11From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have directed Lt Colo. De Haart with a detachment of 250 Men to move from paramus to Newark and send parties of observation from thence to Bergen to watch the motions of the enemy upon the North River and at Paulus Hook. He will communicate with your Lordship by way of Elizabeth town and is directed to receive any commands from you. The detachment will move from hence as soon as the sleds,...
12From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with your Lordships letter of this date. The detatchment under Col. Stewart moved off on sleds from the parade about half after 2 O’clock, and the artillery passed by this place at four this afternoon. I had ordered down 500 axes, with shovels and picks; of the former however, I find on inquiry that only one hundred and eighty were in store which is all that could be...
13From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 13 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Herewith Inclosed are your Lordships discretionary Instructions —In addition to what you read in the morning, & in consequence of Genl Irvines information respecting the state of the Ice between York, long, & Staten Islands I have inserted a clause by which you will see that if things continue in the condition he represents I would have your Lordship turn your thoughts to the practicability of...
14From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 13 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours by Colo. Steward. Upon your letter and his representation, I shall direct the whole of the detachment which is to move tomorrow, to proceed directly to join the main Body, Should the severity of the Weather continue, and your information of the numbers—situation and circumstances of the enemy make it probable that an attempt upon them openly will succeed, I leave it to your...
15From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 10 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I should be glad, on receipt of this, to see your Lordship on some matters of business as soon as possible. I am my Lord your Lordships most obt servt LS , in James McHenry’s writing, NHi : Stirling Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW probably is referring to his planning for an attack on the British forts on Staten Island; he intended Stirling to command the attack (see GW...
16From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 9 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the unlucky failure of the expedition against Savannah and the apprehension of the Enemy’s pushing their operations in the southern Quarter—Congress have been pleased to direct, by an Act of the 4th Inst. received yesterday, the whole of the Virginia Troops to be immediately put in motion, with a view of sending them to the Southward. I have accordingly given orders for their march to...
17From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 29 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your Lordships favor of the 26th. As your Lordship was not with the division I have given my instructions to Brigadier General Woodford to return and take post between Sufferans and Stoney-point, provided the enemy have gone back. I am, &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Stirling’s letter to GW of 26 Oct. has not been found. See GW to...
18From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 22d and am much obliged to you for the intelligence it contains. The chief part of it I have had confirmed from different quarters. Your Lordships offer to go down to the Count should he favor us with a visit is very interesting but it has been anticipated by my sending Gen. du Portail and Lt Col. Hamilton, who some time since set out on this...
19From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 7 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Lordships letter of the 5th; and the observations that were inclosed. I shall not fail should we be fortunate enough to have it in our power to enter upon such an undertaking as your Lordship has supposed, to pay them a proper attention and I have to request such further suggestions as may occur to your Lordship on this subject. We have however no certainty...
20VIII. From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 4 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
By advices which I have just received from Congress, I have no doubt of the French fleet (under Count D’Estaing) coming this way—and that it will appear in these Seas immediately —The prospect of preventing the retreat of the garrisons at Stony—and Verplanks point ⟨(⟩so far as it [is] to be effected by a Land operation) again revives upon probable ground, and I am to request, that your...