121George Washington to John Rutledge, 5 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 5, 1777. Approves of Rutledge’s and Brigadier General Robert Howe’s decision not to attack St. Augustine. Discusses British failure to move against Philadelphia. Speculates on whether the center of the next British attack will be the Hudson River or Philadelphia. Describes American plans to counteract either move. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers,...
122George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, 7 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 7, 1777. Speculates on purpose of attack on Ticonderoga. Warns Trumbull that British may attack eastern states rather than advance up North River. Gives permission for use of arms from Springfield arsenal if Connecticut is attacked. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
123George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 12 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pompton Plains [ New Jersey ] July 12, 1777. Orders Putnam to keep Brigadier General John Glover in readiness to march to Ticonderoga, to send Brigadier General John Nixon’s men on to join their brigade, and to forward field pieces to Major General Philip Schuyler. Warns of possible attack by Sir William Howe on Peekskill. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
124George Washington to Tronson du Coudray, 13 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pompton Plains [ New Jersey ] July 13, 1777. Discusses disposal of the artillery imported on Amphitrite. Says that Du Coudray is wrong in assuming that Mauduit du Plessis is aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Henry Knox. States that, as Du Coudray does not yet hold an official position, original arrangements for artillery will continue in effect. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers,...
125George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 13 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pompton Plains [ New Jersey ] July 13, 1777. Discusses supplies sent to Schuyler. Is astonished that there has been no word from Major General Arthur St. Clair. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
126George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 17 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 17, 1777. Is pleased with capture of Major General Richard Prescott. Will try to exchange Prescott for Major General Charles Lee. Praises conduct of Lieutenant Colonel William Barton. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Barton was a lieutenant colonel of the Rhode Island Militia. Congress, because of the part he played in the...
127George Washington to Colonel Thomas Elliott, 18 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 18, 1777. Orders Elliott to appear at Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, who indorsed on the verso Washington’s decision: “in Six or Seven weeks from this time if he does not come on must expect to be superseded” George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
128George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 18, 1777. Requests Smallwood to join Army at Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
129George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 22, 1777. Asks for accurate report of British movements on Long Island Sound. Requests information on posts around Kings Bridge and Fort Washington. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
130George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 22, 1777. Is sending Brigadier General John Glover’s brigade to reinforce Schuyler. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Although the partially erased signature of H can be seen on the draft, this is without a doubt a Washington letter.
131George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 24 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 24, 1777. Is disappointed in number of militia sent to Schuyler. Regrets inability to send Schuyler more Continental troops, but believes Schuyler will be aided by eastern states. Discusses strength of enemy. Is sending Major General Benjamin Lincoln to aid Schuyler and to command militia. Approves of stationing men about the New Hampshire Grants. Suggests putting...
132George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 24 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 24, 1777. Orders Sheldon to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Sheldon was a colonel of the Second Continental Dragoons.
133George Washington to William Franklin, 25 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 25, 1777. Expresses sympathy with Franklin’s request to see sick wife. Regrets that commanding general cannot supersede a congressional resolution, but has forwarded Franklin’s letter to Congress. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Franklin, the last Loyalist governor of New Jersey, was at this time imprisoned in Connecticut because...
134George Washington to John Hancock, 25 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Ramapo [ New Jersey ] July 25, 1777. Introduces Monsieur D’Avout. LS , in writing of H, Papers of Continental Congress, National Archives.
135George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pompton Plains [ New Jersey ] July 25, 1777. Reports that Philadelphia is probable destination of enemy fleet. Orders Putnam to replace part of Continental troops at Peekskill with New York and Connecticut militia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
136George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 26 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Lott’s [ East of Morristown, New Jersey ] July 26, 1777. Orders Bland to halt at Bristol, Pennsylvania, or Trenton and then proceed to Philadelphia if enemy is in Delaware Bay. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
137George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 27, 1777. Disapproves of requisition of arms for proposed St. Johns expedition. Approves of Heath’s methods of dealing with deserters. Requests Heath not to send French volunteers to Headquarters, as their pretensions to office are “embarrassing.” Reports that British fleet’s destination is probably Philadelphia. Orders Continental troops sent to the Northern...
138George Washington to Robert Erskine, 28 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Flemington [ New Jersey ] July 28, 1777. Offers Erskine position of geographer with the Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Erskine was a civil engineer operating a mine at Ringwood, New Jersey.
139George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 28 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Flemington [ New Jersey ] July 28, 1777. Believes that appearance of enemy fleet off Little Egg Harbor is proof that its destination is Philadelphia. Orders Mifflin to reconnoiter area around Philadelphia, and to obtain “drafts … of the Country.” Presents possible plan for stationing of American troops. Recommends baking of large quantities of hard bread. Df , in writing of H, George...
140George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Chester [ Pennsylvania ] August 1, 1777. Orders Greene to hold men in readiness to march and to give the necessary orders to quartermaster general and commissary general respecting provisions and forage. States that British fleet has departed from the Delaware. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Although H’s crossed-out signature can be seen on the draft, this...
141George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Chester [ Pennsylvania ] August 1, 1777. Warns of probable attack on Highlands. Discusses orders given to Major General John Sullivan and Governor George Clinton to aid Putnam. Instructs Putnam to ask aid of Governor Jonathan Trumbull. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
142George Washington to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 3 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 3, 1777 . Orders De Borre to remain at Bound Brook until enemy arrives at “the Hook” and then to proceed to Peekskill. Condemns De Borre’s execution of a Tory. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. De Borre arrived in America in March, 1777, and enlisted in the American Army as a volunteer. He resigned in the same year.
143George Washington to Brigadier General Francis Nash, 3 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
City Tavern [ Philadelphia ] August 3, 1777. Orders Nash to hold troops and vessels in readiness. Df , in writings of Richard Kidder Meade and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Francis Nash, Brigadier General in the Continental Army from North Carolina, died October 17, 1777, of wounds received at Germantown on October 4.
144George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] August 4, 1777. Forwards Congress’ appointment of Gates to the command of Northern Department. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
145George Washington to The New York Council of Safety, 4 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 4, 1777 . Warns of danger of popular attitude toward fall of Ticonderoga and the advance of General John Burgoyne. Does not wish to aid Northern Department by weakening main Army. Laments lack of aid that has been given by the eastern states, but is assured that presence of Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Major General Benedict Arnold will induce a change. Advises that...
146George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 6, 1777. Notifies Gates that De Malmady has been given permission to serve under Gates in Northern Department. LS , in the writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City François, Marquis de Malmady, was a colonel in the Continental Army.
147George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 7, 1777. Notifies Gates that Du Bouchet has been given permission to serve under Gates in the Northern Department. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City. Denis Jean Florimond Langlois de Mautheville, Chevalier du Bouchet.
148George Washington to John Hancock, 10 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 10, 1777. Reports that Army has been moved to Coryells Ferry. Discusses desirability of defending Fort Island rather than Billingsport. Asks permission to have Major General Tronson du Coudray survey region between Marcus Hook and Philadelphia. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
149George Washington to John Hancock, 12 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 12, 1777. Has instructed Brigadier General Silas Newcomb to maintain New Jersey militia at Woodbury. Asks if Major General Tronson du Coudray may call on Newcomb for aid. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Also known as Neshaminy Camp. This later became Hartsville, Pennsylvania.
150George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 14 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 14, 1777. Instructs Dayton to send information on strength of the enemy at Kings Bridge and on Staten Island. Also asks Dayton to send account of number of boats available in that area. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.