1From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing Congress this Morning by post, I received a Letter from Brigadier General Maxwell, requesting me to accept his resignation and assigning his reasons for the same. Having never acted on an application of this sort from an Officer of his rank, I beg leave to lay the matter before Congress & to transmit them a Copy of his Letter, by which they will be more...
2From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 14 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
By advices just received from Col. Brodhead, dated at Fort Pitt the 10th Ulto I am informed there are strong indications from several quarters, that Hostilities will be committed pretty extensively on the frontiers by the Savages, at the Opening of the Campaign—that the Troops under his command are very much distressed for want of Provisions, that they have been at half allowance of meat ever...
3George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 7 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 7, 1779 . Sends information concerning British fleet; enemy attempts to depreciate American currency; and probable future movements of British army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 21st. General Greenes letter so strongly points out the increasing danger to the Southern States, and the detachment of the pennsylvania Line to their succour makes such an alteration in our prospects here, that different dispositions, from those originally intended, are become adviseable. On this principle, I beg leave to suggest to...
5From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor to transmit the Copy of a letter which I received last evening from General Wayne who had been to reconnoitre the situation of the Enemy upon Paulus Hook —Should the Fleet, which he mentions to have fallen down to the Hook, proceed to Sea, Your Excellency will receive information of it from Major Lee, who is stationed in Monmouth, and who is directed to advise...
6From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 3 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have on different occasions done myself the honor to represent to Congress the inconveniences arising from the want of a proper gradation of punishments in our military code; but as no determination has been communicated to me, I conclude a multiplicity of business may have diverted their attention from the object. As I am convinced a great part of the vices of our discipline springs from...
7From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 10 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing a New York paper of the 8th which gives a more particular account of Admiral Rodney’s success than any we have yet seen. I cannot but hope that the enemy have dressed it in the most unfavorable Colours for us. I have the honor to be with very great Respect Your Excellency’s Most obt Servt P.S. since my last I have recd information from New York that another...
8From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform Congress that I arrived here yesterday about 12 o’clock on my return from Hartford. Some hours previous to my arrival Major General Arnold went from his quarters which were at this place, and as it was supposed over the river to the Garrison at Westpoint, whither I proceeded myself in order to visit the post. I found General Arnold had not been there during the day,...
9From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been successively honoured with your Excellency’s dispatches of the 12th 13th & 16th and shall duly attend to the contents. Your Excellency, probably by this time, has heard of the revolt of the Jersey Troops in imitation of the Pensylvania line. Advice that this had been the case with a part of them, with an expectation of its becoming general, reached me the night before last—their...
10From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 28 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit Your Excellency the Extract of a Letter of the 23d Instant, which I received to day from Colo. Vanschaick. This will inform Your Excellency, that the Indians have lately made Two incursions on our Frontiers & taken Five of the Inhabitants of Tryon County & killed one & captured a Guard of Thirteen Militia posted at Skeensborough. I wish I had no other intelligence...
11From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favors of the 6th and 9th instants, with the Acts and papers to which they refer. The first did not reach me ’till the 13th in the Evening. I shall, in obedience to the order of Congress, take the proper steps for a Court of Enquiry to be held on the Conduct of Major Genl Gates as Commander of the Southern Army; and also shall, agreeable to their...
12From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s favor of the 21st inclosing a Report from the Board of War, upon the application of Colonel Armand for promotion to the Rank of Brigadier in the service of the United States, on which, Congress have been pleased to request my opinion. I am ready to acknowledge the Grounds, on which, Colo. Armand founds his pretensions to higher Rank, so far as they...
13George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 31 January 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] January 31, 1781 . Encloses reports of the New Jersey mutiny and the “West Chester” enterprise. Commends troops in both operations. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
14From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to acquaint Congress that I have been informed by a letter from Governor Jefferson to their Committee in Camp, lately received, that the Legislature of Virginia had a Bill before them, when His Excellency wrote, for raising Five Thousand Men for Eighteen months to supply their Battallions; and that by a Letter, with which he was pleased to honor me at the same time, he requested...
15From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 26th and 29th ulto with the inclosures to which you refer—They shall be duly attended to. Under cover of the letter of the 26th is one from General Gates to Congress, indorsed by the Secretary "Ordered to be transmitted to the Commander in Chief." without any particular directions respecting the subject of it. Congress have been informed...
16George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 31 March 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 31, 1780 . Encloses and discusses a report of the commissioners for prisoner exchange who met at Amboy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
17George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 3 April 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 3, 1780 . Pleads cause of officers of additional regiments. Discusses dissatisfaction in Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
18From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Cochran, Physician and Surgeon General of the Army in the Middle Department, will have the honor of presenting this to Your Excellency, and of explaining to you the distressed situation of the Hospitals for necessary Stores, even at this time, when the number of sick are exceedingly few. From present prospects of the operations of this Campaign, we must expect to have a considerable...
19From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 28 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place today, having yesterday broke up the Camp near the Passaic Falls and detached the Troops to their different places of Cantonment. I shall repair to New Windsor where I purpose to establish my Winter Quarters, after having made some necessary regulations here, and visited the Hospitals. The following will be the general position of the Army during the Winter—The...
20George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Preakness [ New Jersey ] July 22, 1780 . Has sent “definitive proposals of co-operation to the French General and Admiral.” Is proceeding on assumption that the states “will ultimately consult their own interest and honor; and not suffer us to fail for want of means which it is evidently in their power to afford.” Reiterates need for transportation. Df , in writing of H, George Washington...
21From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 4 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The following Gentlemen, Colonels Magaw, Mathews, Eli & Lt Colo. Ramsay have been permitted to come out of New York on parole, with some new propositions for an exchange of prisoners—the result of a conference between Major General Phillips & themselves. These they will have the honor of submitting to Congress, as I do not conceive myself authorised to take any steps in the business without...
22George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 April 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] April 21, 1781 . Asks Congress to authorize the quarter-master general to appoint Colonel Jabez Champlin a barrack master to be attached to the French army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
23George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces the Vicomte de Noailles. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Louis Marie, Vicomte de Noailles, was a brother-in-law of the Marquis de Lafayette. He was “mestre de camp en second du regiment colonel-general hussards; mestre de camp en second of the Regiment Soissonnais” ( GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The...
24From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this minute received the inclosed New York paper of the 13th which I transmit for your Excellency’s perusal. From the particulars related with respect to Mr Lauren’s capture, I am very much afraid that the account is really true. By other recent intelligence from New York which is direct, the Cork fleet is said to be on the Coast. I have the Honor to be With great respect Yr...
25George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Orangetown [ New York ] August 20, 1780 . Thanks Congress for increase in powers. Describes situation in Army. Discusses position of Great Britain both here and abroad. Reviews European situation. Argues for establishing a draft either for duration of war or for three years. Reiterates need of “ample and equal provision for the Army.” Repeats need for half-pay provision for officers. Urges...
26From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The representations I had the honor to transmit in my letters of the 10th and 12th and those now inclosed will inform Congress of the deplorable distress of the great departments of the army. I beg leave to add that from a particular consultation of the Commissaries, I find our prospects are infinitely worse than they have been at any period of the War, and that unless some expedient can be...
27From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 5 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the Letter which I had the honor of writing to You on the 27th of January, I mentioned that Colo. Armand was young in the service of France; by the Inclosed Letter from him it appears that I had been misinformd. as the Colonel is apprehensive this idea may operate in future to His prejudice, I take the liberty to transmit what he has said upon the subject. I have the Honor to be with the...
28From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 13th instant, I did myself the honor to inform Congress, that an embarkation was preparing at New York, and that it was to consist, in part, of the British Grenadiers and Light Infantry. I have since learned, from some of our Officers who have been exchanged, that those Corps were once under embarkation orders, but that there had been a change, and others substituted in...
29From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor inclosing two acts of Congress of the 24th and 25th Ulto. While I express my sense of the approbation with which Congress have honored me, and my pleasure from the manner in which it has been communicated, permit me to congratulate you on the presidency with which you are vested. The army must feel the motives to a discharge of their duty...
30From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellency’s favors of the 10th and 14th Instants —The advance of the British Army towards the borders of North Carolina is an alarming circumstance, more especially, as there is every reason to believe that the force which lately sailed from New York is intended to cooperate with them—The enemy, by several accounts, received a reinforcement from Europe in the...
31From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose your Excellency a New York paper of the 21st—which contains his British Majesty’s speech and several other Articles of European intelligence. Your Excellency’s favor of the 12th inclosing Copies of sundry matters respecting the State of Georgia and the exchange of Brigr Genl Elbert, only reached me last Evening. I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect...
32George Washington to Samuel Huntington, [27 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Preakness, New Jersey, November 27, 1780. ] Introduces Mauduit du Plessis. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Thomas Antoine, Chevalier de Mauduit du Plessis, had been an American officer but was now again in the French army.
33From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 10 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have, with great pleasure, seen the very laudable association of the Merchants of Philadelphia, for procuring a quantity of provisions and Rum for the Army. I am well persuaded, that the same spirit exists in those of the other considerable trading Towns, who, perhaps, only want being made acquainted with the distresses of the Army, in Articles almost as essential as those of provision, to...
34George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 11 October 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] October 11, 1780 . Approves of resolution for the Army establishment with certain reservations. Recommends either half-pay for life or full pay for seven years for all officers. Approves the number of regiments planned, but recommends an increase in the number of men and officers in each regiment. Makes suggestions concerning the cavalry and artillery. Believes...
35From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Samuel Huntington, 23 Nov. 1779 . Huntington wrote GW on 4 Dec.: “I am honour’d with your several favours of 23d 24th 27th & 29th Ulto” (see GW to Huntington, 29 Nov. , source note).
36From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
On Monday Evening I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 10th, with the Inclosures to which it refers, by Major Clarkson. I also had the honor since, on the night of the 17th, to receive Your Favor of the 11th. I regret much the failure of the expedition against Savannah, and the causes which seem to have produced it. The North Carolina Troops proceeded yesterday to New...
37From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 20th and 23d ulto. I shall take as early measures as circumstances will admit for having an enquiry into the conduct of Colo. Brodhead and the Deputy Quarter Master at Fort pitt. Mr Fowlers Charges are so very diffuse, that I shall be obliged to call upon him to specify them more particularly, and I apprehend there will then be a...
38George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 November 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Passaic Falls [ New Jersey ] November 20, 1780 . Discusses problems involved in exchanging prisoners with Great Britain. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
39From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 2 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing Your Excellency on the 28th Ulto, I have received intelligence, which seems to place it beyond doubt, that the Enemy are about to make a further imbarkation of Troops from New York, and the common opinion is, that they are going to reinforce Sir Henry Clinton. Lord Rawdon’s brigade, said to consist of his own Regiment & of Brown’s, Fanning’s & Another corps:...
40From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 24 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting the Copy of a letter which I received late last evening from General Wayne, from which it appears, that the fleet has sailed from New York. The moment I receive any further particulars of their destination, or the number of Troops on board, I shall forward them. Your Excellency will also find inclosed the Copy of a second letter from Mr Champion to Colo....
41George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
New Bridge [ New Jersey ] September 15, 1780 . Asserts that the fall of Camden “adds itself to many others to exemplify the necessity of an army, the fatal consequences of depending on Militia.” Regrets that South still relies on militia. Is to meet the French commanders on September 20. Explains measures taken concerning certificates. Does not think it expedient to send a detachment to South...
42George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 3 February 1781 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] February 3, 1781 . Proposes changes in system of punishment in the Army. Asks Congress to repeal the article of war which gives commanding officers of corps the right to furlough soldiers. Encloses a form of furlough. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
43George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 30 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Paramus [ New Jersey ] July 30, 1780 . Requests Congress to take measures to induce Major General Nathanael Greene and other officers of the quartermaster department to continue their services. Explains that unless this is done “we not only must cease the preparations for the campaign; but shall in all probability be obliged to disperse, if not disband the army for want of subsistence.” LS ,...
44From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 9th instant. General Morgans signal victory over Colo. Tarleton, with the flower of the British Army, reflects the highest honor upon our Arms, and I hope will, at least, be attended ⟨with⟩ this advantage, that it will check the offensive operations of the Enemy, untill General Greene shall have collected a much more respectable force...
45George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 December 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] December 15, 1779 . Reiterates need for food for the Army. States that news of the sailing of British fleet was premature. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
46George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 18 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 18, 1780 . Reports that British are still at “Elizabeth Town point,” and that Sir Henry Clinton has arrived from the South. Asks Congress to urge Pennsylvania to send “forward the drafts, they have already made.” States a need for wagons. States that “not a single draft has yet joined the Army … and here we are in the middle of June.” Emphasizes urgent need for...
47From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 14 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have just received advice that Admiral Rodney’s Fleet, with the transports which have been sometime preparing, fell down to the Hook on saturday last. The number of troops on board is not yet ascertained. It is said that Major General Phillips commands the detachment, but I have it not sufficiently vouched, to make it a matter of certainty—Their destination is generally believed to be to the...
48From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 19–20 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to your Excellency’s care the inclosed Letters for Governor Rutledge. They are both—on the same subject—and also contain Letters for Major General Lincoln. As they respect matters of an interesting nature, I wish them to go by Two Conveyances that there may be the greater chance of their getting to the Governor’s hands—and the sooner this could take place the...
49From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 9 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Col. Gansewort has applied to me on a subject, which I am under a necessity of referring to Congress, as they are alone competent to decide upon it. On the 4th of October 1777 they were pleased to pass a resolution of thanks to him for his bravery and perseverance in the defence of Fort Schuyler—appointing him, by way of reward, Colonel Commandant of the same. He also received a special...
50From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 17 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your Excellencys dispatches of the 6th and 9th of April. The Maryland division marched this morning—with the first regiment of Artillery and eight field pieces besides those attached to the Brigades which will be useful at any rate essential if an accident should happen to Charles Town—The want of Waggons has unavoidably retarded the march of the Troops till this time. I...