1From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
As it is a Matter of the utmost Importance to prevent the Enemy from crossing the Delaware, and to effect it, that all the Boats and Water Craft should be secured or destroyed. I do hereby earnestly request and desire that you will take upon you the Care and Superintendency of the Matter—At Tinicum a parcel of Boats are to be collected for the Transportation of the Troops under the Command of...
2Orders to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having countermanded the March of the three Eastern Regiments under the Command of Lieutt Colo. Vose and directed them to Halt at Morris Town in the Jerseys where I am informd that Colo. Ford at the head of a body of Militia has taken Post. You are to repair immediately to that place & take upon you the Command, not only of the above Regiments, but of the Militia also, and therewith to give...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I am about to enter the Jerseys with a considerable force immediately for the purpose of attempting a recovery of that Country from the Enemy, and as a diversion on your quarter may greatly facilitate this event by distracting & dividing their troops, I must request you will collect all the force in your power together, and annoy and distress them, by every means which Prudence can suggest....
4From George Washington to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 Jan. 1777. Robert Hanson Harrison docketed Maxwell’s letter to GW of 29 Dec. : “Ansd 1 Jany 1777.”
5From George Washington to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 27 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 27 Jan. 1777. Maxwell wrote to GW on 9 Feb. to “explain some querys I find in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Jany.”
6From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 9th Inst. respecting the Case of the Young Men of Eliza. Town who refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance to the States, or to withdraw within the Enemy’s lines & discourage all the Militia round about them—I would observe that tho’ it is my Desire to have the Terms & Conditions of my Proclamation religiously complied with, Yet I do not intend that it shall be...
7From George Washington to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 16 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 16 Feb. 1777. On 17 Feb. Maxwell wrote GW informing him that “your Excellency Favours of the 16th I have Recd.”
8From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 17th Inst.—I wish the Morris County Militia could be prevailed on to stay some time longer—The Enemy are certainly reinforced & will no doubt attempt in a few days to make their situation more comfortable—should they do so, We shall not be able to make an effectual Opposition, if the Troops now in service retire to their Homes, & they will again be reduced to that...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
That the Enemy are upon the point of opening the Campaign can scarce admit of a doubt—where, or in what manner, is yet uncertain; it behooves us however to be as well prepard as possible, & keep every thing in such order as to move at an hours warning—one step towards this is, to have the number of our Posts reduced—the Men drawn a little more compactly together—and Scouts to supply the places...
10From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Brigadier Generals William Maxwell and John Peter Gabriel … (Washington Papers)
I am well convincd that the amazing desertions which have of late prevail’d among our Troops, proceeds intirely from their not being regularly paid; For it is not to be supposed, that the bare encouragement of recieving a few Dollars from the Enemy for their Arms could operate so forcibly upon them. I have in vain endeavour’d to make the officers bring in their Pay Rolls and draw their money,...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 30 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this day favoured with your Letter of the 28th It was never my intention that the two Regiments, you allude to should remain longer where they are than till the destination of the Enemy is certainly known. As that is not the case, at present they are to continue where they are & will do so, till I give further orders. I apprized the Governor, that I should call away those Regiments &...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
It seems to be the Opinion of several of the prisoners and also of the Deserters that have lately come out, that the Enemy intend to move to morrow morning. How well founded this Idea may be, I cannot tell, but I thought it right to communicate it to you, that you may be ⟨watc⟩hfull and guarded on all the Roads. It will be well to place some of your ⟨men⟩ at the pass on the Road which has been...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Previous to the Arrival of your Letter of this morning I had received Intelligence of the Return of that party of the Enemy which was sent to Warwick —I cannot but regret that a proper Number of Men had not been detached immediately after them, as it appears that if this measure had been seasonably taken the plunderers would have been cut off—as to any future operations against them I must...
14From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you a few minutes ago, I have been inform’d that there is a considerable number of Cattle and a variety of Stores (the property of Individuals) at and in the neighborhood of Nottingham—as the distance from this place to the Head of Elk is not so great as to discourage the Enemy from attempting to make themselves Masters of such valuable Articles, it will be proper that you...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your two favs. of this date. In consequence of the remonstrance from the Inhabitants near Elk I have commanded Armands Corps to repair immediately to this place. If any of the people who have been injured can point out the particular persons either Officers or Soldiers they shall be made Examples of—As several accounts seem to agree that the Enemy mean to come out tomorrow Morning, I...
16From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just favd with yours of this Evening. I do not know where the Sign of the Buck is, I therefore cannot say whether it will be proper for you to leave your present post to go and attack the party that is said to be thereabouts. If it is upon your left as I suppose it is, it will be by no means proper, because while you were gone down, the Enemy might advance from Grey’s Hill to Christeen...
17George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 3, 1777. Discusses possibility of British attack on Maxwell by enemy party sent to Bohemia, Delaware. Orders Maxwell to send information about enemy in that area. In postscript, orders Maxwell to retreat to Christiana Bridge. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
18From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of three oClock this morning, I have received. I do not think you have much to fear from the party that has been sent over to Bohemia, who lie greatly to the Southward of you & too remote from where you now are, easily to injure you. It is im[a]gined the design of their going there is to extend across from Bohemia river to Apoquiminy, by which means, they will prevent the Eastern shore...
19George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 5, 1777. Encloses two letters for Lord Richard Howe and General William Howe. Orders Maxwell to apologize to Howe if there is any truth in report that an enemy flag was fired upon. Requests information concerning situation of enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
20George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 5, 1777. Asks if Maxwell is prepared to make a secret foray against enemy. Gives instructions concerning proper guides and return route. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I send you herewith two letters for Lord & General Howe, which you will immediately transmit by a flag to the latter. Let Some decent officer go with the flag. I have heard a report of one of our militia parties firing upon a flag that came from the enemy; I wish you to inquire into the matter, and if you find it true, make a proper apology for it to General Howe; and strictly forbid any...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Let me know by the bearer whether you have received such information, as to enable you to make the intended attempt to night (or rather in the morning) if you have—the parson will be an excellent hand to accompany you. I am persuaded, I need not impress upon you the necessity of secrecy: the success of the enterprise totally depends upon that, and the precautions you use, to prevent the...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon examining the State of our Ammunition I find it so generally hurt by the Rain that we are not in Condition to make a stand against the Enemy—I have therefore thought best to move up towards Warwick Furnace in order to obtain a Supply from the other side Schuylkill & have given orders accordingly Genl Greene[’s] Division remains here & Genl Wayne’s between this & Warwick untill the Baggage...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 7 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The detachment under your comd is designed to answer the following purposes—become a security to this Camp, & the Country between the Schuylkill & Delaware. interrupt the communication with Philadelphia—obtain intelligence of the motion, and designs of the enemy—and, aided by the Militia, prevent small parties of the Enemy from patrolling, to cover the market people; whilst large Parties,...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Brigadier General William Maxwell, [10 May 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received yours from Horsam meeting House. He is a good deal surprized that you left your Artillery behind as one principal aim of the detachment was to protect the Vessels in the River in which Cannon would be essential. His Question to you on the subject was rather intended to indicate his desire that you should take cannon with your Party. He desires you will immediately...
26George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 25, 1778 . Orders Maxwell to secure all available information concerning enemy and to remain in readiness to march. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
27From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to proceed with the two remaining regiments of your Brigade, to Mount Holly in the Jerseys, and order the other two regiments under Col: Shrieve to join you. In order to this, you will take the shortest route towards Coryel’s ferry, there cross the Delaware and repair to the place of your destination. You are to keep your Brigade when assembled, in such a situation as will...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received a letter of the 24th inst. from Colonel Shreve, in which he renews his application for Arms, and complains of the distressing want of Shirts in your Brigade—it is unluckily out of my power to do any thing in addition to the order with which you are already furnished relative to the first article. With respect to the latter as there are no Shirts in camp, I can point out no...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is yet a matter of uncertainty whether the Enemy intend to embark or to march across the Jersey. If they do the former, you are, immediately upon obtaining certain intelligence of it, to march with the whole of your Brigade by the shortest Rout to New Burgh upon the North River, and there take your orders from Major Genl Gates. All the unarmed Men are to march, as they will meet Arms coming...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 28th from Trenton. The Arms out of which you were to have been supplied had come on as far as sussex Court House, but for some reason or other Genl Gates ordered them back to New Windsor. I have sent up and ordered them down in the most express manner. Untill they arrive I cannot supply you. You say you think Bordentown a more suitable place for your main Body than...