351General Orders, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
At a General court martial whereof Lieutenant Colonel Forrest was President held by order of the Honorable the Board of War in Philadelphia the 6th of December 1780. Mr Thomas Dewees Barrack master was tried on the following charges vizt: 1st “Neglect of duty.” 2d “For a partial distribution of wood.” 3d “For undertaking an office he was not qualified to hold having never taken the Oath of...
352From George Washington to John Franklin, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Sir Henry Clinton has at length consented to the mutual establishment of Agents for prisoners, who are to reside in New York, & at Lancaster in Pennsylvania or at such other place as the Bulk of the British prisoners may be —Mr Pintard, who formerly acted as Agent for us in New York, has declined returning in that Capacity, as his family has come out of the City, and he has made arrangements...
353From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 13th reached me this day. I have ever been of opinion, that the reduction of the post of Detroit would be the only certain mean of giving peace and security to the whole Western Frontier, and I have constantly kept my Eye upon that object; but such has been the reduced state of our Continental Force, and such the low ebb of our Funds, more especially of late,...
354From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Bainbridge the Wife of Peter Bainbridge has laid before me some papers respecting the proceedings of Capt. Eggleston of Colo. Lee’s Legion on the case of their son Peter Bainbridge which carry the face of a most extraordinary and unwarrantable kind of conduct—But as it is impossible to decide ex part⟨e⟩ I have by the inclosed referred the Matter to Major General Greene commanding the...
355From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to put a Captain with a full Company in readiness to march to Wyoming to relieve the Garrison at present there. If you have not already sent up to Newburg for the Cloathing of the Brigade, you will do it immediately and by the time the Cloathing gets down and the Men are ready, I will forward orders for the Captain who is to go upon the command—You will let me know the name...
356From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 25th as I did that of the 10th. I think your precautions for the security of your Camp very good—Tho’ I hope, if the Enemy have made a detachment equal to report, which say 2000 to 2500, you will be quiet in your Quarters. You are more in the way of gaining intelligence from New York than I am, and I shall be obliged to you for procuring as much as you can, and...
357To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 28 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 13th: reached me this day. I have ever been of opinion, that the reduction of the Post of Detroit would be the only certain mean of giving peace and security to the whole Western Frontier, and I have constantly kept my Eye upon that object; but such has been the reduced state of our Continental Force, and such the low ebb of our Funds, more especially of late,...
358General Orders, 29 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Master General will make an immediate and exact return of all the public Boats on this part of the river describing the kind and size and how they are employed—He will arrange them under four heads vizt Good—Bad—Indifferent and Irrepairable. He will also as soon as possible make a similar return of all the public Boats at Albany and its dependencies. Varick transcript , DLC:GW ....
359From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 29 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The State of Virginia have determined to undertake an expedition, which I have ever had in view, and which I wished to carry into execution by a Continental force—but you are sufficiently acquainted with the situation of our Affairs, both as to Men and supplies, to know that it has been impossible to attempt it—It is the reduction of the Post of Detroit—His Excellency Governor Jefferson...
360From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 29 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th came safe by the Doctr, who set out this morning for Philadelphia. I had, previous to the receipt of it, and without knowing that the Board of War had given any direction respecting the Armory at Albany, requested the Governor to exempt (if he could do it with propriety) the Citizens who were employed in it, from Military Services in cases of alarm, and had written to...
361From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 29 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 21st—Had I the power, I have not the means of supplying the Officers with Blankets, as we shall with difficulty make up a sufficiency for the Soldiers. Inclosed you have the instructions for the Officer who is to go to Wyoming—You will be pleased to fill up the Blanks left for his name and deliver them to him, with the letter for Colo. Zebulon Butler, who commands...
362General Orders, 30 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
363From George Washington to Captain Alexander Mitchell, 30 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will march as soon as possible with the Company under your command, by the most convenient Route, to Wyoming upon Susquehannah, and upon your arrival there deliver the inclosed to Colo. Zebulon Butler, which contains an order to deliver up the post to you and to join the Army with the Men at present in garrison there. You will as soon as possible not only make yourself acquainted with the...
364General Orders, 31 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The new arrangement of the Army pursuant to the Resolves of Congress of the 3d and 21st of October and published in General Orders of the 1st of November following is to take place tomorrow. The General orders a jill of Rum to be delivered to each of the soldiers who remain in service upon the occasion. Returns to be made to the Adjutant General immediately of the Ranks which the regiments now...
365Questions and Answers about York Island, 1781 (Washington Papers)
Questions: 1 How many Batteries are there between Laurel hill & Fort Tryon, along the line of Pallisades? Answers: Only one which is commanded by the Work on Laurel Hill—it has four 18 pounders in it. 2 Are they all open Batteries? It is open in the Rear. 3 Are they under the command of the close redoubts?—and could the men allotted for their defence remain in them if an Enemy was possessed of...
366Washington’s Observation Respecting the 1781 Campaign, 1781 (Washington Papers)
If the Count de Grass should arrive before the expected reinforcement reaches New York—more especially if he brings a land force of 2000 Men—or can possess himself of the harbor of New York. We ought to prosecute the operation against New York with the Men we have & the chance of obtaining more. If on the other hand a reinforcement of 2000 Men should come from Virginia before the French fleet...
367Estimate of the Enemy’s Force, January 1781 (Washington Papers)
c. January 1781 . In the first section of the document, which he headed “Estimate of the Enemy’s force at New York Jany 1781,” GW recorded the name and strength of each British, German, and Loyalist unit known to be in the New York area: two battalions of British grenadiers; two battalions of British light infantry; four battalions of Hessian grenadiers; the British 22d, 37th, 42d, 43d, 54th,...
368George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 1, 1781 . Instructs Pickering to set up plan for replacement of lost military articles, to provide the necessary “provision of tents, camp kettles and other articles for the next campaign,” and to check into behavior of the corps of artificers. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This letter is misdated, as H did not return to...
369General Orders, 1 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the present the Massachusetts regiments are to be formed into three Brigades under the Command of Major General Howe. The Regiments of the 1st 4th 7th and 10th Colonels are to compose the first or Glovers Brigade—The Regiments of the 2d 5th and 8th Colonels make the second or Patersons brigade and the 3d 6th and 9th will be the 3d brigade. The Connecticut Line and those of New Hampshire...
370From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 1 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have but a moment to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of this date. I beg of you to charge Lt Edes to be attentive to the Water Guards about Verplanks point—and the Guards at West point to the Order I requested you to Issue, relative to Boats passing after Tattoo. The perspective delivered by Lt Edes belongs to me—which with the other articles (supposed to be Humphreys’s) had better be...
371From George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 1 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The tranquility of winter quarters and the important change about to take place in our Military establishment offer a favourable opportunity to introduce system and order into the Army: and to effect a reformation of the abuses, which may have imperceptably crept into the several departments. That our circumstances require parsimony in the distribution of public stores, and the strictest...
372From George Washington to Major Benjamin Whitcomb, 1 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Honble the Congress having by their Resolves of the 3d and 21st of October ordered the reduction of the several independent Corps of the Army among which yours is included—and directed that the Officers belonging to them should retire upon half pay for life and the Non Commd & privates be delivered over to the State Lines to which they respectively belong —you will, in obedience thereto,...
373General Orders, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial held by order of the Honorable the Board of war at Philadelphia the 13th of November last Colonel Febiger President Lieutenant Abraham Wood of the invalid regiment was tried for “His conduct unbecoming an officer and a Gentleman by keeping a tippling house and shuffle board and entertaining Soldiers.” The Court after maturely considering the Charges exhibited against...
374From George Washington to Brigadier General Mordecai Gist, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am pleased to hear, by yours of the 15th ulto, that the Legislature of your State are making spirited exertions and preparations agains⟨t⟩ the next Campaign. This seems to be the prevailing disposition, but I fear the means which have been generally adopted, for procuring Men, wil⟨l⟩ not answer. Where there is an alternative of Money or Men, the former will be preferred by the Classes, as...
375From George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The diminution of our force, by the discharge of the Levies, obliges me to call in all Continental detachments of the Army, not absolutely necessary, at remote posts. You will theref⟨ore⟩ immediately upon the receipt of this, march with your Regiment and any new Recruits which may have joined, to that part of the Army which lays in the neighbourhood of Peekskill, and with which you will be...
376From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have gained information, thro’ the Channel upon which I most depend, that the embarkation which sailed from New York the 20th of last month, consisted of about sixteen hundred Men, chiefly detachments from the British—German and new Corps. I hear of no intire Corps but the Queens Rangers. Arnold commands. We have various reports, thro’ the New York papers and our own, of an...
377From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 21st ulto, in which Congress have been pleased to refer, the propriety of granting Genl Starkes request to them, to me. His Health is undoubtedly so much impaired, that he has been able to do but very little duty the preceding Campaign, and retirement, for a time, seems therefore necessary. Congress will either direct his return to the...
378From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I had last the honor of addressing Your Excellency, the Embarkation which had been some time preparing, and which had undergone several changes; has sailed from New York. The Fleet, including the Convoys consisted of thirty two Sail, and left the Hook the 22nd Ulto. By the best information I have been able to obtain, the Light Infantry & Grenadiers, with some other Troops, which were at...
379From George Washington to Francisco Rendon, 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
It was with great satisfaction I received the polite Letter, which you did me the honor to write on the 26th Ulto—but at the same time I sincerely condole with you the Misfortune which has happened to the Spanish Fleet that was destined against Pensacola: I hope however that the Transports may be reassembled without loss, and that the Expedition may Yet prove successful. On the 22nd of Decr...
380From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency of the sailing of the Embarkation, which I mentioned in my Letter of the 13th of December. The Fleet consisting of thirty two Sail, left the Hook on the 22nd Ulto with a Detachment of about Sixteen hundred Troops on Board, under the command of Arnold. It is conjectured they are designed as a further reinforcement to the Southern Army, which is said to...
381To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had last the honor of addressing Your Excellency, the Embarkation which had been some time preparing and which had undergone several changes has sailed from New York. The fleet, including the Convoys consisted of 32 Sail, and left the Hook the 22 Ulto. By the best information I have been able to obtain The Light Infantry and Grenadiers with some other Corps, which were at first under...
382From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 3-4 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I this day, at Noon, recd yours of the 2d in the Morning, by Major Fishbourn, who has given me a full account of the unhappy and alarming defection of the Pennsylvania line. The Officers have given convincing proofs that every thing possible was done by them to check the Mutiny upon its first appearance, and it is to be regretted that some of them have fallen sacrifices to their Zeal. I very...
383General Orders, 3 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
384From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 3 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of Yesterday; And as I conceive it will be necessary for the security of the Posts below, & to prevent the Enemy from attempting a surprize, to have a Capts. Command for the Water Guard—I would have Capt. Welles continued on that service with his Detachment. In consequence of Colo. Hays information that there are considerable quantities of Flour on the River, which...
385From George Washington to Charles Pettit, 3 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
New Windsor, 3 Jan. 1781 . GW has received no information regarding the remaining half of the proceeds due him from Pettit’s sale of his bills of exchange on the commissioners at Paris, France. GW reminds Pettit that he was to have deposited the money in the Virginia loan office, taking out the certificates in GW’s name as attorney for George Mercer. He asks Pettit to procure the articles...
386From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 3 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s favor of the 19th of December. Since my last, which was on the 23d of December, I have gained intelligence, thro’ a channel on which I can depend, that the detachment which sailed from New York the 20th of last Month consisted of about 1600 Men, and was chiefly composed of drafts from the different British—German—and provincial Regiments. The Queens Rangers...
387General Orders, 4 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
388From George Washington to George Clinton, 4 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely sorry to acquaint your⟩ Excellency ⟨that an event of a most alarming⟩ nature, but ⟨which I have long apprehended would⟩ happen in some part of the ⟨Army, has⟩ taken place in the Pennsylvania ⟨line cantonned⟩ near Morris Town. General Wayne ⟨informs me⟩ that on the night of the 1st instant a M⟨utiny⟩ was excited among the non Commissioned officers ⟨and⟩ privates—several officers...
389General Orders, 5 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Captain Lieutenant Hubbell of the 2d regiment of artillery is appointed Paymaster to the same from the 1st Instant vice Captain Lieutenant Guion who declines that appointment. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
390Circular to the New England States, 5 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is with extreme anxiety and pain of mind, I find myself constrained to inform Your Excellency, that the event I have long apprehended would be the consequence of the complicated distresses of the Army, has at length taken place. On the night of the first instant a mutiny was excited by the Non Commissioned Officers and Privates of the Pennsylvania Line, which soon became so universal as to...
391From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose you the Returns of Colo. Sheldons Regt of Cavalry agreeable to your letter of the 23d Novemr last and have the honor to be with great Respect Gentn Yr most obt Servt You have also the Returns of Moylans. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The enclosed returns have not been identified, but the board wanted information on the...
392General Orders, 6 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General has the pleasure of communicating to the Army the following interesting and agreeable pieces of Intelligence which have been received from Major General Greene. On the 20th of November Brigadier General Sumpter was attacked by Colonel Tarleton the famous British Partizan at Black Storks on Tyger river in south Carolina—Tarleton made three vigorous charges in the two first he was...
393From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 6 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress must have been long ere this, informed by General Wayne of the Mutiny of the Pennsylvania Troops on the 1st instant, and I have no doubt but he has kept them regularly advised of what happened afterwards. I have heard nothing particular from those troops, since they reached the neighbourhood of Somerset Court House, at which place they shewed some signs of a better disposition than at...
394General Orders, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
395Certificate on Rank Dispute, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I certify that, in the dispute of Rank between Majors Hull and Cogswell, which was ultimately determined in favor of the former, there was no personal preference to Major Hull, but that his succession to the vacant Lieutenant Colonelcy depended solely upon the established principles of promotion, he having been considered as an elder Major than Major Cogswell from the time of the new...
396From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to observe on the subject of your Letter of last Evening, that altho I am not very sanguine in my expectation of the success of the Enterprize proposed, yet I think in our present circumstances it will be adviseable to encourage it. Col. Hull may therefore have permission to make the attempt in conjunction with the Militia, but I would not advise the destruction of any...
397From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed, with the dispatches with which you are charged, to the Governors of the States of Connecticut—Rhode Island and Massachusetts and to the President of New Hampshire. You are acquainted with the subject of those dispatches, in which, the Gentlemen, to whom they are addressed, are referred to you for a more particular account of the situation of the Army—the causes of discontent...
398General Orders, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Rank of the Massachusetts regiments under the new establishment of the army having been determined as follows. No. of the Regiment Commanded by 1st regiment Colonel Vose 2d Lieutenant Colonel Sprout 3d Colonel Greaton 4th Colonel Shepard 5th Colonel Putnam 6th Lieutenant Colonel Smith 7th Lieutenant Colonel Brooks 8th Colonel M. Jackson. 9
399From George Washington to Major General William Phillips, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 18th and 23d of December. Soon after the Passports for the Flag Ship were sent to you, I was informed by the Governor of Virginia, that there had been a necessity of removing the British Troops of Convention to Fort Frederick in Maryland; I therefore, in answer to his letter, desired him to give permission to the Ship, upon her arrival in James River, to...
400From George Washington to Abraham Skinner, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 5th with a return of the Exchanges which were effected at your last meeting with the British Commissary. You are at liberty to send in the Firewood to our Officers who yet remain upon Long Island, but as we have no Agent at present in New York, you will endeavour to see that it is properly appropriated. In regard to those persons holding Commissions in the Militia,...