4221To George Washington from Captain William Scott, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Was appointed by your Excellency to raise a company of rangers & according to a provision made by the honourable the continental congress, I was impower’d to offer each man so to be inlisted six pounds bounty, a suit of cloaths annually, & 100 acres land should they serve the term of three years, but upon coming to new England where I purposd to raise my company, I find a much larger bounty...
4222From George Washington to John Hancock, 18–19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing of importance to transmit Congress, no Event in the Military line having happened since my last, except the Surprizing a Small picquet guard of the Enemy on Monday night at Bonam Town & bringing off Thirteen prisoners by One of our parties. An Enterprize of a similar nature was formed against that at Amboy, in which, the party sent to effect it did not succeed so well, though...
4223From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 18–19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 28th March and 1st of this Month. I have, in my several late letters, wrote to you so fully upon the necessity of forwarding the Troops to Ticonderoga and peekskill, that I need only to refer you to them, and to beg your Attention to the several Matters recommended in them. You will be kind enough not only to insist upon, but to see that the Feild Officers do not stay...
4224General Orders, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
All the Continental Arms, those in possession of the troops, as well as those in Store, to be marked immediately. Commanding Officers of Corps to see this Order put in execution—they will get the Brand by applying to the Commissary of Military stores. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
4225From George Washington to Owen Biddle, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have lately recd the two following peices of Intelligence, which I think it my duty to give you, for if such practices are followed without detection our Enemies will be well supplied. Bowne and Hartshorne, near Shrewsbury in Monmouth County, purchase Continental Money in N. York at a great discount, carry this Money to Philada and there buy Flour &ca under pretence of Shipping it to the...
4226To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being from Home when your Excellency’s Letter of the 31st Ultimo was left at my House prevented my Answering it by the Return of the Express & till now I have not had any other Opportunity —Before the Receipt of it I had (in Consequence of Powers given me by the Convention of this State) ordered out about 1200 of the Militia of this & Orange County 500 of them to releive Colo. Pawling at the...
4227From George Washington to Isaac Foster, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Gl McDougall in a letter of his dated the 12th Inst. writes “that you in a letter to him of the 31t Ulto informed him that Dr Warren had advised you that the Inno[culation] of the forces at Fishkill was countermanded”—I am not a little surprized at this, when I reflect that such a Measure was never even in Idea, & therefore desire that I may be truly informed how such an Order could be given;...
4228From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Just after I had wrote very fully to you this Morning I recd yours of the 17th. By the inclosed Resolutions of Congress, which came to hand this day, and which are additions and Amendments to the former Articles of War, you will find that every Continental General has a right to carry the Sentence of a General Court Martial into execution in the State in which he commands. And I shall esteem...
4229From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [18 April 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Mr. Strother Jones , son of Mr. Gabriel Jones of Augusta is now about to set out for the Continental army, where he wishes to be so placed as to gain military knolege. An offer of being Aid de camp to Brigadr. Genl. Stephens he thought himself in delicacy obliged to decline, on account of some misunderstanding which had subsisted between that gentleman and his father, tho otherwise...
4230To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Board of War, 19–21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
In the course of this week we have been very fortunate in detecting the stratagems of a number of secret enemies, and of intercepting a letter intended to convey intelligence to the enemy of the present state of our affairs. We have apprehended a Woman, who, we are informed has been three times to Brunswick, and has brought several letters from that place to people in this City. We have great...
4231General Orders, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Complaints have been made by a number of Farmers, and others in different parts of the Country, but especially on the roads between this place and Philadelphia, that the Waggoners, Light Horse, and others, belonging to the Continental Army, have, and do continue to take down the fences of their fields of grain, and grass-lanes [grasslands], which at this season must be attended with...
4232To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to receive your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th Instant from Morris Town; and wish I could say, any of The Troops expected to Arrive at Kenderhook, Claverack, or Red Hook, had reached either of those places; when I am acquainted therewith, Your Excellency may be Assured of my strictly fulfilling your Commands. I have directed the Commissary to purchase, and send in the Vessels...
4233From George Washington to Colonel Richard Gridley, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
This days post brought me your favour of the 10th Inst. The Articles composing Mr Guilds account ( inclosed ) having been delivered while General Ward commanded in Boston, it is necessary that his Certificate should be obtained, when that is done, General Heath will give the proper Order for payment, General Knox having the superintendance of these affairs, will employ Mr Guild if he thinks it...
4234From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I find it necessary to make a new disposition of the forces in the Jerseys—You will please to march all the Militia under your command immediately to this place—upon the Eight[h] Pensylvania Battallion arriving to occupy the Posts you now hold—they have orders for that purpose —Let no time be lost in the execution of this change of disposition. As soon as your troops are ready to march you...
4235To George Washington from Thomas Johnson, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Many Circumstances have unluckily concurred to retard the recruiting Service in this State amongst them Rank has not been the most inconsiderable; that Matter is at last so far accomodated that I hope for the Service of nearly all those Officers who shared in the Fatigue of the last Campain. Inclosed is a List of our Feild Officers with the Numbers of their Regiments and I expect in a few Days...
4236From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have wrote to General Herd to march the Militia assembled under his Command to this place —I am about making a new disposition of the Forces and shall give General Herd the necessary Orders upon his arrival here—You will send the 8th Pennsylvania Battalion commanded by Col: Broadhead to occupy the Posts General Herd leaves —You will please to give the Col: all the assistance in your power in...
4237From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 8th March, Those of the 4 & 6th likewise came duly to hand. I wish you had sent the Cover of the letter of mine that you suspect had been opened and put under a fresh Cover, as by comparing the direction with the hand writing of the Gentlemen of my family, the matter would have been reduced to a certainty, and the fraud, if any, might perhaps have been traced. I am...
4238From George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th Inst. came safe to hand yesterday by Lt Beldin —I shall be sorry to hear that Your disappointment in receiving Money from the Connecticut Treasury has retarded you; That no delay may arise from the want of Money, I have given an Order in your favour for the sum required, Fifteen thousand Dollars, Your Lieutt will receive it here —I hope it is not necessary to recommend...
4239From George Washington to Richard Smith, 19 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands by yesterdays Post in an hour after which, an oppertunity (which I embraced) offered of sending the several Inclosures, therein containd, to the Enemy’s Lines (under cover to Lord Cornwallis, Commanding at Brunswick). Any Letters, which you may have occasion to send, through this Channel, to Sir R. Eden shall be carefully forwarded, by Sir Yr Most...
4240From George Washington to Francis Wade, 19 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Francis Wade, 19 April 1777. Wade wrote GW on an unspecified date in May : “Your favr of 19th Ult. was several days on the way before it Came to my hands.”
4241George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 20 April 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] April 20, 1777. Discusses whether enemy plans to attack Philadelphia or move up North River. Reminds Clinton to call out militia. Approves of placing a chain across the North River. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4242General Orders, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The detachments from the 3rd 4th 10th & 11th Pennsylv: Regiments, now at this place, as also that of Hazen’s, are to hold themselves in readiness to march, at an hours warning, with their Camp equipage and baggage—If any of the men belonging to those Corps are sick, and unable to march, proper persons must be left to take care of them, who are to see that they join the above detachments...
4243From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 18th instant has just now come to hand. Two days ago, I wrote to general McDougall urging it upon him to apply to the Convention of your state in my name to call out the Militia, in order to have as respectable a force as possible, in the quarter where you are to act according to contingencies. I am glad to find that the powers vested in you, have enabled you to anticipate...
4244To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 18th continued to the 19th I was this Day honored with at two O’Clock, and shall lay the same before Congress tomorrow Morning. The enclosed Resolves are all that have passed in Congress since my last, which are either necessary for your Information, or the Direction of your Conduct. I beg Leave to refer your Attention to them, & with sincere and ardent Wishes for your...
4245To George Washington from Colonel Charles Harrison, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
It has been very industriously propagated by some Ill-designing Persons, that the Artillery pay was reduced; which has occationed a deal of uneasiness in a measure throughout the Corps; (Commissioned Officers excluded.) On a representation of the matter to Brigadier General Lewis, he concurred with me in Opinion that it was highly necessary to dispatch an Express to your Excellency to know...
4246From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours with the Return of your Division. I observe that the Return of the two independent Companies is much smaller than the last and the deficiency not accounted for. I therefore desire the Captains may be called upon to know what is become of their Men. I also observe that there are eight Men of the Corps under Chambers absent on furlough, I desire that they may be ordered in as well...
4247To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this morning, honoured with Your Excellencies favour of yesterdays date, On General Heard leaving his present post Colo. Broadhead will possess it every assistance in my power will be afforded him in placing the Guards Patrols &c.—our mutual safety depend on our acting jointly—I had information last night that the enemy were imitating our dress in order to deceive & surprize us we shall...
4248From George Washington to Colonel Robert Magaw, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Letter of the 6th Instt by Ensign Fernandez. You may be assured, every thing in my power will be done to make our Officers and privates who are in captivity, as comfortable, as their situation will admit: their case has been represented to Congress, and I trust, a remittance will be made in a few days for their use. I had not been inattentive to them before, but it was...
4249To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is an Acct of Capt. Beals Expedition —The firing heard when I expected Capt. Bell was attacked, was their New Recruits exersising. The Enemy came out from Amboy yesterday Six Miles, took a light horseman belonging to the Jersies & Returned again with Impunity—The Mans horse was worth £120 I am told—Genl Vaughan was out, & The Brave Capt. Conways house & plantation was burnt under the...
4250From George Washington to Major General Adam Stephen, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The horseman delivered your favour of this date—You will be pleased to order Lieut. Bradford under Arrest, that he may answer the Charge of the Court of Inquiry immediately—Capt. Russell must be called upon to account for his long Absence from his Regimt as well as for having inlisted his Men but for a year —I lament Capt. Conway’s loss; but tho’ my Indignation at such ungenerous Conduct of...