51From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 13th by Colo. Wood. As the Road which Colonels Butler and putnam have traced will be so easily opened, there will be no need of working upon it untill we know certainly whether we shall want to use it—A deserter from the Vulture sloop the day before yesterday informs that Sir Henry Clinton, Colo. Robinson and several other Officers came up the River the day he came...
52From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of yesterday inclosing a sketch of the bearings and distances of the Grounds contiguous to Stoney point. It is not to our Interest to disturb the enemy at that or any other detached post just now. Under present circumstances we should endeavour to keep them as much separated as possible, for if part of my plan, recommended to the Count, can be carried into execution, we shall...
53From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday last Evening. It was intirely owing to the idleness of the Express that the letter informing you of the intended reconnoitering party did not reach you in time. I send you by the Dragoon the Theodolite taken at Stoney point. There is no Chain belonging to it. You must supply that deficiency with a Rope. Paramus was not in my opinion the proper position for the whole...
54George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 3 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] October 3, 1779 . Orders Wayne to cooperate with Brigadier General Du Portail in reconnoitering Stony Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
55From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 3 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Du Portail proposes tomorrow to reconnoitre a second time the post of Stony point and to ascertain the distances from the En[e]mys works to the places proper for establishing batteries —He will arive there precisely by eleven oClock—You will therefore please to have a reconnoitring party consisting of a Regiment ready at the second place to which you went the other day, not the high...
56George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 October 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, October 2, 1779. Instructs Wayne to guard West Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
57From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
There is one observation which I must make to you that I omitted in my last —it is, that the position of your corps and the disposition of your guards and patroles ought as much as possible to have referrence to the security of the camp: otherwise we shall be oblig’d greatly to multiply our guards below and diminish the number of men for carrying on the works proportionably, an inconvenience I...
58George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 30 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 30, 1779 . Has referred Wayne’s request for two light field pieces to Brigadier General Henry Knox. Describes how the boats under Wayne’s jurisdiction should be distributed. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
59From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 30 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your letter requesting the addition of two more light field pieces —I have not the least objection to it, and will give Genl Knox directions to have them sent to you. The guard boats that are under your direction you will be pleased to mention to Genl Putnam, who will keep them employed in the same service —The Whale Boats & others, you will have delivered to the Quartr...
60George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 29 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 29, 1779. States that Lord Stirling has been ordered to cooperate with Wayne if necessary. Sends general instructions. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
61From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 29 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is agreeable to me that you should move with the light corps to the vicinity of Stoney-point on the principles proposed in your letter of yesterday. But as I should not be entirely without apprehensions for your security, the enemy having it in their power secretely to reinforce their garrison, and make an attempt upon you—I shall write to Lord Stirling, directing him in some measure to...
62From George Washington to Major General Anthony Wayne, 28 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do not at present see any objection to your taking the position you mention in yours of this morning, but I cannot undertake to determine fully, untill I have received a Report from Generals Knox and Du portail of their reconnoitering yesterday. If you are not engaged tomorrow I shall expect the pleasure of your Company at dinner when we will settle the above. I am with great Regard Dear Sir...
63From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Knox and Genl du Portail are to go down to night, or early to-morrow to reconnoitre the enemy’s post at Stoney point. I have directed them to call upon you. You will be pleased to take proper measures by such a party as you may think necessary to cover them during the execution of their object. The less there is said about this matter the better. I am Dr Sir your most obt hble servt LS...
64George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 24 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] September 24, 1779 . Refuses to countermand the order for the trial of Major Henry McCormick. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
65From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 24 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry that the painfulness of your leg prevented my having the pleasure of seeing you this morning; and I hope it will soon be so far abated as to put it in your power to favour me with the visit you intended. I should not think myself justified in countermanding the trial of Major McCormick, as in the execution of orders ever so proper, there could be no necessity for violence to a...
66George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 21, 1779. Asks Wayne to investigate complaint against Major Henry McCormick. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
67From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recievd the inclos⟨ed repre⟩sentation of some violences said to be commited in your corps against Young Gecock an inhabitant and a child of the Widow Garrison —By a verbal state of the affair more intelligible than the written one, I understand that some men of the light Infantry had made a practice of plundering the farms of the complainants—that a party of these marauders was...
68From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with your letter. Accounts received by deserters from Ver-planks-point and the report of a patrole this morning give me reason to believe that the enemy are at least about evacuating this post. You will not fail to give me the earliest information of what further movements you may discover. I am Dr Sir Your most hble svt LS , in James McHenry’s writing, PHi : Wayne...
69George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 September 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 14, 1779. Discusses uniforms for the Light Infantry. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
70From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of this day is this moment received—I shall take pleasure in paying every attention to the comfort & convenience of the Light Infantry, which the nature of the service they perform may require and the establishment of the army permit, so far as may be consistent with propriety and the general good of the troops—But I do not think a compliance with Mr Measoms proposal would be...
71From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 8 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday reached me last night—I am obliged to you for the particular account you give me of Stoney Point. Col. Butler will be tried by a Court Martial of the line. Its decision whatever it may be will be less liable to exception than that of a Court composed wholly of the Officers of the Corps to which he belongs. His objection to being tried by the same Court which acquitted...
72From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 15 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a Warrant on the Deputy pay Master General for Fifteen hundred Dollars to pay the rewards promised to the first five Men who should enter the Enemy’s works in the attack upon Stony point: Also f⟨or⟩ One Hundred & forty thousand Nine hundred & Twenty Eight Dollars & Eighty two ninetieths of a Dollar, being part of the value of the Stores taken there, the whole value of which the...
73From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 30 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of this date came duly to hand —I shall certainly not undertake any thing (capital) without your knowledge—I wish for your opinion as a friend—not as commanding Officer of the light Troops—whether another attempt upon Stoney point by way of surprize, is eligible—(In any other manner under present appearances, and information, no good, I am sure, can result from it). Lord Cornwallis...
74From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I observe in your Letter of the 16th of July by Mr Archer that you make particular mention of his intrepidity and firmness in the Assault on Stony point. Is it your wish that he should be the Bearer of my dispatches to Congress? His circumstances are peculiar—he has no appointment in the Army. It will be impossible to provide for him in any particular line; but perhaps he might obtain a Brevet...
75From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne or Officer Commanding the Light Corps, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Butlers favor of last evening I have received—The opinion he has of the enemys designs renders it unnecessary for me to caution you on the score of keeping out the necessary Guards & patroles; The look out boats I have desired Genl McDougal to order down to be under yr command that you may officer & man them, with such persons as you can fully confide in —this will enable you to obtain...
76From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I request that you will transmit me as soon as possible—Returns of our killed and wounded in the attack on the night of the 15—also of the Enemys loss in killed—wounded & prisoners. Congress will be impatient to receive the particulars. I am Dr Sir with great regard Yr Most Obedt sert P.S. It will be necessary for you to transmit a formal report of your proceedings from the time of your march...
77George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 14, 1779 . Orders attack on Stony Point on following night unless Wayne wishes to defer it. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
78From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have reflected on the advantages and disadvantages of delaying the proposed attempt, and I do not know but the latter preponderate. You will therefore carry it into execution tomorrow night as you desire, unless some new motive or better information should induce you to think it best to defer it. You are at liberty to choose between the different plans on which we have conversed. But as it...
79George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 10, 1779 . Sends instructions for attack on Stony Point. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
80From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon receipt of your letter of this date I ordered the Q.M. Genl to furnish the Espontoons you wrote for, and presume you will get them in a day or two. My ideas of the enterprise in contemplation are these. That it should be attempted by the light Infantry only, which should march under cover of night and with the utmost secrecy to the enemys lines, securing every person they find...