11From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 17 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
As the Season is fast approaching when the Bay between us and Boston will, in all probability be close shut up, thereby rendering any movement upon the Ice as easy as if no Water was there—and, as it is more than possible that General Howe, when he gets the expected reinforcements will endeavour to relieve himself from the disgraceful confinement in which the Ministerial Troops have been, all...
12To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 20 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of Genl Gates’s Letter Yesterday I have taken Care to order a strict Watch of the Harbour & all Vessels that may arrive whether they appear to be Transports or Provision Vessels. I have sent to Colo. Ward at Dorchester, who is in great need of a Glass, & renews his Request that the Glass which was carried away by Colo. Greaton’s Regt might be returned; as it will be of more...
13From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 4 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Officers for the Regiment of Artillery still remaining unfixed, and of consequence the Inlisting men for it greatly impeded, I should be glad as I am a perfect stranger to that Corps if you, with Genls Thomas and Spencer would assist me in Scrutinizing a list given In by Colos. Burbeck and Mason at my desire. For this purpose you will please to be here to morrow at 11 Oclock. I am with...
14From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 17 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Applications for Liberty to go to the lines, are so frequent, that they cause much trouble—you will therefore Sir Grant passes to such as you may think proper at the same time I would recommend to you, that the officer who will attend upon these occasions be a person of sense & one who will carefully attend to the conversation of those who meet on the Lines. I am &c. LB , in Robert Hanson...
15To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 21 December 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Artemas Ward, 21 Dec. 1775. On this date Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to Ward: “His Excellency has commanded me to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of this date.”
16To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 2 January 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Artemas Ward, 2 Jan. 1776. On 2 Jan. Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to Ward: “In Answer to yours of this date by Mr Pope, I am to inform you by his Excellencys command, that he desires you to send a Captn, Two Subaltern & fifty men to take Charge of the Military Stores, provisions &c. at Squantum & to remain there till further orders” ( DLC:GW ).
17To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 3 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Kellog applies for Leave to take the Command of Capt. Hubbard’s Compy who is now in Canada. Capt. Kellog has behaved like a good Officer the past Campaign & is desirous of the above Favor only upon this Account: he imagines he can be very serviceable in gitting the Compy fill’d up; & is willing to resign the Command to Capt. Hubard when he returns from the Northward; if he desires to...
18To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 9 January 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Artemas Ward, 9 Jan. 1776. On this date Horatio Gates wrote to Ward: “By His Excellencys Command, I am to acquaint you in Answer to your Letter of this morning, by The Orderly Adjutant: that he approves for the present of your sending the Remainder of Captain Bisels Company to Squantum but thinks hereafter a Good Militia Company had better be Station’d at...
19From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 27 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
We were falsely Alarmed a while ago with an Acct of the Regulars coming over from the Castle to Dorchester—Mr Baylor whom I immediately sent of is just returnd with a contradiction of it. But as a rascally Riffle man went in last Night & will no doubt give all the Intelligence he can, wd it not be prudent to keep Six or Eight trusty men by way of Lookouts or Patrols to Night on the point next...
20From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 1 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
A Gentleman or two from Maryland, having some business of Importance to negotiate at the Lines, have applied for, & been refused leave to attend personally; but I have indulged them in letting Colo. Mifflin go; a meeting with whom being desird by Major Small, on some business he thinks, relative to the Prisoners at Philadelphia. Let none but the Officer of the Guard, or one of your Aids go...
21From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 2 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
After weighing all Circumstances of Tide &ca—& considering the hazard of having the Posts on Dorchester Neck taken by the Enemy, & the evil consequences which would result from it, the Gentlemen here, are of Opinion that we should go on there Munday Night. I give you this Early notice of it, that you may delay no time in preparing for it, as every thing here will be got in readiness to...
22From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 3 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
My Letter of last Night would inform you that the Genl Officers at this place thought it dangerous to delay taking Post on Dorchester Hills, least they should be possess’d before us by the Enemy, and therefore Involve us in difficulties which we should not know how to extricate ourselves from—this opinion they were Inclind to adopt from a belief, indeed almost a certain knowledge, of the...
23To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 22 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to inform your Excellency that I am in such an ill State of Health that I do not think myself capable of doing the duty which to be done by me through the ensuing Campaign in the Station I am now in; and to eat the Continental Bread & not do the duty is what I am much averse to; therefore I must beg leave to resign my Command & to withdraw from the Army after the expiration of this...
24From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 24 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged to you to send the Inclosed Letter to Colo. Quincy, either to Night, or early in the morning. As these favourable Winds do not waft the fleet from Nantasket, my Suspicion’s are more and more roused. I wish therefore the Fire Rafts talkd of by Colo. Tupper, could be attempted in a Windy, or dark Night, I think this would discover their designs if no other good effect resulted...
25From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 29 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
As General Green is ordered to march with the next Brigade on Monday and as Generl Spencer will follow with the last (leaving four or five Regiments in this department for Defence, Protection of the Stores, Erection of works ect.) & should be glad, if you are not afraid of the Small Pox & Incline to continue longer in the Service that you lately talk’d of, if you would remove in to Boston...
26Orders and Instructions for Major General Artemas Ward, 4 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby Ordered and directed to take upon you the Command of the Continental Forces remaining in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay for the defence and security of the same and for the protection of the Continental Stores. You are therefore to observe the following Orders and Instructions. Vizt: 1st You will comply with any requisition of the General Court or Council of said Province...
27From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 6 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have given such instructions to Mr Park the assistant Quarter Master General that if he pays a proper attention to them you will have Little trouble, with his department, however I woud reccommend to you to Keep him attentive to his duty, and as it is probable he may want more money to defray the necessary expences, of the Army you will grant him a warrant, for what he may have occasion for,...
28To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 11 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to inform your Excellency that Col. Glover applied to me for a Warrant upon the Paymaster Genl to pay those Men who are in the Service of the Continent, on board the Continental Privateers just arrived from a Cruise, but I did not think myself authorised by your Instructions to grant a Warrant; he informed me the Men would not be induced to go out again unless they received their pay, I...
29To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 12 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to inform your Excellency, that Col. Warren, the Paymaster Genl acquaints me he has not Money enough left in the Treasury (since what was drawn for the Commissary and Quarter Master) to pay the five Regiments which remain here, for the month of March. Mr Quarter Master Parke had a Warrant for £5500.12 and Mr Commissary Avery had a Warrant for £4500 to defray the expences in their several...
30From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 18 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 11th Instant in answer to Colonel Glovers application to you, I am of opinion that all accounts respecting the Armed vessels, shoud be paid by the Agents only, and as the trial of the prizes Cannot be much Longer defferd, they will have Cash for the goods which may be Condemnd, in their hands, much more than Sufficient, to answer the demands upon them—if there is...
31To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 19 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
This day I received a letter from the Paymaster Genl informing me that he cannot without an immediate supply of money pay the drafts that must soon be made upon him. The Commissary & Quartermaster having drawn such large sums, with what has been drawn to pay the men on board the Continental Privateers, &c. that the Treasury is nearly exhausted: And unless there should be an immediate suply, we...
32To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 27 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour of your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th Instant, and immediately took measures for carrying your designs respecting the Vessels into execution. I have inclosed a Letter containing Accounts &c. from Doctr Brown, and an Account from Mr Singletary; and wait your Directions respecting them. There are several accounts similar to Mr Singletary’s yet unsettled. Should your...
33To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 28 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Mr Harrison’s Letter of the twenty second Instant, I am informed your Excellency can not supply me with the Cash I wrote for; I am very sorry as there are many demands on the Commissary and Quartermaster, which are not all of a late date. I have made out Warrants for the payment of the five Regiments here for the month of February, and have found it necessary to give Warrants for the...
34From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 29 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
It is with great concern I learn, from every hand, that your Works for the defence of Boston and the Harbour, go on exceeding slow —I must entreat you therefore to push Colo. Gridley on to a deligent and faithful discharge of his duty in this particular—We cannot possibly tell where the Enemy will pitch their Tents next—if Boston is left open, and unguarded, it may be a temptation to go there;...
35To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 3 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon a Vessel arrived at Newbury from Bilboa in twenty nine days, the Captain of which informs, that on the fourtee[n]th of April in longitude 45, from London he spoke a Vessel from Plymouth in England, who informed him that three days before he parted with a fleet of sixty sail of Transports bound for Boston under the Command of Admiral Howe, having on board twelve thousand...
36To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 4 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the twenty ninth of April is just come to hand. Agreeable to your desire I shall give an account of what has been done towards fortifying the Harbour. The Forts on Fort Hill in Boston, Charlestown Point, and Castle Point, are almost compleated, with a number of heavy Cannon mounted in each; a Work is in good forwardness on Noddles Island, and a Detachment of the Army is at work...
37From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 9 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 27 & 28 ultimo Came in Course to hand, I am glad that you have given your attention to the works, which I doubt not, are by this time Completed. it will give me pleasure to hear that they are, for should these accounts of Hessian & Hanoverian Troops Comeing over prove true, it is possible the enemy may make some attempts to regain a footing in your Province. I have...
38To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 9 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Mr Harrison’s Letter of the second Instant, I am acquainted that you have been informed “the Regiments stationed on Dorchester Heights and Bunker Hill have not been employed in carryin[g] on the works for the defence of Boston,” which Representation is an injurious falsehood; and I beg to be informed who made it. I have paid the strictest attention to your Instructions, and constantly...
39To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 12 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Boston, 12 May 1776 . “The Bearer has this moment arrived with some accounts from England, I have directed the Asst Q. M. Genl to furnish him with a Horse and money to carry him to New York, which Horse he is to deliver to the Q. M. Genl at New York.” LS , PHi : Dreer Collection; LB , MHi : Ward Papers. The bearer was undoubtedly George Merchant who arrived at GW’s headquarters with his...
40From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 13 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
your favor of the 4h Inst. with return of the division of the Army under your Command is Come to hand. the acct you give of your progress in fortifying the town & Harbor of Boston is very agreeable, when the works are Completed I think you will have but little to apprehend from the enemy shoud they incline to pay you another visit. Inclosd is a petition from Col. Varnum which I beg you will...
41To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 17 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the Armed Schooner Franklin, Captain Mugford this day took and bro’t into this Harbour a large Ship from Cork, Several other armed Schooners were in company. A Bill of Lading I have inclosed, by which you will see that she is a very valuable Prize; she carried four three pounders, and is about three hundred tons burthen. She came out the...
42To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 19 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the thirteenth Instant is Just come to hand, inclosing Colo. Varnums petition, by which I perceive he makes a charge against me, because I did not redeliver (as he is pleased to call it) some men upon request of one Capt. Lane. The case was thus, if I remember right, Lane came to me, & said he had Supplyed a man with money, to inlist men for Colo. Varnums Regt, and that he had...
43To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 20 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to inform your Excellency that yesterday afternoon Captain Mugford in the armed Schooner Franklin, fell down in order to go out on a Cruise but got a ground near Point Shirley in the Evening. Major Frazers little armed Schooner went down at the same time with the Franklin, and anchored not far from her; about midnight a number of sail and other Boats from the Men of War attacked the two...
44To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 27 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to inform your Excellency that Mr Bartlett the Agent at Beverly has purchased the Brigantine Hannah for the Continent, at five hundred and twenty pounds. Captain Bradford of Boston having represented to me that he had an order from Robert Morris Esqr. Member of Congress, one of the Marine Committee, to provide a good sailing Vessel for Continental Service and that the Brigantine would...
45From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 28 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday morning I was favoured with yours of the 17 Instt, giving the agreable Intelligence of the Important and valuable prize made by the Armed Schooner’s in the Continental service & am hopefull, that If a vigilant lookout is kept, that others not less valuable will fall into our hands. Congress having passed a Resolve respecting this Cargoe as you will see by the Inclosed Copy, I...
46To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 3 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Boston, 3 June 1776 . Encloses “the Judgement of a Court of Enquiry upon the Complaint of Col. Varnum against Lieut. Merril. And a Return of this Division of the Army. Some of the Articles which General Putnam sent to me for are on the way to Norwich, and the most of them will set off tomorrow morning.” LS , DLC:GW ; LB , MHi : Ward Papers. This return has not been identified. The enclosed...
47To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 6 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Invoice of the Ordnance Stores which I have forwarded to Norwich to the Care of Capt. Huntington to be forwarded from thence by him to New york, agreeable to General Putnam’s request in his letter to me of the twenty fourth of May. All those Articles were taken in the Ship Hope lately brought into this Harbor by Captain Mugford. I am Your Excellency’s Obedient Humble Servant LS...
48To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 9 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the twenty eighth of May, I received last evening, and shall give immediate attention to all your Directions. I sent forward the first of last week under the care of Genl Putnam’s Son to be forwarded to New york, five hundred Barrels of powder, five hundred Carbines, and all the other articles which were wrote for. The remaining three hundred Carbines to compleat the eight hundred I...
49To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 16–17 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Last evening I received Major Harrison’s Letter of the tenth Instant, and agreeable [to] your desire have directed Lieut. Machin to be ready as soon as possible to set out for New York. The thirteenth Instant at evening I order’d five hundred men with proper officers, a detachment of the Train with a thirteen inch Mortar, two eighteen pounders, and some small Cannon, under the command of Col....
50From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 16 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 27 Ulto & of the 3 & 6 Instant and in Answer to the 1st think you was right in your direction to Mr Bartlett about the Brigantine Hannah as Mr Morris had wrote for one—The two schooners, considering their force & number of men certainly behaved extremely well in repelling the Attack made by such a number of boats, and It is only to be...
51To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 20 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform you that the Continental Privateers brought into this Port the eighteenth Instant another Scotch Transport with a Highland Company of Grenadiers on board consisting of upwards of an hundred with their Officers, with a few arms more than what belonged to the Company. Each Transport brings a considerable quantity of provisions for the Troops. The prisoners are going into the...
52From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 23 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
By last nights post I was favoured with yours of the 16th Inst., containing the Interesting Intelligence of your havg Obliged the Kings Ships to quit their Station, and of the further Captures of Two Vessels from Glasgow with Highland Troops on board—These events are extremely pleasing & I flatter myself the former will be attended with salutary consequences—It will give our little squadron a...
53To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 23 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour of your Letter of the sixteenth Instant. Agreeable to your Directions I have ordered the Court of Enquiry to set for a rehearing of the Complaint of Col. Varnum against Lieut. Merrill. The Letters to Major Small and Charles Proctor Esqr. I will forward if any opportunity offers. By desire of Col. Cambell I have inclosed his Letters which he desires may be forwarded if there...
54From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 26 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Being in the greatest distress here for Arms without the most distant prospect of obtaining a Supply, and as Several have been lately brought into Boston belonging to the Highlanders That have been taken, I request that you will immediately forward the remaing Two Hundred Carbines which in my Letter of the 28 Ulto I desired to be kept at Boston to the person at Norwich to whose care the others...
55To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 30 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the twenty third instant I received last Evening, and shall carry your Orders into execution as soon as possible. The General Assembly of New Hampshire some time since applied to me for the powder which that Colony lent the Continent last Summer, I referred them to your Excellency for an Order, but since the retreat of General Sullivan they have urged the great necessity of...
56From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favors of the 20 & 23 Ulto and am happy to hear of the further success of our armed Vessels in the Capture of the Transport with the Highland Grenadiers. If they have been fortunate enough to take the 11 Ships mentioned in your last I suppose we are in possession of a large share of the Highlanders Ordered against us. I am extremely sorry for your Indisposition & wish to afford...
57From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Distress we are in for want of Arms induces me again to urge your sending on all such as can possibly be spared with the greatest expedition, The enemy have landed under cover of their Ships and taken possession of Staten Island—from which in all probability they will soon make a decent upon Us, the Arms would have sent to Norwich and from there by Water to this place provided there is no...
58To George Washington from Major General Artemas Ward, 4 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
By yesterdays post I have the honour of your letter of the twenty sixth June and have this morning forwarded the two hundred Carbines agreeable to your directions. I have inclosed a Return of this Division of the Army. Also a Return of the Scotch Prisoners. By the next post I hope to be able to make a Return of the Scotch Cargoes. The Small pox prevails to such a degree in Boston, and so many...
59From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 7 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I Received your favour of the 30th Ulto and doubt not but the powder claimed by the Assembly of New Hampshire was lent the Continent—The Exposed Situation of their Frontiers renders every precaution necessary for their defence. I think It would be proper to send a Quantity of it to some safe place on the Communication, betwixt this & Boston there to be ready in Case of Accident—or If it should...
60From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Decleration will shew you, that Congress at length impelled by necessity have dissolved the Connection between the American Colonies & Great Britain and declared them free and Independent States, and in compliance with their order I am to request you will cause this Decleration to be immediately proclaimed at the head of the Continental Regiments in the Massachussets Bay. It being...