1From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I recd yrs of the 3d Inst. Since Genl Heath, by his retreat to White plains, has given the Enemy time to recover themselves, I do not know at this Time what can be better done in that quart. than adopting the Plan you propose of crossing over to the East end of Long Island & destroying the forage. I am so fully convinced of the Good Effects of this Enterprize, that I have ordered it...
2From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you on the 8th Int. I have been compelled from the spreading of the Small pox in our Army to submit to the necessity of Innoculation, & have accordingly ordered all the Continental Troops now here & coming from the Western States, to be innoculated immediately on their Arrival—You will therefore give Orders for the Innoculating the Connecticut Troops; and as Govr Cook is...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 10th instant, and thank you for the Attention you shew to the Completion of the Eight Continental Battalions to be raised in your State. I doubt not but the people prefer inlisting in the small coasting Guards who are to stay at home, rather than in the Regiments, but this inconvenience must be submitted to for it would never do to have the continental Regiments detatched...
4From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 19th Feby accompanied by one from Mr Jonathan Welles in behalf of his Nephew Major Welles who was made prisoner on Long Island. I am obliged to give the same Answer to this request that I have given to many others of the same Nature and that is, that I have endeavoured to avoid all imputations of partiality in negotiating the Exchange of prisoners, and therefore constantly...
5From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 23d February, & 6th March. So far from allowing the Goods brought off from Long Island to be sold for the Captors or rather plunderers, that if you had not assured me the Officer delivered up all the Goods to you and seemed to think he acted for the best, I should have ordered him to be tryed by a Court Martial for disobedience of Orders. But I desire he may be...
6From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Samuel Holden Parsons, Enoch Poor, and James Mitchell Varnum, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Situation of our Affairs again compells me to call upon you in express, and positive Terms to hasten the Troops of your State (those Inlisted for the Continent I mean) to Peeks Kills, or head Quarters, without one moments loss of time. I do not mean by this to interupt the Inoculation of them; but, that nothing which can facilitate the March of the whole, or part (under proper Officers)...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Letters of the 20th & 29th Ulto will convey evident proofs to you, of my extreme sollicitude respecting the Assembling of our Troops—& yet, as I have but too much reason to believe that dissipation in some, and the comfortable enjoyment of domestick pleasures in others, have had an unhappy Influence upon the Conduct of the Recruiting Officers, I must again repeat the urgent necessity there...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 8th March, Those of the 4 & 6th likewise came duly to hand. I wish you had sent the Cover of the letter of mine that you suspect had been opened and put under a fresh Cover, as by comparing the direction with the hand writing of the Gentlemen of my family, the matter would have been reduced to a certainty, and the fraud, if any, might perhaps have been traced. I am...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23–25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favor of the 15th Instant. One of the Detachments you mention, I presume was that under Lieutt Colo. Butler, who arrived here the latter end of last Week. The Other has probably stopped at Pecks Kills agreable to directions lately transmitted General McDougal, till further Orders. This I was induced to direct, ’till the designs of the Enemy became unfolded and so...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 2nd Instt and am happy to hear, the order for drafting of men, is likely to be attended with so much success. The loss of the Stores at Danbury, is to be regreted, but I cannot consider it, in the important light you seem to do. Those at Derby are to be removed, by a Resolve of Congress, and I hope, the work is begun ’ere now, having wrote Generals...