1From George Washington to Israel Putnam, 2 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th of May I received with much pleasure—For I can assure you, that, among the many worthy & meritorious Officers, with whom I have had the happiness to be connected in Service, through the Course of this War, and from whose chearfull Assistance & Advice I have received much support & Confidence in the various & trying Vicissitudes of a Complicated Contest, the Name of a...
2From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 26 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 20th I received Your Letter of the 4th and was exceedingly sorry to find that you had been so severely attacked by a fit of the palsy. You have my sincerest wishes for your recovery—and I shall be happy if your next accounts announce this—or at least that there are good grounds to hope for it. I am Dr sir with great regard & esteem Yr Most Obedt servant Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s...
3From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of this morning respecting Capt. Lyman. I am intirely a stranger to his character—neither do I know upon what terms he was permitted to return to New York. When Mr Beatty the Commy of prisoners comes to Camp, I will enquire. I have understood that he had, previous to his capture at Powles Hook, sold his Commission, and that he went in to recive or get security for the purchase...
4George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] July 20, 1779 . Sends general instructions for forming “a disposition for opposing the enemy in concert.” Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
5From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
As we do not know what may be the next object of the enemy, and it is our Duty to be well prepared at the most important point, I am to request you will immediately consult the principal officers with you in conjunction with the commanding Officer of the light infantry, and form a disposition for opposing the enemy in concert, as well in the first instance at landing, as during their progress...
6George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 19, 1779. Sends instructions for disposition of the Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
7From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you a copy of a General order for the disposition of the army —The particular one of the Right Wing is to be as follows Woodfords Brigade to take post at or near Junes—Mughlenberghs at the forrest of Deane The other two divisions to preserve their present encampments —You will send orders for this purpose to the two Virginia Brigades without delay that they may be at their...
8From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 16 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 16 July 1779. Putnam wrote GW on 16 July: “I am this moment honord with your Excellencys Letter, announcing the agreeable & happy news of Genl Waynes Success.” The date is supplied on the basis of Washington’s letters of this date on this topic to George Clinton, John Jay, William Livingston, and Alexander McDougall.
9From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 15 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 15 July 1779. Putnam wrote GW on 16 July: “Your Excellencys Letter of yesterday did not reach me till 7 oClock this morning.”
10From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
⟨I have confirmed⟩ the different se⟨ntences⟩ of the Court Martial which you handed to me—but as I understood you that the Officers who were insulted by the Dragoons had interceded in their favor. If I should not be mistaken in this you are at liberty to remit the punishment. Yrs &c. P.s. You will be pleased to order them to join their Regt. Df , in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW ;...
11George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
New Windsor [ New York ] June 25, 1779 . Forwards copy of general orders to be read to troops. Encloses letter to Major General Nathanael Greene. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
12From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I send you an extract from the General orders of this day; which you will be pleased to announce. The letter to the Board transmitted to General Greene will inform you of the subject of their meeting—After reading, you will forward it to General Greene. I am Your most Obedt servant. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 23 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has just rec’d information from Col. Butler, who is stationed at the landing called stoney beach that a party of the Enemy of about 400 Men were on the opposite side of the River apparently with a design to reconnoitre the landing. In consequence of this intelligence, he desires you will as soon as possible to morrow morning advance Genl: Smallwood with his Brigade to the Forest...
14George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] June 21, 1779 . Is moving Headquarters to New Windsor. Orders Putnam to assume command of camp at Smiths Clove. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
15From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I am removing Head Quarters for the present from this place to New Windsor you will have the immediate command of the troops in this camp. Should any letters arrive for me immediately from the forts or out posts, you will open them for your own information and then forward them to me—All others, you will forward directly on unopened. I wish you without delay to have the inquiry which was...
16From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 16 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wish to see you at this place as soon as possible to have your opinion on several matters of importance. I am Yr most Obedt serv. LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, NjP . Putnam appears to have been the recipient of this letter because the docket is in the writing of his secretary.
17From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I am just setting out for West point where I may remain for two or three days, You will take the command of the Troops in this Camp till my return. I have published this in orders and you will receive from the Adjutant General the disposition I have made for opposing the Enemy in case they should move against the post at west point. All I have to request at present is, that you will have a...
18George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 June 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 2, 1779 . Orders Putnam to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
19From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine to you of the 24th instant, I requested you to join the main army immediately to take the command of one of the wings—As things now are at a crisis and every officer ought to be at his station I am to repeat my earnest desire wherever this finds you that you will instantly repair to my Head Quarters—I expect to set out tomorrow towards the Clove by way of Morris Town. I am Dr Sir Yr...
20From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
By recent intelligence, thrô different Channels, I have the best reason to believe that, General Clinton has drawn his whole force to a point at New York and its vicinity—That he has collected (& some accts add removed, to Kings bridge) a number of flat-bottomed Boats with Muffled Oars—and that, every appearance indicates an expedition at hand —There are but too important objects he can have...
21George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 20, 1779 . Orders court-martial for Major Joseph Eayre. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
22From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I return you the papers relating to the officers at Springfield —I find by them that Major Ayres has avoided a trial by a resignation. This is a matter which it would be inconsistent with my duty to permit as the charge against Major Ayres is of a very serious nature and founded on the report of a public body. It is contrary to practice that the resignation of an officer while under arrest...
23From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 7th instant in due time. I wish the most effectual measures to be taken for filling up the regiments, but am sorry to find it your opinion that the Connecticut levies will be raised very slowly. I am now writing the governor, and shall take notice of the necessity of forwarding this business. The assembly were right in their construction of the resolution of...
24George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam or Officer Commanding at Redding, 28 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 28, 1779 . Asks that Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons’s brigade be sent to reinforce Major General Alexander McDougall. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
25From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
By intelligence received from different quarters, there is great reason to suspect the enemy have some important movement in contemplation—In this aspect of things, it becomes the part of prudence to provide as effectually as we can for the security of those points, at which we are most vulnerable. I am therefore to desire you will, without delay , detach General Parsons’ Brigade to reinforce...
26From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have an extract of a letter this instant received from Genl Maxwell at Elizabeth-town —to what end the commotion he speaks of tends, is uncertain; but as the Army and our posts on the North River (for security of the communication between the Eastern & Southern States) are the only objects we can attend to without hazarding more than Military prudence will warrant[.] I cannot...
27From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
On examining the return from Peeks kill of General Poors brigade, which was some time since directed to that place, I was surprised to find that only 457 rank and file had arrived. You will immediately on receipt of this letter, give express and positive orders, for all such as remain, however employed, to join their respective regiments without further delay. I am sir &. Df , in James...
28From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 17 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon receipt of this letter, you will set about putting your division in the most perfect readiness to march by the 10th of May ensuing. The officers will disencumber themselves of all heavy baggage—retaining only such as may be indispensibly necessary. In the intermediate time all such stores as are of consequence or that cannot remain at Danbury without a guard, you will have...
29From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favd with yours of the 30th March. My letters of the 27th ulto and 1st instant, to which I refer you, went fully into the subject of that which I have just recd and recommend the measures which I still think, all circumstances considered, ought to be pursued—The Messenger who brought your letter, having mentioned his orders to return to you as expeditiously as possible I have...
30From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 28th of March giving me information of such of the movements of the enemy as had come to your knowledge. The real design of their preparations upon the sound being as much a secret as when I wrote to you upon the 27th ulto, I can only repeat to you now what I thought most advisable then, which was, to keep the detachment of Continental troops at New...