1891From Alexander Hamilton to Major Samuel French, [20 March 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency has received good information, that there is a number of arms and spare Bayonets, at Bordin Town in New Jersey. This he thinks a very improper depositary for them, and desires you will have them removed thence, without delay to one of the Laboratories on this side the Delaware, Allen Town, Lebanon or elsewhere. I am Sir Your most hum serv ADfS , George Washington Papers,...
1892George Washington to Henry Laurens, 16 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 16, 1778 . States that command of Forts Montgomery and Clinton should be placed under general command of the Highlands. Has appointed Major General Alexander McDougall to that general command. Sees no prospect of carrying out intended expedition against Canada. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. Laurens had succeeded John Hancock as...
1893George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 16 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 16, 1778 . Instructs McDougall to set up court of inquiry to investigate Major General Israel Putnam’s alleged responsibility for fall of Forts Montgomery and Clinton. Appoints McDougall to command of the Highlands. Df , in writing of Tench Tilghman, with postscript in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1894George Washington to Major General William Heath, 14 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 14, 1778 . Instructs Heath to demand liberation of Daniel Hiester and the return of Hiester’s papers and effects. LS , in writing of H, Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
1895From Alexander Hamilton to George Clinton, 12 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Capt. Coleman delivered me your two letters of the 5th & 6th, instant. The pleasure, I have, in corresponding with you, will dispose me, whenever I have any thing to communicate, that may be worth your attention, or that appears to me so, to trouble you with my sentiments: But I shall not expect you to make an equal return either in quantity or frequency. You will, in this, intirely consult...
1896George Washington to Sir William Howe, 9 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] March 9, 1778 . Asks that meeting of commissioners for the exchange of prisoners be delayed until March 31, 1778. Is disturbed that, although Major General Richard Prescott was sent to New York City in exchange for Major General Charles Lee, Lee has not yet been sent out of New York City. Asks that Howe immediately order Lee’s release. Df , in writing of H, George Washington...
1897To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 6 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Poughkeepsie, New York, March 6, 1778 . On March 12, 1778, Hamilton wrote to Clinton : “Capt. Coleman delivered me your two letters of the 5th & 6th, instant.” Letter of March 6 not found .]
1898To Alexander Hamilton from George Clinton, 5 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 13th Feb’y last. Your other Letter has not reached me. I am so Circumstanced at present so much to do & no Body to assist me that I can hardly steal a Moment to write to my Friends tho their Letters always afford me the greatest Pleasure. May I then hope Sir that you will continue to write me frequently tho I shoud not prove a very punctual Correspondent....
1899From Alexander Hamilton to James McHenry, 5 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
It gives me pleasure to inform you that Mr Boudinotte has been able to effect your exchange for a Doctor Mentzes. Allow me to congratulate you on the event. We are again on the business of a general cartel with Mr Howe He seems inclined to meet us on fair ground. Commissioners from us meet an equal number from him the 10th instant. One great and preliminary point to be settled is the...
1900George Washington to Major Warham Parks, 5 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] March 5, 1778 . Urges Parks to remain in service in spite of temporary disability. Df , in writings of John Laurens and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Parks was a major of the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment.
1901George Washington to the Pennsylvania Navy Board, 2 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, March 2, 1778 . Advises that the stores be removed from the galleys and the ships sunk. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
1902George Washington to the Committee of Congress, 1 March 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] March 1, 1778 . States that inadequacies of armorer’s department will soon result in a shortage of arms for the Army. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives. The Committee of Conference consisted of Francis Dana, Joseph Reed, Nathaniel Folsom, John Harvie, Charles Carroll of Carrollton, and Gouverneur Morris. This letter should have been...
1903General Officers Wanted and Proportioned to the Several States, February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February, 1778 . Heading reads: “In the present arrangement of the Army, there will be wanted 11 Major Generals & 25 Brigadiers. 3 Maj: Generals to act as Lt Generals, eight to command divisions—22 Brigades—for the Regiments of the line and 3 for light troops.” There then follows lists of major generals and other officers who “May be counted on.” AD , George Washington Papers,...
1904From Alexander Hamilton to Colonel Henry E. Lutterloh, [February 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
You are hereby Authorised by order of His Excellency General Washington to impress any number of Waggons you stand in need of in the neighbourhood of the Camp—you don’t say what number you expect in tomorrow. General Green & Coll. Bidle write, that they meet with the greatest difficulty in foraging for want of Waggons. The General begs you to give them all the assistance you can. For Gods...
1905George Washington to Officers Sent to the Hospitals, 28 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 28, 1778 . Requests complete and accurate return of the hospitals, patients, equipment, and employees. Orders all who have recovered and are fit for duty to return to Camp. This letter, which is written in the third person in an unidentified writing, is in the George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. It is endorsed, in the writing of H, “All right and approved—no...
1906George Washington to Captain-Lieutenant Jonas Symonds, 28 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 28, 1778 . Instructs Symonds to act under Brigadier General Anthony Wayne’s orders. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
1907George Washington to Captain Stephen Chambers, 27 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 27, 1778 . Instructs Chambers to cut communications between Philadelphia and the surrounding country and to protect supplies coming into Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Chambers was a captain in the Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiment.
1908George Washington to James Mease, 27 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 27, 1778 . Instructs Mease to supply Major General Israel Putnam with clothing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Mease was clothier general of the Continental Army.
1909George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 26 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 26, 1778 . Instructs Sullivan on methods, sources, and routes to be used in procuring clothing. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1910George Washington to Captain-Lieutenant Jonas Symonds, 24 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 24, 1778 . Instructs Symonds to obtain artillery from Captain Charles Alexander and to bombard British shipping near Philadelphia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Jonas Symonds was a captain-lieutenant in the Fourth Continental Artillery Regiment.
1911George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 23, 1778 . Approves mode suggested to gain redress for Daniel Hiester. Will comply with congressional regulations for ordinance department. Asks about possibility of securing stores and ordinance needed for the next campaign. Asks for apprehension of John Robinson. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Daniel Hiester, Jr., of Pennsylvania...
1912George Washington to William Livingston, 22 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 22, 1778 . Commends New Jersey’s efforts. States that a change of method is needed in handling supplies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1913George Washington to the Board of War, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Asks that artillery at Farmington and Albany be forwarded to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The draft is indorsed to “Genl. Horatio Gates, President of the Board.”
1914George Washington to William Duer, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses impossibility of an enemy attack on Valley Forge. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Duer was a delegate from New York to Congress.
1915George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses disposal of the artillery at Albany and Farmington. Instructs Knox to send the artillery to Camp as soon as weather permits. Hopes that Knox will soon return to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1916George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses method for obtaining shoes for Smallwood’s men. States difference between intended and attempted desertion and proper punishment for each. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1917George Washington to Patrick Henry, 19 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 19, 1778 . Describes distressing situation of Army. States that unless effective measures are taken, another campaign may prove impossible. Requests Henry to send all available supplies to Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Henry was governor of Virginia.
1918George Washington to Brigadier General John Lacey, 18 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 18, 1778 . Suggests methods to stop communication between Philadelphia and surrounding countryside. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lacey was a brigadier general in the Pennsylvania Militia.
1919George Washington to the Inhabitants of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, 18 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 18, 1778 . Asks inhabitants to supply cattle. Promises a “bountiful price.” Df , in writings of Gouverneur Morris and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1920George Washington to George Clinton, 16 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 16, 1778 . Describes sufferings at Camp because of lack of food and clothing. Asks Clinton to do all that is possible to forward supplies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.