3951Return of the American Forces in New Jersey, 15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Return of Continental Troops under the command of his Excellency General Washington at the different Posts in the State of New Jersey. 15th March 1777. Posts Regiments Rank & File fit for duty Morris Town Parts of pennsylvania Regts 46 Bound Brook 8th pennsylva 342 Princetown Capt Yates from Maryland 49 1 Compy Colo. Martin’s Jersey 35 Colo. Shreves 200 Chatham Colo. Wards to serve to 15th May 235
3952From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this evening received the favour of your letter of the 12th instant. The order you gave for such part of Ganservorts regiment as was at Fish-kills to repair to Fort Constitution, I approve of, as also you[r] determination respecting DuBois’s to remain at Fort Montgomery. They may be drawn from these places, when requisite, with the same expedition and ease as from Peeks-kills. The meaning...
3953From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
When speaking of your Son, I was just now informed, that he had not been provided for in the late appointments of Officers in your State, being under parole when they were made. The part he early took in the Contest & his sufferings for it, would not be rewarded, was he to be neglected; I therefore wish, if he inclines to continue in service, that he may be appointed to the command of One of...
3954From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since Writing the Letter herewith, I received a Copy of a Letter from General Howe, transmitted me by General McDougall, in which he very modestly makes a Proposition for Major Edmisstons being permitted to go to Canada. Your own Reflections will immediately convince You of the Impropriety of Complying with It, and confirm what I before suggested, that the whole has been a Contrivance for...
3955From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Do not my dear General Sullivan, torment yourself any longer with imaginary slights, and involve others in the perplexities you feel on that score—No other officer of rank, in the whole army has so often conceived himself neglected—slighted, and ill-treated, as you have done—and none I am sure has had less cause than Yourself to entertain such ideas—mere accidents—things which have occurred in...
3956To George Washington from Captain Oliver Towles, 15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having been Engaged in Business as an Attorney, about 12 Years in which I was fully employed, together with being concerned as an Agent, and Attorney in fact, for sundry people; I thereby became possessed of a Number of valuable Books & Papers greatly affecting the property of many. previous to my engaging in the Regular Service, I had so fixt my affairs, that my Agent was enabled to...
3957From George Washington to James Warren, 15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was some time since honoured with your Letter of the 3d Ulto. The polite manner in which you have been pleased to express your wishes for my happiness, & congratulations upon the agreable reverse of our Affairs, after a series of misfortunes, demand my gratefull acknowledgements; and assured, that they are more, than mere professions of Compliment, with equal sincerity I return you my...
3958From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Gentlemen returning from Camp will, I expect, be so overburthened with News, that you will scarce know the want of it for a Month to come. to them therefore I refer you with this assurance of mine, as an opinion, that Genl Howe will move towards Philadelphia the moment the Roads become passable for his Artillery and Baggage. I got Thornton Inoculated on Wednesday Week. he has had the...
3959To George Washington from Lt. Col. Anthony Walton White, 15 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lt. Col. Anthony Walton White, 15 Mar. 1777. In his letter to White of 20 Mar. , GW writes that “I have been honoured with your favour of the 15th Instant.”
3960General Orders, 16 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Lt Hafnagle is appointed Captn in the 8th Pennsa Regt vice Capt. Myers resigned—he is to be obeyed accordingly. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Michael Huffnagle (Hoffnagle; 1753–1819), the prothonotary of the courts for Westmoreland County, Pa., was a young farmer who lived near Hannastown. He had served as an adjutant in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment during the fall of 1776 with the rank of...
3961To George Washington from Colonel Lambert Cadwalader, 16 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having seen Coll Fitzgerald in Town some Weeks since, he promised to do me the Favor to forward my Letter to Genl Prescot to which I cannot as yet expect an Answer if he is not in New york or Jersey. If he should not have left Rhode Island and an Answer should not arrive in a reasonable Time I shall be glad to be inform’d whether your Excellency will do me the Favor to send in an Officer of...
3962To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 16 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the 14th Instant being on my Journey back to the Army, I received the Honor of yours of the 3rd Instant, and Immediately turned back. Since my first arrival in this Quarter, I have in Obedience to your Excellency’s Orders of the 9th Ultimo been Endeavouring to forward the Troops to Tyconderoga, part of four Regiments vizt Colo. Marshalls, Brewers, Bradfords, and Francis’s have marched, and...
3963To George Washington from the New York Convention, 16 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the New York Convention, 16 Mar. 1777. GW wrote the convention on 20 Mar. : “I am this day favoured with your letter of 16th inst. enclosing the examination of sundry persons.”
3964To George Washington from Captain Benjamin Tallmadge, 16 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I think it my Duty to inform your Excellency of the rect of your letter of the 1st inst. together with our determinations thereon. The conditional permission therein contained respecting our raising one Troop of Greys, we cannot but construe in favr of my late petition; inasmuch as your Excellency was pleased to allow us to purchase them, on Condition that Horses of that Colour might be...
3965George Washington to John Rutledge, 17 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 17, 1777. Discusses proposed expedition against St. Augustine. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Rutledge was the chief executive of South Carolina. He was referred to as both governor and president of the state.
3966General Orders, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
3967To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your favor of the 1st of March a few days ago, and attended particularly to your direction concerning the two officers in my Regiment, I have seen Mr Armistead and have informed him of what you directed me to do, and have appointed in his room, Mr Presly Thornton, Son to Colo. Anthony Thornton. I have writen to Mr Stith on the Subject, though I believe, he was never in the Army, he...
3968From George Washington to Jonathan Bryan, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have wrote to General Howe who commands in Georgia, to consult with you and the president of South Carolina, the propriety of making an Attempt upon St Augustine. If on consideration the measure shall seem expedient & practicable, I flatter myself, that your State & that of South Carolina will chearfully concur and give General Howe every aid necessary for the execution of it. The good...
3969To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit you sundry Resolves of Congress of a very important Nature, to which I beg Leave to solicit your Attention. The Congress having had your Letters of the 1st and 6th Inst. under Consideration, have come to the enclosed Resolve on the Subject, by which you will percieve they decline making any Alteration in the Resolve of the 6th January, and that it was not their...
3970From George Washington to Brigadier General Robert Howe, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not long since I was honoured with a visit from Colonel Walton, One of the Delegates of Georgia to the Continental Congress who suggested the propriety of an Expedition against St Augustine, requesting at the same time my Opinion to be communicated to you. If the measure can be attempted with a probability of Success, it is much to be desired; but circumstanced as I am in point of situation &...
3971To George Washington from William Livingston, 17 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Livingston, 17 Mar. 1777. GW writes to Livingston on 1 April that “I have been honoured with yours of the 17th and 26th.”
3972To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Evening I was honord with Your Letter of the 11th Inst. The Ammunition Wagons and others go on as fast as possible. I have purchasd all the Linen fit for Tents in & near Philadelphia; & have new Ones ready for 12000 Men only. When any Canvas arrives it shall be procurd & made up. Mr Hughes has Tents for 3000 Men. But my cheif Supply, which I lookd for from Massachusets, has been cut off...
3973From George Washington to John Rutledge, 17 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The reduction of St Augustine being considered as an object of infinite importance, I have wrote to General Howe, who commands on Georgia, to consult with you, and the Governor of that state, the propriety of making an expedition against it. If on consideration of every circumstance, the measureshall seem practicable, and to promise a prospect of success, I flatter myself, and am well assured,...
3974General Orders, 18 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
3975To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 18 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favours of the 1st and 3d instant have been duly received, and will be laid before the General Assembly, at their Meeting next Week. This State from it’s early and continued Exertions hath been greatly exhausted of Arms. Of all those furnished to the Continental Troops raised by us, and to the Numbers of Seamen raised for the Fleet, none have been returned, excepting from...
3976Instructions to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity of having the Congress well inform’d of many matters essential to the well being of this Army, and the Impracticability of doing this fully by Letter, have induced me to request you (who intimately know our Circumstances) to repair immediately to Philadelphia for this purpose. at the same time to know how we are to be supplied with Arms and many other Articles of wch we are...
3977From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The difficulty, if not impossibility, of giving Congress a just Idea of our situation and of several other important matters requiring their earliest attention by Letter, has induced me to prevail on Major General Greene to wait upon them for that purpose. This Gentleman is so much in my confidence—so intimately acquainted with my ideas—with our strength, and our weaknesses—with everything...
3978From George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 18 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I very sincerely congratulate you upon your late promotion. The purport of this Letter is private. Your design in restraining the Waggon Master, from buying and selling Horses, I highly approve, because I am well assured, that a contrary practice would be introductory of a great deal of fraud, and imposition upon the public: But as it is more than probable that, in the course of service, many...
3979To George Washington from the New York Convention, 18 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
SIR—The Convention are very happy to find, by the gentlemen that waited on your Excellency, that their plan for the security of the forts, meets with your approbation; and that the gentleman they propose to recommend to Congress, is agreeable to your Excellency. They take the liberty to request that you express your sentiment on this head to Congress, and urge their speedy adoption of so...
3980General Orders, 19 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major William McWilliams is appointed an Aide-De-Camp to Major Genl Lord Stirling, and is to be obeyed and respected as such. The Non-commissioned officers and soldiers of Col: Dayton’s regt whose Arms, & Accoutrements are in repair, are, upon a settlement, to have Credit in their accounts, for the sums stopped from them respectively for said arms &c.—Such of the Arms as have been damaged, and...
3981From George Washington to Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 19 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. George Clinton, 19 Mar. 1777. The collection of letters and documents belonging to the estate of James Gordon Bennett that was sold by the Anderson Galleries of New York on 23 Nov. 1926 reportedly contained a letter signed by GW at Morristown on 19 Mar. “regarding appointments of officers” ( American Book-Prices Current , 33 [1927], 797).
3982From George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 19 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days ago favoured with yours of the 9th instant from Reading, and am glad to find, that the preparations in your department are so forward. I wrote to you on the 13th and informed you of what Alterations I thought necessary for the future Regulation of the Office of Qr Mr General, and desired you to proceed with all expedition in the Execution of it. I have a letter of the 9th from...
3983General Orders, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
3984From George Washington to Robert Alexander, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have waited, as I think you must do me the justice to acknowledge, with a good deal of patience, to see if you were disposed to fulfil your agreement with me, respecting the Land I purchased of you in Maryland. As I hear nothing of your intentions of carrying this matter into execution, and see no greater prospect of its being done now, than when the bargain was first made, I cannot help...
3985From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The late collection of Waggons, by the Enemy, upon Long and Staten Islands, some of which are already brought over to Amboy, plainly indicate a Move, whenever the State of the Roads will permit. Several accounts, by Deserters and others, also agree, that Materials have been brought from New York for constructing a floating Bridge, which can be for no other purpose than laying across the...
3986To George Washington from Captain Robert McKenzie, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I presume upon your former Friendship for Colonel Robert Stuart to trouble you with the enclosed Extracts of a Letter I lately received from him, as the most effectual Method I can devise of complying with his Request. If any Part of the Things mentioned can be recovered so that I may have it in my Power to forward them to London, the Expences attending it will be most punctually paid in any...
3987To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Council having just received Information by Mr Wentworth that a French Vessel is arrived at Portsmouth in the State of New-Hampshire with about Twelve Thousand Fire Arms, a quantity of Powder, Blankets and other Stores upon the Continental Account —We are directed by the Board to inform your Excellency that we have a considerable Number of Men Inlisted in this State into the Continental...
3988From George Washington to the New York Convention, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Morristown, 20 March 1777 . “I am this day favoured with your letter of 16th inst. enclosing the examination of sundry persons lately in New-York, for which I am much obliged to you; as every intelligence of this kind, serves to cast light upon the true situation of affairs.” N.Y. Prov. Congress Journals Journals of the Provincial Congress, Provincial Convention, Committee of Safety, and...
3989From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 23d February, & 6th March. So far from allowing the Goods brought off from Long Island to be sold for the Captors or rather plunderers, that if you had not assured me the Officer delivered up all the Goods to you and seemed to think he acted for the best, I should have ordered him to be tryed by a Court Martial for disobedience of Orders. But I desire he may be...
3990From George Washington to Captain Benjamin Tallmadge, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I just now received your letter of the 16th instant, by Lieutenant Bolden. You have rightly construed the permission, contained in mine of the first instant, respecting the raising a troop of dark greys. It was my intention that this should be done in case a sufficiency of horses of the ordinary colour could not be readily obtained. With respect to money, I cannot at this time conveniently...
3991From George Washington to Major John Thornton, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having determined to attempt the raising another Battalion in Virginia, the command of which is given to C. M. Thruston Esqr. of Frederick County, I have a desire to appoint you the Major. I have not forgot that it was in contemplation for You to fill the office of Lieutt Colo. of Colo. Henley’s Battalion: But, besides the improbability, from his own account, that success will attend his...
3992To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your request I have settled those Accounts respecting the Arms that were purchased by your direction, which were not before settled. The money which I received I have paid into the hands of Mr Hancock, Deputy Paymaster General in this Department; his Receipts for the same, together, with Copies of the Accounts settled, I herewith inclose. Your Favour of the third of March came...
3993From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 15th Instant. The Reasons for your being overlooked in the appointments of this State, you are, no doubt, as well or better acquainted with, than I am, Some I have heard assigned. It was my wish to serve you: It is still my wish to do so; but I have been told, that your manner of leaving the Northern Army, was inconsistent with the Character of an...
3994Warrant for Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 21 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Morristown, New Jersey ] March 21, 1777. An entry in George Washington’s “Warrant Book No 2” reads: “To Captain Alexr Hamilton for 1 Months Pay of the N. York Artillery to Jany. 1st—420 9/72 [dollars].” Another entry for the same date reads: “To Ditto of Do. For 2 Months Pay to 1st March—766 22/72 [dollars].” D , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
3995General Orders, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The execution of Serjt Porterfield is stopt ’till Friday the 28th Instant. The Colonels, and Commanding Officers, of all the Continental Battalions at present in the Jerseys, are immediately to make out their respective Abstracts up to the first of this Month, giving Credit in them, for all sums of money received by them respectively on account, and deliver them to the Pay Master General—No...
3996To George Washington from Brigadier General George Clinton, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Fort Montgomery, New York, 21 March 1777. Writes on behalf of a John Griffiths who wants to travel to England to attend to his wife’s estate. “Some Time since a Relative of Mrs Griffiths (I think a Brother) died in England & by his Will devised to her or her Son a considerable Estate in Lands on Condition the Devissee shoud return to England within a limitted Time & possess it—Mr Griffiths for...
3997From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with a Letter from Congress of the 17th Inst. covering Sundry Resolutions. They have determined to adhere to those formed sometime ago respectg Lt Colo. Campbell & the Hessian Feild Officers; Yet I am not able to conclude certainly, whether they mean to hold them as Sureties for the future safety & good treatment of Genl Lee ’till his Exchange is really effected, or...
3998From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your Letter of the 17th Instt covering Sundry Resolutions of Congress, which shall have my attention. Having charged Major General Greene, who will probably be in philadelphia to day, with such matters as I wished to refer to the consideration of Congress, I have nothing to trouble them with at this time, or material to inform them of. I have the Honor to be with...
3999To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I hope to be able to send to your Excellency’s Assistance One Regiment of continental Troops by the last of next Week. These will be Detachments from all the Regiments raisd in this State; I can send nearly this Number as soon as a Field Officer’s Command as that cannot march ’till the present Class are out from the Hospitals. Colo. Livingston informs me your Excellency’s Orders to him to make...
4000To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 6th Instant was delivered to me the 14th by General Sullivan—I have ordered Two Thousand men to be draughted from our Militia and marched to Peeks-Kill with all Expedition agreable to your request—they will be under the Command of Brigadier General Wadsworth, who will attend your Orders. I have given them the Assurances you have authorised to do respecting the small Pox. I...