21George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 7 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pawlins Mill [ Pennsylvania ] October 7, 1777 . Orders Varnum to “the Baptist meeting House in Montgomery Township” to meet main Army. Df , in writing of H, Papers of George Washington, Library of Congress. Fitzpatrick dates this letter October 8, 1777 ( GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , IX, 333).
22From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 14 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 29th Ultimo. It is no easy matter, and always requires great efforts of judgement, to extinguish a general spirit of complaint, without punishing the principal offenders; for soldiers are restrained, more by fear, than by argument; by severe and well timed example, than by cool and lenient measures. I could wish there were no reasons to suppose that the soldiers...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
From various accounts I am convinced that the Enemy are upon the point of making a grand effort upon Fort Mifflin. A person in confidence of one of their principal artificers thinks it will be to day or tomorrow. No time is therefore to be lost in making that Garrison as respectable as your numbers will admit, for should the attack commence before they are reinforced, it may probably be out of...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you at One O’Clock this day yours dated twelve last Night came to hand. This has occasioned an alteration in the sentiments of myself and the Council, who find it impossible, from your representation, to give timely releif to the Fort. We therefore are now of opinion that the Cannon and Stores ought immediately to be removed, and every thing put into a disposition to remove...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity I am under for Troops obliges me to desire You to call upon the several Continental Colonels in your State in the most peremptory manner to make Returns of the Men they have inlisted, and to march all those that have had the Small pox immediately to join the Army here. If any of their Companies are not complete, proper Officers must be left behind to make up the deficiency, and...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of yesterday inclosing the opinion of Major Thayer the present Commandant at Fort Miflin respecting the defence of that Post —and am happy to find that he and Major Fleury coincide in their Sentiments as to the practicability of maintaining it, in spite of the Enemys Land and floating Batteries —Their Perseverance however may expose them to falling a Sacrifice in...
27From George Washington to James Mitchell Varnum, 10 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Olney deliver’d me your favor of the 23 June—I am much indebted to that Gentleman for his close attention to the good of Service whilst in your State—He has certainly proved himself a valuable Officer. Tho’ your State have not fully complied with the desires of Congress some Credit is due them for what they have done I am sorry I cannot say so much of the other States—but tho’ the...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 10 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am pleased to find by yours of the 8th that proper dispositions were formed for the Reception of the Enemy at Forts Mercer and Mifflin and that the Garrisons were so full of confidence. We already hear a firing which we suppose a prelude to something more serious. I sincerely wish you sucess; but let the event be fortunate or otherwise pray let me have the speediest intelligence. I am Dr Sir...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon your appointment to the Rank of Brigadier General in the Continental Army. Your Commission shall be forwarded to you, as soon as it comes to my hands. It will bear date from 21st last Month. I beg you will make use of your utmost Exertions, to raise and equip the two Battalions allotted to your State, which, by a letter from Govr Cook, I hope will...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you two Letters yesterday, the first contained positive orders to maintain the Fort on Mud Island at all events, the second in consequence of subsequent advices from you gave discretionary powers to evacuate the post—and a Copy of it was sent to guard against miscarriage—I refer you to its Contents and repeat that I would have a show of defence kept up as long as possible, by such a...
31From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not having been favoured with an Answer to my letter to you on the 3d Ulto I flattered myself that the Order it contained “that you would have innoculated all the Recruits of the two Regiments to be raised by Rhode Island as fast as they inlisted,” had been executed. But a letter from Governor Cook dated the 18th Ulto informs me that You are taking Methods to have the Regiments innoculated as...
32From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon perusing the Petition hand’d by you this Morning in favor of Lieutenant Peck—I have given orders that he may be released from his Arrest. The Nature of the Charge exhibited against this Gentleman is very weighty, & which, the excellent Character he has hitherto borne, could only induce me to overlook—I hope this Instance will sufficiently warn him, & prevent his doing any thing in future...
33From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 11 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favors of 9th & 10th Instant, I have duly received. I think we may reasonably hope, that from the good disposition of the Troops in your Quarter, & the Zeal & Activity of the Officers & men, Join’d to the present very advanced & cold Season, which must greatly retard if not prevent the Operations of the Enemy; Matters may terminate with you agreeable to our Expectations—this must have the...
34From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 6 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of Yesterday informing me that the detatchment under your command will be at Coryells Ferry this Evening. I desire you will cross immediately upon the Rect of this and proceed by the nearest Rout to Hilltown Township near the Heights of which we shall move our Encampment. As soon as you arrive upon your Ground send me a Messenger to let me know exactly where you are. I am Sir Yr...
35From George Washington to James Mitchell Varnum, 10 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your favor of the 21st Ulto—and beg your acceptance of my particular acknowledgements for the honoroable & flattering manner in which you have spoken of me, in the dedication to your Oration, delivered before our Brethren at Providence. The Sentiments which you have expressed in your Oration, I have read with pleasure and am with great esteem & regard Dr Sir Yr...
36From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 6th instant this moment reached me, inclosing returns of the batalions raising in your state. You must continue to send them forward with all expedition, whatever affect it may have in the opinions of those you mention. Their presence in this quarter cannot be dispensed with; and it is impossible to neglect a certain and pressing danger, in order to guard against a precarious and...
37From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Gens. St Clair, Knox and Kalb returned to Camp this Evening, they are all clear in their opinions that keeping possession of the Jersey Shore at or near Red Bank is of the last importance. I have therefore determined to make such an addition to the reinforcement that marched this morning under Genl Huntingdon, that I am in hopes you will be able to give an effectual Check to the Force...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Previous to the Rect of your Commands of Yesterday, I had sent an additional Reinforcement of a Capt. two Subs., three Serjeants and fifty Rank & File into Fort Mifflin. I have been at Fort Mifflin to day; The Enemy are prepared to open a Battery of five Guns, I take them to be Eighteens or Twenty fours, this Night, or tomorrow Morning, In Conjunction with their two Howitzers, besides two...
39To George Washington from James Mitchell Varnum, 21 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon the foregoing System, each Battalion of Infantry consisting of five hundred Rank and File, a very considerable Reduction of Officers, will be necessary. I have ever esteemed it a Misfortune that by the last Arrangement a large Number of Officers retired upon halfpay, without being liable to a Recall into Service. Rapid Promotions are extremely injurious to the Service. The Appointment of...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Garrison holds out; tho’ the Enemy continue to batter with great Success upon the Works, but few Men are killed and wounded. The Troops are extremely fatigued. I shall send one Hundred fresh Troops this Night, &, all that I have tomorrow Night, if the Fort should remain defensible—The most fatigued will be taken from the Garrison. Colo. Smith will be unable to return to his Command for...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 1–4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Commands of the 3rd March last, I received the 18th of said Month; Agreeable to which I called upon the Colos. for a Return of their Battalions; I have finally got them. On the 28th ultimo your Excellency’s orders of the 6th of the same Month was received. The Troops who have had the small Pox will march on Monday next, about one hundred and forty or fifty as appears by the...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 10 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy this Morning opened against us with five Batteries. At two this afternoon, no Man was killed or wounded. The Cannonade and Bombardment have continued feebly since that Hour. I suppose the Rain has prevented their being more brisk—They have thrown some Shot among our Shipping: Theirs remain below us. They have made but little Impression upon the Works or Pallisades. I have just...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 7 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here Yesterday morning on my Way from Rhode Island. I found Mrs Varnum in a distressed Situation, having been robbed of every Article Cloathing, except a morning undress which she had on. I am detained here by a severe Inflamation in the Face, occasioned by a Cold after drawing a troublesome Tooth. I hope to join my Brigade soon, but fear I shall be laid by for several Days. Genl...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 20 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon the pernicious Principle that Officers have a Right to leave the Service when they please I must mention the within mentioned for Discharges, And am your Excellency’s most obdt Servant ALS , DNA : RG 93, Records Relating to Military Service. Varnum enclosed a 20 Mar. letter from Capt. David Smith of the 8th Connecticut Regiment ( DNA : RG 93, Records Relating to Military Service). Smith...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 5th Instant I received your Excellency’s Favor of the 12th Ulto; As I had previous thereto virtually comply’d with the Contents, can now only say, I delivered the inclosed Orders to Colonels Crary & Angell. From the first of January last, to the Rect of your Favor of the sixth, of March, the particular Command of the Post at Howland’s Ferry, Tiverton, devolved upon me by Order of General...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was a great part of last light in Fort Mifflin; It is greatly shattered, but very defensible, had we the Men mentioned in my letter of yesterday. I shall send two Hundred Militia in this Night, They will be able to Work, & fight upon Occasion. What put it into the Enemy’s Head, I cant say, But they kept up a constant Cannonade and Bombardment all the Night, so as to prevent, in a great...
47To George Washington from James Mitchell Varnum, 21 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of inclosing to your Excellency a short Oration, delivered upon an Occasion that has ever been deemed sacred to the Influence of all the social Virtues. I persuade myself therefore, your Excellency will not be displeased at finding the Name of Washington in the Dedication. By an Error of the Press the last Leaf is deranged, but it is not in my Power to furnish a better Copy,...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon my Arrival at Red Bank last Evening, I found that Colo. Greene had recd the same Acct wch I mentioned to your Excellency in my Letter of Yesterday; he was farther informed that the Enemy were actually crossing the Ford, In Consequence, he had given Orders for an Evacuation. The Powder, by Capt. Duplissis, was strewed over the Fort—Hower, upon an Apprehension that your Excellency might...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 5 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am now, with the Troops under my Command, fifteen Miles from Morristown, & thirty five from Coryell’s Ferry, which we shall be able to reach Tomorrow Evening. We left King’s Ferry on Wednesday Morning last, & have made no Halt, excepting half the Day, Yesterday. The Detachment consists of one Hundred & four Officers, Twenty one Staff and Eleven Hundred & Twenty six Noncommissioned Officers &...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 29 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. James Mitchell Varnum, 29 Jan. 1779. GW wrote Varnum on 14 Feb. : “I received your favor of the 29th Ultimo.”