51To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 28th Inst. and have according to your direction ordered two Brigades viz. Gen. McDougal & Huntington to put their heavy baggage over the river, & to be in readiness to march on the arrival of further orders—have sent Lt Col. Dimon to the white plains with his Regt to relieve Col. Courtlands detachment there, Consisting of his own Col. Livingstons & a party from...
52To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Recd yours of the 1st Inst. last evening & your favour of the 2nd this moment, In consequence of the Intellgience & Directions therein given Expresses were early this morning Sent to Govr Trumbull Genl Woolcut & Silliman urging in the Strongest manner the necessity of Speedily reinforcing this Post by the Militia —like Expresses have been Sent to Govr Clinton & to the Cols: of the Militia of...
53To 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...
54To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 11 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 7th Inst The dark designs of our Enimies evincies the foulness of their cause, & the genus of their Ally, betray Strong marks of timidity by attempting through artifice what they are deffident of effecting by force, but time, I trust, will unravel their misteries, When we Shall Se the Light Shine through both them & their Schemes—Inclosed is a letter from Govr...
55To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 14 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received no intelligence of the Enemy’s fleet Since the 1st of this month that may be depended on—theres a rumour that they have appeared in Chesapeak bay, another that they were Seen off natucket Shoals—we have frequent desertions from the Enemy both british & Hessian. Jud: McDonald, taken Septr last in our Service on york Island and inlisted into Delancys Coir deserted from them 9...
56To 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...
57To 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...
58To 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...
59To 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...
60To 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...
61To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Should rejoice to have a line from you but I know in your Situation your attention is engaged in transactions of the greatest moment. We have intellegence from the northward that Supplies of men & Stores come in fast to General Gates that he has moved up to Stillwater—that Generals Lincoln & Stark with Seven or Eight thousand men are marched from Bennington to git into the rear of G....
62To 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...
63To 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...
64To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 Sept. 1777. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman wrote Putnam on 21 Sept.: “His Excellency recd your favr of the 17th” ( DLC : William A. Oldridge Collection).
65To 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.”
66To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 28 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 28 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Putnam on 1 Oct. : “I have yours of the 27 and 28 Ulto.”
67To 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,...
68To 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...
69To 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...
70To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
sinse I wrote you this morning, I have waited on Governor Clinton to Consult about our present Circumstances and fix upon the most effectual measure that could be pursued against the Enemy, which is now Landing a Considerable number of Troops at Fort Constitution, and proceeding up the River, with their Ships Gally’s, Flatt Bottom’d Boats &c: they will from all appearance be at the Chevaux De...
71To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 10 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you of the 8th Inst. Nothing Perticular [h]as happend in this Quarter, Only that the Enemy yesterday Morning with about 2500 Men took Possesion of Fort Constitution, the[y] have also Destroyed Our Store Houses &c. at the Continental Village Peeks kill, but I have the Pleasure to Accquaint your Excellency that the Stores from thence were removed except a few Barrells Flour &...
72To 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...
73To 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.”
74To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 25 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honrd with the recept of your two Favours of the 15th & 19th Inst.—and have the pleasure to acquaint you that after a Tedious march we are returned to this place, the Fleet passed down by here yesterday, & did but little dammage on their return. Some heavy Artillery & a reinforcement of Continental Troops, I am Informed by Genl Gates, are on their way to Join me—by a deserter & two...
75To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 27 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Accquaint you that yesterday Morning the Enemy Evacuated both Fort Montgomery & Clinton, (but not without laying the same into ashes) and destroying every work about them; all their Shipping Large & Small with all the sails they could Possible Crowd Proceded down the River yesterday, They have Certainly ⟨so⟩me secret expidition in View, & from every Acct I am able to...
76To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 31 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate your Excellency on the Success of your arms against the Enemy, in the attack made on Red Bank which Comes by letter from Col. Bidle—I have already informed you, by former letters, of the return of the Enemys fleet down the river—their having evacuated Peeks kill Fort mountgomery & their adjacent posts, after destroying the Cannon & demolishing the Forts, with an Evident design,...
77To 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...
78To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your’s of the 31st Octor and 1st Novemr I have been favor’d with, and have taken the Necessary precautions that your Army should be supply’d with Provisions. In my last I Informed you that Genel Warners Brigade were orderd to Join you, but as they are Rais’d only till the first of Decemr the Officers and men think it exceeding hard, that they should be obliged Make that Long March and their...
79To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with your’s of the 4th 5th & 9th Instt & you will see by mine of 7th that I have detain’d Genl Warners Brigade. The New York Regiments being annex’d to General Poors Brigade, they are exceeding unwilling to be seperated, and I knowing the disadvantages that would arrise from their being here have presumed in some measure to deviate from your excellencys Orders —Those Regiments are...
80To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with your two Letters, of the 11th Inst.—As to the Blankets stopped for this department; Mr Young Informd me there were between five and Six thousand going on to the southward, besides the 400 that I detained here—The Artillary Regt here, had not Recd a single one since their entering the Service—Most of them lost all their Cloathing at Fort Montgomery, and without Blankets, they...
81To 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...
82To 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...
83To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 27th Ulto, and am happy to find that Your Excellency is Convinced, my Conduct has not been such as Represented by Col: Drake—I have ever paid the Utmost attention to the Protection of the Inhabitants; and am Vain enough to think, that they Conceive the Army to be as good Neighbours, as Col: Drake. General Parsons has not Yet Return’d, Tho is soon expected; and till...
84To 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...
85To 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...
86To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 18 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 18 April 1778. On 29 April, GW wrote Putnam , “I recd yours of the 18th instant.”
87To 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...
88To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Larst night I recived a Leator from Collo. Spencor informing me that the Enimy had Landed at the English Nabor whod and ware on thar march to hackensack I immedat Called the ginrol ofesors togather to consult what was beast to be don it was concluded to Exammin the mens gons and Cartriges && and to have them ready for a march at the shortest notis when it shuld be thought beast or on reciveng...
89To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the latest accounts from the other side of the River, the Enemy, have been reinforcing considerably, and have got 17 Feild peices at the liberty pole. Their intention I amagine is to plunder the Country, of all the stock they can collect and return. I have not an Idea of their Visiting us at this post. We continue to send Fatigue to the Fort daily. I am dear sir Yr Most Obedt Servant. LS ,...
90To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By sergeant Robinson of Col: Bailer’s Regt of Lt Dragoons, I am this moment inform’d, that this morning Just before day, The Enemy found means to surprize Col. Bailer with his whole Regiment, then laying at Harring-Town. They came upon them when they had only one man out to Reconnoiter, which they took and advanced immediately to where the Regt lay: They was so compleatly surprised, that sargt...
91To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Examination of some Deserters who have Just come in. The intellegence they bring I thought to be of some importance, and therefore send it to Your Excellency—The Deserters seem to be verry intelligent men. I likewise inclose your Excellency a Letter I last night Receiv’d from General Woodford, with one inclos’d from Col. Cooper to Col. Hay. I thought it most advisable for...
92To 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...
93To 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...
94To 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...
95To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yestorday recived a lin from Collo. hambilton requ[e]sting me to forward the returns that war requierd the oather day thos returns war all maid out and sent of[f] som days ago Except ginrol Clinton which I have heard nothing of but I immedatly Sent of[f] Collo. hambiltons leator to the ginrol and I miak no doubt but he will Comply with the requ[e]st. I was down the rivor the day befor...
96To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you by Expres your Leattor and won to Coll Thackston or Collo. litel the Expres Left this at a Clock at night and hop thay wil Com saf to hand Dannel has not returned yeat nor have I heard any thing of him your Exelancys request as to wintor quartors for the trops is beyond what I can protend to tel without I knew the intention of the Enemy but if the Enemy Continnu in New york...
97To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 24 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Putnam on 25 Oct. : “I was favoured with your two letters of yesterdays date about noon.”
98To 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...
99To 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...
100To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 4 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Israel Putnam, 4 Dec. 1778. On 13 Dec., GW wrote Putnam : “I have recd yours of the 4th with Maj: Gray’s intelligence.”