11From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 12 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding I shall probably feel the effect, I do most cordially and sincerely congratulate you on your victory over Clinton and the British Squadron at Sullivans Island—A victory undoubtedly it is, when an Enemy are drub’d, and driven from a Country they were sent to Conquer—such is the case of Clinton and Sir Peter Parker, who are now with the Fleet & Army at Staten Island, where Genl...
12Instructions to Major General Charles Lee, 10 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The late movement of the Enemy, and the probability of their having designs upon the Jerseys (confirmd by Sundry accts from Deserters & Prisoners) rendering it necessary to throw a body of Troops over the North River, I shall immediately follow, & the Command of the Army which remains (after Genl Heaths Division Moves to Pecks kiln’s) devolving upon you, I have to request[:] That you will be...
13From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a Copy of Sundry Resolutions of Congress, which came to hand since I left the Plains. They will discover to you their Opinion as to the necessity of taking the most early measures to levy the New Army. The Resolves cannot have any Operation but in the instance of the Rhode-Island Regiments, Commissioners having come from the States of Massachusets & Connecticut and...
14From George Washington to Major Generals Charles Lee and William Heath, 14 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
As an Exchange of Prisoners, is likely to take effect, as soon as the circumstance of the case will admit, and as, in the course of the transaction, it may possibly happen, that an attempt may be made by the Enemy to redeem their prisoners by men in their possession, who were never ingag’d in our service, I must request you, to direct the Colonels, or Commanders of Regiments under your...
15From George Washington to Major Generals Charles Lee and William Heath, 16–17 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed Resolves, that Congress have entered into some New regulations respecting the Inlistment of the New Army, and reprobating the measures adopted by the State of Massachusetts Bay for raising their Quota of Men. As every possible exertion should be used for recruiting the Army as speedily as may be, I request that you immediately publish in Orders that an...
16From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 21 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
It must be painful to you as well as to us to have no News to send you but of a melancholy Nature. Yesterday Morning the Enemy landed a large Body of Troops below Dobb’s Ferry & advanced very rapidly to the Fort called by your Name. I immediately went over & as the Fort was not tenable on this side & we in a narrow Neck of Land the passes out of wch the Enemy were attempting to sieze directed...
17From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
By the negligent and infamous conduct of the post rider, the Eastern Mail of Friday was brought to Heckensec and there stopped to fall into the hands of the Enemy. Supposing it may have contained some Letters from you of a public nature, I have thought it proper to give you the earliest notice, that you may guard against any advantages the Enemy may expect to derive from the Accident. I...
18From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you this morning of the probability, that some of your letters, to me, had fall’n with the mail into the enemy’s hands; My apprehensions on that head, have been since confirmed. By direct intelligence from their camp, I am informed that a letter from you, is confidently said to have come to their hands, & that measures are taking to intercept your march; To prevent them from effecting...
19From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 27 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received the favor of your Letter of the 25th. My former Letters were so full and explicit as to the necessity of your marching as early as possible, that it is unnecessary to add more on that Head. I confess I expected you would have been sooner in motion. The force here when joined by yours, will not be adequate to any great opposition, at present it is weak, and it has been...
20From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 29 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favor of the 26th: Your Letters to Governor Trumbull for a reinforcement of Militia were exceedingly proper, though I doubt much whether they can be obtained, as they have suffered many inconveniences in the course of the present Campaign; Nor was the application to Mr Bowdoin for Cloaths &c. less necessary. I am happy to hear the Men discover so much readiness to...