1To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 May 1776 (Adams Papers)
Our former Acquaintance contracted in early Life, and under Circumstances which Experience Shews is hardly to be effaced by Length of Time or local Distance is Sufficient Apology for calling your Attention a Moment from the Important Considerations now before you, on which the Fate of this our rising Empire depends, to the inccorect Suggestions of a Friend, on Matters he conceives of Some...
2To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 June 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 26th. Ultimo I duly received. I am fully of I Opinion with you that the Rank of Officers ought to be regarded, but not made the invariable Rule of Promotion in the Army, uncommon Merit in any Officer ought to be rewarded. The Danger lies in the Application of the Rule; Merit is comparative. It is difficult to compare where Two Officers are put to perform different Services...
3To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
Want of particular confidential Acquaintance with the Delegates from the State of Connecticutt, occasions you more Trouble than I should think myself at Liberty to give you; As I am Sure what I at any Time say to you will be taken in good Part and as well intended however in any Points we may differ in Opinion; therefore I disclose my Sentiments without Reserve, if they are of any Service I am...
4To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 24 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
I received yours in which I find some Encouragement is proposed for raising a new Army. I wish it had been greater; I think there is not a great Inclination in the Soldiers for the continental Service. They in general are more inclined to inlist under the Direction of their own Colonial Authority, where in general they are better provided; this will make it necessary to offer Bounties at least...
5To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 13 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
My sincere Thanks are due to my Friend in Congress for the unexpected Honor, done me in my late Preferment. As it was unsolicited and unthought of by me, I cannot but feel the most grateful Sense of the Obligation my Friends have laid me Under by this Token of their Esteem for me. I wish I may discharge the Duties of this important Trust in a Manner which may fully Answer the just Expectations...
6To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your Favors of the 3d. and 11th. Instant I received this Day for which I am much obliged. I know not whither the Promotion of Generals will give perfect Content, the Uneasiness amongst the Brigadiers who are promoted I beleive will Satisfy them, the Promotion of Colonels I dont hear objected to, except that None One from Rhode Island are not promoted; on my Part I ought to be contented when...
7To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 August 1776 (Adams Papers)
In Answer to your last in which you desire some further Information respecting Shephard &c., I can inform that Lt. Colo nel Shephard belongs to West Field in the State of the Massachusetts Bay, has passed through all the Various Stages of a Soldier from Private to his Present Station in Actual Service is now about 39 Years of Age, a bold intrepid, prudent Man and in the Command of a Regiment...
8To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 September 1776 (Adams Papers)
I don’t wish to Complain when the Public Service will not be injurd by Silence: two Things must be attended to in the new raising Army or in my Opinion the Men will not engage in the Service; the One is that Ample Provision be made for the Sick, who the last Campaign have been Scandalously and inhumanly neglected, and made a Sacrifice to Points of Honor between Phi sicians of different...
9To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 October 1776 (Adams Papers)
Your’s of the 2nd. Instant I received last Night for which I am obliged to you. If any Information I can give will contribute to your Satisfaction or my Country’s Good I am happy in furnishing what falls in my Observation. I agree fully with you that you was in the dark as to some Facts relative to the Transactions on Long Island and am fully Satisfied you Still remain so, or you could not...
10To John Adams from Samuel Holden Parsons, 28 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Upon the Public Affairs of the Country we all have a Right to speak freely and censure where we think there’s Misconduct; to ramble into the Field of Conjecture when we are disposed for it; in Short to turn Politicians if we please. You know from early Life I never Spard Men nor Measures and made Use of my Right to Censure very freely therefore you won’t be Surprized if I tell you I am out of...
11To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to Your Excellency’s Direction I have directed the Commanding Officers of the Companies under my Command to Ascertain the Number of Officers & Soldiers in their respective Companies who are willing to extend the Term of their Inlistment to the first Day of Jany next: by their Returns I find there are Two Hundred & Twenty Noncommissiond Officers & Soldiers who are willing to Serve till...
12To George Washington from Colonels Jedediah Huntington, Samuel Wyllys, and Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommend Stephen Keyes “A Young Gentleman from Connecticutt . . . as a person of Education, Genius, & Spirit, & capable of doing honour to any Regt in which yr Excelly Should see fit to appoint him a Lieut.” LS , DLC:GW . This undated letter was apparently written about the same time as was Joseph Spencer’s letter to GW of 16 Dec. recommending Keyes. For background on this letter, see Keyes...
13To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 November 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 Nov. 1776. The Continental Congress on 6 Nov. read “a letter, of the 3, from R. H. Harrison, enclosing a letter from Brigadier General Parsons of the 2d” ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. , 6:928; see also Robert Hanson Harrison to John...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
According to your Excellency’s Permission I came into this State the 22nd of Jany to give what Assistance I could to the Recruiting Service & to forming & regulating the Troops; the 25th I receivd Genl Heath’s Order to return to the Camp near Kingsbridge, which I obeyed with some Degree of Reluctance, as I could not see the Necessity of my Presence there; I found Genl Heath at White Plains...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
since I came into this State I have been constantly employed in forwarding the Eight Battalions to be rais’d here in which I have many Obs[t]acles both in raising & furnishing them with Arms & Clothing the little Time the Soldiers have been at Home is one Reason why they do not engage yet small Guards are establish’d on our Coast into which they inlist in Preference to a Service abroad where...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Friends of Capt. Wells of Glassenbury in the State of Connectt have applied to me to procure Him exchangd & releasd from his Imprisonment; As tis not a Matter I am impowerd to transact I have referd them to your Excellency Capt. Wells’s Case is perhaps as distressing as that of any Prisoner, A Numerous Young Family, his Wife an Invalid; his Parents very aged these are the Persons who...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
having receivd Information that a Vessel was laden with Provisions in a Harbour on the East End of Long Island & bound to New York I sent Lt Wait with a Party of Men to bring her over to the Main; they left this Place the 16th Inst., but the Shippers of the Wheat &c. having receivd some Information of the Party coming over, removd the Provisions into different Parts remote from the Water that...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 23d Ulo I recd your Excellency’s Letters of the 8th 10th & 18th of Feby; before I recd those Letters I had establishd Hospitals in several Parts of this State for innoculating the Recruits; most of those who had not the Small Pox before are now in the Hospitals: some will come out in about ten Days. I shall pay a particular Attention to your Excellency’s Orders to send on...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I hope to be able to send to your Excellency’s Assistance One Regiment of continental Troops by the last of next Week. These will be Detachments from all the Regiments raisd in this State; I can send nearly this Number as soon as a Field Officer’s Command as that cannot march ’till the present Class are out from the Hospitals. Colo. Livingston informs me your Excellency’s Orders to him to make...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
some of The Troops of this State began their March to join the Army Yesterday. they probably will arive at the North River about next Tuesday or Wednesday, the Number I am not able to inform your Excellency as they march from distant Parts of the State & are to rendezvous at Danbury where I expect Lt Col. Butler will take the Command of the Party; I shall be able by next Post to give the...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Letters of the 6th 12th 20th & 29th of March. The first Detachment of the Troops from this State will march from Danbury on Tuesday Morning, under the Command of Lt Colo. Butler of Wyllys’s Regt, Nothing has been or shall be wanting on my Part to forward to Camp every Person who is able to March, from my Soul I ardently wish & desire your Excellency may receive every necessary...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of the 21st of March I have receivd your Excellency’s Letters of the 6th 12th 20th & 29th of March that of the 6th came to Hand not till the 28th; by the Length of Time between the Date & my receiving it; The Seal not being such as I had ever before seen from Head Quarters; The Direction on the Cover very different from the handwriting of the Letter writer, and the omission of the...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Two detachments from the Regiments of this State have marchd for head Quarters, another will march this Week; I hope some time next week a Considerable Body may be ready to leave the Colony; the Small Pox has been very heavy upon them, they are much reducd by it, & about Twenty have faild; this is one Reason of the Delay—About 150 from Rhode Island and some from Massechusetts Bay are on their...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Detachments marchd from the several Regiments in this State are less than I expected owing to a Variety of unforeseen Accidents—435 Non Com. Officers & Soldiers, with a Suitable Number of Officers to command them have marchd to Head Quarters & Peekskill, I expect another Detachment will be ready this Week—every possible Method to forward the Levies & Promote recruiting shall be attended to...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th of April & shall take every Possible Method for raising & forwarding the Quota of Men orderd from this State. The Loss of our Stores at Danbury is an Event very Alarming to the Country. I hope the Effect will not be fatal to the Army: by the Examination of Sundry disaffected Persons: we have Reason to beleive a Second Descent is soon to be made...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 5th Inst. I was honord with the Rect of your letter of the 23d of Aprl—I have order’d all the Troops in this State who are of the Continental Army to N. Haven, & Danbury; in the western Parts of this State; Govr Trumbull desire’s me to post them there untill he shall receive an answer to a letter he has sent your Excellency, respecting the Defence of this State; As their March to...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your’s of the 7th Inst. & have Ordrd all the Troop’s who have had the Small pox and are able to March to peck’s Kill’s; by the Numbr wanting Still to Compleat our Battalions with those who have not yet gone thro’ the Small pox tis probable we shall Soon have Two or three Thousand Men who have not had that Disease as I beleive our Quota will be raisd soon in this advancd Season will...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since the 15th Inst. I have had no Returns by which I can give any further particular Information of the State of the Regiments; in General small Additions are daily making: next Monday the finall Draft is to be made which I hope will nearly compleat Us: at present we have very few who have ingagd to the first of Jany Only. So great a proportion of our men when raisd will not have had the...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having recd Information that the Enemy were collecting Forage, Horses &c. on the East End of Long Island, I order’d a Detachment from the Several Regiments then at this Place, consisting of 1 Major 4 Capts. Viz. Throop, Pond, Mansfield & Savage, & 9 Subalterns & 220 Noncommisd Officers & Privates under the Command of Lt Coln. Meigs to attack their different posts on that Part of the Island &...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not been much Us’d to ask Favors of your Excellency nor do I wish in any Instance to be gratified where the Public Service will be injurd by it. As I have had much Trouble in raising & forming the Regiments in this State, I should esteem it a particular Favor if I could be indulged in having the first Regiment, Col. Wyllys’s, Col. Bradly’s & Col. Saml Webb’s arrangd in the Brigade I am...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Excellency’s Letter’s of the 25th & 29th of May, Yr Excellency’s Approbation of the Expedition to Long Island affords me particular Satisfaction, I hope it will ever be my highest Ambition to promote the best good of my Country—at the Time Genll McDougall made his last Return twas true but about 330 Men were at Peeks-kill from Connecticut; yet it could not be considered as a...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 14 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Part of my Brigade which were Present & Able to march have cros’d the River according to your Excellency’s Order receiv’d Yesterday. The Number which have march’d I cannot inform with certainty as more Attention has been paid to forwarding them to your Excellency’s Aid, than to a particular Return of Numbers; however I think they will not be far from 1000, about 200 More of the Brigade...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. S. Webb is apprehensive he has fallen under your Excellency’s Displeasure from the Misrepresentations of his Conduct by Persons who designed him an Injury & has desird me to inform your Excellency of his Conduct as far as I have been acquainted since he went into Connecticutt to raise his Regiment. If my Memory serves me he came into the State about the first of Feby soon after which I...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed General Prescott who was made Prisoner last Week, is order’d to Windham; I think it my Duty to express my Fears respecting that Matter, I am perfectly acquainted with the People there & am fully persuaded tis in his Power to effect his Escape at any Time he pleases, unless a Guard is sent there under the Care of a vigilant Officer to Secure him. The Credulity of Friends to their...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 30 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Designs of the Enemy & the Importance of the Posts in the Various parts of the Country are doubtless better understood by your Excellency than I can Pretend to know them. this ought not to prevent my proposing my Sentiments to your Excellency’s Considerration; in this I think I do no more than my Duty & if I am mistaken it can be of no ill Consequence to any One but myself. The Posts on...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Webb’s falling into the Enemy’s Hands the 10th Inst. you have doubtless before this been made acquainted with. The Descent on Long Island was designd to destroy the Timber & Boards prepard at the East End of the Island for Barracks in New York, to destroy the Fleet there from Rhode Island for Wood. Attack a Regt Stationd about Eight Miles Eastward of Jamaica & remove or destroy whatever...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 18 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your’s of the 16th of January, about Eight Days Since at this Place, where I had returnd to take Charge of my Brigade—In the Present State of the Army I shall continue in my Command lest a different Conduct may prove injurious to the Cause of my Country at this critical Conjuncture of Affairs. However my Inclination may induce me to retire to the Injoyments of...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Writer of the Letter herewith transmitted you, is Chaplain of the Brigade under my Command: He is a Person of extensive Literature, an amiable private Character, and has happily united that Virtue and Piety which ought ever to form the Character of a C[l]ergyman with the liberal generous Sentiments and agreable Manners of a Gentleman. The Merit of the Performance he mentions I am not a...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 14th Inst. I had the Honor of receiving your Letter of the 7th of March and also one of the 8th containing a Copy of One of the 5th of March. I Shall pay a particular Attention to forwarding the Work of the Boats designd for transporting Over, as well as to those which are to be improvd for Defence on Hudson’s River. I have orderd all the Boats & other Craft on the River to be collected...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a Variety of Accounts from New York the Enemy design a Speedy Mov’ment from thence about Thirty Transports are ballast, Cannon taken on Board & Troops marchd from Kings Bridge to the City last Sunday where their Destination is I cannot conjecture from the Informat⟨ion⟩ I have recd, I hope not Up th⟨is Rive⟩r until our Defence is more perfect; I this Moment hear the Fleet Saild the Day...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclos’d an extract of a Letter to me from a prisoner on Long Island, the purport of which you will see. The account there given is correspondant to a variety of transactions which have fallen within the observation of several Gentlemen now with us—who were made prisoners with Major Hammell. I know of nothing antecedent to his being a Prisoner which gave any suspicion of him, but the...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
By my Son from Long Island, yesterday, I learn that Genl Clinton’s Baggage arrivd at Flushing last Wednesday. he was expected there last Thursday; about forty Field Peices had arrivd at Flushing from New York: that the Hessians at Huntington had marchd for Jamaica: that the Dragoons at Huntington had receivd Orders to march to the Narrows; but when they were ready to march were Orderd to wait...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Q. 1. What or whither any Operations can be undertaken with Probability of Success? 2d Shall any Part of this Army move Eastward? 3. Can any Attempts be made on the Posts at New York with a Probability of Success? An. The Number & Strength of the Enemy. The Situation of Genl Sullivan’s Army the Probable Intention of the Enemy in my Opinion ought to be known with greater Certainty before a...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The march of Part of the Troops towards Boston being determind, it only remains for me to give my Opinion in what Manner the Army shall be disposd during the Winter and how they are to be provided with Forage and Provisions. The Security, good Government, and Discipline of the Troops will be best attaind and Promoted in a compact Body, and Bread will be easier supplied in a Station near the...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 26 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I find Capt. George Starr of this Town is appointed by the Board of War to take Charge of the Leather belonging to the Continent, purchase Shoes, Cartouch Bozes [boxes] & other Military Accoutrements, by the inclosd Order you will find the Board have impowerd him to contract for those Articles in Exchange for raw Hides; I am fully Satisfied he will do all that any Man can do in that...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd I send you several Examinations taken of Persons who lately left New York. Ld Cathcart’s Corps I am informd have Orders to sell all except European Horses. I am obliged to continue a few Days longer on the Sea Coasts before I return to Camp; the Small Parties of the Enemy exceedingly distress the Inhabitants in this Vicinity, If a Brigade could be posted near the Coast it would Prevent...
47To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capts. Lockwood and Leavingworth returnd Yesterday from Long Island where they went to meet a Man sent by Capt. Lockwood to New York: this Man left New York last Monday and informs that Part of Admiral Biron’s Squadron returnd to the Hook last Fryday & part on Saturday, that the Norfolk & One Frigate had come up to the City both dismasted in a violent Storm the Fleet met at Sea, that they met...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
the Weather has been so boisterous as has prevented passing the Sound some Days: The inclosd Examination of a Prisoner from Newyork I have sent. A Woman from thence the Day before Yesterday says a considerable Body of Troops are relanded in the City, that She Saw them land last Fryday & Says She was informd the Fleet was returnd whither the Storm had Shatterd so that they were obliged to put...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I last conversd with your Excellency on the Subject of Clothing my Brigade; I receivd your Assurances I Should have my rateable Proportion of the Blankets, Shirts and other small Clothing for my Brigade according to a Return then given in; since which Time I have receivd no Article of any kind; I am sure the great Multiplicity of Business in which your Excellency is ingag’d must have...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last Week on my return from this Place to Camp; but on receiving Inteligence of the Enemy’s moving toward this Place have returnd. the Commander in Chief of the Enemy’s Forces is said to be at Southampton, a Fleet of Thirty Sail of Ships and other Vessels have arrivd at Sagg Harbour through the Sound. Thirty Ships have arrivd Yesterday at Newport; a Fleet of Twenty five Vessels left...