1From George Washington to Colonel William Woodford, 30 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 6th Inst came to my hands a Post or two ago and the answer delayed longer than I intended from the multiplicity of business in which I am engaged.— I am sorry you should consider Genl Mercer’s late appointment as a slight put upon your services, because I am persuaded no slight was intended.—Whilst the service was local, and appointment of Officers affected no other Colony...
2From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 14 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received a letter of the 28th ulto from his Excellency Governor Jefferson of which the enclosed is an extract. It being impossible for me under present circumstances to take up the Business, you will be pleased to follow the directions therein contained, and nominate such Officers to reinlist the old Soldiers as you shall deem best qualified for that purpose. Inclosed you will find...
3George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Peter Muhlenberg, 28 August 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ West Point ] August 28, 1779 . Justifies Major Henry Lee’s appointment to command of troops that attacked Powles Hook. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I request you will exert yourself to get the division under yr command in instant readiness to march at an hours warning. It will point towards The North River. I have received some recent intelligence which makes it necessary we should be in motion. If you cannot procure waggons for the transportation of your heavy baggage; you will prepare to move without it, leaving a proper guard of your...
5From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Peter Muhlenberg and William Woodford and Colonel James Wood, 19 September … (Washington Papers)
I have herewith troubled you with a Warrant for the purpose of reinlisting the Virginia Troops in your Brigade, and when you send it to the Paymaster Genl if you will direct the Officer who may carry it to call at Head Quarters, I will transmit you the necessary instructions or if an earlier opportunity offers I will do it then. I am Sir Yr Mo. Obet Servt p.s. Do not delay a moment in sending...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 13 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received Your Letter of the 6th with the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Thomas Warren. From the frequency of sentences affecting life, and the Many executions that have been in consequence, I wish the Court Martial, altho the conduct of the prisoner was certainly criminal, had given a sentence less severe; and for the same reasons that the proceedings had not been sent me. I...
7From George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Peter Muhlenberg, 28 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I request that you will inform me by the first opportunity—upon what terms the Officers went, who took charge of the Re-inlisted Men to Virginia in the Winter. There have been several Accounts presented in consequence for three Dollars a day for the whole time the Officers were absent. My idea was that only such Officers as were desirous of going to see their Friends—were appointed; that the...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 8 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Letter of Yesterday with the report of the Field Officers of the Virginia line. The Agreement and plan entered into at White plains and sanctioned by the Committee of Arrangement as stated by the Board, will warrant the Opinion which they have given—and place the point with respect to filling vacancies in the Virginia line, in a much clearer light than I had conceived of...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
From an Acct just recd from the Gentn who went over Schuylkill, I conceive there will be an occasion for a detachment to March so soon as they make a final report, which I expect this Afternoon. I have therefore to desire, that the division you at present Command may be held in readiness to move with their Baggage (& Provisions agreeable to the Genl Orders of this day) by Seven O’clock...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 26 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the p⟨lea⟩sure of yours of the 25th but a⟨m⟩ sorry to h⟨e⟩ar that your Wound is so troublesome to you⟨.⟩ I have sent Colo. Biddle up purposely to see the Baggage properly ⟨di⟩sposed of, and I must beg of you to pay as much attention as your health will admit of to the conduct of the Baggage Guard, who will probably be licentious and distressing to the Inhabitants. Make my Compliments to...
11George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 13 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 13, 1779 . Announces that Virginia Line is ready to march. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
12From George Washington to Major General Stirling and Brigadier Generals William Maxwell and William Woodford, 15 October … (Washington Papers)
In addition to the questions which I have already proposed for the consideration of the General Officers —I have farther asked whether judging from the present state and appearance of affairs, it would be advisable to detach any part of our force to Boston—& shd it be decided in the affirmative—what force would it be proper to detach—Your Lordship will be so good as to add your opinion on...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 10-13 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Circumstances and Situation of the Virginia line call loudly for your return to the Army as soon as possible, more especially as General Muhlenberg, the only General Officer of the state now present, has long had a promise of leave to visit his family and private Affairs whenever he could be possibly spared. As the time which you expected to be absent has considerably elapsed, I am not...
14From George Washington to William Woodford, 16 May 1756 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby ordered to proceed with the Detachment under your command to the mouth of Sleepy-Creek; and chuse at that place, or in the neighbourhood thereof, the most convenient place to post your party: In doing which, consult the most judicious and knowing of the Inhabitants. You must get your men into some of the most tenable Houses; and endeavour to erect or throw up such necessary...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 31 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 28th inclosing a list of those Serjeants approved by the Executive of Virginia—a further recommendation of Eleven more—and a letter from the Board of War of Virginia to you —I shall transmit the first to the Board of War and obtain Commissions upon them. I am much averse to the promotion of non commissioned to regimental Officers but upon particular merit or...
16From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
There will be a necessity of throwing up a small Work upon Stoney point to protect the communication by Kings ferry—Colo. Gouvion will go down tomorrow to lay it out. When that is done, you will be pleased to furnish a party from Lord Stirlings Division to assist in executing it. I have wrote to Genl Wayne to furnish a party also from the Infantry —You had best see him and detail agreeable to...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored this morning with your letters of the 29th Ulto and the 1st instant. Should you be able to find a proper position nearer Stoneypoint, you may adopt it in preference to the ground you now occupy. General Heath who has moved down to the neighbourhood of Verplanks-point received my instructions, in your absence, relative to the works proposed to be erected on Stoney-point; and...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 7 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is my wish that we should endeavour by every practicable means to reinlist The Old Troops for the War. I therefore request that you will inform the Cols. & Commanding Officers of Regiments in the Virginia line—that they may inlist promiscuously throug[h]out their line—Any of the Soldiers whose present terms of service will expire by the last of February. The Men reinlisting for the War...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
As soon as your clothing reaches you, you will be pleased to direct its distribution agreeably to the General order, and when this is completed, take up your line of march without waiting further orders. In case you have not received one from the Quarter Master, you will proceed by Sufferans Pompton Rockaway and Morristown. That you may avoid falling in with General Poors Brigade on its march...
20From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 25 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to inform me by return of the Express when the Division will certainly march from Haverstraw. Should Genl Poor have come up with his Brigade, you may take the short Road to Sufferans, as my only reason for desiring you to march by Kakeate was to avoid falling in with poor’s Brigade. Upon your arrival at Pompton be pleased to send an Officer forward to Genl Greene who is near Morris...
21From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 13 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
We are in the greatest want of Cartouch Boxes not only for the Militia but many of the Continental Troops. I therefore desire that you will immediately have all those collected that belong to the sick and send down immediately and if there are any more in any of the Stores in the Town, or that have been sent up for repair let them be sent down likewise. If there are any shot pouches or Powder...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 18 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
My Nephew George Augustine Washington (Son of Charles) seems to have a warm desire to enter the Service—altho’ I think it rather late in the day, contest I should say—to begin a military career yet in gratification of his wishes I shd be glad to endulge him if there is any Ensigncies which want filling in the Virginia line. Should this be the case, and he is recommended to the State, I should...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 12 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 11th. It appears to me that your present position is such as to afford a proper support to the infantry, and preserve at the same time some relation to the succour of this post. These were the two principal objects we had in view. A more remote one was the prevention of the enemy’s retreat by land from Stoney point, should any circumstances compel them to this...
24From George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Peter Muhlenberg, 18 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the Arrangement of the Virginia line from the Board of War—as settled at Middle Brook in March—which I inclose with a Copy of the Board’s Letter of the 10th Instant. By this Arrangement you will find, that the Vacancies which had happened in the line of Captains and more Inferior Officers, previous to the making of it and subsequent to that at the White plains in...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately upon your arrival in Virginia ⟨to⟩ take the most speedy and effectual means for forwarding ⟨a⟩ll the Drafts, Recruits and reinlisted Men to Camp. It being determined to innoculate them here, they are ⟨n⟩ot to be detained upon that account. The officers are to be ⟨o⟩rdered to march them moderately and not by any means to halt in any Villages or at any Houses in which there...
26George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 3 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 3, 1777. Discusses Woodford’s loss of seniority. Urges Woodford to accept promotion to brigadier general. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you an extract of a letter from Col. Febeger. You will observe that he imagines some of his old sergeants were worthy of a preference in the nomination for commissions and that he proposed two of the 2d Regiment for appointments. Should these men be deserving of promotion and they can be with propriety promoted agreeably to his recommendation, I would wish you to take the necessary...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 19 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I request you to inform me by the return of the Bearer how far you have proceeded on your march and of the precise place of your encampment to night. I am told by some accident, you have not pursued the Same Route which General Lee has. I have advanced myself with the remainder of the Army to Norrington, about Eight or Nine miles, and shall proceed precisely at four to morrow morning. My...
29George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 31 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey ] May 31, 1779 . Instructs Woodford to be ready to march. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
30From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 15 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. William Woodford, 15 Oct. 1778. GW’s aide-de-camp John Laurens wrote on the third page of Woodford’s letter to GW of 13 Oct. : “Answd 15th—thanking him for the intelligence—and desiring instant advice of every interesting event—as every day brings us nearer to an important juncture.”
31From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received your letter dated yesterday. Col. Nevils regiment will be ordered up to join you—no relief will be required. The inclosed letter I must beg the favor of you to have forwarded to Mr Skinner. I am Sir Yrs &c. P.s. Major Lee will shortly send a small number of Prisoners lately taken to Junes —His Lordship will be pleased to relieve the escort that conveys them there,...
32From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 24 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday your Obliging favor of the 20th came to hand. I am exceedingly sorry so many obstacles have occurred to impede the advance of the Troops—and that these in part, from the season, are likely to encrease the distance of your march more than was intended. I have the most implicit confidence that no efforts will be wanting on your part to overcome such as are practicable and to answer the...
33From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday inclosing the approbation of the Executive of Virginia to the promotion of sundry Serjeants in your own & Genl Muhlenbergs Brigades —Before Commissions can be obtained, you must designate the Regiments to which they are to be appointed and their relative Ranks—I imagine their Commissions are to bear date from the time they were approved by the Council. I return you...
34From George Washington to Colonel William Woodford, 10 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 18th of September came to my hands on Wednesday last, through Boston, and open, as you may suppose. It might be well to recollect by whom you sent it, in order to discover if there has not been some treachery practised. I do not mean to flatter, when I assure you, that I highly approve of your appointment. The inexperience you complain of is a common case, and only to be...
35From George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Peter Muhlenberg, 26 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Harrison having laid before me two Letters which he had received from Major Cabbel and also a Certificate signed by you and Colo. Davies respecting the Major’s right to promotion to a Lieutenant Colonelcy —I have been led to consider the arrangement of the Virginia line in the best manner I could from such papers as I have in my hands and I am sorry to find that there seem to be several...
36From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
By some Resolves of Congress, just come to my hands, I find as I hoped and expected, your name in the new appointment of Brigadiers; but perceivd at the same time, that you were named after Muhlenberg and Weedon—the reason assign’d for this—your having resign’d your former Rank in the Service of the Continent. You may well recollect my dear Sir, that I strongly advised you against this...
37From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me pain that a Dispute of so delicate a nature as that which makes the subject of your favor of the 19th inst. should be left undetermined and continue the source of uneasinesses in Officers who deserve well of their Country—This matter will not as you seem to apprehend be returned for the consideration of Congress, they have already refered it to their Committee in this Camp, the...
38From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 29 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 27th 10 O’Clock and that of the 28 of 4 O’Clock in the morning. with its inclosure from Col. Seely. Provided the enemy have returned you will move back—and take a position between Sufferans and Stoney-point. You will be pleased to give me proper notice of the place you may chose for your incampment. I am Dr Sir Your &c. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ;...
39From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 13 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to find that the Artillery is at leng⟨th⟩ ready, & that the rear of the Virgin⟨ia⟩ troops will march early to morr⟨ow⟩ morning. By advices this day received from Congress, it seems to be their intention that the whole shall move by water from the head of Elk to Williamsburg, & thence by land to South Carolina. I wish it were practicable to send them by Water, but by this...
40From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of yesterday. In consequence of the Enemy’s movements on the West side of the North river, I shall proceed to Fish Kill Town to day & hold my Head Quarters there till their intentions are better understood or while circumstances may make it necessary. You will therefore send all your Letters and information to that post and you will also be so obliging as...
41From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 8 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this minute been honoured with a Letter from Congress of the 4th Instant, directing the Troops of the Virginia line to be put in motion immediately. You will put every thing in train and march the whole, with their Tents & baggage as soon as possible to philadelphia, where you will receive farther Orders from Congress. You will apply to the Quarter Master General and take his direction...
42From George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Charles Scott, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The third, Seventh, Eleventh, and fifteenth Virginia Regiments are to compose your Brigade; the duties of which you are immediately to enter upon, and to make yourself master of the true State of those Regiments, as early as possible. The necessity of occupying so many Posts, as we at present do, will prevent your drawing the Brigade into compact order, till further orders; but the Regiments...
43From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment your favor of the 20th. The prisoner directed here, I have forwarded to Genl Heath, to be sent to the State of Connecticut to which he belongs. As you think the fatigue party may be employed at Stoney point, without occasioning any delay when you are ready to march, it may remain at work. The connecticut troops who have crossed will give every assistance. You will also be...
44From George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Peter Muhlenberg, 28 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 26th with the papers accompanying it. I assure you the manner in which the Virginia division have taken up the affair gives me the most sensible concern. I had no idea that the command given to Major Lee could have been considered by them as a violation of their rights; nor can I after the most deliberate reflection find any reason to alter the opinion I...
45From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 17 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favors of the 8th and 31st March and 9th of April, the last informing me of your arrival in Charles Town —This must have given spirit to the Garrison and I flatter myself may be the means of effectually securing the place. The uncertainty however of your situation or the possibility of conveying this letter safely to you, prevents me from entering upon...
46From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the intelligence I have just received, it would seem that the Enemy mean to evacuate their posts at Stoney and Verplanks points. If you have not removed the baggage of the two Brigades from Sufferans—You will let it remain till further Orders. The body of the Enemy that was coming up—has fallen down again. I am Dr sir Yr Most Obed. servt LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, sold by...