31George 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.
32From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 1 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 1 Jan. 1777. The Paul C. Richards catalog no. 19, item 455, 1968, quoted the following from the LS : “I have the pleasure to inform you that your sons parole has been sent out to me, amongst others, who are exchanged for officers I have sent in to General Howe. General Maxwell has the proper orders for encouraging the Militia, to come...
33From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 22 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
On your taking the Command of West Point, I wish your attention to the following perticulars. Visit the Redoubts twice or thrice in a week at uncertain periods. call the Roles regularly, and every Man to be present or satisfactorily accounted for. the Redoubts to be kept perfectly clean & sweet. no officer to be absent without your leave; nor any Soldier without leave from a Field Officer. ten...
34From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 25 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I request you will regularly report to me, the number of Militia which shall arrive from time to time, at your Post. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obed. Servt CSmH .
35From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 23 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Half an hour ago I received your Note at eight P.M. In consequence of the intelligence Col. Butler communicates I have directed General Putnam to advance a brigade early in the morning to the Forest of Deane. If you receive any further advice, you will be pleased instantly to give me notice of it; and at the same time, send a messenger to General Putnam, that he may be the more certain of...
36From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, c.18 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, c.18 Jan. 1779. GW wrote George Measam on this date : “I have given directions to Genl Putnam who commands the three Brigades near Danbury and to Genl Mcdougall who commands the troops at Fishkill, Peekskill and West Point to draw any of the above Articles as they may have occasion.”
37George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 20 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 20, 1779 . Instructs McDougall to order certain officers to serve on a court-martial. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
38From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by yours of the 16th that your Health is sufficiently re-established to enable you to do your duty. Considering the great dependance which we shall be under the necessity of putting upon Militia for a while longer, we certainly ought not to remove a General Officer from a post, to which, he can, by his influence, draw them when they are wanted. Upon this principle, you were...
39From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 3 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am made extremely unhappy, by finding, that the difference between General Heath and yourself has proceeded to so disagreeable a height. A few days before the receipt of yours of the 27th ulto, General Heath had furnished me with a Copy of the arrest and charges, and desired me to order a General Court Martial, which I did. Lord Stirling is appointed president, and the Dy Adjt General is...
40George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 15 June 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Springfield [ New Jersey ] June 15, 1780 . Describes British “incursion into the Jersies.” Fears attack on West Point and orders McDougall to West Point. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
41George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 1, 1779 . Sends information concerning British troop movements. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
42From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Just after I had wrote very fully to you this Morning I recd yours of the 17th. By the inclosed Resolutions of Congress, which came to hand this day, and which are additions and Amendments to the former Articles of War, you will find that every Continental General has a right to carry the Sentence of a General Court Martial into execution in the State in which he commands. And I shall esteem...
43From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 22d and am sorry that Affairs bore so bad an Aspect in your Quarter at that time. But I hope that the late Success at Trenton on the 26th and the Consequences of it, will change the face of Matters not only there but every where else. I crossed over to Jersey the Evening of the 25th about 9 Miles above Trenton with upwards of 2000 Men and attacked three Regiments of...
44George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 19 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 19, 1779 . Is attempting to procure cannon but regrets that at this time none is available. Will send money when money arrives. Asks for a muster of the Massachusetts men under McDougall’s command. Instructs McDougall to have Brigadier General Enoch Poor’s brigade ready to march. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
45From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 8 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
As I am obliged to go from Head Quarters this morning on business of consequence —I am under the necessity of giving you a short answer to your Letter of the 3d Inst., which was only presented to me just now. Your reasoning as to the improbability of the Enemy’s operating to the Eastward was very strong; and your views of the difficulties that would attend the quartering of the whole Army on...
46George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 3 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] March 3, 1779 . Sends one hundred and fifty guineas. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This money was to be used for secret service.
47George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 15 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ White Plains, New York ] September 15, 1778 . Orders McDougall to march to Danbury and put himself under command of Major General Horatio Gates. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
48From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 24 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am pleased to find by yours from Coryells Ferry that you are so near me. The Army will fall down to Night to a well known place called the Trap 24 Miles from Philada. Tomorrow we shall proceed further down towards Philada. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, owned (1997) by Mr. Joseph Rubinfine, West Palm Beach, Florida. The letter is addressed: “To Brigr Genl...
49From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 18 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 18 Feb. 1777. McDougall writes GW on 7 Mar . that “I was honored with your favor of the 18th Ultimo.”
50From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon receipt of this you will be pleased to give orders for the two remaining regiments of Poors brigade to march immediately to Easton, with the same quantity of amunition &[c.] allowed to the others. Previous however to their march they are to be paid up to the 1st of April, and to draw two pair of over-alls per man, exclusive of the deficiencies in their clothing. As Colonel Cortlands...
51From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our advices agree that the enemy have their whole force up the river, & by a letter dated last evening from Col. Butler I am informed they had made a debarkation at stoney point. Sir Harry may wish to retaliate for the loss of that post. I am therefore extremely anxious that we should be prepared to receive them, and of course that the arrangements pointed out in Yesterdays orders should be...
52From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 24 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged by your informing me by the return of the Bearer, whether you have received any further accounts respecting the party of the Enemy, mentioned by Colonel Butler in his Letter of Yesterday —or whether you have heard of any other movements. I am Dr sir with great esteem & regard Yr Most Obedt servt P.S. I shall set out for West point about 12 oClock and am desirous of hearing...
53From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of yesterday this Moment. In my Opinion it is by no means improbable that the Enemy may aim at another descent upon the Country adjoining the North River; or if they are disappointed in their first design by your late additional strength, they may continue in the River in order to divert our Attention from their real attempt upon Philadelphia: during which Continuance...
54From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 10 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of the 3d and 6th Instants. The bringing forward the Corps of Invalids from Philada and Boston was a matter of necessity and not of choice. We must therefore submit to some inconveniencies and put them to duties of the lightest kind. I have approved the sentences agt Burke and Lansing and forward herewith a Warrant for the execution of the former. Lansing is...
55From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 27 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to take command of West Point and its dependencies till the arrival of Major General St Clair. You will find instructions for the Commanding Officer of the post with the Officer who precedes you, which you will tranfer to Gen. St Clair. I am with great regard Sir Yr most Obedt st LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, CSmH ; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW also...
56From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 24 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I have seen Captn Faulkner, and learnt your Situation from him, & compar’d it with that of the Enemy, I have become exceedingly uneasy least they should attempt to Interrupt your March, which I think they can, and surely will do, if they have any good advice of your approach —& of this I have no doubt, as we are in a most disaffected Country. I have therefore, notwithstanding the two...
57From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 27 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I opened the inclosed to take out the letter for the commanding Officer at Albany, having an opportunity of sending it immediately there by Colo. Armand. I forgot to desire you to give orders to the drivers of all Cattle and to the conductors of all cloathing and Stores coming from the Eastward to cross the Delaware at Easton and not come down as low as Sherrards or Correyels ferry as usual....
58George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 2 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 2, 1779 . Describes British and American troop movements. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
59From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 28 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I last evening received your favor of the 25th instant; that of the 23d came to hand a few days since [with] its inclosure. For the present, and till the enemy’s intentions can be further developed, I approve of the positions you have assigned to Pattersons and Nixon’s brigades, as you think them most conducive to the defence of West-point, in case the enemy should have in view, a coup de...
60From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 12 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 8th instant was handed me yesterday evening. Should any of the New-York levies arrive at your post, you will be pleased to order them immediately up to Gen. Clinton at Albany. The two remaining regiments of Poors brigade are to be put in readiness to march at a moments notice. I have omitted giving any directions relative to resignations, till I could ascertain, fully, all...
61From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 10 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have an Information which was given in Yesterday, by a Man who was in Newyork on Monday last, & which from a variety of Circumstances, I believe to be in a great measure true; therefore transmit it to you, that you may be prepar’d in case their Destination should be up North River, which at this time is not generally expect’d—I could wish you would give a Copy of this to Genl...
62From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 5 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment arrived here from Elizabeth Town upon receiving intelligence of the Movement of the Enemy up the River. I have halted Genl Wayne at this place. Colo. Morgan with Woodfords Brigade is at Pompton, Colo. Clarke with the Carolina Brigade at the Clove and Baron Kalb with the two Maryland Brigades on the other side the Mountain. All these troops have orders to hold themselves in...
63From George Washington to Colonel Alexander McDougall, 13 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 2d inst. Last evening, & note what you mention of the Cannon I am in daily expectation of Colonel Knox’s arrivall & untill he comes I cannot with Certainty inform you whether I shall want the Iron Cannon or not. Upon examination of the Stores that were on board the Brigte I find, we Stand in great need of Shells & Shall esteem it a particular favour if you will...
64From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Colonel de la Radiere of the Corps of Engineers, who was employed to superintend the fortifications on the North River—but from some misunderstanding between him and the late commanding Officer, in which he thought his own honour and the public interest were committed, he determined to renounce the work, and return to Camp —I can safely recommend him to you as...
65From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 14 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am to request that you will in company with Generals Knox and Du Portail make a visit to all the works on both sides the river, and ascertain the number of Cannon and the sizes which will be necessary for their defence—You will be pleased to distinguish between, a full complement of Cannon, which it would be expedient to have and the number which is absolutely necessary. I am Sir Yr Most...
66From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you copies of my two Letters of the 30th and 31st, lest any accident should have happened to the originals. Col. Clarke has informed me that he had received intelligence of the enemy being at Tallar’s point with 42 sail and a number of flat-bottomed boats—that they had landed a party of men on the other side the North River and a party at the Slote —That he had called in his out...
67From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the favor of your two letters of the 6th and 15th with the papers inclosed. I am glad to find it is your opinion that from the present state of the works at the fort the enemy will not make his attack on the West side—I wish it were more in our power to provide against the danger you mention from the opposite point than it is—our prospect of heavy cannon is very unpromising,...
68George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Reading Furnace, Pennsylvania ] September 19, 1777. Orders McDougall to join main Army. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
69From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 13 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
There being but one General Officer (a Brigadier) with the line of the Army at present; I must, for particular reasons, request you will expedite your return from Philadelphia as much as possible. With great regard & esteem I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedient Servant CSmH .
70George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 24 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 24, 1779 . Warns that an attack on the Highland forts or on the main Army may be imminent. Sends instructions concerning reinforcements. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
71From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I must beg the favour of you to look out for a sensible, honest, active, young fellow, well acquainted with Figures, & well qualified to discharge the duties of a Deputy Muster Master—His pay is low, 35 dollars ⅌ Month—On discovering such an one, you will be pleased to appoint him, & refer him to the Letter &C. from Colo. Ward that attend this. I am Dear Sir Yr most Obed. Servt P.S. I wish to...
72From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Laurance delivered me your estimate of the strength and position of the Enemy at New York and its dependencies. I have since been favd with yours of the 4th instant. I shall endeavour to reinforce your post by the time the nine months men are about leaving you, so that I hope the enemy will be disappointed should they have such intentions as have been communicated to you. Since I sent up...
73From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 9 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of my Orders, some of the Troops from the Northern Frontier will soon arrive at West Point—all that shall arrive at that Post, you will be pleased to retain for its Security untill further Orders. I am sir Your most Obedient Servt CSmH .
74From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 31 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
That part of the Troops of New York have left that place, admits of no doubt—the accounts of their number differ—some say four Regiments (two British and two Hessian)—some 2300, and others 2500 men—all of which there is reason to believe are arrived at Philadelphia; as a Fleet consisting of near 50 Transports (the same number that left New York) passed Wilmington about five days ago. By...
75From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
An outrage has been committed on some inhabitants of this State, by a Lieut. Henderson—Marshal—B. Ball and an Ensign Smith, as appears from the deposition in the hands of the bearer of this letter. As these officers are in your command, you will be pleased to direct them under immediate confinement; and to remain so till the civil power can take up the matter. Henderson and Ball I beleive are...
76George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 9 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] February 9, 1779 . Discusses problems confronting McDougall in reference to supplies, works at West Point, hard money, clothing, suspicion of trafficking with enemy, Brigadier General Enoch Poor’s brigade, and arrangement of the Bay line. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
77George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 15 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 15, 1777. Approves of McDougall’s decision to order troops to Forts Constitution and Montgomery instead of to Peekskill, New York. Approves stationing of Colonel Henry B. Livingston in Westchester to secure magazines. Urges inoculation when needed. Instructs McDougall to receive Massachusetts troops. Df , dated March 14, 1777, in writings of Robert H. Harrison...
78From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your two favours of the 29th and 30th. I this morning received similar intelligence of the enemy’s movement towards the white Plains, from Elizabeth Town. The day before yesterday, General St Clair moved with the Pensylvania division from this camp towards Springfield—I have now directed him to continue his route to Pompton and govern himself afterwards according to...
79George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 16 December 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey ] December 16, 1778 . Asks for McDougall’s opinion on kind and number of ships necessary to destroy enemy’s naval force on Lake Ontario. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
80From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
About a fortnight since, I sent you by Mr Laurance, fifty guineas —I have now given Colonel Malcolm One hundred and fifty more to be delivered to you. These two parcels will nearly amount to the sum you requested from Congress. I am with great regard and esteem D. Sir Your most Obed. serv. LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, CSmH ; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . On the draft,...