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...
81To 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...
82To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 20 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take this oppertunity to congratulate your Excellency on the Establishment of peace after a long tedious & Glorious Struggle, conducted under your Excellencys auspiceous Command, against the whole power of Britain, with that Wisdom & fortitude which finally convinced them of the necessity of puting a final period to the War. This Conviction has laid the Basis of a peace as honerable to the...
83To 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...
84To 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.”
85To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 2 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Excellencys Commands of the 10th & 14th Ulto. I have long since directed Lt Col. Gray to procure all the papers relative to Scudders Affair & forward them to me, that they might be transmitted to you—These I have been waiting for this some time, which prevented my Answering your Letters before—but as he cannot obtain them imediately I shall defer that till another...
86To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Commands of the 8th Inst. respecting the Cloathing purchased by Major Bigelow and the mode to be taken for supplying the Connecticut Troops, with a proportion of it. I know not to what your Excellency alludes, in General Parsons’s Letter, which in your opinion, contains some insinuations not of the most delicate nature: As I never saw it, or heard the contents, except in...
87To 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...
88To 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...
89To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 20 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 20 July 1777. When writing to Putnam on 22 July, GW says that “I have received your two favours of the 20th and 21st with their inclosures.”
90To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 9 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Israel Putnam, 9 Dec. 1778. On 20 Dec., GW wrote Putnam : “I am favd with yours of the 9th.”
91To 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....
92To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Just received Information from one Charles Miel who has been down below fort Lee to make Observation on the Enemy’s movements, That a Sloop of 14 Guns & the row Galley ly off Col: Philip’s, the rest of the Ships are by Staten Island That the Inhabitants told him a fleet was gone up the East river and Some large Ships out at the Hook; which induces me to beleive, if the Information is Just,...
93To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosures herewith transmitted came to hand by Express from Genl Parsons last Evening. I thought it not advisable to detach any more men from the Division, untill your pleasure was known; But have Orderd a Detachment of 300 already on Command near the Sea Coast to move Eastward, as far as N: Haven, and wait Gnl Parsons’s Orders—Of which I have informed him. That the Enemy have in...
94To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 25 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
since my last nothing material has hapned here—I have sent forward 3 officers & 15 men of Col. Hazens Battn—as all the others were in the Jerseys I tho’t it improper to Detain so small a Detachment. Genl Glover with several officers have gone to White plains to Look some Conveniant place to encamp—his Brigd. Marches there tomorrow morning. I am Sir Your Obt Hume sert LS , DLC:GW .
95To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 17 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
There is nothing new here since your last—only that one ship, two gallies and an armed sloop came up the river yesterday as far as Haverstraw Bay and came to an anchor, and now lie there. We have near Albany sloops enough lying at Robinsons to transport 5000 troops if they should be wanted —by deserters and others there is not more than 1800 men at and about Kingbridge—and now I would just...
96To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 26 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
your favours of the 22d & 25 Inst. I have receivd. If I mistake not, yours Orders where that I should Order, Genl McDougal’s Brigade, back if they had not Advancd two far—Genl McDougal Crosd the River himself the morning, before I recd your letter and I thought, he could not have got, with his Brigade more that four or five miles, but since I find he had Orderd his Brigade, to march the day...
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, 27 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Nothing material has happened since I last wrote You. the Articles General Schyler wrote for are all forwarded they went from this last Saturday in a Vessel bound to Albany. Lord Sterling Colo. Putnam & one Officer from the train went from this up the North River Yesterday—I could not think it prudent to send Colo. Knox as he was much wanted here—the Lead General Schuyler wrote for was not to...
99To 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...
100To 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).