31To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with the receipt of your favors of the 12th and 13th Instant, containing information against sundry Persons wickedly engaged in the service of the Enemy. You may rest assured no pains will be wanting to secure those miscreants. It’s probable Van Wagoner is secured; a person of his Character, being lately taken with a Number of Recruits for the Enemy. The late resolution of...
32To 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...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with yours of Today; by the express riders. It has been my express orders, that no officer shall have furlough on any pretext whatsoever. The extreme hurry, which I am Continually kept in, by the arival of Small detachments and other business, prevented my examing those returns, with that attention I should otherwise have done. The adjut. of Colonel Cortlandt’s has had...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 27 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last the Enemys Ships remain anchored from Dob’s Ferry to Philip’s, the wind haveing been against them; and very precarious Since they came there. Their Number, by the best intelligence, received this morning is Twelve Large, Square riged Vessels, and a Number of Tenders; the wind is Still against them. The inclosed Letters will communicate to you disstressing and Shameful...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 29 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The wind blowing Fresh Northerly on Monday, and likely to continue for Two or three days, whenever I received a litle provission for the men I marched at 10 at Night, with about 1200 and one Field piece towards Bedford, in hopes to fall in with the Enemy there from the intelligence contained in No. 8 of the inclosure. At Ten the next Morning I arrived at the South End of the Town, at the Road...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 30 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you yesterday by the express rider, and Sent you inclosures of all the intelligence I was poss[ess]ed of relative to the Enemies expedition to Danburry. The inclosd was one of those dispatches which induced me to move to Bedford but was mislaid when I wrote you last. Captain Suel’s detachment of Artillery is Just at Hand; but to my great mortification find the most of them have not had...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favors of the 1st 3d, and that to General Clinton and me, inclosing resolves of Congress. Colonel Huntington of the first instant, and the News Paper inclosed, will give the best intelligence I am po[sse]ssed of, relative to our respective losses at Danbury. As to the Stores it is extreamly difficult to obtain a state of their loss. I have not been able to get a return...
38To 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...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favors of the 10th & 11th Instant and a Visit from Generals Green & Knox, we have viewed the passes and different Routs on this Side of the River, which lead to the Mountains, and are of Opinion from the strength of Ground, that its unnecessary to make any works; For if the Troops will not defend strong Defiles, they will not any works that we can finish in the probable...
40To 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...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Putnam arrived here to the 22d, he has Since been Viewing the river and the Country, tomorrow he takes the command. A Flag I Sent to Newyork the day before yesterday, to exchange Families of ours on the Nassau Island, for Some of the Enemies, who had leave of Convention to leave this part of the State, has this day brought me the Following intelligence. “That they were not Suffered to...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 21 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th reached me this morning. The Brigade left this yesterday morning; under Col. Cortlandt: It was Necessary for me to stay behind to Expedite large Parties not then ready to march; which I got over last Night. The Brigade at noon must be at Pumton; where I should have halted them; but I have this moment receivd express orders, from General Putnam, to return with the Brigade...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearrer hereof Mr Philip Pelton is a known Friend to our Cause; He will communicate to you a matter of importance which prudence forbids I should commit to paper. I must refer you to him for particulars. But least he should forget to inform you; the Enemies Force to the Northward is but 5,600. Question him how we have received this intelligence, and it will be explained to your...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored a few minutes Since, with a Copy of your Excellency’s favor of the 14th instant. The Enemy’s Army which came into Jersey from different Quarters, were under the command of General Clinton assisted by three other General officers. Their Force must have been considerable as he was with them. The lowest amounts that can be relyed on, place them at 2000, others as Credible as high as...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of addressing your excellency; on the 17th from Tapan. Colonel Durkee returned in the Evening; and brought unquestiable intelligence, that the Enemy had returned to Fort Washington, Newyork and Bergen; and from the last place to Staten Island. The next morning I marched for Paramus, in order to Collect Provisions; to Supply me on my March to join your Excellency; which I...
46To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 17 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Doctor mcKnight, who attended me in my Illness, having asserted to me with great confidence that my Constitution had received So great a Shock, it was in Vain for me to think, of returning to the Army till the opening of the Campaign; was the reason of my removing so far from Camp, to a place of Safety. I think he was mistaken; for my Health is now perfectly restored; but I cannot say the same...
47To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 29 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
At Morris Town on the 21st instant, I was honored with the receipt of your Excellency’s favor of the 16th, containing your orders to take charge of these Posts, and inclosing the Commission to hold the Court of enquiry. The confidence you are pleased to place in me in this command, is very flattering to me, and calls for my utmost exertion to discharge it; and if posible agreeable to your...
48To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 3 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to address you a few days since by General Knox; in which I informed your Excellency of the deranged State of this department. Since that I have received your favors of the 25th and 27th ultimo. The necessary orders are given at the Ferries, to the drivers of Catle and Stores for the Grand Army, to Cross the Deleware at East Town. And your orders respecting the recruits of the...
49To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 13 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with the Receipt of your Favors of the 31st Ultimo & 6th Instant. The inclosures in the last have been forwarded agreeable to your Orders. No Service would be more agreeable to me than an Attack upon New-York, could I recommend it consistent with any probable Prospect of Success. But the Condition & Strength of these posts, utterly forbid it. Especially when the consequence of a...
50To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 27 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 27 April 1778. On 1 May, GW wrote McDougall , “I return you my thanks for your favor of the 27th Ulto.” McDougall wrote in his journal for 27 April, “Mr Deane left this in the morning wrote Genl Washington the advice He brought” ( NHi : Alexander McDougall Papers).
51To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 1st was handed to me last Night from Fish Kill. Agreeable to your request I inclose you a return of the Corps at these posts of the 27th Ultimo. It is far from being correct; but it is the best I can obtain. Col. Greatons and Aldens regiments are not yet ordered down from Albany; as the Stores there were exposed to a Coup de main of the Enemy, Till the River was...
52To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 17th by Express; and shall wait your future Commands at this Place. I am entirely agreed with your Excellency in Opinion, that New-York will be the last place of the United States the Enemy will quit. The Inclosed from Colonel Graham is the last Advice I have had from that City to be relyed on. He commands a Corps of New Levies of near 200 men; now at...
53To 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...
54To 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...
55To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You may remember, I informed you this morning, I had Sent Col. Putnam to inspect the roads to Farmington; and directed him to cause Such routs be mended from this, throˆ the Severals Towns you mentioned, to that Town, as he on inspection should Judge most eligible for the march of the Army. I beg leave to inclose his report on this Subject, handed to me by the Bearer, who returns to the Party...
56To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is extremely difficult, to give your Excellency a satisfactory or conclusive Opinion on the Questions proposed to the Council of war. As to the Enemy’s Design to operate against Boston, I think it very improbable. The only Object that remains there, considering the Experience he has had, of the general Attachment of the people of the Country to America; and his relinquishing the Possession...
57To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 28 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Nix[on] has applied to me, to signify my approbation of his applyg to your excellency for leave to Vissit his numerous Family, and to provide for them before the winter Setts in. As I know he has a very numerous Family, and the Colonels of his regiments are Careful men, I have no objection to his having Such leave. But as your excellency is better informed of what Service is in...
58To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 3 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor to address you last, I was favoured with your Excellencys Commands of the 24th Ultimo; throˆ Farmington. If the Enemy had appeared in the neighbourhood of Connecticut, or near it, I should not have considered the spirit of my first orders, binding to remain at Hartford, till I should receive others, as I knew the object of marching the Troops, from Fredericksburgh and...
59To Alexander Hamilton from Major General Alexander McDougall, 4 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Near Milford, Connecticut, November 4, 1778 . On November 8, 1778, Hamilton wrote to McDougall: “I have received your favor of the 4th.” Letter not found .]
60To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 9 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Favor of Yestarday in the Evening. The two Connecticut Brigades are still on this ground & will probably be well supplied for a few Days. Nixon’s is advanced to Woodbury, seven miles from hence. General Huntington has applied to me to put their Officers to the respective Corps as they are arranged agreeable to the New-Establishment, as the rejected Officers are gone...