1From George Washington to Captain Daniel Morgan, 4 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I write you in Consequence of Information I have received that you & the Captains of the Rifle Companies on the Detachment agt Quebeck claim an Exemption from the Command of all the Field Officers e[x]cept Col. Arnold. I understand this Claim is founded upon some Expression [of] mine, but if you understood me in this Way, you are much mistaken in my meaning. My Intention is and ever was that...
2Orders to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 13 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Corps of Rangers newly formed and under your Command, are to be considered as a Body of Light Infantry and are to act as such, for which reason they will be exempted from the common Duties of the Line. At present you are to take post at Van Veighters Bridg⟨e⟩ and watch, with very small scouting parties (to avoid fatiguing your men too much under the present appearance of things) the...
3To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 19 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Dayton told me your excellency wanted a Country man, that Could be depended upon, to Carry letters from this to Camp, the bearer Alexander Anderson is well Recommended to me, And I belive a friend to his Country, and is willing to undertake it, this morning about seven oClock, the enemies fleet ware all in Motion, thay fired several guns which I looked upon to be signarals, thay saild...
4From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 23 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
While you are lying at Hackinsack you may be subject to a surprize by a party of the Enemy from Fort Washington except you keep your Guard advanced to Hackinsack Ferry and the Bridge above. Patrolling Parties may safely lay by day at Fort Lee, from whence they may observe what is doing at Fort Washington, or down the River toward New York. When you move it will probably be at a very short...
5From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy’s Fleet having left Sandy Hook & gone to Sea, you are, immediately on receipt of this, to march with the Corps under your Command to the City of Philadelphia & there receive Orders from the Commanding Officer—You will proceed as expeditiously, as you can by the shortest Routs—You will take no Heavy Baggage with you, but leave it to follow with an Officer and a proper Guard. I am Sir...
6To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd your instructions this morning by express, shall strictly observe them, I have detached three scouting parties this morning over the river, one to fort Lee and thare abouts to reconoitre, the other two, to cover them—have sent other parties to Colect all the boats, I have taken a man whome I believe to be a Great Vilion, but it appears to me through him some inteligence may be had, as...
7From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 26 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
If this Letter comes to hand before you have passed the Delaware, you are to halt at Trentown and there remain till further Orders, Unless you should receive authentic information of the arrival of the Enemy’s Fleet within the Capes of Delaware—In which case, you are to proceed to Philadelphia and take Orders from the Commanding Officer there, as before directed. Should you have crossed the...
8From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will march to Morrow Morning the Corps under your Command for Maidenhead in the state of Jersey and there halt ’till you receive further Orders. In your March, as well as during your stay at that place, you will take every possible care in your power to restrain every species of licentiousness in the Soldiery and to prevent them doing the least injury to the Inhabitants or their property,...
9From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 10 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd an Express from Philada informing me that a large Fleet was seen off Sinepuxent Inlet on the 7th instant. You are therefore desired to halt wherever this finds you, and wait till we hear further of this Matter. Let me know by Return of the Express where you are, that I may know how to direct for you when I have occasion to send you Orders. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt P.S. By...
10From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 16 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
After you receive this, you will march, as soon as possible, with the Corps under command to Pecks Kill, taking with you All the Baggage belonging to It. When you arrive there, you will take directions from Genl Putnam, who, I expect, will have Vessels provided to carry you to Albany. The approach of the Enemy in that Quarter, has made a further reinforcement necessary, and I know of no Corps...
11To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
And honest looking Quaker just Now Came to me and informd me that he was up and saw the number of the enemy that is now out, he thinks of the light infantry thare was about a Thousand with four field peces, he thinks there is more of the battalions out then has been before, thay ware going out from four oclock yesterday morning, till eleven, We are reinforced by fifteen or six teen detachment...
12To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Several of the Captns of the Detach’d parties put themselves under my Command, I took Charge of them fixed upon a place of randisvouz, and detach’d Companies to scout round the enemies lines, Colo. Butler fell in with a Troop of horse took ten men twelve horses and retook a man [of] Capt. Lees—the rest Narowly escaped, the other parties had no success, thay are by no means fit for scouts,...
13To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 24 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I left the lines this evening—Lord starling sint for me to know in what maner the enemy lay, that he might the better dispose of some parties he was going to send out, & intend back in the morning. Lord starling thinks the horses and accutrements ought to be sent to head Quarters that they might be put to immediate service, and the value paid to the men that took them. I spoke to the men about...
14To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Potter Militia he tells me, will all leave this place today, which will leave this post very weak, General Polaskey sent for all the horse that was with me to join their rigts, I did not think it advesable to send them before I aquinted your excellency, As none has Come to reliave them, and without Horse we should be very liable to be surpris’d—I have two butchers that Come out of...
15From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am informed this morning that the enemy’s rear are evacuating the City. You will immediately send down a small party of horse under a good officer, on this side, in order to ascertain the matter, or to gain intelligence. The result of his inquiry you will transmit as soon as possible, and hold yourself in readiness to join this army on the first orders. I am sir your very hble servt L [S] ,...
16From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the Army is to march to morrow morning at 5 OClock—towards Coryells ferry you are to cross the Schuylkill—with your detachment and the horse annexed to it, at Matsons ford—and direct your course in such a manner as to intersect our line of march and fall in on our rear. I am Sir &ca. Df , in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
17From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 23 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are upon receipt of this to take the most effectual means for gaining the enemys right flank with all possible expedition—and give them every degree of annoyance in that quarter—taking at the same time every precaution to secure your detachment against surprise—Genl Dickinson will take care that you are furnished with proper guides—and prevent the delay or danger which might arise from...
18From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are upon receipt of this, to take the most effectual means for gaining the enemys right flank, and giving them as much annoyance as possible in that quarter—Among the Militia annexed to your Corps, General Dickinson will take care that there are persons perfectly acquainted with the country and roads—so as to prevent every delay and danger which might arise from the want of intelligent...
19To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your orders last evening by the dragoon—to gain the enemies right flank, and annoy them as much as Possible —I am trying to put your order in execution, but as crosswick Creek runs perlell with the road as far as allen town, and at times runs Very Near it, cant gain thair right till we pass that place, except we cross the creek, and that would be a barier between us—the enemy encampd...
20To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I proceed from Crosswick to this place, whare I fell in with the enemies rear—we exchangd a few shot—no harm done—thay drew up on one side of the Creek and we on the other—I sent some parties to scarmish with them when the[y] emmediatly made off—took the Right hand road toward shrewsberry—I moved my whole party after them about A mile, and then filed of[f] to thair right, I intend to gain...
21To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place Yesterday encamp’d in the woods—sent out small parties—capt. Leong fell in with fifteen Granadeers and made them prisoners—deserters are continually comeng in—I have several parties out—whom I expect something from—I shall continue on the enemies Right till I have orders to the contrary—Thay keep in so compact a body that it is impossible to do them much damage—However...
22To George Washington from Daniel Morgan, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Daniel Morgan, 28 June 1778. GW wrote Morgan on this date: “I have just received your Letter by the Dragoon.”
23From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Letter by the Dragoon —as your Corps is out of supporting Distance I would have you confine yourself to observing the motions of the Enemy—unless an opportunity offers of intercepting some small Parties—and by no means to come to an Engagement with your whole Body unless you are tempted by some very evident advantage—Genl Greenes Aide de Camp has already written you...
24To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The enemy are encampd that is the rear of them, at Nut swamp —I am within three miles in thair rear—I send you a deserter who is an intillegent fellow, and can give you a Better account of thair situation then I can—I am sending out small parties round them to take maroders and to fall in with thair small pa[r]ties. if any thing worth notice should happen your excellency shall have the...
25To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 2 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I came to this place early Yestorday Morning—the enemy had left it the night before—thair main body is encampd about three miles from the Town thair rear within a mile, we are in full vew of each other—I am and have been, ever since I come out, at a great Loss for light horse, having none onaxt [annexed] to me—Genl scott sent me a serjant and six, whose horses ware tierd and was Rather an...
26From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 12 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed extract of an Act of the State of Virginia for recruiting the Continental Army was transmitted to me a few days ago by His Excellency the Governor. The Bounties and other encouragements offered by this Act are so liberal that I hope, if proper exertions are made use of, a number of the old Soldiers and Drafts may be inlisted. You will therefore be pleased to have the terms of the...
27To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I send you a return of the men inlisted In Genl Woodfords Bregade since the recruiting orders came out —I expect Genl Woodford forgot to leave orders with me to make Returns of this kind, or I should have paid particuler attention to it—youl see the number very small the men are exceedingly backward—for my part I have used every Method in my power, and I thought I had a peculier turn that...
28From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 25 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to remain at Pompton untill the Rear Division of the Convention Troops has passed Chester on their Route to Sussex Court House. You are then to march to Middle Brook and receive directions from the Quarter Master General for the position of the Brigade under your command in the line of encampment. The Regiment sent to Hackinsack is to remain there till ordered off or releived. I am...
29From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 4 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received intelligence that the Enemy have several Ships moving up the North River with troops and flat bottomed Boats. I don’t know what their Object is, but you will hold Your Men collected and well supplied with amunition and provision to act on the earliest Order. Your heavy baggage you will send on to the Encampment at Middle brook. I am Dr sir Yr Most Obedt sert LS , in Robert...
30From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 7 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of this letter you will proceed with the Brigade under your Command to middle Brook, where your Ground will be pointed out to you by the Quarter Master Genl: Colo. Clark has orders to relieve the Guard at Mr Erskines, & I shall give Colo. Febiger instructions before I leave this place. I am Sir Your Mo: Obet Servt LS , in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, PWacD : Sol Feinstone...