2071From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
A letter from Govr Livingston informs me that You are yet at Burlington —When I ordered You to march with such of your Battalion as was then inlisted, I hoped that You would soon have had it in your power to move; and am not at little uneasy at the delay—The times demand every man that can possibly be brought into the Field—You will loose no time in coming on, with all the Men inlisted into...
2072From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 16th Ultimo. With regard to the want of money of which you speak, I imagine your difficulties will be shortly removed, as a sum of money has lately passed through, for each of the eastern states, which is no doubt to be principally applied to the purposes of the army and to the carrying on those operations, which are in contemplation. The enterprize you have...
2073From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your several favors of the 21st 24th 25th and 26th February which came to hand yesterday—It gives me pleasure to hear that your State has come to the resolution of granting the Colonial Bounty to Colo. Webbs additional Regiment; and if the other States will do the same, it will in a great measure obviate the objection which I made to their granting a higher...
2074From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon your appointment to the Rank of Brigadier General in the Continental Army. Your Commission shall be forwarded to you, as soon as it comes to my hands. It will bear date from 21st last Month. I beg you will make use of your utmost Exertions, to raise and equip the two Battalions allotted to your State, which, by a letter from Govr Cook, I hope will...
2075From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your application to Congress to be relieved from your present command, the matter having been referred to me, I have appointed Major Genl Heath to assume your place, which you will therefore be pleased to resign to him —I beg you will accept my thanks for your zeal & services, and believe me to be with all due respect, Sir your most hum. servt. Df , in the writing of...
2076From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
By some Resolves of Congress, just come to my hands, I find as I hoped and expected, your name in the new appointment of Brigadiers; but perceivd at the same time, that you were named after Muhlenberg and Weedon—the reason assign’d for this—your having resign’d your former Rank in the Service of the Continent. You may well recollect my dear Sir, that I strongly advised you against this...
2077George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison, [4 March 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
Differences in opinion having arisen, between General Howe and myself, respecting the construction of a proposition, made the 30th. of July and acceded to the 1st. of August last, for the exchange of prisoners, whereby it was stipulated, that officers should be given for officers of equal rank, soldier for soldier, and citizen for citizen; for the accommodation of these differences, and to...
2078General Orders, 4 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
2079From George Washington to Captain Bartholomew Burke, 4 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are hereby authoriz’d to raise a Company of Men in the Service of the United States to Consist of 68 Rank & file Four Serjeants & a Drum & Fife, according to the Recruiting Instructions herewith deliver’d you. As you will in a great Measure be Answerable for the Behaviour of your Company I leave the Nomenation of your Subaltern Officers to yourself, only reserving a Negative in Case I...
2080From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my Letter of yesterdays date I have had so many different Accts of the Militias term of Service expiring, or being upon the point of doing so, that I am obliged, in the most pressing manner to desire, that you will order all the Continental Troops on to this place, except those who have never had the small pox, and are detain’d for Inoculation (which I earnestly beg may be hastened as...
2081Orders to Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison, 4 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Differences in opinion having arisen, between General Howe and myself, respecting the construction of a proposition, made the 30th of July and acceded to the 1st of August last, for the exchange of prisoners, whereby it was stipulated, that officers should be given for officers of equal rank, soldier for soldier, and citizen for citizen; for the accommodation of these differences, and to...
2082From George Washington to John McKinly, 4 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this day honoured with your favor of the 28th Ulto. The polite attention of your Assembly to my Letter, demands my Acknowledgements, & I would fain hope, the measures they have adopted will be attended with many Salutary consequences & prevent in some degree the scandalous practice of desertion, but too prevalent of late in our Army. I confess I am much surprized to be informed at this...
2083Orders to James Mease, 4 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having, by a Resolve passed the 27th decemr last, empowered me to appoint a Cloathier General to the Army of the united States, and to fix a Salary to the same —I hereby nominate and appoint you to the said Office, with a Salary of 150 dollars ⅌ Month free of official Charges. By Virtue of your Commission you are authorized to appoint Agents in each of the States to purchase, all...
2084General Orders, 5 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
2085From George Washington to Brigadier General John Armstrong, 5 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 22d Feby from Carlisle, and hope soon to have the pleasure of seeing you at this place. I cannot conceive upon what principle the Baltimore Militia were stopped, they ought to have been here in time to have releived Genl Johnstons Brigade, the last of whom go home this day. But as I lately wrote most pressingly for a Reinforcement, I imagine Genl Buchanan is by this...
2086George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 6 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 6, 1777. Requests a return of troops. Questions validity of some returns and suspects fraud. Orders McDougall to have troops in readiness at Peekskill. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress LS, in the handwriting of H, the W. Wright Hawkes Collection of Revolutionary War Documents, on deposit at Union College, Schenectady, New York.
2087General Orders, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
2088From George Washington to William Duer, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Tuesday Evening I was favoured with your Letter of the 2d Instt. The slow progress in the recruiting service gives me much concern, as the situation of our Affairs requires, the most early Succours. I was always sensible the bounty given by the Eastern States, would prove extremely injurious and remonstrated against it as soon as it came to my knowledge. I am sorry the securing & removal of...
2089From George Washington to John Hancock, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you, the inclosed Copy of a Letter from Genl Lee received by a Flag on Tuesday last. you will perceive from thence his wishes & expectations of seeing some Members of Congress in consequence of his Letter upon that Subject. None of the passports which he mentions were sent out, though the Letter came by Genl How’s permission, as the Others did. I should be...
2090From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am anxious to know whether Genl Arnolds non promotion was owing to Accident or design—& the cause of it. Surely a more active—a more spirited, and Sensible Officer fills no department in your Army—Not seeing him then in the list of Majr Genls, and no mention made of him, has given me uneasiness, as it is not to be presumed (being the oldest Brigadr) that he will continue in Service under...
2091From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to desire, that you will immediately procure and send me exact returns of all the troops belonging to your state, except those which are gone to Tionderoga; and that you will have them assembled with the utmost expedition at Peeks-Kills, there to hold themselves in perfect readiness to march at a moment’s warning. I must, also request, you will make a point of informing me, from time to...
2092From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 19th Feby accompanied by one from Mr Jonathan Welles in behalf of his Nephew Major Welles who was made prisoner on Long Island. I am obliged to give the same Answer to this request that I have given to many others of the same Nature and that is, that I have endeavoured to avoid all imputations of partiality in negotiating the Exchange of prisoners, and therefore constantly...
2093From George Washington to the Commanding Officer in Philadelphia, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being informed that Mrs Washington was to set out from Virginia for Philadelphia on Monday the 24th Ulto, I presume she must be, e’re this, in that City and at a loss what to do, as indeed I am to advise. I shall be obliged to you therefore, for sending the Letter Inclosed, to her, if in Town, or as soon as she arrives there & you will very much oblige, in so doing Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt...
2094From George Washington to William Shippen, Jr., 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of yr favr 1t Inst. There remains no doubt with me as to the propriety & indeed necessity of erecting temporary hospitals at a distance from Philada It ever was my desire to secure Cities from any contagious disorder that may attend the Troops that must pass thro’ them And I shall always be happy to execute such Plans as their caution may suggest—You will fix,...
2095From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I flattered myself that I should never again be under the necessity of trespassing upon the public spirit of your State by calling for another supply of Militia; but such has been the unaccountable delay in the recruiting of the Continental Battalions, chiefly owing to the long time that unhappily elapsed before the Officers were appointed, that I see no prospect of keeping the Field, till the...
2096From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity I am under for Troops obliges me to desire You to call upon the several Continental Colonels in your State in the most peremptory manner to make Returns of the Men they have inlisted, and to march all those that have had the Small pox immediately to join the Army here. If any of their Companies are not complete, proper Officers must be left behind to make up the deficiency, and...
2097General Orders, 7 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
2098From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 7 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 5th with Genl Gates’s estimate of the force of the Enemy at Brunswic, which agrees with what I have collected from Deserters and other Channels: And Colo. Gurneys intelligence of the Enemy’s intended Rout to Philada by the way of South Amboy, which I have ever thought very practicable and probable. These Informations alone ought to suggest to you the necessity...
2099George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 8, 1777. Instructs Smallwood to order all officers and men not needed for recruiting to repair to camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
2100General Orders, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .