1971From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 14th I am in hopes you will execute the whole of your Business without being under the necessity of making a collection by military force. You may make up any deficiency in Flour by Indian Corn or Meal. I am Sir Your most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, TxHU . GW signed the cover. The letter is addressed to Shreve in Burlington County, New Jersey.
1972From George Washington to Col. Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 11 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 11 Mar. 1778. Lutterloh wrote GW c.16 Mar ., “I had allso the honour to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 11 instt,” and Lutterloh’s letter to GW of 10 Mar. is docketed, “Answd 11th Mar.”
1973From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, 20 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
A few days since I was honored with your favour of the 8th instant. It is my constant endeavour to cultivate the confidence of the governments of the several states by an equal and uniform attention to their respective interests, so far as falls within the line of my duty and the compass of the means with which I am intrusted. With a consciousness of this, it is natural that my sensibility...
1974From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was just now honored with your Letter of the 25th inst. The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence is an event so interesting and so unexpected that I do not wonder it should produce in the minds of the people—at least—the well attached—the effects you mention—I am fully in sentiment with you, that the cause leading to this unhappy measure should be fully and minutely...
1975George Washington to Major General John Armstrong, 8 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Pawlins Mill, Pennsylvania ] October 8, 1777 . Instructs Armstrong to send Brigadier General James Potter and six hundred men to intercept British communications between Philadelphia and Chester. Expects to be informed of Potter’s actions. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Armstrong was a major general, Pennsylvania Militia.
1976From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed with the detachment under your command to Dunks’s ferry on Delaware, if you find in your progress the way clear & safe. When arrived there, you will take the safest & most expeditious method of conducting the detachment to fort Mifflin; by water would be easiest & least fatiguing to your men; and if practicable & safe, will certainly be most eligible: otherwise you will cross...
1977[Diary entry: 26 May 1780] (Washington Papers)
26th. Wind fresh from the Westwd. Very warm—dusty & dry—Also hazy with appearances of Rain but none fell.
1978From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 12 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
As there is a large number of horses and Cattle in the vicinity of the enemy which they will no doubt convert to their own benefit—and without making compensation to the owners, the good of the service and a regard to the individuals to whom they belong require that they should be immediately removed. The rules of war justify this precaution and good policy forbids us to leave so valuable a...
1979General Orders, 4 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The sixth Virginia Regiment being ordered to join the Tenth in the Arrangement of the Brigades was a Mistake—it is to continue with the second as usual. All Officers commanding Regiments having men who from their state of health will not be fit for active service in a short time are desired to make a return of them to the Orderly-Office that those proper for the Purpose may be draughted to...
1980From George Washington to Robert Morris, 12 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favr of the 7th Inst. upon the Subject of Tents for this Army. That you might receive proper Information of the Number wanted, I directed the Quarter Master General to return you an Estimate, whose Office it is to provide them. His Report you will find in the inclosed Letter which I beg leave to refer you, and requesting that the greatest Dispatch may be used in...
1981General Orders, 16 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes a general order: “A Corporal & six Men from the Maryland Line to be sent to the Forage Master Generals this afternoon with their Blankets & two Days provision—They are to drive a Number of horses to Lancaster in Pennsylvania” (orderly book, 17 Oct. 1779–22 March 1780, DNA : RG 93, Orderly...
1982From George Washington to Stockbridge Indians, 2 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter by your Captain with your kind Tenders of a Months Service if needed—In Answer I inform you that the Circumstances of the Campaign are such, that at present I have no Ocassion for your Aid—but should Genl Heath find Need of your Assistance, I will be glad you will do him the like Service as you have offered to me, if he shall write to you for that Purpose. In Answer...
1983From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I wrote to Congress a few days ago, I took the liberty to recommend uniting the remains of the late Count Pulaski’s legion—Colo. Armands Corps—and a small troop of Horse under the command of Capt. Bedkin. The whole to be under the command of Colo. Armand. Should Congress determine upon the measure—Colo. Armand wishes the Resolve, for the incorporation of the Corps, should be...
1984From George Washington to John Penn, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favor of the 12th Instant. I was exceedingly sorry for Major Taylor’s resignation—and used my interest to dissuade him from it, as I deemed him a valuable Officer—capable of rendering his Count⟨ry⟩ good Service. But The Major having resigned, I do not see how he can be reintroduced, more especially after so long an absence. Attempts of this sort when they have succeeded,...
1985From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison, 9 January 1781 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Lt. Col. Robert Hanson Harrison, 9 Jan. 1781. On 26 Feb., Harrison wrote GW : “On the 26th of last month, I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Obliging Favor of the 9th.”
1986General Orders, 17 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
1987General Orders, 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Brigade General Court Martial held at Elizabeth-Town the 10th instant, Lieutenant Colonel Brearly President. Lieutenant Snowden of the Jersey Brigade was tried for “Disobedience of orders and neglect of duty on the 4th instant.” The Court after mature consideration are of opinion that from the General’s expressions mentioned in Captn Van Voorhees testimony Lieutenant Snowden had reason to...
1988From George Washington to John Mathews, 22 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been hond with your Excelly two Favors of the 15th of March & 11th of April. I am happy to Observe the good Disposition of the State over which you preside—their Exertions seem to me in proportion to the Distresses in which they have been involved—The Act for Recruitg your Line I hope may be attended with happy Consequences. Our Affairs at this moment are placed in a most critical...
1989General Orders, 18 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Colin Coke is appointed Pay-Master of the 2nd Virginia regiment, vice Lieutt Erasmus Gill from the 16th instant. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date closes with the following additional general order: “The Court Martial whereof Colo. Hall is President will sit Tomorrrow 10 oClock A.M. at the usual place, for the Trial of...
1990From 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...
1991George Washington to Chevalier de la Luzerne, 27 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Bergen County, New Jersey ] July 27, 1780 . Repeats rumors concerning British plans to attack French fleet and army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1992From George Washington to Robert Morris, 2 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 26th ulto preparing a plan of providing the Officers with Cloathing—I approve of it generally, and think it will have a happy effect. I will only beg leave to make this remark, that the amount of two Months pay of subalterns will be scarcely sufficient to enable them to purchase a sufficiency of the Articles necessary for the genteel equipment of an...
1993General Orders, 23 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
For the day tomorrow Major Porter B. Q. M. 2d Massa. Brigade For duty the 8th Massachusetts Regt The Light Infantry Companies, to be compleated to the Establishment viz to 5 Serjts 2 Dr. & f. & 68 Rank & File each. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
1994From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 20th and 23d ulto. I shall take as early measures as circumstances will admit for having an enquiry into the conduct of Colo. Brodhead and the Deputy Quarter Master at Fort pitt. Mr Fowlers Charges are so very diffuse, that I shall be obliged to call upon him to specify them more particularly, and I apprehend there will then be a...
1995From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 21st: No occurrence has happened since I wrote to you last, except the evacuation of Stoney and Verplanks Points, which took place on the 22d. I have not heard from Rhode Island since the 15th when Genl Gates wrote me that the enemy were seemingly making every preparation for evacuating that place also —Should Count D’Estaing reach the Hook without touching at the...
1996From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I flattered myself that I should never again be under the necessity of trespassing upon the public spirit of your State by calling for another supply of Militia; but such has been the unaccountable delay in the recruiting of the Continental Battalions, chiefly owing to the long time that unhappily elapsed before the Officers were appointed, that I see no prospect of keeping the Field, till the...
1997[Diary entry: 29 May 1775] (Washington Papers)
29. Warm with some appearances of Rain but none fell.
1998From George Washington to Colonel Oliver Spencer, 29 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by Colonel Malcom in a letter of the 25th in[s]tant of your arrival and that you were to take the command of the new corps. He has declined the service. It appears from his letter that the officers and men are dissatisfied in their present situation—the latter in particular have expressed a desire to be distributed among the regiments belonging to the States where they have been...
1999From George Washington to Goose Van Schaick, 12 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter to me of April last was transmitted to the War Office to be laid before Congress for their Order. Inclosed is the Report of the Secretary at War thereon, from whence it appears that no promotion has taken place, nor Liberty granted for your retiring. It not being in my power to permit your Absence any longer, I have to request that you immediately return to your Duty in the Army, &...
2000From George Washington to a Board of General Officers, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Book you will herewith receive contains the Journals and proceedings of Congress for the year 1776. Among these—and agreable to the pages marked below, you will find all the Resolutions that I am possessed of, respecting the Regiments and Officers of Artillery now in Camp—and also the establishment of the Army for 1777. I have the Honor to be with great respect and esteem Genn Yr Most...