1From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency, in the Moment of his Departure, directs me to inform you, that being ignorant of the Encouragement Majr L’Enfant has a right to claim from you, it is difficult for him to determine the question you put—But was he to decide, he should have no other Mode of doing it than by Seniority. Most respectfully I am Dr Baron Your most Obedt Servt NHi : Steuben Papers.
2From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 8 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 6th. Whether the duties of the assistant Inspectors will or will not admit of their performing other duties incident to Officers of their rank remains yet to be tried. Upon a supposition that they will—I shall consent to their being put upon the General Roster of the Army, and that they shall be, in their turn, eligible to command upon detachment or otherwise,...
3From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th of Janry I wrote to Colonel Stewart urging in the strongest terms I was master of, the necessity of his immediately joining the Army; since which time I have not heard a word from him—I now think myself obliged in justice to my own official character, and duty to the Public to signify to you as head of the Department, that it will be essential to the service either for Colonel...
4From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 8 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have duly recd your two favors of the 5th by Express—it was indeed an unfortunate circumstance that the Resolution of the 12th of May respecting the frontier Posts could not have been sooner known & acted upon—as it is, we must make the best of what remains for us to arrange—on which subject it is not necessary for me to enlarge, as I shall probably have the pleasure of seeing you here...
5From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 15th ulto and to lament the unfortunate accident which prevented the execution of our plan against Arnold. I must beg of you to accept my thanks for the forwardness of your preparations of which and the propriety of all your other arrangements the Marquis has spoken in the most handsome manner—You will now naturally turn your attention again...
6From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 4 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
It would give me much pleasure in answering your letter of this date, if I could deliver such an opinion as would perfectly accord with the wishes of yourself, and the Gentn who are had in contemplation as Assistant Inspectors—But despairing of this, I shall submit such an one as candor, and a desire of information may require. My opinion has uniformly been that throwing the Inspectorate &...
7From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favr of the 23d ulto. As soon as I had ascertained the point of Genl Phillips having sailed with a detachment from New York I sent directions to the Marquis to proceed to the southward and put himself under the orders of Major Genl Greene. I was in hopes my letters would have reached him at Annapolis or met him in his march from thence to the Head of Elk, but unfortunately...
8From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 14 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Committee of Congress is appointed to consider what arrangements it will be proper to adopt in the different departments with reference to a peace. Colo. Hamilton who is Chairman of this Committee has written me on this Subject wishing to know my Sentiments at large on such institutions of every kind for the interior defence of these States, as may be best adapted to their circumstances and...
9From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 9 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Letter of yesterdays date, containing the following queries, "Is the Department of Inspector General necessary in the Army, or is it not?" "Has this Department been conducted during the course of five years agreeable to your Wishes, and have the consequences resulting from my exertions as Chief of the Department answered your Expectations?" I give it as my clear opinion that...
10From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 3 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Cassady (who will have the honour of delivering this Letter to you) being a Gentleman of respectable Character, and having been long resident at Detroit, is dispatched by me to that place, in order to find out the dispositions of the Inhabitants and to make any inquiries which may be useful to you on your arrival. I am the rather induced to adopt this measure for fear you should be delayed...
11From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great satisfaction, My Dear Baron, amidst the innumerable sollicitudes and embarrassments, with which I am surrounded, that I can unbosom myself with perfect security, to my confidential friends, and at the same time assure myself of their best advice & assistance in the management of the most delicate matters. At this moment, I will frankly confess to you, I am extremely perplexed...
12From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have not had it in my power, untill the present moment, to acknowledge the receipt of your several favors of the 18th and 23d of Febry & 1st Inst. which were forwarded to me, while on my Journey to Rhode Island, from whence I returned Yesterday. Since the Enemy have turned so much of their attention to the Southern States, the situation of our affairs in them, has become extremely...
13From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 12 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Taking it for granted the principle is generally understood, that an Officer holding a Commission in the Line of the Army of a superior grade, to that he possesses in a particular Corps, is to roll on all general duties agreeably to his Commission in the Army, and to be considered in the Line of the State to which he belongs, according to the rank he holds in Corps of that State; the following...
14From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I refer to your consideration A Memorial of Mr Hoaksley with sundry other papers relative to the condemnation of Merchandize &c. at York Town, said to have been carried in a Flag of Truce from N. York to Virginia—After an investigation of the Papers & the examination of Mr Hoaksley you will please to report your Opinion whether any alteration and what, ought to be made in the former decision....
15From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th. Had it been possible for you to have carried your plan of marching suddenly into North Carolina into execution it would most probably have occasioned the ruin of Lord Cornwallis—But this is one of the thousand instances which daily shew the evils resulting from feeding and paying troops which can only be used for local purposes. The arms which Capt. la...
16From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Genl Lincoln, with whom I have conversed on the subject of taking Majr Walker into my family as an Aid de Camp, consents freely to leave the determination to his own choice—That this choice may be entirely unembarrassed by a direct application from me, and that Majr Walker may have time to consider the two offers in every point of view I shall be obliged to you to intimate mine to him, and...
17From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 23 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of this date see 22 Oct. inclosing one from Colo. Febiger to you—The representation you have given me of the state of the officers makes me Feel very sensibly for them, and I could wish the means in my power, for their relief, were equal to my inclinations, but as I am divested of them, I can do no more than recommend them, with others, to Congress & their...
18From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 26 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was favored by the last Post, with the Report of the Board of Officers respecting Captn Segond’s claim of admission into the Legion of Armand; as it appears to be founded in justice & reason it has my entire approbation, and I presume must be satisfactory. As the prospect of Peace (the more promising than it has been at any former period) is somewhat equivocal; I have determined to put the...
19From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 16 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 21st of April, and by your letters of a later date, which I have seen published, I am informed of the progress of the Enemy as far as petersburgh. It gave me pleasure to find that the behaviour of the Militia merited your thanks. I hope the advance of the Marquis with the troops under his command would give fresh spirits to the Militia, and enable your...
20From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 12 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The propositions of Count Beniowsky which you put into my hands for consideration—I have read—and beg leave to observe thereupon, that the utility of his plan for introducing a Legionary Corps of Germans into the Service of the United States of America, depends, in my opinion, upon the Political state of Affairs in Europe—the probability of Wars continuing—and the mode of conducting it. As...
21From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 12 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of Powers in me vested for that purpose, I do hereby authorize and desire you to proceed, with such dispatch as you shall find convenient, into Canada, and there concert with Genl Haldimand, or the British Commander in Cheif, in that Province, upon all such measures as shall be found necessary for receiving possession of the posts now under his Command within the Teritory ceded...
22Draft of a Letter to Officers Retired from Service, enclosed to Baron Steuben, [ca. 1] January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The readiness with which the gentlemen who had formerly borne commissions in the regular line made a tender of their services on the late invasion of their Country, induce me to rely on their aid in repelling the present enemy headed by the blackest traitor who has ever disgraced the American history. With those gentlemen who have continued in service it is not within my powers to give you the...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 21 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received authority from the Legislature , to provide cloathing and blankets for the troops by seizing the same which will be accompanied by endeavors to purchase. Agents are out procuring salted beef and others setting out to procure pork in as large quantities as they are to be had to be stored on the Roanoke and its navigable waters. Ten thousand barrels of flour will certainly be...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 7 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed came to hand this moment. As I make no doubt it communicates what was mentioned in a letter from the Marquis to me received at the same time, I shall not trouble you with it. Scows which the Marquis desires for the transportation of cannon cannot venture into the wide waters over which they will be to be transported, as I apprehend. Flats (which abound in York river) are the best...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
An Officer from Cumberland having called on me this morning to direct what should be done with his unarmed Men, I took the Liberty by him of stating to you the order in which I thought the Militia should be discharged. I did this hastily while he was waiting and must now on more mature Reflection beg leave to correct in some Degree what I then wrote and to take up the whole subject. Fauquier,...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 25 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Genl. Lawson writes me word that he can march 1000 men to-day or to-morrow to reinforce Genl. Greene if he can be aided with arms. I inclosed you yesterday a letter from Colo. Banister informing me there were 400 good Continental arms at Petersburg, of which he seemed to wish about 150. The state stock being already exhausted, I could only inform Genl. Lawson that I would take the liberty of...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received a confirmation of the arrival of a hostile fleet consisting of 19 ships, 2 brigs, and 10 sloops and schooners. The advance of the fleet were yesterday morning in Warrasqueak bay, and just getting into motion up the river with a favorable wind and tide. Their destination from the intelligence of deserters and some captured mariners whom they put on shore is some...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Loyall from the post at the North west Bridge representing to me that about 400 of the militia of Princess Anne and Norfolk are embodied, that they annoy the enemy considerably, restraining their foraging parties, and checking their motions (which latter circumstance is confirmed by letter from Genl. Lawson) but that they are dispirited for want of some communication with the main army on...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 24 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As you have been so kind as to remain here, among other purposes, for that of organizing our troops meant to be forwarded to the south, I beg leave to inclose to you a resolution of the Executive of this State, entered into previous to your arrival here appropriating such of the men as were before unappropriated to any particular corps, and directing in what manner they shou’d be officered. I...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a report from Mr. Ross of the Cloathing provided and his prospect of further provision. The procuring Hats or leather Caps still appears desperate, so that unless some substitute can be thought of I know not what will be done. There are no Hats I am told among the Cloathing come from the Northward. I wrote you that after having called certain numbers from Washington, Montgomery,...