241George Washington to Major General William Heath, 27 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] July 27, 1777. Disapproves of requisition of arms for proposed St. Johns expedition. Approves of Heath’s methods of dealing with deserters. Requests Heath not to send French volunteers to Headquarters, as their pretensions to office are “embarrassing.” Reports that British fleet’s destination is probably Philadelphia. Orders Continental troops sent to the Northern...
242George Washington to Robert Erskine, 28 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Flemington [ New Jersey ] July 28, 1777. Offers Erskine position of geographer with the Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Erskine was a civil engineer operating a mine at Ringwood, New Jersey.
243George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 28 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Flemington [ New Jersey ] July 28, 1777. Believes that appearance of enemy fleet off Little Egg Harbor is proof that its destination is Philadelphia. Orders Mifflin to reconnoiter area around Philadelphia, and to obtain “drafts … of the Country.” Presents possible plan for stationing of American troops. Recommends baking of large quantities of hard bread. Df , in writing of H, George...
244From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 29 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the pleasure of your favour of the 25th. I cannot be induced to think the enemy are so numerous as you apprehend, and would place no dependence on what is said either by deserters or prisoners, further than as it respects their own company, nor even that with regard to prisoners in general who commonly have their cue, as the phrase is, and know very well how to manufacture stories...
245From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowlege the receipt of yours of the 27th instant. The circumstance of the fleet appearing off, opposite to Blue Point does not indicate any movement to the Eastward. It was necessary in going out of the Hook, whatever course they might intend to steer, whether to the Southward or Eastward, to stand out in that direction for some time, as they went out with a...
246George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Chester [ Pennsylvania ] August 1, 1777. Orders Greene to hold men in readiness to march and to give the necessary orders to quartermaster general and commissary general respecting provisions and forage. States that British fleet has departed from the Delaware. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Although H’s crossed-out signature can be seen on the draft, this...
247George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Chester [ Pennsylvania ] August 1, 1777. Warns of probable attack on Highlands. Discusses orders given to Major General John Sullivan and Governor George Clinton to aid Putnam. Instructs Putnam to ask aid of Governor Jonathan Trumbull. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
248To Alexander Hamilton from Robert R. Livingston, 2 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I wish I Could beleive as You do with respect to the Enemies Strenght, but in order to do this I must prefer loose Conjectures to the Greatest Variety of Concurring testimoneys—That prisoners may Endeavour to Deceive I think probable, but that a number of Men should agree to tell a Similar tale, & give like Answers to questions without knowing what those questions will be, I Cannot beleive,...
249George Washington to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 3 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 3, 1777 . Orders De Borre to remain at Bound Brook until enemy arrives at “the Hook” and then to proceed to Peekskill. Condemns De Borre’s execution of a Tory. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. De Borre arrived in America in March, 1777, and enlisted in the American Army as a volunteer. He resigned in the same year.
250George Washington to Brigadier General Francis Nash, 3 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
City Tavern [ Philadelphia ] August 3, 1777. Orders Nash to hold troops and vessels in readiness. Df , in writings of Richard Kidder Meade and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Francis Nash, Brigadier General in the Continental Army from North Carolina, died October 17, 1777, of wounds received at Germantown on October 4.
251George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] August 4, 1777. Forwards Congress’ appointment of Gates to the command of Northern Department. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City.
252George Washington to The New York Council of Safety, 4 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Philadelphia, August 4, 1777 . Warns of danger of popular attitude toward fall of Ticonderoga and the advance of General John Burgoyne. Does not wish to aid Northern Department by weakening main Army. Laments lack of aid that has been given by the eastern states, but is assured that presence of Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Major General Benedict Arnold will induce a change. Advises that...
253George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 6 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 6, 1777. Notifies Gates that De Malmady has been given permission to serve under Gates in Northern Department. LS , in the writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City François, Marquis de Malmady, was a colonel in the Continental Army.
254From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I last Evening had the pleasure of your favour of the 2d. I am with you exceeding anxious for the Safety of your State, though the Numbers of the Enemy have very little part in producing the anxiety; the panic in the army (I am afraid pretty high up) and the want of zeal in the Eastern States are the only alarming Considerations, for tho Burgoine should be weak in numbers as I suppose him, if...
255Release of Officer from German Battalion, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp Near German Town [ Pennsylvania ] August 7, 1777. Certifies that “Monsieur Bernard Pally De Couseau, Ensign in the German Batalion, is by his own request permitted to leave said batalion.” ADS , RG 93, Miscellaneous Records, National Archives.
256George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 7 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 7, 1777. Notifies Gates that Du Bouchet has been given permission to serve under Gates in the Northern Department. LS , in writing of H, New-York Historical Society, New York City. Denis Jean Florimond Langlois de Mautheville, Chevalier du Bouchet.
257To Alexander Hamilton from Robert R. Livingston, 10 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I was much disappointed at not hearing from you by the return of the express, which I attribute in great measure to his negligence in not calling for an Answer to my Letter. I am sorry to inform you that things wear a more gloomy aspect here than ever, that our army instead of being increased daily diminishes, that the Troops of which it is composed are so dispersed, as to be unable to stop...
258George Washington to John Hancock, 10 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp near Germantown [ Pennsylvania ] August 10, 1777. Reports that Army has been moved to Coryells Ferry. Discusses desirability of defending Fort Island rather than Billingsport. Asks permission to have Major General Tronson du Coudray survey region between Marcus Hook and Philadelphia. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
259George Washington to John Hancock, 12 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 12, 1777. Has instructed Brigadier General Silas Newcomb to maintain New Jersey militia at Woodbury. Asks if Major General Tronson du Coudray may call on Newcomb for aid. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Also known as Neshaminy Camp. This later became Hartsville, Pennsylvania.
260George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 14 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 14, 1777. Instructs Dayton to send information on strength of the enemy at Kings Bridge and on Staten Island. Also asks Dayton to send account of number of boats available in that area. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
261George Washington to John Hancock, 15 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 15, 1777. Suggests plan of defence for Fort Island based on Major General Tronson du Coudray’s maps. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
262George Washington to George Clinton, 16 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 16, 1777. Discusses importance of the two actions near Fort Schuyler. Asks for more information. Commends New York’s efforts. States that a body of New Hampshire Militia under Brigadier General John Stark has joined Major General Benjamin Lincoln at Bennington, Vermont. Differs with the plan of Major General Philip Schuyler and Lincoln to unite all...
263George Washington to Benjamin Franklin, 17 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Camp at Cross Roads, Pennsylvania ] August 17, 1777. Acknowledges receipt of Turgot’s recommendation for a French volunteer. Discusses difficulty of placing French officers and advises Franklin to discourage potential candidates in France. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Franklin was in France serving as United States Commissioner to that country. Anne...
264George Washington to John Hancock, 17 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 17, 1777. Seeks information concerning Du Portail’s request to Congress for horses and servants at public expense. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Colonel Louis Le Bèque (Le Begue) Du Portail was sent to America in July, 1777. Congress appointed him chief engineer with the rank of colonel. He was given the rank of...
265From Alexander Hamilton to Robert R. Livingston, 18 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I most sincerely and heartily sympathise with you in the distresses and dangers under which your state is labouring at this critical period. I lament its misfortunes, as they are wounds to the common cause, as they more nearly interest those for whom I feel the warmest regard, and as they are suffered by a state, which I consider, in a great measure, as my political parent. I wish any thing in...
266George Washington to Baron de Holtzendorff, 18 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at the Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 18, 1777. Acknowledges receipt of the Baron’s “plan of a military work.” Encloses letter to Major General Nathanael Greene stating that the Baron is to be attached as a lieutenant colonel to Greene’s division. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Baron de Holtzendorff, commissioned a lieutenant colonel in 1776,...
267George Washington to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 19 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 19, 1777. Abides by Brigadier General de Borre’s preference of an American as brigade major and recommends Captain Matthew McConnell of Colonel Moses Hazen’s regiment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
268George Washington to John Hancock, 22 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 22, 1777. Acknowledges receipt of news that enemy is in Chesapeake Bay. Informs Hancock of orders given to Colonel Thomas Proctor, Brigadier General Francis Nash, Major General John Sullivan, and the Army at Headquarters. Approves of removal of stores from Lancaster and York.
269George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 27 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 27, 1777. Discusses failure of Staten Island expedition. Advises Sullivan to spare health of men on march to Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
270George Washington to John Hancock, 28 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] August 28, 1777. Recommends Count Casimir Pulaski to command cavalry. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Pulaski was a Polish officer recommended to Washington by Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee. He later commanded an independent corps of cavalry known as Pulaski’s Legion.