1George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 14 May 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] May 14, 1777. Orders Varnum to forward recruits despite the opposition of the Rhode Islanders. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
2George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 7 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pawlins Mill [ Pennsylvania ] October 7, 1777 . Orders Varnum to “the Baptist meeting House in Montgomery Township” to meet main Army. Df , in writing of H, Papers of George Washington, Library of Congress. Fitzpatrick dates this letter October 8, 1777 ( GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , IX, 333).
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 28, 1777 . Orders Varnum to Woodbury to cooperate with those already there for the relief of Fort Mifflin and the garrison at Red Bank. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
4From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon your appointment to the Rank of Brigadier General in the Continental Army. Your Commission shall be forwarded to you, as soon as it comes to my hands. It will bear date from 21st last Month. I beg you will make use of your utmost Exertions, to raise and equip the two Battalions allotted to your State, which, by a letter from Govr Cook, I hope will...
5From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity I am under for Troops obliges me to desire You to call upon the several Continental Colonels in your State in the most peremptory manner to make Returns of the Men they have inlisted, and to march all those that have had the Small pox immediately to join the Army here. If any of their Companies are not complete, proper Officers must be left behind to make up the deficiency, and...
6From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Samuel Holden Parsons, Enoch Poor, and James Mitchell Varnum, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Situation of our Affairs again compells me to call upon you in express, and positive Terms to hasten the Troops of your State (those Inlisted for the Continent I mean) to Peeks Kills, or head Quarters, without one moments loss of time. I do not mean by this to interupt the Inoculation of them; but, that nothing which can facilitate the March of the whole, or part (under proper Officers)...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not having been favoured with an Answer to my letter to you on the 3d Ulto I flattered myself that the Order it contained “that you would have innoculated all the Recruits of the two Regiments to be raised by Rhode Island as fast as they inlisted,” had been executed. But a letter from Governor Cook dated the 18th Ulto informs me that You are taking Methods to have the Regiments innoculated as...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 6th instant this moment reached me, inclosing returns of the batalions raising in your state. You must continue to send them forward with all expedition, whatever affect it may have in the opinions of those you mention. Their presence in this quarter cannot be dispensed with; and it is impossible to neglect a certain and pressing danger, in order to guard against a precarious and...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 6 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of Yesterday informing me that the detatchment under your command will be at Coryells Ferry this Evening. I desire you will cross immediately upon the Rect of this and proceed by the nearest Rout to Hilltown Township near the Heights of which we shall move our Encampment. As soon as you arrive upon your Ground send me a Messenger to let me know exactly where you are. I am Sir Yr...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 7 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I desire you will immediately on the receipt of this detach Col: Green’s and Col: Angel’s regiments with their baggage, with orders to throw themselves into the fort at Red-bank upon the Jersey-shore. This important post commands and defends the Chevaux de frize and unless kept in our possession, our vessels of war must quit their station and thereby leave the enemy at liberty to weigh the...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I send you the foregoing duplicate of mine of yesterday to prevent any delay or disappointment from miscarriages; as it is of the utmost importance no time should be lost in forwarding the detachment to the place of its destination. The army here marches this morning from hence to the Baptist meeting house in Montgomery Town ship; whither you will direct your course by the shortest rout and...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this Evening received your favor of this date. The Regiments under Cols Greene & Angel are to proceed to Red Bank according to orders. I desire to be informed of their precise amount by this Express at day light tomorrow, and that you & Genl Huntingdon will join me with the Remainder, as early as you can. I am Sr Yr Most Obed. Sert LS , REgVM . This letter has not been found.
13From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 9 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Letter early this Morning by the return of the Express. Since the Order given for the march of Colo. Green’s & Angels Regiments some circumstances have cast up, which from appearances, make so large a number of Continental Troops at Red Bank unnecessary, I therefore desire that you will on receipt of this, send the express to Colo. Angel to return immediately with his Regiment,...
14From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 28 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are, as soon as the weather will permit, to proceed to Woodberry with the Brigade under your command. Your most convenient route will be from this to Bristol, thence to Mount Holly, thence to Haddonfield and thence to the place of your destination. You will be circumspect on your march, to prevent being surprised or intercepted. The design of your expedition is to aid and give greater...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 31 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Loss of our heavy Cannon on the North River, and the possibility however remote, of our losing those which are in the Forts on Delaware, in which case we should be totally divested of an essential defence against the Enemys Ships—make it adviseable to remove from Red bank and Fort Mifflin all the large Calibers that can possibly be spared from their necessary defence, to some Place of...
16From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 1 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I hope this will find you arrived safe at Red Bank with your detatchment. By letters from the Baron Arendt, who has retired for a few days to the Jersey Side for the benefit of his health, I understand that what they principally fear at Fort Mifflin is a surprise by Night, or a lodgment upon the upper end of the Island, by which they may cover themselves before morning, and open a Battery upon...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 4 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed I had written to Colo. Green before your favor of yesterday reached my hands. I am happy in receiving so favorable a report, as your Letter contains, of the situation of the Forts—I most devoutly wish that the exertions of your self and Officers may be Crowned with the success that so good a cause, and such labours, deserve. My letters to Comodore Hazelwood, & Colo. Green, go...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
From various accounts I am convinced that the Enemy are upon the point of making a grand effort upon Fort Mifflin. A person in confidence of one of their principal artificers thinks it will be to day or tomorrow. No time is therefore to be lost in making that Garrison as respectable as your numbers will admit, for should the attack commence before they are reinforced, it may probably be out of...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 6th relieved me from much anxiety, as it was confidently reported that the firing upon the 5th was upon Fort Mifflin. I am pleased to hear of the Success of your Cannonade against the Enemy’s shipping, and I am very certain if we had more heavy Cannon mounted upon travelling carriages to move up and down the Beach occasionally, that we should annoy and distress them exceedingly....
20From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 10 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am pleased to find by yours of the 8th that proper dispositions were formed for the Reception of the Enemy at Forts Mercer and Mifflin and that the Garrisons were so full of confidence. We already hear a firing which we suppose a prelude to something more serious. I sincerely wish you sucess; but let the event be fortunate or otherwise pray let me have the speediest intelligence. I am Dr Sir...
21From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 11 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favors of 9th & 10th Instant, I have duly received. I think we may reasonably hope, that from the good disposition of the Troops in your Quarter, & the Zeal & Activity of the Officers & men, Join’d to the present very advanced & cold Season, which must greatly retard if not prevent the Operations of the Enemy; Matters may terminate with you agreeable to our Expectations—this must have the...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find from yours of Yesterday, that the fire of the Enemy had made so great an impression upon the Works of Fort Mifflin, that you thought an evacuation would be necessary. As I have not yet heard that the measure was determined upon, I hope it is not carried into execution. If it is not, it is the unanimous opinion of a Council of General Officers now sitting, that the Fort be...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you at One O’Clock this day yours dated twelve last Night came to hand. This has occasioned an alteration in the sentiments of myself and the Council, who find it impossible, from your representation, to give timely releif to the Fort. We therefore are now of opinion that the Cannon and Stores ought immediately to be removed, and every thing put into a disposition to remove...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 13 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you two Letters yesterday, the first contained positive orders to maintain the Fort on Mud Island at all events, the second in consequence of subsequent advices from you gave discretionary powers to evacuate the post—and a Copy of it was sent to guard against miscarriage—I refer you to its Contents and repeat that I would have a show of defence kept up as long as possible, by such a...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of yesterday inclosing the opinion of Major Thayer the present Commandant at Fort Miflin respecting the defence of that Post —and am happy to find that he and Major Fleury coincide in their Sentiments as to the practicability of maintaining it, in spite of the Enemys Land and floating Batteries —Their Perseverance however may expose them to falling a Sacrifice in...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 16 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I imagine from yours of last Evening by Major Ballard that the Fort was totally evacuated last night. As Major Fleury is wounded, you may probably want an Engineer below. I have therefore sent Monsr L’Aumois the Bearer of this. He is recommended as a Gentleman of Abilities in his profession. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt P.S. It is not intended that Monsr L’Aumois should interfere with Capt....
27From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Body of the Enemy marched last night from Philada and crossed the Bridge at the middle ferry and proceeded to Chester. Their numbers are variously reported from 1500 to 3000 but I imagine the former is most likely, altho’ some people from the City think they are much lessened upon their lines. They this day embarked their Horses from Chester on Board Brigs and Ships. This would seem as if...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Consequences of advices recd since I wrote you last night, I have ordered Genl Huntington to march to your Assistance. You will please to direct the detatchment that went first down to Fort Mifflin under the command of Colonel Smith to return to Camp, they are in so much want of Necessaries that it is impossible for them to remain longer. Let the Militia that are with you be put in the best...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Gens. St Clair, Knox and Kalb returned to Camp this Evening, they are all clear in their opinions that keeping possession of the Jersey Shore at or near Red Bank is of the last importance. I have therefore determined to make such an addition to the reinforcement that marched this morning under Genl Huntingdon, that I am in hopes you will be able to give an effectual Check to the Force...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favors of 20 & 21st Inst. by this Express I shall write to Majr Genl Greene from whom you will receive your Instructions respecting your Operations on that shore. I am at a loss to determine upon what Principle the Powder was strew’d over the fort at Red bank as I expected that if an Evacuation was found necessary it might be brought off & if that was impracticable I...