1To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 27 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at Camp Fort Edward the 21st Instt and should have done myself the honor of writing your Excellency imediately on my arrival, but was informd by Genl Schuyler that he had communicated every intelligence in his Power, by an Express sent off the day before my Arrival; The day after my coming here the Army was divided into two divisions & Head Quarters moved to Moses Creek three Miles...
2To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 12 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Favor of Yesterday inclosing a Copy of a Council of War held the 6th. I will endeavour agreeable to Your Excellency’s request, to transmit my Opinion, on the Matters submitted by the Time required: I sincerely wish the Situation of our Affairs would admit my giving it with more Decission, than I am able to do at present. The Order...
3To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favour of the 21st respecting the Militia, I received at 3 oClock this evening, and immediately, had as many Inhabitants collected at the Coffe House as I could Notify, Fifty Volunteers have engaged to go with General Cadwalader, who this minute Informs me He expects to collect a considerable Number more in the morning, in the City; I cannot flatter myself with procuring many...
4To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 22 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to Inclose to your Excellency Two Letters which I received last evening from Mrs Washington, who was well when the Express came from Virginia. There is no news here of any Importance, We have not heard from Count D’Estaing these Two days, when He wrote last his Pilots had Just returned from Sounding the Hook, & reported there was not water Sufficient to Carry over his Ships,...
5To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 1 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Polite attention shown by Your Excellency and the Gentlemen of Your Family to Mrs Arnold when in distress, demand my grateful acknowledgement and thanks which I beg leave to present. From Your Excellencys Letter to Sr Henery Clinton, I find a Board of General Officers have given it as their Opinion that Major André comes under the description of a Spy: my good Opinion of the Candor, and...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 13 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I arived here, haveing previously done all in my power, to forward on the Militia, from the Massachusets Bay, and Connecticut, upwards of six Thousand of which I hope are in the Jerseys, before this Time. There is at this place & in the Vicinity, about Two thousand Men, part of six Thousand Ordered from the New England States, The others are on their March, & expected in, in a few...
7To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 30 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this minute the honor receiving your Excellencys favour of 27th Inst. Colonel Hartleys Regt was ordered by Congress from this City the 14th Inst. to the Frontiers of this State, except a Party of Sixty Men who, Guarded a Number Prisoners to Elizabeth Town, & were afterwards Ordered to East Town—Inclosed is a return of the Troops in Town who are barely sufficient to do the Garrison Duty,...
8To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 6 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
On my arival at this Post I found every thing thrown into great Confusion, by the Troops removing from hence, and the Militia coming in. Colonel Malcomb had ordered returns to be made of the Militia, Provisions, and Stores of every kind, which I expect this morning, and will transmit a Copy to your Excellency. I believe a Sufficient Number of Militia have arived to replace those of this State,...
9To George Washington from Benedict Arnold, 5 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benedict Arnold, 5 Dec. 1778. On 13 Dec., GW wrote Arnold : “Upon my arrival here I found your favor of the 5th.”
10To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 6 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am requested by the Board of Admiralty to Inform your Excellency, that they have in Contemplation an Expedition with several of their Frigates, which will require Three, or four, hundred Land Forces to Act in Conjunction, and who may Act as Marines when on Board, which will obviate the great dificculty of procuring Men for the Ships—They wish to be informed If the Men can be Spared From the...
11To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, c.18 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellencys advice to me when at Camp, I requested of Congress to appoint a Committe to Examine into the Charges aledg’d against me by the Presdt and Council of this State; my request was complied with, the Report of the Committe I have taken the liberty to Inclose, after peruseing it Your Excellency will doubtless be suprised to find Congress have directed a Court Martial to...
12To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The want of News agreable or entertaining, with Indisposition, will I hope apologize to your Excellency for my long Silence. The third Instant I was inform’d that the Enemy meditated an Attack on little Egg Harbor, where there were several Privateers and fifteen or twenty Sail other Vessells, with a considerable Quantity of European and West India Goods. Coll Procters Regiment was ordered to...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 24th Ulto I had not the pleasure of receiveing untill the 3d Inst.—am sorry to hear the Militia of the Southern States, have not yet suffered enough to excite them to rise in their own defence and expel their Inhuman Enemies from the Country, I am not however, without hopes your Excellency will be able to finish this Campaign, with great honour, & Advantage to Our Country....
14To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 13 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been anxiously waiting a long time in expectation that the situation of the Army would admit the Court Martial to proceed on my Trial, as a part of the British Army are gone down the North River, I hope the time is now arived; If it can be done without prejudice to the service I beg your Excellency to appoint as early a day as posible, the Cruel situation I am in will apologize for my...
15To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 5 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honor’d with your Excellencys two Letters of the 26th and 28th April, and am extreemly sorry to find It should be thought there was a necessity of postponing my tryal to so late a Period as June, or July, from no other Reason than the Presidt & Council of this State “representing that the Period appointed for the purpose and the previous Notice given were too short to admit of the...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 14 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I make no Doubt you will, soon hear, of Our Misfortune, on the 31. Ulto, and be very Anxious to know Our Present, Situation. Our loss, and repulse struck an Amaseing Panick, into both Officers, & Men, and had the Enemy improved their Advantage, Our affairs, here must have ben Intirely ruined It was not in my power to Prevail on the Officers to Attempt, saveing, Our Mortars, which had ben...
17To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Favour of yesterday, at 10 oClock this morng with the Letter Inclosed for Mrs Washington which I dispatch’d immediately by Express, I beg leave to present your Excellency my Congratulatory Compliments on the Victory you have obtained over the Enemy, and to assure you nothing could have given me a more Heart felt pleasure, than to hear of your excape, we are...
18To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 25–27 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
My last of the 19th Inst. from Newbury Port, advising of the Embarkation of the Troops I make no Doubt your Excellency received. The Same Day we left Newbury, and arrived safe in the River next Morning except a small Vessel which run on the Rocks, but is since off without Damage, & arrived safe. I found the Batteaus compleated, but many of them smaller than the Directions given, & very badly...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 25 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
By this express, you will receive advice From Genl Schuyler of our evacuateing Canada, an event which I make no doubt (from our distressed situation) you have some time expected, the particulars of Genl Thompsons repulse, & Captivity, as nearly as could be ascertained, have ben transmitted, you. on advice of which, very direct Intelligence that the Enemy were greatly superior to us In numbers,...
20To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 16 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Last Evening I was honored with Your Excellency’s Favor of the 14th. I have given Orders for the Guard requested As also to the Quarter Master to furnish Forage at Mr Birdsall’s for the Number of Horses mentioned in your Excellency’s Letter. My Answers to the Questions proposed by Your Excellency to the Council of War, I will do myself the Honor to deliver in Person. I am, with sentiments of...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 27 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you the 14th Ulto of Our Situation and prospects, since which nothing of Consequence has Occured, here, The Enemy to the number of abt five hundred have twice Sallied out at Pallace Gate, with Design of seizeing our Field peices, (near the Nunnery) but On Our Troops, Advanceing to Attack them, they made a precipitate retreat, under Cover of their guns—Desertions from the Garrison are...
22To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 20 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
My last was of the 14th Instant from Point ⟨Levi⟩ —the same Evening I passed the St Lawrance without Obstruction, except from a Barge, on which we fired & killed three Men, but as the Enemy were apprised of our coming, and the Garrison augmented to near seven hundred Men, besides the Inhabitants, it was not thought proper to attempt carrying the Town by Storm, but cut off their Communication...
23To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 11 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor to receive your Excellencys Letter of the 7th, and am very happy to hear such favorable Accounts from the Southward, I hope our affairs in that quarter will soon wear a more pleasing aspect than ever. Colonel Sheldon Complains to me that his Horses are much worn down, and the Inhabitants of Wt Chester complain that the Country is not sufficiently guarded against the...
24To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 27 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered, James McCormick, the Criminal condemned for the Murder of Rueben Bishop, on board the Schooner Broad Bay, Capt. Clarkson, with Directions for him to be delivered to Capt. Moses Howell, at Newbury Port, who has orders to send him to your Excellency—The Criminal Appears to be very simple & ignorant, and in the Company he belonged to, had the Character of being a peacable...
25To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 1 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 1 Feb. 1777. In his letter to GW of 7 Feb. , Arnold says: “My Letter of the 1st Inst. by Cpt. Mansfield, I hope your Excellency has received before this.”
26To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 16 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favor of the 13th I had the Honor of receiving the last Evening, I have ordered particular Inquiry to be made into the Treatment of the Prisoners and every Abuse to be remedied. No Complaint had ever reached me on the Subject previous to your Excellency’s Letter. Inclosed is a Return of Provisions on Hand, the daily Issues and a Copy of a Letter from Mr Stevens D. Commy...
27To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 12 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am this Instant favored with your Excellencys Letter of Yesterday, On the 10th I received Advice from Col. Sheldon that the Enemy were embarking Troops & heavy Artillery, at White Stone and New York, which I thought would justify me in detaining the New York Militia, untill I received an Answer to my Letter of the 8th especially as very few of the Massachussetts & New Hampshire Militia have...
28To George Washington from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
My last of the 20th ultimo from Point aux Trembles, advising of my retiring from before Quebec, make no Doubt your Excellency has received. I continued at Point aux Trembles until the 3rd Instant, when to my great Joy General Montgomery joined us with Artillery and about 300 Men. Yesterday we arrived here, and are making all possible Preparation to attack the City, which has a wretched motley...
29To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 1 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take this Opportunity to Inform Your Excellency, That I Consider myself no longer Acting under the Commission of Congress: their last to me being among my Papers at West Point You Sir will make such use of it as You think proper. At the same time I beg leave to Assure Your Excellency that my Attachment to the true Interest of my Country is invariable, and that I am actuated by the Same...
30To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Answers to His Excellency Genl Washington’s Questions in Council June 17th 1778. Answer to Question first. By no means. Answer to Question Second. That the Army by all means remain in their present Position untill the Enemy evacuate Philada and their Route is known. Answer to Question third. Five or Six hundred Light Infantry, with as many Cavalry as can be spared, be immediately Detach’d to...
31To George Washington from Benedict Arnold, 19 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benedict Arnold, 19 Sept. 1775. On 25–27 Sept. Arnold wrote to GW : “My last of the 19th Inst. from Newbury Port . . . I make no Doubt your Excellency received.”
32To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 15 June 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 15 June 1777. In his letter to GW of 16 June , Arnold says that “I wrote your Excellency yesterday.”
33Enclosure: Benedict Arnold to George Washington, 25 September 1780 (Hamilton Papers)
The Heart which is Concious of its Own rectitude, Cannot attempt to paliate a Step, which the World may Censure as wrong; I have ever acted from a Principle of Love to my Country, since the Commencement of the present unhappy Contest between Great Britain and the Colonies, the same principle of Love to my Country Actuates my present Conduct, however it may appear Inconsistent to the World: who...
34To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 7 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Two days since I had the honor to receive your Excellencys favor of the 4th Inst. Inclosing a draught of a Proclimation; immediately on receit of it, I applied to several Printers, but could not find one, who had any Person in their employ who understood French, that could be Confided in: I was therefore obliged to have a proof Sheet struck of[f] by a Person who did not understand French; and...
35To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 8 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor of your Excellency’s favour of the 6th and am very happy to hear the Enemy have suffered so very considerably in their march thro’ the Jerseys—I make no doubt this Campaign will be crown’d with success, & that your Excellency will soon enjoy in peace the Laurels you have with so much perseverence, toil & hazard reaped in the Iron field of War. My extreme illness has...
36To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 19 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
When you were so kind as to permit me to resign my Command in this City, and retire from the Service until recovered of my Wounds, I expected to have done it immediately; but the Villianous Attacks made on my Character, by the President and Council of this State in their Publications, made it necessary for me to continue in the Command until their Charges were cleared up, or resign under the...
37To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 30 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold, 30 Jan. 1777. On 6 Feb. GW wrote Arnold : “I was this Evening favoured with your Letter of the 30th Ulto.”
38To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor to receive your Excellencys favor of the 7th Inst. informing me that the Time of my trial was finally fixed to the first day of June; which I am very happy to hear, as nothing can be more disagreable than the Cruel situation I am in at present, not only as my Character will Continue to suffer untill I am acquitted by a Court Martial, but as it effectually prevents my...
39To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 5 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of Your Excellency’s Favor of the 2nd inst., which I had the Honor to receive on the 3rd, I gave immediate & pressing Directions for sixty flat Bottom Boats to be sent to Kings Ferry without Delay; But as most of the Boats were at Wappings Creek to be repaired & few Batteaumen to be procured, (most of them being on the Mohawk river & at Albany), I was under the Necessity of...
40To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 17th Inst. I receiv’d the Next morning, & immediately communicated the Contents to Congress, at the same time recommended the Posting two thousand Men on the Delaware from this place to Bristol, & fifteen hundred at the Posts below, Philada to Compleat the Works already began, & raise such new ones, as are necessary. The State Regt formerly commanded by Colonel Bull, now by...
41To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 20 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here at 11 oClock yesterday Morning, The Rear of the Enemy quited Coopers Ferry last Evening. Inclosed is the latest and only Intelligence which can be depended on, which I am favor’d with by Mr Budinot. I have order’d a Boat down the River and Horsemen to discover the Enemys Ships and watch their Motions, no Exertions shall be wanting to gain Intelligence, which shall be forwarded...
42To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 6 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
This Morning I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s favor of yesterday by Major Villefranche, who will imediately inspect the Works and report the necessary Repairs, which shall be undertaken and executed as soon as possible. I shall pay particular Attention to the Matters mentioned in Colol Malcomb’s Letter & wish to be informed if your Excellency intends the Garrison to consist of 1500...
43To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 12 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the Receipt of your Excellencys Favor of the 20th Jany inclosing my Commission, and to beg Pardon for neglecting so long to answer it. which I should have done sooner had the Situation of my Wounds permitted my forming any Judgement when I should be able to take the Field; they have been closed and broke out again, occasioned by some loose Splinters of Bone remaining in...
44To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 18 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor of receiveing your favor of the 15th Inst: I have not the least doubt of your Excellencys wishing to bring my affair to a speedy conclusion and of doing me ample Justice, I am extremely sorry my Cruel situation should cause your Excellency the least embarrasment, or uneasiness; I am sensible you have more than your share of difuculties already, and heartily wish I...
45To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 14 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Excellencys questions proposed to the Council of General Officers on the 6th Inst: I beg leave to observe, that from the uncertainty of the Arival of the Second Division of the French Fleet, as well as of their Force, and from the fluctuating Situation of our affairs, which may be totally Changed in a Short time by a Variety of Curcumstances which may happen, It appears...
46To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 19 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg pardon for neglecting to answer your Excellency’s kind favour of the 11th Inst:—I shou’d by no means have so long omitted writing had I not known Congress had transmitted every Intelligence of Consequence. I beg leave (tho late) to present your Excellency my congratulatory compliments on the Arrival of the French Fleet & Minister and the pleasing prospect of our Affairs. My wounds are in...
47To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 16 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday that the Boats, Scows, &c. were sent up the River Eleven Miles, to a place called Tohegan, except such as were Necessary here, which, would be secured from the Enemy in case of their approach, since which I have had no direct, and but very imperfect Intelligence from your Excellency, I am at a loss if any part of your Army, has removed from Middlebrook, and...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d is two receipts, one from Earl Percy for twenty Six prisoners deliver’d him the 8th Instt; the other from John Read (Secretary to Sir Peter Parker) for seventy Seamen receiv’d from Mr Clarke, and Capt. John Havens, those receiv’d from the latter I have Inclose’d a particular list of, which with those deliver’d Earl Percy amount to Fifty, who were received from New Hampshire, the...
49To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the honor receiving Your Excellencys favor of the 13th Inst., by General Du Portail, every Aid in my power will be given him in the execution of his intended Plan, and as your Excellency has done me the honor to recommend him to my attention, It will give me a very sensible pleasure to shew him every posible Civility. I have for a long time flatter’d myself that the Enemy would...
50To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 31 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favor of the 26th was delivered me on the 28th by Mr Gamble, together with one from Colo. Stewart C.G. of Issues of the same Date. Agreeable to Your Excellency’s Directions and Colo. Stewarts request, I have ordered to Kings Ferry five hundred & fifty Barrels of Flour, leaving about five Days Issues in the Magazine, for the Use of the Troops in Garrison & the Posts in its...