391Council of War, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers, held at Neshamini Camp, in Bucks County the 21st day of August 1777. Present His Excellency, the Commander in Cheif, Major Generals Greene[,] Lord Stirling[,] Stephen[,] Marquis Fayette[,] Brigadiers Genl Maxwell[,] Knox[,] Wayne[,] Muhlenburgh[,] Weedon[,] Woodford[,] Scot[,] Conway. The Commander in Cheif informed the Council that the British Fleet left the...
392To George Washington from the Board of War, 8 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Board have been honoured with yours of the 2d instant relative to the Massachussetts Line. The Commns were delayed by some Embarrassments thrown in the Way by the Government of the State who had made Appointments clashing with the Arrangement as made at Camp & as now confirmed by Congress agreeably to a Report of the Board. These Difficulties being removed the Commissions are now ready &...
393To George Washington from the Board of War, 10 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Congress appointed for the purpose having met the board this morning, after a full consideration of the subject, the following route was agreed on for the march of the Virginia troops to South Carolina; viz. Those troops to embark at Trenton with their baggage & proceed to Christeen, & cross to the Head of Elk; there to embark again & proceed down the bay to Williamsburg,...
394From George Washington to the Board of War, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 19th I received the Honor of Your Letter of the 9th and knowing how very essential harmony is to promote our Affairs and to bring them to a happy conclusion—I was much concerned to find, that there was a cause of difference between You and General Sullivan. I inclose a Copy of a Letter of this date which I have written to Congress in consequence of your Letter upon the subject, in which...
395Council of War, 27 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers, held at Head Quarters June 27. 1776. Present his Excelle. General Washington Brig. Generals: Heath, Spencer, Green, Ld Stirling, Mifflin & Scott. The General communicated to the Council the Proceedings of the Court Martial on Thomas Hickey—when he was unanimously advised to confirm the Sentence & that it be put in Execution tomorrow at 11 oClock, For which...
396To George Washington from the Board of War, 3 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Board have to acknowledge the Reciept of your Excellency’s Letters of January 10th, 31st & Feby 19th & 23d. The two first should have been answered sooner but the first was mis laid & we waited to have the Determination of Congress on the Subject of the second which is not yet recieved. It is a standing Instruction to the Commissaries of Hides to make Leather Caps out of all Leather which...
397From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit You the arrangements of Jackson’s—Webbs & Moylans Regiments—and also a List of promotions to be made in Spencers & the Three Regiments belonging to Jerseys. The want of Commissions in these several instances, is a subject of pressing application, & in many of them, of great dissatisfaction and complaint. I entreat that the Board will have them made out and...
398From George Washington to the Board of War, 16 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favors of the 12th Instant. If the provisions and stores, which are in the Southern States, can be transported by water, it will without question be infinitely more eligible, than the present mode of conveyance, which is and must be attended with great delay and vast expence. The vessels to be employed in this business, I should suppose, ought to be small and...
399To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Board of War, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed copy of a letter which we have received this morning from our signal at Cape henlopen, your Excellency will be informed of the appearance of several of the Enemy’s ships in our Bay —whether this is intended as a feint, or a real attack upon this City, we are yet at a loss to determine, but as our defence on the river is greatly weakened by a detatchment of our state Regiment of...
400George Washington to the Board of War, 29 July 1776 (Adams Papers)
At length I have been able to comply with the first part of a Resolution of Congress of the 27 Ultimo relative to a return of the vacancies in the Several Regiments composing that part of the Army under my immediate command. I thought to have made this Return much sooner, but the dispersed situation of our Troops—the constant duty they are upon—the difficulty of getting returns when this is...
401To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
There are about four hundred of the Oneidas & Tuscaroras in & about Schenectady who from their Attachment to the Cause of the United States have been under the Necessity of abandoning their Settlements & taking Refuge under the Protection of the United States. These People are extremely wretched being destitute of Clothing & but precariously supplied with Provisions. It is unfortunately but...
402From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Letters of the 7th & 10th Instant. With respect to the matters submitted by the first—The Commissary General of Military Stores has certainly a right to direct in every thing relative to the execution of the public works, under his care—and every Officer stationed at the Laboratories is bound so far, to follow his directions. The rank of Lieut. Colonel which he...
403Council of War, 29 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Long Island, Augt 29. 1776. Present His Excellency, The Comander in Cheif[.] Majors General Putnam[,] Spencer. Brigrs Genls Mifflin[,] McDougall[,] Parsons[,] Scott[,] Wadsworth[,] Fellows. It was submitted to the consideration of the Council whether under all circumstances It would not be Eligable to Leave Long Island & Its Dependencies & remove the Army to New...
404From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Mr Stoddart’s Letter of the 28th of August, with a Copy of the Resolution of the 12th, to which it refers. I see, for the reasons mentioned, that there will be a good deal of difficulty in making out the List of the Officers directed by the Act—and I am sorry that I have it not in my power to give the Board the assistance I could wish; but such as I can render they shall most...
405From George Washington to the Board of War, 29 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
At length I have been able to comply with the first part of a Resolution of Congress of the 27 Ulto relative to a return of the vacancies in the Several Regiments composing that part of the Army under my immediate command. I thought to have made this Return much sooner, but the dispersed situation of our Troops—the constant duty they are upon—the difficulty of getting returns when this is the...
406Council of War, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Middle Brook April 10th 1779. Present The Commander in Chief[,] Major Genls Sullivan[,] Greene[,] Ld Stirling[,] St Clair[,] D’Kalb, [Brigadier Generals] Smallwood[,] Knox[,] Woodford. The Commander in Chief states to the Council, that since the last meeting of Commissioners on the subject of an exchange of Prisoners, the result of which is contained...
407To George Washington from the Board of War, 8 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lewis (a Brother Deligate) has given Congress Information that Application had been made to your Excellency by a Flag from Genl Howe to permit Mrs Watts & Mrs Barrow the Pay Masters Wife to go to their Husbands in New York and at the same Time requested Congress to assi[s]t him with their Authority to obtain the Release of his Lady whom the Enemy would not permit to come out—the House...
408Council of War, 9 July 1775 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Cambridge July 9th 1775. Present His Excelly General Washington M. Generals Ward B. Genls Thomas Lee Heath Putman Greene Gates. The General laid before the Council a Letter from Mr Warren President of the Congress of Massachusetts Bay inclosing a Letter from Mr Gerry of Marblhead dated July 8th. 1. A Question was proposed & considered viz. What is the...
409From George Washington to the Board of War, 12 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inclose You the Commissions of Lts Emerson & Baxton of the 11th Massachusetts Regiment which it seems are wrong. Mr Emerson is intitled to rank, it is reported, from the 7th of November 1777 and Mr Baxton also as a Lieutenant from the same date. It seems unfortunately that there are many Errors in the Captains & Inferior Officers Commissions in this line, occasioned by the...
410From the Continental Board of War, enclosing a Letter to James Wood, 24–26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the Resolution of Congress relative to the removal of the Convention Troops they have been pleased to refer the Matter to this Board to take Order and we have given the enclosed Instructions to Col. Wood who has the Superintendance of those Troops and he is gone forward to put those Orders in Execution which are expressive of the sense of Congress on the Subject. The Instructions will...
411To George Washington from the Board of War, 5 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have the Honour to enclose an Extract of a Letter from Mr Henry of Lancaster on the Subject of Hides whereby we find little good Effect has been produced from the Order you were pleased to give at our Instance for 2,000 to be sent to Philadelphia. The general Account of the Hides in Mr Hatfield’s Care deserves serious Attention & Enquiry as, if it be true, great Mismanagement must appear on...
412To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 16 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board, from a variety of circumstances, think it probable that the British army may intend some Offensive operations against this State the ensuing Winter. Not only the exposed position of this Country, and its particular situation so favorable to the plans of predatory warfare, lead them to this opinion, but they are Strengthened in it, by the unsuccessful Attempt on the Savannah, and the...
413From George Washington to Board of War, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return from Newport three days ago, I found your favor of the 3d. I look upon the procuring shoes and Accoutrements to be so much more essential than that of Caps that I would not wish the matters carried into execution while there is the least danger of its interfering with the manufacture of those necessary articles. I recommended the measure upon a presumption that there would be...
414To George Washington from the Rhode Island Council of War, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
We had the Honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 29th Ultimo, inclosing a return of the Rhode Island Regiments; it gives us very sensible Pain, when we consider the deficiency in our Battalions, and how impracticable it is for us at present to remedy it. We have ever esteemed it of the highest and most important consequence to have the Continental Battalions compleat, for which...
415From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit You the Arrangement of Harrison’s—Lamb’s, Crane’s & proctor’s Battallions of Artillery, on which You will be pleased to issue Commissions. The Relative ranks of the Field Officers & of all Captains as well those belonging to separate Companies as to the Battallions are set down after the Regimental arrangements, with the proper numbers against each, by which their...
416From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favours of the 7th and 9th. It is infinitely to be lamented, that the Clothiers department still remains on so undecided and precarious a footing—The Board’s observation on the present expedient is evidently just. Our prospects for the future supply of cloathing from every thing that has come to my knowlege are truly deplorable. I am happy in the measures persuing to...
417Council of War, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Morris Town the 27th day of March 1780. Major Generals Brigadier Generals St Clair Clinton DeKalb Maxwell Knox Hand Gist The Commander in Chief states to The Council, that by his latest advices from South Carolina Sir Henry Clinton was arrived there with the force under his command and about the beginning of this month was advanced as far as...
418To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Board of War, 19–21 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
In the course of this week we have been very fortunate in detecting the stratagems of a number of secret enemies, and of intercepting a letter intended to convey intelligence to the enemy of the present state of our affairs. We have apprehended a Woman, who, we are informed has been three times to Brunswick, and has brought several letters from that place to people in this City. We have great...
419Council of War, 13 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers held at General Ward’s Quarters, Roxbury March 13 1776. Present His Excellency General Washington His Excellency the Commander in Chief inform’d the Council, That from the present appearance of the Ministerial Fleet and Army—The intelligence he had receiv’d from sundry Persons who had escaped from Boston, and from frequent observations, he had reason to believe...
420Council of War, 16 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers held at Head Quarters in Cambridge 16th Febry 1776. Present His Excellency the Commander in Chief Informed the Council that in consequence of the Resolutions of Two Councils of War, held at this place on the 16th & 18th Ulto he had applied to this Government, Connecticut & New Hampshire for the Regiments then Voted. That those Regiments were come & coming in,...
421To George Washington from the Board of War, 18 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
When Capt. Joel was committed to our Charge we thought it proper to examine him & among a Variety of Matter of an unimportant Nature he informed us of there being a Major General in the Service of America who was in British pay. As we conceived this to be a Tale calculated to magnify his Importance or to extract Money from the public we contented ourselves with mentioning the Circumstance to...
422From George Washington to the Board of War, 25 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your several Letters of the 17th—19th & 20, which the constant movements of the Army have prevented me from answering till this time. With respect to the subject of the first and of the Letter it inclosed for General Howe—I beg leave to inform the Board it had long since claimed my particular attention and every measure had been taken by me that appeared practicable...
423To George Washington from a Council of War, 9 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having maturely considered the state of facts and representations submitted to us in Council, by His Excellency the Commander in Chief, with a request, that “each member, after a full and candid discussion of the matter in council would furnish him with his sentiments on some general plan, which considering all circumstances, ought to be adopted for the operations of the ensuing campaign.” We...
424To George Washington from the Board of War, 27 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to enclose several Resolutions of Congress relative to two Expeditions intended to be undertaken against the Indians. Had our Affairs permitted an earlier Attention to this Business or our Abilities in the Articles of supply enabled us sooner to proceed in it much Distress to the Inhabitants of the Frontiers would have been avoided. But as the principal Armies were our...
425To George Washington from the Board of War, 22 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The board do themselves the honor to forward returns of Maj. Lee’s Corps, Von Heers Corps, Schots Corps—& of five Companies of the German Regiment, which are all the returns they have, of those requested in your Excellencys favors of the 15th & 18th instant. Col. Armand is now in the City, & is directed to have a return of his Corps prepared; which will be forwarded as soon as finished—but...
426To George Washington from the Board of War, 9 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit your Excellency, copies of sundry Letters from south Carolina, giving intelligence of the Military operations in that quarter. I have the Honor to be with the highest respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and very Hble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Board of War secretary pro tempore Joseph Carleton apparently enclosed copies of three letters: Maj. Gen. Benjamin...
427To George Washington from the Board of War, 3 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
We beg leave to inclose to you copies of two letters to Congress from Baron Steuben & Mr Galvan, the originals of which have been referred to this board. Baron Steuben & Baron de Kalb have written to us on the subject of those letters; and we have seen your Excellency’s certificate relative to Mr Galvan. From the whole, as well as from our own observation in repeated conversations, we are...
428From George Washington to Board of War, 30 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 22d instant inclosing the heads of two plans for the incorporation of the departments of Qr Mr General and Commissaries General of purchases and Issues and that of the Commissary of prisoners in some degree, the whole to be under the direction of the Quarter Master General—If there is an absolute necessity for such a reform, I do not hesitate in...
429Council of War, 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers held at Head Quarters in Cambridge 2d November 1775. Present The General acquainted The Council that it had been resolved at a meeting held with a Committee from the Continental Congress, and The Governours of The Adjacent Colonies, That such Officers as have served in the present Army to approbation, and are willing to Stay, be preferred. If there are more of...
430To Benjamin Franklin from the Massachusetts Board of War, 8 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society We are honord with yours of the 17th February and made happy in being acquainted by it of the Alliance lately formed between his most Christian Majesty and the united States of America, in which, considering our Scituation, that young Monarch hath evidenced a dignity of Mind, which will be of more lasting honor than can be conferrd by a Crown....
431Draft of a Proposed Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, [10–11 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
A Treaty and Convention for the Exchange and Accommodation of Prisoners of War, made between the Armies of The United States of America and The Kingdom of Great Britain; and for other purposes therein specified. Whereas on the 30th. day of July, in the year 1776, a proposition was made by His Excellency General Washington to His Excellency General Sir William Howe, and acceded to by him, on...
432From George Washington to the Board of War, 19 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was duely honored with your favor of the 23d of January —The disturbances in some lines of the Army, and the remote situation of others, prevented the new arrangements from coming to hand so early and regularly, as they would otherwise have done—they are now chiefly got in, and you will find, under cover, those of the New Hampshire—Massachusetts—Rhode Island—Connecticut—New York—New Jersey...
433Council of War, 8 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters October 8th 1775. Present His Excelly having on the 5th Instt proposed sundry Questions in Writing to each of the Members of the Council now requested their Opinion on the several Matters referred to their Consideration. 1st What Number of Men are sufficient for a Winters Campaign? Unanimously agreed, that the Army ought not to consist of less than...
434Council of War, 17 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Valley Forge the 17th day of June 1778 His Excellency The Commander in Chief Major Generals Brigadier Generals Lee Smallwood Greene Knox Arnold Poor Sterling Patterson Fayette Wayne Steuben Woodford Mughlenberg Huntington Portail The Commander in Chief informs the council, that from a variety...
435Council of War, 3–4 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Cambridge Octr 3. 1775 Present His Excelly General Washington Majors Generals Ward Brigads. Spencer
436To George Washington from the Board of War, 3 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 26th Ulto. Our Information to you on the Subject of Col: Humpton’s Orders for Boots & Shoes was not intended to be the Occasion of giving you so much Trouble. We are however obliged by your State of the Matter as it will enable us to judge of the Propriety of any future Applications under similar Circumstances. If our Stock of Leather...
437From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive your favors of the 30th & 31st Ulto and two of the 1st Inst.—with the several papers to which they refer. If Lieutenant Colo. Mebane was the oldest Lieut. Colonel in the North Carolina line when Colo. Hogan was promoted to the rank of a Brigadier, he unquestionably according to the principles of rank recomd should be appointed Lieutenant Colonel Commandant —and...
438Council of War, 6 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
A Council of War held at Head Quarters Morris Town June 6th 1780 Major Generals Brigadier Generals Greene Knox Stirling Hand La Fayette Huntington Steuben Starke Irvine The Commander in Chief states to the Council, that The Court of France had generously determined, and had signified their intention, to send a considerable land and naval succour to this Continent, which was to have sailed from...
439Enclosure: Major General Steuben to the Board of War, January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Delivered to the Board of War by Major General steuben on Friday Jany 28th 1780. The incomplete state & Extreme inequality of our Regiments of Infantry, against all good Order and regular formation, induced me last Campaign to present to H[is] E[xcellency] the Commander in Chief a Plan of formation for an Order of Battle, in which I joined Two and three Regiments together in Order to form a...
440Council of War, 1 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters in Camp at White plains Septr 1st 1778 Present The Commander in Chief Major Genls Brigadr Generls Putnam Nixon Gates Parsons Stirling Jas Clinton Lincoln Smallwood D’Kalb Knox McDougal Poor Paterson Wayne Woodford