1To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 9 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
As you have had the history of the late action from the General, I shall not trouble you with many particulars which happened on that memorable day. The attack was formed with the true spirit of enterprize, and executed, by the Troops that were principally engaged, with heroic valour. With victory in their hands and laurels on their brows (hear me patiently, for I am determined to give Merit...
2To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 4 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday a severe skirmish happened between a party of seven hundred of our Troops and two or three thousand Barbarians , it is said we lost forty or fifty and the Enemy more, but the superiority of their numbers obliged our men to retreat; the Enemy advanced and are now encamped three or four miles below Christiana Bridge, with the greatest part of their Troops. These accounts I receive from...
3To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 27 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I did myself the Honor to address a Letter to you; in answer to yours of the twentieth instant. This morning I saw the Adjutant General, and enquired whether he had transmitted the general Abstract of Musters, which I delivered him, to the Board of War? He replied that he had not, by reason of the hurried unsettled situation of things, but he would do it as soon as possible. Thus...
4To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 26 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favour of the twentieth Instant, while on my way from North River to this place. The Army is now on its march towards Philadelphia. You inform me that Congress is impatient for my Returns; I have long been exceedingly unhappy because it hath not been in my power to carry the System for mustering the Army fully into execution. I made an Abstract of all the Muster Rolls...
5To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 17 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I came to this Place upon some business respecting my Department. I left General Washington encamped 18 miles south of the North River. I shall return to Head Quarters this day. There are now several Ships of war coming up the North River, their design is at present unknown, but ’tis probable their intention is to alarm us this way while they make a descent on some other quarter. We...
6To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 4 July 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Army marched from Middle Brook yesterday and arrived here last Evening and encamped. I presume we shall not remain in this place long. If Howe moves up the North River, or towards New England, I suppose we shall immediately push after him; but at present I apprehend the designs of the Enemy are not known, and therefore we must remain some time longer in a suspense. The unsettled state of...
7To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 28 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
I wish it was in my power to give you a satisfactory and particular state of facts relative to the late movements in the military way, but all the facts I cannot learn, and if I could they might not perhaps be satisfactory in every sense of the word. The 22 Instant the Enemy retreated from Brunswick to Amboy, a party, of several hundreds, under the command of Col Morgan attacked their rear, in...
8To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 20 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Enemy retreated back to Brunswick; they were followed and fired on by a small party that happened to be near them. Since they came from Brunswick, the fourteenth Instant we have killed about twenty and taken three Officers, three Light Horse, and three or four privates. All is quiet at present. Our Army is reinforced fast, by the New England Troops from Peekskill; and by the...
9To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 19 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
I have lately had convincing proof of what I have long expected, that is, men employed as Contractors being allowed two or three percent for all they purchase, will give any price in order to increase their own profits. It has been suspected that these States have been cheated by some Officers in the Army by false abstracts and payrolls, (no doubt with too much reason) but I apprehend the...
10To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 12 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
This day General Arnold came into Camp, I have had a long conversation with him upon the affairs of the Army, and Navy; his mind is set towards the Seas, and he inclines to pursue his fortune in that line. He thinks he cannot (consistently) act in the Army unless he has his rank, to receive orders from those to whom he once gave orders, appears to him degrading, and contrary to all military...