1George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 9 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Bergen County [ New Jersey ] October 9, 1780 . States that the idea of a tour of Europe with Franklin after the war would be tempting if domestic affairs were not so urgent. Asserts that the American military and political situation is such that the country can only be saved by either peace or money from America’s allies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
2George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 10 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 10, 1780 . Regrets “that this campaign has not been productive of such important advantages as we had reason to flatter ourselves.” Is “not sanguine about any enterprise, which is connected with maritime dispositions.” Approves detention of Colonel Christopher Greene’s regiment. Sends news of execution of Major John André. Df , in writing of H, George...
Contents of Letter to Congress Approves the reduction to 50 regiments. Proposes as the basis of the reduction a half pay establishment for life, or making the half pay for seven years whole pay, to be paid one half in a year after the conclusion of peace, the other half in two years after that. Regiments to consist of one Colonel where the old colonels are continued or one Lt Col Commandant...
4George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 11 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] October 11, 1780 . Approves of resolution for the Army establishment with certain reservations. Recommends either half-pay for life or full pay for seven years for all officers. Approves the number of regiments planned, but recommends an increase in the number of men and officers in each regiment. Makes suggestions concerning the cavalry and artillery. Believes...
5George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 12 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 12, 1780 . Agrees that Rochambeau should ask to have his “present park” doubled. Will send particulars about British embarkation as soon as they are ascertained. Df , in writings of Richard Varick and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 13, 1780 . Informs Congress that Baron von Steuben is going to Philadelphia “to obtain some determination on his department.” Reiterates recommendation that Congress assist von Steuben. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
7George Washington to Francisco Rendon, 13 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 13, 1780 . Acknowledges receipt of Rendon’s letters. Wishes Rendon success in proposed expedition. Will forward details of the British expedition as soon as they are received. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Rendon replaced Juan de Miralles as Spanish agent in America.
8George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 14 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 14, 1780 . Approves of Rochambeau’s plans for winter quarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
9George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 15, 1780 . Sends letters concerning proposal for a “Resident Commissary of Prisoners.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
10George Washington to Sir Henry Clinton, 16 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] October 16, 1780 . Complains about severity with which Charles, Earl Cornwallis, and Francis Rawdon-Hastings punish inhabitants who assist British deserters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Francis Rawdon-Hastings, Marquis of Hastings.
11George Washington to Colonel John Lamb, 16 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Totowa, New Jersey ] October 16, 1780 . Regrets that Lamb’s presence at court cannot be dispensed with. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
12George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Totowa, New Jersey ] October 18, 1780 . Discusses Greene’s new command in the South. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
13George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 18, 1780 . Acknowledges Heath’s assumption of the command at West Point. Approves of measures Heath has taken. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
14George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 18 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 18, 1780 . Sends details of the sailing of British expedition. States that expedition’s objective is rumored to be either the South or Rhode Island. Reports arrival of a fleet from England. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
15George Washington to the Board of War, 21 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 21, 1780 . Asks Board to explain what is meant by “the line of the army.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
16George Washington to Sir Henry Clinton, 21 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] October 21, 1780 . Discusses proposal for a resident commissary of prisoners. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
17George Washington to Major David S. Franks, 21 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 21, 1780 . Discusses proposed court of inquiry into Franks’s conduct. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
18George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 21, 1780 . Directs Heath to appoint a court of inquiry to examine the conduct of Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick and Major David S. Franks. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
19George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] October 21, 1780 . Has permitted Captain Lewis Garanger to experiment with the artillery at West Point before recommending Garanger to Congress for appointment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
20George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick, 21 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 21, 1780 . Discusses procedure of proposed court of inquiry into Varick’s conduct. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . Has been directed by Congress to order a court of inquiry into Gates’s conduct as “Commander of the Southern Army.” States that Major General Nathanael Greene has been instructed to take over Gates’s command during inquiry. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . Orders Greene to assume the command of the southern army until an inquiry has been made into Major General Horatio Gates’s conduct in the southern campaign. Orders Greene to appoint the court of inquiry. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
23George Washington to Colonel Charles Harrison, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . Orders Harrison to proceed south with Major General Nathanael Greene to reorganize the corps of artillery. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Harrison was a colonel of the First Continental Artillery.
24George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . Has appointed Major General Nathanael Greene to assume command of the southern army until completion of inquiry into Major General Horatio Gates’s conduct. Recommends Greene, but states that the difficulties which Greene will meet can be overcome only with Congress’s support. Asks Congress to approve sending Baron von Steuben south to reorganize the...
25George Washington to Abraham Skinner, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . Directs Skinner to propose exchanging Brigadier Generals William Thompson and Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Major General Benjamin Lincoln for Major General William Phillips and Baron von Riedesel. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
26George Washington to Baron von Steuben, 22 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 22, 1780 . States that, if Congress approves, Baron von Steuben is to march south with Major General Nathanael Greene. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27George Washington to John Mathews, 23 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] October 23, 1780 . Will comply with Mathews’s request concerning Mrs. Mathews as soon as situation permits. Discusses southern situation. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Mathews was a member of Congress from South Carolina.
28George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 24 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 24, 1780 . Approves of McDougall’s entering Congress as a delegate from New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
29George Washington to Comte de Rochambeau, 24 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] October 24, 1780 . Approves of Rochambeau’s sending the Duc de Lauzun’s cavalry to Connecticut for the winter. Sends news of captures by the French fleet and describes British fleet in New York harbor. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Armand Louis de Gontaut Biron, Duc de Lauzun.
30George Washington to the Board of War, 25 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Totowa, New Jersey ] October 25, 1780 . Distrusts information that was given to board by a supposed British deserter who may well be a spy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.