1From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Enoch Poor, John Paterson, and John Glover, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a Resolve of the Honble the continental Congress pass’d the 21st Ulto you are promoted to the Rank of Brigr Genl upon which I sincerely congratulate you. It is my earnest Desire that you do every thing in your power to Expedite the raising & Equiping The Troops of your State, & as soon as ready March with them to Ticonderoga. I have given similar Instructions to Genls Glover & Patterson who...
2To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hamilton directed me when I arrived nigh The River to send an Express to Head Quarters for your Orders, and wait at the Ferry until he returned, I am now at Lamberton and expect to be at the Ferry on thursday Morning without fail Mr Haskill an Adjutant of my Brigade I send to you for Directions and shall wait at the Ferry until his Return, Generals Poor & Glovers Brigade are Just in my...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General John Paterson, 20 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday wrote you a Letter with conditional directions relative to your march: Upon receipt of this, you will proceed by the way of Coryels Ferry and join this army as expeditiously as possible. I am Sir Your most obedt Servt. If in consequence of the order given yesterday you should have filed off towards Trenton—you may continue that Rout but in that case you will dispatch a Messenger to...
4To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The proposed attack on Philidelphia in my Opinion will be so hazardous that we cannot be Justified in Prosecuting of it, as a Failure will most certainly be attended with the loss of great Numbers of our Troops which I am fearfull would be attended with Fatal Consequences. my perfect Ignorance of the Country renders me intirely incapable of recommending any other Plan, but shall with...
5To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bad State of our Army at present, destitute of Clothing and many other Necessaries the Necessity of its being reunited this Winter that we may be superior to Mr How in the Spring induces me to give my Opinion in favour of going to Winter Quarters. The Attack on Philadelphia, from the best Knowledge I can obtain of the Strength of their Works I must think wou’d fail, the Consequences of...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 23 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
My being unacquainted with the Situation & ground on which the Enemy are Incamp’d renders me incapable of being a Suitable Judge of the Method of attacking them either at New York or Philadelphia. In forming a Judgment of a Matter of such importance, a Consideration of the most Capital Advantages ought to be the Object of Attention—before I proceed to the first Question from which I think the...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The natural strength of Philadelphia, with the Improvement of Works, and the Numbers of the Enemy are sufficient Reasons against attempting any thing against them at that Post—am therefore of Opinion, we ought to remain in this Camp where I think the Sick and Stores of the Army as well as the Country can be best covered until the Enemy leave Philadelphia. If they take a direct Rout to Amboy,...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 14 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. John Paterson, 14 Aug. 1778. On 15 Aug., Richard Kidder Meade wrote Paterson: “His Excy rec’d your favor of Yesterday” (DLC:GW).
9To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The great inconvenience of transporting Flower for the Army and Navy to Rhodes Island, and the uncertainty of Genl Clintons intending any thing more than raising the Seige in moving that Way, with the probability of his bringing his Troops from thence & collecting of them at New York, are in my Opinion sufficient Reasons against moving at present, at least until his Intentions may be known, an...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 28 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency has been informed that my Brigade, have had a larger & better supply of cloathing, than any of the other Massachusetts Brigades —The Regiments in my Brigade, have not had more cloaths than the Others. Last spring they had a supply of cloathing, at the same time with the other Brigades, which is the only time they have had any, since they have been in service, all the Westcoats...