11051From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Just after I had wrote very fully to you this Morning I recd yours of the 17th. By the inclosed Resolutions of Congress, which came to hand this day, and which are additions and Amendments to the former Articles of War, you will find that every Continental General has a right to carry the Sentence of a General Court Martial into execution in the State in which he commands. And I shall esteem...
11052General Orders, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Complaints have been made by a number of Farmers, and others in different parts of the Country, but especially on the roads between this place and Philadelphia, that the Waggoners, Light Horse, and others, belonging to the Continental Army, have, and do continue to take down the fences of their fields of grain, and grass-lanes [grasslands], which at this season must be attended with...
11053From George Washington to Colonel Richard Gridley, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
This days post brought me your favour of the 10th Inst. The Articles composing Mr Guilds account ( inclosed ) having been delivered while General Ward commanded in Boston, it is necessary that his Certificate should be obtained, when that is done, General Heath will give the proper Order for payment, General Knox having the superintendance of these affairs, will employ Mr Guild if he thinks it...
11054From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I find it necessary to make a new disposition of the forces in the Jerseys—You will please to march all the Militia under your command immediately to this place—upon the Eight[h] Pensylvania Battallion arriving to occupy the Posts you now hold—they have orders for that purpose —Let no time be lost in the execution of this change of disposition. As soon as your troops are ready to march you...
11055From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have wrote to General Herd to march the Militia assembled under his Command to this place —I am about making a new disposition of the Forces and shall give General Herd the necessary Orders upon his arrival here—You will send the 8th Pennsylvania Battalion commanded by Col: Broadhead to occupy the Posts General Herd leaves —You will please to give the Col: all the assistance in your power in...
11056From 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...
11057From George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th Inst. came safe to hand yesterday by Lt Beldin —I shall be sorry to hear that Your disappointment in receiving Money from the Connecticut Treasury has retarded you; That no delay may arise from the want of Money, I have given an Order in your favour for the sum required, Fifteen thousand Dollars, Your Lieutt will receive it here —I hope it is not necessary to recommend...
11058From George Washington to Richard Smith, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands by yesterdays Post in an hour after which, an oppertunity (which I embraced) offered of sending the several Inclosures, therein containd, to the Enemy’s Lines (under cover to Lord Cornwallis, Commanding at Brunswick). Any Letters, which you may have occasion to send, through this Channel, to Sir R. Eden shall be carefully forwarded, by Sir Yr Most...
11059From George Washington to Francis Wade, 19 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Francis Wade, 19 April 1777. Wade wrote GW on an unspecified date in May : “Your favr of 19th Ult. was several days on the way before it Came to my hands.”
11060George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 20 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 20, 1777. Discusses whether enemy plans to attack Philadelphia or move up North River. Reminds Clinton to call out militia. Approves of placing a chain across the North River. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
11061General Orders, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The detachments from the 3rd 4th 10th & 11th Pennsylv: Regiments, now at this place, as also that of Hazen’s, are to hold themselves in readiness to march, at an hours warning, with their Camp equipage and baggage—If any of the men belonging to those Corps are sick, and unable to march, proper persons must be left to take care of them, who are to see that they join the above detachments...
11062From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 18th instant has just now come to hand. Two days ago, I wrote to general McDougall urging it upon him to apply to the Convention of your state in my name to call out the Militia, in order to have as respectable a force as possible, in the quarter where you are to act according to contingencies. I am glad to find that the powers vested in you, have enabled you to anticipate...
11063From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours with the Return of your Division. I observe that the Return of the two independent Companies is much smaller than the last and the deficiency not accounted for. I therefore desire the Captains may be called upon to know what is become of their Men. I also observe that there are eight Men of the Corps under Chambers absent on furlough, I desire that they may be ordered in as well...
11064From George Washington to Colonel Robert Magaw, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Letter of the 6th Instt by Ensign Fernandez. You may be assured, every thing in my power will be done to make our Officers and privates who are in captivity, as comfortable, as their situation will admit: their case has been represented to Congress, and I trust, a remittance will be made in a few days for their use. I had not been inattentive to them before, but it was...
11065From George Washington to Major General Adam Stephen, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The horseman delivered your favour of this date—You will be pleased to order Lieut. Bradford under Arrest, that he may answer the Charge of the Court of Inquiry immediately—Capt. Russell must be called upon to account for his long Absence from his Regimt as well as for having inlisted his Men but for a year —I lament Capt. Conway’s loss; but tho’ my Indignation at such ungenerous Conduct of...
11066General Orders, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
A fatigue party of an officer and twenty privates, to be employed to bury all the Offals in and about the Slaughter House, dead horses, dogs, or any kind of Carrion in and about the town; also to remove all the filth about the Goal—The Deputy Quarter Master General is desired, to be particularly attentive, to see this duty executed in the best manner, otherwise as the weather grows warm, the...
11067From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 14th instant. I shall make it my particular Business to demand Capt. Chase’s Son in Exchange for Mr Hutchinson or Govr Shirley’s Son, as he is certainly justly intitled to it. I thank you for the enquiry you have made after Thomas Rogerson. I am pleased to hear that your General Assembly are determined to take such methods as shall seem to them most effectual...
11068From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your favor of the 20th inclosing Sundry proceedings of Congress. The removal of provisions &c. from the Communication between Brunswick and Trentown, has been pretty well effected already. It was an Object early attended to, and what I recommended to the Assembly of this State, as deserving their interposition and aid; but finding it had not their immediate...
11069From George Washington to Colonel Jedediah Huntington, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 15th instant. If filling up your Regt can be accomplished any thing the sooner by your remaining in Connecticut, a while longer, I have no objection, but you must send one of your Feild Officers forward to Peekskill to receive and form your small detatchments as they come up. I hope the late Measures taken by your Govr and Council to compleat your quota will prove...
11070From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with Yours of the 16th. I refer You to a Letter which I wrote Yesterday to Congress upon the Expediency of forwarding the Troops directly on, to join the Army here. But as it may take some Time to collect and fit them out properly at Bristol, I desire that I may have exact Returns from Time to Time, from the Commanding Officer there of the Corps to which the Detachments belong,...
11071From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 14th Instant. When I wrote to Genl Varnum expressing my surprise that my Orders for innoculation had not been sooner carried into execution, I was not acquainted with the Circumstances that necessarily retarded it. I do not apprehend that there is any immediate danger from the Enemy at Newport, their sending away their Vessels is a plain indication that they mean either to...
11072From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received the favor of your Honor’s letter of the 16th with its inclosures, for which and your attention to the publishing of my Proclamation, I am greatly obliged—I fear all the Militia intended for General Wolcotts Command have not arrived at Peeks kill yet, as not more than eight hundred were there by my last advices from that quarter, and which are of a later date than your...
11073From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Ward, 21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have looked over the Resolutions of Congress relative to the appointments, and Duties of your Department; and find myself at a loss, in the present unassembled State of the Army, to prescribe (as you desire) any immediate rule for the government of your Conduct. At this time, few of the Continental Troops have Assembled, and those which are, we find in so disjointed, and broken a state, as...
11074General Orders, 22 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The detachments of the 3rd 4th and 10th Pennsylvania Regiments, are to form one Detachment, and be under the Command of Major Harmar ’till their respective regiments arrive. This detachment thus formed are to march for Boundbrook, by 6 o’clock to morrow morning, as is also the Eastern Detachment, under the Command of Col. Zebulon Butler—the whole to receive their orders from Major Genl...
11075From George Washington to Captain Caleb Gibbs, 22 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I forgot before you left this place to desire you to provide clothing for the men that are to compose my guard—but now desire that you will apply to the clothier general and have them forwarded to this place, Head Quarters as soon as possible. Provide for 4 Serjeants, 4 corporals, a drum and fife, and 50 rank and file. If Blew and Buff can be had I should prefer that uniform, as it is the one...
11076From 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...
11077George Washington to John Hancock, 23 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 23, 1777. Requests apprehension of a spy. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
11078General Orders, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
11079From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a person sent into Brunswic I am informed that “Genl Skinners Force consists of about 1000 to be joined by some regular Troops and to proceed from Bergen thro’ Sussex and the back parts of the Jerseys when the Troops march for Philada.” I think this Move so probable, as it will give them access to a part of the Country most notoriously disaffectd, that I desire you will post a Body of...
11080From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you the inclosed pieces of intelligence, which I received this day from Genl Stephens, who, by my desire, employed persons to go into New York and Brunswick. I do not put intire confidence in the whole, but the principal reason of sending the intelligence forward is that proper measures may be fallen upon to find out and apprehend Thomas Long, mentioned in General...
11081Orders to Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I would have you leave at this place (out of the Militia under your Command) One hundred Men, or as near that number as have had the Small Pox (Officered agreeably to the resolutions of Congress). You are also to send a Subaltern & twenty five Men to Succasony to guard the Magazines and Stores at that place—agreeably to Orders which the Officer is to receive from the Assistant Quarter Master...
11082From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The following are Extracts of Letters which I have just received from Genl Stephen, and are taken from the information of persons sent into New York and Bruswic. New Ark 22d April 1777. By a person to be depended upon, who left New York Yesterday—A Brigade consisting of the 15th & 17th (not exceeding 700 Men) and he believes the 36th & 4th embarked the 20th at night, and he supposes sailed up...
11083From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Between one & two O’Clock this Morning, I received your Favor of Yesterday’s Date with a Return of the Troops You had sent to Bristol. Those belonging to the 2d 3d 5:6 & 11th Virginia Regiments, You will order to join their respective Corps immediately at the former Post. If the sixty Men, You mention to have arrived on the Night of the 21st are part of any of the above Regiments, You will...
11084From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 24–26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favor’d with two or three Letters from you lately—the last which came to hand was with out date, but containd an extract of Doctr Lee’s Letter to the Secret Comee—and the French Generals Ideas of the Measures necessary for us to pursue in prosacuting the War with G. Britn —for both of which I sincerely thank you, as the communication of such matters cannot fail of having a proper...
11085General Orders, 24 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
11086General Orders, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colonels or commanding Officers of Corps must cause their regimental Pay-Masters to make up their Abstracts to the 1st of this month, and order them to attend at the Pay-Master General’s, for the money—Proper attention to the General Orders of this nature, issued on the 21st of last month, would not only have removed the Complaints of the Soldiers, for want of their pay, too frequently made to...
11087From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14th is this day come to hand, & for the Instructions you require respecting your Cloathing, I refer you to mine of 28th Ulto the receipt of which you now acknowledge. The Mode of exchange you speak of (large Men for small of other Regiments) I have no sort of Objection to, provided, the Men receiv’d & given in exchange are made fully acquainted with the Particulars...
11088From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of yesterday came to hand late last Night. As I have heard nothing further of the Troops that embarked on the 20th I can only recommend it to you to keep a vigilant look out for them. The detatchments that are to come on need not bring Camp Kettles with them, if they are wanted with you, as we have a sufficiency here. I am so well convinced of the Justice of your Remark upon the...
11089From George Washington to the Massachusetts Council, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty in a Letter of the 11th of February, to inform your Honble Board of the augmentation Congress had resolved to make to the Army they voted to be raised in September, and to sollicit your attention and good Offices in promoting the raising of your proportion of these latter Levies. I trusted, that I then urged such reasons for the measure and so clearly shewed the Quota...
11090From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 9th & 14th instants. Upon the Receipt of the first I had no hopes of seeing you in the department which I wished, but by the latter I am pleased to find, that upon a full reconsideration of the matter, you had determined to accept of the office of Adjutant General, provided it had not been disposed of. I am obliged to you for the free manner in which you unbosom...
11091George Washington to John Hancock, 26 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 26, 1777. Gives instructions concerning pay of American prisoners. Discusses conduct and influence of Tories. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
11092General Orders, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
11093From George Washington to Owen Biddle, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of the 19th and congratulate you upon the late discoveries you have made of some of the plans of our internal Enemies, and I hope the Clue you have got, will lead to something more important. I never before heard of Mr Hughes, but upon enquiry, I am informed that he has ever been closely connected with Galloway, that alone is enough to excite suspicion at this time. I shall...
11094From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on the 23d Inst. communicating Intelligence lately received respecting the Enemy’s designs up the North River—A letter from Genl McDougall this moment received, places their Intentions beyond the power of misconception —Several Transports have anchored at Dob’s ferry—& mean, in my Opinion, to divert our Attention, if possible, from their Movements towards the Delaware—At any rate...
11095From George Washington to James Craik, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am going to address you on a subject which may lay some claim to your attention, as I do to your candor in the determination of the proposition. In the Hospital department for the middle District (which District includes the States between the North or Hudson’s River, and Patowmack) there are at present two places vacant, either of which I can obtain for you: The one is Senior Physician, and...
11096From George Washington to Brigadier General John Glover, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
After the conversations, I had with you, before you left the army, last Winter, I was not a little surprised at the contents of yours of the first instant. As I had not the least doubt, but you would accept of the commission of Brigadier, if conferred upon you by Congress, I put your name down in the list of those, whom I thought proper for the command, and whom I wished to see preferred....
11097From George Washington to John Hancock, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honored with your Letter of the 25th with sundry Resolves of Congress. Such of them as are necessary for my government & conduct, I shall strictly attend to. The Money and Bills for our prisoners, had better be transmitted to Elias Boudinot, Esquire, to whom I shall give directions, to adopt ways and means for sending the same, and for a proper appropriation and distribution...
11098From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 16th and am glad to find that you are forwarding on the Troops with expedition. pray be careful to send new Cloaths after those who have marched without them, as the Quantity drawn from the Eastward by the Cloathier General for the southern Troops is not more than sufficient for them. I would not have those detatchments who have already marched by the common Rout...
11099From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 19th inclosing a list of the Feild Officers of your Battalions, with the arrangement of their Rank. I have never received Returns from any of the Colonels, except Colo. price, of the State of their Regiments; if Genl Smallwood is at Annapolis, be kind enough to desire him to collect them, and transmit them to me as soon as possible. I have the Honor to be Sir...
11100From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of yesterday this Moment. In my Opinion it is by no means improbable that the Enemy may aim at another descent upon the Country adjoining the North River; or if they are disappointed in their first design by your late additional strength, they may continue in the River in order to divert our Attention from their real attempt upon Philadelphia: during which Continuance...