31From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 18 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote you Yesterday—I informed you that Genl Poor, with his Brigade, was to proceed to Enfield for the purpose of conducting the Convention Troops from thence to the North river, but I find by a Letter received since from Colo. Bland—that their Van had reached Enfield on the 13th & will be at Sharon to night. As this is the case—and proper arrangements of Militia escorts have been...
32From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed remonstrance was laid before me by Colo. Drake and Mr Hunt Commissioners appointed in the County of West Chester to take Care of all Forage and property exposed to the depredations of the Enemy—and also Commissioners of sequestration to dispose of the personal property of those who have fled to or joined the Enemy. They complain that parties from your Army frequently take property...
33From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are upon the Receipt hereof to proceed to Danbury with General Poors Brigade and send on General Pattersons and Learneds by the most direct Route to Fishkills. Should Genl Poors, agreeable to my orders of yesterday, have marched on towards Fishkill, you will be pleased to countermand them and turn them back to Danbury. The two Connecticut Brigades are also ordered to Danbury, at which...
34From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you a copy of a General order for the disposition of the army —The particular one of the Right Wing is to be as follows Woodfords Brigade to take post at or near Junes—Mughlenberghs at the forrest of Deane The other two divisions to preserve their present encampments —You will send orders for this purpose to the two Virginia Brigades without delay that they may be at their...
35From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have an extract of a letter this instant received from Genl Maxwell at Elizabeth-town —to what end the commotion he speaks of tends, is uncertain; but as the Army and our posts on the North River (for security of the communication between the Eastern & Southern States) are the only objects we can attend to without hazarding more than Military prudence will warrant[.] I cannot...
36From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 7 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will immediately proceed to Harford, and take the command of Poors—Pattersons and Learneds Brigades till further arrangements can be made. You are to hold the troops in a state of preparation to march at the shortest notice; and upon certain advices from Major Genl Gates of the british army appearing off Boston you will put them instantaneously in motion, and march by the shortest and most...
37From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your two letters of yesterdays date about noon. I have received accounts, corresponding with those of Mr Putnams, so far as his respects the regiments actually imbarked, and the fleet which sailed on the 19 and 20th Instant. As the troops which have embarked still continue in the harbour you will keep the strictest look-out imaginable on the river, and give me the earliest...
38From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 3 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor by Yesterday Evenings Express with the sevl Letters and Intelligence from Genl Schuyler and am much concerned for the further misfortunes that have attended our Arms in Canada. I have laid the whole before Congress, who had before resolved to send a considerable augmentation to our Army there, & doubt not that Genl Schuyler may receive assistance from the Militias most...
39From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 28th of March giving me information of such of the movements of the enemy as had come to your knowledge. The real design of their preparations upon the sound being as much a secret as when I wrote to you upon the 27th ulto, I can only repeat to you now what I thought most advisable then, which was, to keep the detachment of Continental troops at New...
40From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon taking a retrospective View of the Enemy’s Conduct, & comparing one piece of Information with another, I am led to think that Philadelphia must be their Object, & that whenever they move, it will be toward the Delaware with their main body—This belief, the necessity of a proper Attention to the River, & the Advantages which may result from havg some Person on the other side with a few...
41From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 5 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterday representing the Case of Mr John Taylor I have received & Assure you that I never Intended to exclude any from the benefit of my Proclamation who were not particularly Active in persecuting, and destroying the Property of the friends to our cause The case of Mr Taylor & any others that are brot to you, or confin’d, must therefore depend upon this —As to the Circumstance...
42From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
In your letter of the 22d Ulto, you transmitted a memorandum requesting directions about repairing & building Barracks, and also my sentiments, as to the number of Troops that may probably winter at Peeks Kill. In respect to the number of Troops, that may quarter there, it is dificult, if not impossible at this time to ascertain it, as a variety of circumstances may arise in the course of the...
43From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 9th informing me of your movements in consequence of the appearance of the enemy upon the North River. It is difficult to determine what were their inducements at that time, but I hope you will not be disturbed again in the course of the Winter. If there are any public Magasines of provisions or Stores upon the sound I highly approve of your removing them inland and...
44From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I am just setting out for West point where I may remain for two or three days, You will take the command of the Troops in this Camp till my return. I have published this in orders and you will receive from the Adjutant General the disposition I have made for opposing the Enemy in case they should move against the post at west point. All I have to request at present is, that you will have a...
45From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
An officer of Genl Glovers Brigade arrived here yesterday and informs me that he left twelve Waggons load of Cloathing at that place, which he had under his Charge from Boston with directions to bring it on to this Army. He alledges in excuse for leaving it, that the Waggons would not come any further, but it does not appear that he took any pains to procure others. The Army being in the...
46From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 5 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 5th and 30th ulto. In one of my late letters I desired that you might take such Steps with the mutineers of Genl Huntingtons Brigade, as you, upon consultation with the principal Officers, should judge most proper. I am pleased to hear of the success of the two Whale Boats against the victualling transport. such strokes are beneficial to us, and at this time highly...
47From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favour of the 10th. Of the Troops coming on and to come on from Bristol, you are to detain at your post all the Marylanders, Colo. Hazen’s Regiment of Pennsylvania, and that of Delaware, the others must be sent on immediately to the places where their respective Corps are stationed. Your application to General Mifflin for tents, was right, and must be repeated, as we...
48From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your several favours of the 25th & 26th Inst. came to hand —The pass granted by Ld & Genl Howe to William Taylor dated the 18 Int. is of such a nature as not to afford any protection to the Vessell & Crew even on the most scrupulous Construction of the Law of Nations; and she came in so suspicious a manner, without a Flag flying, as would have justified severer treatment than mere...
49From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 17 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon receipt of this letter, you will set about putting your division in the most perfect readiness to march by the 10th of May ensuing. The officers will disencumber themselves of all heavy baggage—retaining only such as may be indispensibly necessary. In the intermediate time all such stores as are of consequence or that cannot remain at Danbury without a guard, you will have...
50From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I return you the papers relating to the officers at Springfield —I find by them that Major Ayres has avoided a trial by a resignation. This is a matter which it would be inconsistent with my duty to permit as the charge against Major Ayres is of a very serious nature and founded on the report of a public body. It is contrary to practice that the resignation of an officer while under arrest...
51From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your Two favors of the 27th and 30th Ulto. I thank you for the information contained in the latter; I had the substance of it, transmitted before in a Letter from Genl McDougal. In respect to the Rhode Island Detachment, you will have received Orders for their march to join Colo. Olney at Morris Town. I do not agree with you in Sentiment, respecting the Quantity of...
52From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The enemys designs still continue ambiguous, however it is our policy to provide against possible events—You will therefore detach a field officer with about one hundred men to guard the pass leading from Haverstraw to Fort Montgomery, I mean the pass by which the enemy marched to the reduction of that post. You will take every other necessary precaution or place such advanced parties as may...
53From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favd with yours of the 30th March. My letters of the 27th ulto and 1st instant, to which I refer you, went fully into the subject of that which I have just recd and recommend the measures which I still think, all circumstances considered, ought to be pursued—The Messenger who brought your letter, having mentioned his orders to return to you as expeditiously as possible I have...
54From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Letter of yesterday would inform you of the reasons which occasions the remove of this part of the Army towards Philadelphia, and the recall of the divisions under Genls Sullivan, & Lord Stirling—I have now to add, that, it is my desire that you should keep as many of the remaining Troops (as can possible be spared from the defence of the Forts and passes of the Highlands) in the most...
55From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Congress having recommended it to me to send an Engineer to Fort Montgomery, I have instantly dispatched Lt Colo. Radier upon that Service. He is the second in command of four Gentlemen sent out by Docr Franklin and Mr Dean. The Congress have transmitted me Copy of a letter from you to them of the 29th Sepr in which you express your doubts of being able to defend the posts upon the North River...
56From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 17 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Parsons having inform’d me that many Gentlemen are Candidates for the two Regts lately commanded by Genl Huntington & Colo. Douglass I have to request that you will call a Board of General Officers as soon as may be to hear the pretensions of each & enquire into the particulars of their several Claims, which, when regularly taken you will transmit to me with the Opinion of the Board...
57From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 16 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 14th instant. Just before it came to hand I had recd the intelligence which it contained from Genl Clinton. The people in the Northern Army seem so intimidated by the Indians that I have determined to send up Colo. Morgans Corps of Rifle Men who will fight them in their own way. They march from Trenton tomorrow Morning and will reach peekskill with all expedition. You...
58From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
From the Accts given by the two Deserters last Evening I think not a Moments time should be lost in throwing your Men over upon the Jersey shore, & advancing them down the River towards Dobbss Ferry. this shd be done if they are obliged to go without their Baggage. The Brigade which Marched under Lord Sterling & the Maryland Brigade may be got over first. In that case the Jersey Brigade may...
59From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by Genl Dickinson, that he has intelligence, which he thinks may be depended upon, that Sr Henry Clinton, with all the troops under his command, has returned down the River. If this is so, and the Brigades of Nixon & Glover should have joined you from the Northward, I desire they may be immediately put under march to reinforce this Army. Colo. Hamilton, who will deliver or send...
60From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last Night favd with yours of the 4th—Genl Mifflin has this day sent off a load of intrenching Tools for Genl Schuyler, they will be delivered to you and I beg they may be immediately forwarded to Albany. The inclosed letter contains an order for Cartridge paper which is to be sent up at the same time with the Tools. If the Enemy, instead of going up the North River, should move to the...
61From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 13 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 11th with Copy of a Letter from Govr Trumbull, by which I am pleased to find that he so readily complies with the requisition for a Body of Militia. I have a letter from Govr Clinton, in which he informs me that instead of five hundred Men he shall order Eight hundred to Fort Montgomery and that neighbourhood. Mine to you of the 11th gives you my opinion fully as to the...
62From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine to you of the 24th instant, I requested you to join the main army immediately to take the command of one of the wings—As things now are at a crisis and every officer ought to be at his station I am to repeat my earnest desire wherever this finds you that you will instantly repair to my Head Quarters—I expect to set out tomorrow towards the Clove by way of Morris Town. I am Dr Sir Yr...
63From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to request, that you will, without loss of time, make a return of the troops under your command belonging to the state of Connecticut, to His Excellency Governor Trumball. It is necessary this return should be very exact and particular, as it is intended for the information of the assembly, in the measures they may think proper to take, towards completing their batalions. Among other...
64From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 11 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you this morning Mr Young deputy Cloathier has arrived from peekskill and informs me that you stopped 400 of the Blankets & one Cask of Shoes that were coming on for the use of this Army. You cannot conceive how these stoppages by the way disappoint and disarrange our plans; The Cloathier General endeavours to give each their share, but by such proceedings those that are...
65From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to send Genl Woodfords Brigade to the West side of the River with orders to fall down towards Clarks town, for the purpose of hindering the Enemy from advancing parties from their main body about Hackensack Bridge, to carry off the Stock which has been drove out of the Necks. I have directed Baron Kalb to send a Brigade from his Division to Fishkill, who will be ready to come to...
66From George Washington to Israel Putnam, 2 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th of May I received with much pleasure—For I can assure you, that, among the many worthy & meritorious Officers, with whom I have had the happiness to be connected in Service, through the Course of this War, and from whose chearfull Assistance & Advice I have received much support & Confidence in the various & trying Vicissitudes of a Complicated Contest, the Name of a...
67From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
On examining the return from Peeks kill of General Poors brigade, which was some time since directed to that place, I was surprised to find that only 457 rank and file had arrived. You will immediately on receipt of this letter, give express and positive orders, for all such as remain, however employed, to join their respective regiments without further delay. I am sir &. Df , in James...
68From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Gates having been ordered by Congress to repair to Boston and take the command of the Eastern district; I have thought it best, that you should proceed to Hartford and take the command of the division late General Gates, consisting of Poor’s, Patterson’s and Larned’s brigades. This you will, therefore, be pleased to do without delay. The standing order for that division is that it is...
69From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 31 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 25th from Fishkill. Although you say that the Enemy have passed down by that place, you do not say whether they have gone entirely down and evacuated the Forts upon the River, but from the tenor of your letter I imagine they have. I shall be glad to be particularly informed of this in your next, and also whether you have heard with certainty of the reinforcement’s...
70From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon reciept of this Letter you will put Hazens regiment in motion—Inclosed are his instructions—his whole Regiment is to march —You will please to put the remaining part of Poors Brigade under Marching Orders—their destination will be pointed out in a Subsequent Letter —and you will use the most effectual means to cause every Officer & Soldier now on furlough, or who may obtain leave of...
71From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 5 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Fortune has favord us in an attack on Princeton—General How advancd upon Trenton which we Evacuated on the Evening of the second of this instant and drew up the Troops on the Southside of the Mill Creek and continued in that position until dark, then march’t for Princeton which we reacht next morning by about Nine oClock—There was three Regiments Quarterd there of British Troops—which we...
72From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a copy of the Information I received last night. From this, It appears, the Enemy are drawing their force from New York, and the account seems to be corroborated thro’ several other Channels. My principal design in communicating this intelligence, is, that if the facts are true, it favours the Expedition suggested in my Letter of the 25th. You are not to understand...
73From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on the 23d Instant—Lest my Letter should have miscarried, I now inclose you a Copy. I must request your immediate attention to the Contents, and that you will not delay a Moment in sending the Troops which are ordered. Their aid becomes more and more necessary, and I wish you to urge the Officer, who shall have the command to join me as soon as possible without injuring and...
74From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 13 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote to you last evening I forgot to desire that the detatchments of Colo. Saml B. Webbs and Colo. Sherburns Regiments might march with the first division from Peekskill. They are to join Genl Varnums Brigade, which is at present weak. When any other detatchments of the same Regiments arrive with you, they are to be hastened forward as fast as possible. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
75From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
By recent intelligence, thrô different Channels, I have the best reason to believe that, General Clinton has drawn his whole force to a point at New York and its vicinity—That he has collected (& some accts add removed, to Kings bridge) a number of flat-bottomed Boats with Muffled Oars—and that, every appearance indicates an expedition at hand —There are but too important objects he can have...
76From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
It being judged necessary to reinforce the Army to the Northward with another Brigade, you are desired to dispatch Glovers as speedily as possible by Water to Albany. As Genl Schuyler has lately had ten peices of Artillery sent up to him, Genl Glover need not carry his with him. The remainder of Nixon’s Brigade are to follow as fast as they arrive. Every Tent that can possibly be spared from...
77From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 27th Inst. with that of yesterdays date. His Lordship Gen. Stirling who is perfectly well acqd with the Jerseys & its Militia has been dispa[t]ched there this morning, in order to condense the regular troops under Gen. Maxwel, with those who have marched from your division and the Militia wch are Assembling to a useful point, where they can affoard cover to the...
78From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Udney Hay, communicated to me, a proposal of Mr Weeks a D.W. General a late inhabitant of Long Island of considerable property, and the person who will deliver you this letter. Mr Weeks represents that there are several saw mills, on Long Island, very valuable to the enemy, and easy of access to a small party; and that he is willing to conduct a party for the purpose of destroying...
79From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with yours of the 3d acquainting me with the exhausted state of your Treasury. I am just in the same situation, but have wrote to Congress for a supply. I will in my next to them inform them of your wants, and desire them to forward a sum of Money to you. I have not the large Spy Glass, belonging to Mrs Morris, with me. I think it is at Bethlehem with my Baggage. I will write to...
80From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favour of the 24th Instant. I am well pleased with your Orders to Genl Poor to proceed immediately to Danbury—and to Colonel Badlam for escorting in his room the Rear divisions of the Convention Troops to Fish Kill. There has never been any regulation of Congress, authorising Officers and Soldiers on furlough to draw their Rations in the Country—and it can never be...