1To Benjamin Franklin from [Anthony Wayne], 13 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania The writer, later known as “mad Anthony,” needs no introduction. Deborah Franklin had dealt with him briefly a decade earlier about her husband’s land speculations, but we have no evidence that Franklin knew him before they served together on the Pennsylvania committee of safety. They may or may not have met in Canada; Franklin was en route from...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Wayne, 15 November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Yesterday An express Arrived here from Albany giving Intelligence that Gene. Howe with the British fleet and army had passed Kings Bridge and from Appearances seemed as if he Intended to penetrate into Jersey or proceed up the Hudson’s River the truth of this you will know much better than we at this Distance. However Genl. St. Clair with the first...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Wayne, 3 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; two drafts: Historical Society of Pennsylvania I shou’d have acknowledged the Rect. of your favour of the 28th of Augt. sooner but for want of time; I am glad to find that unanimity prevails in Congress. Whilst that Continues I am under no Apprehension but that we shall rise Superior to every Dificulty. The Settling the boundaries of the Respective...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Wayne, 1 September 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania It was with the greatest Concern I recd. the Acct. of Liet. Col. Allen’s Resignation. He undoubtedly at that time had his reasons for such a step. Circumstanced as he then was, and some unmerited Injuries recently Offered (as he thought) to his nearest Connections might percipitate him into a measure that strict prudence wou’d not justify. I yet...
5To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Wayne, 31 July 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society: AL (draft ): Historical Society of Pennsylvania We are so far remov’d from the Seat of Government of the free and independant States of America, and such an insurmountable Barrier (Alb . . . y) between Us, that scarcely One Letter or the least intelligence can reach here from your Quarter; through the medium of my Chaplain I hope this will find you, as he...
6To Alexander Hamilton from Anthony Wayne, 6 April 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Permit me to introduce to your acquaintance Brigr General James Jackson, (a representative from Georgia to Congress) he is my particular friend, who in the Campaign of 1782 Commanded the State Legion which composed my Vanguard. I know him to be A Valuable Citizen a good soldier & an honest man, & as such I wish you to introduce him to your Military & other acquaintances, & whatever Civilities...
7To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 31 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
That affair of Colo Williams’s is very old & I thought had been long drop’t. I can’t pretend to recollect the Circumstances & Charges laid against him—all I know of my own knowledge is that early in the morning of the Action of Germantown Colo Williams came & took me by the hand & seemed pleased at the prospect of Immediate Action; but at the same time appeared to be much Intoxicated with...
8To Alexander Hamilton from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Totowa [ New Jersey ] July 20, 1780 . “The troops will move from this Ground at 3. OClock … should His Excellency have anything particular to mention or Recommend, I will wait on him if Necessary.” ALS , New Jersey Historical Society, Newark. On July 20, 1780, Washington sent Wayne orders to make an attempt against Bulls Ferry, which was on the Hudson, about four miles north of Hoboken, New...
9From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Anthony Wayne and William Irvine, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I cannot but premise my answer to your letter of yesterday, by observing that the refusal of the Colonels & Lt Colonels of your line to comply with my request for stating in writing their motives to the part they have taken in the affair of Majr McPherson, is to me as extraordinary as unexpected—I assure you I had not the least idea there could have been any difficulty in the matter and had no...
10George Washington to Brigadier Generals Anthony Wayne and William Irvine, 11 August 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
Tappan [ New York ] August 11, 1780 . Explains why appointment of Major William Macpherson cannot be revoked. Df , in writings of George Washington and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
11From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 16 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Campbell advises by Letter just now received that the Enemy are advancing toward Van Vacter’s Bridge. I wish you to send out fresh scouts immediately, and to make the earliest reports. If this report is confirmed by your scouts you will order your Tents to be struck, and put into the Waggons, and have everything in readiness to move. I am Sir yr mt hume servt LS , addressed to Wayne, in...
12To James Madison from Anthony Wayne, 15 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
Permit me to congratulate you upon the adoption, & organization, of the Federal Constitution, a business in which you took so early—so conspicuous—& so Effectual a part, & altho’ I have not the honor of a seat in the Magnum Concilium of America—I feel myself much interested in her Dignity, wealth, & Power—& therefore take the liberty to suggest a measure which in my humble opinion will have a...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne or Officer Commanding the Light Corps, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Butlers favor of last evening I have received—The opinion he has of the enemys designs renders it unnecessary for me to caution you on the score of keeping out the necessary Guards & patroles; The look out boats I have desired Genl McDougal to order down to be under yr command that you may officer & man them, with such persons as you can fully confide in —this will enable you to obtain...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
If not Inconsistant, I should esteem it as a particular favor if your Excellency would permit Major Moore to join my family during the remainder of the Campaign—or until Mr Archer recovers from his late accident. I also beg leave to mention that Lieut. Colo. Fleury’s absence has made a Vacency in Colo. Febigers Regt a Lieut. Colo. is also wanting in Colo. Meigs’s—& should Major Hull proceed to...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 3rd with a poscript dated the 4th at 7. OClock A.M. by Major Fishbourn came to hand last evening, the manner in which your Excellency has been pleased to Approve of the Conduct of the Officers in General, and ours in particular, Affords a Sensation which words can not express. It would have afforded us Infinate pleasure, had fortune put it into our power to Inform you that...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your favor of the 7th, & the company of the Count de Custine, & the Marquis de Laval, to breakfast, who have since proceeded on their way to Phila. attended by Lt Colo. Mentges. Major Fishbourn has this moment returned from Elizabethtown, with the Inclosed Intelligence & papers, which is Corroborated by the Information of two Deserters from the 54th who left...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd the Inclosed—it has been unaccountably delayed—but so nearly Corroborates that which I sent you this morning, that I thought it my duty to Communicate it. I shall send a trusty Person to New York in the Morning & expect the earliest Intelligence of any movement of the Enemy—which shall be Immediately forwarded to your Excellency. Interim I am yours Most Sincerely ALS ,...
18To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor of addressing your Excellency in April, by Genl Jackson, & have since that period been extremely gratified by hearing of your happy arrival at the seat of Government, & acceptance of the supreme Executive Authority of the United States—an event, that I am confident affords the sincerest pleasure to every true friend of America. I also observe that the Impost Act was in...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 13 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your Orders of the Instant I directed Colonels Putnam & Butler to Reconnoitre the Ground from this Camp by Spring Steels to the point of the Dunderberg opposite picks Kill —who Report that a very good road may be made with little trouble from Spring Stells to a Landing about two Miles & a half in a Direct Line above Stoney Point where a Battery may be Immediately Errect[ed] so...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne and Colonels Richard Butler and Walter Stewart, 4 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your own anxiety & distress of mind, is the best Criterion to judge of ours by—the Inclosed copy of Orders, propositions, Interogatories & Answers, will Inform you of our prospects & Situation. If with the assistance of the Governor & Council, or a Committee from that body, this unhappy business can not be settled, your presence & Influence will be more proper in an Other Quarter than with us....
21To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Light Infantry who were Encamped on the Right between third & fourth Street have Struck their tents this morning—their Picquets are drawn in—we took possession of the Advanced Redoubt made of Rails when they Vacated this day—I am just proceeding along the line to the left—they have turned out the Guards from a house near the City with a few of their Horse but don’t seem Inclined to...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The fort & Garrison with Colo. Johnston are ours—Our Officers & men behaved like men who are determined to be free. Yours Most Sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; copy, enclosed in GW to George Clinton, this date, sold by Christie’s, Sale No. 1770, 5 Dec. 2006, no. 324. A letter from GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison to an unknown recipient, written on this date, reads: “His Excellency requests you...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The procuring good and easy Winter Quarters for the Troops under your Excellencies Command—and Covering the Country from the Depredations of the Enemy as far as Possible without too much fatigue to the Army—are Objects of the first Consequence, & to which too much Attention can not be paid. A Chain of Cantonments has been proposed (and Supported with very plausible Arguments) from Lancaster to...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I send you a Sacradotal Villain who came from new York the day before yesterday he effects a total Ignorance of every matter or thing Concerning the Enemy—but acknowledges that after being dismissed our Service—and Discarded by his flock —he in a fit of Desperation went Voluntarily into New York—with an Intention to go to England—(a place where Religion is so predominant, that any Clergyman...
25IV. Brigadier General Anthony Wayne’s Opinion, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Wayne’s Opinion of the Defences necessary for the River and Land in case the Enemy should Attempt the Reduction of Phila. The Works, as Contracted by Agent De Coudre to be Compleated and Supplied with Six or Eight pieces of Artillery and men Sufficient to fight them with about 500 Troops—One Redoubt on the High Ground at Darby Creek Sufficient to Contain 200 men. the fleet fire ships &...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have in Company with Sevl field officers reconnoitred the Ground in the vicinity of Haverstraw Forge and the roads & avenues leading to it & find a very strong & advantegious position about a mile in the rear or Westward of the forge each flank covered by Strong ground and roads to retire either by the left to June’s or under the foot of the Mountain to Sufferan’s—this position will at once...
27To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 20 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Anthony Wayne, 20 Sept. 1779. On 21 Sept., GW wrote Wayne: “Your letter of yesterday evening came to hand late last night.”
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
The moment I recd your favor of the 3rd Instant which was not u[n]til 11 OClock yesterday—I orderd out a Covering party & took with me some field Officers, under an Escort of a few Dragoons—& proceeded to the place where Genl Du Portail was to be—but he had gone away about a half an hour before we arrived. I immediately detached a Light Horse who returned without coming up with him after he...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty some days since to Suggest the Selecting 2′500 or 3′000 of our best Armed and most Disciplined Troops (exclusive of the Reserve) who should hold themselves in Readiness on the Approach of the Enemy to make a Regular and Vigorous Assault on their Right or Left flank—or such part of their Army as should then be thought most expedient—and not wait the Attack from them. This Sir...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a plan of the Enemies works at Stoney point—taken by Colo. Putnam with the points of attack in case of an Investure. They have neither Bomb proofs—nor a Magazine, their Amunition is kept on Board a Sloop in the rear of the point except a few Rounds for their Artillery which are Covered by two tents—they have one 32 pounder mounted on their Right or North part of the works, one 18...