1971From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 16 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received the favor of your Letter of the 9th Instt on Friday night about 10 OClock. It was accompanied by One for the Congress & by several Others, the whole of which were transmitted by an Express the next morning, whom I directed to proceed without delay. Mr Eustace being in Virginia and Mr Bradford at Rhode Island, I cannot comply with your request respecting them. Mr Morris who was your...
1972From George Washington to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 16 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 16 Feb. 1777. On 17 Feb. Maxwell wrote GW informing him that “your Excellency Favours of the 16th I have Recd.”
1973General Orders, 17 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
1974General Orders, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
1975From George Washington to Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by a line from Gl Maxwell that Colo. Cook’s & Conduits Regts of Militia from this County are to go home in a few days. How they are to be replaced I can’t tell—I have wrote to Gl Maxwell to call in the Essex Mila, but I fear it can’t be done without yr Interposition—There remains but little doubt with me of the Enemy’s Intention to move soon; their late Reinforcemt at Brunswic...
1976From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 18 Feb. 1777. In his letter of 20 Feb. Greene informed GW that “your favor of the 18th came to hand last Evening.”
1977From George Washington to William Livingston, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I did myself the Honour of writing to you on the 14th Inst., by the way of Philadelphia, in answer to your favour of the 6th I have received from Brigr Stephen the Letters & Affidavit, by me referred to, when mentioning the Case of Adjutt Kelly; Copies of which, & of a part of a Letter inclosing them to my Aid de Camp, explaining a Sentence in Sr Willm’s Answer, I take the liberty of...
1978From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 18 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 18 Feb. 1777. McDougall writes GW on 7 Mar . that “I was honored with your favor of the 18th Ultimo.”
1979From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 17th Inst.—I wish the Morris County Militia could be prevailed on to stay some time longer—The Enemy are certainly reinforced & will no doubt attempt in a few days to make their situation more comfortable—should they do so, We shall not be able to make an effectual Opposition, if the Troops now in service retire to their Homes, & they will again be reduced to that...
1980From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 10th instant, and thank you for the Attention you shew to the Completion of the Eight Continental Battalions to be raised in your State. I doubt not but the people prefer inlisting in the small coasting Guards who are to stay at home, rather than in the Regiments, but this inconvenience must be submitted to for it would never do to have the continental Regiments detatched...
1981From George Washington to Brigadier General Caesar Rodney, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Lord Stirling did me the favr of sending to me your letter of the 8th Inst. to him, mentioning your Chearfullness to continue in Service (tho’ your Brigade had returned home) and waiting my determination on that head. The readiness with which You took the Field at the period most critical to our Affairs—the Industry you used in bringing out the Militia of the Delaware State—and the Alertness...
1982From George Washington to Joseph Trumbull, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding all my endeavours to keep the Commissary’s department in some kind of order, I find that there is the utmost necessity for your immediate presence and interposition to prevent every thing from running into a State of distraction. There are a number of deputy Commissaries (appointed by I know not whom) bidding upon each other, till they have raised the price of provisions to a...
1983From George Washington to Carpenter Wharton or Jeremiah Wadsworth, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Morristown, 18 February 1777 . Encloses letters of recommendation for the commissary of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment, Ephraim Blaine, who is “desirous of getting into the Commissary’s department: But as I do not choose to interfere in it, have sent him to you. If you want such a person, you will no doubt employ him.” LS , in George Johnston’s writing, NN : Washington Collection.
1984General Orders, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The frequent complaints made from the different divisions of the Army, of Neglect and Abuse in the Commissaries department, induce the Commander in Chief to call on the Commissary General, and request of him, to take such measures as will in future prevent the like Complaints. The Quarter Master General is directed to pay particular attention to the public’s horses, and not allow any to be...
1985From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Information being lodged that many of the Inhabitants living near the Passaick Falls are busily employed in removing their provision & Forrage within the Enemy’s reach, with design of supplying them, obliges me to beg the favr of you to let me know what Success you have experienced in collecting the Troops voted by the Convention of the State of New York. The presence of some men in that...
1986From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 15th Inst. reached me this Morning. This going express, I have not time to determine on the Sentence of the Court Martial—You shall hear from me Tomorrow, on that Subject. The Enemy being certainly reinforced at Brunswic, & the corresponding Intelligence from every Quarter, induce me to believe that They will no longer suffer themselves to be cooped up within such narrow,...
1987From George Washington to the Commanding Officer at Newtown, Pennsylvania, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The many Abuses committed in the management of the Ferries on Delaware render your particular Attention to that Object indispensably necessary—Complaints of the Extortions scandalously practised by the Guards at present stationed there, reach my Ears so frequently, that they can be no longer submitted to—You will therefore immediately have all the Boats on that River, from Trenton upwards,...
1988From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with Your Letter of the 4th instant: Your Observations respecting Captn Gamble’s Application, I think are exceedingly just, & he should not by any Means be permitted to pass the Lakes at this Time. If he is allowed to go to Albany, It will be under Restrictions, & You will not indulge him in his Wishes, till You Esteem his return Cannot be attended with Inconveniencies &...
1989General Orders, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
1990From George Washington to Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 7th instant. It has some how or other generally happened that we have been obliged to send in our prisoners at the most inconvenient times, but when they are brought down for the purpose of Exchange, it seems hard to send them back, especially as they did not fix upon the time themselves. I am so well convinced that the Officers are enabled to do us harm,...
1991From George Washington to Colonel William Crawford, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 12th by Mr Ashby came duly to hand. As I am unacquainted with the terms upon which your Regt was raised, it is impossible for me to say any thing on that head. Nor, as you mention your design of attending Congress will it be necessary for me to give any order about the Marching of your Regt as I presume you will be instructed by them. If the Matter rests with me, I shall be...
1992From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will accompany one of last Nights date, to which it is intended as an addition—I have a thousand corrisponding circumstances to convince me, that Genl Howe intends to move from Brunswick in a very short time—it is said to this place, but that may be a cover only, to his designs upon Philadelphia—He & Lord Percy you will find by the Inclosed Copies of Letters have, or were abt to...
1993From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The principal design of this, is to inform you, that we have strong reasons to beleive, that the Enemy are on the point of making some push. What their Object is, whether to beat up our Quarters and to extend their own—to make a large forage and collection of provender, of which they are in great want—or to turn their views towards the Delaware, is a matter of incertainty; But it seems...
1994From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Monsieur Fanueil, who sometime ago laid a plan before you for raising and officering a Corps of Frenchmen, waited upon me yesterday. His success, as I expected, has been small in inlisting or rather engaging Canadians, I cannot find that he has met with more than thirty or forty who would be willing to serve with him. He is now upon another Scheme, that of raising, arming and cloathing a...
1995From George Washington to John Jay, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Card of the 8th Ulto I have had the honour to receive, & thank you most sincerely for your kind congratulations on our late Successes, & the polite manner in which you are pleased to apply them to me. Would to God Sir, they may be of continuance. Appearances do not justifie the hope—But—prudence forbids my adding more, in a Letter. The filial duty which withdrew you from the Comee for the...
1996From George Washington to Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday evening received the favor of your Letter of the 15th Instt. As the Congress vested the Conventions of the several States with powers to appoint Officers for their Quota of Batallions first voted, I have made it a point not to interfere though fully authorized, except in an Instance or two where the choice has been evidently improper and injudicious. This line of conduct I wish to...
1997From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by yours of the 16th that your Health is sufficiently re-established to enable you to do your duty. Considering the great dependance which we shall be under the necessity of putting upon Militia for a while longer, we certainly ought not to remove a General Officer from a post, to which, he can, by his influence, draw them when they are wanted. Upon this principle, you were...
1998From George Washington to the New York Convention, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been hon⟨oured with⟩ your Letter of the 13th Instt. You may ⟨rest assured⟩ that the situation of our Officers in the ⟨Enemy’s⟩ hands claims much of my attention, a⟨nd that it⟩ is my wish to give them the earliest ⟨relief.⟩ Every exchange that has been direct⟨ed by me,⟩ was meant to be made on the princip⟨les which you⟩ politely mention. It did happen how⟨ever,⟩ owing perhaps as much to...
1999From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receivg your favr of the 18th yesterday eveng communicating the successful attempt made by Colo. Neilson on the Enemy at Lawrence’s Island that Morng. The Colo. & his party conducted the plan with such secrecy & resolution, that they claim my sincerest thanks for this Instance of good behaviour, & I wish that you would acquaint them with my hearty Approbation of their...
2000From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
A letter from you to General Heath inclosing a Petition from the Officers taken at Princetown, for liberty to send one of the party into New York for their Baggage, was transmitted to me, by Genl McDougall, Genl Heath having gone to Massachusetts. I am so sensible that these People, by remaining any length of time in the Country, not only acquire a knowledge of our affairs, but spread a very...
2001From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I acknowledge the receipt of yr two favours of the 23d Decr & 17th January. The former introducing Mr Faneuil, a French Gentleman, who did me the honour of delivering it himself—The latter Monsr de Bourneuf, who also delivered it in person. The French Gentl. come to me in such Shoals, many of them with nothing more than introductory Letters, that I am under the most disagreeable Dilemma what...
2002From George Washington to Carpenter Wharton, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by yours of the 17th that you are moving your Magazines from Philada farther into the Country, I would have you do the same with the provisions that are at Newtown. I dont think you ought to keep any thing more at the Magazine thirteen Miles from Philada than will be necessary for the Troops that will be occasionally in the City for a time to come. I have particular Reasons...
2003General Orders, 21 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
John Porterfield, Serjt in Capt: Bayard’s Company, in the 3rd Pennsylvania Battalion, tried by a General Court Martial, whereof Lt Col. Hendricks was President, is found guilty of Desertion , and sentenced to be Shot to death. The General approves the Judgment of the Court, but respites the execution of the sentence for one week. Serjt William Roberts, of Capt. Dirks Company, in the 9th...
2004From George Washington to James Mercer, 21 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 11th Ulto with the Bond Inclosed, came to my hands a few days ago by Mr Jno. Walker —I thank you for your kind congratulations on the late success of our Arms, but must beg leave to assure you, that my time is not, as you seem to apprehend a whit less engaged by it. Nevertheless, as I feel an Inclination to satisfy you both with respect to your enquiries, and in other...
2005From George Washington to Brig. Gen. John Morin Scott, 21 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. John Morin Scott, 21 Feb. 1777. Scott’s letter to GW of 14 Feb . is docketed in part “Ansd 21st.”
2006General Orders, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Soldiers of this Army are to be informed that all the Ferries over Delaware, and the North River, have strict Orders to put none of them that have not a regular Discharge, or Pass across, but to apprehend, and send back to the Corps they belong to as Deserters, all such as shall attempt it, contrary to this order. Col. Greagen’s Regt of Militia from Northampton County (Pennsylvania) to...
2007From George Washington to Mathew Irwin, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The cry of, want of Provisions comes to me from all Quarters—Genl Maxwell writes word that his Men are starving —Genl Johnston, of Maryland, yesterday informed me that his people coud draw none—this difficulty I understands prevails also at Chatham! What Sir is the meaning of this? & why were you so desirous of excluding others from this business when you are unable to accomplish it yourself?...
2008From George Washington to Major Generals Benjamin Lincoln and John Sullivan and Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 22 … (Washington Papers)
An Inconvenience of considerable Magnitude arising from the Practice of carrying Household furniture &C. in Waggons & Carts to the Enemy has determined me to direct that in future nothing shall be transported that way—I do not mean to prevent such of the Inhabitants as choose to withdraw within the Enemy’s lines from taking with them all their Apparel & Household furniture as usual if they can...
2009From George Washington to William Livingston, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Morning I had the honour of receiving your favour of the 15th Inst. with the papers mentioned and inclosed. No person, I hope, can be so lost to Virtue, as to except against Colo. Newcomb on Acct of his being religiously disposed—The relaxed discipline, & Want of Order in the Regimt, I believe, were among the principle Objections to him: These added to his Inactivity & that Want of...
2010From George Washington to Robert Morris, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are well acquainted with my Opinion, upon the inexpediency of keeping any more Stores in the City of philadelphia, than are absolutely necessary for the equipment of the new Levies. I am at this time particularly anxious to have them removed. The Enemy have lately been considerably reinforced in Jersey and, from a variety of Accounts are meditating some Blow. I am firmly persuaded that...
2011From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon taking a retrospective View of the Enemy’s Conduct, & comparing one piece of Information with another, I am led to think that Philadelphia must be their Object, & that whenever they move, it will be toward the Delaware with their main body—This belief, the necessity of a proper Attention to the River, & the Advantages which may result from havg some Person on the other side with a few...
2012From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Govr Livingston in his Letter to me of the 15th Inst: did me the honor of inclosing Copies of your Letter to him & his Answer, on the subject of imposing fines on the reluctant Militia of this State—His reasoning on this subject, perfectly coincides with my Opinion; they are so full & plain as to render any Obervations of mine unnecessary. I desire therefore that this practice may have an...
2013From George Washington to Thomas Wharton, Jr., 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd a Letter from Monsr Rouville, in behalf of himself and other French Officers taken at St Johns, desiring that they may be sent to New York for Exchange. As the Rank of these Gentlemen is acknowledged by Genl Howe, they will procure the release of as many of our Officers of equal Rank, as are in the hands of the Enemy. I therefore desire, you will be pleased to order them all to be...
2014General Orders, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
2015From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Letter of the 6th Instt, and beg leave to assure you, that I shall not only be always ready to rectify any Error which I may commit through hurry or Otherwise, but be happy to have them pointed out. I have not the proceedings of Congress at this time, which would apply to the subject matter of your Letter, and therefore, cannot pronounce upon it with certainty...
2016From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed the Warrant for executing the Deserter—The blanks you will fill up, and direct the Ceremony as You please. Will it not be adviseable to arrange & equip the Troops under Innoculation in Philada? That, on an Emergency, they may be of some service. Another skirmish happened Yesterday between Genl Maxwell & about 2000 from Amboy, they came to forage—The Genl writes me that he has...
2017From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Congress having resolved that Several Regiments of Cavalry should be raised to form a part of their Army, I beg leave, through you Sir, to lay before ’em, the inclosed List of Officers which appear necessary to be appointed to each Corps, and which they will be pleased to establish. At the same time I should suppose it highly expedient to fix their pay and that of the privates. There is now...
2018From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 13th and 18th Instt are both to hand—the last in date arrived first, the first this Morning only—I am sorry, upon the footing you have put it, and under the apprehensions you seem to be, that I did not accept your Commission as Adjt Genl when you offered it, tho your fears cannot be realizd, because at that time it was mentiond in Genl Orders, that you having resign’d,...
2019From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the 21st instant, I received the Favor of your Letter of the 15th. Colo. Pelliser’s Plan, I presume You have received, as It was transmitted a Day or two after my Letter of the 9th. Your Wishes respecting Brigr James Clinton will be gratified, I beleive. He will remain at the Post where he now is, at least for some Time. The Intelligence communicated by the Express who delivered my Letter...
2020From George Washington to Francis Wade, 23 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Francis Wade, 23 February 1777. On 4 March 1777 Wade wrote to a committee of Congress that "the Genl [GW] in his answer to me on that head the 23d of last month, says I must not by any means leave this post, & if I want men to Call on Genl Putnam, & he will strengthen me, and farther that I must not give an advanced price for sake of a little Credit" ( DNA:PCC , item 78).