451From George Washington to the Board of War, 24 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Arnold, whose trial is now going on, has represented that the Evidence of Colo. Mitchell is so material that he cannot dispense with it—and that without it—his Trial cannot be brought to a conclusion. I had on the application of the General, summoned him to attend, but by a Letter from him of the 17th he has deferred coming till he should receive farther directions, alledging “that the...
452From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your favors of the 11 & 12 Instant. The point with respect to Monsieur Garanger shall be determined as soon, as opportunity will permit. I transmit the Board a General Arrangement of the Officers in the York line to the Captains inclusive—and a particular arrangement of each Regiment; also an Arrangement of the Field Officers in the Pensylvania line and of the 4th P....
453From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have, agreeable to the Resolve of Congres⟨s⟩ of the 12th Novemr, formed a regimental arrangement of the eleven Companies of Artificers at pres[ent] acting in a detached manner under the direction of the Quarter Master General —who I have consulted on the occasion, as being better acquainted with the merits of the Officers, and the nature of the service, than I could possibly be. —I have...
454From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On sunday night I had the honor to receive your favors of the 5th & 7th Instant, with the papers to which they refer. It gave me great pleasure to find, that we were on so respectable a footing in the General articles of Cloathing, and I would fain hope, if we can once get the Troops tolerably supplied, that we shall in future, by proper & timely exertions always keep them well and suitably...
455From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of the 30th Ulto & with Mr Stodderts of the 1st Instant. The request contained in the former has been complied with by a publication in orders. And as it respects Leather & Shoes—I will take the liberty to add—that I think it may not be amiss for the Board to enjoin it on the part of the Commissaries of Hides and other contractors for Shoes—to pay...
456From George Washington to the Board of War, 26 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive Your Letters of the 14th & 17th Instant. With respect to the subject of the first—I beg leave to trouble you with the following state of facts—and to refer you to the inclosures No. 1. 2 & 3—to shew how the business of exchanging hides has been conducted and how far and to what end it has been carried on by my permission. When I returned from Philadelphia in the...
457To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 23 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board advise that the most expeditious measures be immediately adopted, to remove to places of Safety both up James and York river all military Stores of any kind and Sort. That the Garrison Regiment hold itself in readiness to march to York at a momen[ts] warning, Nelsons Corps immediately to proceed to the same place. One third of the Militia of York, Warwick, James City, New Kent and...
458Report on German Prisoners of War, [5 June] 1782 (Madison Papers)
MS ( NA : PCC , No. 28, fols. 67, 75–76). The report and the words, “Rept. of Committee on the German Prisoners,” written parallel with the right-hand margin of the cover, are in JM’s hand. The cover also bears the docket, not by JM: “Report of Comee. respectg. german prisoners Debated May 15. 1782. June 5. 1782. Referred, except the last clause, to the Comr. in chief Secry at War and Super....
459To George Washington from the Board of War, 12 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th inst. We have recieved from Genl Knox an Explanation of his Intentions relative to the Clothing for the Artillery. We have never entertained a Doubt of General Knox’s Uprightness of Intention in any Transaction; but as Appearances were we could not avoid mentioning the Matter & we presume it to have been an Oversight for by the...
460To George Washington from the Board of War, 17–18 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have the Honour of your Excellency’s Letter relative to Capt. Edmondstone to whom we have sent the Directions you mention. We have directed the Clothier Genl to send to Camp a Quantity of Linnen which accidentally came into the Hands of one of the Agents appointed by the Board in a large Purchase made by him for the Army. We are informed that this Linen is of a Quality fit for Officers &...
461From George Washington to the Board of War, 12 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 3d instant on the subject of Mr Galvan—My opinion of the qualifications of this Gentleman correspond with that of the Board; but I could not by any means recommend a compliance with his pretensions, though I should be glad to see him in some station which would afford him an opportunity of employing his talents usefully—The situation he has been in, in our...
462Council of War, 12 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers held at Head Qrs at Middle Brook, the 12th day of June 1777. Present His Excellency, the Commander in Cheif[.] Majors General Greene[,] Lord Stirling[,] Stephen[,] Lincoln[.] Brigadrs Maxwell[,] Knox[,] Varnum[,] Wayne[,] Muhlenberg[,] Weedon[,] Woodford[,] Scott[,] Conway. His Excellency, the Commander in Cheif, informed the Council, that from various...
463To Thomas Jefferson from the Board of War, 16 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Board of War have had under Consideration the present State of the Westham Foundery, and several papers to them referred relative to a Contract entered into between Mr. Henry the late Governour in Behalf of this State and Mr. David Ross to take of the said Ross two hundred and fifty tons of iron for the use of the public foundery. Previous to their forming any opinion thereupon, they held...
464Case of Unsettled Claims from Dunmore’s War, 9 December 1776 (Madison Papers)
On 29 June 1776, immediately after adopting the “form of government,” or state constitution, which it had framed, the Virginia Convention heeded the eleventh and twenty-second articles by electing a governor (Patrick Henry) and eight members of the Council of State. JM acted as one of the four tellers for each of these elections ( Proceedings of the Convention , May 1776, pp. 78–79; Hening,...
465Council of War, 16 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Present Major Generals Gates[,] Green[,] De Kalb[,] McDougall[,] Steuben[,] Brigadier Generals Nixon[,] Parsons[,] Smallwood[,] Knox[,] Patterson[,] Wayne[,] Hand. The Commander in Chief informs the Council, that the enemy’s whole force in these States still continue in two principal divisions one at New York and its dependencies consisting of about thirteen thousand—the other on Rhode Island...
466From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
The state of our magazines in the article of powder is truly distressing. We have scarcely a sufficiency for the ordinary demands of the service; and should be utterly unable to undertake any enterprise which might require a more than common expenditure however necessary it might be, or however other circumstances might invite to it. An interesting question was lately agitated respecting an...
467To George Washington from the Board of War, 30 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
The great distress of the Army for want of Blankets induced the board sometime since to attempt to import them from New York. this however they would have been very averse to, if they had not been absolutely certain there were no other possible means of procuring them. Previous to their taking this step, they applied to Congress for a secret Committee to confer with them on the measure; and...
468From George Washington to the Board of War, 31 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of Your Letter of the 9th Inst., inclosing One to the Board from Lt Colo. Forrest of the Maryland line. I have written to him on the subject of his application, and ordered a Court Martial to sit for the trial of the Officer he has arrested and to transmit me the proceedings, as soon as they are finished. The point mentioned by the Board respecting the Arms & Accoutrements...
469To George Washington from the Board of War, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s letter of the 18th instant; and to enable us to comply with your demands for shot & shells & the other principal articles in general Knox’s returns, we laid before Congress the estimates of which the inclosed are copies; & reported the resolutions thereon which Congress were pleased to adopt, copies of which are likewise herewith transmitted. In...
470Council of War, 28 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Qrs at Pennibeckers Mill the 28th day of Septr 1777. Present His Excellency, the Commander in Chief. Majors Genl Sullivan[,] Greene[,] Ld Stirling[,] Stephens[,] Armstrong. Brigadr Genls McDougal[,] Maxwell[,] Smalwood[,] Knox[,] Wayne[,] Muhlenberg[,] Nash[,] Weedon[,] Scott[,] Conway[,] Potter[,] Irvine. Besides these, John Cadwalader & Joseph Read Esqrs....
471To George Washington from the Board of War, 17 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have been favoured with yours of the 8th Instant. We have the Honour to enclose a Copy of the Paragraph in our Letter of the 18th Ulto to Otis & Henley relative to the Cloathing for Colo. Sheldon’s Regt. The Measures we have been enabled to take for the Equipment of the Cavalry have been very much confined by the situation of the Public Finances which are in so miserable a Condition that we...
472Council of War, 18 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War, held at Head Quarters in Cambridge Jany 18 1776 Present His Excellency General Washington His Excellency the Commander in Chief laid before the Council, Letters received last night from Majr Genl Schuyler, inclosing copies of Letters from Brigadier General Worcester Colonel Arnold, & Colo. Donald Campbell, containing the melancholy account of the death of General...
473From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been successively honored with your favors of the 19th—24th—25th—26th—and 30th ulto with the several enclosures to which they refer. I am at a loss to know the meaning of the Board in transmitting the representation of the inhabitants of Northumberland in favr of Colo. Weltner—It appears by Govr Reeds letter that there has been one complaining of his Conduct. The one seems a...
474Council of War, 8 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a Council of War held at Head Quarters at Valley Forge the 8th day of May 1778, agreeable to two Resolutions of Congress dated the 18th and 27th of April. Present His Excellency The Commander in Chief Major Generals Gates Brig: Generals Knox Greene Duportail Stirling Mifflin Dela Fayette De Kalb Armstrong Steuben The Commander in Chief informs the Council. That...
475Council of War, 6 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held in Camp Bergen County Septr 6th 1780 Present The Commander in Chief Major General Brigadier General Greene Nixon Huntington Lord Stirling Clinton Starke St Clair Knox Hand Howe Glover Irvine de la Fayette Wayne Steuben
476To George Washington from the Board of War, 28 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Favours of the 21st. We will transmitt to Mr Hughes your Sentiments as to Capt. Swan’s Exchange the Justice whereof he however interested must acknowledge. We only conveyed the Letter having no particular Object in the Completion of Capt. Swan’s Wishes. We return your Excellency our warmest Acknowledgments for the candid & decisive Account you have...
477To George Washington from the Board of War, 25 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have the honor to inclose you the copy of a letter from the Governor of Maryland proposing the exchange of Lt Col. Conolly for Lieut. Col. Ramsay, the eldest prisoner of that rank in the Maryland Line. We will take the liberty of stating to your Excellency the facts that occur to us; respecting Lt Col. Conolly. It appears by the Journals of Congress of Decr 1st 1775, that Conolly & his...
478From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of Your Letters of the 7th & 9th Instt and, in consequence of the former I wrote to sir Henry Clinton on the 11th for the permit You request. As soon as it comes to hand it shall be forwarded to the Board. It is much to be wished that circumstances would admit greater supplies sent for the prisoners, as I am very apprehensive they are materially wanted. Unfortunately...
479From George Washington to The Board of War, 8 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 30th ulto on the subject of Major Francis Murray’s exchange for the Hussian Major Stein lately captured —Had Major Stein been taken by a continental Vessel, a preference in favr of Major Murray would have been totally inadmissible—but all circumstances considered, I do not think our Officers, who are prisoners, should look upon themselves injured, when...
480To George Washington from the Board of War, 11 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Board have been honoured with your Excellency’s several Favors accompanied with Estimates from General Knox respecting the Quantity & Species of ordnance Stores to be provided for the intended offensive Operation —It was with the utmost Difficulty that we could procure, when called upon the last Campaign on the same Subject any considerable Quantities of the Articles principally required....
481To George Washington from the Board of War, 10 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Officers of Col. Proctor’s Regiment have express’d great Uneasiness on Acct of the unsettled Situation of their Rank. They even threaten not to march without their Commissions. The Papers relative to this Regiment were a considerable Time ago sent to General Knox. We beg Leave to suggest to your Excellency the Necessity of arranging this Regiment if it be possible as great Dissatisfaction...
482To George Washington from the Board of War, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have been honoured with your Excellency’s letters of the 22d & 23d instant. In answer to the latter, we have to inform you, that Colo. Hooper has received by our orders 1600 pairs of shoes of Mr Oliphant director of the factory at Allentown, out of which he has supplied Colo. Spencers corps, and the residue he is to send to Wyoming. 1600 pairs now lie here in the clothier’s store packed in...
483From George Washington to the Board of War, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with Your favors of the 18 & 19 Instant. I have directed the Commissary of Prisoners to permit Capn Fetherston (I believe he was only a Lieutenant when taken) to go to New York on parole, subject to be recalled whenever we think proper, unless his absolute exchange is effected, which I would prefer. I have examined and considered the petition of Captain Judd—and it...
484From George Washington to Board of War, 21 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 4th, 5th, and 7th instants—My desire of making myself fully acquainted with the important subject of the last has prevented my answering it before this time. The principle on which you proceeded, of estimating the number of Rations, by the full compliment of the Continental Battalions and Corps, was certainly the only true one, and I find that your...
485From George Washington to the Board of War, 9 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was the evening before the last, honored with yours of the 31st ulto and 3d instant, the latter inclosing the Copy of a letter from Major Lee, to the Board, on the subject of promoting Captains Peyton and McLane of his Corps to the Rank of Majors, and assigning the reasons on which his propositions were founded. In January last, Major Lee transmitted to me a letter from Capt. McLane to him...
486From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Incessant and pressing applications of the Officers—and their real distress for Cloathing, obliges me to repeat my wishes to the Board to obtain the earliest direction of Congress for relieving their wants. They are in a very disagreable situation in this respect, and, unless some mode can be adopted for speedily supplying them, Many will be obliged involuntarily to quit the service—or if...
487Council of War, 31 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Prackness in New Jersey the 31st October 1780 Major Generals Brigadiers Lord Stirling Knox St Clair Glover Fayette Patterson Howe Wayne Hand Huntington Irvine The Commander in Chief states to the Council that since he had the honor to meet them on the 6th September last —Sir Henry Clinton has made a detachment from New York estimated at three thousand...
488To George Washington from the Board of War, 10 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of the Requisitions made by General Knox of Military Stores we had ordered all those under our Direction to be put in Motion towards Philadelphia where many have arrived & more are accumulated than can be guarded or conveniently kept from Injury. We have obtained Loans of Powder & Shells from Virginia & Maryland some whereof have arrived but the most considerable Part we believe...
489From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your favors of the 8th & 10th & also with Mr Stoddert’s of the 6th & 10th. The Virginia Troops having marched, I return the Commissions for the Officers, which the Honble the Board will be pleased to have delivered to Genl Woodford. Those for the Maryland line shall be delivered. If the Company lately commanded by Capn Lee—& Captain porter can be annexed to Colo....
490Notes on a Proposed Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, [10–11 April 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Memorandums Arts: All officers and soldiers, prisoners of war on either side shall be exchanged on the terms and in the manner following. Those first captured shall be first exchanged. Every officer shall be exchanged for one of equal rank, as far as number will apply, except when there are officers, who have been longer in captivity, that cannot be so exchanged; in which case, these shall...
491From Thomas Jefferson to the Continental Board of War, 18 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed you will receive the information you formerly desired on the subject of the barracks ordered to be built at Frederick. Some difference will appear between the report of some gentlemen formerly appointed for that purpose and Colo. Smith ’s letter ; which difference however may be accounted for by their different dates. It is with concern we find that the continent is likely to lose by...
492From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday afternoon honoured with your Two Letters of the 7th & 8th Inst. In consequence of the request contained in the first I have directed Captain Bowman to repair to Philadelphia, who will have the honor of presenting this to the Board. The Sentence against Captain Coren will be published and confirmed in General Orders; but the proceedings at present are at the Adjutant General’s...
493From George Washington to the Board of War, 12 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 2d instant I addressed you particularly on the subject of the want of shoes, and informed you that I had made application to Mess[r]s Mehelm—Hatfeild—and Starr the three nearest Commissaries of Hides, and desired to know what quantity of shoes I might depend upon immediately, and what were their future prospects. I have only recd answers from Mr Mehelm and Capt. Starr—Copies of whose...
494Council of War, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, June 24th 1778. Present The Commander in Chief Major Genls Brigadier Generals Lee Knox Greene Poor Stirling Wayne Fayette Woodford Steuben Patterson Scott Portail. His Excellency informs the Council, that by the latest advices, he has received, the Enemy are in two columns, one on the Allen Town and the other on...
495From George Washington to the Board of War, 9 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The hurried and moving state of the Army would not permit me the Honor before, of acknowledging your several favors of the 21st 25th 27th & 27th and 29 Ulto which were duly received. Your favors also of the 3. 4 & 5 Instant have come safe to hand. I will obtain as soon as I can, the dates of the appointments of the Field Officers in the pensylvania line, which have not been already...
496From George Washington to the Board of War, 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Rect of your Favors of the 18th 19th and 23d Instant, which, from the unsettled Situation of our Affairs, I have not been able to answer before. That of the 18th incloses a List of Stores taken in the Hancok and Adams Continental Ship, and carried into Dartmouth in New England, with a Resolve of Congress to deliver the Muskets, Powder, Lead & Flints to my Order. As the...
497To George Washington from the Board of War, 15 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have the Honour to enclose you Copies of the Proceedings relative to the going in of Generals Philips & Reidesel in which we have endeavored to put the Matter upon as proper a Footing as possible. We suppose the D. Commissary of Prisrs at Elisabeth Town to be furnished with Orders on the former Occasion & therefore we did not give any Directions as from ourselves. We should not have...
498From George Washington to the Board of War, 19 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your several favors of the 25th of Octbr and the 2d 8th 10th and 13th of this month. The boards idea of stopping the bringing forward the several loans mentioned in their letter of the 10th falls in perfectly with mine; And it might also be prudent to diminish at least to their old quantity those accumulated at Philadelphia. With regard to prosecuting the casting of shells...
499From George Washington to the Board of War, 15–17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with yours of the 21st ulto by Capt. Edgar. I should have replied to it sooner, had not my whole time and attention been of late engrossed by endeavouring to raise a supply of provision for the Army. With respect to the Cloathing for Colo. Sheldons Regiment, I think you had best order Messr Otis and Henley to procure a quantity equivalent to a full Corps, and when finished...
500To George Washington from the Board of War, 9 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Board have been honoured with your Excellency’s Favours of the 26th of March & 2d & 4th April. All the Muskett Cartridges made up for a long time past including the whole now on Hand have been made up with Buck Shott agreeably to your Excellency’s Ideas. There are but five hundred Hunting Shirts in the Clothier Generals Store & no Materials for making more. We have been for a long time...