61From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 17–18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 12th Instt was delivered me last night by Mr Trumbull. I am much surprized to hear, that the innoculation of the Troops had been countermanded, or the least Hint suggested of the sort. I have never done or said anything countenancing such a measure, on the Contrary, I have pressed & urged the necessity of it in every instance, and I must request, that not a Moment may be...
62From 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...
63From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The following are Extracts of Letters which I have just received from Genl Stephen, and are taken from the information of persons sent into New York and Bruswic. New Ark 22d April 1777. By a person to be depended upon, who left New York Yesterday—A Brigade consisting of the 15th & 17th (not exceeding 700 Men) and he believes the 36th & 4th embarked the 20th at night, and he supposes sailed up...
64From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of yesterday came to hand late last Night. As I have heard nothing further of the Troops that embarked on the 20th I can only recommend it to you to keep a vigilant look out for them. The detatchments that are to come on need not bring Camp Kettles with them, if they are wanted with you, as we have a sufficiency here. I am so well convinced of the Justice of your Remark upon the...
65From 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...
66From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 28 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
At three OClock this morning, I received your favor of the 27th. The intelligence it contains, is interesting and truly distressing. By this time, I fear, the Enemy have effected their purpose and destroyed all the Stores at Danbury; I wish those at Fredericksburg may not have shared the same fate. After accomplishing this enterprize, it is probable they will return to their Ships with...
67From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 1 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Letter of the 29th Ulto, with its several inclosures. I regret much, that the Enemy should have accomplished their Scheme with so little loss on their part; but I confess, I feared, that it would be the case, and that their retreat would be effected before a sufficient force could be assembled, to cut them off, or to give ’em any great annoyance. I wish you to...
68From George Washington to Brigadier Generals George Clinton and Alexander McDougall, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity of having regular Magazines of Provision for subsisting the Army, wheresoever It may act, and the late destruction of the Stores at Danbury, have induced Congress to take the matter into consideration & to come into the Resolves which accompany this. By these you will perceive, that One object of their deliberation was, to have immediate measures taken for the removal of the...
69From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your detention of apart of Capt. Sewards Company of Artillery, for the reasons you assign, is intirely agreeable to me; and you will observe the same rule with respect to others which shall be coming on in the same circumstances. I should be glad to hear such further particulars of the Danbury expedition, as may have come to your knowlege, that bear the marks of authenticity. I am Dear Sir...
70From 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...
71From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 5th: You make mention of a letter of Colo. Huntingdons of the 1st instant which you have not inclosed, there are a few lines from him of the 30th April, but they only respect a peice of intelligence of the Enemy’s having landed at Frogs point on their way down the Sound. I have a long time seen and felt the ill Consequences of the want of Arrangement in the...
72From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
So little room is left for doubting the Enemy’s designs are up the North River, that (notwithstanding proper Preparations for such an Event have been the frequent Subject of my Letters to you, which I am assured will claim a just share of your serious Attention) I can not help writing again on this head—Let me therefore, in order that no Measure for Defence may be left untried, desire you to...
73From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Major General Green. He and General Knox are sent by me to review the posts under your command, and their appendages; and to give their advice and assistance towards putting every thing in the most defensible state possible. The vast importance of these posts and the great probability that the enemy will direct their operations against them make me anxious for...
74From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 16 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days ago favd with yours of the 6th: I cannot account for the Massachusets Troops coming on without Cloathing, in any other manner, than, that as they were all originally intended for Ticonderoga, their Cloaths may have been sent to Albany. If that is the Case, the Qr Masters should be immediately sent to bring them back, if it is not, they must certainly look to the State, because...
75From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this day received your favor of the 19th. General putnam being thus far in his way to peeks Kills, and fully instructed upon most of the matters contained in your Letter, makes it unnecessary for me, to answer it so particularly, as I otherwise should have done; and as I wish to refer you to those instructions for my Sentiments & Ideas upon the Subjects of it. I shall observe However, that...
76From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I, yesterday, had the pleasure of your’s of the 21st instant. I wish every Gentleman in the army could appeal to his own heart and find the same principles of conduct, which, I am persuaded activate you; we should experience more consistency, zeal and steadiness, than we do, in but too many instances. A disinterested attachment to the cause, we are ingaged in, can alone produce that line of...
77From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 29th. Your Conjectures, respecting the Troops arrived, correspond with my own. I shall not be disappointed, if they are those, which were in Canada, having long thought, there was a probability of their coming to reinforce Genl Howe. I am much surprized, that more of the Connecticut Troops, have not reached Pecks Kill. I have repeatedly & in most...
78From George Washington to Brigadier Generals John Glover and Alexander McDougall, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy decamped, the night before last, & have returned to their former position from Amboy to Brunswick. This appears to have been in consequence of a sudden resolution, as they had been employ’d in raising a chain of redoubts from Sommerset to Brunswick; which they wou’d not have done, had they at first intended to abandon their new Ground in so short a time. What may have determined them...
79From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 23 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Putnam’s orders to you to return to Peeks Kill was founded upon a misapprehension of my orders; which required your halting at Pompton, as you were there at a considerable distance from Peeks Kill. But from the late change of circumstances, with respect to the enemy, your countermarch has not happened amiss. It is now pretty evident they are leaving the Jersies, and probably they may...
80From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By an Express this moment arrived from Cape May, The Enemy’s Fleet left Yesterday Morning at Eight OClock—put to Sea and were out of Sight Three Hours when the Express came away. I do not know whether you are coming on with the Two Brigades ordered from peeks Kill to reinforce this Army—If you are, I beg that you will leave the Brigades under the direction of the next commanding Officer to...
81From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 28 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 20th Instt came to my hands last Night by Mr P. —I thank you for sending him to me, as I think many valuable advantages may result from his endeavours to serve us. He seems sensible & willing, & I trust will be faithful—I have given him such Instructions respecting his conduct as my hurried Situation will allow. to Mr P. I shall refer for the Acct of things in this Quarter...
82To Brigadier General Alexander McDougall or the Officer Commanding the Detachment Marching from Peekskill, 14 September … (Washington Papers)
I have just reciev’d the inclosed information from General Dickinson through Congress, and in consequence, desire that you will, if the Enemy should appear in force and have more in view than to plunder and distress the Country, join Genl Dickinson with the detachment under your command and give every opposition to the Enemy in their march through the Jersey’s you possibly can. The public...
83From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The exigency of our affairs makes it necessary, you should use all the diligence and dispatch in your power to join this army, with the troops under your command. The enemy are making the most vigorous efforts to succeed in their attempt upon Philadel: and it will require our utmost exertions to disappoint them. We shall this day cross the Schulkill at Parkers ford about thirty miles from...
84From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 22 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on Friday last requesting your earliest arrival with the Troops under your command to join me. This I must repeat, and have sent an Officer on purpose to deliver my Letter, to whom I refer you for the particulars of our Situation & that of the Enemy at this Time. I shall only observe respecting them, that the main body of their Army lay last night, near French Creek Bridge about...
85From 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...
86From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 24 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you this morning, it has been determined in consequence of farther intelligence that it will be more adviseable to remain on the ground which we occupy at present, than to march to the Trap as was at first intended—you will therefore regulate your movements accordingly. I am Sir Your most Obedt Servt LS , in Caleb Gibbs’s writing, NHi : McDougall Papers. GW franked the...
87From 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...
88From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 25 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with Yours by the Bearer of this. I wish you to proceed with your Detachment to the best Grounds near Markleys, about Two Miles below Pennibeckers Mill on the Skippack Road & there remain for further Orders. From the present view of things, I think, I shall join you there or somewhere near It, with this Army. Mr Thomas, who has this in charge, says he is well acquainted with the...
89From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 23 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Alexander McDougall, c.23 Oct. 1777. Joseph Reed refers in his letter to GW of 23 Oct. to “a Letter Genl McDougal received from your Excelly this Afternoon.”
90From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 12 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Congress, so long ago as the 30th November last, directed me to have an enquiry into the Causes of the losses of Fort Mifflin upon the Delaware, and Fort Montgomery upon Hudsons River—The peculiar Situation of the Army has hindered me from attending to this matter before this time. As most of the principal Officers, up the North River, were immediately concerned in the defence of Fort...