establishment, that my Soldiers are kept bare of necessary Cloathing and other Articles; a Common Soldiers Shirt Costing from 17/ to 20/ Currency, which is half a Months pay. The most of the Levies made in great Cities are generally induced to enter the Service from the...
79To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellencys favor of yesterday. General & particular of this post and its depend ecies are Sent here with. the Soldiers who have had their Trials are Jeremiah Belcher of 1st Troy Lee of the 5th & Daniel Godlip of the 10th Massachusets Regts. I have the Honor to be Sir your Excellenc y s most obt and most Humble Servt. NHi .
80To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is extremely difficult, to give your Excellency a satisfactory or conclusive Opinion on the Questions proposed to the Council of war. As to the Enemy’s Design to operate against Boston, I think it very improbable. The only Object that remains there, considering the Experience he has had, of the general Attachment of the people of the Country to America; and his relinquishing the Possession...
81To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 2 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 4th Ultimo, on the Subject of the Cannon. I should not have been So long Silent on this matter, but that none of the brass cannon were finished, till a few days ago, and the Convention were So much out of temper, by the powder lent to the Continental army not being repaid, which they greatly wanted for their own defence, that I thought it most expedient to...
82To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 7 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 18th Ultimo. I am happy to be informed by it, that my detaining General James Clinton has your approbation. I have agreeable to your Order, directed him to exercise some of the Troops to the Cannon. He hath prevailed on a Hundred of the old Garrison, Serjeants included, to remain at Fort Montgomery ’till the 15th Instant. Near that Period, the time of...
83To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 29 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
At Morris Town on the 21st instant, I was honored with the receipt of your Excellency’s favor of the 16th, containing your orders to take charge of these Posts, and inclosing the Commission to hold the Court of enquiry. The confidence you are pleased to place in me in this command, is very flattering to me, and calls for my utmost exertion to discharge it; and if posible agreeable to your...
84To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 17 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of mine, to Brigadier General Glover, will inform your Excellency, of the steps, I have taken, respecting the arrangement of the Bay Line, as far as it respects those troops at Providence. Colonel Sheppard and Major Cogswell, arrived here yesterday, as a Committee from Glovers Brigade. And I have directed, a Committee, from Nixons, Patersons, and late Learned’s, to meet those...
85To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have considered the Subject on which you were pleased to ask my opinion. It is indeed a very Complex one. The movements of the Enemy may be So various, that its imposible to provide against them. The Post he has now taken is So near West Point, that while we consider it as a first object, we cannot with Safety move from it should the Enemy make excurtions East or West, unless we should be...
86To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 19 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 19 June 1779. GW wrote McDougall on 25 June: “In answer to your Letter of the 19th.”
87To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 17 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of 14th instant, thro^ General Huntington; and I am perswaded he will obey your excellency’s commands, respecting the new arangement of the line of his State; and take every posible Care of the Division in my absence. I was happy enough in finding Mrs Macdougal recovered of her illness; and shall therefore join the Division on Saturday next; if no pressing call...
88To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with your Excellenies Letter of Yesterday. The Enemies remain, where they debarked yesterday, from Tallars point towards Kings-Ferry. The wind is unfavorable to day for him to Sail up the River. He has opened Batteries on the west side of Kings Ferry, against our work but without effect. The Brigades mentioned to you in a former Letter are at west Point, Pattens &...
89To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 25 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to address you by Captain Bedlow. I have not been favored with any of your’s, since that from Paramus of the 16th Ultimo. Your being absent from the Army, occasioned the Caution on the Address of my late Letters, “not to be opened [but] by the Commander in chief.” I take the Liberty to inclose correct Copies, of my Orders for Permits of Provision below, and the Regulation of...
90To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 6 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Forty five more rank & file of the Connecticut Militia have arrived, Since the last return. Secretary Trumbulls Letter of the 4th Inst. is recd giving an account of a Spy Sent out by the Enemy. The light Company of Col. Cortlandts is come down, and will move To-morrow; Some necessary repairs of Arms have detained them here Since Saturday. I have the Honor to be, Your Excellencys most Hble...
91To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of addressing your excellency; on the 17th from Tapan. Colonel Durkee returned in the Evening; and brought unquestiable intelligence, that the Enemy had returned to Fort Washington, Newyork and Bergen; and from the last place to Staten Island. The next morning I marched for Paramus, in order to Collect Provisions; to Supply me on my March to join your Excellency; which I...
92To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 19 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to address you very fully, on the 15th Instant, by the stated Express on the West Side of the River. Since that, the Gentleman (Captain Bedlow) I wrote for, on the Subject of Niagara arrived; and is the Bearer of this. He is a man of Virtue, great Integrity and Understanding; served in the last war, a Lieutenant in the Navy on Lake Ontario. He will be able to give Congress, or...
93To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 27 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s Favor, of the 11th Instant. The Troops have not yet had the full Operation of the Contract, owing to unavoidable Accidentsoccasioned by the precarious weather, which has marred the free Transportation by water; while that by land, has been but very little facilitated by snow. But the River being now fast and it being passable on the Ice, the Suppliers will...
94To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 28 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Nix[on] has applied to me, to signify my approbation of his applyg to your excellency for leave to Vissit his numerous Family, and to provide for them before the winter Setts in. As I know he has a very numerous Family, and the Colonels of his regiments are Careful men, I have no objection to his having Such leave. But as your excellency is better informed of what Service is in...
95To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Favor of the 19th two Days since. In my address to your Excellency, of the 10th of December last, is this paragraph. “I shall want more heavy Cannon; I wish therefore to have your Excellency’s Order for those at Boston, which I am informed is subject to it .” The inclosed Resolution of Council of that State, will fully explain to you the Cannon, I alluded to. It was...
96To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s, of the 1st Instant was handed to Me the 3d at 8 P.M. The necessary Orders were instantly issued, to Malcoms and late Pattens Regiments, to march. The Weather, want of Boats, and some little arrangements, prevented their moving ’till Yesterday. They will be all, at New Windsor this Evening. Colo. Malcom absent on your leave , was furnished with a Copy of the Orders...
97To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Subject of this Address, will be confined to the Bay Line. On Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter, on that Head, I furnish’d a Copy of it to the commanding Officers of Brigades—The Committee of Field Officers from each, were instructed to report on the different Matters contained in the Columns of the Inclosure No. 1. in order to give a clear view of the Rights and Pretensions of all, the...
98To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 17 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 15th instant. Your Orders respecting the Boats expected from Albany will be punctually attended to. The Salted meat is stopped coming on from the Eastward, and we have had fresh but once since I came to the Post. all the former, except, what are in the works, is expended, and the Garrison has been three days on half allowance of meat. The...
99To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Putnam arrived here to the 22d, he has Since been Viewing the river and the Country, tomorrow he takes the command. A Flag I Sent to Newyork the day before yesterday, to exchange Families of ours on the Nassau Island, for Some of the Enemies, who had leave of Convention to leave this part of the State, has this day brought me the Following intelligence. “That they were not Suffered to...
100To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 4 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of yesterday by Colonel Bayliss, the fever was on me, which prevented my giving it a written answer: And therefore requested him to inform your Excellency, that under other Circumstances, than mine were at this time, I should be happy to execute your Excellency’s intentions, but that it was out of my power, for that I was unable to...