61To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Colo. Laurens sailed on the 13th, after waiting several days in Nantasket-Road for a fair wind. On his arrival here he found the Alliance had not completed her crew & that it would be difficult soon to effect it. This induced him to apply to the Navy-Board to obtain from the General Court a power to impress—which not only failed in the House, but so...
62To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your Excellencys favors of the 10 & 21 Ultmo Orders will be immediately issued for collecting the recruits and I hope they will in a few days come on cloathed. It will be difficult to send them on without, as they have been promised cloathing and are not therefore prepared to march without them—They will be armed here. The fifteen hundred coats for the troops in...
63To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my return from Rhode Island I found that a very considerable delay would attend the compleating our clothing for the recruits as ordered by the General Court which induced me to attempt as a temporary supply Hunting shirts & overalls in this I failed, as the Court was not sitting, from the want of powers in the supream executive—But as there are a number of the recruits well cloathed they...
64To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 13 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday honored with your Favor of the 4th Inst. Every attention is paid to collect and forward the Troops with dispatch from all the Counties saving those in the eastern part of this State. they, by a resolve of the Assembly in their last session, were detained untill the pleasure of your Excellency & that of Congress could be known with respect to their being further detained for the...
65To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honored with your Excellencys favor of the 21st. Mr C. informs me that his frind will have the honor of calling on your Excellency immediately on his and will digest or agree on a plan for future operations. The General Court have repealed their order directing the Levis raised in the three eastern counties to remain there untill your pleasure should be known respecting...
66To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General Assembly have, in compliance with your Excellencys request, voted the tents &c. for the Massachusetts line, and discover a disposition to give all the assistance in their power in support of the common interest—but they are greatly embarrassed from the want of money, notwithstanding the various modes adopted, by this State, for procuring it—this may possibly cause some delay—I hope...
67To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
We arrived and landed our troops here between three & four this morning immediately our boats were covered with green boughs & our men in a neghbouring wood many things combined to cause a failure of landg as first proposed Majr Darby miss under stood Majr Bayley re sp ecting the place the Boats were to be carried which prevented his finding them this caus e d a delay of one hour after we had...
68To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 July 1781 to 5 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Clinton advised to sending two Regiments of Militia to Do b se s F erry & Tarry-Town, I sent a pilot to lead them across the Land they Arrived at the place of their destination yesterday where I met them. there are Houses enough here to cover the Troops—I have left orders with Colo. Denny, the Oldest officer, to watch the motions of the Enemy prevent thier plundering the inhabitants,...
69To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Genl Lincoln presents his most respectful compliments to his Excellency Genl Washington & beg to offer the following hints The murders Robbing and disorder in our rear and on one flank point to the necessity of throwing out parties to prevent them—The inhabitants from incontestible evidence are aiding and abetting in these high hand offences and must I think be brought under certain...
70To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the friquent applications made to me this morning for passes to the Inhabitants to pass through Camp in Search of Horses, Cattle &c., said to be taken from them, carried down to the Enemys Lines, and by us brought back, I am convinced that under pretence of this search a good account may be taken of our Situation and Numbers, as every Tent may be told and the fullest representation made...
71To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have, my dear General, agreeable to your Wishes, made some Observations on the Situation of Charles-Town, the Strength of its Works, the Number of Men necessary to garrison it, and the point or points by which it may be approached. The Town of Charles-Town is situated on a Peninsula formed by the Cooper and the Ashley; the former about two & a Half Miles wide, and the latter about one and a...
72To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The troops arrived here about 2 oClock in the afternoon yesterday—I went towards evening to bound brook where I met Col. Lamb & every thing in order. As there are so many circumstances to be taken into consideration prior to a determination what number of waggons ought to proced Southward and as we cannot avail ourselves of all of those circumstances here, such as the probability of a full...
73To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Our van has passed the rear will be at the ferry in about one hour. No moment will be lost in loading the artillery Stores &c. We have an account this morning from New York that the enemy are embarking troops and have put on board twenty peices of feild artillery—the Arrival of Hood is mentioned in the New York paper which I conclude your Excellen c y will receive before this. As soon as I can...
74To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of this date at 1/2 past one at the landing—we have put & are putting on board the vessels the ordnance stores &c.—I shall send in the same vessels the Corps of artillery—Corps of Sappers & miners and also Colo. Hazens Regt by sending Gen. Hazens Regiment suppose it will be unnecessary to send the hundred men you mention I thought it was best to send whole Corps &...
75To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last Evening honored with your Excellency’s Favor of Yesterday Afternoon—On the Receipt of it I applied to Colo. Dearborn Dy Qr Mr Gnl, to know what Number of Vessels were left, and what Number it would probably take to transport the French Artillery, Baggage, Sick, &c. On his Report I found it impossible to take Vessels enough for another Corps, and leave a Sufficiency for the...
76To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The troops are now under arms and are just leaving their ground. we Shall encamp to night a mile or two on the other side Willmington—I do not observe any discontent among the troops—A little money however would make us good natured. I have the honor to be my Dr Sir with sentiments of esteem you r most huml. Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
77To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 11 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The first division of the troops were embarked and ready to sail to -day at 12 o’clock, and are now only waiting for the turn of the tide. The embarkation would have taken place 24 hours sooner, had not several of the large vessels run on ground. We have on board Colo. Scammell’s Brigade, Colo. Lamb’s Regt, 2d Regt of Jersey, Sappers & Miners and the corps of Artificers—Besides the Grenadiers...
78To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 21 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I find from the Report of Colo. Barber, who is on Duty in York, that there are many Irregularities—the Enemy are yet issuing Stores, and a great Number of the Men are seen with two new Hats each—From the Appearance of the Baggage of the Officers he thinks all is not right. There are so many people crouding into Town that it is impossible to preserve it from Confusion. This cannot be prevented...
79To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
As Count DeGrass cannot aid us in our most favorite object an expedition against Charlestown and if an attempt to reduce it is now made it must be independent of a marine force & as your Excellency has asked my sentiments on the propriety or impropriety of attempting it under those circumstances I do, on the fullest reflection, give it as my opinion that it may not be done with a rational hope...
80To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
As part of the Troops are not arrived and those who are, not ready to march, as the sick are gone on to Philadelphia and as it seems to be the Intention of the Board of War to put them into Hospitals in that City, I have thought it necessary, after leaving the inclosed Orders, to proceed as fast as possible to that place, to prevent, if in my Power, the Measure from taking Place, for it...
81To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
The late Board of War were by Congress impowered and directed to take depositions in the case of Major General Howe in support of complaints made against him by the Delegates of Congress from Georgia—The Board did not proceed far in this business, their powers now cease and this matter does not fall within my Commission. It appears to me that the shortest way of terminating this affair is by a...
82To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to forward the inclosed papers for your Excellencys perusal. And am my Dr Genl your servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
83To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
By the appointment of General Duportail to the office of Major General, I see that General Knox is greatly hurt—Congress now make a difficulty in giving him the same rank—I have reason to believe that one line from your Excellency would remove every objection—and be a means of retaining in service an officer, who if not now promoted, will be lost to us—I have the honor to be with every...
84To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 5 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
In order that the British Prisoners may be kept with more safety than they have been by the Militia and to correct that spirit of desertion which has taken place to a very great degree since the Capture of Cornwallis they are to be removed from their present Cantonments to Lancaster where there are good Barracks picketted in. I have to request that your Excellency will order one of the...
85Benjamin Lincoln[?] to Virginia Delegates, 14 December[?] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Extract (American Art Association Catalogue [21–22 January 1926], Charles A. Munn Collection, item 186). The description in the catalogue reads: “An interesting letter written while Secretary of War and addressed to the delegates in Congress from Virginia [a.l.s.]. The letter is written in the form of twelve questions, asked to ascertain the resources of Virginia, undoubtedly for the files of...
86To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 19 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose the Covenant between Mr Morris & Messrs Sanos for the purpose of supplying the Post at West Point & its dependancies with Provisions. Your Excellency will observe that many matters are left to the decision of the Secretary at War or some person appointed by him to retain a gentleman constantly for this business would be attended with expence & evils might arise from...
87To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 20 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do my self the honor to enclose for your Excellency inspection a letter I have in idea to submit to Congress if in your opinion a resolution founded thereon will promote the good of the service—pray give me your opinion this evening or in the morning as, if any thing is done, it should go out with the instructions to the recruiting officers & to the several States. I have the honor to be...
88To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 22 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Excellencys Queries I beg leave to observe 1st They will increase their supplies sufficient to feed any number of Men requisite in the North River. 2nd Those are agreed on & settled. 3d The present Contract is supposed to Operate rather at Stationary Posts & is not the one under which the Army in the Field will be supplied——the stock on hand must supply any increased demand...
89To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
A Colonel Connelly was under your Excellencys parole and has left Virginia with out your permission. I have thought it necessary to send the inclosed for your inspection-- Connelly is now in this City. I have the honor to be Dr sir with the greatest esteem your most Obedient servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
90To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 28 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
The representatives of the United States in Congress assembled have been pleased in their resolves of the 29th of Oct. last to express the high sense they entertain of your Excellencys illustrious services in the cause of your country and particularly for the late August event in Virginia, and also to direct that some of the brilliant trophies obtained under your auspices should be presented...