1From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Resolution of Congress having been transmitted to me—I take this earliest Opportunity to communicate it for your Information. Sincerely wishing you a Restoration of Health, attended with every happiness in your future Walks of Life. I have the Honor to be Sir Your most Obet & humble Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
2From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from Genl Putnam of the 13th ulto he informed me that there were two large Scows and several Gun Boats upon hand and that the timber for two floating Batteries was cut but the work not began. I must beg your attention to the compleating of these several kinds of Craft and to the repairing of any others that may want it. We shall have occasion for the common Boats to transport men,...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your two favors of the 2d & 3d instant with their inclosures have been duly received. It was my intention that your brigade should have reinforced the highland posts in the first instance; however as it was under circumstances on the receipt of the order, which made it expedient for Gen: Huntington’s to march, his need not be recalled; and yours will remain on its present ground till my...
4From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 30th of April & 2nd of May, together with the Proceedings of the Court Marital whereof Lt Col. Gray was President, have been handed to me by Capt. Walther. I hope the Journey you propose will have a happy tendency towards the recovery of your health, & that you will soon be enabled to join the Army again, after your return; ’tho I would not wish you to do it, so...
5From George Washington to Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favrs of the 17th and 18th inst. In respect to the prisoners taken by Capt. Brewster, I shall not think myself justifiable in consenting to any of their exchanges, untill they have been sent to the State of Connecticut for further examination; for from the report made to me by Capt. Brewster and from your account they are a most pernicious and dangerous gang, upon all of whom...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received yours of yesterday—I am happy to hear of the spirited behaviour of the Militia. They have certainly done themselves great honor; if the opposition they give is not absolutely effectual, it serves to discourage the enemy and make them sick of such excursions—I shall be glad to learn they have met with a proper reception at Norwalk. Before this reaches you, you will have...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 26 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your Letter of the 21st Inst. The non arrival of the Arms expected with the french fleet, will occassion a consideral deficiency in that article, and render a supply from the States necessary—I have already made application to Governor Trumbull for two thousand Stand, from the State of Connecticut. It is much to be regretted that the preparations of every kind are...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 6th and am pleased to find that the Legislature are at length taking measures to satisfy their Officers and Soldiers—It is to be wished that their want in respect to Cloathing and other matters could be immediately supplied, but I am in hopes they will wait patiently a while longer, when they see that proper steps are pursuing to make provision for them. I had,...
9From 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...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 13 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
the objects of the detachment under your command are to cover the Country from Newark to Perth Amboy and the Magazines of Forage in the Vicinity—to give protection to the well affected Inhabitants and restrain the others by preventing all kind of intercourse with the Enemy—and to obtain by every means in your power the best intelligenc[e]s of their movements and designs—I leave it to your own...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 18th Feby inclosing your remarks upon Colo. Drakes representation of your Conduct. As I did not chuse to give any determination upon the matter exparte I sent the representation back to Genl putnam that you might see it, and vindicate yourself if any of the charges were not founded in truth. It would appear from your State of the matter, that Colo. Drake and his...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 14th by Maj. Humphry. I have consulted the Surgeon General upon the propriety of those of your Brigade coming on who have not had the small pox. He tells me he does not apprehend the least danger, as there is but one Woman in the whole Army who has it, and she will be removed. The Tents must be ordered to follow as they arrive and untill they do, you must make shift...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was just now favoured with your Letter of the 25th by Major Humphrys. The intelligence communicated by it, is truely interesting and agreeable, and now I shall take occasion, not only to give you my hearty approbation of your conduct in planning the expedition to Long Island, but to return my sincere thanks to Lt Colo. Meigs and to all the Officers and men engaged in it. This enterprise, so...
14From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 28 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
In the conversation I had with you, when I saw you last at Head Quarters; you appeared to be so unalterably fixed in the determination of leaving the Army at all events, that I had in my own mind made the arrangements accordingly—and to prove that I was not precipitate in my judgment; the whole Army had formed the same opinion of your intentions from your repeated & unequivocal declarations on...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letters of the 8th and 16th instant. In cases of resignation the officer is to transmit me a proper certificate of his having settled all regimental or public accounts; accompanied with his commission; which latter will be returned him (if an old commission), with his resignation indorsed. I would observe on that of the 8th—that the security of our army, and...
16From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Three days ago I received your favor of the 2⟨9th⟩ Ulto. I had heard before of Colo. Webbs misfortune through various channels and by Letter from himself; and hav⟨ing⟩ written to him fully upon his request to be exchan⟨ged,⟩ it is unnecessa[r]y to enlarge upon the subject. I shall therefore briefly observe, that I could not consent to it, without doing injury to the Officers who have been much...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 7 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am pleased to hear by yours of the 4th that the State of Connecticut have directed one thousand Men to be added to the number for compleating the Continental Battalions. I have only to repeat my directions to have the Levies forwarded from Danbury to West point as fast as they arrive —that we may lose none of the little time allowed for arranging and training them. By a late letter from...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favors of the 9th from Luddington’s & Redding. It gives me ⟨g⟩reat concern to hear of the ravages of the Enemy. The conduct of the Militia at New Haven does them the highest honor. I had heard of it before thro several channels. I have written to Genl Heath to move with ⟨th⟩e Two Connecticut Brigades towards the Enemy, ⟨b⟩y the way of Crompond in the first instance ⟨a⟩nd...
19From 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...
20From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 14th Instant was forwarded to me in my absence from this place, and met me on my return; since which this is the first leisure moment I have had to attend to its contents. I am sorry to find the evil so deeply rooted—and that the defection is still gaining ground. From its extensive nature & pernicious tendency; I think every measure which policy and precaution can dictate...
21From 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...
22From 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...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
A day or two ago, you expressed a desire to go towards the Sound on some private business—At present you may Unite this object with the public service—It is probable from different accounts the enemy have made an incursion into Connecticut; if so you may be useful by taking the direction of the militia which may be assembling to oppose them, if you can arrive in time—You have therefore my...
24From 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...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favor of the 22 Inst. I wish some positive and clear evidence could have been procured against Mr Hammel. It is painful, to be obliged, at any time, to take away the personal liberty of a subject, on mere presumption of guilt. However I have reasons to expect some further proofs from another hand to justify any vigorous proceedings, which it may be necessary to use. I am &c. Df ,...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The number of Officers who are absent from the Connecticut line on the recruiting service & for other purposes is so great, that those remaining in Camp are scarcely sufficient to perform the necessary duties of it—I entreat you therefore to order on all the latter, and as many of the former as can possibly be dispensed with—Your knowledge of the circumstances, will enable you to point out the...
27From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received Yesterday both Your Letters of that date. The Note Mr Tilghman gave was only intended to authorise Hatfield to meet his Brother once, whom he expressed a desire of seeing and from which occasion he expected he might obtain some interesting intelligence. From the information I have had of the character of this family of people—I am by no means satisfied that they would answer any...
28From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received your favr of the 27th ulto which with its inclosure I have put into the hands of the Secretary at War to be acted upon. I thank you for your kind congratulations upon our late success to the southward, which as you observe, if properly improved, must be attended with most important advantages—I would wish you and every other Gentleman of influence to exert yourselves with the...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is probable that the public may have occasion or at least wish to know at some period—the extent of the Enemy’s depredations and cruelties; indeed it is right that the World should know ’em. I therefore request that you will endeavour as far as Opportunity will permit to ascertain, as precisely as you can, what number of Houses they have destroyed in their expedition up the sound,...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 18 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 7th inclosing a letter from the Revd Mr Dwight to whom I have written upon the matter proposed by him. I am sorry to hear that any seeming inconsistency in my letters should among other things have retarded the execution of the Works, but if you will revert to my letters of the 2d and 27th of Decemr you will find that my orders were express to keep the Troops,...
31From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Below you will receive a copy of my last dated the 5th to which I will add a thought which has occurred since the writing of it, & which if the Scheme is practicable at all may add not a little to the success namely to let the Officers & Soldiers imployed in the enterprize be dressed in red and much in the taste of the British Soldiery—Webbs Regiment will afford these dresses & it might not be...
32From George Washington to Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Walker has communicated to me some discoveries made of a plot among the tories of Stratford and Fairfield Counties of which I have directed him to give you the particulars. It seems a clue has been found to it which if rightly improved will enable us to detect the affair in all its extent and punish the principals and their accomplices. I need not observe to you of how dangerous a...
33From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 25th Ultimo, I consented to your detaining some of the Continental troops to execute the expedition you proposed to Long Island. I have now to desire in the most positive manner, that you send on as fast as possible all who are not absolutely necessary for that purpose, and as I am morally certain, that till the field officers are forced from their scenes of ease and dissipation...
34From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favoured with your Letter of the 11th of March, on the subject of your retiring from service on certain conditions—therein Mentioned. I have without delay referred your application to the Secretary at War; which is now the only proper Channel thro’ which all business of this kind can be negociated—in two or three days I shall set out for the North River, where I shall expect...
35From 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...
36From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 July 1777. Parsons’s letter to GW of 16 July is docketed in part: “Answd 17th 777.”
37George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 1, 1777. Orders all troops not needed for the Long Island expedition to Peekskill, New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Parsons was in New Haven, Connecticut, recruiting men for the Continental Army.
38From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Lamb informs me that there are some men in the Connecticut line who had been inlisted for three Years who would now reinlist for the War in the Companies of Artillery raised and adopted by the State, but that you did not conceive yourself at liberty to allow such a measure without order. I am clearly of opinion that if those Men will not reinlist in the Corps of Infantry to which they...
39From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 15th inclosing the order of your Governor, founded upon a Resolve of Congress for detaining two of the Continental Battalions in Connecticut. My Letter of the 17th, fully expresses my opinion upon the impolicy of this measure, of which I am more and more convinced. From some late accounts, I have good reason to believe that the Enemy do not expect an early...
40From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 28 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 11th and 15th instant came duly to hand with Lieut. Jackson’s and Ensign Tuttles resignations. I have on several occasions expressed my sentiments on the policy of preventing as much as possible all plundering parties. I would only observe on the present that the Officers are to persue my former instructions on this head which I beleive extends to all cases where the...
41From 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...
42From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will find by my last letter of the 11th instant, that I considered the circumstances of your brigade on the receipt of my orders for its march, as a sufficient reason for the measure you took on the occasion. I mention this in answer to your favor of the 6th instant. In case the brigade is at its old post, you will continue it there, agreeable to my instructions on this subject—but should...
43From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I learn from undoubted authority that General Clinton Quarters in Captn Kenedys House in the city of New York which you know is near Fort George and by the late fire stands in a manner alone. What Guards may be at or near his Quarters I cannot with precission say & therefore shall not add any thing on this score least it should prove a mis-information—but I think it one of the most practicable...
44From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 27 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favor of Yesterday—and am very sorry to observe its Contents—I can think of no Mode more elegible, than to transmitt the Letter, with some Observations on the probable Consequences, to the State of Connecticut—This Mode I shall pursue—and hope that the State, on further Consideration, will do all the Justice to their Line, that they have a Right to expect. With much Regard...
45From 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...
46From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 18 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 16th—I am fully of opinion that those people who undertake to procure intelligence under cover of carrying produce into New York, and bringing out Goods in return, attend more to their own emoluments than to the Business with which they are charged, and we have generally found their information so vague and trifling, that there is no placing dependance upon it....
47From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 21st instt from New Haven came safe to hand by Colo: Henley to which mine of the 20th instt is an answer, so far as relates to inoculation. I am very glad to find, that to morrow is the day fixed on for the completion of your Regiments; but I begin to think, that with respect to the continent at large, it is almost a matter of moonshine, whether they are completed or not,...
48From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th April has been duly received with its several inclosures. I am pleased to find every thing wear so much the appearance of preparation for motion. I shall take immediate measures with Genl Knox to have the deficiencies in the arms, and accoutrements furnished the Troops in your quarter. At the same time I cannot help regreting that so great deficiencies should occur...
49From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured yesterday, with your Letter of the 11th Instt. I wrote Govr Trumbull fully, on the 11th and then informed him, that no part of the Troops exacted from the State, could remain there. This Letter, I presume, has reached the Governor, and I trust, the observations contained in it, would satisfy him of the necessity, of drawing the whole Troops together. I think with you, that the...
50From 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)...