1From George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Charles Scott, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The third, Seventh, Eleventh, and fifteenth Virginia Regiments are to compose your Brigade; the duties of which you are immediately to enter upon, and to make yourself master of the true State of those Regiments, as early as possible. The necessity of occupying so many Posts, as we at present do, will prevent your drawing the Brigade into compact order, till further orders; but the Regiments...
2To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Charles Scott, 30 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Charles Scott, 30 June 1777. GW’s letter to John Hancock of 1 July 1777 says that after the British army’s evacuation of Perth Amboy, N.J., on the previous day, Scott entered the town and then “withdrew his Brigade & halted about Four Miles from thence. . . . He wrote me, he should return this Morning.”
3To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am for making an attack, So soon as things Can be put in readiness. as to the plan I can Think of none better than that proposd by Genl Cadwalader, with this alteration, that the partie proposd to land in the City be detached from Genl Green and not taken from this armey. I Have two reasons for this, the one is that those Men with him are the Flower of the armey and That it will requier, the...
4To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
After Considering Maturly the matter Proposd Yesterday with reguard to the Quartering the Troops for this winter, I have at Length thaught that Wilmington and its Neighbouring Villages the Most Elligable. I would not wish to Trouble Your Excelleny with my Reasons as it was So very Fully Spoke upon Yesterday. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW had...
5To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your Excellencys letter of Yesterday. I well remember the proposition made. I then thaught there was a probability of Success in Such an attempt, but after Your Excellency returnd from Reconoitring the Enemy’s Lines and hearing Your oppinion with regard To their Strength, I lost every Idea of a Winters Campaign. I must confess I never Promised my self any Certainty of Success In it. But...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As Genl Weedon and I have consulted together with regard to the Arrangement of the Army &c., I would not wish to trouble Your Excellency with reading over the same thing a second time—I approve of every thing he has wrote on that head and refer you to his letter, with this addition, That our light Corps be augmented to at least, One thousand men, Half of which should be Riflemen and the other...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have reconsider’d the several Questions your Excellency propos’d last evening, and am of Opinion that we ought by no means to risque a General Action—I don’t think it would be proper to move this Army, or any part of it, from this strong ground untill the Route of the Enemy is certainly ascertain’d. I have not the most distant Idea of having it in our power to annoy the Enemy on their March...
8George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 24 June 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Hopewell Township, New Jersey, June 24, 1778 . Orders Scott to Allentown to harass enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
9From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to march with the detachment, under your command towards Allen Town, in order to fall in with the enemy’s left flank and rear, and give them all the annoyance in your power. You will carefully collect intelligence as you advance and govern your motions accordingly; and you will take every precaution for the security of your detachment consistent with the objects it is...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 14 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
With the detachment of light troops under your command you are to take post in front of our camp and in such a position as may appear best calculated to preserve the security of your own corps and cover this army from surprise. For the better execution of these purposes you will make yourself master of all the roads leading to the enemies lines. You will keep up a constant succession of...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Previous to the rect of Your orders through Colo. Tilghman I had sent Colos. Butler and parker with an Escort of 12 D[r]agoons To the Neighbourhood of Frogs point, with orders To take every possable Means in their power To git the Very best Intelegence from thence, I mentioned to them, giting some inhabitant Who they Could confide in. I also desierd them to Make enquiery whether there was any...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I sent You a Message By Capt. Anderson from Volentines hill informing Your Excellency of the Fleat in the sound I dispatched Colos. Butler & parker from That place for Intelligence, they are Just Returnd from the Waters edg opposit them and inform me that there are about 70 Sail Chiefly Transports the Bulk of which Lyes about the west end of City Island, A considerable part of those vessils...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the intelligence I this moment received from Colls Butler & Parker. I am your Excellencys Obedient Servt Sprague transcript , DLC:GW . Scott wrote and signed a note on the cover of the letter: “pass the Bearer to Head Quarters” (MB). The enclosure, a letter to Scott from colonels Richard Butler and Richard Parker, dated “New Rochelle [N.Y.] ½ past 10 OClock,” reads: “We find the...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inteligence from York by good Authority that Seven of the Cork fleet is arived—Which Braught 600 Marins, that they war imbarking Heavy Cannon Yesterday and other Stors, 4 or 5 Brigads imbarked two days ago part of which Was from long Island, those from York Saild Out at the Hook the others eastward, all the remainder Of the fleat was taking in Stors, it is the Genl oppinion of the...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 31 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your Favour through Colo. Tilghman, Particular attention shall be paid to it, Capt. Leavensworth is now on long Island for that purpose But fearing he may Fail I will Dispatch a nother Person, about 8 oClock this morning Colo. Gist Fell in with a partie of the enemy about two mile Below Philaps’s hous and after exchanging a fiew Shot they gave way leaving one killed Dead & Making three...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am Sorry to inform You that I have not been able to get any Intelligence worth Your attention since The Rect of Your Instructions. Colo. Butler returnd last evning who tells me it is next to an impossability to get a proper person to go on long Island, I Have Still out Colo. Grayham & Capt. Levengsworth I hope they may bring somthing. Inclosd Your Excellency will Receive a Paper of the 29th....
17To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having Considerd the several Matters Your Excellency Laid before the board of officers last evening. I am of opinion that No relief be Sent from this armey to Rhode Island unless Some farther Intelligence should Warrant it, which in all probability the Event of a few Days will determine I have no Idea of any Valuable purposes Being answer’d by even taking posession (If we could do so) of the...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 3 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Levensworth returnd last Night but Was not able to procure any Intelligence Material, he Is again gon to meet another person whom he expects from Whitestone, Colo. Grayham also expects to meet a person from New York this Day. So soon as it can possably be had I will Transmit it to Your Excellency. Inclosd You’l Receive a York paper of Yesterdays date. I am Your Excellency’s Obt Servant...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 6 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Croghan Waits on Your Excellency for the Hard Money. nothing extraordinary this morning. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Below Scott’s signature, GW wrote out a receipt, which was signed by Capt. William Croghan: “Septr 6th 1778. Then received Twenty five Guineas of Geo. Washington to be delivered to Brigr Genl Scott.” According to GW’s expense account, the money was sent...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 8 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am unhappy to inform You that the Enemy had returnd before our partie was able to Reach them, Be assurd that every exertion was made To intercept them, the attention of our partie was so Taken up with the two Columns on Wards & Volentons Roads that it was impossable to git intelligence of That partie sooner than we did, they had passed by East Chester near two Hour before our partie got...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 9 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the unhappiness to inform You that Desertion still prevails among my Corps, we Seldom Send a Detachment on the line, But we loose one or two. and last night Deserted From this Camp three Serjants and 29 privats of Colo. Grayhams Regt of Militia, whom I am much afraid has gon to the enemy. as three of them are taken up by one of my Picquets making that way, this togather with those...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your orders through Colo. Meade which Shall be immedeatly attended to. Capt. Leavenworth is now on the Sound In persute of Intilligence I make no doubt He will be able to give Some Acct of the Fleat You mention. Exclusive of this I Shall this moment Send Colos. Butler Parker & Grayham Some of them I make no doubt Will be able Learn with Certainty whether they have troops on Board. my...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am led to believe that the enemy are at the Very eve of a Movement. the Several Persons Sent in for intelligence, who was to Have been Back (Some Yesterday and others the Day before) are not Yet returnd, I am told that they are all good people. this togather with What Colo. Gist tells me about a person that He Sent in with Markiting being stoped at the out lines Contrary to the Usual costom...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 13 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment Intelligence from Colo. Gist That, by a Deserter he is informd that there are about Five thousand of the enemy Coming out, two thousand On the Albany road & three thousand on Mile square Road. the deserter says that he belong’d to one of the Parties. in consequince of this I have put every thing In the Greatest readiness to receive them. mean time I Have orderd Majr Lee &...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 14 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment recd a Note from Majr Tallmadge who informs me that his patroles Are Just returnd, who has been on all the roads Between the Brunnx and North river, the one on the albany road proceeded down almost as Fare as Phillips’s Hous that on Sawmill River as low as fowlers then Crossed the ridge To the Mile Square road five miles below this, Nither of which has obtaind the least...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General and Field Officers of the day, have orders to withdraw the pickets at day-break to morrow morning—Previous to that, you are to assemble Major Lees Corps, and the rest of the Cavalry under your command, and distribute them on the different Roads leading to the Enemys lines, directing them to advance with a view of discovering whether the enemy intend any forward movement—that the...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I send Your Excellency a letter and two York papers, which Came out late Last evening by a flag, Gists riflemen Feird on the flag, but don no damage The officer who came with the flag begs That an answer to the letter may be sent In this Day. I have not been able to Git any intelligence by our Spies, as none of them have been able to git out Yet. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servant ALS , DLC:GW...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment recd Intelligence By two Gentlemen from Colo. Gist, that there Are a large partee of the enemy, out on the Albany road about a mile below Phillaps’s Hous and advancing they also inform that a Partee was Seen Going towards Volintins Hill Every Possable Care Shall be taken to git Their Design and be immediatly Transmited. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servant p.s. Majr Lee was at...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment informd by a hors man from Majr Taylor that the enemy Are on Volentens hill with a large body of Both hors and foot. they ware halted and under arms if they move I have given Orders to the Parties to Skirmish with them To my Camp. my Bagage is just geting under way with orders to halt at Chatterton hill Untill Farther orders. if they should Continue To advance I shall make the...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd Your Excellency will receive a note from Majr Tallmadge whith what Intelligences I git from Gists Corps I have again given orders to both advanced Parties to keep up a Constant fier on them If they continue to advance we are in Perfect readiness to Support them. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter, which Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge wrote Scott on this date...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last messenger to Colo. Gist is just Returnd, and Brings the inclosd note from Majr Tallmadge. I believe the enemy murst be Gon in and what Can keep Gist I cant conseive. I have order’d my Corps to halt Short of Chatterton hill unt[i]ll Gist arr[i]ves. I have Thrown Majr Lee with his Corps on the East Side of the Brunx with orders to Patroll To New Rotchel and East Chester Indeed I have...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I returnd from Claps tavern to this place last Evening about Seven oClock and took post to the left of the Artillery park, the whole of the Horse was advanced on the Several roads Leading to the Enemy with orders to keep out Patrolls, which wear Advanced as fare as they Could venter with safety, they Will continue to do this untill Called off, the whole of the infantry Lay on their arms all...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 17th & 18th inst. went down the Sound from the Eastward upwards of one hundred Sail of vessels, part of them loaded with forage—Among them were several large ships. I have not been able to learn whether there were any troops on board. By the last Accounts from New York, five Brigades embark’d on the 16th and all the Pilots for the sound impress’d about the same time. I have two very...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 21 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The fleet I mentiond to Your Excellency in My last coming from the eastward, I have Just been Able to Learn whither they had any troops on board A person imployd for that purpose informs me That on the 18th & 19th they came too off whitestone Where they disembarked, (he thinks) between Five and Seven thousand Men, who incamped on the Ground in That Neighbourhood. they Brought with them and...
35From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of yesterdays date this morning. The security of your command makes it in my opinion perfectly expedient to take post five miles above Claps tavern—you should if possible be out of surprizing distance, while your scouts may be made use of to watch the movements of the enemy—I would have you to keep a constant look out on the Sound from the commanding hights near Claps...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Some time in the day Yesterday a Country man was Seen on the North river who told that a large Body of the enemy had Crossed the North River into The Jerseys, the day before, about the time he says they Crossed my Patrolls inform me they heard a Smart Firing of Small arms on the other Side of the river, as they thaught. I immediatly on hearing this Sent Colo. Grayham to Dobs’s Ferry with...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have not been able to hear any Thing farther of the partie that Came out Yesterday. I detached Majr Lee this morning at day brake to watch their motions & if Possable to discover their intention. the flat Bottom boats being moved up to King bridg Leads me to believe they Ither intend to Turn my Right, whilst they amuse me in Front, or that they intend passing Some Troops over the river under...
38From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of yesterday 9 Oclock is just come to hand; & by the Officer you will receive twenty five Guineas. I earnestly entreat, that you will endeavour to get some intelligent person into the City, & others of his own choice to be Messengers between you and him, for the purpose of conveying such information as he shall be able to obtain & give. It is of great consequence to the French...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I rcd Your Excellencys Favors of the 24th Through Colo. Tilghman at 2 oClock this morning. on tusday last a Considerable Number of the Enemy imbarked and fell down with the tide towards the Hook. their disteny is not Yet known —By two deserters I am told that when the detachment (I mentiond in my last) Marched the whole of their bagage as well that below The bridg as above was carryed to a...
40From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of Yesterday. There are three facts contained in it which I would wish you to ascertain if possible. The embarkation of the Troops, their number and destination. The embarkation of the Cavalry, and whether there was a meeting of the Refugees and what was the Business proposed to them. From the correspondence which you say you have now established I hope for information that will...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Yours of this date, and observe Your Excellencys wish Respecting three facts as for the embarkation of the troops it is doubtless True, and that they did fall down with the tide Towards the Hook the same Night is also true. But their Destination I am as Yet a Stranger to and also of their Number. I have not been able to Learn any thing farther of the Cavelry than a confirmation of their...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment informd by an officer of majr Lees that the enemy are advancing in a Very Considerable force. he left them about a mile Below Your Quarters at white plains. their Horse persued him almost to the Hospital near Claps Tavern. there has been Som Scattering fier on Wards Road and also on the north river. I suppose It has been with our hors patrolls on those roads I have not Yet...
43From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of yesterday late last night. There are one or two facts with respect to the enemys affairs of great importance to be known which I would wish to have communicated as soon as possible. you will therefore ascertain with certainty and precision whether the forage which they have drawn from the Jersey and by means of the party from Kingsbridge has been stacked in their yards or...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
From the best account that I have been Able to get the enemy have no design of Moving Their main body farther than their presant incampment, about Volentins hill, they keep out Strong Forraging parties up as high as dobs’s ferry and on the other Side to wards House, they have taken off large Quantitys of wheat in the Straw and all the hay that is in that Country which is carryed Immediatly on...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing You this morning I am Inform’d from Colo. Gist who is Near Tarry town that about two hundred of the Greens and about a hundred horse was up as fare as Tarry town Plundering every body in their way. Majr Lees Corps was Just mounted to go down in order To Join Gist when I recd the infermation I am in great hopes they will be able to do Somthing Cleaver—I have heard nothin farther...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your Excellencys favour of Yesterday Late last evening. as I hourly expected some intilegence from the lines I deferd answering it until This Morning. I had previous to the rect of Your Letter been indeavouring to learn whither the forrage Was Stored in York or kept on board their Ships, but Have not been able to know as Yet. we had a person Out of their Camp Yesterday, who knows no...
47From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 28 Inst. late last night. You will continue your information of the enemys progress; and by those means which you have set on foot, for the obtaining intelligence from New-york, endeavour to learn as much as possible of their naval force—their number—their sailing—or detachments—All facts of this kind are of the utmost importance to the Count d’Estaing, and every...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment Recd a letter from Capt. Leavenworth with Some intellegince which You Have in Closd. the Deserters that wear taken Going to their Regiments I had Tryed Yesterday & the Court are of oppinon that they Receive one Hundred Lashes each. I orderd it should be put in execution Immediatly. upon which a Number of offi cers Politely petitiond me to pardon them assuring me that they wear...
49From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday inclosing Capt. Leavensworth’s intelligence—I shall move myself to Fishkill to day, to which place be pleased to send your next dispatches. I have directed the relay of Horsemen to move their present stages to form a communication directly from you to Fishkill. I think your present position rather too near the North River, as there is a possibility that the enemy may...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment recd a Second letter from Capt. Leavensworth giving a more particular Acct From the persons who made their Escape from The Enemy. tho it amounts to but little more Than that, I sent Yesterday, I thought it my duty to Send it. the inclosd is his letter. Colo. Butler with three Hundred men and Majr Lee with his Corps has been very Near the enemys lines for two days past, I heard...