1To George Washington from Col. David Forman, 11 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. David Forman, 11 May 1777. GW wrote Forman on 15 May : “I am favd with yours of the 11th.”
2To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 10 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Evening I rode to Shrewsberry and this Morning Mounted my Horse at Two OClock and rode Down to the Heights of Middle Town to Examin into the State of the Enemies Ships at Sandy Hook, At Amboy and Princus Bay. I recd Information that fifteen Ships Come from amboy Last Evening and Come to in Princus Bay under Stratin Island—With my Glass I Counted them Very Distinctly laying At Anchor—What...
3To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 6 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Very busy Season of the Year renders it impossible to keep out a Sufficient Number of Guards to prevent the Enemy from plundering the Inhabitants, unless I take Post near to Sandy Hook. I have pitched on a peice of Ground that is so near as to prevent all small pillageing Parties coming Off, and at the same Time Commands a full prospect of Amboy, Staten Island, and the Bay as far up as the...
4To George Washington from Brig. Gen. David Forman, 16 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. David Forman, 16 July 1777. GW writes in his letter to Forman of 18 July that “I am favd with yours of the 16th instant by Express.”
5To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 23 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Sunday the 20th of this Instt I had the Honr of Informing your Excely that 160 Sail of the Enemy Fleet had come from the Watering Plase, and lay in Sandy hook Bay —On Monday Morning, fifteen Transports and Men of War Join’d them, and about 10 OClock, 80 Small Briggs., Schooners, & Sloops, came out of the Narrowes & Join’d the Grand Fleet—Tuesday they lay still—This Morning at Half past Six...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 2 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honr of Transmiting your Excely An Acct of the Enemies Fleet’s sailing, Nothing of Importance has Come to my Knowledge—The Cork Fleet Consisting of 34 Sail Left Sandy hook on Tuesday Morning Last. The Accts respecting the Situation of our Northern Army as handed to us at this place is so Various as to Induce me to beg the favr to have the Accts from Some one of your Excelys...
7To George Washington from Brig. Gen. David Forman, 26 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. David Forman, 26 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Forman on 27 Sept. : “I received your favor of the 26th Inst.”
8To George Washington from Brig. Gen. David Forman, 28 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. David Forman, 28 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Forman on 29 Sept. : “I recd yours of yesterday.”
9To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to my engagement of your Excellency, I immediately waited on the legislative Body of this State for an Order to call out the Militia to reinforce your Excellency’s Army. I procured an Order from the Assembly for two Thousand men to be ordered from this State, and was so happy as to meet with the Concurrence of the Governor & Council. A Copy of the Order from the Governor I herewith...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
From Freehold I Wrote your Excely what steps I had Taken on my return to Draw out The Militia. At That time I could not tell what effect the order would produce. I now have The Mortification to Inform your Excely th[a]t I do not belive I shall Collect three Hundred men. The Monmouth Militia have Turned out Quite as well as Usual, but from the Irruptions of Several of The Enemies pillaging...
11To George Washington from Brig. Gen. David Forman, 17 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. David Forman, 17 Oct. 1777. GW wrote Forman on 19 Oct. : “I have yours of the 17th.”
12To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 26 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excelys favr of the 22d Directed to me at The Salt works Unfortunately Went to The Salt Works by the lower road at The Same Time I came to Freehold by the upper, by Which means your Excelys orders ware not handed me untill Friday afternoon —previous to Which I had recd an Express giveing an Acct of The Defeat of the Troops your Excly mentioned to have Crossed to Attack the Fort and Their...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 29 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excelys favr of the 27th was handed me This afternoon, previous to my rect of it I had given orders to several of The Militia officers of This part of The Country to Assemble Their men—and have used my endevours with Genl Newcomb to obtain a return of The men it is said he has Assembled That They might be put on some Duty either in The Garrisons or on some out guards—But the Genl...
14To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excelys favr of the 31st I recd the 1st Novr and The same Morning I recd an Answar from The Counsil of Safety to a Letter I had wrote to Govr Livingston Respecting The Conduct of Brgr Genl Newcomb—The Counsil of safety in their Letter to me enclosed one for Genl Newcomb which they assured me contain’d Their orders to him to make me returns of his Brigade and receive my orders—I...
15To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Exclys request I herewith inclose a Memorial respecting The Salt Works—in The Memorial I have not Specified the Quantity of Salt that I suppose the Works will Dayly produce as Those matters Cannot be with Certainty assertained—yet I think we shall when intirely Compleat produce at Least Two Hund. Buss. ⅌ Day—a Quantity That will Abundantly Supply all the Wants of your Excelys...
16To George Washington from David Forman, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Above named Gent. have at all times executed every command to which the[y] have been ordered while I had the Honr to command them, with great exactness. I therefore beg leave to recommend them as officers, that will endevour to deserve any Notice Yr Excelly may honour them with. I am Yr Excelly’s Most obdt Humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Preceding this text on the manuscript is a “Return of...
17To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by Genl Lee to Inform your Excely That The Enemy’s Front have advanced One and a half Miles On The road leading to Middle Town and South Amboy. When The Express Come off They ware at The fork of the ⟨rode⟩ one leading towards Middle Town The Other to South Amboy. I have no doubt of Middle Town being Their distination, as Amboy would Expose There Left flank to your Excelys Army. I...
18To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 17 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honr to Inform Your Excely that I have Establishd difrent posts for upwards of fifty Miles along the Sea Costs, that I think it will be Impossable for any Number of Ships to be on this Coast without my Immediately being informed of it. Enclosed your Excely will have the examination of three Masters of Vessells & a Mercht that have made there Escape from the Prison Ship—They appear...
19To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 17 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Afternoon three Frigates arrived within Sandy Hook—In the Evening a fourth Ship of War run in—The Tory Report of this Day is that Adml Arbuthnot was onboard. This Afternoon a Large Fleet appeard Standing for Sandy Hook—The air my Intilligencer says was too Foggy for good Observation But that before Sundown he Counted Sixty five Sail of Ships of War and Transports distinctly—and Saw a...
20To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 19 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday Night Elevin OClock I had the Honr to Inform your Excly of the Arrival of a Fleet within Sandy Hook from the Southward, that there remained no doubt of there being British and probably Sr Harry Clinton —As I proposed to Your Excly, As soone as I had dispatched the Express I rode down to the High Lands of Middle Town —The Day was rainey and dull—so as to prevent any particular...
21To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honr of receiveing Your Excely Favr of the 21st last Evening, wherein your Excly expreses an Opinion that Sr Henry Clintons Object at prest is West Point —My Want of knoledge of that place hardly permits my Attempting to form a Judgement of the Appeara⟨n⟩cees that might indicate an Attack—Yet the Mind will on ⟨su⟩tch Important Subjects Attempt forming a Judgt—My Last Inf⟨or⟩mation to...
22To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 30 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
My last Informed Your Excellency that Eight of Adml Abuthnots Ships had gone to the Southward—& that several Light Vessells of War wer[e] Constantly plying in the Offing —My Inteligencers have made No material observations Since untill Yesterday in The afternoon The wind at West five oClock P.M. The Guard Ship Laying at the Hook Fire’d a Gun, at the same Time hoisting a flagg at Her Mizen...
23To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 9 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed your Excly has a Diary kept on the Highlands of Middle Town, by it Your Excellancy will Observe that the small Fleet prepared for sinking & to Inturupt the Navigation to New York are returned to Sandy Hook —The same person Informes me, that two Deserters landed yesterday from one of the Enemies Ships of War who says they had a report on Board that a French fleet was on the Coast. All...
24To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 12 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was Hond with your Ecelencys favr of the 10th This Morning Together with dispatches for His Excly the Count de Rochambout & the Chavelier de Turnay—Your Excly may depend on my takeing the Earliest opportunity of delivering the dispatches to His Excly The Count de Rochambout after Sending forward to Your Excellancy & Capt. Dennis An Acct of the Fleets Arrival. It would give me grate pleasure...
25To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 17 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Thursday Afternoon last Six Heavy Ships Come in from The Southward & Come too Not far distant from the place Count De Estang’s Headmost Ships Lay in 78 —from the Bustle that appeard in Arbuthnots fleet it was Generally Supposed on Thursday Afternoon and Fryday that it was part of Adml de Turnays Fleet—Saturday a Communication was opined betwen Arbuthnots Ships and the Six that Come in on...
26To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Denniss going so Early only permits me Time To enclose to Your Excly a Sketch of The Diary from the [Atlantic] Highlands and The Information of a Certain Lt Wolcott. I have The Honr to be Your Excly Most obdt Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . For the return of pilot Patrick Dennis to headquarters, see GW to Henry Lee, Jr., 19 July . The enclosed report of ship movements in New York Harbor sent...
27To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was Hond with your Excellancys favr of the 24th by Capt. Rudolph respecting the Hornd Cattle and Horses from the parts of Shrewsberry and Middle Town that I had the Honr to mention to your Excellancy when I was at Camp—Majr Lee had Marched all his Horse previous to my Geting the Letter for East Town, Except Capt. Rudolphs Troops about 24 in Number —from a Conviction that so few Was Intirely...
28To George Washington from David Forman, 1 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I This afternoon recd information from my Inteligencer on the High lands of Middle Town That a Large Number of Shipping Appeared Early This Morning in The Narrowes—At Twelve OClock One Hundered Sail had Come too at Sandy Hook and a Number of Large Ships Then on There way down from The Narrowes—Some of Them he Thinks are Large Ships of War, but Could not determin with Certainty when he sent of...
29To George Washington from David Forman, 14 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am this minute Informed that Admiral Rodney with twelve sail of the line & four frigates are Arrived off Sandy Hook from the West Indies—My Informant also says that they yesterday took a french Frigate to the southward & sent her this day up to N. York —This Acct my informer Says may be relyd upon—He further adds (but not with Certainty) that 5,000 British Troops are to be sent in a few days...
30To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 12 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday my Intelligencer from The Highlands of Neversink Informed me of The Approach of a Considirable Fleet from the Southward to Sandy Hook—& allso of a Considerable fleet Comeing down from New York But Could not be particular in either as The rear of Neither of the fleets was Come Too—The Fleet from New York I am Assured from good Authority has Troops on Board for Carolina and I belive to...
31To George Washington from David Forman, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The British Fleete from New York Consisting of Seven Ships of 60 Guns and upwards Twelve Large Transport Ships and Ten Topsail Schoners and Sloops made Sail from sandy Hook on Saturday Morning last about Ten OClock The Wind about South East—at Twelve The Whole fleete was Clear of The Hook and The Wind Hauled round to Southd, in The afternoon The wind Was to The Westward of South. Upon Which...
32To George Washington from David Forman, 29 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned in my Last Letter to your Excly That I presumed Admiral Arbuthnot was gone with the Trans ports to the Southward—But the Day following all The Heavy Ships were seene Plying to the Eastward and Supposed to be gone to Gardners Bay, Since Which I have heard Nothing of them untill the 27th Vizt Sunday Evening last, When Admls Arbuthnot and Graves Returned to Sandy Hook—a Conveyance...
33To George Washington from David Forman, 23 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honr of Receiving your Exclys favr of the 21st Inst. this Evening by Mr Rhey and will with pleasure do every thing in my power to Comply with every direction—the greatest difficulty will be in Imploying Horsemen to forward Inteligence with that allertness that your Excly will expect and I Could Wish—I will however send out in the Morning and if possable engage a Number Equal to...
34To George Washington from David Forman, 1 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I had The Honr of Writing your Excly on the 23d Ult. I have not been able to Collect any thing from New York More then Reports. Vizt That Adml Grover is gone for Co r nwallace and That soome Troops are to be sent from New York to Quebeeck. Enclosed Your Excly has a Diary kept on The Highlands of Niversink from the 28th of July to the 31t Inclusive by that your Excly will Observe the...
35To George Washington from David Forman, 3 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this Evening Informed and I Think from good Authority that The Fleete from New York are Bound for Quebeck with 1000 Troops for The Garrison at Quebeck, Convoyd by the Warwick and Two or Three Small Frigates—That These Last Accts from the West Indias say The French Fleete was Wooded Watered & Sailed they Supposed for Quebeck or New York—That Adml Rodney is daly expected to make his...
36To George Washington from David Forman, 11 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Exclys favr of the fifth I was favd with the 6th Inst. and have Taken preparitory Measures for altering the rout of the Horsmen to the plan laid down by Your Excly—I was Originally led to post them at second River from being informed that a Chain of guards gave security to the lower Rode—Since my last The Weather has been so uncommonly Foggy as to make it imppossable to make any good...
37To George Washington from David Forman, 13 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to my engagemints to Your Excly in my letter of Saturday Evening the 11th Inst. I went to Shrewsbury Yesterday Morning with a Small Guard—but could not procure That Clear Intiligence that I Could Wish—at Elevin OClock last Evening I was hand the enclosed, sent me by a person in whose Integrity I have the fullest Confidance—I shall be happy to be Informed whether Your Exclys Accts from...
38To George Washington from David Forman, 16 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am This Minute Informed That at Ten OClock this Morning Some Large Ships made There Appearance in the Offing Standing from the Southward—at Eleven There was Ten in Open View at Half past Elevin There was No appearance of any More Ships Allthough the Wind Was fresh and perfectly fare to Run up With Sandy Hook—At half past Elevin my Intelligencer left The Sea Shoar to prepare for Sending Accts...
39To George Washington from David Forman, 23 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Fleete I had the Honr to inform your Excly Was in The Offing the 16th Inst. favored to be Admiral Graves with The Ships as then described—The Same Evening Tow Ships supposed Fifty Guns Each Run up to New York—The Next Day this London and five Other Ships of the Line Come within Sandy Hook, in The afternoone four of them went up—The Adml Ship Struck all her Topmasts and appeared Very Busy...
40To George Washington from David Forman, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this Minute Informed that Eighteen Large Ships of War appeard Standing in from the Southward to Sandy Hook this morning a Sevin oClock—by Nine there Colours was discovered British—a Frigate that had been Cr ui sing off Stood towards the Fleete & fired a Gun—No Answer was observed to be made—the Frigate Tacked and Stood for Sandy Hook again—Soone after some Time this Frigate Sent her Boat...
41To George Washington from David Forman, 29 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
My Express Returned with your Exclys answer to my letter of Yesterday this Morning three oClock—in answer to your Excly request I observe—that there does not Remain a doubt but that the Fleete that arrived Yesterday is British—There force from the Best observation is 15 Ships of the line and four Frigates—wheather the Frigates are part of the fleete that come from the Westindias with Rodney or...
42To George Washington from David Forman, 31 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this Minute an Express from the Highlands of Middle Town informing me that Adml Greaves Come to Sail this Evening about Sun Set and run from there Station inside of Sandy Hook with Six Sale of the Line, 2 Frigates and three Sloops of War—the Winds at West—as Soone as Greases Squadron began to pass the Hook a Signal was given and Adml Hoods Squadron Immediately got under way—the leadeing...
43To George Washington from David Forman, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am accidently this minute Informed by a person from the Sea shoar about 25 Miles to the Southward of Shrewsberry that he saw the British Fleet Saturday Morning Standing to the Southward—But so far off to Sea as only to observe what he supposed the war —Had they Stood to the Eastward with the Winds at North as we suppose it was all Night they would have been out of sight from every part of...
44To George Washington from David Forman, 5 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
An Indisposition for a few days past has prevented my riding out for the Better Intilligence—Your Excly is well informed that Intillegencers who live in the power of the Enemy must be delt with very guardedly on acct of there personal safety and to gain there confidance—I therefore dare not send a Messenger to them for fear of allarming them or Causing suspitions in Others. That has prevented...
45To George Washington from David Forman, 6 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excly yesterday that my indisposition had prevented my going below for the Better Intilegence. allthough far from well I rode down this Morning and am now able to Inform your Excly with certainty respecting the Troops that arrive with Adml Hood—the y are three regts as they Call them selves—but not exceeding five hundred in the Whole and hardly a well man amongst them they were...
46To George Washington from David Forman, 14 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
On Tuesday the 11th Inst. A Frigate appeared in the Offing Standing for Sandy Hook, When She come within a few Miles She Fired Several Signal Guns at the Same time sent her Barge off to the Hook—The President of 64 Guns Two Frigates and the Guard Ship was all the Ships of War within Sandy Hook. The President and Two Frigates Weighed and stood to Sea immediately—When they Come up to the...
47To George Washington from David Forman, 2 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Exclys Letter dated Head Quarters Williamsburgh Sepr the 24th was handed to me Yesterday, And so most heartily congratulate Your Excly on the so happy According of the greate variety of circumstances toward the deduction of Lord Cornwallace’ forces in that Country and ardently wish every prospect may continue to brighten untill that extensive plan so happily laid by you may be terminated...
48To George Washington from David Forman, 17 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The British Fleets are now Compleatly Repaired Twenty five or 26 Ships of the Line including the Prince William of 74 and The Torbay of 64 Guns Arrived from the West Indies, They have allso Three Ships of 50 Guns which they Intend taking in The line. enclosed your Excly has an acct handed me from New York on which I think dependance may be made it comes through a person who has it in his power...
49To George Washington from David Forman, 18 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to Your Excly the Evening of the 16th see 17 Oct. from the House of my deceased Field Doctor Scudder, enclosing an Acct handed me from new York—the Uncommon deep distresses of the Doctors Widow and large family of Children when added to my owen feelings for the loss of a sincear Friend and worthy Patriot really Rendered me Incapable to discharge my duty to your Excly. I think I...
50To George Washington from David Forman, 19 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this day Informed from good Authority that Agreeable to my Opinion offered your Excly in my letter of the 18th The Troops did come down in the Transports. I am allso Informed that no Transports will go to Sea with the Men of War, and the Reason of employing Transports and Store Ships was mearly for the purpose of Making the Ships of War so light as to insure them a Quick passage over the...