31To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to your Excellency for the discretionary permission given to me in your favor of the 17th, to attempt a Cure of my Complaint. Upon considering the matter I find it will be most advancive of my design to be freed from Command; as I can pursue the experiment without interruption which is Necessary to its produ[c]ing the desired effect. some circumstances beside those I...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Substance of the examination of the woman which your excellency directed me to take, is as Follows vizt That her name is Mary Debeau; that She lived with Mr John Livingston about 18 months ago; and resided two weeks in Newyork, before She went to Staten Island, the day the man of warr passed up the River. That She embarked with 7 men good livers in appearance, & 8 or 9 women, & ten...
33To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency General Washington informed the Council of General offic⟨ers,⟩ Convened at His Quarters last evening, that from the best intelligence he could get of the Strength of the Enemy in and about New York and its dependencies, it amounted to about Twelve thousand men, exclusive of Horse and Artillery. That the Rank & file of the Army, under His immediate command was Ten thousand,...
34To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 18 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The pretentions of the Field Officers and Captains of the Bay-Line, were omitted to be inclosed in mine of the 14th instant; which I now beg leave to inclose. The Enemy are making frequent excursions at Closter near Tappan. The Troops at Paramus and Kings Ferry, are too remote to give succour in time. The Inhabitants call upon Me for aid, but before it can be sent, on such events, the mischief...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 21 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th reached me this morning. The Brigade left this yesterday morning; under Col. Cortlandt: It was Necessary for me to stay behind to Expedite large Parties not then ready to march; which I got over last Night. The Brigade at noon must be at Pumton; where I should have halted them; but I have this moment receivd express orders, from General Putnam, to return with the Brigade...
36To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 30 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 28th instant, a Memorandum this Morning, and a Letter of the Secretary’s this Afternoon. All the Assistance in my power, is given to expedite the Baking of the Bread. That in Store, and half the Pork hath been ordered down, but the want of Craft has detained those Articles. The Memorandum directed, three Light field Pieces to be sent to the...
37To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The times are So critical and the Subjects on which I shall have occation to write your Excellency are So important, that I have determined to do it under the Signature of Marcus . This will prevent many of the evil effects which have arisen to our Country from the miscarriage of Letters. My Compliments to your Lady. And Believe me to be, Sir, with great respect Your most Humble Servt. ADf ,...
38To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 18 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
There is no Horse Harness at New-Windsor or Newburgh; what were at Fish-Kill I fear is sent off with the Quarter-Masters Stores. They are however sent for, but I am informed those for Waggons, will not suit to draw Artillery. If the Enemy reinforce Verplanks point, General Howes Cannon will be in great danger of being lost, as they are placed near the Old-Ferry; and the Enemy in that Case can...
39To 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...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To 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...
49To 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...
50To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 29 November 1775 (Jay Papers)
It is now one P M, and Sixteen days, since the Congress was to have been convened; but we have not yet made a House; I think its probable we shall make one to morrow. It is an agreed point with all Civilized Nation[s], that a war is an appeal to God, as there can be none other to Judge between the Contending Parties. The Judge of all the Earth has determined in our favor, in the reduction of...
51To 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...
52To 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...
53To 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...
54To 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...
55To 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...
56To 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...
57To 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 &...
58To 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...
59Alexander McDougall to ?, 14 April 1775 (Adams Papers)
This covers a Letter, and accompanies a Budle, to our mutual Friend John Adams Esqr, which I received by Capt Lawrence from London, to be forwarded to him, by a safe Conveyance. I must therefore beg your particular care in Conveying them to him. All the Letters by the late Vessels, which arrived here agree, that the sanguinary measures expressed in the address, of Both Houses to the king were...
60To 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...