1George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 24 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Hopewell Township, New Jersey, June 24, 1778 . Orders Scott to Allentown to harass enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
2George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 31 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Fredericksburg New York ] October 31, 1778 . Is doubtful about plans of the British. Asks Scott to obtain information concerning British plans for forage and wood. Regrets Scott finds it necessary to resign. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
3George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 5 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 5, 1779 . States urgent need for levies being raised in Virginia. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, [25 May 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 25, 1779 . Affirms that it is essential for Scott to proceed to the South. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
5George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 28 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 28, 1779 . Discusses problems faced by Scott in preparing troops for the march to the South. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 8 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 8, 1779 . Regrets delay in preparing Scott’s troops. States that reinforcements are needed in the South. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
7George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 27 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] July 27, 1779 . Again regrets delay Scott has encountered in organizing men needed in the South. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
8From George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Charles Scott, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The third, Seventh, Eleventh, and fifteenth Virginia Regiments are to compose your Brigade; the duties of which you are immediately to enter upon, and to make yourself master of the true State of those Regiments, as early as possible. The necessity of occupying so many Posts, as we at present do, will prevent your drawing the Brigade into compact order, till further orders; but the Regiments...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to march with the detachment, under your command towards Allen Town, in order to fall in with the enemy’s left flank and rear, and give them all the annoyance in your power. You will carefully collect intelligence as you advance and govern your motions accordingly; and you will take every precaution for the security of your detachment consistent with the objects it is...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 14 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
With the detachment of light troops under your command you are to take post in front of our camp and in such a position as may appear best calculated to preserve the security of your own corps and cover this army from surprise. For the better execution of these purposes you will make yourself master of all the roads leading to the enemies lines. You will keep up a constant succession of...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General and Field Officers of the day, have orders to withdraw the pickets at day-break to morrow morning—Previous to that, you are to assemble Major Lees Corps, and the rest of the Cavalry under your command, and distribute them on the different Roads leading to the Enemys lines, directing them to advance with a view of discovering whether the enemy intend any forward movement—that the...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of yesterdays date this morning. The security of your command makes it in my opinion perfectly expedient to take post five miles above Claps tavern—you should if possible be out of surprizing distance, while your scouts may be made use of to watch the movements of the enemy—I would have you to keep a constant look out on the Sound from the commanding hights near Claps...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of yesterday 9 Oclock is just come to hand; & by the Officer you will receive twenty five Guineas. I earnestly entreat, that you will endeavour to get some intelligent person into the City, & others of his own choice to be Messengers between you and him, for the purpose of conveying such information as he shall be able to obtain & give. It is of great consequence to the French...
14From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of Yesterday. There are three facts contained in it which I would wish you to ascertain if possible. The embarkation of the Troops, their number and destination. The embarkation of the Cavalry, and whether there was a meeting of the Refugees and what was the Business proposed to them. From the correspondence which you say you have now established I hope for information that will...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of yesterday late last night. There are one or two facts with respect to the enemys affairs of great importance to be known which I would wish to have communicated as soon as possible. you will therefore ascertain with certainty and precision whether the forage which they have drawn from the Jersey and by means of the party from Kingsbridge has been stacked in their yards or...
16From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 28 Inst. late last night. You will continue your information of the enemys progress; and by those means which you have set on foot, for the obtaining intelligence from New-york, endeavour to learn as much as possible of their naval force—their number—their sailing—or detachments—All facts of this kind are of the utmost importance to the Count d’Estaing, and every...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday inclosing Capt. Leavensworth’s intelligence—I shall move myself to Fishkill to day, to which place be pleased to send your next dispatches. I have directed the relay of Horsemen to move their present stages to form a communication directly from you to Fishkill. I think your present position rather too near the North River, as there is a possibility that the enemy may...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of Yesterday reached me early this Morning. I am happy to hear of the success of Colo. Butlers enterprize to whom and all the Officers of his party be pleased to present my thanks for their behaviour. I am here for the convenience of reciving intelligence of the motions of the enemy on both sides the River. I am &ca. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
19From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterdays date, and am glad that Capt. Leavensworth has found means to elude the enemys posts—I wish him to use his utmost endeavours to ascertain the truth of the following intelligence transmitted me by Major Gray from Norwalk—“From the 19th or 20th Ulto to the 24th (when his informant left New York) Troops were constantly embarking from the City to the...
20From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your letter of yesterday early this morning. Gen. Gates writes me of the 4th Inst. that “two sailors belonging to Cape Cod, who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night arrived here; they declare, that the British fleet of men of war, sailed ten days ago in quest of the French fleet.” Tho’ I think this relation somewhat improbable, and the fact of such...
21From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 7 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of yesterdays date, one of them last night, inclosing the accounts of the deserters, the other this morning. In your next I would wish you to be as particular as your information will admit of respecting the number of flat bottom boats—the number of transports, and vessels of force in the river, as well as their exact situation. We should know all these things...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I learnt with equal chagrin and astonishment from your letter of yesterdays date, of the new disgrace which has happened to Sheldons horse—these surprises can only be attributed to the unpardonable inattention of Officers—and their scandalous sacrifice of every other consideration to the indulgences of good Quarters—the frequency of them becomes intolerable and demands some exemplary...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 10 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of yesterdays date with its several inclosures this morning. I really begin to have my fears respecting the safety of Captn Leavensworth—I wish his zeal may not have carried him too far into the enemy’s tract. The sentance of death passed by the Court on Elisha Smith of Colo. Sheldons Regiment seems sufficiently clear and well founded—you will therefore be pleased to direct...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by yours of yesterday that Capt. Leavensworth is safe. I hope that the Officer left behind will bring something material. I did not mean to reflect on Colo. Shelden or his Feild Officers, or the Officers of that Regiment in particular for negligence while upon commd. I only wished that the Feild Officers in general would point out to the Subalterns, who usually go upon...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 14 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Charles Scott, 14 Oct. 1778. Scott wrote in his second letter to GW of 15 Oct. : “Your Excellencys letter enclosing the Second Warrant for the Execution of Smith Came safe to hand Yesterday.” Scott had requested further instructions in regard to this execution in his first letter to GW of 13 October .
26From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 15 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The magistrates and select men of Norwalk have entered a complaint against two privates of Capt. Stoddard[’s] company, for violences offered to one of the inhabitants—and for the rescue of Gershom Dorman by Capt. Stoddard, whom a constable had in arrest. you will be pleased to deliver to the civil authority of the State the said Gersham Dorman of Capt. Stoddar[d]s Company and direct Capt....
27From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your letter of yesterdays date late last night. At this moment when every thing among the enemy is in motion and an early knowlege of their movements of the utmost importance—I could therefore wish that those imployed in gaining intelligence would make their returns to you as often as possible—Capt. Leavensworth if he continues so long at a time under cover can be of little use in so...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have three of your letters now before me; two of them of the 15th and the other of the 16th Inst. I inclose you a letter to Colonel Bland respecting the re-inlistment of his Regiment which you will please to have delivered. The measure you have mentioned I believe must be put in practice, in case the men cannot be induced to continue in the service by the common means—The corps is too...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will give orders to your Commissary to supply such small parties of Militia with provision as Genl Morris may judge necessary for the protection of the Farmers whose Situation renders them liable to be interrupted in their farming business—and you will as far as circumstances will allow second the Militia in this duty—by disposing your patroles as much as is in your power for the Security...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of yesterdays date—intelligence becomes more interesting as every day brings us nearer to an important juncture—too much attention therefore cannot be paid to the choice of persons employed in collecting advices of the enemys transactions and designs—and to the directions given them—for governing their inquiries—an enemy is always supposed to be secret as to...
31From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of yesterdays date; if you think the intelligence of the evacuation of Kings bridge and the intermediate posts between that and New York, may be depended upon—it will be proper to order A respectable detachment of horse to move down that way—in order to make more particular inquiries and discoveries of what is going forward—the officer commanding this party...
32From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 20th and 21st. The Serjeant is intelligent and proves beyond a doubt that a large Body of troops have been embarked. The Fleet left the Hook the 19th and 20th. It now remains to find out whether they mean a total evacuation this fall or to garrison New York. let the attention of all your intelligencers and Spies be turned to these points. If they intend to...
33From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of Yesterday inclosing Capt. Walls Report —Be pleased to direct your Spies who go into the City to be very observant of what is doing there—whether the packing up of Goods seems general or only a few people—whether any magazine of Wood or forage is forming and whether they are constructing any works round the City or any where upon the Island. I am of opinion if they intend to...
34From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with yours of yesterday. We have been much deceived as to the fleet that sailed from the Hook the 20th inst. I have certain intelligence that there were no other Troops on board that fleet than the invalids bound for Europe. The transports, that actually have the troops that have been embarked, remained in the Bay of New York the 23d: It is possible that the British Guards, who...
35From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 31 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favours of the 29th and 30th with their inclosures. All the intelligence I can get from every quarter still leaves me in absolute doubt as to the intentions of the enemy. There are two points which would decide more than every thing else, and which are yet quite unascertained—though, they appear to be of such a nature, as to admit of an easy discovery. These are—the...
36From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 5 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of yesterdays date, with its several inclosures to acknowlege; and those of the 2d Inst. and the 31st Ulto. It is not my desire to detain you longer than the time necessary for making the proper communications to the officer who is next in command, and who will succeed you till I may find it proper to make another arrangement. You will therefore open to him the train of obtaining...
37From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 7 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of yesterday. I had not the least conception that Colo. Gist’s Comm[issio]n was older than Colo. Henley’s and I yet think there must be some mistake. But be it as it may, I never had any intention of giving him the command when you quit it. If Gist will not be satisfied where he is at present, I must recall him. As Colo. Henley will have the command, you may begin immediately...
38From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 8 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 7th with its inclosure last night thro’ the hands of Cornet Wells with whom it was sent. I think you had better advise the person who communicates to withold his name from his letters or else to assume a false signature. But I do not see the necessity of any name so long as the writing is known by the parties. The letter which accompanies this will procure the stay...
39From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 14 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your favor of yesterday, and one by Colonel Grahams. When Colonel Grahams was up here I received from Count d’Estaing a number of declarations to the french inhabitants of America, addressed to them in the name of his most christian majesty Each of The gentlemen who were at table got one of those declarations—As I do not think it proper they should be made public by me in...
40From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency Governor Henry having requested that a General Officer might be sent to the State of Virginia to superintend the recruiting service and that some of inferior Rank might also be sent to take charge of the Recruits when collected and march them to Camp, I have appointed you to that service and inclose you a list of such Officers already in Virginia upon command and Furlough as are...
41From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 22d March. I hope the difficulty respecting the Cloathing which is to be furnished to the Recruits before they leave the State will be got over, as I understand that a quantity has been sent from Philada for that purpose—I make not the least doubt but that you will exert yourself in having the men collected and marched off for the Army with as much expedition as...
42From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 5 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 24th Ulto and was sorry to receive such unfavourable accounts respecting the Levies. The exigency of the service requires they should be in the field as soon as possible. I am now to inform you that the original intention of bringing those levies to reinforce the army here is changed and that they are destined as a reinforcement to the Southern...
43From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 12 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 28th Ulto. I am sorry that it was not in your power to give timely notice to the Officers who were designed to aid you in the collection of the Troops—and well pleased with your detention of such others as you met with in the state, th’o not destined for the particular service in which you are engaged—The event was sudden and therefore the inconveniences which have...
44From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 12th informing me of the enemy’s incursion into Virginia and the measures you were about to take in consequence at the request of the Governor, which I entirely approve—Before this, you will have been informed that your destination with the new levies and reinlisted men is to reinforce the Southern army—This appears to me a point so essential that I would not...
45From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favour of the 15th Inst. dated at Williamsburg. In my Letter of the 25th I have given you my sentiments on that line of Conduct which I thought most expedient in the present aspect of our Southern affairs—I have nothing more perticular at present, and would refer you to that Letter. I am sir your most humbe servt Df , in Caleb Gibbs’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick...
46From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your several favours of the 18th & 27th of May one without date and one of the 10th instant —At the same time that I am satisfied your best exertions have not been wanting I cannot but lament the difficulties you have met with. The services of the men at this critical period are so essential, that every moment is precious and every possible step ought to have been taken to...
47From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 8 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 20th of June —I can only repeat my chagrin that so much delay attends the preparations for the troops under your command—Such a reinforcement to the Southern army at this instant might give a decisive turn to the fate of affairs in that quarter—The want of it may perhaps involve very affecting consequences—I rely upon your utmost activity to get the troops on...
48From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favour of the 29th. I can only still lament the difficulties and delays you encounter and wish them at an end—The troops with you could they have arrived in time would have been a most valuable reinforcement to the Southern army and the want of them may be attended with very disagreeable consequences. Charles Town seems to be in a most critical situation and its fate...
49From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 17 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 20th & 26th ulto. You will find the several matters contained in the former sufficiently answered in a letter which I wrote to you upon the 27th July. I am pleased to find by your last that you had at length a prospect of getting the remaining Troops equipped, and I hope that the account of the Enemy having left Charles Town will not damp your exertions nor...
50From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 19 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
It gave me pleasure to hear by yours of the 28th ulto that 400 Men were equipped and nearly ready to march to the Southward. I hope as the sickly season is now declining that many of the remainder will be ‘ere long fit for duty. You will be pleased to send them on as they recover: For although we have the greatest reason to flatter ourselves that the enemy will be crushed for the present in...