51George Washington to Major General William Health, 1 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 1, 1777. Discusses arrival of Du Coudray. Approves of removal of military stores. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston. Philippe Charles Jean Baptiste Tronson du Coudray. By an agreement with Silas Deane, Du Coudray was to receive the rank of major general. Although Congress rejected this agreement, he did receive this rank in August, 1777.
52George 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.
53George Washington to Charles, Earl Cornwallis, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 2, 1777. Remonstrates against murder of William Martin. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress; Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. For details of Martin’s murder, see H to John Jay, June 2, 1777 .
54George Washington to John Hancock, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook Camp [ New Jersey ] June 2, 1777. Encloses news from Northern Department. Deplores deficiency of troops. States that Colonel Elias Boudinot is going to Philadelphia to discuss exchange of prisoners. Df , in writing of H; last line and postscript in writing of Robert Hanson Harrison, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Boudinot was commissary general for prisoners,...
55George Washington to James Lovell, 4 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 4, 1777. Discusses the qualifications of Lutterloh. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lovell was a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress. Major Henry Emanuel Lutterloh who was employed in the quartermaster’s department.
56George Washington to Charles, Earl Cornwallis, 6 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 6, 1777. States that all supplies for prisoners must go through Colonel Elias Boudinot’s hands. Assures Cornwallis that the greatest care will be taken with these supplies. Is surprised at Cornwallis’ reasoning concerning the murder of William Martin. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. See H to John Jay, June 2, 1777 .
57George Washington to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 7 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 7, 1777. Censures Webb for overdrafts of clothing. Orders Webb to march to Peekskill. Df , in writing of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
58George Washington to Colonel Charles Armand, 11 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey ] June 11, 1777. Orders Armand to assume command of Ottendorf’s corps, to expand this corps to a full regiment, and in the future to take orders from Major General Benjamin Lincoln. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Charles Armand-Tuffin, Marquis de la Rouerie, was generally known as Colonel Armand. Nicholas Dietrich, Baron de...
59George Washington to Charles Thomson, 13 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 13, 1777. Encloses copy of a plan for the establishment of a cavalry force. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
60George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 17 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 17, 1777. Describes position at Middlebrook and plans of attack. Discusses probability of enemy attack on the army at Middlebrook and on Philadelphia. Orders Arnold to send on Continental troops. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
61George Washington to Chevalier d’Annemours, 19 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 19, 1777. Discusses advantages of an overt declaration of war by France. Corrects error in estimate of British losses at Danbury, Connecticut. Questions purpose of General William Howe’s recent moves. Df , in writings of Richard Kidder Meade and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Charles François Adrien le Paulnier, Chevalier d’Annemours, was...
62George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 20, 1777. Describes General William Howe’s latest moves. Orders McDougall either to remain at present post or return to Peekskill. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California; Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The draft of this letter is endorsed to Alexander McDougall and Brigadier General John Glover....
63George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 20, 1777. Discusses General William Howe’s latest movements. Reviews orders to Brigadier Generals John Glover and Alexander McDougall concerning these movements. Orders stand-by preparations in case of attack on Ticonderoga. Emphasizes need of continued intelligence from New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
64George Washington to Colonel Thomas Elliott, 21 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 21, 1777. Warns Elliott that any further delay in appearing at Headquarters will result in a replacement being appointed to his position in the regiment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Elliott was a colonel, Fourth Virginia Regiment.
65George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 22, 1777. Orders Putnam to prepare for a probable British attack up the North River. States that enemy has abandoned Brunswick and will probably also leave Amboy. Orders stores to be removed from Fishkill. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
66George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 23 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 23, 1777. Approves of McDougall’s return to Peekskill. States that British are leaving New Jersey. Warns McDougall to expect an attack up North River. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
67George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, 23 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 23, 1777. Regrets inability to supply field pieces. Is pleased with report on quota of troops. Advises Trumbull on exchange of Danbury prisoners. Praises American attack on British evacuating Brunswick. Df , in writing of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Trumbull was governor of Connecticut.
68George Washington to Baron d’Arendt, 25 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Quibbletown [ New Jersey ] June 25, 1777. Grants permission for Baron d’Arendt to visit Philadelphia and advises D’Arendt to consult Congress on plan for Prussian treaty. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Henry Leonard Philip, Baron d’Arendt, commander of the German Battalion at Quibbletown.
69George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 27 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 27, 1777. Appoints Malcom to the command of a regiment. Gives instructions for completion of this regiment. Orders Malcom to the field. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Malcom had been a major and then a colonel of the New York Militia. The regiment referred to in this letter was one of the Sixteen Additional Continental...
70George Washington to the Board of War, 30 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 30, 1777. Discusses disposal of artillery imported in the Amphitrite. Emphasizes need for centralized regulations for procuring supplies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The first of Beaumarchais’s supply ships.
71George Washington to Tronson du Coudray, 30 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 30, 1777. Countermands order from Northern Department demanding guns. Discusses disposal of artillery that arrived on the Amphitrite. States that Tousard is to return to Du Coudray, and that French engineers will be sent to Du Coudray. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lewis Tousard, captain of artillery in the French army....
72George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 1 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] July 1, 1777. Reports news of attack on Ticonderoga. Warns of probable attack on Peekskill. Orders Clinton to call out militia to defend the area around Peekskill. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
73George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, 2–4 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] July 2–4, 1777. Approves of suggested exchange of prisoners, but states that Colonel Elias Boudinot must first be consulted. Refuses request for arms. Discusses probable British moves and American plans to counteract these moves. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
74George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 4 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 4, 1777. Discusses Drummond’s breach of parole. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lee was a prisoner of the British in New York City. Lord James Drummond.
75George Washington to John Rutledge, 5 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 5, 1777. Approves of Rutledge’s and Brigadier General Robert Howe’s decision not to attack St. Augustine. Discusses British failure to move against Philadelphia. Speculates on whether the center of the next British attack will be the Hudson River or Philadelphia. Describes American plans to counteract either move. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers,...
76George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, 7 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 7, 1777. Speculates on purpose of attack on Ticonderoga. Warns Trumbull that British may attack eastern states rather than advance up North River. Gives permission for use of arms from Springfield arsenal if Connecticut is attacked. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
77George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 12 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pompton Plains [ New Jersey ] July 12, 1777. Orders Putnam to keep Brigadier General John Glover in readiness to march to Ticonderoga, to send Brigadier General John Nixon’s men on to join their brigade, and to forward field pieces to Major General Philip Schuyler. Warns of possible attack by Sir William Howe on Peekskill. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
78George Washington to Tronson du Coudray, 13 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pompton Plains [ New Jersey ] July 13, 1777. Discusses disposal of the artillery imported on Amphitrite. Says that Du Coudray is wrong in assuming that Mauduit du Plessis is aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Henry Knox. States that, as Du Coudray does not yet hold an official position, original arrangements for artillery will continue in effect. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers,...
79George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 13 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pompton Plains [ New Jersey ] July 13, 1777. Discusses supplies sent to Schuyler. Is astonished that there has been no word from Major General Arthur St. Clair. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
80George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 17 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 17, 1777. Is pleased with capture of Major General Richard Prescott. Will try to exchange Prescott for Major General Charles Lee. Praises conduct of Lieutenant Colonel William Barton. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Barton was a lieutenant colonel of the Rhode Island Militia. Congress, because of the part he played in the...
81George Washington to Colonel Thomas Elliott, 18 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 18, 1777. Orders Elliott to appear at Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, who indorsed on the verso Washington’s decision: “in Six or Seven weeks from this time if he does not come on must expect to be superseded” George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
82George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 18, 1777. Requests Smallwood to join Army at Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
83George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 22, 1777. Asks for accurate report of British movements on Long Island Sound. Requests information on posts around Kings Bridge and Fort Washington. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
84George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 22, 1777. Is sending Brigadier General John Glover’s brigade to reinforce Schuyler. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Although the partially erased signature of H can be seen on the draft, this is without a doubt a Washington letter.
85George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 24 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 24, 1777. Is disappointed in number of militia sent to Schuyler. Regrets inability to send Schuyler more Continental troops, but believes Schuyler will be aided by eastern states. Discusses strength of enemy. Is sending Major General Benjamin Lincoln to aid Schuyler and to command militia. Approves of stationing men about the New Hampshire Grants. Suggests putting...
86George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 24 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 24, 1777. Orders Sheldon to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Sheldon was a colonel of the Second Continental Dragoons.
87George Washington to William Franklin, 25 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 25, 1777. Expresses sympathy with Franklin’s request to see sick wife. Regrets that commanding general cannot supersede a congressional resolution, but has forwarded Franklin’s letter to Congress. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Franklin, the last Loyalist governor of New Jersey, was at this time imprisoned in Connecticut because...
88George Washington to John Hancock, 25 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 25, 1777. Introduces Monsieur D’Avout. LS , in writing of H, Papers of Continental Congress, National Archives.
89George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pompton Plains [ New Jersey ] July 25, 1777. Reports that Philadelphia is probable destination of enemy fleet. Orders Putnam to replace part of Continental troops at Peekskill with New York and Connecticut militia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
90George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 26 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Lott’s [ East of Morristown, New Jersey ] July 26, 1777. Orders Bland to halt at Bristol, Pennsylvania, or Trenton and then proceed to Philadelphia if enemy is in Delaware Bay. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
91George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 27, 1777. Disapproves of requisition of arms for proposed St. Johns expedition. Approves of Heath’s methods of dealing with deserters. Requests Heath not to send French volunteers to Headquarters, as their pretensions to office are “embarrassing.” Reports that British fleet’s destination is probably Philadelphia. Orders Continental troops sent to the Northern...
92George Washington to Robert Erskine, 28 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Flemington [ New Jersey ] July 28, 1777. Offers Erskine position of geographer with the Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Erskine was a civil engineer operating a mine at Ringwood, New Jersey.
93George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 28 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Flemington [ New Jersey ] July 28, 1777. Believes that appearance of enemy fleet off Little Egg Harbor is proof that its destination is Philadelphia. Orders Mifflin to reconnoiter area around Philadelphia, and to obtain “drafts … of the Country.” Presents possible plan for stationing of American troops. Recommends baking of large quantities of hard bread. Df , in writing of H, George...
94George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Chester [ Pennsylvania ] August 1, 1777. Orders Greene to hold men in readiness to march and to give the necessary orders to quartermaster general and commissary general respecting provisions and forage. States that British fleet has departed from the Delaware. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Although H’s crossed-out signature can be seen on the draft, this...
95George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Chester [ Pennsylvania ] August 1, 1777. Warns of probable attack on Highlands. Discusses orders given to Major General John Sullivan and Governor George Clinton to aid Putnam. Instructs Putnam to ask aid of Governor Jonathan Trumbull. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
96George Washington to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 3 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 3, 1777 . Orders De Borre to remain at Bound Brook until enemy arrives at “the Hook” and then to proceed to Peekskill. Condemns De Borre’s execution of a Tory. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. De Borre arrived in America in March, 1777, and enlisted in the American Army as a volunteer. He resigned in the same year.
97George Washington to Brigadier General Francis Nash, 3 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
City Tavern [ Philadelphia ] August 3, 1777. Orders Nash to hold troops and vessels in readiness. Df , in writings of Richard Kidder Meade and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Francis Nash, Brigadier General in the Continental Army from North Carolina, died October 17, 1777, of wounds received at Germantown on October 4.
98George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] August 4, 1777. Forwards Congress’ appointment of Gates to the command of Northern Department. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
99George Washington to The New York Council of Safety, 4 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 4, 1777 . Warns of danger of popular attitude toward fall of Ticonderoga and the advance of General John Burgoyne. Does not wish to aid Northern Department by weakening main Army. Laments lack of aid that has been given by the eastern states, but is assured that presence of Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Major General Benedict Arnold will induce a change. Advises that...
100George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 6, 1777. Notifies Gates that De Malmady has been given permission to serve under Gates in Northern Department. LS , in the writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City François, Marquis de Malmady, was a colonel in the Continental Army.