1From George Washington to Col. Elias Dayton, 20 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Elias Dayton, 20 Jan. 1777. Dayton’s letter to GW of 13 Jan. is docketed in part “Ansd 20th.”
2From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Elias Dayton, 7 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Doctor McWorter has represented to His Excellency the case of a certain negro lately taken by a party of militia belonging to Mr. Caleb Wheeler. This fellow, it seems, some time since, went over to the enemy, and is now detained in confinement on that account. I am ordered to desire you to inquire into the circumstances of the affair, and particularly by whom the negro was taken, for on this...
3To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 10 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Schooner just now arived here from New York for the family & goods of Doctor Peterson. It appears from a paper shewed me by Mrs Peterson that on the 22d of May liberty was granted to remove within one week from that time. He however delayed the matter & appeared undetermined till lately when he went to New York hardly in a fair way, & has now sent for his family. Altho’ neither he nor his...
4To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 10 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, a person has returned from New York; that has been, four days, at that place, observing the motions of the Enemy. He says, Tuesday last, three Transports sailed, up East-River; with a number of Troops on board; but what number he could not determine; that he heard a number of people talk of them: some said, they were only going to deceive Mr Washington: others said, they were...
5To George Washington from Col. Elias Dayton, 19 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Elias Dayton, 19 July 1777. In his letter to Dayton of 19 July, GW writes: “Yours of this morning has just reached me.”
6From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 19 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of this morning has just reached me. In consequence of Advice recd this day of the Enemy’s having sent a Number of Vessels up the Sound and that others are moving up the North River, I shall march with the Army to morrow Morning towards New Windsor. You are to follow immediately with your own and Colo. Ogdens Regiments thro’ the Clove. I have given Colo. Morgan his directions and what...
7From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 26 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter received this Morning from Lord Stirling of the 22d Inst., I find he intends to pursue his Rout from peeks Kill, through Keckyate & pyramus to the Great Falls—From thence thro Watsessing—Springfeild & Brunswic or Bound Brook. The reason of my being thus particular in describing Lord Stirlings Rout, is, Because I wish you to take every possible pains in your power, by sending trusty...
8From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 26 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter, from Majr Burnet, just now came to Genl Greene. You will compare the Intelligence, which you obtain with the information contained in this Letter, and after making such Observations & remarks upon the whole, you will transmit the same with this Letter to Lord Stirling. I am Sir Yr Hble servt P.S. I wrote you today by One of Blands Light Horse upon the subject of...
9From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receiv’d information from Philadelphia that the Enemies Fleet made their appearance at the Capes of Delaware yesterday, you are therefore to march as expeditiously as you can with your own and Colo. Ogdens Regts to Philadelphia by the way of Trenton where Boats will be prepar’d to carry you across. you will take care and not over march your Men. I am yr most Obet Servt. come...
10From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having recd information that the Fleet have left the Capes of Delaware and steered Eastward, you are immediately upon the Rect of this to return and keep upon your march till you reach Peekskill. If you find any Ships thrown into King’s Ferry way, you are to proceed to New Windsor and cross there. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . An endorsement...
11From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The conduct of the Enemy is distressing, and difficult to be understood. Since my last, directing you to proceed to Peekskill, their Fleet, or a pretty considerable part of it, has appeared off the Capes of Delaware, as we were yesterday advised by express. In this state of incertainty about their real object & designs, I think it advisable, that you should halt your own and Colo. Ogden’s...
12From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 6 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed, which was wrote a few days ago, that you were ordered to halt, for the Reasons therein given. The letter, by Mistake of the Express, was carried up the Morris Town road, and as you were not to be heard of upon that Rout, it was brought back. As we are under the same uncertainty as to the destination of the Fleet, that we were when the inclosed was wrote, you...
13To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 11 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday removed with the two Regiments to this place for the sake of provisions and beer which I am told may be procur’d much easier at this place than at Peramus. I send the Pay Master to Head Quarters for money as both officers and soldiers are much in want of it. The necessaries of life are so very high in the Country that their pay is scarcely sufficient during the month. Your...
14George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 14 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 14, 1777. Instructs Dayton to send information on strength of the enemy at Kings Bridge and on Staten Island. Also asks Dayton to send account of number of boats available in that area. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
15From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 14 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 11th and have given a warrant for the month’s pay agreeable to your request. As your present situation is not inconvenient for gaining intelligence of what may be passing about Kings-Bridge in New York and on Staten Island, I wish you to take every method in your power to inform yourself of the situation of the enemy, their strength and motions at those...
16From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately upon Receipt of this to march your Regiment and Colonel Ogdens with all their Baggage by way of Trenton to join your Brigade—You will make all convenient haste on the March, and it is probable that you will fall in with the Brigade at Philadelphia or somewhere below that Place. I am Sir &c. Df , in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
17To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform your Excellency of the situation of John & Baker Hendricks & John Meeker who it is said have forfited their lives, by a law of this State, in consequence of their being employed by me and others, to bring inteligence from the enemy while at New york and Staten Island, according to your Excellencys direction. The fidelity of those persons I am well convinced of, and the...
18From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 13th instant last Evening, and have immediately written to Govr Livingston upon the Subject. I make no doubt but the prosecution will be immediately stopped upon my representation of the matter in its true light, and of my pointing out the impossibility of getting persons to undertake this kind of Business in future if they are not protected by us. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
19To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Confiding in your known and admired candor I beg leave to address you on a subject of great delicacy and to me very interesting & important. Sensible that your Excelency has been frequently interrupted with resignations from the Officers under your command ’tis not without reluctance that I pray your attention to a subject of this nature. With the greatest sincerity I say it—I could never be...
20From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 8 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 20th Feby and am sorry to find from it that the ill state of your health added to the situation of your private Affairs renders it highly inconvenient on the last account and impossible upon the former to remain in the Service. I am so well convinced that you have no others motives for quitting the service than those you have alledged, that you have my consent as...
21From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
If through the Channel you mentioned to me the other day, or any other, you could speedily ascertain the following points you would render an essential service to the Public & to me a favr. Whether Transports under Convoy of one or more Men of War hath lately arrived at New York from Georgia, or So. Carolina? Whether any Troops are under orders for Imbarkation? or whether from report, or...
22From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 3 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Assembly of this State, at their last sitting, passed a law for the payment of the provision which the Army were under the necessity of taking from the inhabitants during the scarcity in Camp and between the 15th Decemr and 15th January —The law directs that no provision seized as aforesaid shall be paid for, unless upon a Certificate signed by the Commander in Chief, or by some person...
23To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 6 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just now received certain intellgence of the sailing of the brittish fleet out at Sandy hook yesterday morning, they consisted of ten ships and seven brigs, the troops that my informent knew to be on board were the 42 Regt one Battallion of the guards the Anspeck Regmt Lord Raudens Brigade and Simcoes foot but their is not Any Horse gone on board, they are convoyed by the Rainbow, the...
24To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 4 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
By intelligence received this Morning it appears that the enemy have a number of boats in readiness to move from N. york this evening probably with about 1500 men their Object supposed to be our provision at Brunswick, as Capt. Ross who commands the armed sloop in the Kils mentioned to a person I sent over on Monday last he then expected our stores in Brunswick were in their hands. In...
25To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
By intelligence I have just received it appears, that the fleet which has been laying at Sandy hook for some days past, sailed last Thursday, That the enemy have a great number of Vessels loaded with Stone to be sunk in such parts of the channel as may best answer their purpose. Flour it is said is becoming scarce in New york and that the Inhabitants are much distressed on account of the...
26From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 17 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 15th. I shall be glad to be informed whether the Fleet mentioned by you, as having sailed on thursday last, consisted of armed ships or Merchant men, and if the former, their number—force, and destination. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The previous Thursday was 11 May. Tilghman inadvertently wrote...
27To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 19 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your excellency’s favor of the seventeenth—should have been more explicit in the letter alluded to, had I not when I last had the pleasure of seeing your excellency given a particular account of the vessels laying at the hook, prepared for a criuze, of which the fleet I mentioned to have sailed on thursday were composed. From what I can since learn I suspect that they were only...
28From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 20 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning recd yours without a date. If the embarkation mentioned by you is intended for Hallifax and Cape Breton, I cannot conceive why it should partly consist of Horse, which will be in a manner useless at either of those places. I would therefore wish your emissary to make as minute enquiry as possible into their real destination—desire him also in every communication which he...
29To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
From New York I understand they are in daily expectation of a French fleet upon the coast—They are busily employ’d in building a large fort at Cuyler’s hook —the naval force very small not more than one frigate and three or four privateers in the harbour. The Galatea on tuesday last brought into the harbour, the privateer ship Harrison and sailed again the day before yesterday on a cruise....
30From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 29 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The intercourse between the inhabitants of the States and the Citizens of New York, by means of the Flag Boats which pass from the latter to Elizabeth Town, has become so very frequent that it excites suspicions and jealousies in the minds of many of the well affected among us, and puts it much in the power of the Enemy to gain intelligence, and to propagate injurious reports, thro’ the...
31To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 30 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lying Rivingtons account of the reduction of C. Town was Sent of[f] by Col. Stewart without my knowledge. Least it should give your excellency as much pain through the night, as it did me for one hour, I have Sent this & I do venture to assert it to be one of Lying Jemys Aberations; within this hour I have received three diffirent accou[n]ts of its not being beleived in N. York, A variety of...
32From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 31 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 28th: That of yesterday reached me late last Night. I most sincerely wish that your suspicions of the truth of Rivingtons publication may prove well grounded, but I confess it bears too many marks of authenticity. Should you receive any further confirmation of your opinion be pleased to let me have it. It was always my intention that your own Regiment should remain with...
33From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Elias Dayton, [24 June 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
I am sorry that we have not yet been able to get a return for the papers I last sent you, as the Minister makes it an object to have them in regular sucession. I send you some late Philadelphia papers, which I entreat you to get exchanged and if possible to get all the papers since the last exchange. Your’s with great resp ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. Dayton was at Springfield,...
34To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 3 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a late New york news paper, together with a letter just received from a person Sent to N. york for the purpose of gaining intelligence. From another person sent for like purpose I have a certain account that one night last week nine villains crossed from Staten Island to Amboy, for the purpose of assassinateing governor Livingston and every person...
35To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 7 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Their is not the least doubt but that the British in New Yrk have certain accounts of the Approch of a french fleet, as A number of large Ships Are now Moored between the east and west bank for the purpose of Sinking to stop the passage or render it as difficult as possible. I have a boat laying up North River I propose to direct A man to run away with her to New York and get into the servuce...
36From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 10 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 3d 4th and 7th—Upon your representation, and that of Mr Caldwell of the exposed state of the Country in the Vicinity of Elizabeth town, I have ordered down your Regiment, for the purposes of affording protection to the inhabitants—and enabling you to remain with safety below, to procure intelligence and put Flags again under proper regulations. I would wish...
37To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed is from the old correspondent in New york. By a person from the city two hours before its recept, I gained information very nearly agreeing with the contents of the enclosed letter—I am positive, that the Jamaica fleet which had fallen down to the hook and were just sailing out were Stopped on Sunday morning last, and the passengers returned to town where they expect to continue...
38From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 16 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd both your favors of the 15th announcing the arrival of Admiral Greaves, which is rather an unlucky circumstance—I have only to desire you to endeavour to ascertain his force exactly, and to gain a knowledge of what preparations they are making for defence of the harbour, and where they seem disposed to dispute the passage. You mention a talk in New York of a further embarkation to...
39To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 16 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am very well convinced from many different accounts, that the force under Admiral Greaves, consists of six ships of the line only and that no troops came with him. They are very industriously impressing seamen, to mann their ships; upon which, they declare, that they intend to find and fight the french fleet—tho’ suspected by some, that they rather intend to sail for the West Indies. I...
40To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 17 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed is the copy of a paper I have just received from New york, which I beleive to be nearly just, excepting five or Six of the Smallest Vessels which are constantly kept out cruising, the fleet is now at anchor just without the hook nearly in the same manner Count DEstaing was in august 1778. If your Excellency has any hard money for the public serveice should be glad to have some...
41To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
By a person from Staaten Island I am informed that a report prevails there, that the British fleet had sailed this morning, which from the number of signal guns I have heard, I am rather inclined to suspect as true. They have taken on board one Regiment to serve as marines and fifteen hundred volunteers have joined them from New York. It is said their object is the french fleet if so, they are...
42To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received the following important intelligence which may, I believe, be depended upon—viz.—That the fleets under Admirals Arbuthnot and Greaves had sailed on wednesday morning —that fifty sail of transports had gone up the sound, expecting to take troops on board at white stone, from whence ’tis said, they are immediately to proceed to Rhode Island. They declare it to be...
43From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of this date, as I did those of the 17th and 18th. I can by no means accede to Capt. Stewards proposal of giving up his three Deserters for an Officer of ours now in Captivity, as that kind of composition is wholly unprecedented—Neither can I consent to his having an interview with his Mother—except in the presence of an Officer in whom you can confide. Every measure is...
44From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been for some days past under apprehensions for the safety of your Regiment—It is certainly too much exposed in its present position—I therefore desire that you will remove it some distance into the Country where it may be less exposed and yet answer the purposes for which it was sent into the neighbourhood of Elizabeth Town —It appears to me that West Farms would be a good position as...
45From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve or Colonel Elias Dayton, 30 July 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Col. Israel Shreve or to Col. Elias Dayton, 30 July 1780 . Shreve wrote GW on 3 Aug. : “I Receivd your Excys Letters of the 30th and 31st of the Instant, Col. Dayton being Absent.”
46From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve or Colonel Elias Dayton, 31 July 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Col. Israel Shreve or to Col. Elias Dayton, 31 July 1780 . Shreve wrote GW on 3 Aug. : “I Receivd your Excys Letters of the 30th and 31st of the Instant, Col. Dayton being Absent.”
47To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 24 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
On Sunday morning I was alarmed with an account that the Jersey brigade had revolted, were directing their march this way and were in the neighbourhood of this place. I immediately desired the officers of the detachment upon this station to sound the sentiments of the men under their immediate command, who soon discovered that they had no inclination to join with the seditious part of the...
48From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton or the Officer Commanding the New Jersey Brigade, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will immediately, agreeable to the General Order of this day, augment the two light Infantry Companies to the number directed, and you will also be pleased to order three other Companies of equal numbers to be formed by detachment from the Brigade, taking the same care in the choice of Officers and Men as for the light Companies. To enable you to do this more effectually, you may, if you...
49To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 17-20 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your Excellencys letter of the 7th instant four days since. I am sorry to acquaint your excellency that my health is not yet as well established as I could wish, being at present exceedingly troubled with a swelling in my thigh, which has confined me closely for a fortnight past, it however bears a favourable appearance & I expect to be able to join the troops in a...
50From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 22 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
It will be indispensably necessary that we should be informed of the preparations or movements of the Enemy in New York during the absence of the detachment under the command of the Marquis de la Fayette. You will therefore be pleased to employ some of the most trusty persons within your knowledge upon this Business. My principal apprehensions are for the posts up this River—They will...