22931To George Washington from William Livingston, 7 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Livingston, 7 Aug. 1778. On 11 Aug., GW wrote Livingston : “I was favor’d with yours of the 7th in[stant] this morning.”
22932To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 7 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. William Malcom, 7 Aug. 1778. On 9 Aug., GW wrote Malcom : “I recd yours of the 7th with the weekly returns enclosed.”
22933To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 7 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 7 Aug. 1778. On 8 Aug., GW wrote Vice Admiral d’Estaing : “I have just received a letter from Brigadier General Maxwell … dated yesterday at nine oClock in the forenoon”; GW also wrote Maxwell on 8 Aug. : “I just now rec’d your favor of yesterday.” For quotations from Maxwell’s letter, see GW to John Laurens, 8 August .
22934General Orders, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Regimental Pay-Masters are to apply to the Pay-Master General for Pay for the Months of April and May —Those who have not received their Ration money since the first day of January last are to apply immediately as the Pay Master General is ordered to forward the Accounts to Congress. Right Wing to be paid on Monday next Second Line and Artillery on Tuesday and Left Wing on Wednesday. At a...
22935From George Washington to Lieutenant Caleb Brewster, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of yesterday from Norwalk. Let me entreat that you will continue to use every possible means to obtain intelligence of the Enemys motions—not only of those which are marching Eastward, upon Long Island, but others—In a more especial manner, I have to request, that you will, by every devise you can think of, have a strict watch kept upon the Enemy’s ships of war, and...
22936From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor last night of receiving your favour of the 3d instant. I most sincerely sympathize with you in the regret you feel at the obstacles and difficulties you have heretofore encountered—Your case has certainly been a case of peculiar hardship; but you justly have the consolation which arises from a reflection that no exertions possible have been wanting in you to insure success, the...
22937From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor dated the 4th Inst. informing me of your arrival at Providence, and the flattering disposition of things in that quarter. We have just received an account from Genl Maxwell of Lord Howes sailing from the Hook with his fleet of armed vessels early on Thursday morning last. Whether it is to make demonstrations of fighting the Count d’Estaign, in order to favor the...
22938From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Afternoon I recd your favr of the 4th inst. You have my warmest thanks for your indefatigable exertions to promote the intended enterprise agt the Enemy, and my sincerest wishes that you may see them crowned with the fullest success. I shall be happy if things are in a proper train at the time you mention to begin our operation. About an hour ago I recd a letter from General Maxwell,...
22939To George Washington from Andrew Lewis, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been asked in such a Manner by the Board of this State to attend as a Commissioner in this quarter that I knew not how to refuse tho I had but little hopes of having it in my power to be of real Service, as a Treaty with the Indians I believed to be what was principally in View. I arrived at this place on the 1st Instant but found neither Indians, Agent, or Commissioner, from the State...
22940From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am uncertain whether you may not already have a party somewhere in Monmouth County but however this may be, it is my wish you should without delay have one of 50 Men stationd under a very vigilant and intelligent Officer, at some place in that County most convenient for commanding a view of the Hook & its environs; in order to watch the motions of the Enemy’s Fleet and to advise me from time...
22941To George Washington from Brigadier General John Stark, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
since my last nothing Extraordinary has Turned up, in this Department, Except Seven Deserters from Canada, who shall be sent to you as soon as possible—Colo. Butler has sent four Torys from the frontiers—I Inclose you a Letter found with one of them, & am in hopes by this time that the Writer is a Prisoner Likewise. I am Informed that forty Indians, from the Enemitical Tribes, are on their way...
22942To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Temple, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedly unhappy to find in your’s to Colo. Bland of July 22d, after all the pains and fatigue I have taken to be censured about the clothing of the Regt; I do not know what Colo. Bland has inform’d your Excelly nor do I know what is meant, by the greatest part of the clothing, I have engaged should have been apply’d for other purposes, by Mr Finne, he only made use of one hundred &...
22943General Orders, 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Coll Russell will take Command of the 10th Virginia Regt until further orders. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The orderly book of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln includes the following additional orders for this date: “For detachment to parade tomorrow 5 oClock P.M. furnished with 40 rounds p. man and two days provisions ready cooked—Colonel Courtlandt Lt Colonels Mebbin and Millen Majors...
22944From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 30th ulto inclosing a return of the Troops in the City and of the Officers. All those of Pennsylvania had leave of Absence for a particular reason, and may therefore remain untill further orders. Those from other States, (Lt Colo. parke in particular) should be ordered to join their Corps, except they can make it appear that they are upon Business. I would...
22945From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
At 10 OClock last night the Inclosed Letter came to hand from General Sullivan with one addressed to myself, a Copy of which I do myself the honor of transmitting. The Enemy seem determined that none of their Ships of War shall fall into the Count D’Estaings hands. Yesterday I received a Letter from Genl Maxwell dated at 9 OClock A.M. on the 7th at Elizabeth Town, containing the following...
22946From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Fuhrer & Mr Kleinsmit have lately left the British lines and come in to us. The account they give of themselves is this—That they had been first lieutenants in the Hessian Corps—were taken prisoners at Trenton, resided during their captivity at Dumfries in Virginia—were lately exchanged and have since resigned their commissions—That having solicited permission to come out from the enemy and...
22947From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 7th with the weekly returns enclosed. I have not the least objection to making Robinsons House an Hospital if it is convenient. Doctor Treat must apply to the director General for the necessary Stores. I desire you will immediately order a sufficient number of Artificers from Windsor to Fort Arnold to build a Bomb proof Magazine and such other works as may be necessary. If...
22948From George Washington to James Mease, 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Clough has informed me thro Capt. Smith that he has lately received a letter from Colo. Baylor by which he is made acquainted that he has not been able to procure any Cloathing for the use of his Regt. As it is represented to me that they are much in want, you will deliver to Major Clough’s order such articles as he may demand or you be able to supply him with. I am &c. Df , in Richard...
22949To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. Thomas Nelson, Jr., 9 Aug. 1778. On 20 Aug., GW wrote Nelson : “Since writing the foregoing, I have been favoured with your Letter of the 25th Ulto from Baltimore, and 9th Instt from Philadelphia.”
22950From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 9 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with a letter of the 6th signed by yourself and other Feild Officers of the Jersey Brigade. You cannot feel, more sensibly than I do, the inconveniencies that arise from a delay of the new arrangement of the Army. Just as the Committee had made a beginning of that business at the Valley Forge, the removal of the Enemy from Philada obliged them to desist. Congress have since...
22951General Orders, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Colonel Carlton is appointed to take command of the Post at Terrytown. Ensign Alexander Benstead of the 10th Pennsylvania Regiment is appointed Pay-Master to the same. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
22952From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 6th Instt which came to my hands yesterday, afforded a fresh proof of the noble principles on which you act, and has a just claim to my sincere & hearty thanks. The common cause, of which you have been a Zealous supporter would I know, be benefitted by Genl Greene’s presence at Rhode Island, as he is a native of that State—has an interest with the People—and a thorough...
22953From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I received your favor of the 26th Ulto, inclosing one from Colo. Spotswood, for which I thank you. The reputation which this Gentn had acquired, of being an attentive Officer and good disciplinarian, was justly founded; and I considered his leaving the Army a loss to the Service. The supposed death of his Brother, it is natural to believe, had a painful influence upon his...
22954To George Washington from Brigadier General John Stark, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Dear General —Your letter of the 5th instant has come to hand by express. I am very happy to hear that the disposition of the troops in this department will so well agree with your sentiments. The posts of Schoharie and Cherry Valley I look upon as exposed to equal danger. For that reason I have stationed Colonel Butler at one, and Colonel Alden at the other. By the inclosed letters, you will...
22955From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with yours of the 6th. I regret much the tardiness of the militia, as every moment is infinitely precious, and the delay, it produces, may not only frustrate the expedition, which is a matter of the greatest importance in itself; but may expose the French fleet to some fatal disaster. I have no doubt of your utmost exertions to forward the business with all dispatch....
22956To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 10 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Count De-Estaing and myself were by Agreement to land our Forc[e]s here this Morning but I having received Intelligence early Yesterday Morning that the Enemy had abandoned the north End of the Island entirely in Consequence of the French Fleets coming up the River thought it best to push over without Loss of Time the whole of my Troops which accordingly was done —immediately after our...
22957General Orders, 11–12 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
A sufficient number of Officers having not yet presented themselves as Candidates for Commissions in the Companies of Sappers and Miners—The General requests all those who may be disposed to enter into this service immediately to give in their names and wait upon General Du Portail as he is desirous of having the Companies established without delay—This being a species of service well worthy...
22958From George Washington to Lieutenant Caleb Brewster, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I perceive by a letter of yours to Genl Parsons that Genl Silliman had granted liberty to Lieut. French to return to Long Island upon parole. Genl Parsons tells me that upon rect of your letter he directed Mr French to be detained untill he consulted me upon the propriety of the Measure. I desire that he may be immediately sent back to the place from whence he came, and inclosed is a letter...
22959From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to Congress the Inclosed Letter, which I just now received from the pay Master General. They will perceive by it, that the Military Chest is entirely exhausted, and, that a third of the Army remains unpaid for the Months of April and May. The importance & necessity of an immediate and large supply will at once appear—and I am persuaded it will be ordered and...
22960From George Washington to William Livingston, 11 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of the 7th in[stant] this morning. You will perceive by the enclosure from Colo. Biddle the Forage Master General to the Army the prices that have been given for hay in the different States and that the proper measures will be used to exempt Somerset County from her proportion of Forage. The last accounts from Rhode Island was of the 6th with the news of the Enemy’s...