101Board of War to ——, 25 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office, Williamsburg, 25 Mch. 1780 . Sell or immediately exchange the six horses reported totally unfit for service by Captain Charles Fearer and replace them with suitable mounts. Signed by James Innes and George Lyne. Countersigned by TJ. RC (Mrs. Earl McMillen, Atlanta, Georgia, 1963); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand except for signatures.
102To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 4 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Some men having arrived in Town who were enlisted under the Act for raising soldiers sailors and marines, The Board of War recommend to the Executive to Order the sailors on board of some of the armed vessells of this state, and the soldiers and marines to join the state Garrison Regiment which is very weak. Tr in Board of War Letter Book ( MiU-C ).
103To George Washington from the Board of War, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, c.31 Dec. 1778. On 1 Jan. 1779 GW wrote Brig. Gen. William Smallwood : “The inclosed was addressed to me by the Board of War at the request of Mr Rutherford.”
104To George Washington from the Board of War, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is a copy of a letter we have just dispatched to Lt Colo. White. We thought if these suspicions were well founded that it was of consequence your Excellency should be made acquainted with the facts; & they might coincide with other circumstances which may fall within your immediate knowledge. If any satisfactory intelligence should be recd it shall be forwarded without delay. We...
105From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 19 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
On a conjectural view of the money likely to come in to the Treasury between this and the 15th. of June, and on estimates of the several demands on the public for money with in the same period we find it will be necessary to restrain the amount of Warrants to be issued hereafter to about two thirds of what would have been a full supply. We Allot therefore as follows. To the Commissaries...
106Council of War, 12 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Gen. McDougals Qua⟨rters⟩ Sept. 12. 1776. Present His Excelly Gen. Washington. Major Gen. Puttnam[,] Heath[,] Spencer[,] Green[,] Brigr Gen. Mifflin[,] Parsons[,] McDougal[,] Nixon[,] Wadsworth[,] Scott[,] Fellows[,] Clinton. The General read a Letter signed by some general Officers proposing that there should be a Reconsideration of the Matter determined in Council...
107From George Washington to the Board of War, 13 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd the inclosed from Capt. Von Heer. As I do not know how he has been supplied heretofore with the Articles he now calls for, I cannot determine upon the propriety of the present application. I can only say, if it appears that they are necessary, he ought to be furnished with them—If The Quarter Master supplied him in the first instance with Horses he can I suppose remember...
108From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 13 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The act of May 1779. under which Mr. Blunt has been last Drafted refers to one of October 1778 as to the method of determining who were Subjects of that Draught. This act says the justices and the Field Officers shall lay Off the militia into Districts, each of which districts shall furnish a man. The justices and field Officers then are made Judges who shall be deemed to be of the Militia and...
109Council of War, 3 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
At a Council held at Cambridge Head Quarters August 3d 1775 Present his Excelly General Washington. Major Gens. Ward—Lee & Puttnam Brigader Gens. Thomas Sullivan Heath Green Spencer Gates The General communicated sundry Letters respecting the State of the Ammunition which appears to be far short of the Return made some Time ago, & having explained in what Manner the Mistake had happened...
110From George Washington to the Board of War, 31 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Not having been as yet made acquainted with the Mode proposed for remounting the Regiments of Dragoons, or whether it is expected that the Horses for this service will be furnished by the Continent, or the States to which the Regiments are now assigned—I could wish to be informed of the intentions of Congress & that Measures might be adopted to put the Cavalry on a respectable footing for...
111Enclosure No. 4: Copy of a Letter from Major General Greene to Major General Lincoln, Secretary at War, 5 February 1783 (Hamilton Papers)
An idle surmise of Mr. Banks, and an improper curiosity of General Scott in the State of Virginia, may give an unjust complexion to the late transaction respecting the measures taken to obtain clothing, as the Governor of Virginia writes, that it was considered a mere speculation for private emolument. For fear, such rumors should spread to my disadvantage, I take the liberty to enclose you a...
112To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have the Honour to transmitt your Excellency Copy of a Letter to Congress from Brigadier General Irvine referred to the Board. As we think this like all other Disputes about Rank should go in the usual Line we request your Excellency will be pleased to lay it before a Board of Officers & on your Certificate we will report to Congress. As Col. Magaw who is absent may perhaps be affected by...
113From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 22d accompanied by the Returns of sundry of the additional and detached Corps, from which, and from those which I had been enabled to collect in and near the Army I have furnished the respective States with a tolerably accurate account of the deficiencies of their Quotas. I have informed them, that should any more Men appear to their Credit upon a full...
114To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 12 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Philadelphia ] , 12 Dec. 1780. Case of 1st Lt. Thomas Warner, formerly of the 7th Va. Continental Line, for whom no vacancy is now available in the Virginia Line, though it has been recommended and agreed that “in all Cases where the Places of Prisoners were filled by junior Officers they should retire on the Officers Exchange whose places they filled.” This information is...
115From George Washington to the Board of War, 16 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 12th and 13th. I am much obliged to you for the step you took respecting the city-horse; their services here at this juncture will be extremely useful. I write to His Excellency the President requesting they may be sent forward. I shall have no objection to Lt. Col. Conolly’s having the indulgence he asks though I should wish his going in to be postponed...
116Council of War, 16 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers held at Head Quarters in Cambridge [16]th January 1776. Present The Commander in Chief laid before the Council a State of the Regiments in the Continental Army, the consequent Weakness of the Lines, and in His Judgement, the indispensible necessity of making a Bold attempt to Conquer the Ministerial Troops in Boston, before they can be reinforced in the Spring,...
117Note for Report on Prisoners of War, [29 July] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 19, VI, 399). Having received Washington’s letter of 9 July enclosing copies of his correspondence with Sir Guy Carleton concerning a possible exchange of American seamen for British soldiers ( Virginia Delegates to Harrison, 16 July 1782 , and n. 9), Congress on 15 July referred these dispatches to a committee comprising John Witherspoon, JM, and John Rutledge ( JCC...
118From Benjamin Franklin to All Captains and Commanders of Vessels of War, [18 May 1779] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society The Bearer of this, Mr. George F. Norton, a Native of Virginia, and returning thither with his Family, has, during his Residence in England, manifested on all Occasions his Attachment to the Cause of Liberty, and his Compassion towards his Countrymen confin’d in the English Prisons, many of whom he has assisted in their Distresses with a liberal...
119To George Washington from the Board of War, 30 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board do themselves the honor to inclose to your Excellency, the proceedings of a General Court Martial, held at Philadelphia on the 19th instant, for the Trial of Capt. Coren, & Capt. Lieutenant Godfrey. With respect to Capt. Coren, the board beg leave to transmit the proceedings of another Court Martial on a former occasion, conceiving it to be proper that Your Excellency should be...
120From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14th Instant I received on Saturday Evening. The Release of Genl Thompson is what I wish much to effect. No circumstances have arisen since his captivity by which it could be accomplished. Your Letter is the first & only information, I have had respecting Genl Hamiltons desire of being exchanged & remaining in America, having never received a Line from Genl Gates or any...
121From George Washington to Board of War, 28 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Letter from Doctr Craick of the Hospital, is of so much Importance, that I cannot omit to transmit it to your Board—& to enforce it with my Warmest Desire that its Request may be complied with in the shortest Time possible—The Exhausted Condition of this State admits no Relief—our only Hope is from you—the Importance of the Soldiers life to our Service, is too well known to you,...
122From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 23 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board approves of the whole of the foregoing measures except as follows. They think the particular works of defence [to] be constructed at York had better be referred to the Engineers of this State and of our Allies on view of the ground; and under the controul of Col. Marshall and the commanding Officer of the French. They are of opinion that the application to the State of North Carolina...
123From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with yours of the 31st Augt and 3d instants. Hallet was safely delivered to me by Lt Colo. Washington and I sent him up to Govr Clinton, with an account of his conduct, similar to that which you have transmitted to me. I agree with you in opinion, that the Standard, with the Union and Emblems in the Centre, is to be preferred—with this addition, the number of the Regt and...
124To George Washington from the Board of War, 28 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 23d I have given Orders to the Comissy Genl of Military Stores in Consequence. As many Colours as possible shall be provided but until we recieve the Articles from France, of which we have lately had agreeable Accounts, we cannot have the Standards prepared agreeably to the Plan proposed vizt to have two for every regt—one the Standard...
125To George Washington from the Board of War, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lt Colo. Connolly has a son about ten years old who is an ensign in the 17th regt British. His parents are anxious to get him into New York to put him to school. His father wrote a letter to your Excellency requesting your permission for his going in on parole: but as that letter may have miscarried, and the lad’s mother has repeatedly importuned us on the subject, We beg leave to ask your...
126From George Washington to the Board of War, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 29th ulto I barely expressed our want of shoes. I did not then know the extent of our wants, or that there was not a single pair in the hands of the Cloathier at Camp to supply them. A considerable part of the Army is now returned unfit even for fatigue duty in these stony Grounds, and should circumstances require a move we must inevitably be deprived of the services of a number...
127To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 18 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 18 Feb. 1780 . Encloses a plan of forming the detachment of troops to be sent to South Carolina, with an estimate of camp apparatus needed. This plan proposes augmentation of garrison regiment to man the forts intended to be erected, and retention of part of artillery regiment for a laboratory, which must be established to equip artillery in the field. Two letters are enclosed to...
128To George Washington from the Board of War, 12 October 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 12 Oct. 1776. On 22 Oct. Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to the Board of War: “I am directed by his Excellency, whose business has called him from hence, to acknowledge his receipt of your Favors of the 12th and 15th Instt, and to inform you in Answer to the first, that he will mention the case of the French Gentn to Genl Lee, and obtain his Opinion as to...
129Comments on the Cost of the War, [31 July] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed copy ( Thomson, “Debates,” Charles Thomson, “Debates in the Congress of the Confederation from July 22d to September 20th, 1782,” Collections of the New-York Historical Society , XI (1878), 63–169. p. 75). See Comments on Instructions to Peace Commissioners, 24 July 1782 , headnote. On 31 July 1782 Congress resumed the debate begun the day before on the problem of how, in view of an...
130Motion on Exchange of Prisoners of War, [22 August] 1781 (Madison Papers)
Printed text ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al ., eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (34 vols.; Washington, 1904–37). , XXI, 893). On motion of Mr. [James] Madison, seconded by Mr. [Edmund] Randolph, Resolved , That in case General Burgoyne shall have been exchanged for the honble Henry Laurens, credit shall be given for the officers which may be received for him in the...
131From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed plan for the establishment of a corps of Engineers has been submitted to me by General Du Portail. I now return it to the Board accompanied with my remarks on such parts of it as appeared to me to require them. These have been first communicated to General Du Portail. With great respect & esteem I have the honor to be Gentlemen Yr Most Obed. servt. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s...
132To George Washington from the Board of War, 19 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
So many of the soldiers are taken from the ranks for various purposes, and so many troops detached for the defence of the frontiers, that ’tis with much regret we intimate the necessity of detaching more: yet the facts stated in the inclosed papers seem to require it. The letter from Lt Colo. Dorrance was brought down by Lieut. Buck, who will have the honour of delivering this to your...
133To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 21 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 21 Mch. 1780 . Agreement with Mr. Moody for himself and others for compensation for labor in the service of the state for five years. Signed by Innes and Barron. Countersigned: “Mar 23. 1780. The Executive agree to the Articles of contract proposed by the Board of War with Mr. Moody restraining the determination of the term to five years or the end of the war if it shall sooner...
134From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Letter of the 6th Instt, and beg leave to assure you, that I shall not only be always ready to rectify any Error which I may commit through hurry or Otherwise, but be happy to have them pointed out. I have not the proceedings of Congress at this time, which would apply to the subject matter of your Letter, and therefore, cannot pronounce upon it with certainty...
135From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General Knox, at my direction, has made out an estimate of military stores wanted for the expected cooperation dated the 3d instant, which he has transmitted to the Board. I have carefully examined it and find it not to exceed the necessary quantity, nor ought we to undertake a decisive operation on a more contracted scale. I must therefore entreat the Board to employ every expedient...
136From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your letters of the 9 and 16th Inst. upon the subject of paying the arrearages of Cloathing due to the Army for the year 1777 —I have drawn up the inclosed rough plan, which contains the heads of what, in my opinion, will be necessary to establish some general Regulations for a settlement with the line of the Army at large. That justice may be equally distributed to the...
137To George Washington from the Board of War, 7 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board are desirous of seeing Capt. Bowman of the Jersey Troops, on the subject of his command at Squan, during the last Winter & Spring, & would be much obliged to your Excellency to order him to repair to Philadelphia without delay. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Yr Excellency’s Most obed. Hble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison docketed this...
138From George Washington to the Board of War, 30 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit you an Arrangement of the Officers in the Maryland line—and have to request, that you will take the earliest Occasion that may offer to make out and forward Commissions agreable to it, except in the cases of No. 46—Benjamin Garnett 1st Lieut. 5 Reg. 13 Oct. 78 47—Parker Hall Lee do 4 do 16 do do 53—William Trueman Stoddart do 5 do 21 May 79
139From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 15 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The board advise the approbation of the proposition from the board of War for building a small magazine at Staunton; but that it be paid for in money, and not by a sale of any of the rifles, these being already ordered to be delivered to the two Western Battalions now raising. They approve also of what is proposed as to the cattle. They advise that no particular supply of Clothing be sent for...
140To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board have the honor to inclose the copy of a letter from Coll Broadhead for your Excellency’s consideration. The Military Stores are already forwarded agreeable to your request of sometime ago; And the board have reported to Congress, that six blank commissions should be sent to Col. Broadhead, to be filled up with the Names of such faithful Indians of the Delaware Tribe, as he shall...
141To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honour to inclose you a letter from the board to Major General Howe at West Point, relative to the provisions to be thrown into that post. We submit it to your Excellency’s inspection; and if you judge it necessary, you will be pleased to alter or add to our instructions on the subject. We subjoined a direction concerning the stores at the post not wanted for immediate use...
142From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received a Letter from Colo. Spencer dated at Wyoming the 22d Ulto—inclosing a List of the Officers that remain in service of his—Malcoms—& Formans Regiments—I determined sometime ago to incorporate them —and now transmit an arrangement of the whole —upon which the Board will be pleased to issue Commissions where they have not been issued in consequence of the arrangement of the two...
143To George Washington from the Board of War, 31 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of Mr Boudinot’s information handed to us by your Excellency in May last, relative to a Mr Hallet, then Chaplain to the Confederacy, he was brought before us and examined. We found he had formerly recd from your Excellency recruiting orders to raise an independent company; which not being able to effect, he was about January 1778 discharged, after settling his accounts, as...
144To George Washington from Four British Prisoners of War, 5 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Providence, 5 May 1776 . Ask GW to consider their “unhappy situation. . . . at present we are confin’d in a criminals Goal, which smells intollerably, no manner of Bed to lay on, or even allowd so much as a Blanket to cover us. . . . we understand this treatment is occasion’d by a Mr Stanhope, having forfeited his parole.” LS , DLC:GW . Although this letter is docketed in Robert Hanson...
145From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I wrote to Congress a few days ago, I took the liberty to recommend uniting the remains of the late Count Pulaski’s legion—Colo. Armands Corps—and a small troop of Horse under the command of Capt. Bedkin. The whole to be under the command of Colo. Armand. Should Congress determine upon the measure—Colo. Armand wishes the Resolve, for the incorporation of the Corps, should be...
146To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 5 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 5 Apr. 1780 . Encloses Maj. Quarles’ return of men raised in his last tour; Quarles “complains extremely” of inattention of county lieutenants to the execution of laws which fall within their departments. He has also applied for compensation for his services; six hundred dollars per month is recommended. Signed by Innes and Barron. Countersigned: “April 5. 1780. I approve of the...
147To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 30 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The board do themselves the honor to transmit to you, a resolution of congress of the 23d. instant also a resolution of the 11th. of april last, by which you will discover that they depend upon the arrears of specific supplies for the last campaign which have not yet been furnished by the different States to make good their engagements with the Court of France. As the honor and faith of the...
148From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Board of War, 8 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the last return of the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, I discover a number of Vacancies, which for want of a knowledge of Gentlemen competent to the duties of an Officer I can not fill up—I must therefore beg the favour of You to perform this important business for me. The distractions occasioned in Battalions by irregular Promotions and bad Appointments are too generally known not to have...
149To Thomas Jefferson from the Continental Board of War, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board have recieved a Letter from Col. Rawlins Commissary of Prisoners at Fort Frederick in Maryland informing of the Approach of the first Division of the Convention Troops towards that Post. We have given Directions to Major Foresythe to superintend the Supplies of all these Troops as well those at their former Station as those at Fort Frederic. We propose that one half of the Supplies...
150From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
If Major Lee’s Corps is still at Philadelphia or within its vicinity—or has not advanced more than three or four days march towards the Southward—I request that You will order it to join this army as soon as it can be done. His Horse in particular is infinitely wanted at this time. I inclose a Letter for him on this subject. The Enemy are out in force in Jersey and liejust below Sp[r]ingfield....