3301To George Washington from the Continental Congress Secret Committee, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
We are obliged to trouble your Excellency with the enclosed letter for Mr Boudinot containing a remittance of Six hundred pounds Sterlg for the use of the Continental Prisoners in New York as we do not know Mr Boudinots address & we have left the letter unsealed for your perusal, We preferred Mr Franks’s bills as they are drawn on the Contractors in England, & may probably be the more readily...
3302To George Washington from William Livingston, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of your Excellency’s Requisition of the 29 ult’mo (which I had the honor of receiving last night,) for ordering 1000 of our militia to join General Heard at Pompton, I have this morning directed General Winds to detach 600 from Morris Sussex Hunterdon & Sommerset, & General Newcomb 400 from Gloucester Salem & Cumberland to continue in Service 4 weeks from the time they join the...
3303To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th of April & shall take every Possible Method for raising & forwarding the Quota of Men orderd from this State. The Loss of our Stores at Danbury is an Event very Alarming to the Country. I hope the Effect will not be fatal to the Army: by the Examination of Sundry disaffected Persons: we have Reason to beleive a Second Descent is soon to be made...
3304To George Washington from John Hancock, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves, relative to a Variety of Subjects, are all that I have in Charge from Congress to forward at this Time. The additional Resolves respecting the Muster Masters were highly requisite to compleat that Department, and will, I trust, be punctually carried into Execution. You will perceive that Mr Ludwick is appointed to superintend the Baking Business in the Army, which I make...
3305To George Washington from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 4 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 4 May 1777. Gibbs docketed GW’s letter to him of 1 May in part: “Answerd. 4 May.”
3306To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Attention of the Enemy appears of late to be much turned upon this State, We have for some time been repeatedly advised of it, & now realize it, a few days since They landed at Fairfield to the number of near three thousand it is said, under Genl Erskine & made a forced march to Danbury about twenty two miles & there burnt & destroyed 1700 barrels of Pork, 50 Do Beef, 700 bushels of wheat,...
3307To George Washington from James Warren, 4 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of your favour of the 15th of March last, and feel myself greatly Obliged by the kind reception you were pleased to give my last disturbance, The Countenance you then gave me, the polite manner in which you have Encouraged me to An Undertaking of the same kind, & the hopes I have of doing some service to the Common Cause have Emboldened me again to Interrupt your Excellency,...
3308To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capt. Mullen (accompanied by Monsr Du Bouchet Brother in law to Col. Conway) who came from France in the Ship Amphitrite—He appears to be a very good Officer, & I think would make a most excellent Major of Brigade, if your Excellency should think it proper. The Assembly of this State have Resolved to complete their 15 Battalions by Draught, which is to be made on...
3309To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favors of the 1st 3d, and that to General Clinton and me, inclosing resolves of Congress. Colonel Huntington of the first instant, and the News Paper inclosed, will give the best intelligence I am po[sse]ssed of, relative to our respective losses at Danbury. As to the Stores it is extreamly difficult to obtain a state of their loss. I have not been able to get a return...
3310To George Washington from John Rutledge, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Immediately after receiving your Favour of March 17th, I confer’d with General Howe, on the Subject—He will give you, at large, the Reasons why it does not seem proper, to attempt the Reduction of St Augustine, with what Forces may be spared from Georgia & this State. Had it appeared practicable, & expedient, you may be assured, that I would, most chearfully, have afforded all the Assistance...
3311To George Washington from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 6 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Capt. Caleb Gibbs, 6 May 1777. Gibbs docketed GW’s letter to him of 3 May in part: “Answerd. 6th May.”
3312To George Washington from Captain Francis Grice, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Arived Heair this Day with 19 Flat Bottom Boats that will Carrey one 100 men Each and three Artillarey Flats or Scows that will Carrey Two field Peeces with thair Horsis and Stors and the Compeney thair To Belonging Each and I am Apinted Captn over the hole of them By Ginrel Mifflin who Desird me To Rite To Your Honner For forther Instructtishun: How To Porseed which I Shall Be much oblige...
3313To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Thro ^ hurry I enclosed you Yesterday by mistake, another of Col. Huntingtons instead of the enclosure. My recruiting Officer is returned with the most of the leaders of the Gang, but he lost one of them by being too eager to get the whole. one of the Prisoners says the Enemy are to evacuate their Post at the Bridge, on the 10th instant, and that the most of the Enemies Troops are gone to...
3314To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
William & George Green formerly livers in Sussex—George has land w[i]t[h]in a mile & half of the Old Log T[r]ail wint into Bergen under Capt. Annesly in Company of 73—five of whom were taken in the Cedar Swamp—It appears they belongd to Bartons Regimt were Quarterd at Commune pas [Communipaw]; reviewd Saturday last when their Corps amounted to about 280—The Whole in Bergen revie[w]d at that...
3315To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am extremly unhappy to find by your Excellency’s letter of this date that any of my private Affairs should have taken up so much of your Attention; I could wish your Excellency had beleived the whole matter had been Misrepresented to you, Mrs Livingston was informed Six Weeks ago that I was in want of that part of the house which she possesses. she had then no less than four other houses...
3316To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Monday last I wrote your Excellency, and inclosed the Returns of the Battalions: But, by a Mistake in making up the Maile, the Letter miscarried, wch induces me to inclose them with this Week’s Returns. I cannot vouch for the Certainty of these Returns as the Towns have inlisted Numbers, seperate from the Officers, whereof they have not given me any certain Information. I find a very great...
3317To George Washington from Richard Peters, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of transmitting you the enclosed Papers by Order of the Board by whom I am directed to inform you that all the Military Stores Arms &c. in Possession of the Continental Agents at Boston, Portsmouth, & Providence are ordered to Springfield in Connecticut [Massachusetts] as a Place of greater Security where they are to be subject to your Excellency’s Directions. The Agents...
3318To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to receive your Excellency’s letter by Col. Lee, conferring upon me the office of adjutant general: And since, notwithstanding all my objections, ’tis your Excellency’s pleasure, I am happy to declare my acceptance of it. At the same time I am constrained, from my real feelings; again to express my fears that I shall fall short of your Excellency’s expectations. Few people are...
3319To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency favor of the 3d—I[t] gives me Great pleasure that You approve of the Measure alluded to in my last but one. Inclose You such a Return as I have been able to procure. Major Livingston is gone to Bristol & will send Your Excellency a Return of what Troops may be there. Be pleased to order the inclosed to be forwarded by the first Conveyance to Kingston. I am...
3320To George Washington from Lieutenant General Heister, 8 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
New York, 8 May 1777 . “You have had the kindness some Time ago to allow Mr Miller Lieutenant & Paymaster in the Hessian Corps under my Commands, & 3 non commissioned Officers to pass to Philadelphia with a Transport of small Uniformes & Money for the Hessians, who are taken by Your Troops & confined in that City & some other Places in that Part of the Country.” Heister requests GW’s...
3321To George Washington from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 9 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. William Heath, 9 May 1777. GW wrote Heath on 18 May : “Your favour of the 9th instant by Capt: Mullen is this day handed me.”
3322To George Washington from William Gordon, 10 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from William Gordon, 10 May 1777. GW wrote Gordon on 29 June : “I am rather asham’d to be so long in debt for your favor of the 10th Ulto.”
3323To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing further in Charge from Congress at this Time, except the enclosed Resolve, founded upon Complaints which, if not immediately enquired into and redressed, must be productive of the most fatal Consequences to the Army. Nothing can so effectually lay the Foundation of Discontent, and of Course encourage a Spirit of Mutiny and Desertion among the Soldiers, as withholding their Pay...
3324To George Washington from James Hill, 10 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Hill, 10 May 1777. GW in his letter to Hill of 12 Jan. 1787 refers to “a letter of your own . . . dated the 10th of May 1777.”
3325To George Washington from Robert Morris, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not taken the liberty of giving You any trouble for sometime past and indeed I never do it but with great reluctance because I know how much Your attention & time must be engaged in the most important pursuits. The bearear of this the Marquis Armand de la Rouerie is entitled to my Warmest recommendations because he brought from his own Country letters to me that I am obliged to attend...
3326To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I just receiv’d your favour of yesterday —there are a number of the Maryland & Virginia troops have been laying at Bristol some time. I this day took the liberty of ordering them up, & soon as any part of them arrive I shall immediately, give orders to Major Smith who commands a detachment of the 9th Pennsya Regt to march —Capt. Sewards Compy of Artillery arriv’d here this morning—the Company...
3327To George Washington from Col. David Forman, 11 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. David Forman, 11 May 1777. GW wrote Forman on 15 May : “I am favd with yours of the 11th.”
3328To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd the Honor of yours of the 16th Ulto and 2d Instant. I wrote your Excellency in a former Letter that Mr Langdon had consented to deliver the Cannon, Ordnance & Military Stores lately arrived at Portsmouth to Mr Barber, which he has since done. They are now forwarding with all possible despatch. Inclosed is the Return of what has been sent on in the course of the last week, Ten...
3329To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 5th Inst. I was honord with the Rect of your letter of the 23d of Aprl—I have order’d all the Troops in this State who are of the Continental Army to N. Haven, & Danbury; in the western Parts of this State; Govr Trumbull desire’s me to post them there untill he shall receive an answer to a letter he has sent your Excellency, respecting the Defence of this State; As their March to...
3330To George Washington from Richard Peters, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Order of the Board I have the Honour of enclosing the Resolution of Congress herewith sent. I have written to Governor Livingstone & General Putnam & as soon as their Answers are recieved they will be communicated to your Excellency. Congress are desirous to be informed what Number of Men are now under your Excellency’s Command in New Jersey as nearly as Certainty can be arrived at in the...
3331To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 11 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 11 May 1777. GW wrote his brother Jack on 1 June : “I think I stand Debter to you for your Letters of the 22d of April and 11th of May.”
3332To George Washington from James Lovell, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the singular manner in which General Lee gives out his characterizing opinions Monsr Malmedy was exalted to a colonial rank in Rhode Island which will be a source of pain to him contrary to the intention of his mentioned zealous friend. Congress has aimed by passing over one continental gradation, from Major to Colonel, to lessen that pain to this Gentleman, who is high in his professions...
3333To George Washington from James Mease, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon receipt of your Excellencys letter of 17 Ult. I waited on Col. Moylan, & mentioned your disapprobation of his regiment being dressd in Red, & he appeared desirous of complying with yr Excellencys wishes, but upon consulting the officers, on this point; it appeared they had been all at a considerable expence for scarlet Uniforms, & therefore they concluded best on the whole, to take the...
3334To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I can now with propriety Congratulate your Excellency on a Certain and Considerable Advantage gaind over the Enemys best troops; by the Continental Troops of My Division. Col. Cooks Pen. Regt begun the Attack, supported by the 1st Regt of that State; They behavd well, & the Captains Chambers & Par distinguishd themselves. Capt. Phelps of Col. Wards Regimt behaved well & the few men that were...
3335To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 25th of april came to hand by the last post, it’s not requireing an immediate answer, I defer’d it until the present opportunity, flattering myself that by this time, our Assembly would of done something towards filing up our Regiments, with which I should of been pleas’d to of informed you, They have done nothing towards it as yet. it is now the only method left to compleat...
3336To George Washington from James Craik, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Affectionate & very freindly Letters I have the pleasure to Acknowledge And cannot too much express my gratitude for the freindship shewen me on all Occasions This fresh instance of it when so much taken up with affairs of the Utmost consequence And so many waiting for Offices lays me under the greatest Obligations. The freindly, and pointed manner in which the proposal is made to me,...
3337To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I had the Honour to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 7th Inst: from Morris Town; Upon my Arrival here, I dispatched without any delay, Your Excellency’s first Letter to General Wayne; he immediately repaired to Albany, and is gone from hence, whether to Morris Town, or Philadelphia, I cannot say, as he did not seem determined. Major Troup, upon being disappointed in procuring...
3338To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Our Loss of Seventeen hundred Tents at Danbury will, I fear, prove of bad Consequence to the Divisions of Ticonderoga & peeks Kills. To prevent as much as possible any bad Effects of that Loss I orderd Mr Chase Ass[istant] Qr Mr Genl at Boston to send all the Tents which were stord at Boston or portsmouth to Mr Hughes at peeks Kills who will distribute them in such Manner as your Excellency...
3339To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
There arrived here Yesterday about 1000 Men—The Maryland Detachments, of which I have yet no Return, but suppose about 600, I shall detain at this Place, agreeable to your Instructions —The Detachment of 9th P[ennsylvania] B[attalion] under Majr Smith I have ordered to march immediately to Bont [Bound] Brook—Since the 10th Inst. have passed thro’ this Place about 400 Virginians in different...
3340To George Washington from Benjamin Rush, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just now learned from General Mifflin that your Excellency intends to take the field in a few days. I hope your Excellency will excuse the liberty I am about to take in Suggesting that your troops will probably suffer from being so early exposed in an encampment. The variable weather of the Spring and fall have always been found much more destructive to the health of an Army than the...
3341To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning the new recruits from Bergen under the Command of Colls Barton & Buskirk—came up to Paramus with about 300 Men—with an intent to Surprize the Detachment I had there—about 70 Men—under the Command of Captains Fell & Berry —The Enemy ariv’d there about the Break of day—and Surround[ed] the Houses our Men had Quarterd at the day before, but Fortunately, Capt. Fell who had...
3342To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Post setting off rather sooner on Monday than common prevented mine of the 11th Instant being forwarded by him. An application from Governor Trumbull of Connecticutt to Mr Langdon, copy of which Mr Langdon has ⟨Sent m⟩e occasions my writing to your Excellency by Express. ⟨Governo⟩r Trumbull has represented to Mr Langdon that the State of Connecticutt seems now “to be the Object of the...
3343To George Washington from Brigadier General Robert Howe, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Charleston [S.C.] 14 May 1777 . “I had the Honor of receiving your Letter a few days since, and have consulted the President of this State upon the Subject of it; He acknowledges the Propriety and Importance of an Expedition against Augustine, but seems to think it ought not immediately to be undertaken. For my part Sir, convinced as I am that the Enemy should be dispossessed of that Post and...
3344To George Washington from Captain John Hunter, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your Commands in a Letter from Colo. Johnston together with a warrant for four hundred Dollars, which was paid. Enclosed I send your Excellency the Muster of my Recruits, which I look upon to be as good men as any in the service. The Board of war has given me orders to Join Colo. Pattons Regiment untill such time as your Excellencys pleasure is known as they say...
3345To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this moment receivd an extract of a letter from Genl Stevens to your Excellency of this days date, purporting the situation & designs of the enemy—and a letter from Colo. Harrison expressing your desire that I woud avail myself of the intelligence containd in the extract, and be gaurded in the best manner possible, to elude, & baffle their designs, I shall most chearfully do it —I have...
3346To George Washington from Colonel Malmedy, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
it Beeing more Easy to me, to Write, than to speaek English, permit me to give your Excellency a relation in Writing of my journey to philadelphia. I am flattered, With the Esteem With Which the Congress has honored me; the Board of War seemed un Easy at my situation; But after the intimation, I have received by mister Hamilton, of your Excellency opinion, concerning my promotion, I plainly...
3347To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd the honour of your Letter last night —Your Excellency has not Seen an Officer that was in the Action Saturday Night—They were of the party; but to their Staying at Such a distance from the Sceene of Action The Surviving Highlanders owe their Existence. I took delight in mentioning the Troops to your Excellency who distinguishd themselves—The Reverse gives me pain; hoping that time,...
3348To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Trumbull, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd your Excellency’s commands of the 12th Inst. yesterday—I had before heard, of Genl McDougalls complaint of want of Provisions, & had given Orders to have the difficulty remedied—I have repeated them again now. I apprehend the deficiency has happened from want of Teams & Forage, & a wish not to have too much Provisions on hand, at a Time, at Peekskill—when I came thro’ the Qr Master had...
3349To George Washington from John Hancock, 15 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to enclose you sundry Resolves of Congress, accompanied with a Commission for Monsr Armand, which I am to request you will order to be delivered to him, as he is now at Head Quarters. Ever since the appointment of Brigadiers I have been waiting to be informed of the Dates of their respective Commissions in Order to settle their Rank in making out new ones. But as there...
3350To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your’s of the 7th Inst. & have Ordrd all the Troop’s who have had the Small pox and are able to March to peck’s Kill’s; by the Numbr wanting Still to Compleat our Battalions with those who have not yet gone thro’ the Small pox tis probable we shall Soon have Two or three Thousand Men who have not had that Disease as I beleive our Quota will be raisd soon in this advancd Season will...