1751To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I inclose You a Copy of a Letter from Majr Genll Schuyler just recd expressing his strong apprehentions of an attack on Tyconderoga, & pressing me to send forward Troops &c. He has doubtless informed your Excellency of the situation of Affairs in that quarter. were the Quota of this State raised I shod not consider my Self properly authorized to order their march but according to your mind &...
1752To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Warner, 7 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Warner, 7 Feb. 1777. GW informed Warner on 8 Feb. that “Yr favr of yesterday was brought me.”
1753To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
In October last the Council of Safety, with the view of promoting the public Service, and for the general security of these States resolved to form the broken remains of the three Provincial Regiments, lately Colonel Miles and Attlees’ into one, and to have it recruited to the full complement of 1000 Men. The necessity of continuing the few remaining Men in the field has hitherto prevented...
1754To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Letter of 3rd Inst: by Express & of 6th by Mr Burr—agreeable to your orders I went yesterday with about 400 men, below the six mile Runn, but with little expectation of finding any thing of importance to bring off —Since I have taken post at this place, the troops have been fed altogether, with what was collected from within the enemy’s reach, & have at present large quantities...
1755To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to remind you of an Application I made to your Excelly before I left Morris Town in Behalf of Mr Odell a Gentleman of this Place who acts in the double Capacity of a Clergyman & Physician. He was drove from his Home by the Violence of the Gondola Men who hunted him in such a Manner as in my Opinion made it necessary for him to retire to preserve his Life. At that time the Enemy...
1756To George Washington from Colonel David Chambers, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Observ’d your Excellency’s letter of the 14th of last Month, where from some Malitious informant, I am made highly criminal or rather the Officers of my Batalion, for scandulously taking Goods out of the Stores at Princetown, and converting the same to their private uses, and that too through my connivance, I abhor the charge much more the fact —According to the direction of the above...
1757To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th and 24th ultimo and have laid them before the General Assembly. The Enemy having landed not less than 7,000 Troops upon Rhode Island, and being possess’d of the Bay with a large Fleet laid us under the Necessity of establishing a Body of Forces with all possible Expedition. In this Situation, when it was impracticable to fill the...
1758To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s of the 5th Inst. did not come to hand till last Evening, I reced the Money for your Excellency’s mare by the Express; Capt. Morrison says, his Company was raised by the State of Pennsylvania, for the particular defense of that State, but that he was order’d into Jersey, by the Council of Safety —I mentioned several Days ago to your Excellency, that I had order’d four chests...
1759To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
As Lord and General Howe have given me permission to send the inclosd to the Congress, and as the contents are of the last importance to me and perhaps not less to the Community, I most earnestly entreat, My Dr General, that You will despatch it immediately and order the Express to be as expeditious as possible —They have likewise indulgd me with the permission of sending for one of my Aid de...
1760To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am going to explain some querys I find in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Jany pr favour of Mr Vanzant. You desire to know by what authority Pearson and others took away a Quantity of Iron Rum and other Stores from Acquackonock Bridge. The next Morning after my arival at Springfield I found that the Enemy had evacuated Newark and gone to Elizh Town, the next night I had information that...
1761To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Disorder has not abated but has Really weakened me So much that I am totally unable to wait on yr Excy to Day—with Respect to the Small pox my opinion is that the only way to get Rid of it is Immediately to Send all Infected persons to Some Back Town where an hospital Should be Erected; to this place Should Every person be Sent if the Symptoms of the Disorder appears on him. at this place...
1762To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d is two receipts, one from Earl Percy for twenty Six prisoners deliver’d him the 8th Instt; the other from John Read (Secretary to Sir Peter Parker) for seventy Seamen receiv’d from Mr Clarke, and Capt. John Havens, those receiv’d from the latter I have Inclose’d a particular list of, which with those deliver’d Earl Percy amount to Fifty, who were received from New Hampshire, the...
1763To George Washington from William Livingston, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 3d Instant, I received this Day, and am greatly obliged to you for the Intelligence it contains. We are exceedingly anxtious in this solitary Retirement to hear from head Quarters as often as possible: And any Accounts of the spirited behaviour of our Troops, affect us with unspeakable Pleasure—What Pity it is that any of our Officers should be so unacquainted with themselves...
1764To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
since I came into this State I have been constantly employed in forwarding the Eight Battalions to be rais’d here in which I have many Obs[t]acles both in raising & furnishing them with Arms & Clothing the little Time the Soldiers have been at Home is one Reason why they do not engage yet small Guards are establish’d on our Coast into which they inlist in Preference to a Service abroad where...
1765To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Application has been made to us by James Smith Esqr. of Westmoreland, a Gentleman well acquainted with the Indian Customs, and their manners of carrying on war, for leave to raise a Battalion of marksmen expert in the use of Rifles, acquainted with the Indian method of fighting, to be dressed intirely in their fashion, for the purpose of annoying and harrassing the Enemy in their marches and...
1766To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The last Evening I arrived at this Place, and Tomorrow morning shall Set out for Boston, The Spread of the Small Pox at and near Stanford in the State of Connecticut, is alarming I am Informed that Some of the Inhabitants are Secretly Inoculating their Families, I yesterday wrote to Governor Trumbull on the Subject—Some of our Prisoners have been Sent out of New York Undoubtedly Infected with...
1767To George Washington from James Mercer, 11 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 11 Feb. 1777. GW wrote Mercer on 21 Feb. that “your Letter of the 11th . . . came to my hands a few days ago,” and a note that Mercer made on GW’s letter reads in part: “I refer to my Let. to G.W. of the 11th Feby to which this is an answer.”
1768To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 11 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 11 Feb. 1777. On 12 Feb. GW sent Sullivan an “Answer to your favour of Yesterday.”
1769To George Washington from Colonel William Crawford, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sory to brek in uppon your Hours that Aught to reast you from the many feteagues you have to under go in that important task you have under taken in Defence of our Libertys. But nedsesetys Obliges me under my Present Defiquiltys. I Should have bin with you sir before now but for the following reasons viz. The Great probebility of an Endien War for many Evident reasons Given by the Endien...
1770To George Washington from the Citizens of Hanover, Pennsylvania, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Hanover, Pa., 12 February 1777 . Request that no Continental soldiers be inoculated in their town “as Comparitively Verry fiew in Our Town has had that infectious Disorder and For the reasons as Follows. “1st It must be Verry Distressing to the Inhabitance at this Season of the Year When our Provisions Such as Fowls and Every other Nessesary Fit for that Disorder is already Exhausted by armies...
1771To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Hartley, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last from Philadelphia I have been almost continually riding and forwarding the Recruiting Service of my Regement. Mr Chambers declined serving—it was not till within a few Days, that another was appointed in his Room He is a Lieutenant Coxe of the same Maryland Battalion. In a short Time I had recruited between 50 & 70 Men but these I delivered over to Colonel Irvines Regement I have...
1772To George Washington from Robert Morris, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Morning received the letter & two parcells of Money sent herewith, from Mr Hancock who requests you will send them in by a Flagg, the letter is for Lieutt Colo. Rawlings one parcell said to Contain six half Joes is for him & the other said to Contain ten half Joes for Lieutt Cresap but both are to be delivered to Colo. Rawlings according to the terms of the letter herewith. A ship...
1773To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to Appologize for troubling you again on the State of the Regiment. I forwarded to Head Quarters a Return of the Regiment as it then Stood & Requested your Intentions as to the Contents[.] Lt Wilson of our Regiment having Some business at Camp will Wait your Commands with which he will return to me, if your Excellency Declines filling up the Remainder of the Subaltern officers,...
1774To George Washington from the Continental Congress Medical Committee, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress Apprehending that the Small Pox may greatly endanger the Lives of our fellow Citizens who Compose the army under your Excellency’s Command, and also very much embarrass the Military Operations, have directed their Medical Committee to request your Excellency to give Orders that all who have not had that Disease may be Inoculated, if your Excellency Shall be of Opinion that it can...
1775To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Person who obtained Mr Morgan’s releasment, returned from New York with Doctor Vanderveer Yesterday, upon the same terms which were mentioned to your Excellency —The Intelligence recieved, is, The Prisoners at New York treated much better than they were, within a very short time past, in real want of nothing but cloathing, their distress great on that account—Troops arrived at Hell-gate...
1776To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
We embrace this Oppertunity to Inform Your Excellency that the Officers of the Fifteen Battalions to be raised in this State, were Appointed as Follows. The Officer for Six of the Battalions were Appointed by a Committee of the General Court at the Camp near New York. The Officers for Five of them by a Committee of the General Court at Ticonderoga & the Officers for the remainder of them by...
1777To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to write to you from Philadelphia at which place I was detaind near three Weeks by Want of Cash. This being the best Place to purchase Intrenching Tools and Forage I employd Colonel Mark Bird to procure them—He has engaged a very considerable Qy but is now obligd to stop through Want of Money having expended all his own and a very large Sum which he borrowd. I sent an Express...
1778To George Washington from the New York Committee of Safety, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Safety beg leave to request your Attention to the Exchange of certain Prisoners of War belonging to this State, Major Hetfield, Captain Van Dyck, Lieutenant Dunscomb & Adjutant Hooghland who all belonged to General Scotts Brigade. The Major was taken in the unfortunate Attempt on Montresors Island, the Captain in the Retreat, from New York on the 15th September and the...
1779To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Pleasure of addressing you a few Days ago on a particular Occasion & then expected to have attended you in less than a Week —but the Difficulty of procuring a proper Retreat for my Family & adjusting my Affairs will make it longer: But if in the Settlement of the Cartel or any other Occasion you think I can be of Service, I will obey the earliest Summons. We have not been...
1780To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Recollect once to have Read That on the Fatal Ides of March, when Cesar was going to the Capitol Artemidorus presented him with a paper Containing Those words “Cesar Beware of Brutus Take Heed of Cassius come not Near Casca have an Eye to Cinna; Trust not Trebonius; Brutus Loves thee not These men have all but one mind and That is bent agt Cesar if Thou art not Immortal Look about Thee:...
1781To George Washington from Brigadier General John Morin Scott, 14 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
permit me to acknowledge the Receipt of your favor by Mr Sacket by which I esteem myself much honored. I wish I had it in my power to give You a favorable Account of our little Expedition which I imagine would have been successful beyond Expectation had it not been for certain Reasons. When I found that it was all dwindled into a mere foraging Business, that our little Corps was headed by...
1782To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 14 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am Informed by Letter from the president of the Councill of New Hampshire Informing That that State Sensible of Colo. Scammells merit appointed him Colo. of one of their Regiments though he was from another State —I conclude therefore that as This appointment was Accepted by him before yo⟨ur⟩ Excys orders could have Reached him & as the (Infamous New England) Bounty will be an Inducement to...
1783To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 15 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
This is Just to acquaint your Excellency that I am endeavouring all in power to Execute your Commands received by Colonel Fitzgerald, as well as those lately sent through him by Your Excellency: The confusion created by the Militia is past all Description, but patience and perseverance will I hope bring things to Order. a few days ago a General C. Martial Condemn’d a Deserter who has inlisted...
1784To George Washington from Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 15 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Arrangement of Officers for this state have been more than three Months Appointing the Officers to my Regiment, and have not yet Finished, a Lieutenant Colonel, a Lieut:, and two Ensigns, Qr Master, Are the Officers now wanting: The Competitors for the Lieutenant Colonels Commission, who are two Shoe makers, have had just Interest enough at Court to Exclude all others, and...
1785To George Washington from William Livingston, 15 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Letter of the 11th Instant yesterday, inclosing a Copy of the Resolve of Congress of the 27th of December, investing you with certain Powers, which the present Situation of our public Affairs have rendered it necessary to confer upon the continental Commander in Chief. It is sometime since I was honour’d with a Copy from the President of the Congress; & I heartily...
1786To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 15 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Favor of the 9th Instant which was delivered me last Night. Colo: Pellesier’s plan, which your Excellency mentions to have transmitted to me is not yet come to Hand—I saw it before it went down, but cannot say that it meets my Approbation —It appears to me that Nothing more is necessary on Mount Independence than a Fort that may be defended by four or five hundred Men to...
1787To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 16 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 9th Instant, covering an open Letter to General James Clinton. I thank God I am so far recovered, as to be able to do my duty, which I ascribe to some indulgence I have had in these Quarters. The time of the Troops, who now Garrison Fort Montgomery will expire the first of March, They must therefore be relieved by some of the Militia in the Pay of the...
1788To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 16 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I Receivd your Excellencys favour, of 1st and 6th Instant and am Happy to find that the Steps I have taken meet with your Excellency’s approbation, I have proceeded in no matters that Incur Expense (except what is necessary for the subsistance of the army) without the Consent and advice of all the Genl officers in this army, I have applyed to the Several New England States to Supply...
1789To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 16 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 16 Feb. 1777. GW wrote his brother John on 12 April 1777 : “I forgot to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 16th of Feby wch is also to hand.”
1790To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency Favours of the 16th I have Recd and shall take care to note the contents The Morriss Militia under Coll Cook, their Times is out the 20th inst. and of course must go home and not likely any to come out from that Quarter shortly as they have heard that Innoculation for Your Troops begins on Wedensday next and they must stay at home to take care of their Familys, I think if the...
1791To George Washington from Carpenter Wharton, 17 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform you that I have recd your favour of the 5th Inst. and in Compliance to your Excellencys order, I have wrote to General Mifflin to furnish me with a Number of Waggons to remove all the Salt Provisions, Flour and Liquor from this City to the Magazines fixed at Mill-Town, Lancaster and York-Town—There are several Persons who are Purchasing Beef and Pork for the Use...
1792To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have been favor’d with yours of the 31st Ultimo, and the 2d & 6th Instant. The Letter respecting Deserters shall be laid before the General Assembly at the next Session on the First Monday in March who I doubt not will take the most proper Measure to discourage Desertion. My last to you will explain the Motives by which the General Assembly were governed in ordering the Brigade...
1793To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of this date I have Just now recd and am but very lately returned from near Woodbridge I did suspect the Enemy would be out to day after yesterdays Truce, and found it so when I was at Colo. Potters Quarters about 9 oclock. I had given Orders sometime ago that the whole of the Eastern Division except those on scouts & Picquets should Assemble at some apointed parade...
1794To George Washington from Major Apollos Morris, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have sifted my expressions, & can find no way of reconciling them or my public or private principles to the determin’d part I am to take, but by sending the Letter deliverd with this to Colonel Fizgerald, who will assure you, having read it, that I therein take nothing on me in the stile of a Negotiator. My returning to the Charge will I hope convince you that I have the best inclination to...
1795To George Washington from Colonel Levi Pawling, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place a few Days ago to take the Command of a Regt of New Levies raised by Brigadier General Clinton in the Counties of Ulster and Orange, to Continue in Service ’till the last day of March next. The purport of my Orders from Gen: Clinton is to Relieve an equal Number of the Militia of sd Counties, some Time past in this quarter, To leave a Detatchment under a Carefull Field...
1796To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform you that Major Dick Stockton (of infamous Memory) and his Detachment at Lawrences Island (3½ Miles below Brunswick) are taken—The 50 Men of Bedford Militia who went from here on Sunday were joined by 150 Jersey Militia at Cramberry and the whole commanded by Colo. Nielson—The Affair does real Honour to both Officers and Men, and was conducted with that Secrecy and...
1797To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Compliance with your Request respecting the Horses taken & sent down here, Col. Fitzgerald & myself thought it best that he should take up the two that were here that you might make the Choice yourself or keep both if they pleased you. Capt. Lewis had sent for the Grey for his Trumpeter but if you should not fancy him I think he is too good for that Service. General Johnson & Col. Bedford I...
1798To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding Capt. Lyon has resigned as a Capt. in Coll Lee’s Regiment, I Do not think it was altogether, from his being Disapointed of some Expected Preferment in Some others, but, the Improbability of Col. Lee’s Regt being filled. Capt. Lyon has a fondness to the Service and I beleive would Accept of a Company in my Regt if your Excellency Approves of it, an answer will much Oblige your...
1799To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a person this moment returned from Brunswick whom I sent in on purpose; I have rec’d the following Intelligence, which I believe may be depended upon viz. Genl Howe & Lt Piercy arrived at Amboy on thursday last, with a reinforcement of five thousand Men, at which time one thousand men arrived at Brunswick —They are in great want of Forage at Brunswk & intend to come out very strong in a few...
1800To George Washington from Col. John Fitzgerald, 19 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. John Fitzgerald, 19 Feb. 1777. Fitzgerald’s letter to GW of 19 Feb . begins: “Since Sealing my letter of this date.”