1To George Washington from Steuben, 6 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Letter whose Original I Shall have the honor to present to your Excellency, will instruct you of the motives that brought me over to this Land. I shall add only to it that the Object of my greatest Ambition is to render your Country all the Services in my Power, and to deserve the title of a Citizen of America by fighting for the Cause of your Liberty. If the...
2From George Washington to Steuben, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd the honor of yours from Portsmouth inclosing the Copy of a letter from Messs. Franklin and Dean the original of wh. I shall be glad to receive from your own Hands as soon as it is convenient for you to undertake the Journey. As it will lay solely with Congress to make a suitable provision for you in the American Army you will be under the necessity of prolonging your Journey...
3To George Washington from Steuben, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
With regard to the first question —We are to examine whether the Enemy may expect formidable Succours—if that be the case we ought to reinforce the army with the greatest dispatch, and strike a daring blow before those Succours arrive—The enemys force is estimated at 10000 men—if ours is under 20000 rank and file, the enterprise would be hazardous, and by exposing ourselves to a general action...
4To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 17 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great Satisfaction to see that Your Excellency has taken Such a wise Step in my Department as to engage the General Officers and Field Officers of Regiments to take the Command of the Troops in our daily Exercise: Nothing could be more useful in the present moment —I had wished some time ago it might Soon be the Case, but in the meanwhile, I was endeavoring with the Gentlemen under...
5From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the letter which you delivered me yesterday, on the subject of your department. I have to assure you that it is my most earnest wish to conciliate the rights of the Inspectors with those of the officers commanding Corps—and that the public good may be advanced by a perfect harmony between them—with this view the plan proposed in General orders the 15th inst., was made—and it was...
6To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
My opinion on the different propositions offered for consideration in council yesterday —is as follows. The Intelligence we have hitherto received of the enemys movements, does not sufficiently assure us of his designs, to warrant an enterprise upon Philadelphia—and I believe it would be prudent not to abandon our position without being certain of the evacuation of the city—It would be still...
7To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here this morning and found Genl Scott waiting intelligence, which has since arrived that the Enemy lay last night in two Columns one at Allens Town the other at Imlays Town, this morning about Eight oClock the Column from Imlays Town moved & took the Road to Monmouth Court House, we have not yet received any intelligence of the Column at Allens Town—Colo. Moylan has just arrived...
8To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
We arrived here this morning & it being the best position we can find to observe the motions of the Enemy—have remain’d—we have advanced our parties so near as to fire a Pistol at their Horsemen whilst feeding their Horses—They now lay encamped one Line on the main Road by the Court House & another Line extended on their left from the head of their Column which is not advanced One hundred &...
9To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having been pleased to order me in the General Orders of 22d Instant to resume my Office of Inspector General & make my Arrangements accordingly, I beg leave to refer you to my letter of 17th June on the subject of the Inspection & to your kind Answer of 18th in which you granted me permission to go to York Town & desired me to lay before Congress such a Plan as would be most...
10To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 1 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I cannot any longer defer acknowledging the many favors I have received from you & expressing my desire of your Excellencys continuing the same favorable sentiments towards me. Immediately after my arrival here Congress were pleased to appoint a Committee to hear my Proposals—the Committee consists of Gen. Reed Mrss. Boudinot & Chace, & meet for the first time on saturday 8th Inst.; in the...
11To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemys preparatives at New York—announce either an expedition really meditated—or perhaps only a Feigned one. In the first case let us examine what their plans may be. The first and most interesting is an expedition against Boston and the french Squadron—Six or Seven thousand men might be detached from New York—and the same number would remain to defend the island against all the Force...
12To George Washington from Steuben, 6 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Steuben, 6 Dec. 1778. On 19 Dec., GW wrote Steuben : “I had the honor of receiving a few days since your letter of the 6th instant.”
13From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving a few days since your letter of the 6th instant; I am much obliged to you for the polite assurances you give; and in my turn, I beg you will believe, that when the institution at the head of which you have been placed, can once be established upon a footing mutually agreeable to you and to the army, to which end all the measures I have taken in it have been...
14To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 10 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Major General Steuben, 10 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 26 Feb. : “Capt. Walker delivered me your favor of the 10th inst. with the Sequel of your Manuscript.”
15From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 26 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Walker delivered me your favor of the 10th inst. with the Sequel of your Manuscript—Inclosed I transmit you my Remarks on the first part—the Remainder shall follow as soon as other affairs of equal importance will permit. I very much approve the conciseness of the work—founded on your general principle of rejecting every thing superfluous—tho’ perhaps it would not be amiss in a work of...
16To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 5 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys obliging favor of 26 Ulto was handed me by Cap. Walker with the first part of the Regulations for the Exercise of the Infantry. I am much obliged by your Excellencys remarks on that Manuscript which I have corrected agreable thereto, and that it may not be defficient in perspicuity and correctness of diction I have submitted it to the Correction of a Gentleman in Town in order...
17From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 11 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 5th and now return you the Sequel of your work accompanied by a few notes. It gives me great pleasure to learn that the foregoing part is in such forwardness for the press—With respect to the Title I think “ Regulations for the Infantry of the United States ” will be sufficient—In a Letter to Congress I have signified my approbation of the work —it remains for...
18To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 17 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s approbation of the Regulations I had the honor of presenting, gives me the greatest hopes that they will be easily reduced to practice, and prove agreeable to the Army. Encouraged by this hope, I Shall immediately present them to Congress for their Sanction. As I am convinced of the necessity of the Regulations taking place as soon as possible, your Excellency may depend I...
19From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 27 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your favor of the 17th. Col. Fleury’s coming up to camp may answer the purposes you mention, till the regulations can receive a final completion—I would therefore wish to see Col. Fleury as soon as convenient, with such parts of the regulations as are necessary for immediate application. I am sir your &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW...
20To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 31 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my last I had the honor of informing your Excellency that the Regulations would be printed by the middle of April, till which time I proposed staying here in order to hurry the Work as much as possible. I did not then foresee a Thousand little things that retard the progress of the work & which now convince me it will be the last of April before it can be finished, I have therefore...
21To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 22 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letters not found : from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 22 June 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 1 July: “I have been favoured with four letters from you three of the 22d and one of the 27th.”
22To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 27 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 27 June 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 1 July: “I have been favoured with four letters from you three of the 22d and one of the 27th.”
23To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 29 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 29 June 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 1 July: “The proposals towards a monthly inspection contained in … your letter of the 29th appear in general to be very eligible.”
24From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with four letters from you three of the 22d and one of the 27th. One of them incloses a representation from the Gentlemen in your department, requesting some additional privileges, in consideration of the additional trouble incident to the extensive duties of their offices—Their request appears to me so reasonable that I shall immediately take measures to have them...
25To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Genl McDougall return’d me yesterday the Inclos’d Plan for the formation of the Massachusets & North Carolina Brigades which he assures me will be perfectly agreable to the Commanding Officers of Regiments If your Excellency approves it, it may be publishd in orders & take place immediately. The movement of Genl Heaths Division & the late expedition of the Light Corps has hitherto prevented...
26To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our present situation is nearly the same as it was at the opening of the campaign. The enemy are still superior in number, their troops better provided. They possess more means of executing their projects by the help of their vessels. They are masters of our coast and of the entrance of the North River. The capture of Stoney Point has given a great advantage to our side. It has not only...
27From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 29th of Sepr containing a plan for recruiting the army for the next campaign, which I have attentively considered—Many parts of it correspond exactly with my ideas and with the proposals I have made and am making to Congress—Such parts of it as are new and appear to me calculated to promote the service shall be added. I have the honor to be With much esteem...
28To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 26–30 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Being arrived here on the night of Saturday the 22d Inst. I delivered next Day Early in the morning Your Excellency’s Letter to the President of Congress, & I am informed but to day that the Board of War is charged to Confer with me on the present State of the Army. I do not know as yet what this Conference will tend to, There is a talk of a Committee being to repair to Camp, in Order to give...
29From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 7 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I have been favoured with from his Excelly the cheva[lie]r De la Luzerne I am led to expect the honor of his Compy at Camp in the course of this Month. As it is my wish to accomodate him in the best manner circumstances will admit of (which at best as you well know will be bad enough) and to pay him evy respect due to his high rank and Station I shall thank you for previous...
30From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 26th brot down to the 29th of January with the papers annexed and have carefully considered the contents, on which I shall give you my sentiments with freedom and confidence. The principal point on which your memorial to Congress turns is the force requisite for the next campaign. To determine this on good grounds we ought first to settle the following...