121To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 15 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to address you, this Morning by Lieut. Colo. Govion. The duties of the Line, take up but the smallest part of my time; such are the various matters to be attended to, at these posts, that they are sufficient to perplex the prececion of a Locke, and the Industry of a De Witt. I have now stole a moment, to report to your Excellency, the reasons on which the inclosed Instructions,...
122To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 24 December 1775 (Jay Papers)
As this day has given me Some respite, from the Hurry of Public Business, I embrace the favorable moment to give you some intelligence on our common Concern. The Convention who Elected our Continental Delegates, being unanimous in that choice, and the last Congress having in a full House recognized that act; it was Judged inexpedient by the Present convention, (as they are ^ not ^ a full...
123To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Commander in chief of the American Army informed the Council of General officers conven’d at His quarters last night, that General Sullivan with the Army under His Command had retired on the 29th Ultimo to the North End of Rhode Island, and that the Enemy from the best information the General could obtain, had embarked about Four Thousand Troops on Board of ⟨a⟩ number of...
124To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I sincerely congratulate you on the late Success at Trent Town; it came very seasonable. I have continued here Since my last to you of the 22d Instant; with the Troops under Col. Vose. The Militia greatly Lessening in Number Since the arrival of those Troops, has put it out of my Power to do any thing with the Enemy, but to act on the defensive; indeed we have Scarce force enough to do that;...
125To John Adams from Alexander McDougall, 5 June 1775 (Adams Papers)
While you are anxiously engaged to preserve the rights of your Country, I cannot entertain the least doubt, but you will readily excuse this address, when I assure you, I am induced to it, from a Sincere desire to promote the common cause of America in this City. The Delegates of this Colony who are in Trade, can inform you, I have no private interest, in the Subject on which I now Sollicit...
126To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Thro ^ hurry I enclosed you Yesterday by mistake, another of Col. Huntingtons instead of the enclosure. My recruiting Officer is returned with the most of the leaders of the Gang, but he lost one of them by being too eager to get the whole. one of the Prisoners says the Enemy are to evacuate their Post at the Bridge, on the 10th instant, and that the most of the Enemies Troops are gone to...
127To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy having as I have informed your Excellency landed at Tallar’s Point on the 31st Ultimo; the Troops under my Command took a Position in the Highlands with their Van at the Village. The principal Stores being removed from thence and the Enemy having my Flanks open on the North River, on which he could move undiscovered at Night, I judged it expedient to retire to this Place to keep open...
128To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Early in the Spring, when it was apprehend; a Scarcity of flour would take place; the Ration of a pound and a Quarter (published at the Plains) Reduced to one Pound; and ordered half a Gill of Rice to those who should be on fatigue. And a Quarter of a Pound Salted beef to all as a Compensation for the flour stopt. The Rice is now expended; and the fatigue men Complain of the insufficiency of...
129To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just Time to inform your Excellency, that last Evening the Enemy had about forty Sail of Vessels at Phillips’s, His Troops encamped from the North River to Mile square; and the Intelligence adds, that from the Position of the Transports, it appear’d they were embarking Troops. I have the Honor to be your Excellency’s very humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; ADf , NHi : McDougall Papers. For...
130To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 13 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Unless the new ara[n]gement takes place now, Many officers of Companies will not have the benefit of the orders for furloughs, as they are to have officers promoted from Serjeants and for the reasons I have mentiond. My affairs and those of the Division did not permit me to Sett off as I intended, but expect to do it in an Hour. I have the Honor to be, Your very Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW ....
131To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The van of my division arr[i]ved at Mr Menezies House; at 8 this morning, when I received your Excellency’s orders, throˆ Colonel Laurence, to Halt my Division on the first Convenint Ground; and there wait further orders, which is accordinly done. From the appearance of the Country near us, I fear Forage will be a Scarce Article. Mr Van Zandt who is the Bearrer of this, will convey to me any...
132To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowlege, the Receipt of your favor of the 16th last night. Before the sword was drawn for the Defence of the Rights and privileges of this distressed Country, I voluntarily sacrificed my Constitution, and no small part of my fortune to promote her Interest and secure her Liberties. The Motives which determined me to those Acts of self Denial, will induce me to contribute...
133To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 23 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
From a regard to the service, and humanity, I took the liberty to communicate to you throw General Knox, some of the difficulties attending the procureing wood for this Garrison—But I find by him, that the whole of them were not detailed; occasioned by an interruption of other business. I should not trouble your Excellency with this address, were I not impelled to it by a sense of duty; which...
134To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is happy for the Army and America, that no more of the former, was destined to Quarter on this Side Hudsons. If it had, the greatest distress to the Army, wou’d certainly have been the cons[e]quence. For there were not sufficient means here, to support Man or Horse. When I first vissited Fish-Kill, I found Three hundred Head of Cattle, of different kinds, which had been eating their Mangers...
135To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 8 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Conduct of Major General Heath, and some Officers acting under him, give me too much ground, to suspect, he and they, will give me every Embarrassment in their power, to obtain Justice. The Inclosure is a specimen. Altho’ your Excellency’s Order, for the Court Martial, on my Case, positively directs it to sit, at Westpoint; yet an Order of General Heath’s, which follows, indicates his...
136To George Washington from Ranald Stephen McDougall, 25 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Sentiments of the Officers of the New York Line have been taken Persuant to the General orders of the 16 Instant. In Obediance thereto I Report that the Officers of the Brigade and those of Colonels Lambs or Second Regiment of Artillery are Unanimous for the Commutation of five Years full pay in Lieu of half pay: Heretofore Ordered by Congress. I have the honor to be your Excellencys Most...
137To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 31 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Favors of the 25th and 28th Instant. You may rest assured, no Man shall have any Intelligence, or intimation from me, which may be injurious to the Service; however zealous his profession of Attachment may be. But the Connection of Mr —— is such, and his Conduct in the dark Hour, was so unequivocal, that it wou’d be uncharitable and unjust to harbour any Suspicion...
138To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 24 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d was this moment Han⟨ded⟩ to me. The intelligence it contained, is very probable; for I have received advice, from New York, that Some of the dissaffected who went from this Quarter, have been Soliciting the Army to come up, to this Neighbourhood, to secure wagons and Teams. Yesterday I was well advised that twenty two Saile of different Sizes were anchored near Fort...
139To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 7 March 1776 (Jay Papers)
While I am waiting for General Lee, Just at the Point of his departure, I am induced to put a few incoherent thoughts together. I fear the Confederacy will Suffer by altering General Lee’s destination, from Canada. The officer who is to command there should speak french, if such an officer can be procured; a frenchman’s eyes sparkles when he is addressed in that Language. Many ^ reasons ^...