101From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General George Clinton, 10 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By His Excellencys Command, I am to desire you will give orders upon the deputy Clothier General at Peeks-Kill, for the necessary supply of Cloathing &c. for the four companies raising under your direction. It is not however intended, that more shall be drawn than a sufficiency for the number of men actually inlisted. I am Sir Your most Obedt servant ADfS , George Washington Papers, Library...
102From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, [12–25 June 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received your two last favours to day. In the first you hint the want of a reinforcement; but as the intention of your body is chiefly for observation and skirmishing and not to make any serious stand, it is the less necessary it should be powerful in numbers. It will however depend upon circumstances, how far it will be expedient to reinforce you; and as soon as any thing...
103Discharge of Joshua Austin, 13 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 13, 1777. “… Joshua Austin, belonging to the independent company of the State of Connecticut, … appears to be incapable of military service. He is hereby discharged from the Continental army.…” ADS , Connecticut State Library, Hartford.
104From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Clement Biddle, [17 June 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
The whole army immediately to strike their tents, pack them up, and get themselves in every respect ready for an instant march. The Quarter Master General to have every thing in his department ready. Colonel Biddle will communicate the above order, to the Commissary & Pay Master General & Judge advocate. ALS , MS Division, New York Public Library. Although George Washington anticipated a...
105From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 28 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Yours of the 25th came to hand last night. Since my last addressed to Mr. Morris, the enemy have been trying a second experiment to tempt us to an engagement, on equal terms of ground. Under the supposition of their intending to evacuate the Jerseys immediately, in order to keep up the idea of a persuit, and to be in a posture to take advantage of any critical moment that might present itself...
106From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote you this moment by His Excellency’s order; but he is so anxious you should be acquainted with his apprehensions on the score of the enemy’s leaving Amboy, with some of their stores remaining in it, that fearing a miscarriage of my former letter he desires me to write another to the same effect. The enemy have had their own leisure to go off and carry whatever they thought proper. What...
107From Alexander Hamilton to Hugh Knox, [July 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
… have fallen into the enemy’s hands. This event redounds very little to our credit; for if the post was untenable, or required a larger number of troops to defend it than could be spared for the purpose, it ought long ago to have been foreseen, and given up. Instead of that we have kept a large quantity of cannon in it and have been heaping up very valuable magazines of stores and provisions,...
108From Alexander Hamilton to Hugh Knox, 1[–28] July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing to you about four Months ago from Philadelphia, since which I have neither had leisure nor opportunity to give you a line, on what is transacting in this part of the world, and in which I know you are deeply interested. I am uncertain even now, whether there may be any mode of conveyance for this letter; but I will do my part, and leave the rest to fortune. I...
109From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 6 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your favour of the 4th, by express. If I recollect how far my last went, it did not announce the return of the enemy from Westfield to Amboy, nor their evacuation of that place since. After resting and refreshing themselves a night, they decamped the following day and proceeded to Amboy from which place they went to Staten Island as expeditiously as they could; where they still...
110From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Elias Dayton, 7 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Doctor McWorter has represented to His Excellency the case of a certain negro lately taken by a party of militia belonging to Mr. Caleb Wheeler. This fellow, it seems, some time since, went over to the enemy, and is now detained in confinement on that account. I am ordered to desire you to inquire into the circumstances of the affair, and particularly by whom the negro was taken, for on this...
111From Alexander Hamilton to Major General John Sullivan, 7 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
You will be pleased to forward the inclosed to General Putnam with all expedition, as it is of importance they should not be delayed. By His Excellency’s desire, I wrote to you a day or two ago, requesting that a Capt McConnel & a waggon master who had taken a horse from some inhabitants abused and confined them, should be sent to Head Quarters to have an examination in to their conduct. I am...
112From Alexander Hamilton to John Jay, 13 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I received your favour and one from Mr. Morris last night by express. The stroke at Ticonderoga is heavy, unexpected and unaccountable. If the place was untenable why not discovered to be so before the Continent had been put to such an amazing expence, in furnishing it with the means of defence? If it was tenable, what, in the name of common sense could have induced the evacuation? I would...
113To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 13 July 1777 (Jay Papers)
I received your favour and one from Mr. Morris last night from by Express.— The Stroke at Ticonderoga is heavy, unexpected and unaccountable— If the place was untenable why not discovered ^ to be so ^ before the Cantonment had been put to such an amazing expence in furnishing it with the means of defence?— If it was tenable, what, in the name of God common sense could have induced the...
114From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 21 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
The intelligence, on which the order given you to join this army was founded, proving not to be as expected, His Excellency desires you to return to your old station and there remain ’till further orders. He thinks it not improbable the enemy may take it into their heads to make some incursion into the Jerseys to plunder and distress the inhabitants, or perhaps even to endeavour to destroy our...
115From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 22 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Your favour of the 18th ⟨from Saratoga reached me⟩ yesterday. Your pronouncing Fort Edward among the other forts indefensible surprises me a little, as it is intirely contrary to the representations of several Gentlemen of judgment, who have had an opportunity of seeing and considering its situation, by whom we have been taught to believe, that it would be an excellent post, at least ⟨for⟩...
116From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 29 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure of your favour of the 25th. I cannot be induced to think the enemy are so numerous as you apprehend, and would place no dependence on what is said either by deserters or prisoners, further than as it respects their own company, nor even that with regard to prisoners in general who commonly have their cue, as the phrase is, and know very well how to manufacture stories...
117From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowlege the receipt of yours of the 27th instant. The circumstance of the fleet appearing off, opposite to Blue Point does not indicate any movement to the Eastward. It was necessary in going out of the Hook, whatever course they might intend to steer, whether to the Southward or Eastward, to stand out in that direction for some time, as they went out with a...
118From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I last Evening had the pleasure of your favour of the 2d. I am with you exceeding anxious for the Safety of your State, though the Numbers of the Enemy have very little part in producing the anxiety; the panic in the army (I am afraid pretty high up) and the want of zeal in the Eastern States are the only alarming Considerations, for tho Burgoine should be weak in numbers as I suppose him, if...
119Release of Officer from German Battalion, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp Near German Town [ Pennsylvania ] August 7, 1777. Certifies that “Monsieur Bernard Pally De Couseau, Ensign in the German Batalion, is by his own request permitted to leave said batalion.” ADS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
120From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 18 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I most sincerely and heartily sympathise with you in the distresses and dangers under which your state is labouring at this critical period. I lament its misfortunes, as they are wounds to the common cause, as they more nearly interest those for whom I feel the warmest regard, and as they are suffered by a state, which I consider, in a great measure, as my political parent. I wish any thing in...
121From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 29 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Your two favours both of the 22d came to hand yesterday. His Excellency had been all the day out reconnoitring the country and did not return home ’till late in the evening; this morning he again went out upon the same business, and has desired me to acknowlege the receipt of your letters. The signal advantages gained over the enemy by Generals, Stark and Herkemar at so gloomy and distressing...
122From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 29 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 29, 1777. Sends extract from General Orders of June 18, 1777, stating that “Timothy Pickering Esquire is appointed Adjutant General in the Armies of the United States of America.” ADS , Pickering Foundation, Salem, Massachusetts. Before his appointment as adjutant general, Timothy Pickering had served as colonel of a Massachusetts militia regiment.
123From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 29 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By command of His Excellency, I am to request you will immediately send on Major Blackden & the detachment that came with him to join this army. I am Sir Your most Obed serv ADfS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The date reads either 28 or 29, for one set of numbers has been written over the other. Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Blackden or Blagden, Second Continental Dragoons.
124From Alexander Hamilton to Gouverneur Morris, 1 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Agreeable to the intention of the Council I have delivered their inclosed letter to His Excellency who after perusing it has sealed and forwarded it to Mr. Hancock. The relieving Fort Schuyler is a very happy and important event, and will concur with the two happy strokes given by Harkemar and Stark to reverse the face of affairs and turn the scale against Mr Burgoigne. I hope Capt...
125Receipt to Captain Caleb Gibbs, [2 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
paid at Mr James in Cecil Aug 26th for Lodging &c &c £6 Amt. the within 6.6.6 £12.6.6 Wilmington Sept. 2. 1777 Received the above of Capt Gibbs ADS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Gibbs was an aide-de-camp to George Washington and captain and commander of Washington’s Guards. Having embarked from New York on July 23, 1777, with fifteen thousand troops, Sir William Howe...
126From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Charles Stewart, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed in your letter to Mr Ludowick you will find one from His Excellency confirming your orders. We expected you to call here this morning; but as you have not done it, I send you the letters, that they may be immediately forwarded by express. No time should be lost in the matter as it is a point of the most urgent necessity. I am Sir Your most Obed serv ALS , Harvard College Library....
127From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [18 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
If Congress have not yet left Philadelphia, they ought to do it immediately without fail, for the enemy have the means of throwing a party this night into the city. I just now crossed the valleyford, in doing which a party of the enemy came down & fired upon us in the boat by which means I lost my horse. One man was killed and another wounded. The boats were abandon’d & will fall into their...
128From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [18 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the honor to write you a hasty line this Evening giving it as my opinion that the city was no longer a place of safety for you. I write you again lest that should not get to hand. The enemy are on the road to Sweedes ford, the main body about four miles from it. They sent a party this evening to Davesers ferry, which fired upon me and some others in crossing it, killed one man,...
129Bill for Expenses of George Washington’s Staff, [21 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
paid at Christiana for family’s breakfast, horses &c.— £6.5 paid on the road from thence to Wilmington for lodging &c— 6. paid for breakfast the morning we crossed brandywine— 1.12 pd. 1.12 15.9 Received the above from Capt Gibbs ADS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Town on creek of same name, which flows into the Delaware near Wilmington. I.e., Washington’s staff. The...
130Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens to Major General John Sullivan, 21 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
We have just received your favour of Yesterday, desiring from us a Testimony of your Conduct, so far as it fell under our Observation, the day of the Battle on the Brandywine. As we had not the pleasure of seeing you in the fore part of that Action when the Line at large was Engaged, We are unable from our own Knowledge, to say any thing of your Conduct at that time. But we can chearfully...
131From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I left camp last evening and came to this city to superintend the collection of blankets and cloathing for the army. Mr. Lovel sends to inform me there is an express going off to Congress, and I do myself the honor to communicate a brief state of things, when I left camp. The enemy moved yesterday from where they lay opposite to valley forge &c. higher up the river on their old scheme of...
132From Alexander Hamilton to William Livingston, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I am in Philadelphia on some business of great importance to the army; to execute which I stand in need of a party of about 100 men which are not readily to be procured here. If Your Excy. will be pleased to order over such a party under good active officers, you will equally serve the public & oblige. Yr. Excy’s Most Obed servt. ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
133From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [23 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
by Virtue of powers from His Excellency General Washington I do hereby Authorise you to require from the inhabitants, contributions of Blankets and Cloathing of every kind and to take whatever materials you know will be useful to the Army that you may find in the Stores keeping an account of the same and giving receipts. ADS , sold by Stan V. Henkels, March 9, 1904, Lot 1150. Text taken from...
134From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White, [23 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of orders received from His Excellency General Washington, I desire you will press all the horses in this city & neighbourhood in order to be conveyed thence to some place more remote from the present seat of the war, except such as come under the following description: Those which are the property of poor needy persons, whose livelihood depends upon them, and those which belong...
135From Alexander Hamilton to Count Casimir Pulaski, [2 October 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
Son Excellence vous desire d’assembler toute la cavalerie le plutot possible prés de ses quartiers, ou vous trouverez de place propre pous les accommoder, ceux qui sont utilement employé excepté. Vous informerez son Excellence dés le moment de votre arrivé. I’l n’y a pas du temps a perdre. J suis Votre serveteur tres hum ALS , Maine Historical Society, Portland. Count Casimir Pulaski, a...
136General Orders, 3 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Worcester Township, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1777.] Describes order of march for attack on Germantown. D , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Although the manuscript is undated it is endorsed by George Washington “Order of March and Battle German Town 4th Oct. 1777.”
137Instructions to Colonel Christopher Greene, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have directed General Varnum to send your regiment and that of Colonel Angel to Red bank, by a rout which has been marked out to him. The command of that detachment will of course devolve upon you; with which you will proceed with all expedition and throw your self into that place. When you arrive there you will immediately communicate your arrival to Col: Smith, commander of the Garrison at...
138From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General Silas Newcomb, 10 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I am desired by His Excellency, to inform you that, on a second consideration, it has been thought inexpedient to send as many Continental troops to Red-bank, as was at first intended; and that the number, now on their march for that place, will be rather insufficient for the defence of it. He therefore requests you will, in addition to the Continental troops, furnish from a 100 to 150 of your...
139From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Christopher Greene, 15 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency is persuaded by intelligence from different Quarters that the Enemy are determin’d to endeavour, by a speedy & vigorous effort to carry Fort Mifflin, and for this purpose are preparing a considerable force. Their attempt will probably be sudden & violent as they are hardly in a situation to delay a matter so essential to them as that of removing the River obstructions. It is of...
140From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Charles Stewart, 24 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency desires me to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of yesterday, and thank you for the intelligence contained in it. He hopes you will soon be able to send him a confirmation with more certain particulars. I am Dr Sir Your most Obedt ALS , Mrs. Cecily Symington, Cooperstown, New York. Stewart was commissary general of issues from June 18, 1777, to July, 1782.
141Council of War, 29 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Whitpain Township [ Pennsylvania ] October 29, 1777 . Hamilton recorded the minutes of this meeting. D , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
142Account of Expenses of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton and Captain Caleb Gibbs, 30 October 1777–20 January 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Account of Expences of. Colo. Hamilton. & Captain Gibbs. to Albany & back again—set off from Skippack road, 15. miles from Phila: Returnd. to Valley Forge— Sent by His Excelly. Genel. Washington on public service. 1777. October 30th. Cash paid at Corrells. ferry Lodgg—Sup. horses— £1.19. 6 31 at Crossroads N. Jersey 6. 6 Novr— 1— at Chester.— 1. 17.4—2d at N. Windsor ferry 8/6 2. 5.10 4 at...
143From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 2 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I lodged last night in the neighbourhood of New Windsor. This morning early, I met Col: Morgan with his corps about a mile from it, in march for Head Quarters. I told him the necessity of making all the dispatch he could so as not to fatigue his men too much, which he has promised to do. I understood from Col: Morgan that all the Northern army were marching down on both sides the River, and...
144From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 5–8 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, November 5–8, 1777 . On November 9, 1777, Hamilton wrote to Putnam : “I wrote to you from Albany.” Letter not found .]
145From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By inquiry, I have learned that General Patterson’s brigade, which is the one you propose to send is, by far, the weakest of the three now here, and does not consist of more than about 600 rank and file fit for duty. It is true there is a militia regiment with it of about 200, but the term of service for which this regiment is engaged is so near expiring, that it would be past by the time the...
146From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [6] November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here yesterday at Noon and waited upon General Gates immediately on the business of my mission; but was sorry to find his ideas did not correspond with yours for drawing off the number of troops you directed. I used every argument in my power to convince him of the propriety of the measure, but he was inflexible in the opinion that two Brigades at least of Continental troops should...
147From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot forbear Confessing that I am astonishd. and Alarm’d beyond measure, to find that all his Excellency’s Views have been hitherto flustrated, and that no single step of those I mention’d to you has been taken to afford him the aid he absolutely stands in Need of, and by Delaying which the Cause of America is put to the Utmost conceivable Hazard. I so fully explaind to you the Generals...
148From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 10 November [1777] (Hamilton Papers)
I arrived here last night from Albany. Having given General Gates a little time to recollect himself I renewed my remonstrances on the necessity and propriety of sending you more than one Brigade of the three he had detained with him, and finally prevailed upon him to give orders for Glover’s in addition to Patterson’s brigade to march this way. As it was thought conducive to expedition to...
149From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 12 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have been detained here these two days by a fever and violent rheumatic pains throughout my body. This has prevented my being active in person for promoting the purposes of my errand, but I have taken every other method in my power, in which Governor Clinton has obligingly given me all the aid he could. In answer to my pressing application to General Poor for the immediate marching of his...
150From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [12 November 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Windsor, New York, November 12, 1777. Letter not found. ] “List of Letters from General Hamilton to General Washington,” Columbia University Libraries. Two letters from H to Washington on November 12, 1777, are listed. One of these letters is printed in PAH Harold C. Syrett, ed., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton (New York and London, 1961– ). , I, 360–62.