1From George Washington to Steuben, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd the honor of yours from Portsmouth inclosing the Copy of a letter from Messs. Franklin and Dean the original of wh. I shall be glad to receive from your own Hands as soon as it is convenient for you to undertake the Journey. As it will lay solely with Congress to make a suitable provision for you in the American Army you will be under the necessity of prolonging your Journey...
2From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
In answer to the letter which you delivered me yesterday, on the subject of your department. I have to assure you that it is my most earnest wish to conciliate the rights of the Inspectors with those of the officers commanding Corps—and that the public good may be advanced by a perfect harmony between them—with this view the plan proposed in General orders the 15th inst., was made—and it was...
3From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving a few days since your letter of the 6th instant; I am much obliged to you for the polite assurances you give; and in my turn, I beg you will believe, that when the institution at the head of which you have been placed, can once be established upon a footing mutually agreeable to you and to the army, to which end all the measures I have taken in it have been...
4From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 26 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Walker delivered me your favor of the 10th inst. with the Sequel of your Manuscript—Inclosed I transmit you my Remarks on the first part—the Remainder shall follow as soon as other affairs of equal importance will permit. I very much approve the conciseness of the work—founded on your general principle of rejecting every thing superfluous—tho’ perhaps it would not be amiss in a work of...
5From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 11 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 5th and now return you the Sequel of your work accompanied by a few notes. It gives me great pleasure to learn that the foregoing part is in such forwardness for the press—With respect to the Title I think “ Regulations for the Infantry of the United States ” will be sufficient—In a Letter to Congress I have signified my approbation of the work —it remains for...
6From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 27 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your favor of the 17th. Col. Fleury’s coming up to camp may answer the purposes you mention, till the regulations can receive a final completion—I would therefore wish to see Col. Fleury as soon as convenient, with such parts of the regulations as are necessary for immediate application. I am sir your &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW...
7From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with four letters from you three of the 22d and one of the 27th. One of them incloses a representation from the Gentlemen in your department, requesting some additional privileges, in consideration of the additional trouble incident to the extensive duties of their offices—Their request appears to me so reasonable that I shall immediately take measures to have them...
8From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 29th of Sepr containing a plan for recruiting the army for the next campaign, which I have attentively considered—Many parts of it correspond exactly with my ideas and with the proposals I have made and am making to Congress—Such parts of it as are new and appear to me calculated to promote the service shall be added. I have the honor to be With much esteem...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 16 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter on the general subject of the deficiencies in the Virginian quota of troops came to hand yesterday by post: but not attended by Colo. Davis’s particular returns as the letter seemed to imply. This particular return is so essential that without it our legislature can do nothing towards supplying the deficiency and as they have just met I think it is important that there should be no...
10From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 7 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I have been favoured with from his Excelly the cheva[lie]r De la Luzerne I am led to expect the honor of his Compy at Camp in the course of this Month. As it is my wish to accomodate him in the best manner circumstances will admit of (which at best as you well know will be bad enough) and to pay him evy respect due to his high rank and Station I shall thank you for previous...
11From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 26th brot down to the 29th of January with the papers annexed and have carefully considered the contents, on which I shall give you my sentiments with freedom and confidence. The principal point on which your memorial to Congress turns is the force requisite for the next campaign. To determine this on good grounds we ought first to settle the following...
12From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 18 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 12th and 14th instants. I had recd the Resolve of Congress, of which you inclosed me a Copy, immediately from the president, and in consequence of it; instantly gave the necessary directions for the proper Returns to be brought in to enable me to furnish the States with an account of the deficiency of their Quotas of Troops —This, from the dispersed State of...
13From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 6 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
On saturday I received the Honor of Your obliging Favor of the 23d Ulto and was extremely sorry to find that your indisposition still continued; before this I hope you are perfectly recovered. Returns of the Troops have been transmitted to all the States, except those of North and South Carolina & Georgia, which have no Troops in this Quarter, and so particular as to enable them to form a...
14From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 2 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your letter of the 15th of March, which hurry of business has prevented my acknowleging sooner. Last night brought me your favour of the 28th—The propositions made by you to Congress for the arrangement of the Army this campaign appears to me upon the whole best adapted to our circumstances; and especially since so much of the season has elapsed without entering upon it I am...
15From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 2 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
My Nephew waits on you to present his thanks for the honor You meant to confer on him, by appointing him one of your Aids—And, at the same time to assign his reasons for declining the favor. If he should not be explicit in doing this, when I next have the pleasure of seeing you at head Quarters, I shall not fail to do it myself. Be assured my dear Sir, that I shall entertain a proper sense of...
16From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 15 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I shall ride up to Morris Town this morning and return in the evening. Should you communicate an alarm to the Camp by the firing of your peice of Cannon, I shall direct it to be repeated by the signal Gun at Chatham, by which means it will reach me immediately—You very well know the inconveniencies of giving the Country a false Alarm, and am persuaded you will not, on that account, take up any...
17From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 14th and approve the measures you are taking. With regard to the light infantry you will see by the late General order, that I have ordered each regiment to furnish a company consisting of twenty rank and file —This is to be increased afterwards in proportion to the strength of the regiments—This appears to me to be the best plan to begin with. I think of...
18From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 18th Inst. and am pleased with the attention you are paying to the formation of the New-raised Troops of the State of New York. It will be best I think, to suspend the execution of the plan for forming three complete Companies of Light Infantry from the State Regiments to be joined to those furnished by the York line; until it is known how far the measure will...
19From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your Letters of the 20th 21. and 22 Inst. It was not my intention that the Companies of Light Infantry should finally consist of different numbers—My design was at present to draw out twenty men from each Regiment for that service, and to augment the Companies hereafter to the full establishment, whenevr the strength of the several Regts will admit of it. As the...
20From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 22 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Though I am sensible how important your services will be in this quarter; yet as to the Southward, there is an army to be created, the mass of which is at present without any formation at all, your services there will be still more essential—and as I am persuaded your inclination is to be wherever you can be most useful, I have recommendd it to Congress to send you with General Greene to the...
21From 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...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 25 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Officers were desired to give notice to the militia when arms were delivered them that no man would ever be discharged till he had returned his arms or given justifiable reasons for not doing it, and this was given out in general orders by the commanding officers. Nothing was said at that time about other stores, but I shall when the order for their discharge is given out, desire that...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Brigadr. Genl. Lawson now waits on you for the purpose of informing you of the state of his corps. I would have done myself the pleasure of introducing him to you personally, but am engaged in the council chamber and shall be so till three o’clock. When yourself and Genl. Lawson shall have settled those essential wants without which his corps cannot proceed I shall be happy to do every thing...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 1 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment received your letter, and have extended Mr. Elliot’s powers to the procuring subsistence for the marching troops. You will perceive by the inclosed resolution of assembly (which was put into my hands about two o’clock to-day) that they doubt whether the time, for which Genl. Lawson’s corps is enlisted, will not be so nearly expired before they reach the scene of action as, under...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 3 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I was equally surprized and mortified to learn by your letter of yesterday that mine of the day before had not been delivered. The resolution of assembly was put into my hands at two o’clock in the afternoon of Friday. At 7. o’clock I delivered letters to an express for yourself, Genl. Lawson , and Genl. Muhlenberg , with orders to be with you at farthest by an hour by sun on Saturday. I was...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 4 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been just honored with your favor of Yesterday expressing your Opinion that it will be for the general good to dispense with the services of the Corps under Genl. Lawson; and take the Liberty of putting under cover to you my Letter to General Lawson desiring him to give them a discharge. The Diversion of their Services to an object different from that to which they had attached their...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 6 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of inclosing to you an order for the Shoes, Shirts and Cloth you desired. Mr. Armistead the Commissary of Stores to whom it is directed and who now waits on you, sais he has not that number of Shoes, but will call on the Continental Q.M. in hopes he may have some which are of course subject to your order. He has no white cloth but will if it be possible in our circumstances...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 8 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is a Copy of a requisition I have received this morning from Lt. Colo. Lee. With respect to cloathing for so many of his Legion as were raised in other States and consequently not credited to us in our Continental quota we do not conceive the call on us to be proper; as it is totally unprecedented for the troops of one State to be clothed by another, nor does our condition or...
29From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 10 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received the three Letters you did me the favor to write, before you Left Philadelphia; and have made representation to Congress respecting the Inspector Department agreeable to your request. This Moment I am also favored with Yours of the 24th Ulto from Richmond, and am pleased to find you are still pursuing, with indefatigable industry those measures which will tend so much to promote...
30From 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...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 23 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
You were pleased to observe in a conversation with me some time ago that you would furnish us with a description of horses proper for the Cavalry and appoint some person to receive such as we should purchase under that description. As soon as it is convenient for you to do this we will resume the business of purchasing horses for the Continental Cavalry. The resolution of Congress for allowing...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Southern express sets out to day. As you will probably have commands for him I will order him to call on you if you will be so good as to say at what hour. I should be exceedingly glad if by the return of the expresses (for the business which sets them in motion requires a return) I could through your means procure an accurate return of the Virginia troops in the South stating their times...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 30 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to the letter of the 29th instant , with which you were pleased to honour me on the Subject of Artificers, we are enabled to do nothing further than to say that if you think proper to order the Continental D.Q.M. to engage the Artificers we will use our endeavours to furnish him with money debiting Congress therewith. You will be pleased to observe that the requisitions of Congress...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 31 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received information that 27 sail of vessels, 18 of which were square rigged, were yesterday morning just below Willoughby’s point. No other circumstance being given to conjecture their force or destination, I am only able to dispatch Genl. Nelson into the lower country to take such measures as exigencies may require for the instant, until further information is received...
35Draft 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...
36From 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...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Majr. Dick calls on me for an order for the militia of this place to march. I beg you will be so good as to consider the militia of every place as under your command from the moment of their being embodied, and to direct their motions and stations as you please. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir your most obedt. servt., RC ( NHi ); addressed and endorsed.
38From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 7 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have thought myself very unfortunate in missing of you for two days tho’ riding over the same ground on which you were. On my arrival here I was informed you were at Ampthill and was setting out there when a gentleman came who assured me you were at Ozborne’s, and having rode thirty miles thro’ the rain have not resolution enough to undertake to go to Ozborne’s, this evening. I received your...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 7 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of this morning on the subject of finding where the arms have been sent and having them put into the hands of the militia I have this moment received. I think most of these arms have been sent off in different directions by the orders of Colo. Davies who I beleive therefore to be best acquainted with their situation. If I did not misunderstand him to-day he has accordingly directed...
40From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 9-11 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 17th of last month. It is not to be wondered at that you found so great a waste and derangement of public Stores after so general a call had been made upon the Militia, who were to be equipped from the Magazines. I however have the pleasure of thinking that every possible exertion will be made by you to recover those which had been delivered out. The Officers of...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 9 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The State commissary having come to me yesterday I sent him on to your Headquarters to provide subsistence for the troops and observe your orders in every thing. A waggon load of fixed ammunition and two feild peices have past this place for General Nelson. The residue (I beleive about two waggon loads) was ordered on to you yesterday. I am very happy to hear you have General Smallwood’s...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 9 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Granville Smith a State Quarter-master now waits on you. As I am not thoroughly acquainted with the Continental regulations I shall just mention to you my ideas on this particular matter without laying any stress on them and leave to your determination the propriety of using Mr. Smith. I have ever understood that the rule of Congress was to admit no expences to be Continental which were...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night your favor of yesterday; and shall immediately dispatch an express to Genl. Weedon and recommend to him to attend to the measures necessary for the preservation of Mr. Hunter’s works. I have heard that he has with difficulty armed some four or five hundred men and means with them to join Genl. Nelson. I am really at a loss what to advise him. If he comes away with that...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 11 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with your letters of yesterday and this day . The peices of artillery at Cumberland were ordered on the first news of this invasion to be carried up the river to Newcastle and on hearing of their arrival there I ordered them to the forks of James river 50 miles above this but very convenient to be brought down by water whenever wanting. Indeed I think in future to divide our...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 12 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honored with yours of yesterday by Colo. Loyauté. General Weedon to whom the care of the works at Fredericksburg had been committed being now at Hanover Court-house I have referred Colo. Loyauté to him, and given them authority to make use of the brass canon Howitzers or Mortars at New Castle if they can use them, for they are unmounted. I heard in the same instant that 744 riflemen...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 11th. by Mr. Smith. I cannot say at what point of time the Expences attending an Invasion become Continental. I suppose Congress have some fixed rule on that Subject which, whatever it be, when applied to all the States, will be equal. From the time at which they called for specific Quotas of Provisions from the several States they seem to have considered their...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 14 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 12th. and 13th. are now before me. They are in some measure answered by some marginal notes on the several articles in a paper delivered me by Majr. Walker . If there be any state arms, fit for use, and still undelivered they are so few, that we may consider them as nothing. I should therefore think it proper to discharge so many militia as cannot be furnished with arms. My...
48Steuben’s Queries concerning Military Supplies, with Jefferson’s Answers, [before 14 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
All are delivered 1 To know if all the State Arms are already distributed. If not where are the remainder? Richmond and Westham. They shall be delivered to Capt. Pryor. 2 To fix on a place where all the Arms Ammunition and Camp Equipage may be collected and appoint some Officer to collect and distribute them. If the Governor thinks proper, Capt. Prior may be appointed to distribute them after...
49[From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, ca. 15 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, ca. 15 Jan. 1781 . Letter not found, but the following clearly elliptical version of it appears in a Virginia Militia Order Book for Dec. Jan. 1781 (ViU-McG): “The Genl. takes this Oppertunity to Inform the Troops before they Separate that he has been honour’d with a letter from his excellency the Governour of which the following is an extract—I beg leave in the behalf of my...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 18 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Genl. Weedon which I suppose will inform you, as he did me, that he has between 6 and 700 men embodied, and expects 500 more in the course of this week from the Western side of the Blue ridge. By a letter of the 16th from Genl. Nelson he informs me he has ordered the Louisa militia (about 150) to turn off to Fredericksburg. They were not called on at all, so that...