651From George Washington to Jabez Bowen, 10 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 16th ulto. In consequence of reports which I recd from New York, that the enemy mean an attack upon the French Ships either in Boston or Portsmouth Harbors, I advised the Marquis de Vandreuil to keep upon his Guard, and have requested the Govs. of Massachusetts and New Hampshire to hold their Militia in readiness, should there be occasion for them—I...
652From George Washington to Daniel Bowers, 28 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26th of last Month accompanied by a piece of Cloth made of Buffaloes hair, & manufactured in your own family, came safe to my hands. For the flattering Sentimts contained in the letter, and for the novelty of the Cloth which you have been so obliging as to present me with the first fruits of, I thank you. I am highly sensible of these proofs of your approbation of my...
653From George Washington to Colonels Alexander Spotswood, Alexander McClanachan, and Abraham Bowman and Lieutenant Colonel … (Washington Papers)
I want to form a Company for my Guard—In doing this I wish to be extremely cautious; because it is more than probable that in the Course of the Campaign, my Baggage, Papers, & other Matters of great public Import may be committed to the sole Care of these Men—This being premised, in order to impress you with proper Attention in the Choice, I have to request That you will immediately furnish me...
654From George Washington to Colonels Alexander McClanachan and Abraham Bowman, 26 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the time for which you had leave of absence must have expired, I desire that you will immediately on the receipt of this repair to your respective Regt in Camp. But should Governor Henry have requested you to undertake the direction of forwarding the drafts & others coming from the State or have given you any orders of that kind, I wish you to pay the strictest attention to them, & in that...
655From George Washington to Captain Nathaniel Bowman, 11 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed immediately with the men of your company, present, and those attatched to it by an order of yesterday for the purpose of making it complete, to Squan, by the way of Freehold, taking with you the ammunition waggon for which you obtained an order on General Knox. At Freehold you will draw two weeks provision for your party, for which purpose you will find an order inclosed on...
656From George Washington to Hugh Henry Brackenridge, 8 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to thank you for your favor of the 10th of August, and your Eulogium. You add motives to patriotism, and have made the army your debtor in the handsome tribute which is paid to the memory of those who have fallen in fighting for their country. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Hugh Henry Brackenridge (1748–1816) of Philadelphia, a graduate of the...
657From George Washington to John Bradford, 5 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 29th Ultmo is duly Received—for the future I must desire all Warlike Stores and Necessaries for an Army taken by the Armed Vessels in public Service may be safely stored under care of the different Agents till they receive Orders from proper Authority. you will please to enjoin it upon the different Commanders of the Continental Cruisers to be particularly carefull that no...
658From George Washington to Thomas Bradford, 7 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by the information contained in your Letter of the 30th Ulto—The Negros taken in the Monk do not belong to me, but to Mr Lund Washington, who lives at my Seat of Mount Vernon. on whose behalf I shall be thankful for any services you may render in recovering the Negros Robt Phoenix and—Phoenix—& on whose Acct I will see any expences paid. Instead of giving me any further...
659From George Washington to William Bradford, Sr., 18 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with yours of the 15th which you will find fully answer’d by a letter which I wrote you upon the 14th Inst. by Capt. Huston. as the No. Carolina Troops, now serving on Board the Gallies, are exceedingly wanted with their Regts I must insist that they be sent to Camp immediately on their return from below under the care of some officer of Foot, or one of the officers of Light Horse...
660From George Washington to William Bradford, Sr., 15 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd a letter from Govern⟨or⟩ Wharton inclosing Copy of one from you to the Council on the subject of keeping five or six Gallies manned for the protection of the upper part of the River. The Governor has very politely left the matter to my determinati⟨on,⟩ but I would not wish to interfere in a Business which is out of my line any further than by giving my advice. I cannot help...
661From George Washington to William Bradford, Sr., 29 September 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Two favors of the 14th & 23d Instt and am to return you my thanks for the measures you have taken to forward the Two Continental Batallions from your State. In respect to the exchange of the persons you mention, I apprehend it cannot be effected, till a General one takes place. This I am trying to carry into execution as well in the Naval as the Land service and...
662From George Washington to Colonel Philip Burr Bradley, 14 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You are to take the charge of the Invalids and such other Detachments of the Connecticut Line, as were mentioned in the General Orders of the 13th as also of such of the Baggage as shall be sent from thence, to the Winter Quarters of the Troops: and proceed to King’s Ferry, keeping the Baggage in front of the Line of march, and causing the strictest regularity and order to be observed in it....
663From George Washington to Col. Philip Burr Bradley, 29 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Philip Burr Bradley, 29 Mar. 1777. Robert Hanson Harrison docketed Bradley’s letter to GW of 24 Mar. in part: “Ansd 29th within.”
664From George Washington to David Brearley, 7 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to request that You will be so obliging as to inform me by the earliest opportunity, at what time You accepted the appointment of Chief Justice of this State. My reason for this request is, A Board of General Officers have determined on a late occasion, that Several Officers in the Jersey line ought to take rank from that time—and that reference should be had to You to fix it. I have...
665From George Washington to David Brearley, 6 September 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to David Brearley, 6 Sept. 1780 . GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison docketed Brearley’s letter to GW dated 11 Aug. : “ansd 6 septr” (see also Henry Lee, Jr., to GW, 5 Sept., n.3 ).
666Commission to Robert Breck, 24 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
You being recommended to me as a proper person to muster the Regiment now raising by Order of The General Court of This Province, in the Counties of Hampshire & Berkshire for the Continental Service I do therefore by virtue of the powers & Authorities to me given, by The Continental Congress—Constitute and appoint you Commissary for that particular purpose—willing and Commanding all Officers,...
667From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Brent, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed to Wms Burg as expeditiously as you possibly can. You will apply to His Excelly the Governor & the Honorable The Council & take their advice on the most speedy mode for apprehending the Deserters from the Regt to which you belong—A return of which You have with you. You will also apply for the residue of the men to Complete the Regt previous to It’s March from Willms...
668From George Washington to the Marquis de Brétigney, 6 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 1st Inst. and perused Your summary of a plan for raising a french Regiment. The matter not being officially before me I can only give as my opinion that the precautions which you have there proposed—such as the limiting the number of officers to the proportion of men enlisted—the choice of Soldiers united by the ties of Country similar manners and ways of...
669From 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...
670From George Washington to Caleb Brewster, 7 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Letters & News Papers you forwarded to me by the bearer and am Sir your Hble Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
671From David Humphreys to Caleb Brewster, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency commands me to acknowledge the Rect of the Dispatches addressed to John Bolton Esqr. by the bearer of this; and also to request that you will keep up the communication, & give him regularly every information in your power. I am Sir Your Most Hble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
672From George Washington to Captain Lieutenant Caleb Brewster, 23 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received yours of the 14th—Your return mentions the names of Eight prisoners sent to the provost Guard —Genl Parsons says only six were committed —You should enquire of the Corporal who had them in charge, how this happened. It is not in my power, at present, to spare any further number of Men for your detachment, as I am obliged to call in many guards, and weaken other necessary ones...
673From 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...
674Circular Enlistment Instructions to Brigadier Generals and Brigade Commandants, 16 September–21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
With the money you have drawn from the pay master General, you will use your best endeavours to inlist the Drafts from Virginia & such of her Old Troops, whose present inlistments will expire before the last of May next, to serve for three years or during the War, in the Army of these United States. To facilitate the Inlistments, you will put the money into the hands of such Officers as you...
675Circular to the Brigade Commanders, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are desired, immediately upon the receipt hereof, to draw together the men of the Regiments assigned to your Brigade. As soon as they are assembled; you are to call for exact returns from the Colonels or commanding officers, obliging them to render a particular account of the officers and Men who are absent. If they are well, let them specify where they are and upon what service. If they...
676Circular to the Brigade Commanders, 19 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
As it is found necessary for the purpose of establishing uniformity of discipline and manœuvres in the army to appoint an Inspector General—and in order to form a well organised Body of Instructors it is proposed to have Sub-Inspectors to superinted divisions or larger portions of the army according to their number—and Brigade-Inspectors to be charged with the Instruction of Brigades, which...
677Circular to the Brigade Commanders, 6 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
As it will contribute in some degree to relieve our distress on the subject of provision, I am to desire that you will discharge all the men in the Brigade under your command whose enlistments and terms of service will clearly expire by the last of this month. In conducting the matter you will be pleased to call upon the commanding officers of Regiments, to prevent the discharge of any not...
678Circular Instructions to the Brigade Commanders, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are to enquire minutely into the State & Condition of your Brigade & Order every Officer & Soldier belonging to it, not usefully employed in recruiting, or in the execution of any command (by proper Authority) or Sick in Hospitals, to Join their respective Corps immediately & see that it is done. Make strict enquiry what measures the commanding Officers of each Regiment in your Brigade is...
679From George Washington to the Brigadier Generals of Militia of Western Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 18 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The evacuation of Ticonderoga has opened a door for the Enemy, unless speedily and vigorously opposed, to penetrate the Northern part of the State of New York and the Western parts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bay. It is also to be feared that they will form a junction by the way of the North River with General Howe and thereby cut off the communication between the Eastern and Southern...
680Circular to Brigadiers of the Virginia Line, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the time of service of part of the Virginia Troops has already expired, and many more will shortly petition for discharges upon the same claim; It will be necessary for the Brigadiers, and Commandants in that Line, to meet, and come to some determination with respect to the mode of doing it. I have therefore to request that you will take such steps, and precaution, as will put it out of the...
681From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 18 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had on the 15 the pleasure by Captn McIntire to receive Your Letter of the 16th Ulto continued to the 24th. I am exceedingly happy in your success in the expedition up the Alleghany against the Senecca & Muncy Nations—and transmit you the inclosed Extract from General Orders—which will convey to You the sentiments I entertain of your conduct—and of that of the Officers and Men employed in...
682From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 5 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General McIntosh having requested from Congress leave to retire from the command to the Westward, they have, by a Resolve of the 20th Feby, granted his request, and directed me to appoint an Officer to succeed him —From my opinion of your Abilities, your former acquaintance with the back Country, and the knowledge you must have acquired upon this last tour of duty, I have appointed...
683From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two favours of the 16th and 21st of last month. Since my last letter to you and upon a further consideration of the subject—I have relinquished the idea of attempting a cooperation between the troops at Fort Pitt and the bodies moving from other quarters against the six nations. The difficulty of providing supplies in time—the want of satisfactory information of the...
684From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 23 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your several favours of the 14th 22d and 29th of May and 5th of June with their inclosures—The situation of affairs in this quarter prevented my acknowleging some of them sooner. With respect to the men raised in Monongahala and Ohio Counties—such of them as were raised without proper authority or contrary to the terms prescribed are certainly not intitled to pay from the...
685From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 28 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 23d ulto reached me the 23d instant. I cannot but regret that the irregular supply of provision still continues in your quarter, and I am sorry that the prohibitory laws of particular States should add to the difficulties; but it is not for me to interfere in cases of that kind. The provision purchasing for Colo. Clarke is for a very essential purpose—You have, I imagine been...
686From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 15 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 16th Ulto. Its contents give me that concern which ever arises in my mind from any indication of a want of that harmony and mutual confidence between officers, which the public interest requires. As it is my duty to remedy every abuse, of which I am authorised to take cognisance—if any charge were brought against General McIntosh I should immediately give it...
687From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 10 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 17th ultimo came duly to hand. I think it not unlikely, that the resolve of Maryland, may stop the march of Rawlings broken Regiment. In making your arrangements therefore, you will not place much dependance on this reinforcement. You will be enabled by refering to my last letters of the 21st April, and 3d instant, to judge of my sentiments respecting the garrison at Fort...
688From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 21 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 3d & 6 instant came to hand the 18th with the papers to which they refer. The irregularity among the troops occasioned by the inhabitants selling them liquor should be stopped by such means as we have in our power. The establishment of military law where the civil prevails, is a measure of extreme necessity, and which I have no authority to recommend. On the present occasion...
689From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 29 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
The State of Virginia have determined to undertake an expedition, which I have ever had in view, and which I wished to carry into execution by a Continental force—but you are sufficiently acquainted with the situation of our Affairs, both as to Men and supplies, to know that it has been impossible to attempt it—It is the reduction of the Post of Detroit—His Excellency Governor Jefferson...
690From George Washington to Daniel Brodhead, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Mr Fowler will put into your hands sundry Charges against Mr Duncan Dy Qr Mr General at Fort Pitt, on which you will have him arrested and brought to trial—The proceedings you will transmit to me. should Mr Fowler bring Charges against any other persons who may, from their Ranks or stations, be properly tried by the Court which shall be convened, you will likewise arrest and bring them to...
691From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 14 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 11th ulto. You will, I imagine, long before this time, have received mine of the 4th January, which acknowledges yours of the 10th and 22d Novemr and 13th December—What I hinted in that letter, respecting ⟨an exp⟩edition against the Natches and the English settlements upon the Missisippi, is now at an end, the Spaniards having already possessed those Posts. From...
692From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was on the 5th instant, a Copy of which I now inclose; also Copies of mine of the 31st January 15th Feby and 5th March to General McIntosh, lest any accident shou⟨ld⟩ have happened to the originals. I have directed Colo. Rawlins with his Corps consisting of three Companies to march from Fort Frederick in Maryland, where he is guarding the British prisoners, to Fort Pitt, as soon...
693From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 3 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 3d Ulto, with it’s several Inclosures. I wrote you on the 21st of April some days before the receipt of it, that I had relinquished the idea of attempting a cooperation between the Troops at Fort pitt and the bodies moving from other Quarters against the Six nations—and assigned the reasons. Lest this Letter should have miscarried by any accident, I...
694From Edward Hand to Daniel Brodhead, 16 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
His Exy the commander in chief has directd me to inform you that as the pennsa line is at the Southard, he wishes you to write imediately to the Comg Officer of the Southn army and the imediate comg Officer of the Pennsa Line informg them that you are relieved from your command at Fort Pitt, and ready to receive their orders—he at the same time desired me to acquaint you that you had his...
695From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 4 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have successively received your letters of the 10th 22d of Novemr, & 13th of Decemr. Persuaded that a Winter expedition against Detroit would have great advantages over a Summer one, and be much more certain of success, I regret that the situation of affairs does not permit us to undertake it. We cannot at present furnish either the men or supplies necessary for it. From the estimate you...
696From George Washington to Daniel Brodhead, 6 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d your Letter of 23d Augt, with its inclosures. Had you adverted to the plain construction of mine of the 5th of May, you would not have been in doubt as to the propriety of your holding the Command at Fort Pitt, while your Trial was preparing and hearing—as you seem to have misconstructed my meaning in that Letter, I have now to request in positive terms, that you do immediately...
697From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favors of the 18th March—24th April and 13th and 30th of May. It is much to be regretted that the state of our regular Troops will not admit of a detachment sufficient to reduce the posts of the enemy to the Westward or even to undertake any thing offensive against the hostile tribes of Indians—Militia, besides being very expensive, are so exceedingly capricious that...
698From George Washington to Daniel Brodhead, 12 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I now forward to you, a Duplicate of my Letter of the 5th of May, least you should have missed receiving the Original in your route from Fort Pitt to Philadelphia. Since that Letter was written, Many Papers have been received tending to criminate your conduct; I have only directed Mr Fowler who seems principally concerned in the prosecution, to specify the Charges, & obtain such testimony as...
699From George Washington to Daniel Brodhead, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The information contained in yours of the 27th ulto corresponds with intelligence I rece’d a few days ago, by a good channel, from New York. It is that Colo. Conolly (who you must very well know) is to collect as many refugees as he can at New York and proceed with them as soon as the season will permit to Quebec—That upon his arrival in Canada he is to join Sir John Johnson and that they are...
700From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 13 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 18th and 21st of August reached my hands a few days before I sat out for Harford to meet the French Admiral and General. This has occasioned their remaining unanswered to this time. I have approved the sentences of the Court Martial against Capt. Beal—Peter Davis of the 9th Virginia and David Gamble of the 8th Penna Regiment—Gamble appearing to me the most proper object for...