1From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 8 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have now the pleasure to congratulate you upon your exchange—The certificate of it will be transmitted to you by the Commissary of Prisoners—Majrs Bailey and Jackson are also exchanged. I do not mean by this notice to hasten your return to the Army, for that alas! is upon the eve of its annual dissolution & consequently of the Enemys advantages—I am of opinion that your influence, and...
2From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 11 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 25th & 28th of last Month, and it gives me very great pleasure to find that you are appointed to a Committee the subject of whose deliberations you are so well acquainted with—and it adds not a little to my satisfaction to hear, that it is generally composed of Gentlemen remarkable for their good sense & patriotism, at a time when there never was greater...
3From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 9 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 25th of December. If prejudices will still prevail against experience, the fatal effects of temporary inlistments must be endured to the risque, if not the ruin, of the cause. The discontents and jealousies arising from this source have at length broke out in the Pennsylvania Line as you will have been informed by General Knox before this...
4From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 10 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your Letters of the 7th 17th & 25th of Janry—The distractions in one part of the Army, and distresses in the other, have engaged me so far as to prevent my acknowledging them until the present time. In addition to the perplexities occasioned, in the first instance, by the revolt of the Pennsylvania Line—the subsequent arrangements for quelling the Insurgents, if...
5From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 21 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have lately been obliged to make so large a temporary detachment, that it becomes indispensibly necessary to call in the Recruits from the States nearest at hand. You will therefore be pleased to dispatch orders to the superintending Officers to send forward, to the Army, such as may have come in to the places of rendezvous, and to exert themselves to collect and send in any which may yet be...
6From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th. I am glad to hear of Colonel Laurens’s departure—He wrote to me a few days before he sailed and mentioned in the warmest manner your exertions to get the Ship mann’d —The few Continental soldiers you spared on the occasion were well bestowed considering the importance of Colonel Laurens’s mission. By a Resolve of Congress of the 4th of January, the Board...
7From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Every day convinces me that the Enemy are determined to bend their force against the southern States, and that we must support them powerfully from this Quarter, or they will be lost. Except such support is given in time, it will be ineffectual—The enemy will not only have established themselves in posts, but in the affections of many of the people. The pennsylvania Line is already ordered to...
8From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 21 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 2d and 13th Inst. Major Clarkson has communicated the Matter for which I am referred to him in your last. It seems a clue which may lead to an ample discovery of what has been some time suspected, provided the Emissary is sincere. But Major Clarkson cannot tell me whether he proposed to make himself known to me or whether he is to communicate his discoveries to...
9From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 26th of April and of the 3d inst. I am pleased to hear so flattering accounts of the prospects of Men and of some kinds of supplies, but so great are my apprehensions on the score of provisions, that I am sending General Heath purposely to the Eastern States to represent our distresses and to endeavour to fix a plan for our regular supply in future. I refer...
10From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 13 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Pleasure to write you under the 11th May ulto—which went on by the Hand of Maj’r Genl Heath, who was instructed with a particular Commission to the Eastern States—In that Letter I mentioned your comg on to join the Army. Least the above Letter should by any Means have misscarried, I take this Opportunity to mention my Wishes to you again—& to request you will be pleased to...
11From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The object of your present command consisting of two Regiments (formed into 4 Battalions) under the command of Colo. Scammell and Lieut. Colo. Sprout—of a detachment of artillery under the command of Capt. Burbeck—of the Corps of Watermen under the command of Major Darby, and the Water Guard under the command of Capt. Pray, is to attempt the surprise of the enemy’s posts upon the North End of...
12From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 2 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your favor, and have only to express my wish that you will cross as soon as possible & take possession of the Heights of Kings Bridge so as to support the Duke de Lauzun & prevent the Enemy from attempting to cut him off by that way or to prevent their retreating if they are out. I shall be at Valentines Hill in Mile Square by tomorrow morning if practicable. I am...
13From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just been informed the Refugees have been impressing Horses to day—If they have any design, it is against our Piquets, this hint will be sufficient to excite unusual vigilance. I am Dr Sr DLC : Papers of George Washington.
14From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 6 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
On perceiving that I should be under the necessity of drawing down the Continental troops from the State of New York, I wrote upon the 25th of June to General Fellows desiring that 600 Militia (part of the quota required from the State of Massachusetts) might be marched from the Counties of Hampshire and Berkshire and those contiguous to them to Albany and take their orders from the Officer...
15From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The detachment under your command is to march to Springfield in New Jersey by two Routes. The left Column with which you will go is to be composed of the Light Troops and York Regiments (if Courtlands should get up in time) and four light Feild pieces with the Baggage of these Corps. The right Column is to consist of the park of Artillery— O’dnance Stores—The Quarter Masters and Commissary’s...
16From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Troops composing the Detat c hment under your Command may, till they are united with the Force in Virginia, be formed into three Brigades—Vizt—The light Infantry, to be commanded by Colo. Scammel, on the Right—The two York Regiments under Brigr Genl Clinton on the Left—& Hazens, Jersey & Rhode Island in the Center. You will march Tomorrow at four oClock in the morning—in two Columns—for...
17From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last Evening I received advice from Gnl Forman of the Arrival of 18 large Ships of War, which were discovered Yesterday morng standg in from the Southward—a Frigate had gone out from the Hook to speak with them—& was retung back again, having sent out a Boat towards them—The Conjecture was that it may be the Fleet of Admiral Hood from the W. Indies—I expect to hear further this Night or...
18From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon Enquiry I have too much Reason to fear we shall not be able to secure Craft eno’ to embark all our Troops, Stores, Baggage, Cannon &ca upon the Water—in which Case some must go by Land—You will be pleased to consult Colo. Lamb, respecting the heavy Cannon, Carriages, Military Stores & Baggage, & find what will be most cumbersome & heavy to transport by land, & let that have the first...
19From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of this Morng—upon Consultation with Count Rochambeau, I find him inclined to march the French Troops by Land from Trenton to Head of Elk—which will give a larger proportion of Craft for the American Stores & Troops. You will therefore, notwithstandg my preceedg Letter, after allotg a sufficient Number for the French Baggage &ca (their Request is Six)—first put on Board the...
20From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
A skilful Navigator, and a man of respectable character should be appointed Commodore—He is to give to each Skipper his Orders—fix signals for the whole to be governed by—to keep them in compact order—run them to Burwells Ferry, or James Town on James River, where they are to debark unless they meet other orders, on the passage—and to return with all possible expedition to Baltimore for the...
21From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Let the Corps of Sappers & Miners be part of the Troops which compose the first Embarkation of our Army. I am sincerely & Affectionately—Yrs Privately owned.
22From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 11 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is to be feared from the Scarsity of the Craft which appears on the Bay—that you will not be able to embark the whole of the Troops on two Trips—of this however you will be the best Judge, upon a Calculation of the Vessels that carry the first Division—& the Number which may be collected at Baltimore by the Time of the second Embarkation—If you should find that the whole cannot be...
23From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 15 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon information of the Sailing of the Fleet from the Chesapeak Bay, I gave Orders for the Troops, which were embarked, to be stopped. Since my arrival at this place, I am informed that the Count de Grasse has been joined by Count de Barras, and having captured two English Frigates, is returned to his former Station at the Capes; on this pleasing information, I have sent forward Count Fersen...
24From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
All the Troops which are about to return to the Northward will be under your Command— and I entreat you to use every means in your power to dispatch them by Land, or Water, or partly by both, as circumstances may require. The Ordnance, and Stores of every kind, must be dispatched, or in such train for it, as to need no further cover or aid from the Troops, ’ere they can move from their prest...
25From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 3 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Troops which you will have under your command are to be Marched, after debarking at the head of the Bay, into the States of New Jersey & New York—Those of New Jersey will take Post somewhere in the Vicinity of Morristown, to cover the Country adjacent, & to secure the communication between the Delaware & North River. The two Regiments of New York, unless the situation of our affairs to the...
26From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 4 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to refer to your attention the inclosed letter from Capt. Swan, particulary so much of it as respects the furnishing three hundred sets of Horse Accoutrements which only want Bits and Stirrups to compleat them. The swords which are the most essential Weapons for Dragoons with their Belts should also be procured if possible. I presume a certain proportion of Cloathing will be...
27From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 5 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the tenor of your private letter of this date, I presume you are unacquainted with my recommendation of General Knox to Congress (at the time Genl Duportail was mentioned to that body by me). If my expressions in his favor were not warm and full, they fell as far short of my intention, as of his merit, and did injustice to both, because I absolutely refused to recommend the latter without...
28From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 9 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
My opinion is that Doctr. Shield should be sent immediately back to York Town, & Colo. Gibson reprimanded for having permitted him to come to this place before leave had been obtained for him to go into New York—Unless Gibson has some appointment unknown to me he can only be considered in the light of a private person having resigned the command of (the Virga. State Regimt) which he formerly...
29From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 21 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 19th inclosing A copy of the Contract for supplying the Post of West point & its dependencies. The quaeries & observations on it which follow are submitted to you. 1st Do the Contractors mean to supply only the Garrison of West point and the dependant Posts Which May amount to 3000 or 3500 Rations? or will they increase the supply to any number of Men Which...
30From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 28 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the Plan of Inspection which you did me the honor to put into my hands yesterday. I have compared it with the draft I sent to you a day or two before—and I return them both with the following observations. Artl 2d Instead of the words "and the Secretary at War" I ask if it would not be better to substitute, "Duplicates of which to be, by them, transmitted to the Secretary at...
31From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 29 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I took up the estimates which you put into my hands for examination, and had made some observations upon them, when finding the calculations run upon 25000 Men instd of the number resolved on by the late Act of Congress, and that my remarks—as you will perceive by the inclosed specimen—were very unimportant—indeed could not be of much use unless it went to the precise Force...
32From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 30 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
You have enhanced the value of the Trophies with which Congress have been pleased to honor me in their Resolve of the 29th of October, by the polite and affectionate manner of presenting them. When I consider how much I am indebted, for this singular mark of public esteem, to the exertions of the General & indeed all the other Officers who accompanied me to that rich Field of Glory to the...
33From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a letter which I recd from General Parsons by the last post—As the business to which it relates arises from a former correspondence between him and the Board of War, I have thought it most proper to refer it to you to be acted upon. I am with Respect and Esteem Dr sir Yr most obt Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
34From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I shall be glad to meet you here tomorrow Evening at 7 OClock on the business of the allowance of servants to Officers. You will be pleased to bring with you any Resolves of Congress or Papers which may be relative to the Matter. Inclosed is a letter from General Mcdougal recommending Docr Ledyard to a continuance in the new Hospital arrangement. I have no particular knowledge of the...
35From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Two things appear to me to be greatly necessary as the basis, and foundation of all the arrangements of the ensuing Campaign—Vizt Effectual measures for filling up the Army, & certain prospects of being able to support it. As the completion of our Battalions as early as possible is a Matter of the utmost importance, and as the success of Recruiting them will depend greatly on putting the...
36From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 31 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
As I do not know of any Gentleman in your State so capable of promoting the Recruiting service as yourself, I am induced to commit to your Care the Dispatches on that subject, & request your attention to it as far as your business will permit. I have also taken the liberty to forward to you the Dispatches for New Hampshire and wish you to address & send them as early as may be to such Officer...
37From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 7 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
The alteration which has lately been made in the system of the Inspectors Department, having left the Department of the Adjutant General, which was blended with it, in a vague & deranged State, it has become necessary that some new regulations & appointments should be made—for this purpose, I wish the enclosed Plan, may thro’ the channel of the War Office, be proposed for the consideration of...
38From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 21 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
In conformity to a Resolve of Congress of the 19th of December last I am to make known to you the number of General Officers which I shall judge necessary to be in the Field in the Main and separate Armies and in different parts of the United States. This at the present moment considering the uncertainty of the operation of the Campaign which will depend not only upon the dispositions of the...
39From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to reply to your favor of the 26th March which was handed me on my way to this place. When the matter respecting the number of Servants to be allowed to the offices of the Army, was taken up by the General Officers, If I am not mistaken, it was the general Sentiment that the indulgence ought to be confined to the officers of the Line, that as the Staff were in general allowed a pay...
40From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 10 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have devoted almost my whole time & attention since leaving Philadelphia to reviewing & examining into the particular state of the Troops which compose the Army under my immediate command—It gave me equal surprize & concern to find that several Corps had not been able to get the new Cloathing compleated, so as to be delivered to the Soldiers, & that the Men were actually in the most naked &...
41From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 12 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received your two Favors of the 8th instant per Mesrs Edwards & Phelps. Respecting the Requisitions of Colo. Carrington; as you are at the Fountain of Intelligence, you are probably better informed than I am & therefore better able to decide on those Estimates than I can at present determine. The Nature of our Operations, you are sensible, must depend greatly on the Views of...
42From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 17 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been favord with yours of the 9th. The same Observations I think will apply to Colo. Sheldons Requisition, as were made to you in mine of the 12th—respectg Colo. Armands Corps—If the Circumstances of the Campaign (wch are yet to be known) should require the full Compliment of Horse, we shall be as able perhaps to procure them some Time hence as at present. I am &c. DLC : Papers of...
43From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 22 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have only time by Mr Eveleigh to acknowledge the rect of your private letter of the 2d & to thank you for it. The moment I am at leizure & a good oppertunity offers I shall write you more fully on the subject. Permit me to recommend the Letters herewith inclosed to your care—if no better oppertunity offers, be so good as to forward them by the first Post. Most sincerely & Affectionately I...
44From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Recipt of your Favor of the 10th instant—inclosing the Resolves of Congress respectg the Pay Master Genl & Department. I never had in Idea when we conversed on the Subject of Contingencies in the Army, & Warrants being drawn by the Commander in Cheif for their payment, that it was to have a Retrospect beyond the Commencement of the present Campaign, or that it was to...
45From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inclose you a Letter from Colo. Vanschaaik—of the 1st New York Regiment—asking a continuation of that leave of absence which Congress before granted him—what that leave was I know not, but I think it absolutely necessary that something should be determin’d on in this matter—as Colo. Vanscaaik has already been absent from the Army near a twelve month. I am Dr Sir &c. DLC :...
46From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 24 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Letter from Governor Clinton, with my Answer to him, you will be pleased to submit to the Consideration of Congress: the Subject will be disclosed by a perusal, from whence you will also observe the Importance of an early Decision. The Necessity of the Case only, grounded on the Govrs Representation, could have induced me to have consented so far as I have done and this...
47From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 25 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your private letter of the 2d Instt came to my hands the 20th by Doctr Craik—I am much indebted to you for the sentimts & calculations contained in it. You have however, if my information & estimation of the Enemys strength in New York is right, fallen a good deal short of their numbers—and if I may be allowed to ground an opinion upon present appearances, information and past experience—I...
48From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 27 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
Finding the Commissioners appointed to liquidate the accounts of Monies due for the maintenance of Prisoners, and make permanent provision for their future support, have seperated without accomplishing any thing; I think it highly expedient that measures should be adopted, at this moment, for taking the German Prisoners of War into our service: as this measure has been considerably agitated, I...
49From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Defines a Ration—& expressly declares, that as a component part, the Commissioned and Staff Officers is to have West India Rum of Merchantable Proof . Non Comd & Privates, Country R. & W. Provides that these Rations shall be issued “in such proportions, numbers & quantities” as the Secretary at War or person appointed by him shall direct. And gives a certain price “for each & every Ration...
50From George Washington to Benjamin Lincoln, 1 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hall of the Delaware Regiment writes me that General Greene has transmitted to the of the Delaware State—Charges against him, of being absent from his Regt since 1778—drawing his full rations of Provisions & forage at his Home and giving furloughs & discharges to Men for compensations in Grain for his own use—he requests me to order him tried at Head Quarters or Philadelphia My answer I...