14011From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
As we do not know what may be the next object of the enemy, and it is our Duty to be well prepared at the most important point, I am to request you will immediately consult the principal officers with you in conjunction with the commanding Officer of the light infantry, and form a disposition for opposing the enemy in concert, as well in the first instance at landing, as during their progress...
14012From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to examine critically the long hill in front of Fort Putnam, at the extremities of which The Engineer is commencing some works. Colo. Gouvion or Mr Rochefontaine will be able more particularly to designate the Hill I mean. The possession of this Hill appears to me essential to the preservation of the whole post and our main effort ought to be directed to keeping the enemy...
14013To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I this moment Recd Your Excellencys favour of the 28th June by post. I cannot but be unhappy that Your letter reached me hear, when I am Shure You had reason to expect that I was at least on my march to Join the Southern Armey. I am more un[h]appy that I can’t with any Degree of Certainty Say when I shall be able to move a Nother detacht Intierly owing to the want of Clothing which I have no...
14014To 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...
14015To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Taylor, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have made it my particular business since I have been stationed at this place, to make use of every mean⟨s⟩ in my power to procure intelligence of the movements and designs of the Enemy; but nothing worthy of your Excellency’s attention offering, I have omitted writing untill the present. I have it from good authority that the Troops who were with Governor Tryon to the Eastward, have...
14016From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I observe in your Letter of the 16th of July by Mr Archer that you make particular mention of his intrepidity and firmness in the Assault on Stony point. Is it your wish that he should be the Bearer of my dispatches to Congress? His circumstances are peculiar—he has no appointment in the Army. It will be impossible to provide for him in any particular line; but perhaps he might obtain a Brevet...
14017From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne or Officer Commanding the Light Corps, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Butlers favor of last evening I have received—The opinion he has of the enemys designs renders it unnecessary for me to caution you on the score of keeping out the necessary Guards & patroles; The look out boats I have desired Genl McDougal to order down to be under yr command that you may officer & man them, with such persons as you can fully confide in —this will enable you to obtain...
14018To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your’s of this date I recd this Moment —Mr Archer’s Conduct as well as Major Fishbourns was highly Meritorious, the Circumstances you mention of Mr Archers having no Rank in our Line Induces me to wish him to be the Messenger—otherwise from equal Merit Major Fishbourn wou’d expect it—I could spare them both a little time as I shall be Obliged to retire for a few days. The Officers who led the...
14019General Orders, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . A transcript of another orderly book from GW’s headquarters includes a general order for this date that reads: “Four hundred men properly officered from the Maryland line for fatigue to-morrow at West Point. They are to be at the garrison at sunrise” ( NN : Bancroft Collection). John Moore (d. 1749) had built a three-story house with four chimneys at West Point on...
14020To George Washington from Brigadier General John Glover, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honor’d with your Excellency’s Letter of the 17th last Evening 9 OClock. The Troops having march’d from New Haven in two days, are much Fatigued; shall halt them at this place to day. I shall march 2 OClock to morrow morning for Ridgefield, where I shall wait your Excellency’s Orders. Give me Leave to Congratulate you Sir on the success of the American Arms against Stony point, & thank...
14021To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major General Howe is this moment return’d from the Village and informs me that just before he came away the officer of the Guard acquainted him that five Topsail Vessells had come up to Pecks kill & that he (the General) Saw one himself. the others were behind a Hill. General Nixon had gone out to reconnoitre them. A report has not yet transpired. I have order’d the Troops to lay on their...
14022From George Washington to John Jay, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 16th instant, I had the honor to inform Congress of a successful attack upon the enemy’s post at Stoney Point, on the preceding night, by Brigadier General Wayne and the corps of light infantry under his command —The ulterior operations in which we have been engaged, have hitherto put it out of my power to transmit the particulars of this interesting event. They will now be found in the...
14023To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Having received no late instructions from your Excelly, I have employed myself as usual. On the 19th a body of the British landed in the evening on Stony-point, they reimbarked early in the night taking with them the brass twenty four left by us. Yesterday another body landed on Verplanks: during the day baggage was put on shore in great quantitys. The Major part of the army from intelligence...
14024To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy again landed this morning on Stoney-point. I conjecture this debarkation to be serious: as their baggage tents &c. are also on shore. General Stirling’s brigade compose the present garrison; the General commands. The few wounded men left behind the other day, I have taken the liberty to send on board ship. They are received on the same terms & are to be conside[red] in the same point...
14025To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am again detached from the Left wing of the Army, having Left 40 horse at Peeks Kill and its neighborhood under the Command of Capt. Hopkins, in order to watch the enemies motions, and procure inteligence from that Quarter, as I am without Infantry, I cannot venture Lower down, with the horse, indeed the marching and Countermarching we have had Since I Left Norwalk, has Left but few fit for...
14026To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favour’d with Your Excellency’s Commands of the 19th and 20th Inst.; the former came to hand in the night, and as soon as it was day I dispatched a Dragoon with orders for Generals Woodford and Muhlenberg to take post with their Brigades, according to the directions contained in it; but the Horseman return’d last evening, without being able to find either of them, I have this...
14027From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the intelligence I have just received, it would seem that the Enemy mean to evacuate their posts at Stoney and Verplanks points. If you have not removed the baggage of the two Brigades from Sufferans—You will let it remain till further Orders. The body of the Enemy that was coming up—has fallen down again. I am Dr sir Yr Most Obed. servt LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, sold by...
14028To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yours ⅌ express was this moment deliver’d me —the Baggage & Artilery of the Virginia division return’d here last evening, by who’s orders I am not inform’d, as I did not think myself warrented to order their removal till I had directions. the three peices of heavy Artilery brought from the point is allso here, waiting Lord Stirlings return to know how they are to be disposed of. I find by...
14029General Orders, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The following is the formation of Nixon’s, Paterson’s, Larned’s & the North-Carolina Brigades which is to take place immediately for the present Campaign. R. & F. Greaton’s Regt ⎧ ⎨ ⎩ ⎫ ⎬ ⎭ forms one battalion and furnishes for the Light Infantry–- 24. Nixon’s— forms one battalion and furnishes— 30. Putnam’s— forms one battalion and furnishes— 38. ⎫ ⎬ ⎭
14030To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Board of General Officers, assembled at Genl Putnams Quarters July 22nd 1779 agreeable to the direction of His Excellency the Commander in Chief, communicated in his Letter of the 20th Inst. Present. Major Generals { Putnam De Kalb Brigadiers { Smallwood Muhlenberg Gist. Major General Putnam laid before the Board the Letter of the Commander in Chief, requesting him “to consult with the...
14031From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have now to acknowledge the Honor of Your Several Letters of the 28 Ulto and of the 10th 11th 14th & 15th Instant with the several papers & Commissions to which they refer. With respect to the Baron De Geismar’s application, I should be very happy to have his Exchange effected; both because it has been uniformly my wish to promote exchanges, and because it would give me pleasure to...
14032From George Washington to James Geary, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
A general order will issue this day directing all the officers of the cavalry such part of the Artillery as have not received the benefit of state provision, the officers of the 16 additional Regiments and of the military staff which do not belong to the line of particular states, to apply to you for their respective proportions of the cloathing in your hands which you are to issue on the...
14033To George Washington from William Gordon, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been earnestly wishing for an opportunity to congratulate you upon some successful manoeuvre under your own immediate direction; & I now embrace it with the utmost satisfaction. The capture of the fort is of the greatest consequence, all things considered, & must therefore afford your Excellency peculiar pleasure. I have been fearful lest our men, being called out to storm lines or...
14034From George Washington to James Hallett, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your Letters of the 10th & 12th Instant—both of the same tenor, with a Certificate and the Copies of Two more. I know nothing myself of your merits or demerits; but if reports are true—your conduct has been very unwarrantable to say no worse. You should make your appeal to the Honorable the Marine Committee or the Honbl. the Board of War for a hearing—before whom or persons...
14035To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I herewith send to be disposed of as your Excellency may direct, three Prisoners of War and two Deserters from the Brittish Army. It appears, notwithstanding the reports of Last Evening, that no ships, or Vessells except a Galley, were above Verplanks point the last night. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Your Excellencys Most obedient Servant LS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , MHi : Heath...
14036To George Washington from Captain Lieutenant John Henderson, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
With the greatest deference and Respect I would beg leave to lay before your Excellency my Claims to Rank as a Captain in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment, from the ninth Day of March 1778. When the Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiment was Ordered to be raised and the Officers appointed to it, I was Commissioned a First Lieutenant on the first day of October 1776, and upon Captain Brady’s Resignation,...
14037From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning I received your favor of yesterdays date —I did not think it necessary to change your position or, the kind of duty I had alloted to you—therefore only repeated to you, that it was my wish you should keep a good watch down the river—This I have now to request you will do in the most effectual manner—I am happy to hear of the fate of the Marauding party your letter mentions—The 24...
14038To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Four deserters from the army encampped opposite Dobbs ferry, who left camp yesterday noon, & arrived here this moment, mention the embarkation of the British forces. They belonged to Lord Rodans [Rawdon’s] Corps, the orders for embarkation were not general, as that Corps was not included. They say it was rumoured among the troops that Baltimore is the place of destination. They report that...
14039From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Palfrey, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 13th Inst. I am fully persuaded it will be a difficult task to collect, & properly arrange all the accounts of the army at this late Period. but I have no doubt but that your Industry & care will surmount every obstacle, & place the Business on the footing congress desire. It is an important & necessary work. I am exceedingly obliged by your tender of Services, &...
14040From George Washington to John Penn, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favor of the 12th Instant. I was exceedingly sorry for Major Taylor’s resignation—and used my interest to dissuade him from it, as I deemed him a valuable Officer—capable of rendering his Count⟨ry⟩ good Service. But The Major having resigned, I do not see how he can be reintroduced, more especially after so long an absence. Attempts of this sort when they have succeeded,...