1Orders to Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will post your Troops at Yearleys ferry or some where near it—find out the fording place there and have a Redoubt thrown up immediatly[.] You and General Ewing must divide the Ground between Trenton falls and your post and establish the Proper Guards and Patrols to watch the Enemy motions, You will Spare no pains or Expence to Obtain inteligence—all promises made or monies Advanced shall...
2To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Two Persons returned Yesterday from the Jerseys, who inform me, that there is a very great body of the Enemy in, & around Brunswick, but they could not ascertain the Number—one of them say’s, they were sending off Provisions &c., towards N. York. They made strict enquiry about Boats, but could not hear, of any preparations of the kind. Another Person from Crosswicks informs me, that he saw a...
3To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment dispatch’d a proper Person over the river, to make the followg enquires, (& to return tomorrow morng, at which time a Horse will be provided for him, to wait upon your Excellency, with such Information as he may obtain) Viz: what Guards are posted upon the different roads leading into Trenton, the number on the Mill-bridge, where the Cannon lay & what number; to ascertain...
4From George Washington to Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 21 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Putnam communicated to me last Night the disagreeable Account that Lt. Colo. Preston’s party of Militia from Cumberland County in this State has deserted him; This practise in the Militia so generally prevails, that unless some effectual Check can be speedily applied I apprehend the most fatal Consequences. The Mischief is not confined to the Desertion alone, They stay ’till they are...
5From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 5 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 5 Feb. 1777. In his letter to GW of 9 Feb. , Dickinson says that “your Excellency’s of the 5th Inst. did not come to hand till last Evening.”
6To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s of the 5th Inst. did not come to hand till last Evening, I reced the Money for your Excellency’s mare by the Express; Capt. Morrison says, his Company was raised by the State of Pennsylvania, for the particular defense of that State, but that he was order’d into Jersey, by the Council of Safety —I mentioned several Days ago to your Excellency, that I had order’d four chests...
7From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 10 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 10 Feb. 1777. GW’s aidede-camp Robert Hanson Harrison wrote a docket on the cover of Dickinson’s letter to GW of 9 Feb. that reads in part “Ansd 10th.”
8To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Person who obtained Mr Morgan’s releasment, returned from New York with Doctor Vanderveer Yesterday, upon the same terms which were mentioned to your Excellency —The Intelligence recieved, is, The Prisoners at New York treated much better than they were, within a very short time past, in real want of nothing but cloathing, their distress great on that account—Troops arrived at Hell-gate...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by a line from Gl Maxwell that Colo. Cook’s & Conduits Regts of Militia from this County are to go home in a few days. How they are to be replaced I can’t tell—I have wrote to Gl Maxwell to call in the Essex Mila, but I fear it can’t be done without yr Interposition—There remains but little doubt with me of the Enemy’s Intention to move soon; their late Reinforcemt at Brunswic...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a person this moment returned from Brunswick whom I sent in on purpose; I have rec’d the following Intelligence, which I believe may be depended upon viz. Genl Howe & Lt Piercy arrived at Amboy on thursday last, with a reinforcement of five thousand Men, at which time one thousand men arrived at Brunswick —They are in great want of Forage at Brunswk & intend to come out very strong in a few...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter, I sent an Express to Genl Putnam, & shall agreable to your request, give the earliest Intelligence of the Situation & movements of the Enemy, to Genl Green—I shall send into Brunswick on Saturday next, & hope to receive some interesting Intelligence; by the return of the Person sent. I have added a second Picket, they both stand 1¼...
12From George Washington to Major Generals Benjamin Lincoln and John Sullivan and Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 22 … (Washington Papers)
An Inconvenience of considerable Magnitude arising from the Practice of carrying Household furniture &C. in Waggons & Carts to the Enemy has determined me to direct that in future nothing shall be transported that way—I do not mean to prevent such of the Inhabitants as choose to withdraw within the Enemy’s lines from taking with them all their Apparel & Household furniture as usual if they can...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall take care in future, to communicate to your Excellency by Letter certain Intelligence that may be received; my Reason for sending him up, was to give your Excellency an Opporty of asking many Questions, which perhaps I had omitted. I am much obliged by your Excellency’s Permission to purchase the Horse, I shall have him valued, & pay the Money, as proposed—shall observe your...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 13 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellency’s Orders, I shall this Day send down to Boundbrook, 300 men. The Person I mentioned to your Excellency, is just returned from Brunswick, & brings the following Intelligence. Genl Howe, went to New York, 10 Days ago, the Troops much in the same Situation they were, no Boats building; the Hessians very sickly, & die fast; many English Troops begin to sicken, Skinners...
15To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 18 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of a Commission which I r[e]cieved a few Days ago from the honble Council & Assembly of this State, (being at that Time in Maryland) I am now on my Way to join Genl Sullivans Division, where I am informed the greatest Number of the Jersey Militia are collected. I should have done myself the honor of waiting upon your Excellency, but have been much indisposed; I expect to be at...
16To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 11 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
This morning came to this Place, Mr. Anthony Taylor an Inhabitant of Jersey, & gave me the following account that on Wednesday Eveng last (having the liberty of the City, & by bribing two Sailors) he made his escape from New York, in a Boat; that a Frigate came up to N. York, the day before he left it, the Captain of which said, that he had left the whole Fleet much to the Eastward of N. York,...
17From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 12 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 12 Aug. 1777. Dickinson’s letter to GW of 11 Aug. is docketed in part “Ansd 12th.”
18To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the latest accounts I have received, I cannot find there has been any movements of the Enemy, upon Staten Island; and this Day I recieved the inclosed Letter from Gen: Forman, which I thought proper to send your Excellency. A few Days ago, I saw Mr Douglass, being the Person, whom I mentioned in my last letter to your Excellency, that made his escape from N. York, he say’s, that Gen:...
19To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 26 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this moment met with the Bearer Mr Hindman, who is just returned from viewing the Enemy; he saw them land, & can give your Excellency a very particular account, for which reason, I have desired him to wait upon you immediately. Mr Hindman thinks, they finished their debarkation last Evening, he saw both Horse & Infantry paraded. Mr Hindman is an Inhabitant of Maryland, which he left...
20From George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 27 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your Letter Yesterday by Mr Hindman. The measure you recommend, respecting the Militia, is extremely necessary and what I much wish to be done. It came under the consideration of Congress, when the Fleet first came up the Bay, and dispatches were sent by their Order to Genl Smallwood & Colo. Gist to repair to Maryland to command them, at least the Quota called for by...
21George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 14 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] September 14, 1777. Forwards to Dickinson steps taken to counteract the enemy in New Jersey. Is confident of Dickinson’s cooperation and assistance. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Dickinson was a major general in the New Jersey Militia from June 6, 1777, to the close of the war.
22From George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 14 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received a copy of your letter to Congress informing of the enemy’s incursion into the Jersies. You will perceive by the inclosed letters what steps I have taken in consequence of your information. After perusing them, you will forward them with all dispatch. On your part I am confident you will do every thing in your power to assist in counteracting the enemy. I am with...
23To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 15 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Letter last Night, & you may be assured of my utmost exertions to check the Enemy’s progress in this State—It will not be in my Power, to give them much Opposition for several Days, as our Troops had just before this alarm, received Orders to march for Philadelphia, not a single moment shall be lost; after giving the necessary Orders, I shall instantly go on...
24To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 16 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency last, I have received Information, that I think may be depended upon, that Generals Clinton, Campbell, & Skinner came over into Jersey, with the Detachments from York, & Staten Islands. The Person who gives this account, was at the Ferry on Staten Island, when those three Generals were crossing, & heard General Clinton say, he had orderd two regiments from...
25To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Express this moment arrived from Brigr Gen. Wines at Hackingsack, I am informed the Enemy have crossed the North River, & totally evacuated the Jersies—Gen: Wines say’s, their Number from the best Information he could collect, was near four thousand Men, & that General Clinton was certainly with them. Should this Intelligence be true, I have wrote Gen: McDougall, (who I am informed is near...
26From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 19 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 19 Sept. 1777. Dickinson wrote GW on 20 Sept. : “I . . . have had the honor of receiving your Favor of Yesterday’s date.”
27To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 20 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 20 Sept. 1777. Dickinson wrote GW later on this date : “I wrote your Excellency this morning.”
28To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency this morning, since which have had the honor of receiving your Favor of Yesterday’s date —Your Excellency will be much surprized to hear, there are not more than one thousand of our Militia now embodied, all of which are at this Post—since the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter, I have been considering in what way I could most speedily reinforce the Army under your...
29To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 21 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 21 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Dickinson on 22 Sept. : “I am favd with yours of the 21st.”
30From George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 22 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 21st and am happy to find that you are on the point of marching to the reinforcement of this Army. To quiet the Alarms and Fears of the people upon the Sound, I would recommend it to you to pick one thousand or twelve hundred of your best Militia and let the remainder return. If you come with them yourself I beg you may march with all possible expedition to form a...