1From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 8th Instant has come duly to hand, and am glad to hear that Greatons Bond’s and Porter’s regiments are coming forward to join me; at the same time I must acknowledge I should have been much better satisfied, if they had contained a greater number of men than what you have mentioned: your sending them on with all possible expedition, was exceedingly proper; indeed no time is...
2From George Washington to William Shippen, Jr., 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated at Bethelem the 8th Inst.—Your proposition of opening Dr Morgans stores, I entirely approve of, & which you are authorized to do immediately, as it is, in every instance my ardent wish, that the sick be provided for, in the most happy & comfortable manner, our circumstances will admit of, & I know of no good reason, why stores should be...
3Orders to Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will post your Troops at Yearleys ferry or some where near it—find out the fording place there and have a Redoubt thrown up immediatly[.] You and General Ewing must divide the Ground between Trenton falls and your post and establish the Proper Guards and Patrols to watch the Enemy motions, You will Spare no pains or Expence to Obtain inteligence—all promises made or monies Advanced shall...
4General Orders, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Army is to be arranged as follows Generals Lord Stirlings, Mercers, Stevens’s & La Roche de Fermoy’s Brigades are to take post at and below Corells and McConkeys Ferry —Lord Sterlings Brigade to Continue at and near where his Head Quarters are—General Stevens next below it General Mercers below Stevens’s[.] General de Formoy’s Brigade and General Ewings Brigade to continue at this Post and...
5Orders to Brigadier Generals Lord Stirling, Hugh Mercer, Adam Stephen, and La Rochefermoy, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General desires that Brigadiers Lord Sterling, Mercer, Stephen & de Fermoy do, respectively, Quarter their Brigades in Houses or Hutts as compactly as possibly, that they may be soon form’d, and ready for action at the shortest notice of the approach of the Enemy. Each Brigadier is to take care of his own Front, and keep strong Guards at all the convenient passing places—the intermediate...
6From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I last night received the favor of Mr Thompson’s Letter, inclosing the Proceedings of Congress of the 11th Instt. As the publication of their Resolve in my opinion will not lead to any good end, but on the contrary may be attended with some bad consequences, I shall take the liberty to decline inserting it in this days Orders, I am persuaded if the Subject is taken up & reconsidered, that...
7From George Washington to Lieutenant General William Howe, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Lists which I have taken the liberty of transmitting, comprehend the Officers belonging to your Army who were returned on the 4, 7 & 8th Current by Colo. Moylan in pursuance of my direction. I have affixed agt their names such belonging to us as I wish to have released, and who are of the same rank except in the instance of Colo. Allen. His exchange on account of his long...
8From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days ago favored with yours of the 30th last month, and this is the first opportunity that afforded me the pleasure of answering it. The Event has shewn, that my opinion of General Howe’s intention to make an excursion into Jersey was not ill founded. Immediately after the reduction of Fort Washington he threw a body of men consisting of about 6,000 over the North River, with an...
9Orders to Colonel John Cadwalader, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
You are to post your Brigade at and near Bristol—Col. Nixons Regiment to continue where it is at Dunkes ferry—but if you find from Reconnoitering the ground or from any movements of the Enemy that any other disposition is necessary youl make it accordingly without waiting to hear from me, but to acquaint me of the alterations and the reasons for it as soon as possible. Youl establish the...
10Orders to Brigadier General James Ewing, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Brigade is to guard the River Delaware from the Ferry opposite to Burdentown till you come within two miles or thereabouts of Yardly’s Mill, to which General Dickenson’s command will extend. About One hundred, or a hundred and fifty Men will I should think, be sufficient at the Post opposite to Burden Town—the principal part of your Force should be as convenient as possible to the ford...