51To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Soon after I wrote your Excellency from Mount Holly —I recd Intelligence that the Enemy had Detatched themselves into small parties and were Collecting forage Cattle &ca in the Vicinity of this place, Coopers and Timbers Creeks & this Induced me (altho my Numbers were few) to make a forced March and Endeavour to drive in or cut off some of these parties, at Nine oClock at Night we arrived at a...
52To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Last Saturday a Considerable Number of transports fell down to red hook—& on Sunday Morning about 10. OClock they weighed anchor & fell lower —but whether there were any troops on board, or whether they went farther than the Narrows, the Informant can’t tell as he could not possibly pass to New York on acct of the Ice in by Bergen point. he is since gone over & an Other to Staten Island, from...
53To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 30 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have not heard whether the Arrangement has yet taken place by which a light Corps was to be formed, your Excellency must have been well Convinced of the Utility as well as Indespensible necessity of such a Corps previous to your Recommendg it to Congress—the time is now arrived when that Corps will be wanted to act in the field—all I wish is to be made one of the Number. I have not often...
54To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 6 April 1789 (Washington Papers)
Accept of my warmest & sincerest congratulations, upon your appointment to the Presidency of the United States of America! & altho’ it cannot add to the Illustrious Character, you have so justly merited & established through the World, yet it reflects additional honor upon the Western Empire —by a display of her Wisdom—prudence & Gratitude, in the choice she has made of her greatest...
55To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Anthony Wayne, 27 Nov. 1778. On 28 Nov., GW wrote Wayne : “I recd yours of Yesterday late last Evening.”
56To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your’s of this date I recd this Moment —Mr Archer’s Conduct as well as Major Fishbourns was highly Meritorious, the Circumstances you mention of Mr Archers having no Rank in our Line Induces me to wish him to be the Messenger—otherwise from equal Merit Major Fishbourn wou’d expect it—I could spare them both a little time as I shall be Obliged to retire for a few days. The Officers who led the...
57To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
About 11 OClock last Evening we were alarmed by a firing from One of our Out guards—The Division was immediately formed, which was no sooner done than a firing began on our Right flank—I thought proper to order the Division to file off by the left, except the Infantry and two or three Regiments nearest to where the Attack began in order to favour our Retreat—by this time the Enemy and we were...
58To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
When your Excellency was pleased to lay a state of matters before the Council of War the 6th of June—the prospects were extremely favorable—& we had flattering expectations from the succours p[r]om-ised by his most Christian Majesty—as well as the exertions of these States. upon this ground I did myself the honor of giving my Opinion to your Excellency in writing of what I then thought the...
59To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 7 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 28th Ultimo, & on the 2nd Instant the Light Corps was Dessolved & took up the Line of march to join their Respective Regiments, after reading the Inclosed Order at the head of each Battalion. the Distinguished & honorable manner in which your Excellency has more than once mentioned my name to Congress, & your very polite approbation of my Conduct thro’ the...
60To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
about 10 OClock last evening I recd Intelligence that a number of flat Bottomed boats & Several vessels were moving up Haverstraw bay—the troops were Ordered to lay on their arms & Several patroles detatched towards the Enemies Lines to Observe thier Motions, the whole Concuring that some Capital move was in agitation—but could not discover whether it was an Embarkation or a Debarkation. at 12...
61To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency must have Observed how wretched our Officers were armed—many of them without any—of Consequence should they ever come to a Charge in place of producing an example of fortitude to their men they must Inevitably be the first to give way—an example much easier adopted by the human mind than the former— especially by the private Soldier who can’t conceive his Honor or duty...
62To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 18 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
A deserter from the 64t British who left Stoney point last night Informs that it was reported, that a Large fleet of Shipping with troops on board had arrived at Sandy Hook, that Sixty Transports was said to be proceeding up the River—but knows nothing of the Intentions of the Enemy, they continue hard at work on their fortifications & have enclosed them in the Rear with Pickets—& Surrounded...
63To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 15 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 11th Colonels Butler & Febeger with myself Reconnoitred the Enemies works at Stoney point in the most Satisfactory manner possible—and are decidedly of Opinion that two attacks & one faint ought to be made agreeable to the Enclosed plan & Disposition, which I now transmit. by the unanimous Voice of the Field Officers present as well as by your Excellencies permission, I have ventured to...
64To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just returned from a Position where I had a fine view, & Distinctly counted 110 Sail of Shiping standing out to Sea, One Hundred & odd of which were large Ships. The first view I had was about One OClock, when I could only discover Six Vessels which were a great way out & soon disappeared—(they probably might be the rear of a larger Number)—at ½ after one the Van of the Other Ships...
65To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
long want of health, occasioned by the extreme of fatigue & loss of blood, in assisting to Vindicate the rights & liberties of America from her coldest , to her hotest sun, deprived me the honor & pleasure, of attending your Excellency into New York, & now adds to my unhappiness, by preventing me from paying you my personal respects in the City of Phila., however I have one consolation i.e....
66To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 18 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 18 Sept. 1777. GW wrote in his second letter to Wayne of this date : “I have this Instt recd yours of ½ after 3 Oclock.”
67To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are two letters this moment Recd in consequence of which Genl Woodford & myself will take up our line of March in the Morning, towards Paramus—so as to be in a Situation to afford every possible cover to the Country & if practicable strike the Enemy on their Return, or follow them should they have our Stores or any other Objects in view. You may depend on the earliest notice of any...
68To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 20 March 1790 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but the particular ⟨ illegible ⟩ of an Officer of merit which request I cou’d not refuse shou’d have induced me to intrude upon your Excellency’s time at a season when I know it must be precious—but as the Object which he has ⟨in View⟩ might be lost by any delay—I take the Liberty to mention Colo. James Armstrong —who wishes an Appointment in one of the Regiments which are expected to...
69To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 27 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are a letter Return &ca which I intended to forward sooner—the temper of the Gentlemen aluded to is altered much for the better, but the cause is not yet removed, tho’ I am informed in a fair Way. you will before this arrives have heard of the Intercepted letters from Lord G. Germain in which he has disposed of all matters to his mind on this side the North River & gives orders to Sr...
70To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Circumstances situation & Numbers of this Army, as well as that of the Enemy—which your Excellency was pleased to lay before the Council of General Officers last evening —I have fully Considered, & am of Opinion that something ought to be attempted in order to draw Genl Clinton’s attention towards Kings Ferry, which will not only give great Security to the Adjacent States—but leave it in...
71To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The accounts from New York are so complicated & Contradictory that very little Credit is to be given to anything we hear, the present— or late embarkation (for it is yet a moot point) is the fourth alteration of Corps & Commanders, within these three Weeks, which Induces me to believe, that they only wish to amuse us by some trifling Manoeuvre, in order to mask the Grand Operation. Upon the...
72To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your’s of yesterday Colo. Febeger with the Virginia Light Infantry will March tomorrow morning at 8 OClock, but for want of shoes must carry a great many of his People in Waggons. there are a Considerable Number of our men totally barefoot, & many more will soon be in the same predicament, unless the Line sends a speedy Supply of this Necessary article, It’s true that some of...
73To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your Excellencies Desire I have Maturely Considered the Questions which you were pleased to put to the Board of General Officers yesterday, the purport of which was As to the first, I can’t Conceive what Advantage we should Derive from any Movement to the Eastward at this time —on the Contrary would we not by a Movement that way give an Opening to the Enemy to cut off all our...
74To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 30 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I took the Liberty to mention to you yesterday the expediency of having two more pieces of artillery added to the Light Corps—I could wish for two Light [field pieces] or Grass Hoppers which with the two we now have under Capt. Pendleton —will be sufficient to give Confidence to our own people & some degree of Apprehension to our Enemy—for altho’ I have but Little Opinion of the Execution done...
75To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with yours of the 18th last evening—& will in consequence render myself in Camp the latter end of next week —when I shall esteem myself honored by any commands you may please to favor me with. We have nothing new from Charles town—the Investiture was compleated on the 28th Ultimo —all rank’s of people are anxiously waiting the event, may it be favorable, & may your Excellency put...
76To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with yours of the 21st Instant on my return from the Enemies Lines last evening, containing a Complaint of a Young Gecock concerning some violences said to be committed against him in my Corps. I shall agreeable to your Excellency’s Orders give you the Circumstances & Cause of that treatment as far as came within my knowledge. a Constant & Disorderly practice of fireing in the...
77To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 22 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 22 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Wayne on 23 Sept. : “I received Your favor of Yesterday morning.”
78To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 7 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I returned late last evening from Reconnoitring the Enemy at Stoney point, & find that they have nearly Completed their works —which Consist of One Advanced Redoubt on the Hill Commanding the ferry, way enclosed & finished, with a good Abbatis & Block House to fire over the parapet in barbet. The large work is also Enclosed the parapet raised much higher than usual & fraised in the most...
79To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have now the pleasure to assure you of the surrender of the Fort, at Stoney Point; and transmit you herewith, a return of the Killed, wounded, prisoners, ordinance, and military stores. It is with infinite satisfaction I acknowledge to you, that the officers, and men under my command behaved with the greatest bravery, and fortitude. Too much praise cannot be given to Leiutenant Colo. Fleury,...
80To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 26 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of Inclosing your Excellency a General return of the Detachment of Infantry under my Command, the return of the Artillery has not come to hand, it consists of One Major three Captains & Six subaltns & Ninety NonCommissioned Officers & matrosses with Six field pieces i.e. four six, & two three pounders. You have also the proceedings of two Courts Martial held at this post...
81To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Maturely Considered the Matters which your Excellency was pleased to lay before the Council of General Officers last Evening —and am Clearly of Opinion that any Attempt on the City of Phila. with your present force whilst Defended by the Number of Troops that may be brought to act against you, will be Ineligible. but it is my wish & Opinion that you cause the sick in camp & it’s...
82To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
We marched in force to the English Neighbourhood on tuesday morning, for the purpose of making a grand forage, between that place & Be[r]gen, which we have effected without Opposition, the troops will return to their Camp near Paramus this Evening. We found & brought off from Wihoak & Be[r]gen upwards of One hundred head of fat Cattle & a Considerable Quantity of Grain, for which I have...
83To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are very quiet, washing & Cooking—they will probably Attempt to move towards Evening —I expect Genl Maxwell on their left flank every Moment and as I lay on their Right, we only want you in their Rear—to Complete Mr Howes buisness—I believe he knows Nothing of my Situation—as I have taken every precaution to prevent any Intelligence getting to him—at the same time keeping a Watchful...
84To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The intelligence that Colo. Butler brings from Amboy which place he left at 12 OClock this day is, that 137 sail of shipping lay at Anchor in sandy Hook Bay at 8 OClock this morning. That between that and the hour he left it 102 sail had weighed Anchor and gone out to sea—among which was a large Man of War with a Flag at her fore topmast head, thought to be Admiral Arbuthnot—that 35 sail of...
85To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I must Acknowledge that the Opinion of the Court of Enquiry has given me both pain and Surprise—Surprise to find Gentn go on the most Erronious ground in two facts from which they seem to found their Opinion i.e. with Reguard to the Distance, and the Carrying off of one of the Piquets. the Distance between the nearest part of the Enemies Camp and where I lay—was near 4 Miles w[h]ich was...
86To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Wishing to prevent the Enemy from Receiving any benefit from the forage in the Vicinity of the River, and anxious to save as much from the Fire as possable (by Obliging the Inhabitants to carry it into the Pines ) took me up more time, than I at first expected—but that Business being now perfected—I have put the Detatchment on board of the Gallies—to be landed at Bristol, where I expect to...
87To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
The only direct Intelligence I have been able to obtain of the motions of the Enemy is Contained in the Enclosed Copy of a letter from Colo. Seely. we have a Number of Patrols out—which have not yet Returned—rumour says that General Clinton is Committing Devestation in Monmouth—but not authenticated—a Report also prevailed that a Large body were landed yesterday at Fort Lee—this is without...
88To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
After the most Dispationate & Deliberate Consideration of the Question your Excellency was pleased to propose to the Council of General Officers last Evening; I am Solemnly and Clearly of Opinion; that the Credit of the Army under your Command, the Safety of the Country—the Honor of the American Arms—the Approach of Winter which in a few days will force you from the field—and above all the...
89To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am not for a Winters Campaign in the Open field—the Distressed and naked State of your Troops will not admit of it. But if taking post at Willmington & the Villages in it’s Vicinity—or Hutting at the Distance of about Twenty Miles West of Phila. (which will not only support the Honor & Reputation of Your Army in the eyes of the Enemy—and the States of Europe —but will give Confidence to...
90To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 30 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I believe every man has his Volarnarable part—& if ever a poor fellow was more sorely tro[u]bled to find it out than me, I sin[c]erely pity him. When you can have a Leisure Moment I wish you to ⟨peruse⟩ the Enclosed as Numbered—I believe the cause of Complaint is removed & harmony again taken place. I do not think it Originated in this Corps—at le[a]st I have some ground to apprehend the...
91To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commissioners appointed by Congress have nearly closed the settlement of the Inlistments of the Pennsa Line, the last or Eleventh Regiment will be finished this Evening, we have now Discharged out of the Aggregate 1220 men so that we may count upon about 1180 Non commissioned Officers & privates as a nest egg, who are all furloughed by Order of the Committee until March & toward April,...
92To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 16 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Retreat of Lord Cornwallis to Portsmouth, & the advance of Colonel Tarlton with about nine hundred men, Cavalry, and Infantry towards South Carolina, probably with a view of putting General Greene in a disagreeable situation, has determined the Marquis la Fayette to order the Pennsylvania, and Virginia troops under my command to that quarter. The smallness of our numbers has also induced...
93To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Campaign in this Quarter being gloriously terminated under your Excellency’s auspices—I have to request the Indulgence of a short respite from the field. If that can not be granted, I must beg permission to advance at leasure (Independent of Command) until I join Genl Greene. This is a matter in which I am much Interested not only on acct of my Wound but my feelings your Compliance will...
94To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a Letter from Mr Measam proposing the Clothing of the Light Corps in a Complete Uniform of Blue & Red —as many of them are very Ragged—especially the Virginia Line whose coats are so worn out that they are Obliged to Substitute Linnen hunting Shi[r]ts—and as the Corps is made up of Officers & men from each Line—it can’t be deemed partiallity to any One State when a proportion of...
95To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with your’s of this day & note the Contents—I shall effect the Interview you wish in the least Suspicious manner possible. every thing will be in readiness at the time you mention—I shall do myself the Honor to enclose you the plan & Disposition tomorrow. Interim I am Your Excellencies Most Obt Huml. Sert ALS (photocopy), ViU : Gwathney Autograph Collection microfilm;...
96To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of your Excellencys Orders, a Considerable Number of Horses & Cattle were collected in the State of New Jersey—in Feby and March —for which the Inhabitants Recd Certificates for the price or Weight signed by Col. Ricd Butler Duplicates of which are now in his possession and will serve as a Check against forgery or Impossition. In these Certificates the people are Informed that...
97To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wish you to do me the Justice to believe, that I never did not nor never will, be guilty of any Conduct, that will be prejudiced to a Cause in which my life Character & property are engaged. As a friend I told your Excellency my feelings & situation—as a soldier I will submit to every Difficulty. I only requested leave of absence for a short time, your Excellency has put it on a ground that...
98To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of giving you a full & particular relation of the reduction of this post by the light Infantry under my command. On the 15th instant at twelve o Clock we took up our line of march from Sandy beach, distant 14 miles from this place; The roads being exceedingly bad and narrow, and having to pass over high mountains, through deep morasses, and difficult defiles, we were obliged...
99To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you yesterday morning by Mr Craig, since which I was honored with yours of the 8th Instant, it affords me great Consolation that the troops of the Other States have not yet attempted to follow the example of the Pennsa Line. When we Offered the terms Inclosed you the 4th Instant we had in View the General Line of the Army, & no Circumstance or Consideration could ever Induce us to...
100To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your two favors of the 5th Instant & in Obedience thereto marched & took post here, but could wish to be a few miles lower down towards Newark. I am fully of Opinion with your Excellency that Govr Levingstons Information was nothing more than that which Colo. Seeley Communicated to me, but in place of two Regiments, I believe that all the troops from Rhode Island were landed...