4231To George Washington from Thomas Durie, 2 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreably to your Excellency’s directions, I have the honor to inform you that the persons named in Governor Lee’s Letter, are not on my list of Paroles, or any such characters reported to me by the Town Major. On making inquiry of some individuals respecting them, I was inform’d a Mr French was with the British Army at Portsmouth, but went from thence to Charles Town, Just before the...
4232To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 2 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to congratulate your Excellency upon the glorious and important success of your Army. The news of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his Army reached us the 27th in the evening; and it came so well warranted that we had a feu de joy upon it the 28th. The intelligence came away the 18th from Richmond; but I find by a letter I have since received from Col. Carrington that the...
4233From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 2 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing a letter from Baron de frey, in which after giving me a State of his services, he requests either that he may be employed suitably to his rank—or have a recommendation to Congress to facilitate his retiring to Europe. The former being impracticable in the present circumstances of the Army—the alternative cannot be refused him—I therefore do myself the honor...
4234From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 2 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Pay from the British Military Chest in your Care One hundred and fifty Pounds Lawful Money to Brigadier General Knox of the Artillery, for the Use of his Department and for which he is to be held Accountable. Given at Head Quarters this 2 November 1781. MHi : Henry Knox Papers.
4235To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 2 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday a letter from Colo: Hamilton announced the glorious success which has resulted from your operations in Virginia accept my Dear Sir such congratulations as flow from a heart replete with every sentiment of affection, esteem and gratitude and permit me to super add a wish that you may, not only live, to compleat the business, which Your perseverance through the vast variety of...
4236General Orders, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day tomorrow Major General St Clair Lieutenant Colonel Adams Major Reid Brigade Major Williams General Gist’s brigade for duty tomorrow. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
4237From George Washington to Charles, marquis de La Rouërie Armand Tuffin, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby authorized to draft from the several Corps and in the proportion specified in my letter of the 25th Fifty men whose terms of enlistment are for three yrs or durg the War—provided it can be done with the consent of the persons. You will proceed from hence as speedily as possible to Charlotteville, where your Legion is to be quartered, and to remain until it has acquired...
4238From George Washington to Horatio Gates, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 7th of October was received at a time when I was wholly occupied in the seige of York, which will plead my excuse for not answering it by return of Mr Blue who was the Bearer. Your letter of the 22d May last, alluded to in your favor, not being with me at this place, I can only reply from memory. If my recollection is right, that letter informed me of the Resolution of...
4239From George Washington to William Irvine, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
During the Time of my being occupied in the Seige of York, I received a Letter from Colo. Gibson commandg at that Time at Fort Pitt, inclosing sundry Proceedings of Courts Martial held at that post—among which are two Capital Cases, on which Sentences of Death are decreed by the Court. Being informed by Congress, that you have been ordered to the Command of that post—I have to inform—that the...
4240To George Washington from Stephen Moylan, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is my duty to Lay before your Excellency the situation of my Regiment as it consists of three field officers—Six Captains and five Lieutenants—they have 94 men to Command. one field officer, one Capt. & two Lieutenants with 48 men are gon to Carolina, the remainder are taking care of some of those capturd horses which will not be fit for Service these four months—if ever—Pensilvania, to...
4241From George Washington to Stephen Moylan, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this date, containing the state and distribution of your regiment—and expressing your desire to return to philadelphia with a view of engaging the executive of pennsilvania to exert themselves in favor of this part of their quota. I cannot conceal from you sir, that it is with pain I see my instructions answered by applications of this kind—the journey to...
4242To George Washington from Stephen Moylan, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have by no means neglected the instructions received from your Excellency but have assiduously attended to them—there are three field officers appointed to go with the Detachment to the Southwd and if your Excellency wishes that I shoud also go, I will march with them as far as I can, the representation I have made you of my State of health, is absolutely the truth, if I had thought myself...
4243To George Washington from Adrian Provaux, 1 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
May it please your Excellency to attend for a moment to the present Application of a Continental Officer, who takes the Liberty of laying his Distress before you. I am Sir, a Native of the Island of Hispaniola, and a Frenchman, and entered so early as the Year 1775 into the American Army, in the second South Carolina Regiment. In this Corps I served from that period and was Captain of a...
4244From George Washington to David Ross, Jr., October 1781 (Washington Papers)
To answer the queries of Mr Ross To determine respecting Horses in possession of the enemy—these may be considered in points of view. 1st Dragoon Horses. 2 Officers horses—by purchase—actually taken in Action—& those taken, or stolen from Citizens. To see in what manner the Officers of the American Army can be most benefitted by the preemption in the Capitulation—they being under Marching...
4245General Orders, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day Tomorrow Brigadier General Hazen Lieutenant Colonel Cochran Major Graham Brigade Major Fullerton General Wayne’s brigade for Guard and Fatigue in Yorktown and Hazen’s for levelling the works tomorrow. The Quartermaster General is requested to point out a House in York or elsewhere convenient for a Provost. Notwithstanding the repeated Orders for that purpose it is reported there...
4246From George Washington to George Baylor, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Moylan having received instructions respecting the Regiments of Cavalry—or Legionary Corps—you will receive your orders from him, & carry them into effect with all the zeal and alacrity in your power. Given at the Camp near York this 31st day of Octr 1781. The same orders to Colo. White of the 1st Regt of Dragoons. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
4247From George Washington to Ephraim Blaine, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
By applying to Major Generals St Clair and Lincoln, you will know the destination of the American Continental Troops, and make your provision for them accordingly. I have engaged (if it shall be required) to supply the Flag Vessels bound for New York, with the Paroled Officers, with Biscuit and Salt provision (out of the Magazine which was found in the Garrison) provided Lord Cornwallis will...
4248From George Washington to Antoine-Jean-Louis Le Bègue de Presle Duportail, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
General Duportail, Commandant of the Corps of Engineers, having signified his desire of obtaining leave to go to France, for the arrangement of his domestic Affairs—It is with the greatest satisfaction I embrace this oppertunity of testifying the sense which I entertain of his distinguished Talents & Services. His judgment in Council, and well conducted valour in the field, claim the highest...
4249From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste de Gouvion, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the particular recommendations of General Du Portail—and from my own particular observation—I feel the highest pleasure in rendering justice to the distinguished military Talents of Lt Colonel Gouvion, and his indefatigable perseverance in the most valuable services—his Decisive judgement and spirit of enterprise have been conspicuous on all occasions—particularly in the late siege of...
4250To George Washington from François-Joseph-Paul, comte de Grasse-Tilly, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Je vois la reclamation que le Lord Cornwallis fait de deux especes de parlementaire que j’ay arrêté, l’un Sortant de la Riviere de James, et l’autre qui étoit chargé de differents officiers et de quantité de malades. Ces Batimens étant Sans papiers en regle, ils Sont non seulement confiscables; mais même dans l’exactitude ils pourroient etre regardes comme forbans et traités comme tels,...
4251From George Washington to Nathanael Greene, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you the 24th instant, which went on thro’ the Hands of Genl Sumner in No. Carolina—previous to which I had permitted Colo. Lee to inclose to you a Copy of the Articles of Capitulation, which were dispached, with an Injunction that they should not be printed. I have delayed writing further, waiting the Return of Colo. Lee, who I am informed has taken a Tour to Port Royal. It now...
4252From George Washington to Thomas McKean, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to your Excellency, a Letter from General Duportail, in which he explains the motives of an intended Application to Congress, for permission to go to France, & for the promotion of himself and other officers of his Corps. I should conceal Sentiments with which I am very strongly impressed, & do injustice to very conspicuous Merit, if I did not upon the...
4253To George Washington from Thomas McKean, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
It affords me ineffable pleasure to present to your Excellency the Thanks of the United States in Congress assembled, for the distinguished services you have rendered to your Country, and particularly for the conquest of Lord Cornwallis and the British Garrisons of York and Gloucester, and the wisdom and prudence manifested in the Capitulation. You have herewith inclosed a copy of the Act of...
4254From George Washington to Stephen Moylan, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
In addition to my orders of the 26th I have to desire that you will prepare as large a body of Horse as you possibly can, and join (at such time and place, as Major General St Clair shall appoint) the detachment which he is marching to the Southward. In this I do not mean to include Colo. Armands Corps, as it will have a particular place of Rendezvous appointed it—but the Infantry of the...
4255To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
An unexpected demand is made of 40 Waggons & 200 horses, to transport artillery & military stores to the Southward exclusive of what are attached to the troops destined thither. To that number are to be added probably six waggons for quarter masters stores—There is no possibility of furnishing them without taking both horses & waggons from the troops going to the northward. If your Excellency...
4256From George Washington to John Rutledge, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your Excellencys two Favors of Septemr & 5th instant—and am not surprized at the Urgency with which you express your Sentiments on a Subject of so much Importance to yourself in particular, & to the general Interest of the United States—I have only to Lament that it is not in my Power to give you that Satisfactory Reply, which your fond Hopes would lead you to expect. I...
4257From George Washington to Benoît-Joseph de Tarlé, 31 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Impressed with a sense of your important services in the department over which you preside—and the critical aid which your foresight and resources have enabled you to give on particular occasions to the American Army—I embrace the opportunity of an order which I am giving for a return of the supplies with which you assisted us—to express to you my warmest thanks for those Seasonable...
4258General Orders, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
For the Day tomorrow Brigadier General Gist Lieutenant Colonel Van Dyck Major Rice Brigade Major Hobby The second Regiment of York and Lieutenant Colonel Barber’s Battalion will furnish the Guards and fatigue parties tomorrow. Vose’s and Gimat’s Battalions for fatigue for levelling the works tomorrow. In pursuance of the determination of a Board of General Officers setting forth the means by...
4259To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Within a few days, I have received from General Smallwood, the arrangement of the Maryland line; by which I find that Colonel Hall has resigned, and that the regiments are fast forming, to compose two brigades; and as General Smallwoods promotion, creates a vacancy in the line of Brigadiers, to which Coll Williams stands in the line of promotion; I am to request, that your Excellency, will...
4260To George Washington from William Heath, 30 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 16th and since with the glorious news of the completion of your wishes in the capture of Earl Cornwallis and his army; on which I pray your Excellency to accept my most sincere and hearty congratulations. I have been carefully watching the enemy in this quarter, determined to give them a blow where ever it appeard practicable. But although their force has...