41To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 14 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In my last I had the honor of informing your Excellency that the enemies fleet had arrived in North Eddesto —since that they have landed their troops on Simmons’s Island & marched part of them to the North East end of Johns Island. I have not been able yet to learn, with any degree of certainty, their numbers for although we have frequent information from Savannah yet as the troops were keept...
42To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 22 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The last time I did myself the honor to address Your Excellency, I mentioned that the enemy were landed on John’s Island —from that place some have crossed Stono-ferry, and now possess the works which they threw up last summer —I am exceedingly at a loss to know what are their views in taking post there—if, thereby, they mean to cover the landing of their cannon and stores, they will...
43To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 4 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Sir Harry seems to be collecting his force on James Island, and is there throwing up some works—one among the ruins of Fort Johnson, another a little to the westward of it—it is said that he is also throwing up a Bomb-battery opposite the Town; drawing his principal force to this Island, hawling his Gallies, and other armed vessels, of small draught of water, near the mouth of Wappoo,...
44To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my last the enemy have very unexpectedly brought over the ships mentioned in the enclosed paper —it has been thought there was not water enough for a 64 gun ship—Before they came into the harbour it was determined to form a line of battle across the channel with our ships, to act in conjunction with Fort Moultrie—but afterwards, as the enemy were so vastly superior to our force, it was...
45To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 9 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enemy crossed the Ashley, in force, near the ferry on the 29th ultimo, and the next day moved down, and encamped about three thousand yards from our Lines—before this they had transported their heavy baggage, Ordnance, and Stores, from out of Wappoo across land about two miles, to Old Town creek on the West side of the river opposite their encampment. In the morning of the first instant we...
46To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellencys favor of the 26th ulto covering a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to me I cannot but hope you have a little misapprehended him and that it was not his intention to make my exchange depend absolutely on the exchange of the southern Army—did I fully believe this to be his meaning I should suppose no advantages would result from my meeting Major General...
47To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Hingham, Mass, 11 August 1780. “Could a consciousness of having the fullest intentions to serve my country and a sincere attempt to have executed such intentions have so availed me as to have discharged the debt of responsibility to the public for my conduct while their servant, and especially to you my dear General, as my commanding officer, I should have saved you the trouble of this long...
48To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take this early opportunity to inform your Excellency that in the late interview no exchanges took place; and that I see little prospect that any will be effected while the idea remains that officers only are to be the subject of it. In the course of conversation with General Philips (for nothing more took place between us relative to a general exchange of prisoners, as I early informed him...
49To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellencys favor of ⟨the⟩ 8th instant announcing my ⟨ex⟩change—an event extrem⟨ely⟩ felicitating. The General Assembly of this commonwealth, is now sitting, the first on our new c⟨on⟩stitution. Had I arrived fro⟨m⟩ camp a few days sooner, I shoul⟨d⟩ probably have been honored wi⟨th⟩ a seat among them. Though I am happy to inform your Excellency, that the...
50To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 28 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The committee on ways and means have now before them the resolves of Congress of the 4th instant in which part of the necessary supplies for the next campaign are apportioned on the several States—as also their circular letter calling in the most rational and energetic terms for a speedy and punctual compliance. It is with pleasure, I can assure your Excellency, that this State convinced of...
51To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was in the evening of the 23d honored with your Excellencys favor of the 11th. No measure has been left untried to save the question for filling up our battalions for the war; but every attempt of its abettors for that purpose, and many there were in the assembly, proved abortive. The following short anecdote will point your Excellency to some and I think the principal reasons, on which the...
52To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Nothing My dear General very new or material has taken place, since I did my self the honor to address your Excellency under the 26th. However I cannot omit so good an opportunity as offers by this express, to inform you that the recruiting service goes on well, and that there is good reason to hope our battalions will soon be filled up. The matter of clothing the army is of such importance,...
53To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 17 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had last evening the honor of your Excellencys favor of the 9th. Our people were thunder struck by the accounts brought by General Knox. I hope they and the several States seeing the evils which will necessarily result from the revolt of the Pennsylvania line will be induced to pursue such measures as shall prevent the like in future by removing in time every just cause of complaint from the...
54To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
As General Knox, who well knows the state of our affairs here, will be with Your Excellency as early as this can reach you, I may omit many matters which otherwise I should think it my duty to mention. I am informed that Congress have acceded to a general exchange, and that it is left with Your Excellency to carry it into effect, at such time as you shall think proper. I know too well Your...
55To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Colo. Laurens sailed on the 13th, after waiting several days in Nantasket-Road for a fair wind. On his arrival here he found the Alliance had not completed her crew & that it would be difficult soon to effect it. This induced him to apply to the Navy-Board to obtain from the General Court a power to impress—which not only failed in the House, but so...
56To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your Excellencys favors of the 10 & 21 Ultmo Orders will be immediately issued for collecting the recruits and I hope they will in a few days come on cloathed. It will be difficult to send them on without, as they have been promised cloathing and are not therefore prepared to march without them—They will be armed here. The fifteen hundred coats for the troops in...
57To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my return from Rhode Island I found that a very considerable delay would attend the compleating our clothing for the recruits as ordered by the General Court which induced me to attempt as a temporary supply Hunting shirts & overalls in this I failed, as the Court was not sitting, from the want of powers in the supream executive—But as there are a number of the recruits well cloathed they...
58To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 13 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday honored with your Favor of the 4th Inst. Every attention is paid to collect and forward the Troops with dispatch from all the Counties saving those in the eastern part of this State. they, by a resolve of the Assembly in their last session, were detained untill the pleasure of your Excellency & that of Congress could be known with respect to their being further detained for the...
59To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honored with your Excellencys favor of the 21st. Mr C. informs me that his frind will have the honor of calling on your Excellency immediately on his and will digest or agree on a plan for future operations. The General Court have repealed their order directing the Levis raised in the three eastern counties to remain there untill your pleasure should be known respecting...
60To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The General Assembly have, in compliance with your Excellencys request, voted the tents &c. for the Massachusetts line, and discover a disposition to give all the assistance in their power in support of the common interest—but they are greatly embarrassed from the want of money, notwithstanding the various modes adopted, by this State, for procuring it—this may possibly cause some delay—I hope...
61To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
We arrived and landed our troops here between three & four this morning immediately our boats were covered with green boughs & our men in a neghbouring wood many things combined to cause a failure of landg as first proposed Majr Darby miss under stood Majr Bayley re sp ecting the place the Boats were to be carried which prevented his finding them this caus e d a delay of one hour after we had...
62To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 July 1781 to 5 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Clinton advised to sending two Regiments of Militia to Do b se s F erry & Tarry-Town, I sent a pilot to lead them across the Land they Arrived at the place of their destination yesterday where I met them. there are Houses enough here to cover the Troops—I have left orders with Colo. Denny, the Oldest officer, to watch the motions of the Enemy prevent thier plundering the inhabitants,...
63To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Genl Lincoln presents his most respectful compliments to his Excellency Genl Washington & beg to offer the following hints The murders Robbing and disorder in our rear and on one flank point to the necessity of throwing out parties to prevent them—The inhabitants from incontestible evidence are aiding and abetting in these high hand offences and must I think be brought under certain...
64To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the friquent applications made to me this morning for passes to the Inhabitants to pass through Camp in Search of Horses, Cattle &c., said to be taken from them, carried down to the Enemys Lines, and by us brought back, I am convinced that under pretence of this search a good account may be taken of our Situation and Numbers, as every Tent may be told and the fullest representation made...
65To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 3 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have, my dear General, agreeable to your Wishes, made some Observations on the Situation of Charles-Town, the Strength of its Works, the Number of Men necessary to garrison it, and the point or points by which it may be approached. The Town of Charles-Town is situated on a Peninsula formed by the Cooper and the Ashley; the former about two & a Half Miles wide, and the latter about one and a...
66To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The troops arrived here about 2 oClock in the afternoon yesterday—I went towards evening to bound brook where I met Col. Lamb & every thing in order. As there are so many circumstances to be taken into consideration prior to a determination what number of waggons ought to proced Southward and as we cannot avail ourselves of all of those circumstances here, such as the probability of a full...
67To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Our van has passed the rear will be at the ferry in about one hour. No moment will be lost in loading the artillery Stores &c. We have an account this morning from New York that the enemy are embarking troops and have put on board twenty peices of feild artillery—the Arrival of Hood is mentioned in the New York paper which I conclude your Excellen c y will receive before this. As soon as I can...
68To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of this date at 1/2 past one at the landing—we have put & are putting on board the vessels the ordnance stores &c.—I shall send in the same vessels the Corps of artillery—Corps of Sappers & miners and also Colo. Hazens Regt by sending Gen. Hazens Regiment suppose it will be unnecessary to send the hundred men you mention I thought it was best to send whole Corps &...
69To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last Evening honored with your Excellency’s Favor of Yesterday Afternoon—On the Receipt of it I applied to Colo. Dearborn Dy Qr Mr Gnl, to know what Number of Vessels were left, and what Number it would probably take to transport the French Artillery, Baggage, Sick, &c. On his Report I found it impossible to take Vessels enough for another Corps, and leave a Sufficiency for the...
70To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 4 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The troops are now under arms and are just leaving their ground. we Shall encamp to night a mile or two on the other side Willmington—I do not observe any discontent among the troops—A little money however would make us good natured. I have the honor to be my Dr Sir with sentiments of esteem you r most huml. Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.