1To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne and Colonels Richard Butler and Walter Stewart, 4 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your own anxiety & distress of mind, is the best Criterion to judge of ours by—the Inclosed copy of Orders, propositions, Interogatories & Answers, will Inform you of our prospects & Situation. If with the assistance of the Governor & Council, or a Committee from that body, this unhappy business can not be settled, your presence & Influence will be more proper in an Other Quarter than with us....
2To George Washington from Brigadier Generals Anthony Wayne and William Irvine, 10 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
It was not until some time after your Excellency was made acquainted with the very great dissatisfaction which the Majors of the Pennsa line experienced, on the appointment of Major McPherson to a Command in the Corps of Light troops drawn from that State, that we were Informed of the address they presented to you. the moment we discovered the effect that appointment had upon them—every means...
3To George Washington from Brigadier Generals William Irvine and Anthony Wayne, 17 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I would have wrote your Excellency on my Arrival at Princetown—but did not like to give you trouble as General Wayne informed me he had acquainted you minutely of every particular—the late turn affairs have taken you are also informed of—It was an exceeding unfortunate proposal of the Committee of Congress & Governor Reed—to take the Mens Oaths—a number of the inlistments being lost—all these...
4To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan and Brigadier Generals William Maxwell and Anthony Wayne, 23 … (Washington Papers)
May it please your Excellency, We the Subscribers, General Officers in the American Army, beg leave to represent, That we have severally been accus’d of unsoldierly Conduct, dangerous Neglect, and other Crimes, which, had they been prov’d, must have blacken’d our Characters as Officers, and sunk us beneath the Reproaches of our Country. In Consequence of these malicious Accusations, Courts...
5To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
If not Inconsistant, I should esteem it as a particular favor if your Excellency would permit Major Moore to join my family during the remainder of the Campaign—or until Mr Archer recovers from his late accident. I also beg leave to mention that Lieut. Colo. Fleury’s absence has made a Vacency in Colo. Febigers Regt a Lieut. Colo. is also wanting in Colo. Meigs’s—& should Major Hull proceed to...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 3rd with a poscript dated the 4th at 7. OClock A.M. by Major Fishbourn came to hand last evening, the manner in which your Excellency has been pleased to Approve of the Conduct of the Officers in General, and ours in particular, Affords a Sensation which words can not express. It would have afforded us Infinate pleasure, had fortune put it into our power to Inform you that...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning honored with your favor of the 7th, & the company of the Count de Custine, & the Marquis de Laval, to breakfast, who have since proceeded on their way to Phila. attended by Lt Colo. Mentges. Major Fishbourn has this moment returned from Elizabethtown, with the Inclosed Intelligence & papers, which is Corroborated by the Information of two Deserters from the 54th who left...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd the Inclosed—it has been unaccountably delayed—but so nearly Corroborates that which I sent you this morning, that I thought it my duty to Communicate it. I shall send a trusty Person to New York in the Morning & expect the earliest Intelligence of any movement of the Enemy—which shall be Immediately forwarded to your Excellency. Interim I am yours Most Sincerely ALS ,...
9To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor of addressing your Excellency in April, by Genl Jackson, & have since that period been extremely gratified by hearing of your happy arrival at the seat of Government, & acceptance of the supreme Executive Authority of the United States—an event, that I am confident affords the sincerest pleasure to every true friend of America. I also observe that the Impost Act was in...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 13 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your Orders of the Instant I directed Colonels Putnam & Butler to Reconnoitre the Ground from this Camp by Spring Steels to the point of the Dunderberg opposite picks Kill —who Report that a very good road may be made with little trouble from Spring Stells to a Landing about two Miles & a half in a Direct Line above Stoney Point where a Battery may be Immediately Errect[ed] so...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Light Infantry who were Encamped on the Right between third & fourth Street have Struck their tents this morning—their Picquets are drawn in—we took possession of the Advanced Redoubt made of Rails when they Vacated this day—I am just proceeding along the line to the left—they have turned out the Guards from a house near the City with a few of their Horse but don’t seem Inclined to...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The fort & Garrison with Colo. Johnston are ours—Our Officers & men behaved like men who are determined to be free. Yours Most Sincerely ALS , DLC:GW ; copy, enclosed in GW to George Clinton, this date, sold by Christie’s, Sale No. 1770, 5 Dec. 2006, no. 324. A letter from GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison to an unknown recipient, written on this date, reads: “His Excellency requests you...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The procuring good and easy Winter Quarters for the Troops under your Excellencies Command—and Covering the Country from the Depredations of the Enemy as far as Possible without too much fatigue to the Army—are Objects of the first Consequence, & to which too much Attention can not be paid. A Chain of Cantonments has been proposed (and Supported with very plausible Arguments) from Lancaster to...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I send you a Sacradotal Villain who came from new York the day before yesterday he effects a total Ignorance of every matter or thing Concerning the Enemy—but acknowledges that after being dismissed our Service—and Discarded by his flock —he in a fit of Desperation went Voluntarily into New York—with an Intention to go to England—(a place where Religion is so predominant, that any Clergyman...
15IV. Brigadier General Anthony Wayne’s Opinion, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Wayne’s Opinion of the Defences necessary for the River and Land in case the Enemy should Attempt the Reduction of Phila. The Works, as Contracted by Agent De Coudre to be Compleated and Supplied with Six or Eight pieces of Artillery and men Sufficient to fight them with about 500 Troops—One Redoubt on the High Ground at Darby Creek Sufficient to Contain 200 men. the fleet fire ships &...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have in Company with Sevl field officers reconnoitred the Ground in the vicinity of Haverstraw Forge and the roads & avenues leading to it & find a very strong & advantegious position about a mile in the rear or Westward of the forge each flank covered by Strong ground and roads to retire either by the left to June’s or under the foot of the Mountain to Sufferan’s—this position will at once...
17To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 20 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Anthony Wayne, 20 Sept. 1779. On 21 Sept., GW wrote Wayne: “Your letter of yesterday evening came to hand late last night.”
18To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
The moment I recd your favor of the 3rd Instant which was not u[n]til 11 OClock yesterday—I orderd out a Covering party & took with me some field Officers, under an Escort of a few Dragoons—& proceeded to the place where Genl Du Portail was to be—but he had gone away about a half an hour before we arrived. I immediately detached a Light Horse who returned without coming up with him after he...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty some days since to Suggest the Selecting 2′500 or 3′000 of our best Armed and most Disciplined Troops (exclusive of the Reserve) who should hold themselves in Readiness on the Approach of the Enemy to make a Regular and Vigorous Assault on their Right or Left flank—or such part of their Army as should then be thought most expedient—and not wait the Attack from them. This Sir...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a plan of the Enemies works at Stoney point—taken by Colo. Putnam with the points of attack in case of an Investure. They have neither Bomb proofs—nor a Magazine, their Amunition is kept on Board a Sloop in the rear of the point except a few Rounds for their Artillery which are Covered by two tents—they have one 32 pounder mounted on their Right or North part of the works, one 18...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 4 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I took the Liberty to mention to your Excellency the difficulty that the Light Corps experience in receiving the necessary Supplies of Clothing not being in a Situation to Apply to their Respective Regiments for the articles they may from time to time want. to remedy which, the Field Officers of the Corps propose the following plan Viz. “A Brigade Quarter Master to be Appointed to each Brigade...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the Enemies Beating the Revellee I ordered the Troops under Arms and began our March for their left flank—But when we Arrived within a half a Mile of their Encampment found they had not Stired—but lay too Compact to admit of an Attack with prudence—Indeed their Supineness Answers every purpose of giving you time to get up—if they Attempt to move I shall Attack them at all Events. this...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 3rd Instant and experience much happiness in your Approbation of my Conduct during the unfortunate Defection of the Pennsa line but as I am informed that the tounge of slander (among some Individuals in the State of N. Jersey) has not been Idle on this Occation I hold it my duty to mention that as far as Orders & example had Influence the persons & property...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 11 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
many Gentlemen in this place affect to be very Sanguine in the Defence of Charles town, & remain in the most unworthy state of torpidity, waiting the Issue—whilst others are depressed or elevated (like the ebbing & flowing of the tide) upon the rect of every piece of Intelligence, either of a gloomy or pleasing complexion —but an equal supiness pervades the Whole, & when they are calling upon...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 3 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
When I was first informed of the discontent that pervaded the whole of the Field Officers of the Pennsa line on acct of the appointment of Major Macpherson to a Command in the Light Infantry—it gave me much pain, but when I found the effect it had on their minds was such as would probably produce a General resignation, I felt every sensation that could possibly take place in a breast,...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 4 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
After we left the field of Battle the Troops, who took the Upper Rout were formed at White Ma[r]sh Church under Genl Stephens—it was thought Advisable to Remain there for some time in Order to Collect the Straglers from the Army. the Enemy made their appearance with a party of Light Horse and from 1500 to 2000 Infantry with two field pieces—the Troop[s] upon this were Orderd off—I took the...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of the plan which your Excellency was pleased to adopt —the first & Second Pennsa Brigades with four pieces of Artillery belonging to Colo. Procters Regiment and Colo. Moylans Dragoons, took up their line of march on the 20th at 3. OClock P.M. & arrived a little in the rear of New Bridge at 9. in the Evening, moved again at One in the morning in order to Occupy the Ground in the...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 24 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I intended to do myself the honor of waiting on you this morning, but my foot being a little painful, & the appearance of the Sixteen Gun Sloop of War, with a Galley & a few boats round the Dunderberg point, determined me to remain in my Quarters, shou’d anything further turn up your Excellency may depend upon the earliest Intelligence. I wished to have spoke to you on Major McCormicks affair...
29To George Washington from Colonel Anthony Wayne, 14 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your Excellencies Commands I have waited on the Genl and find Sufficient of Arms for the Remainder of my Battalion—for which I Obtained an Order, and expect they will be put into proper repair, by the time Liet. Col. Johnston Arrives with the troops—except Bayonet Scabbards which cannot be procured for want of Leather. I also have the pleasure to Inform your Excellency that...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with yours of the 12th Instant but wish it was not so urgent, as I am but too well assured that my presence on the Occation, on which it’s required—will give me more pain—than executing any Order—which your Excellency would please to favour me with in the field. my presence will be Indispensibly Necessary in this place tomorrow, the next day you will be waited upon by...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The purport of the Questions Offered by your Excellency this morning to the Consideration of the General Officers were As to the first I am not for Risquing a General Action with them—unless Circumstances should Render Success Certain—or at least such as not to leave you in a Worse Condition or Situation if Unfortunate, than you would have been if you had not Attacked. And in Answer to the...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Honor of writing to you the 20th ultimo mentioning that I was necessitated to be here at the meeting of the Assembly of this State—& that I shou’d take the liberty of waiting on you the first of this Instant for leave of Absence . I was unfortunately deprived of the pleasure of seeing you by passing down the Jersey shore whilst you were on your way for camp on the Pennsa side...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
The appearance of the number of Vessels in Haverstraw Bay was a little exaggerated —there is not the least sign of an alteration in the Garrison except that they are employed in erecting a Magazine. had not your Excellency given a hint that you wished to lull, rathar than alarm the Enemy, I should have been tempted (since the arrival of the Virginia Line) to have asked for the Artillery I...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 17th last Evening & had a Similar acct out from Stoney Point the day preceeding & took measures accordingly—but have not as yet been able to discover any Alteration in the Garrison or Shiping. Yours of the 18th this moment came to hand—I shall set the troops to work at the Gabions & facines the moment the bill Hooks arrive, & in the Interim will be...
35To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 30 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
This will be presented to your Excellency by my former aid Colo. Fishbourn, whose feelings has been much hurt by the unmerited & wanton attack upon his Character by Mr Gunn in the house of Senators —however chargeable he might have been for some little indiscretions of youth, which time & reflection, has & will correct, even the tongue of slander can not with Justice, charge him with any...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s Orders I proceeded with Mr Erskine to reconnoitre the Landing places from Closter to Dobbs’s Ferry, & found the following viz. Closter landing situate about Six or seven miles above Fort Lee—& a little south of Phillips’s was formerly made use of by the Inhabitants in its vicinity, and rendered practicable for two horse Sleds , from the Declivity of the...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd your two favors of the 21st by Doctr Johnston—& the express—the first at 4. in the afternoon the latter at 11. OClock last Evening. I did myself the honor to Inform your Excellency of the Evacuation of Stoney & Verplanks points, in mine of yesterday, dated ½ after 3 OClock P.M. in which I met your Idea of caution in taking possession of that post, as I apprehended more danger from the...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I landed in New Jersey the 19th and proceeded to salem the same Evening—the next Morning I sent out several Detachment to Collect Cattle &ca pursuant to the within Order; at the same time Dispatched the enclosed Letter to B. Genl Ellis. It was difficult to meet any Cattle, Altho the Country abounded with them; as the Inhabitants had Secreted all such as were fit for our use in the...
39To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 8 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
After a variety of Marches and counter marches frequently offering battle to Lord Cornwallis upon Military terms, the Marquis Lafayette recd Intelligence on the 5th that the Enemy had marched from Wmsburg for James town & were preparing to throw their baggage and troops over that river, this Induced the General to make a forward move to this place (with the Continental troops Including Major...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have frequently experienced every possible extreme of cold & fatigue in errecting Hutts at a late Season, which from a Variety of Intervening circumstances, could not be avoided—however at present I can not see anything to prevent us from taking time by the forelock, and making use of the new levies in building houses for the reception of such men as we now have, or may receive for the War,...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with yours of yesterday within this half hour—& shall keep a watchful eye on the Enemy—altho’ I am Confident that no move whatever had taken place—unless in the Night—the night before last as my Guards were posted at every look out from Wihoaks opposite New York, as far up the River as Tapon with constant partrole’s from one post to an other, so that a Single person could...
42To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 21 Oct. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Anthony Wayne, 21 Oct. 1779. On 22 Oct., Wayne wrote to GW: “I did myself the honor to Inform your Excellency of the Evacuation of Stoney & verplanks points, in mine of yesterday, dated ½ after 3 OClock P.M. ” ( PHi ).
43To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a Letter from Genl St Clair who has sent Lieut. Butler (a Brother of the Colonels[)] to take the place of Lieut. Gibbons in the Infantry—I believe them both deserving Spirited young Officers—but can’t think myself justified in the Exchange of any Officer belonging to the Corps—least it shou’d lay a pre[ce]dent for Other exchanges from every Division and every Regement in the...
44To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 1 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
Since the organization of the Federal System, & the establishment of the several departments, I have not presumed to address your Excellency respecting occurrencies in this Quarter, least it shou’d be improper—being totally unacquainted with the Mode now observed, but I have occasionally wrote to the Secy at War—giving such infor[m]ation as I deemed of moment, in full confidence that it wou’d...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
It was but the evening before last that I had the honor of first seeing the General state of facts your Excellency was pleased to lay before the Council of War on the 6th Ultimo which I have given as mature a Consideration as time & Circumstances would permit. I find by a comparitive view of our present force with that of the Enemy after making proper allowances, for the change of Affairs by...
46VII. To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
You have heard that the Enemy—after burning Spring-field—are retired to their former post on Elizabeth town point—their Number (from every Judicial Observation) did not exceed four thousand, they brought out three days provision & upwards of twenty pieces of Artillery. I have not yet seen Genl Greene—but from very good Intelligence two Batts. of Grenadrs—& two of Light Infantry together with...
47To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 13 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty to put into your hands (in the course of last summer) a letter from James Seagrove Esqr. mentioning the alarming emigration from Georgia into East Florida in consequence of a Proclamation of the Spanish Governor, and as I can not find it among my papers, may I request the favor, that you will please to direct, one of your Gentlemen, to make a search for it. my reason for...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the best Intelligence I have be[en] able to procure no Embarkation had taken place at New York the day before Yesterday—altho’ all accounts agree that the Shiping are in perfect readiness for the purpose —We have had among many others ten british Granadiers Deserters belong[ing] to the 44th Regiment within three Weeks—besides two that were Captured a few days since—by the Militia—upon...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 7 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your Orders of the 2nd from Fish Kill, I sent Lieut. Colo. Williams with a Proper Detatchment to Repair the Road to Litchfield. Quarter Master Alexander has just Returned & makes the following Report of the Road & Encamping Grounds viz. 1st days March from Genl St Clair Quarters to Talmans & Soles, Bridges 12 Miles 2nd To Preston 10 Miles (very Stony Road) 3rd To Mount Tom 8...
50To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 17 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
The total liberation of the Southern States from an enemy, affords the Citizens a flattering prospect of a continuation of peace & tranquility; so that probably the troops of the middle States will be Ordered to return to the Northard in the course of the spring; be that as it may, the shock my constitution has met with from reiterated attacks of the fever, in this Inhospitable climate, render...