1To George Washington from Colonels Jedediah Huntington, Samuel Wyllys, and Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommend Stephen Keyes “A Young Gentleman from Connecticutt . . . as a person of Education, Genius, & Spirit, & capable of doing honour to any Regt in which yr Excelly Should see fit to appoint him a Lieut.” LS , DLC:GW . This undated letter was apparently written about the same time as was Joseph Spencer’s letter to GW of 16 Dec. recommending Keyes. For background on this letter, see Keyes...
2To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 Aug. 1779. On 1 Aug., GW wrote Parsons: “I return you my thanks for the intelligence contained in your letter of this date.”
3To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 July 1779. GW wrote Parsons on this date: “I have yours of this day.”
4To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 November 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 Nov. 1776. The Continental Congress on 6 Nov. read “a letter, of the 3, from R. H. Harrison, enclosing a letter from Brigadier General Parsons of the 2d” ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. , 6:928; see also Robert Hanson Harrison to John...
5To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 9 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 9 July 1779. GW wrote Parsons on 10 July: “I have received Your favors of the 9th from Luddington’s & Redding.” The letter that Parsons wrote from the location of Henry Ludington’s mills and home in Dutchess County, N.Y., is the one that has not been found.
6To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letters not found: from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 Dec. 1779. GW wrote Parsons on 23 Dec.: “I received Yesterday both Your Letters of that date.”
7To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 May 1779. GW wrote to Parsons on 28 May : “Your favours of the 11th and 15th instant came duly to hand.”
8To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 May 1779. GW wrote to Parsons on 28 May : “Your favours of the 11th and 15th instant came duly to hand.”
9To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 14 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Part of my Brigade which were Present & Able to march have cros’d the River according to your Excellency’s Order receiv’d Yesterday. The Number which have march’d I cannot inform with certainty as more Attention has been paid to forwarding them to your Excellency’s Aid, than to a particular Return of Numbers; however I think they will not be far from 1000, about 200 More of the Brigade...
10To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is now five Days since I have first walked from my Bed to the I have moved as fair as I have any Right to expect since that continues very weak. I hope the Day to go abroad; and when I gain Strength sufficient hope a Journey will restore my Strength as well as Health; I am at present unable to attend to the Business you committed to my Charge; Captain Walker will take charge of those...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letters of the 12th, 17th & 19th Inst. I have in Consequence of your Directions to Put this Division of the Troops in Perfect Readiness to march by the 10th of May next, orderd the Detachments made from the Division to New London and other Places remote from Camp to join the Division immediately and hope Nothing will prevent the Troops being ready to march...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Friends of Capt. Wells of Glassenbury in the State of Connectt have applied to me to procure Him exchangd & releasd from his Imprisonment; As tis not a Matter I am impowerd to transact I have referd them to your Excellency Capt. Wells’s Case is perhaps as distressing as that of any Prisoner, A Numerous Young Family, his Wife an Invalid; his Parents very aged these are the Persons who...
13To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to Your Excellency’s Direction I have directed the Commanding Officers of the Companies under my Command to Ascertain the Number of Officers & Soldiers in their respective Companies who are willing to extend the Term of their Inlistment to the first Day of Jany next: by their Returns I find there are Two Hundred & Twenty Noncommissiond Officers & Soldiers who are willing to Serve till...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a Variety of Accounts from New York the Enemy design a Speedy Mov’ment from thence about Thirty Transports are ballast, Cannon taken on Board & Troops marchd from Kings Bridge to the City last Sunday where their Destination is I cannot conjecture from the Informat⟨ion⟩ I have recd, I hope not Up th⟨is Rive⟩r until our Defence is more perfect; I this Moment hear the Fleet Saild the Day...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Assembly of this State were delay’d by the severe weather near a Fortnight, and since they have conven’d have not taken up the Subject of recruiting the Army; I have applied to the Governor as well as the Gentlemen of the Assembly on the Subject, and am inform’d that neither your Excellency or Congress have made any Requisition to this State for that Purpose. I am induc’d to beleive the...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Answer to your Question by Cpt. Christie of 3d Pensylvania Regt I have deliver’d him a general Information of the State of this Garrison which will be explaind by the Proper Key The Garrison is in high Spirits and are very desirous to receive the Enemys Attack. I cannot promise the Post will be defended, but I am certain every Exertion will be made by the Troops to secure the Possession of...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Letters of the 6th 12th 20th & 29th of March. The first Detachment of the Troops from this State will march from Danbury on Tuesday Morning, under the Command of Lt Colo. Butler of Wyllys’s Regt, Nothing has been or shall be wanting on my Part to forward to Camp every Person who is able to March, from my Soul I ardently wish & desire your Excellency may receive every necessary...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last Week on my return from this Place to Camp; but on receiving Inteligence of the Enemy’s moving toward this Place have returnd. the Commander in Chief of the Enemy’s Forces is said to be at Southampton, a Fleet of Thirty Sail of Ships and other Vessels have arrivd at Sagg Harbour through the Sound. Thirty Ships have arrivd Yesterday at Newport; a Fleet of Twenty five Vessels left...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not been much Us’d to ask Favors of your Excellency nor do I wish in any Instance to be gratified where the Public Service will be injurd by it. As I have had much Trouble in raising & forming the Regiments in this State, I should esteem it a particular Favor if I could be indulged in having the first Regiment, Col. Wyllys’s, Col. Bradly’s & Col. Saml Webb’s arrangd in the Brigade I am...
20To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Instances of Firmaness in the Connectt Line exhibited amongst the Privates since I had the Honor of seeing you fully convinces me of the Justice of my Observation Yesterday on that Subject and I beleive the same Spirit pervades the whole of the Line. In two Instances Application was made this Morning for furloughs by Privates who had been three years absent the Men were informd that the...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a Report of the Number of Houses Stores &c. burnt at Norwalk the 11th Inst. the Enemy were so necessarily attentive to their own Safety whilst they remaind in Town and retird with so much Precipitation when they began their Retreat, as left them no Time to perpetrate those Acts of Cruelty & Brutal Savageness they were guilty of in other Places. they had however Opportunity to...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 24 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am inform’d that the Fleet which had fallen down to the Hook Saild Yesterday at 2 o’Clock P.M. and consisted of near 100 sail under Convoy of 1 Ship of 74 Guns & 1 of 40 Guns & one of 36 Guns bound to Europe, No Troops on Board —The Fleet with Troops are still at the Watering Place ’tis expected this Fleet will fall down to the Hook about the forepart of next Week —The Horse on Staten...
23To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d yesterday with your Letter of the 30h of April & shall as soon as possible send the Men you direct. I find an Uneasiness arises among the Officers respecting the Appointment of several Field Officers in the Light Infantry under the Command of the Marquis; if there shall be any alteration in that Command, I would request your Excellency to appoint Lt Colo. Gray of the Connec ticu...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosd the Commission and Resignation of Lt Hitchcock of the 8th Regiment, and request your Excellency to discharge him. I am Satisfied the good of the Service and Peace of the Regiment require it. I hope your Excellency will not be troubled with many more from my Brigade. I expect Two or three will resign which I beleive will close the Scene. By your Excellency’s Last Letter I suppose...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis Fayettee cal’d upon me this Morning on his Rout Eastward; and on Conversation with him, on the Subject of procuring Arms, Ammunition & other Supplies, he thought it advisable to request 3000 or 4000 Stands of Arms to be collected in this State, lest there should be a Deficiency in the public Stores to arm all our Levies and also to request the Governer & Council to furnish all the...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Detachments marchd from the several Regiments in this State are less than I expected owing to a Variety of unforeseen Accidents—435 Non Com. Officers & Soldiers, with a Suitable Number of Officers to command them have marchd to Head Quarters & Peekskill, I expect another Detachment will be ready this Week—every possible Method to forward the Levies & Promote recruiting shall be attended to...
27To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am now on my Road to the Settlements forming on the River Ohio; and take this only Method in my power to take leave of your Excellency & to assure you of my most cordial Wishes for your Happiness; should any Occurrances render my Services in that Country of Use to you, I shall never be more happy than in devoting myself to the execution of your Wishes—The State of our Country must give very...
28To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my Return to Camp I was favor’d with the Act of Congress for releiving the Garrison of Wioming and would beg Leave to inform your Excellency that many of the Inhabitants of New Jersey are interested in the Land on the Susquehanna under the Claim of Pensylvania and at different Times have assisted the Pensylvanians in their Attempts to remove the New England Settlers. this being a Matter...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Patterson joind his Brigade last Evening and is now on the Point; when the public Service will admit I shall be happy to join my Brigade at such Place as will most conduce to the general Welfare. Your Excellency was pleasd to desire my Opinion of the Disposition to be made of the Army. Under all Circumstances I think 3000 Men should be assignd for garrisoning this Post, by which, I...
30To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
By a late Resolution of Congress, the States of Rhode Island & Connecticut are made one District for the purpose of Promotion, & intitled to two Brigadiers; the same Resolution provides that where a Brigadier is necessary one shall be made from the Senior Officer of the District. that to which we belong has hitherto had but one; we think the service, perticularly at this time, deserves...
31To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 18 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colo. Huntington of the 3d Connectt Regiment informs me he has a Claim to a prior Rank to Lieut. Colonels Grosvenor & Johnson of the connecticutt Line—Lieut. Colonel Gray also claims a prior Rank to Lieut. Colo. Huntington—these Claims will consequently involve some Questions relative to the Rank of the Majors—And the Rank of some of the Captains has never been settled in the Line. Lt...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Before you receive this you will be informd that the french Fleet are blockd up in Rhode Island by fifteen Ships most of them large; as every Mov’ment of the Enemy may now be of Importance; I think it my Duty to inform you that about fourteen Transports, Square rig’d Vessels, supposd to have Troops on Board arriv’d at Huntington from the Westward the Night before last, and Yesterday Two...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
some of The Troops of this State began their March to join the Army Yesterday. they probably will arive at the North River about next Tuesday or Wednesday, the Number I am not able to inform your Excellency as they march from distant Parts of the State & are to rendezvous at Danbury where I expect Lt Col. Butler will take the Command of the Party; I shall be able by next Post to give the...
34To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
You certainly fully understood me, when you suppos’d me fixed in my Determination of leaving the Army at all Events; the Reasons I then assignd were such as I could not surmount, and they continue in full force to this Time. but the Matter being undecided, when I last saw you, whither a Derangment of General Officers would take Place, agreable to a Resolve of Congress, and that being the only...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
the Weather has been so boisterous as has prevented passing the Sound some Days: The inclosd Examination of a Prisoner from Newyork I have sent. A Woman from thence the Day before Yesterday says a considerable Body of Troops are relanded in the City, that She Saw them land last Fryday & Says She was informd the Fleet was returnd whither the Storm had Shatterd so that they were obliged to put...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since the 15th Inst. I have had no Returns by which I can give any further particular Information of the State of the Regiments; in General small Additions are daily making: next Monday the finall Draft is to be made which I hope will nearly compleat Us: at present we have very few who have ingagd to the first of Jany Only. So great a proportion of our men when raisd will not have had the...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
An Officer sent to Long Island returnd the 14th and informs the Enemy’s Troops at the East End of the Island have their Baggage pack’d Up, and that One Regiment have marchd Westward by the South Road. That a Packett has lately arriv’d in New York from England, and tis reported that the Ships in the Sound are orderd to New York. He says there are very few Troops on Lloyd’s Neck and about Thirty...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of your Letter of 5th Inst: previous to which I had orderd the March of the Troops from Horseneck agreable to the Order of the 2nd Inst. & had gone to take a Command there. on Receit of your Last Letter I shall join the Army as soon as possible. I should set out to Morrow but the Return of my Son last Night from a Cruize necessitates me to continue one or Two Days longer in the...
39To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 28 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the Inteligence I have receivd from the Country and from my own Observation, I am convincd that the Inhabitants in the Rear of the Army are intimately connected with the Refugees who are on the Roads in our Rear & at many Times form part of the Robbers who are constantly distressing the Inhabitants & render it dangerous to pass the Roads. I would therefore propose as a further Security...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed General Prescott who was made Prisoner last Week, is order’d to Windham; I think it my Duty to express my Fears respecting that Matter, I am perfectly acquainted with the People there & am fully persuaded tis in his Power to effect his Escape at any Time he pleases, unless a Guard is sent there under the Care of a vigilant Officer to Secure him. The Credulity of Friends to their...
41To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 26 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Comittee from the Connecticut Line appointed to adjust their Accounts with the State have returned without effecting a settlement, the Lower House of Assembly refuse to pay any part of the Subsistance of the Officers before the first of April last, & from that time no more than Eight pence half penny per Ration; the Resolutions of Congress notwithstanding. In stating the accounts the...
42To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
According to your Excellency’s Direction, I am to State in writing the Claims of the different Ranks of officers in the Connecticutt Line to a Board of officers to settle their relative Rank: or that your Excellency would decide the Claims without a Board. Captains Bulkley & Morris at the Time of settling the Rank of Captains were Prisoners and have never had Opportunity to be heard & suppose...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment arrivd here after a Tour of Sixty Miles Since 11 o’Clock last Night: The few Militia at New Haven behavd exceeding well, repulsd the Enemy several Times & considerable Loss was sufferd by the Enemy; they burnt a Number of Houses at East & West Haven & plunderd New Haven: they have destroyd Fairfield, almost every House: the Abuses of Women, Children & Old Men are unparaleld:...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
On reviewing my Letter of Yesterday I find I have not fully expresd my Intentions respecting the March of the Brigade under my Command. I suppose from the Tenor of your Excellency’s Letters an immediate Danger is apprehended at the North River and in that Case it becomes necessary to reinforce those Posts sooner than it will be possible to collect my Baggage & out Guards and march my Brigade;...
45To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Messrs Reuben Smith Norton, Samuel Mix & Ezekiel Cowles are young Gentlemen whose Family Connections render them respectable in this State & whose personal Accomplishments give fair Prospects of their being Serviceable if admitted to Command in the Army. They are desirous of Subalterns Commissions in the Corps of Sappers & Miners: I beleive they will not disappoint your Excellency’s...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I this Day receivd your Excellency’s Letter of the 29th of June; previous to which I had orderd the Drafts from the Troops of Horse within the State to join Sheldon’s Regiment until your Excellency’s Pleasure should be known, assuring them at the same Time that they were not to expect to act on Horseback unless the Service requird more Cavalry than were mounted already, and that I had no...
47To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 27 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
After a long Confinment to a sick bed, I have just recovered Strength to be brought Home; and am able to attend to a little Business though I have not strength to go abroad. The Board of War in a Letter to me of the 23d of October, directed that the disabled Officers of the Connecticutt Line might, if they consented, go out of Aervice as retireing Officers, a Copy of which Letter is enclosed....
48To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment returnd from Sawpitts & Kingstreet, where I am informd that the Enemy have advancd a Party of Horse & Foot this afternoon to Harrison’s Purchase; and that the greater Part of the Troops movd Yesterday afternoon from Maroneck towards White Plains. the Fleet after lying about Twelve Hours before this Town have gone Westward to Day and are now at Anchor nearly Opposite New...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Q. 1. What or whither any Operations can be undertaken with Probability of Success? 2d Shall any Part of this Army move Eastward? 3. Can any Attempts be made on the Posts at New York with a Probability of Success? An. The Number & Strength of the Enemy. The Situation of Genl Sullivan’s Army the Probable Intention of the Enemy in my Opinion ought to be known with greater Certainty before a...
50To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I receivd last Week a Letter from General Lincoln in Answer to mine of the 10th of April on the Subject of retiring from the Army, in which he informs me that no General Officer will be sufferd to retire on the proposd Derangment, and adds "if your Want of Health forbids your taking the Field at present I see Nothing which will prevent your being indulged—this however is solely with the...