7651General Orders, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
As a System of easy Manœuvres and Exercise is to be introduced with a view of establishing Uniformity in these points throughout the Army the Commanding Officers of Brigades and Regiments are desired to discontinue exercising & manœuvring their men by way of instruction until new regulations shall be distributed—Such Evolutions and Exercise as are indispen[s]ibly necessary in the ordinary Camp...
7652To George Washington from Colonel Armand, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
the time Employed by the congress to determine Some thing upon the affairs of the marquis de la fayette, gave me an opportunity of Speaking for myself; i have asked from the board of war Some money to recruit & three Commissions for the officers whom i did take with me in albany being approved of it by your Excellency : it has been requested from me to tell what kind of recruits i did intended...
7653From George Washington to Colonel George Gibson, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with yours of the 19th I desire that the British Serjeants, their Horses, arms & accoutrements may be sent down by the first party that marches after the receipt of this. The Party that took them have no right to any thing belonging to them. Plunder taken from the Enemy where any risk is run is given to the captors, but that could not have been the case when there were only two...
7654To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received the honor of yours of the 27th Ultimo per Capt. Gooch; shall communicate your advice to Brigr Genl Learned immediately. Colo. Lee has been anxiously waiting an answer to his request for leave to resign his Commission, and was much disappointed on finding that your Excellency had not mentioned it in your last, He has beg’d of me again to renew his request for leave to resign,...
7655From George Washington to Colonel James Hendricks, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colo. Parker has made application to be appointed to the command of the first Virginia Regiment said to be vacant by your resignation: But as that resignation has not been made to me in proper form, I do not think myself at liberty to fill the vacancy without having it from yourself. I shall expect your answer by return of post or sooner if a good opportunity offers, because if Colo....
7656From George Washington to General William Howe, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of the 15th 19th and 21st Inst. have been duly received. You are under a mistake, as to the rank of Mr Ethan Allen, which is only that of Lieutenant Colonel and as such he has been returned & considered by your Commissary, Mr Loring. The fact truly is to the best of my information that at the time of his capture, he had an appointment, as Lieutenant Colonel, from the State...
7657From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hubley, Jr., 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 19th inclosing proceedings of a Court Martial against Docr Smith. Some of the facts do not appear to me well supported by the evidence. I have made my remarks against such as are doubtful. If, upon the hearing, the proofs appeared to you to be satisfactory, I desire that the Sentence may be confirmed. As the Court have no more Business it may be dissolved. And if the time...
7658To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I can never miss an opportunity of rembembering to your excellency the mighty Commander in chief of the irruption into Canada , and I seize with the greatest pleasure the first occasion of telling you how happy I have been to see in your last favor a new assurance of those sentiments of yours so dear to my heart —as soon as I have got intelligence by G[ener]al Schuyller that you were desirous...
7659To George Washington from Colonel Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys letter of the 17th instt I had the honour to receive. I shall with the greatest readiness and pleasure obey at all times Your Excelly command, and should now have attented again according to Your Excelly order, was I not fully persuated, Thro’ a long experience in old armys, that when the Departments are filled up without placing the Acting persons either in their stations or...
7660From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Lachlan McIntosh, 22 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Lachlan McIntosh, c.22 Mar. 1778. On 23 Mar., McIntosh wrote GW from Spring House Tavern, “I recd your orders ⅌ Express this Morning one o’Clock & in obedience to them returned on my way to Camp thus far.”
7661From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Proctor, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 19th inclosing sundry papers relating to a dispute between Major Forrest and Colo. Crane, founded upon an Arrest of Capt. Proctor. I had heard of this matter before, as Colo. Crane had laid before me a letter from Major Forrest to him, which he conceived couched in very improper terms from an inferior to his commanding Officer. I refused to give any opinion upon the...
7662To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 20th Instant I had the honor to receive Your Excellencys letter to the Commissioners for Indian Affairs In this department and have already dispatched Copies to Mr Duane and Mr Edwards. The treaty at Johnstown concluded on the 12th Instant, from what we Could learn by private Intelligence of the temper and dispositions of such of the Mohawks as have left their Country, of a majority of...
7663To George Washington from Thomas Turner, 22 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have not the honour of being personally acquainted with your Excellency, neverthless I am far from being a Stranger to your distinguished merit, both in private and publick life; your indefatigable zeal, and unwearied attention to the true Interest of your native Country, since the commencement of these differences, must excite the warmest sense of gratitude in the breastt of every...
7664From George Washington to Lund Washington, 22 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 22 Mar. 1778. On 1 April, Lund Washington wrote GW , “By the last Post I got two Letters from you of the 15th & 22d of March.”
7665General Orders, 23 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the Season is approaching fast when everything should be in the most perfect readiness for the field, the Commander in Chief reminds the Brigadiers of the former order to provide Bayonets for their men and the officers of the necessity of procuring Espontoons. A return of the Stores in the Quarter-Master General’s department, also a return from the Waggon-Master General of the Waggons and...
7666To George Washington from Captain Stephen Chambers, 23 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favor of the 15th Inst. and think myself well rewarded for doing my duty in having your Excellencys approbation of my proce[ed]ings—Since my last I have got Nothing Considerable going to Market (Some pork Turkeys, fowls, butter, and five or six hundred of Flower excepted) Notwithstanding I have been Constantly near the Enemys lines, and I believe from my Knowledge of the Country...
7667From George Washington to Mr. Henry, 23 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged to you to finish the Cloaths herewi⟨th⟩ sent without delay and in the best manner you can. ⟨mutilated⟩ doing you will much oblige Yr Hble Servt P.S. The bearer will give you all the assistance he can. ALS , NjFrHi . Addressed to Henry “at Brunswick,” probably New Jersey.
7668To George Washington from William Livingston, 23 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Perhaps upon the representation of our affairs below in the inclosed, your Excellency will think it expedient to order the Jersey Battalion to our relief —It is true part of our Misfortunes, that of not providing pay for the militia is our own fault—Yet it is pity that the Country should be ravaged upon that account—I know your Excellency will do what is proper, & shall therefore not pretend...
7669To George Washington from Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 23 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your orders ⅌ Express this Morning one o’Clock & in obedience to them returned on my way to Camp thus far, where I was obliged to remain till this time to get provision for the Men who suffered much for want of it on their March. I Just recd information that a large detachment of the Enemy came out to Germantown, but hearing of our being here turned off to their right, & are on the old...
7670From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Proctor and Captains Winthrop Sargent, John Doughty, and Thomas Clark, 23 March … (Washington Papers)
Business has prevented my answering yours of the 18th before this time. If I have given Capt. Duplessis a character, in my recommendation of him to Congress, which he does not deserve, I have done it through misinformation. As you very well know, I was not an eye witness of any part of his conduct or behaviour. I took the matter up from Colo. Greens letters, who commanded at Fort Mercer, and...
7671From George Washington to Colonel Silvanus Seely, 23 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 20th informing of the embarkation of Troops at New York—I shall be much obliged to you to endeavour if possible to find out their destination, and if you can find it out, let me know by Express. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, NjMoHP ; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The LS is dated only “1778,” but the draft by Richard Kidder...
7672General Orders, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Continental Congress have been pleased to appoint Major General Greene Quarter Master General in the Army of The-United-States reserving to him his rank of Major General in the same and John Cox and Charles Pettit Esquires Assistants Quarter Master General, all of whom respectively are to be considered and respected accordingly. At nine ôClock precisely all the Brigades will...
7673From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonels Francis Barber and John Brooks, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
With a view of establishing uniformity of discipline and manœuvres in the army, it is in agitation to form an inspectorship distributed among different officers; the Baron Steuben a Gentleman of high military rank, profound knowledge and great experience in his profession, is placed at the head of this department—as Assistants to him four subinspectors are to be appointed who will be charged...
7674To George Washington from Captain Stephen Chambers, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since the Sealing of my letter of the 23rd Inst. Mrs Morris’s Daughter call’d on me for the Grey horse taken from her Mother as they were going to move into the Country this day. her Situation induced me to return him tho’ he is mentd to your Excellency in my letter. Mrs Morris informs me that there is a Lady at her house who came out of Philada yesterday who knows two fellows that are gone to...
7675To George Washington from Colonel George Gibson, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour to receive Your Excys favour of the 22d currt, It is not in my power to comply with your Excys order respectg the Two British serjeants immediately. the Horses taken with them have been sent to York town on public business from whence they are momently expected, so soon as they arrive they shall be sent off & your Excys orders respectg them Shall be fully comply’d...
7676To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Express just going off I have only Time to do myself the honor to acquaint your Excellency that the Warren Frigate commanded by Captain Hopkins arrived here the last evening, having made a short Cruise after she sailed from Providence, in which she has taken two or three prises, one of which is from Liverpool and has a quantity of Canvas on board, an Article much wanted at this time. It is...
7677To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you about a Week ago respecting the arbitrary Conduct of Genl Howe in confining Capt. Robinson & Capt. Galt who went in to the City under the Sanction of a regular Flag —altho’ I have no Doubt but your Excellency will do whatever is proper in the affair, yet, as I have not had the Satisfaction of hearing any thing further, I am not a little anxious about it. We have certain...
7678To George Washington from Major John Jameson, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I little expected when I left Camp that Horses were at such an intolerable price there is no such thing as a Horse for less than one hundred Pounds and from that to two hundred for one that will make a decent appearance I am advised to try under the Mountain but really Money is thought so little of here that I have no patience I am well convinced from what I have seen and heard that every...
7679From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Herewith I do myself the honor to inclose copies of a Letter from an Officer of Militia at Elizabeth Town to me, & an extract of a Letter from one of Mr Boudinots deputies, at Boston, to him; both tending to induce a belief, that the enemy have some enterprize in contemplation —what this is, time must discover—I have, this whole winter, been clearly of opinion, that Genl Howe’s movements would...
7680To George Washington from James Lovell, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will form a Judgement upon the following Extract of a Letter from the Honble Thos Cushing by weighing it with the various Intelligence which you receive from other Quarters. It has been long on the Road from the Difficulty of passing Hudson’s River where the Express left his Horse on the 11th of this month. Extract Mr Hancock having just informed me that he shall send off an Express...
7681From George Washington to Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday by Major Duvall—As the principal object of your detachment is the protection of the Cattle said to have been expected to cross at Sherards Ferry, all your movements and operations are to be directed to that end, and you will take the best means to answer it effectually. The intelligence which you may receive concerning the motions & number of the Enemys...
7682To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Pierre Regnier de Roussi, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Not being able to sustain any Longer the Treatment I received from Colonel Henry B. Livingston; and that, which I am to receive, if obliged to make an other Campaign under his Command, I beg as the greatest favour, Your Excellency may bestow on me, to Exchange me to some other Regiment or to employ me, in some other Places (if there is any possibility) or else, to accord me a Discharge from...
7683From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Sherman, 24 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 11th reminding me of your former request to have an enquiry into your Conduct and that of the Regiment under your command on the 7th Decembr last. When you first mentioned this matter, the Army was in so moving a State that it was impossible to hold a Court, as soon as we were fixed, I recollected your request, and intended to have given an order for the enquiry,...
7684George Washington to Colonel David Forman, 25 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 25, 1778 . Orders Forman to leave salt works and join Colonel Israel Shreve’s regiment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
7685George Washington to William Livingston, 25 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 25, 1778 . Asks Livingston to have Mr. Jacob Bankson watched as a suspected spy. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
7686George Washington to Colonel Stephen Moylan, 25 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 25, 1778 . Orders transfer of horses to Iveham and Springfield if this will improve their quarters and forage. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Moylan was a colonel of the Fourth Continental Dragoons.
7687General Orders, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress having appointed Matthew Clarkson and Major John Clarke Esquires Auditors to settle and adjust the accounts of the Main Army they are to be respected accordingly; Any persons who have any accounts to be audited by them may find them at the house of Griffith Johns about three miles beyond the Pay-Master Generals quarters. Mr Ten Eyck Adjutant in Genl Huntington’s...
7688From George Washington to Colonel Armand, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd your letter from York Town. You must have misunderstood me if you thought I gave you permission to raise a new and separate Corps. I told you I had no power to grant such a request, but that if you could obtain permission from Congress or of the Comee of Congress in Camp I should have no objection to the measure & to yr Inlisting Prisoners. I am certain I never gave you any...
7689To George Washington from John Ettwein, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Being inform’d by Doctor Shippen, the Director General of the Military Hospitals, of an Intention or Proposal to fix the General Hospital at Letiz one of the Settlements of the United Brethen, 8 Miles from Lancaster, and that he gave it as his Opinion; that in that Case, the Inhabitants of said Letiz might be moved to Bethlehem and Nazareth, And finding said Proposition founded upon...
7690From George Washington to David Forman, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 13th instant. The opinion of the council of your state is so directly opposed to the continuance of the men at the salt works you are erecting, that to avoid the imputation of partiality and remove all cause for censure both with respect to you and myself, I am induced to direct they may, for the present, join, and act with, Col: Shreves regiment, in the...
7691From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 17th by Major Campbell. Our number of effectives is so reduced by innoculation that it is impossible to spare the few Men of the 13th Virginia Regiment just at this time. I shall send Colo. Russel immediately to Pittsburg to collect and take the command of by far the greatest part of the Regiment who are now stragling about that Country. Major Campbell...
7692From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 10th inst. inclosing a petition from Lt Colonel Tudor and Lieut. Thompso⟨n⟩ desiring a liberty to resign. I desire that their reques⟨t⟩ may be granted, not that it is my wish to have an Officer of Colo. Tudors good character out of the Army but as there will be a necessity of reducing the 16 additional Battalions to a less number, the more Officers that resign...
7693To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
how happy I have been in receiving your excellency’s favor of the tenth present I hope you’l be convinc’d by the knowledge of my tender affection for you—I am very sensible of that goodness which trys to dissipate my fears about that ridiculous canadian expedition—at the present time we know which was the aim of the honorable board, and for which project three or four men have rush’d the...
7694To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to Your Excellency on the 21st Inst. by Fred. Weir. This will inclose Duplicates of Acts of Congress of the 19th January & 18th March—also an Act of the 23d for accepting the Resignation of Colonel Webb. Colo. Armand who promises to deliver this with great expedition will not afford me time to send to the Secretary’s Office for the dates of two of Your Excellency’s...
7695From George Washington to William Livingston, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your Excellency’s favors of the 14 18 & 21st. Insts. I am sorry to find that the few troops with Colo. Foreman, have become a subject of uneasiness. They are ordered to join Colonel Shreve’s regiment for the present and to act with him. Colo. Foreman five or Six weeks since transmitted through my Hands a memorial to Congress respecting his Salt works—offering a...
7696From George Washington to William Livingston, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have strong reasons to suspect a Mr Banksson late a captain of Marines in our service, of being in the employ of the enemy as a spy. His family lives at Princetown. We have nothing against him that amounts to proof, and to seize him at present would answer no end; but to put it out of our power to detect and punish him. It were to be wished Your Excellency without discovering our Suspicions...
7697From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope this will find you arrived at your quarters upon the North River. By advices recd two days ago from Elizabeth Town I am informed that two Regiments of British and two of Hessians were embarked at New York and by accounts from Rhode Island it was imagined that the Enemy were about evacuating New Port. This makes me suspicious that General Howe is drawing his reinforcements together to...
7698To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Lachlan McIntosh, 25 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Lachlan McIntosh, 25 Mar. 1778. On 26 Mar., McIntosh wrote GW , “I wrote yesterday ⅌ return of an Express Sent here.”
7699From George Washington to Colonel Stephen Moylan, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that Evesham and Springfield back of Mount Holly, particularly the latter, are very commodious places for the accommadition of horse, as they abound in forage. I wish you to consult the Governor, whether such of the cavalry as are not in good Quarters, where they now are, may not be more advantageously situated at those places, and if it shall appear they may, to have them...
7700General Orders, 26 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
No scouting party is to be sent out of Camp unless it is by order of the Commander in Chief the General Officer of the day or Adjutant General ’till the Army may happen to be in a moving state and circumstances require it, disobedience to, or neglect of this order will be severely punished, and as many officers have been captivated by their own folly and carelessness, He most expressly...