31To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Its with the Utmost Reluctance I now sit Down to inform you that the Enemy After Making a Variety of Movements up & down North river, landed on the Morning of the 4th Inst. about 3000 Men at Tarry Town, & after Making an excursion about five Miles up the Country, they retu[r]ned & embarked, the Morning following the[y] Advanced up Near Kings Ferry & landed On the East side of the river, but in...
32To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of my Sending the intelligence & orders to the Eastern States, receved from you, the militia are coming in fast from this, & from Connecticut, Genl Clinton is good anough to resume his former Command at Fort montgomery. Accounts from the northward are that Genl Burgoin is at Fort Edward, that he has left the Grants & is coming down with his whole force—and our Army is at...
33To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
I shall esteem it as a particular Favour if your Excellency will be so obliging as to recommend my Worthy friend Collo. Henry Babcock to the Honorable Continental Congress to be appointed to the Rank of Brigadier Generall in the Continental Army. I have been upon Service with him several Campaigns the last War and have seen him in Action behave with great Spirit and Fortitude when he had the...
34To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 17th inst. has just come to hand—I fear I shall not be able to march untill the day after tomorrow, as some of the Waggons are out of Repair, and the Ar[t]ificers of this Division were all left at the Bridge over the Housatonoc —However if possible shall march tomorrow—Genl Poor, acording to Orders, marches immediately, to take Charge of the Convention Troops—Their third...
35To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 29 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Huntington deliver’d me your Letter of the 16th Inst. I am at this place; and will Attend the Court of Enquiry which is to meet to Morrow—As soon as it is finish’d, I shall return to Connecticut, and endeavour to forward on the New Levies, with the utmost Expedition, in Conformity to your Orders, tho’ I fear, my success will not Answer your Expectation. I am with the utmost Respect...
36To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of Letters just received from the Northward, I have ordered Genl Nixon to embark his Brigade with their Baggage & on Board the Transports prepared for that Purpose; I have been collecting Shallops, and believe there are sufficient Number, if not, there will be, before the Brigade can be in Readiness or can receive your Orders for March, which I shall expect the Return of the...
37To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 25 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday, in which I gave you all the intelligence that could be collected. As my Domestic affairs, are in much confution, and there is many things which cannot be setled, but by myself, I am under the necessity of requesting yr Excellencys permission to be absent from Camp for about thirty days—If I may be permitted, I should choose to set off some time in the month...
38To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 27 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 27 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Putnam on 1 Oct. : “I have yours of the 27 and 28 Ulto.”
39To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Previous to the Receipt of your Favour of the 12th Inst., I had ordered down a Number of Transports and shall have more than a Suffiency for Gen. Glovers Brigade, should more be wanted. I have frequently reconnoitered the Roads in this Neighbourhood and do not find that any of them may be obstructed with Propriety, except perhaps the cross Road you mention, on the Right—I shall take a more...
40To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favor’d with your Excellencys Letter of this day. General Woodford has cross’d the River, and fallen down to Clarks-Town, and by our latest from there, the Enemy are about retiring. A small party of them have been as far up as Clarks-Town but tarried a verry short time. General Winds with his militia has, I am inform’d been at Hackinsack, and I believe the Enemy have drawn in...
41To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 21 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Recd yours of this date, conceive the mænuveres of Genl How are calculated with his utmost Skill to perplex but hope & trust that the posts of observation, are Such, as will enable your Excellency, before he Can effect any capital purpose, to detect & Counteract it; Inclosed is a Copy of Genl Sillimans last letter received this day by Express, in addition to the Intelligence that letter...
42To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 10 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
There has for this Long time past an Unhappy Difference, subsisted between Genl McDougall and Colo. Henry B. Livingston, which I fear will never be Amicably setled—soon after I came here, Col. Livingston was Arrested by Genl McDougall; his Crimes were—for Traducing the Character of Genl McDougall in ordering the Retreat of the Continental Troops on the 23d March Last—For neglecting to bring...
43To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Pleasure to inform you that Major Dick Stockton (of infamous Memory) and his Detachment at Lawrences Island (3½ Miles below Brunswick) are taken—The 50 Men of Bedford Militia who went from here on Sunday were joined by 150 Jersey Militia at Cramberry and the whole commanded by Colo. Nielson—The Affair does real Honour to both Officers and Men, and was conducted with that Secrecy and...
44To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 16 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
the Inclosed Letter was bro’t here by . I wrote to the Governor on that head—some time past & the man who bro’t the Letter told me the subject of it which Induced me to take the Liberty to open it. I have orderd payment to those Troops mentiond in the Inclosed. I am Sir Your Most Obdt Hume servt L , DLC:GW . Putnam enclosed Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.’s first letter to GW of 9 June 1777.
45To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I sent Mr Putnam down the River yesterday by Water, to learn for certain whether any of the Enemys shipping was up. He return’d last night, and informs me that he went down on the West-side nearly oposite Philips’s; that there is one Gally laying near Philips’s, which is the only Water Craft of any kind, above Fort Washington. The Boats with which the Enemy landed at the Slote , have all...
46To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 22nd Inst. I Receiv’d your Excellencys two Letters of the 20th. They found me at Farmington, to which place I had March’d from Hartford with Pattersons and Learneds Brigades. On making enquiry I found that Genl Poor, with his Brigade, had not reach’d the front of the Convention Troops, but had only fallen in with the fifth and last Division, which on the night of the 22nd Inst. Lodged...
47To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 16 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been hond with the receipt of your two favours of the 8th and immagine before this you have recd mine of the Same date containing the disagreable intelligence of the loss of fort mountgomery after a most Spirited defence & of our evacuating Peeks kill in Consequence thereoff—I congratulate you on the bravery of your Troops in attacking & putting to flight the british army, & regret the...
48To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 17 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Copy of the Intelligence brot by one Ebr Atwood who appears to be a very honest intelligble fellow that escaped from the Enemy last monday Night which I thot proper to Communicate to your Excellency immediately—being the best account of the Enemys movements & the latest I have Recd sd Atwood was Mate the Sloop Dove. with the highest esteem & respect am your Excellencys Obedt...
49To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 19 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 19 Dec. 1776. GW on 21 Dec. wrote Putnam : “I have been favoured with your Two Letters of the 17th and 19th Instt.”
50To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Excellencys Letter of the 6th Inst., with Col: Hazens instructions, and shall get his Regiment upon the march as soon as possible. I beg leave however to mention to your Excellency that the roads are so exceedingly bad at present, that it will be almost impractible to get on the Baggage & Artillery. When he arrives on the Connecticut River, he will probably find it so...
51To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 23 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 13th Inst.; have found the person mention’d in it, and given him the necessary directions to proceed to the Board of War. I have also Receiv’d and Issued a General Order of the 14th, respecting the mode of hutting, altho I had given previous direction to construct them in the manner then pointed out; and had it not been for the badness of the...
52To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 30 Jan. 1779. GW wrote Putnam on 5 Feb. : “I have your favr of the 5th and 30th ulto.”
53To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 2 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 28th Ulto and a Copy of One the 23d I was Duly Honourd with; Genl Varnum with his Brigade Crossed Kings Ferry the Day before yesterday, and the same Evening Genl Parsons arrived from the White Plains. Last night Major Hughs (son to Colonel Hughes D.Q.M. Genl to this Department) arrived here with an express from General Gates, by which I learnt that the Army Under his Command was...
54To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 20 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 20 Oct. 1777. GW wrote Putnam on 26 Oct. : “I have your favr of the 20th.”
55To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
There arrived here Yesterday about 1000 Men—The Maryland Detachments, of which I have yet no Return, but suppose about 600, I shall detain at this Place, agreeable to your Instructions —The Detachment of 9th P[ennsylvania] B[attalion] under Majr Smith I have ordered to march immediately to Bont [Bound] Brook—Since the 10th Inst. have passed thro’ this Place about 400 Virginians in different...
56To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I just receiv’d your favour of yesterday —there are a number of the Maryland & Virginia troops have been laying at Bristol some time. I this day took the liberty of ordering them up, & soon as any part of them arrive I shall immediately, give orders to Major Smith who commands a detachment of the 9th Pennsya Regt to march —Capt. Sewards Compy of Artillery arriv’d here this morning—the Company...
57To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 3 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry that I am under the disagreeable Necessity of acquainting you that there is the greatest Necessity of Money in this Department, the Troops suffer for want of Pay, the Commissary, and Quarters Departments are exceedingly embarress’d and perplexed in their Business, greatly involved in debt, and the Public Faith will be prejudiced unless a Considerable supply of Cash is speedily...
58To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 25 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 25 Feb. 1777. GW writes in his letter to Putnam of 28 Feb. that “your several favours of the 25th & 26th Inst. came to hand.”
59To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 16 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evening favd with your two Letters of the 28th Ulto and 2nd Inst: with a Remonstrance from Mr Drake inclosd that peice I do aver is made up of Falcity and Misrepresentation, at least what has ever come to my knowledge. I have ever Acted as near your Excellency’s Orders of last Winter as was in my power—nor has any property been disposd of for the Benefit of the Captors, unless such...
60To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have recievd yours from Bucks County 18th Inst. And Apprehend from The Introduction of the Second Paragraph, That Your Exelly must have been misinformed respecting The Militia of Connecticut; By the Returns, Your Exelly will be evinced That of the Militia of Con[necticu]t, upwards of a Thousand, are on Command, with their Brigdr Genll Ward—coopperating with B. Genll Warnum—in distressing...
61To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from G. How to G. Burgoine brot out by one Mr Williams who was betrusted to Carry it to Canada inclosed also is the account he gave of the matter on Examination also Major Fishes Recommendation of him—which being of So much importance I thought prudent not to loose a moments time in transmitting to you —It Seems that G. How Means to make a Shew of going Southward when his...
62To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
as his Excelancy ginrol Washenton requsted that Each ginrol ofesor shuld transmit to him his opinyon in riteng what was beast to be don in this creticl tim whathor the army ought to move and which way I give it as my opinyon that it would not answor any good porposes to remove Estward as the Enimy have Sent such a reinforsment as is suposed to rodisland thay must have don what thay intended...
63To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Putnam has this moment return’d—he saw Lord stirling at Judge Coes, who inform’d him that he had wrote your Excellency the particulars of the Enemy and his own situation. Mr Putnam also saw Col. Hay, <who> lays with his Regt of Militia at Clarks-Town. Col. Hay informs him, that the Enemy have drew in their Picquet from towards Tappan, to a small distance from their main Body, and that by...
64To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favour’d with Your Excellency’s Commands of the 19th and 20th Inst.; the former came to hand in the night, and as soon as it was day I dispatched a Dragoon with orders for Generals Woodford and Muhlenberg to take post with their Brigades, according to the directions contained in it; but the Horseman return’d last evening, without being able to find either of them, I have this...
65To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 14 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favours of the 6th & 10th Inst. I was honoured with the receipt of this fore noon—the barracks at Peeks kill will Contain about fifteen hundred men—the barracks at Fish kill will, with Some repairing, cover 1600—at the Clove four or five hundred—which barracks we are repairing—a body of the Enemy from kings bridge & Fort Washington Crossed over by fort Lee & have marched up to...
66To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Letter of 3rd Inst: by Express & of 6th by Mr Burr—agreeable to your orders I went yesterday with about 400 men, below the six mile Runn, but with little expectation of finding any thing of importance to bring off —Since I have taken post at this place, the troops have been fed altogether, with what was collected from within the enemy’s reach, & have at present large quantities...
67To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Favours of the 15th & 25th of Janry which I am now to acknowledge, came to hand nearly the same time after the former had been delay’d a fortnight in the Post Office. The Boats which I mentioned in my Letter of the 25th of Octr (& of which your Excellency desires more particular information) with the addition of seven or eight others in Wapping & Esopus Creeks were Immediately put in...
68To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honord with your Excellencys Letter, announcing the agreeable & happy news of Genl Waynes Success, on which I most heartily congratulate you. Your Excellencys Letter of yesterday did not reach me till 7 oClock this morning and as the Horses are at a considerable distance I do not think it will be prudent to delay the March of the Troops till they arrive —I shall accordingly...
69To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 29 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
by letter from Genl Silliman received last night he long ago ordered one half of his Brigade to be drafted & to Join the army here—of whom One Capt: & Twelve men only have Joined me—Genl Burgoine, by letter Just received from the Northward is determined to push for Albany & a Strong force is Collected at Newyork—by The Troops being drawn to the northward & to the Southward from this Post,...
70To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 28 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote my Last nothing particular has happened in this Quarter. some days ago I had made a Desposition to Cross over to Long Island, and Attackt the Forts Huntington & Setauket. but before Matters could be got Ready for the Expedition, they Evacuated both Forts and are now Making very strong Works at the Upper End of the Island. I Recd a Letter the other Day from Genl Dickenson...
71To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 14 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this moment received a letter from Govr Geo: Clinton at New Windsor, inclosing a Copy of intelligence from the northward which I send to you, also requesting Some Continental Troops to go northward—to Support the Militia whom he is gone to influence on—in Consequence of his request your Order before given I have ordered Col. Courtlands & Livingston’s Regts to march immediately to the...
72To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Smith is induced by Arguments I have used to return and accept of the Offer you was pleased to make him, of an Independant Company of 100 Men, I could wish as an additional Requisite, he had, to pay and cloath them him self—His Experience last War and the Spirit which to my Knowlege he has shewn in this, convince me, he is capable of rendering his Country particular Services in the Way...
73To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 2 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
These you will receive by Doctor Gill, & Lt Shork, who were made Prisoner’s at St Johns, they have both behaved Exceedingly well, and I could wish they might receive as kind treatment, as can be shown to prisoner’s of war—Lt McClean, has behavd very ill, which has occasioned his being sent in Irons, to Philadelphia no treatment can be too bad for such a Villain. I am with the greatest Respect...
74To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you a Return of the Corps under my Command, you may think it strange that it has not been sent you before, but Col. Pickering desir’d that I would Add a Return of the Artillary, with the other Troops. I have given Repeated orders that they bring their Returns in at the time appointed, but have not had any—and dont know that I shall unless I take some other Steps—The New...
75To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter by the return of my Express, without any signature , which, from the hand writing, the Seal and the Contents, I suppose to have come from your Excellency. However accidental it might be, it was rather a ludicrous Circumstance, that a letter without a name, should ⟨make⟩ its appearance on the first day of April—⟨anni⟩versary, which has from time immemorial, been...
76To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received the Inclosed Letter, by which your Excellency will see the disposition of the Enemy on Long Island. They have for a long time past been building Flatt-Boats at the East-End, under the direction of Sir William Erskine, who still continues there. Sir Henry Clinton having Join’d the Detachment makes it appear more probable that they are meditating a serious push on the...
77To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 6 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I Send a return of the Corps under my Command at this & the adjacent posts[.] have no news more than what I believe you have heared—I understand Genl How has Set his face towards Philadelphia[.] I pray he may meet with the fate due to his evil intentions of torturing the Innocent & of Subjugating America to the most ignominious Slavery—have not received a line from you Since the 22nd...
78To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 15 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Recd yours of 13th Inst: in my last Sent you the intelligence I received from the northward —& acquainted you that I had ordered the two york Regts to the northward which before this I presume you have received—that Genl Clinton was on York Island after the third of august Inst: It appears by a flag Sent out—which is Since their fleet Saild—the militia from Connecticut not being ordered for...
79To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is Impossible for me at this Juncture to obey your Instruction with respect to the Boats, we have verry few Flat Bottom’d ones here, and as yet only one Whale Boat has been employ’d in Cruising in the River I have Directed the Quarter Master to have Eight Built Immediately, and a proper officer with a party of men to man them—four of them I intend shall be kept alway’s down the River as a...
80To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 16 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am extreamly sorry to hear that you have been unfortunatly obliged to retire and leave Genl How in possession of the Ground, I hope Providence will yet so smile on your Efforts, which I know will be to your utmost, as to put Genl How and his force in your power, The disadvantages of being attacked are very great, the Enemy chuse their mode of Attack Oppose their greatest strength, to your...