15601From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you Yesterday, Nothing of Importance has occurred and the Enemy remain, as they then were. I was reconnoitring the Country and different Roads all Yesterday, and am now setting out on the same business again. Sensible of the advantages of Light Troops, I have formed a Corps under the command of a Brigadier, by drafting a Hundred from each Brigade, which is...
15602To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Council of this State have ordered the prisoners lately taken near Bennington to this place where they intend to confine them on board Guard Ships, which they are preparing for the purpose. I suppose they will arrive about the middle of next week. Inclosd is a Copy of a Vote of Council sent to me a few days since. I have given orders for the prisoners & Guards being supplied with...
15603From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
It seems to be the Opinion of several of the prisoners and also of the Deserters that have lately come out, that the Enemy intend to move to morrow morning. How well founded this Idea may be, I cannot tell, but I thought it right to communicate it to you, that you may be ⟨watc⟩hfull and guarded on all the Roads. It will be well to place some of your ⟨men⟩ at the pass on the Road which has been...
15604To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you a Return of the Corps under my Command, you may think it strange that it has not been sent you before, but Col. Pickering desir’d that I would Add a Return of the Artillary, with the other Troops. I have given Repeated orders that they bring their Returns in at the time appointed, but have not had any—and dont know that I shall unless I take some other Steps—The New...
15605From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the directions of Congress, I wrote you on the 23d Instant by Express, requesting you & Colol M. Gist to repair immediately to Maryland to arrange—march & conduct the Militia of that State which Congress had called for, Twelve Hundred & Fifty of which were to assemble at Baltimore [and] at Hartford Towns, and Seven hundred & fifty more at George Town on the Eastern Shore...
15606To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I thank you kindly for your letter of the 27th. My Bruises are so much better, that I can move Gently without much pain, & hope tomorrow or Next day to be able to Join the Army in a Chair or Sulky, at least I will make the Experiment. I have hitherto been obliged to lay Cheifly on my back. Considering the Abundance of Militia which are now turning out to Join the Army and the Unformed State...
15607To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 31 August–30 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
It grieves me exceedingly that I am [under] the Necessity of bringing any disagreable Matter before your Excellency, especially at this Time; But the late behaviour of General Conway renders it unavoidable. Since the Complaint entered against him in June last at Middle Brook Camp, of behavior unbecomeing a Gentleman and an Officer he has frequently behaved in a Manner very inconsistent with an...
15608General Orders, 31 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Every officer commanding a troop or company is immediately to make out his muster-rolls to the first of september, that the whole army may be mustered with the utmost expedition—Officers commanding corps not annexed to any particular division, or brigade, will apply to the muster Master of the nearest division who will muster all such corps. A General Court Martial is to sit to morrow at 9...
15609Instructions to Colonel Mordecai Gist, 31 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having called upon the State of Maryland to furnish a number of Militia to assist in repelling the Invasion of the Enemy by way of Chesepeak Bay and appointed Brigadr Smallwood and yourself to arrange—conduct and command them, You are to repair, without loss of Time to George Town on Sassafras on the Eastern Shore of that State, or elsewhere on the East side of Chesepeak Bay where...
15610Instructions to Brigadier General Caesar Rodney, 31 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having called upon the State of Delaware for its proportion of the Militia, to assist in defeating the hostile Designs of the Enemy in this quarter, You are, without loss of time, to use your utmost exertions towards accomplishing that necessary purpose, and for assembling and arranging in the best order possible, the quota assign’d your State, at Middle-town and in its...
15611George Washington to Colonel Hugh Hughes, 1 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 1, 1777. Orders Hughes to forward salt to Major General Horatio Gates. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Hughes was assistant quartermaster general.
15612George Washington to William Livingston, 1 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 1, 1777. Discusses Lieutenant John Troup’s arrest. Has ordered a special court martial. States that under no circumstances is Troup’s sentence to be mitigated. Is satisfied with Livingston’s reason for delay in dividing New Jersey into districts. Understands reluctance of people of New Jersey to join militia. Agrees that practice of issuing unauthorized...
15613General Orders, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Austin Sandridge was on the 15th instant appointed Quarter Master to the 6th Virginia regt and is to be regarded as such. The guards after to day are to be releived in the morning at 9 o’clock. The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to inform the army, that on the approach of Genl Arnold with his detachment, the enemy raised the siege of Fort Stanwix, and fled with such precipitation, that...
15614Agreement with Colonel Patterson Bell, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Patterson Bell of the Eighth Battalion of Chester County Militia, having informed me, that he can bring into the Field Two Hundred Volunteers to reinforce the Army under my command, I do hereby agree with him, that the said Corps or such Number of Men as he brings, shall be furnished with provisions & Ammunition during their continuance in service, in the same manner, that the Troops...
15615To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Conway, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
your intention certainly is that the Left as Well as the Right of your army Should be equally in a condition to oppose the ennemy. I think it my Duty to acquaint your excellency that my Brigade is so Weaken’d since the Last Draft of Chosen men taken out of it that I can not expect in spite of all the trouble I took to Make it serve with Credit. although G. Nashe’s Brigade is almost three times...
15616From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received to day the favour of your two letters of the 27th and 28th Ulto with a Copy of General Arnolds. The raising of the Seige of Fort Schuyler, is fortunate indeed, and I trust will free us from any further Apprehensions of an Invasion in that Quarter this campaign, if it does not produce a friendly and favourable change in the dispositions of the Indians towards us. It is to be wished,...
15617From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The latest and most material intelligence, which I have obtained respecting the Enemy, you will find in the inclosed papers, which I do myself the Honor of transmitting to you. How far the Enemy have it in view to extend themselves in a Line from Bay to Bay, I cannot determine; But the idea has taken place with Many, and it is said to be founded on their hints to some persons, who from...
15618To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your several Favours to the 30th ulto (inclusive) I have had the Honour of receiving in the Order of their Dates. From the enclosed Resolves you will perceive, the Congress have appointed a Committee to collect and arrange the Evidence relative to the Evacuation of Ticonderoga, which will be afterwards transmitted to you, that a Court Martial may be thereupon instituted for the Trial of the...
15619From George Washington to John Hancock, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
At half after Twelve OClock, I was honored with Your’s of this Morning, with Its several Inclosures. I shall make inquiry, respecting the Workmen in the Militia and will order All to be detached, that can be spared. The Intelligence from the Northward is very interesting, and, I hope, will be succeeded by Other fortunate Events. I am sorry Genl Arnold did not arrive sooner; If he had, it is...
15620From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 1 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Thomas Johnson, 1 Sept. 1777. Johnson wrote GW on 4 Sept .: “I recvd your Letter of the first Instant.”
15621From George Washington to William Livingston, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your several favours of the 15th 28 and 29 ulto and observe their contents. From the papers you have sent, there can remain no doubt, that Mr Troupes true errand, whatever may be his ostensible one, was to recruit men for the British army; and, after being so clearly detected, should he escape punishment it cannot fail to have the disagreeable influence you...
15622To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 Sept. 1777. GW in his first letter to Maxwell of this date refers to “your Letter of this morning .”
15623From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Previous to the Arrival of your Letter of this morning I had received Intelligence of the Return of that party of the Enemy which was sent to Warwick —I cannot but regret that a proper Number of Men had not been detached immediately after them, as it appears that if this measure had been seasonably taken the plunderers would have been cut off—as to any future operations against them I must...
15624From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you a few minutes ago, I have been inform’d that there is a considerable number of Cattle and a variety of Stores (the property of Individuals) at and in the neighborhood of Nottingham—as the distance from this place to the Head of Elk is not so great as to discourage the Enemy from attempting to make themselves Masters of such valuable Articles, it will be proper that you...
15625To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter of the 31st July ult: and am happy to congratulate you on the Success of General Stark near Benington and Colo. Gansevoort at Fort Stanwix—Events which demand our highest Gratitude to the Supream Director for his mercifull Appearance for us at that critical Juncture—This ought not to lessen our Desires that a thorough and impartial Enquiry be made into...
15626From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Letter just received from Brigadier Genl Maxwell informs me of the desertion of one of your light horse —this disagreeable Circumstance will naturally put you upon your guard—but I desire that you will farther make very particular Scrutiny into the Characters of your Men and if you shall find any more suspicious ones among them that you will immediately dismount them and order them to Head...
15627George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Junior, 2 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 2, 1777. Discusses danger of stationing large forces at Yorktown and Hampton. States that plan to stop shipping on rivers is not effective. Recommends use of light companies. Describes position of enemy. Sends information concerning battle of Oriskany and retreat from Fort Schuyler. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers,...
15628General Orders, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress having desired the Commander in Chief to detach from the militia, as soon as possible, such a number of workmen, as he should think necessary, to repair with dispatch, the arms now in the city of Philadelphia; The Brigadiers of the militia are earnestly desired to make immediate enquiry, in their several brigades, for such workmen, and without a moments delay,...
15629From George Washington to Colonel Armand, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have a complaint lodged against your Corps by a number of the reputable Inhabitants in the Neighbourhood of Elk. As I find that your men cannot be restrained from committing Violences while in the Country, I desire you will immediately march them up to this Town. I am Sir Your hble Servt. Copy, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . This remonstrance, which has...
15630To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Complaints made to you against my Corps, are the more personal as I derive the Command of it from Your Excellency, as I love and respect this Corps in the light of a Gift which comes to me from you, and as it is my constant Attention to render it as well as myself worthy of your Favour; if Your Excellency previous to casting Reproaches upon me, with respect to which from my Ignorance of...