1To George Washington from William Smallwood, 6 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
Commodore Brook who will address this acquaints me that you desired him to request me to inform you of the Circumstances of Mr Stromats taking out a Warrant to affect Vacancy contiguous to your Lands on this Side the Patowmack —I know very little of the Situation and Courses of your Lands or the adjoining Vacancy—but since Stromat took out his Warrant I have understood from Mr Dunnington the...
2To George Washington from William Smallwood, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Letter dated the 28th December last, and agreeable to your request, communicated the Objects contained therein to the Delegates of our State Society of the Cincinnati—and to obviate a possibility of failure in the communication, requested them to acknowledge the receipt of my Letters by the earliest Opportunity. I have anxiously waited for an Opportunity of contriving...
3To George Washington from William Smallwood, 29 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter dated the 24th of October miscarried—I did not receive it untill the 27th Inst.—as you will observe by the inclosed Letter from Genl Gist—I have now the Honour of embracing the earliest Opportunity by Capt. Howe of transmitting the Proceedings of the Society of the Cincinnati of this State. I received Letters from General Heath and the Baron de Steuben on the Subject Matter of the...
4To George Washington from William Smallwood, 22 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I shoud be glad to be favored with your Orders respecting the Troops now in this State—there remains near two hundred—composed partly of Recruits and Soldiers who came from Carolina this Spring—General Greene having compleated one Regiment there sent in the residue—and all those whose Term of service was near expiring—these latter I have discharged upon the expiration of their Terms of service...
5To George Washington from William Smallwood, 9 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed a Return of the Troops at this Station, by which you will observe the number marched, and remaining sick in Hospital and Barracks; exclusive of the recruiting Parties, and such recruits as I have had no return of. The detachment embarked on the 5th Instant for the Head of Elk, they were without Tents, bare of blankets, shirts and some other articles of clothing, but I directed...
6To George Washington from William Smallwood, 27 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was not honored with your favor, dated the 1st of Septr, ’til yesterday, which appears by the Post Master’s mark on the cover, not to have been received in his Office in Phila, till the 18th. Your Orders with respect to moving the Troops shall be complied with as soon as possible; I will send them off immediately, if Vessels can be procured to transport them, to the Head of Elk, from whence...
7To George Washington from William Smallwood, 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor wrote from Newburgh without Date—and shou’d sometime ago have anticipated your Requisitions, by laying before you the Information you require—but was first solicitous to have a Detachment nearly ready for marching, which the want of Cloathing and Equipments has prevented. As you seem desirous of obtaining regular Reports of the progress I have made, and a minute...
8To George Washington from William Smallwood, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Greene in his late Requisitions, was very pressing for Men to be forwarded—I have near two Hundred who I wish to march immediately, but cannot without Supplies of Blankets, Cloathing, and Equipments can be obtained from Philadelphia, for which I have made application to the War Office; these I also applied to the State for, in January, and repeatedly since, but without effect, and I...
9To George Washington from William Smallwood, 18 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Favor dated the 6th Instant, and regret much that the Commands are so filled—and that Circumstances will not admit of my having the Pleasure of joining you in the Enterprize below—especially as I see no possibility of pushing the recruiting Service shortly, with any prospect of Success—for want of Specie, or some other Medium that would circulate, to engage the Men, if...
10To George Washington from William Smallwood, 26 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry I had not the satisfaction of falling in with you whilst in Virginia; after the third Regiment had been dispatched below Dumfries on their way to Fredericksburgh, I did myself the pleasure to wait on Mrs Washington at your Seat in Expectation of meeting you there, but your taking that Route being doubtful, I proceeded to George Town on my way to Baltimore, hoping to fall in with you...
11To George Washington from William Smallwood, 4 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that since I wrote you on the 1st Instt. I have received arms and Accoutrements for the 4th Regiment and about one Hundred of the 5th and the State promise to make every exertion to forward Supplies of Cloathing after the Troops into Virginia which induces me to order them to March early Tomorrow Morning with all possible dispatch to join the Marquis as they...
12To George Washington from William Smallwood, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that the third Regiment was detained beyond my Expectations, for want of Equipments, they marched to join the Marquis on the 28h of August, but are yet deficient one hundred stand of Arms, and upwards of two hundred Blankets, The arms I have procured, and shall forward with all possible dispatch—some Cloth has been received which is now making up into Blankets to be...
13To George Washington from William Smallwood, 9 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I have been in this State I have been peculiarly embarrassed—not only in raising Men—but in equipping them—The acts of the State and her Finances have been utterly incompetent towards compleating her Quota, which I am well assured might have been effected, could Money have been advanced—and the Public Acts calculated to promote the recruiting Service—Impressed with a just sense of the...
14To Thomas Jefferson from William Smallwood, 10 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo: Harrison will address this, who commands the first Continental Regiment of Artillery, composed of Men from the States of Virginia and Maryland, to him I would beg leave to refer you for a true State of the Regiment, which is now much reduced. I need not mention to you the Merit of a Corps which has so often distinguished itself, nor the Expediency of filling it up, to which purport I...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The above is an Extract of the last Letter I have received from Colo. Richardson on the Subject of his Rank & Resignation, which you will observe fixes the latter on the 22d October 1779—and relinquishes Pay and Subsistence from the first of March last—but in a Letter antecedent to this (dated the first of July) on the above Subjects, he intimates, that he should wish to relinquish his Pay and...
16To George Washington from William Smallwood, 13 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Smallwood, 13 Aug. 1779. On 15 Aug., GW wrote Smallwood: “I have received Your Letter of the 13th.”
17To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
In reply to the Propositions stated yesterday by your Excellency to the Board —after considering the Circumstances of our present Situation with respect to our Supplies of Provision—the unfinished State of the Fortifications at West Point—our present Strength & that of the Enemy—I think it inelligible to attempt any active Operations against their Main Army on the East Side of the North River...
18Council of War, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Middle Brook April 10th 1779. Present The Commander in Chief[,] Major Genls Sullivan[,] Greene[,] Ld Stirling[,] St Clair[,] D’Kalb, [Brigadier Generals] Smallwood[,] Knox[,] Woodford. The Commander in Chief states to the Council, that since the last meeting of Commissioners on the subject of an exchange of Prisoners, the result of which is contained...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The within is a State of the Officers present & Absent in the seven Regiments of our Line now on this Ground—It also specifies the Officers recommended as Persons best qualified for the Recruiting Service, by their Respective Commandants who they think can be spared, tho you will observe it will leave some of the Regiments very thin of Officers —I have endeavored in drawing out these Officers...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 9 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our Field Officers desire me to request your Opinion on the following Questions, as they judge the Resolve of Congress of the 24th November to be silent thereon. Does a Title to Promotion, upon a vacancy previous to the 16 Sept.—76, give Rank from the Time such Vacancy happend, & ought to have been filled, whether the Party acted in it, under Brevet or otherwise? If it does, are the Officers...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 11 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 11 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Smallwood on 12 Feb. : “Upon considering the contents of your letter of yesterdays date—it appears to me proper that they shd be communicated to Baron de Kalb.”
22To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I recieved your favour dated the 1st Inst., and in pursuance of your Order have directed Lieut. Hugoe of the fifth Maryland Regiment to repair to, and take Command of the Soldiers in the Shoe Factory at New Ark, and have given him proper Instructions for this purpose, he Marches down Twenty of the Nine Months Men, who have inlisted in that Regiment, as they are altogether from the...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I waited on you the other Evening, before your departure to Philadelphia, I found you too much engaged to impart my Sentiments on two Subjects, which I have ever had in view to mention at the close of the Campaign—There are Circumstances in my present Situation, which have long wounded my Feelings, & have become so injurious, that they must I fear force me (tho’ with Reluctance) to quit...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Marbury Quarter Master of the first Maryland Brigade waits on you to obtain an order for Clothing and Blankets for my Brigade agreeable to the Inclosed returns, which the troops are in extreme want off particularly Blanketts, the want of which has already Subjected many of our Men to sickness, and from the Approaching cold weather cannot Longer be dispensed with, part of the first, and...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Two of the Questions stated yesterday by your Excellency to the Council respecting Detatchments being sent towards Boston, & against the Indians & disaffected on the Frontiers of this State, being determined, require no farther Observations or Reply. The Uncertainty of the Enemys Views—their Strength, & superior Advantages to effect Speedy Operations—The present State of, and the disciplining...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am clearly of opinion no movements or Opperations in this army ought to be undertaken, ’till we can with more Certainty ascertain the designs of the Enemy, which from their present Manœuvres, and the aspect before us, is difficult to limit, with any degree of precission, so as to render our movements secure, or to hold up any great prospect of success; they must have had two objects in view...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I think an enterprize against the Enemy in their present Situation in Philadelphia, would be impolitic, and avail nothing, as they either have it in view to evacuate the City upon an Attack, or throw in a reinforcement, both which would be practicable and in the attempt much might be risk’d, which if crowned with Success, would not afford any material Advantage. From a Comprehensive view of...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed you the proceedings, and Sentence of a Court Martial on the tryal of Capt. Norwood, it gives me much pain to trouble you with such business, when I am sensible your engagements are pressing, and your time taken up with bussiness of much more Importance, but from pure Motives of Public good, I find myself constrained to trespass on you thus far, to prevent in future the Service...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Horse you required are forwarded, the troops ariv’d here last Night, and I hoped to have had the pleasure of seeing you in Camp to day, but the weather proving very wet, will Delay our getting up ’till Tomorrow—Capt. Lansdale has just return’d & also Mr Thornton, you’l observe below the Number of Ships, and where Anchored, they bring Intelligence of; which I believe may be depended on, as...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 5 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had Intelligence yesterday afternoon from Newcastle, that upwards of one Hundred Sail of Transport Ships lay off reedy Point, the Admiral off New Castle, & that upwards of fifty Sail more pass’d down yesterday; I have not heard from that Quarter to Day, I have understood that a draft of Marines from each Armed Vessel was ordered up to Philadelphia, and Capt. Rumford informed me four Sloops...
31To George Washington from William Smallwood, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Smallwood, 2 June 1778. In his letter to Smallwood of 5 June , GW mentions “your last of the 2d Inst., with which I w⟨as⟩ favoured.”
32To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 30 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Prisoners of War I shall send of to Lancaster early in the morning, and the tories I shall take the most elligible method of disencumbering myself off immediately. It appears from a letter which I recd from Colo. Hollingsworth on the 27th Inst. that there are a Number of Stores remaining yet at the head of Elk, but if Mr Wade has forwarded the Waggons which I directed, and they have been...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Waggons not returning from moving the tents ’till yesterday and the weather proving wet on Wednesday, prevented my Marching that day, but we arived here yesterday after having got all the Quartermaster and Commissaries stores under way before we left Wilmington, we have taken a possition about a mile back of Chads Ford but are not fix’d being about now to reconitre and fix upon an...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon rect of your favour of 23d Inst. late at Night, the next morning early I gave orders Immediately for the removal of such Stores and Baggage as were retain’d here, to one Bells between Kennett Square and Chads-ford, proposing to take a position on the most Advantageous ground between Gibsons & Chads-ford, as nearly opposite to Dilworths as the ground wou’d Admit, which position not Knowing...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd your favour of the 25th Inst. & am happy to find the Measures I had Adopted have in a great Measure Coincided with your views and the Possition you have recommended, I had just finished my Letter to send by Mr Fitzhugh, shall send the Express off with him —I hope my reasons for remaining here thus long will Suffice for deviating from your orders in not Marching Immediately as...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 22 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Officer detach’d to Annapolis has just return’d with dispatches from Governor Johnson which I now forward ⅌ Express & it is with pleasure I am led to acquaint you that I think the full Complement of your requisition will shortly rendevous at the head of Elk. Three Hundred recruits have ariv’d here within this three days and near as many more expected daily—Colo. Pope has swept Bomba Hook &...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19–20 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your orders I sent Capt. Norwood to obtain a List of the Stores at the head of Elk, who returned this Evening with the Inclosed Lists from Hollingsworth, Rodolph & Huggins who could give no Acct of the Stores in the Peninsula below and at Charles Town, but Colo. Hollingsworth informs Capt. Norwood there were near as much more at those Stages & that he daily expected Several...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have dispatch’d two Officers one to Governor Johnson at Annapolis & the other to the head of Elk for the purposes you required the result of which upon their return shall take the earliest opportunity of Communicating and in the Interim the troops shall Constantly be held in readiness to move at a Minutes warning. Just before I recd your favour I had wrote you yesterday, The party detach’d...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed you the Proceedings and sentence of a Court Martial against one Jetson a person who for some time past has been not less dreaded, than fam’d for his Infamous Practices of Piloting the Enemy in the Night and Aiding them in kid-napping the more virtuous Inhabitants, particularly those who have Manifested an Attachment to, & have been active in Support of the Common Cause, and...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 5 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
By this Opertunity, I transmit the Inclosed Letters, & Mr Franklins Accts of Provision, Cloathing & Cash, furnish’d our Prisoners by him, to be Address’d to Mr Boudinot, which were handed me to day by Lieut. Croxall who has obtain’d his Parole for a Fortnight —to day there was two men of War, Eight Transport Ships, & two Schooners with some Troops on board pass’d by here, & it is said there...
41To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 27 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 27 April 1778. On 30 April, GW wrote Smallwood , “I have been favord with yours of the 27th Inst.”
42To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 17 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 17 April 1778. On 18 April, GW wrote to Smallwood , “I have this moment recd yours of yesterday by Capt. patton.”
43To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 13 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of Yesterdays Date, & your Orders shall be strictly complied with respecting the choice of Officers and Men who may be best qualified to execute the Service you have in view. I have no Baggage or Stores here but such as cou’d readily move in the Regimental Waggons at half an hours warning with the Troops—but if you view our Detention here necessary, ’till the Stores...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a letter, I fancy from Governor Johnson, forwarded by the bearer hereof Mr Burrell who informs me that he left his son about fourteen Months ago with his Brother about 12 Miles above Philada upon the Schuylkill to Learn the Bleaching trade, his Brother having taken refuge with the Enemy Carried his son without his Privity with him & having understood that his brother sent the boy...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 31 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Evening of the 29th I was favored with yours of the 28th Inst., Mr Richmond copying my Ltr omitted the Date, & my being much hurried prevented my adverting to the Omission. You must have been misinformed respecting the Quantity of Hay remaining between Chester & this Place; pursuant to your Original Orders directing my taking post here &c., I have drawn chief of our Supplies of Forage &...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed you Depositions &c., relative to the Treatment of the British Prisoners Captured in the Brig Symetry during their Stay here—shou’d have transmitted them before, but have waited in expectation of obtaining Colo. Gunbys, Captns Godmans, & Learmonths De-positions, which would have been very material, as they were privy to the whole transactions from the Time of the Brigs Capture,...
47To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 26 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, c.26 Mar. 1778. GW wrote Smallwood on 28 Mar. , “I was yesterday favd with yours without a date, inclosing the proceedings of a Court Martial held upon Colo. Hall of Maryland.” The usual time of passage for letters from Smallwood was one day, and Josias Carvil Hall wrote GW on the subject in a letter of 26 March.
48To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 20 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemys Fleet still remain down below Reedy Island, except such Transports as conveyed off the Invalids &c.—various accounts of the Numbers, from 1,200 to 2,000, some are said to have marched down by Land, others to have landed from the Fleet near Salem, they have plundered, and were the other Day carrying off Forage, the Jersy Militia took & sent over here nine of their Seamen, they landed...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
For this two Days past the Enemys Fleet have been passing by here, to amount of 150 Sail, of which there were 70 or 80 Sloops & Schoners, some few flat Bottom and a number of Ships Boats on Deck & in Tow besides—there destination not known, it’s said there are Troops on board, but it is not reduced to a Certainty, if any, they were kept below, as there was no great appearance on Deck—The...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 16 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
There were three Ladies Captured by Barry but he informs no one of the Name of Mitchell they were sent off from New Castle Yesterday with some others having by a Flag obtained permission to send them up by Water in one of our Vessells. We have had the Mouth of the Christiana for some Days blocked up by the Nautilus & some Gallies which has obliged Barrys little Fleet to lye snug here—this...