51From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General Knox, at my direction, has made out an estimate of military stores wanted for the expected cooperation dated the 3d instant, which he has transmitted to the Board. I have carefully examined it and find it not to exceed the necessary quantity, nor ought we to undertake a decisive operation on a more contracted scale. I must therefore entreat the Board to employ every expedient...
52From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your letters of the 9 and 16th Inst. upon the subject of paying the arrearages of Cloathing due to the Army for the year 1777 —I have drawn up the inclosed rough plan, which contains the heads of what, in my opinion, will be necessary to establish some general Regulations for a settlement with the line of the Army at large. That justice may be equally distributed to the...
53From George Washington to the Board of War, 30 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit you an Arrangement of the Officers in the Maryland line—and have to request, that you will take the earliest Occasion that may offer to make out and forward Commissions agreable to it, except in the cases of No. 46—Benjamin Garnett 1st Lieut. 5 Reg. 13 Oct. 78 47—Parker Hall Lee do 4 do 16 do do 53—William Trueman Stoddart do 5 do 21 May 79
54From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received a Letter from Colo. Spencer dated at Wyoming the 22d Ulto—inclosing a List of the Officers that remain in service of his—Malcoms—& Formans Regiments—I determined sometime ago to incorporate them —and now transmit an arrangement of the whole —upon which the Board will be pleased to issue Commissions where they have not been issued in consequence of the arrangement of the two...
55From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I wrote to Congress a few days ago, I took the liberty to recommend uniting the remains of the late Count Pulaski’s legion—Colo. Armands Corps—and a small troop of Horse under the command of Capt. Bedkin. The whole to be under the command of Colo. Armand. Should Congress determine upon the measure—Colo. Armand wishes the Resolve, for the incorporation of the Corps, should be...
56From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Board of War, 8 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the last return of the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, I discover a number of Vacancies, which for want of a knowledge of Gentlemen competent to the duties of an Officer I can not fill up—I must therefore beg the favour of You to perform this important business for me. The distractions occasioned in Battalions by irregular Promotions and bad Appointments are too generally known not to have...
57From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
If Major Lee’s Corps is still at Philadelphia or within its vicinity—or has not advanced more than three or four days march towards the Southward—I request that You will order it to join this army as soon as it can be done. His Horse in particular is infinitely wanted at this time. I inclose a Letter for him on this subject. The Enemy are out in force in Jersey and liejust below Sp[r]ingfield....
58From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the honor to receive your Letters of the 13th & 17th Instant, with their inclosures. With respect to the Boats and other articles which make the subject of the first, I beg leave to inform the Board that I do not know that there will be any objection to selling them, except such a part of the Tar as they may think it necessary to keep. The state of our Treasury & the necessity...
59From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Copies of letters to General Sullivan and Messrs Otis and Andrews, you will be informed of what I have written on the subject of Clothing—in consequence of the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 29th Ulto. The prospect of having the Army amply provided for, by your exertions, affords the highest degree of satisfaction—I am particularly happy to be informed that...
60From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with your favour of the 2d instant. The arrangemen⟨t⟩ of Proctors corps cannot be confirmed as it now stands. The principles held up in my former letters on this subject are such as must be adhered to, and upon this plan only can I request the Board to issue Commissions. If Congress think proper on account of incapacity in Major Holmer to promote Major Forrest it will...
61From George Washington to the Board of War, 7 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit the inclosed letter for Colo. Blane to Your care, as I do not know with certainty where he is. It is on the state of our provision Supplies, which is most alarming. By the Issuing Commissary’s Return of today and the Return of the State Superintendent Colo. Dunham—It appears that the whole of the provision of the meat kind which they both have in & in collecting...
62From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Arrangement having determined to annex the Regiment late Pattons to Colo. Hartleys, it will be proper to put them in the same Uniform. I have therefore desired Capt. Prowell the commanding Officer to send an Officer to Philada with an exact return of the Regiment, and the Cloathing wanting. Be pleased to give an order to the Cloathier General to have them made up after the...
63From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have lately recd 1900 Stand of Arms from the Eastward, which will nearly, if not quite, compleat the number of Men who are at present in want—But we are exceedingly distressed for Cartouch Boxes. By an exact return made a few days ago 1700 were wanting for the new Recruits, and to replace the old ones worn out in the last Campaign. Since this a number of Recruits from N. Yk & Maryland have...
64From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had Yesterday afternoon the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 30th of March, and agreeable to your request I inclose a permit for the Goods in charge of Captain Bowman. This mode of obtaining supplies is certainly justifiable from the unhappy situation of our affairs & the necessity of having them; but at the same time, for reasons which will readily occur to the Board, I very much wish...
65From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday evening I received the favor of your Letter of the 8th Instt; in consequence of which, I stopped the Flagg that was going in with the Ladies you mention, pointing out to them the necessity of the measure and recommending them to write to their Husbands & connections to obtain Genl How’s assurances for the release of Mrs Lewis & Mrs Robinson & her Children with their baggage, as...
66From George Washington to Board of War, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evennig favored with yours of the 16th instt—inclosing Copies of two Letters from B. Genl Knox to your Board on the Subject of forwarding military Stores to the Army—Circumstancd as I am at this Moment, with many surroundg Doubts & Uncertainties, from too many Reasons, it is impossible for me to fix on any certain Point of Time, at which I should wish to have the Stores in Camp—I...
67From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your favour of the 31st of, March, which, through hurry of business has been hitherto unanswered. From the relation in several respects between the duties of the office of Adjutant General and those of the Inspectorship; I pe[r]ceive advantages that would result from uniting them in a certain degree; but I am induced notwithstanding to recommend, that nothing...
68From George Washington to the Board of War, 30 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon receiving information that the enemy are preparing to send a reinforcement to the southward, I have determined to detach Major Lees Corps, both Horse and Foot to that quarter, and have written to the commanding Officer to put them in readiness as expeditiously as possible. As they will undoubtedly want many matters to equip them for so long a march, I have directed the Officer to repair...
69From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday evening received Your Letter of the 3d and have directed the Commissary of prisoners to permit Capn Edmonstone to go into New York upon parole, subject to an immediate and final exchange, by Sir Henry Clinton’s releasing One of our Captains now in his hands, who has been longest in captivity, & whose name will be mentioned in his parole. Mr Beatty has written to Mr Adams—Deputy...
70From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
We have so constantly experienced the want of Hats, than which no part of dress is more essential to the appearance of a soldier, that I have been endeavouring to find out a substitute for them, which could be procured among ourselves—I have seen none so likely to answer the purpose, and at the same time of so military an air as a leather Cap which was procured in the year 1777 for the 6th...
71From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
As we may now expect that Levies will be coming in from the States in a little time —and we shall have many occasional demands for Arms, I request that the Board will be pleased to order Three thousand Stand compleat, to be forwarded immediately to the North River. For fear of accidents in case the lower communication should be exposed by the removal of the Army—I think it will be prudent that...
72From George Washington to the Board of War, 28 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letters which you did me the honor to write the 22d & 23d inst. In consequence of the first—I have written to Col. Bland appointing him to the command at Charlotteville—and inclosing the Resolve of Congress relative to the general superintendence of the Governor and Council of Virginia—for his direction —As Col. Bland in my opinion answers the description of the Officer...
73From George Washington to the Board of War, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of the 12th ulto in which I took the liberty of mentioning the want of the Commissions for the Massachusetts line, I have received frequent and pressing applications on the same subject from the Officers of that Line. There is something peculiar in their situation—A Board of Commissioners are appointed by the State to make a compensation to their officers for the depreciation of...
74From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you an extract of a letter which I have lately received from Major General Gates, on which the Board will be pleased to direct the necessary measures—I have requested General Knox to send a proper person to inquire into the administration at Springfield; and to have the abuses rectified, so far as it may be done without interfering with the establishment of the...
75From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the honor to receive Your Letter of the 22d Instant. The exertions of the Board to relieve our distresses and the good Offices of the Merchants were most timely. The Army never stood in greater need of them. On several days the Troops have been entirely destitute of provision of this kind—and at best they have only received for a considerable time past, but an Eighth—a...
76From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you the Copy of a Letter of the 16th Ulto which I received from Wm Gardner Esq. Agent Cloathier at portsmouth, and of the foot of the Invoice to which he refers. I don’t know the terms on which the Cloathing Agents act; but there appears to me to be something obviously wrong in the present instance—and which has induced me to trouble the Board with this...
77From George Washington to Board of War, 19 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favor of the 9th—Respectg the Cloathing—I think it my Duty to inform you that the Southern Army from the Supply that has been sent them from York Town & is now going on under the Care of the Detatchment under Comand of Genl St Clair, with what Genl Greene has been able to obtain, will probably go near to be pretty well covered—a few small Articles such as Overhals & small...
78From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th late in the Afternoon I had the honor to receive Your private Letter of the 3d Inst. I sent the next morning for Captain Bowman, but owing to his being out of Camp in quest of provision, I did not see him till yesterday, when I took measures with him for complying with your views. He will march with his Company & with some additional Men I directed to be attached to it to make it...
79From George Washington to Board of War, 9 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 26th ulto and 3d Inst. the Resolve of Congress to which you refer in the last was not inclosed, but I have recd the Original from the president—Give me leave to thank you for the attention which you promise to pay to my wants—It is necessary you should be informed, that besides the Articles which it will be in your power to procure and forward from...
80From George Washington to Board of War, 13 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary of Prisoners informs me that there are still a number of officers on Long Island who have been exchanged, but are detained there for want of money to pay their board, not having been able to negotiate the bills which he received for that purpose. This is a most painful circumstance, both as it affects the officers and our public credit. If it were possible to find a sufficient...
81From George Washington to Board of War, 29 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 13th 14th. and 17th. instants. My late absence from the Army prevented my acknowledging them sooner. If the Uniforms which were fixed upon for the troops of the States of North and South Carolina have not been ordered from Europe, I do not see that any inconvenience can attend the proposed alterations. I think, however, the Lace ought to be dispensed...
82From George Washington to the Board of War, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with the Boards Letter of the 9th Inst. With respect to inlisting either Deserters or prisoners in general cases, I am decisively of Opinion against it—and I am convinced it will always operate against us, or at least till our appointments in Cloathing &c. can be placed upon as good a footing as those of the Enemy. With respect to the Count pulaski’s Corps, as the Campaign...
83From George Washington to Board of War, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 17th and 22d instants. It ought to be presumed that Mr Verna the British Dy Commy of prisoners comes to Elizabeth Town no oftner than his business requires, and except there can be proof stronger than suspicion that under cover of his office he carries on a correspondence with disaffected persons in Philada it will be indelicate to charge him with...
84From George Washington to the Board of War, 31 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will oblige me by forwarding the inclosed to Colo. Wood, as expeditiously as possible. It contains orders to send down Brigadiers Genl Spetch and de Gall of the Convention troops, to whose exchanges sir Henry Clinton has consented. The Gentlemen are both old and infirm and it is therefore to be wished that they may accomplish their long Journey before the severity of the season sets in. I...
85From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from Colonel Brodhead, dated Fort McIntosh the 3d Ultimo, he has the following paragraph “There is a prodigious deficiency of Clothing and money in this department; some cloth has indeed been purchased in the State of Virginia, but the means of making it up are not provided; shoes and Linen cannot be had at any rate unless they are sent up by the clothier general.” He adds in...
86From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
[ Preakness, 4 Nov. 1780 ]. With his “Military Chest being totally exhausted,” GW seeks money that will enable fifteen officers involved in a recent prisoner exchange to reach their homes. “Their long and patient sufferings entitle them to attention and to every assistance in getting themselves and Baggage forward. … P.S. There may perhaps be a few more Gentlemen than those I have named in the...
87From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th, came to hand this morning. It is to be regretted that circumstances should have interposed to diminish the command proposed for Col. Armand. When the idea was formed of Uniting the legion late Pulaski’s to his corps I had no intimation that Congress had determined on its reduction. I would hope however, that the order of the Board for its suspension will arrive in...
88From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is an Estimate of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, which I think it expedient to have lodged at Pittsburgh, ready to answer any favorable opportunity which may present itself, for carrying on operations against the Enemy’s posts to the Westward. I do not know whether there is any practicable Road at this Season for Sleds, if there is, it would be much the easiest and cheapest mode of...
89From George Washington to Board of War, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 30th April and 1st Instant. After a conference with Mr Cornel I ordered as much Cloathing as could possibly be shared from hence to be immediately forwarded to the southward with one thousand Muskets and one thousand Cartouch Boxes which appeared as many as could be sent from hence upon a comparison of our own probable wants with our stock on hand....
90From George Washington to Board of War, 6 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favor of the 25th ulto. Your first and second reasons for removing the Convention troops from their present places of confinement are unobjectionable; but I think they will be equally safe in Pennsylvania as they would be in Massachusetts, and, all circumstances considered, I am opinion that they had best be halted for the present in that State. The Board...
91From George Washington to Board of War, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received a representation, see General Knox’s letter of 23d of April of which the inclosed is a Copy, from General Knox, upon his being informed that the Board had directed the Military Stores at Fishkill to be delivered over to the Dy Qr Mr—and Mr Rud’dock and his Assistants to be dismissed—General Knox has so fully pointed out the utility and indeed necessity of keeping up such a post as...
92From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your Favor of the 8th Instant. Major Jameson is entitled to the Lieutenant colonelcy in Sheldon’s Regiment by the resignation of Lt Colo. Blagden and to rank from the time this event took place. It happened the 1st of August last & The Board will be pleased to make him out a Commission accordingly. I have the Honor to be With great respect & esteem Gentn Yr Most...
93From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 9th inclosing an abstract of the powder brought in by Capt. Ashmead. It is to be regretted that the quantity falls so far short of the estimate, but I am in hopes that the above with the three hundred Barrels forwarded before, will answer our present purposes. I would however wish that the Marine Committee may be requested not to lose sight of the object,...
94From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
As the inclosed representation from Capt. Schott to me implies that some steps have been taken by the Board respecting the incorporation of his and Capt. Selins Companies with the German Battalion, I have not thought proper to give any opinion upon it, untill I am informed how far the representation agrees with the measures which the Board may have adopted upon the occasion. I have the honor...
95From George Washington to the Board of War, 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hatfeild yesterday sent a person to communicate the several matters respecting his department to me. He himself being very unwell. Finding that he has near ten thousand Hides upon hand, I have directed him to send 2000, the number mentioned in yours of the 9th, immediately to Philada. He has delivered 1400 pair of shoes to the Cloathier General within thirty days past, and expects to turn...
96From George Washington to the Board of War, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 6th inclosing the instructions of the Board to the different Commissaries of Hides. The directions appear to me to be judiciously drawn and fully adequate to the purpose, and I doubt not, if they are strictly attended to, but that a sufficient quantity of Shoes for the Army, and leather for other uses will be procured—Mr Garanger is exceedingly impatient to know...
97From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with yours of the 25 ulto inclosing papers relative to the opposition of the officers of the 1st Penna Regt to Capt. McKissacks introduction into that Corps—and of the 27th with papers respecting the dispute of Rank between Majors Murray, Mentges and Nichols. I will use my endeavours to have the first adjusted to the satisfaction of the parties, and will direct proper...
98From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your favor of the 25th ultimo thro’ Col. Pickering. The extract of a letter from Mr Measam D.C.G. and the several objects to which it refers, will naturally claim the earliest notice. In particular the linen and blankets are greatly wanted for the troops; and the necessity of encreasing our supply of both so evident as to stand in need of no arguments to induce the board to...
99From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I herewith transmit the board two letters, one to Colonel Bland, the other to Lt Col. Washington with the resolve of Congress of the 7th, ordering them to proceed to join the Southern army. The inclosed copy of a letter from Lt Col. Washington has induced me to imagine that the resolve has not yet reached him. I therefore send the letters open, through the board, lest in their transmission I...
100From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I find by a Resolution of the 9th Instant, of which I received a Copy last night, that Congress have been pleased to determine the Quota of Troops to be furnished by the respective States the ensuing Campaign —and that the Non-Commissioned Officers & privates in the additional Corps—Artillery & Cavalry and the Regimented Artificers in the departments of the Quarter Master General & Commissary...