151George Washington to John Hancock, 15 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 15, 1777. Suggests plan of defence for Fort Island based on Major General Tronson du Coudray’s maps. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
152George Washington to George Clinton, 16 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 16, 1777. Discusses importance of the two actions near Fort Schuyler. Asks for more information. Commends New York’s efforts. States that a body of New Hampshire Militia under Brigadier General John Stark has joined Major General Benjamin Lincoln at Bennington, Vermont. Differs with the plan of Major General Philip Schuyler and Lincoln to unite all...
153George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 17 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Camp at Cross Roads, Pennsylvania ] August 17, 1777. Acknowledges receipt of Turgot’s recommendation for a French volunteer. Discusses difficulty of placing French officers and advises Franklin to discourage potential candidates in France. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Franklin was in France serving as United States Commissioner to that country. Anne...
154George Washington to John Hancock, 17 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 17, 1777. Seeks information concerning Du Portail’s request to Congress for horses and servants at public expense. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Colonel Louis Le Bèque (Le Begue) Du Portail was sent to America in July, 1777. Congress appointed him chief engineer with the rank of colonel. He was given the rank of...
155George Washington to Baron de Holtzendorff, 18 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at the Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 18, 1777. Acknowledges receipt of the Baron’s “plan of a military work.” Encloses letter to Major General Nathanael Greene stating that the Baron is to be attached as a lieutenant colonel to Greene’s division. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Baron de Holtzendorff, commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1776,...
156George Washington to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 19 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 19, 1777. Abides by Brigadier General de Borre’s preference of an American as brigade major and recommends Captain Matthew McConnell of Colonel Moses Hazen’s regiment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
157George Washington to John Hancock, 22 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 22, 1777. Acknowledges receipt of news that enemy is in Chesapeake Bay. Informs Hancock of orders given to Colonel Thomas Proctor, Brigadier General Francis Nash, Major General John Sullivan, and the Army at Headquarters. Approves of removal of stores from Lancaster and York.
158George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 27 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 27, 1777. Discusses failure of Staten Island expedition. Advises Sullivan to spare health of men on march to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
159George Washington to John Hancock, 28 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 28, 1777. Recommends Count Casimir Pulaski to command cavalry. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Pulaski was a Polish officer recommended to Washington by Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee. He later commanded an independent corps of cavalry known as Pulaski’s Legion.
160George Washington to John Hancock, 29 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 29, 1777. Discusses movements of enemy. Asks Hancock to send commissions for Brigadier Generals John Glover, Enoch Poor, and John Paterson. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
161George 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.
162George 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...
163George 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,...
164George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 3, 1777. Discusses possibility of British attack on Maxwell by enemy party sent to Bohemia, Delaware. Orders Maxwell to send information about enemy in that area. In postscript, orders Maxwell to retreat to Christiana Bridge. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
165George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 4 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 4, 1777. Orders Hand to send forward officers of Colonel Daniel Brodhead’s regiment. Sends news of Fort Stanwix (Schuyler). Df , in writing of H, postscript in writing of Caleb Gibbs, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
166George Washington to Christopher Ludowick, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 5, 1777. Orders Ludowick to Camp by way of Pittstown and Coryells Ferry. Asks Ludowick to send bread from these places to Camp, and to set up as many ovens as possible in Philadelphia for baking hard bread. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
167George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 5, 1777. Encloses two letters for Lord Richard Howe and General William Howe. Orders Maxwell to apologize to Howe if there is any truth in report that an enemy flag was fired upon. Requests information concerning situation of enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
168George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 5, 1777. Asks if Maxwell is prepared to make a secret foray against enemy. Gives instructions concerning proper guides and return route. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
169George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 14 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] September 14, 1777. Forwards to Dickinson steps taken to counteract the enemy in New Jersey. Is confident of Dickinson’s cooperation and assistance. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Dickinson was a major general in the New Jersey Militia from June 6, 1777, to the close of the war.
170George Washington to John Hancock, 14 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] September 14, 1777. Is directing Major General Israel Putnam to send a second detachment of one thousand men to camp. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
171George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] September 14, 1777. Orders Heath to send all Continental troops in Massachusetts to join the main Army. Relays information concerning engagement at Brandywine Creek. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
172George Washington to John Hancock, 17 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Yellow Springs [ Pennsylvania ] September 17, 1777. Discusses situation of enemy and American efforts to secure reinforcements. LS , in the writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
173George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Reading Furnace, Pennsylvania ] September 19, 1777. Orders McDougall to join main Army. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
174Bill for Expenses of George Washington’s Staff, [21 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
paid at Christiana for family’s breakfast, horses &c.— £6.5 paid on the road from thence to Wilmington for lodging &c— 6. paid for breakfast the morning we crossed brandywine— 1.12 pd. 1.12 15.9 Received the above from Capt Gibbs ADS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Town on creek of same name, which flows into the Delaware near Wilmington. I.e., Washington’s staff. The...
175To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [21 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
The distressed situation of the army for want of blankets and many necessary articles of Cloathing, is truly deplorable; and must inevitably be destructive to it, unless a speedy remedy be applied. Without a better supply than they at present have, it will be impossible for the men to support the fatigues of the campaign in the further progress of the approaching inclement season. This you...
176To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have order’d eight or Ten light Horse more to your assistance, and if you should find a further force necessary to facilitate the business you are upon, there are fifty or sixty dismounted No Carolinians attach’d at present to Colo. Nicholas Corps. These must be subject to your order. I have been just now inform’d, that there are not less than three thousand pair of Shoes in the hands of...
177George Washington to the Board of War, 28 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pennypackers Mill [ Pennsylvania ] September 28, 1777. Asks Board of War to order the militia “from the Southward” to join the main Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
178George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Skippack [ Pennsylvania ] September 30, 1777. Approves of Heath’s action in supplying Continental frigates with needed ammunition and is pleased with the capture of prizes. Sends news of successes in North and of British occupation of Philadelphia. Repeats orders to forward three regiments from Massachusetts. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
179George Washington to Colonel Jonathan Mifflin, 1 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Skippack , Pennsylvania ] October 1, 1777. Orders Mifflin to remove stores from Trenton. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Mifflin was deputy quartermaster general of the Continental Army.
180George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, 1 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Skippack, Pennsylvania ] October 1, 1777. Discusses promotion of Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs and sends news of fall of Philadelphia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
181George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Pennypackers Mill [ Pennsylvania ] October 5, 1777. Describes the “unfortunate” attack on Germantown. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
182George Washington to Sir William Howe, 6 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Near Pennypackers Mill, Pennsylvania ] October 6, 1777 . Returns a lost dog belonging to General Howe. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
183George Washington to John Hancock, 7 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Near Pennypackers Mill [ Pennsylvania ] October 7, 1777 . Reports American losses at Germantown and estimates British losses. Intends to rest the men and wait for reinforcements. Reports on naval forces on the Delaware. Asks for more general officers. Recommends Brigadier General Alexander McDougall for promotion. Urges speedy completion of inquiry into Major General Arthur St. Clair. Reports...
184George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 7 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pawlins Mill [ Pennsylvania ] October 7, 1777 . Orders Varnum to “the Baptist meeting House in Montgomery Township” to meet main Army. Df , in writing of H, Papers of George Washington, Library of Congress. Fitzpatrick dates this letter October 8, 1777 ( GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , IX, 333).
185George Washington to Major General John Armstrong, 8 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Pawlins Mill, Pennsylvania ] October 8, 1777 . Instructs Armstrong to send Brigadier General James Potter and six hundred men to intercept British communications between Philadelphia and Chester. Expects to be informed of Potter’s actions. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Armstrong was a major general, Pennsylvania Militia.
186George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 8 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Pawlins Mill, Pennsylvania ] October 8, 1777 . Orders Greene’s regiment and that of Colonel Israel Angell to Red Bank as a special detachment with Greene in command. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. H dated this letter October 7 at the beginning and October 8 at the end. Greene was a colonel, First Rhode Island Regiment.
187George Washington to William Livingston, 8 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Pawlins Mill, Pennsylvania ] October 8, 1777 . Asks Livingston to send a large portion of New Jersey Militia to Major General Israel Putnam. States that precarious situation in the Highlands can undo the good that has been achieved in New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
188George Washington to Major John Jameson, 11 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Skippack Camp, Pennsylvania ] October 11, 1777 . Orders Jameson to collect horses, clothing, and other supplies for Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Jameson was a major of the Second Continental Dragoons.
189George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 12 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Towamencin, Pennsylvania ] October 12, 1777 . Discusses conditions at Fort Pitt and orders Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment to join main Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
190George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 14 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Towamencin, Pennsylvania ] October 14, 1777 . Orders Greene to send sufficient men to replace deserters in Commodore John Hazelwood’s fleet and to assist Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
191George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 14 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Towamencin, Pennsylvania ] October 14, 1777 . Hopes that Smith will be more successful in the future in gaining control of enemy’s batteries. Has ordered Colonel Christopher Greene to assist Smith. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
192George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 18 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Worcester, Pennsylvania ] October 18, 1777 . Informs Greene that Baron d’Arendt will assume command of Fort Mifflin and that Lieutenant Colonel John Green, with reinforcements, is on the way to the fort. Sends news of surrender of General John Burgoyne. Df , in writing of Richard Kidder Meade, last sentence in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
193George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 18 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Worcester, Pennsylvania ] October 18, 1777 . Informs Smith that Baron d’Arendt will assume command of Fort Mifflin and that Lieutenant Colonel John Green, with reinforcements, is on the way to the fort. Sends news of the surrender of General John Burgoyne. Suggests a plan to prevent British from preparing floating batteries. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers,...
194George Washington to Brigadier General David Forman, 21 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 21, 1777 . Believes that British will attack Red Bank. Requests Forman to collect as many militiamen as possible and go to aid of that post. Has asked Brigadier General Silas Newcomb to do the same. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Forman was a brigadier general in the New Jersey Militia and a colonel in one of the...
195George Washington to Commodore John Hazelwood, 21 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 21, 1777 . Announces that Baron d’Arendt will assume command of Fort Mifflin. Hopes that there will be complete cooperation between Hazlewood and D’Arendt. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Hazelwood was a commodore in the Pennsylvania navy.
196[To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington], [21 October 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
The Magazine of History , VI (November, 1907), 294. This letter is listed here because it is attributed to H in The Magazine of History . Actually it was written by Robert Hanson Harrison for Washington to Brigadier General James Potter and is printed in GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , IX, 408–09.
197George Washington to John Hancock, 22 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 22, 1777 . Regrets that Hancock is forced to retire as President of Continental Congress because of poor health and the pressure of private affairs. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
198George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township [ Pennsylvania ] October 22, 1777 . Discusses distribution of newly arrived supplies. Sends news of General John Burgoyne’s defeat. Describes recent movements of enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
199George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 24 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 24, 1777 . Congratulates Greene on defeat of enemy on October 22, 1777, and orders that all prisoners be sent to Morristown. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
200George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 24, 1777 . Answers questions concerning Sullivan’s conduct at Brandywine. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.