51To 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...
52To 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...
53To 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.”
54To 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.
55To 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:...
56To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here last night and find the fleet which transport the British Incendiaries is returned to Huntington Bay opposite to this Town where they now are. The Troops employd for these purposes are, by the best information I can get, about 2,000 commanded by Governor Tryon. At New Haven the few Militia gathered in season to oppose the enemys progress, behavd with great resolution and...
57To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my last, I informd that the Enemy landed last Night: at four this Morning the Enemy on their Advance were met by the Militia & some Skirmishing insued, but without any considerable Effect on either Side; at about Six o’Clock the Troops under Genl Wolcott, & my Small Detachment of 150 Conl Troops were joind & took possession of an Emminece the North End of the Town. the Enemy advanced in our...
58To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency’s Letter of the 13th I receivd this Morning and shall pay a particular Attention to procure an exact detail of the Mischiefs done by the Enemy at the different Places both on the Persons & Property of the Inhabitants, the Movments of the Enemy and the apparent Prospects of a speedy Descent upon Stamford has hitherto so far ingagd my Attention as to prevent my paying that...
59To 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...
60To 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...
61To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Supposd Strength of the Enemy, and our own Numbers and Preparations as Stated by your Excellency to the Council will in my Opinion oblige Us to adopt a defensive System until our Army is considerably increasd in Numbers and other Preparations for offensive Operations; the Posts in the Highlands are of so much Importance as ought to induce Us to defend them at every Hasard; for that Purpose...
62To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 31 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
last Night I receivd the inclosed Depositions of the Savage Conduct of the British Troops at New Haven; these are but a small Number of many Instances of similar Barbarities in that Town, the Depositions from Fairfield I expect every Hour when they arrive I will transmit them. I am Yr Excellencys Obedt Servt ALS , DNA:PCC , item 152; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169. GW enclosed the ALS in a letter to...
63To 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.”
64To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colonel Gray waits upon your Excellency for your Directions concerning a Quantity of Goods in his Hands, seis’d last Winter from One Scudder who had Plunderd them from the Inhabitants of Long Island, the particulars of which you was made acquainted with and approv’d of Col. Gray’s Conduct in the Affair. agreable to your Directions the Admiralty Court in Connecticutt tried the Justice of...
65To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Embarkation in New York was not completed this Morning, by information of a Gentleman who left the City this Morning. The Number designd to be imbarked is said to be 8400; Ld Rawdon’s Corps, and Skinner’s Brigade except Buskirk’s Regiment, and two british Regiments left Staten Island the 14th for New York said to be designd as part of the present Embarkation, the Object is understood, in...
66To 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.”
67To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am inform’d that forty Sail of Transports fell down to the Narrows last Fryday said to be a fleet for England, no Troops on Board, but Transports with Troops have been faling down every Day since; Genl Clinton’s & Ld Cornwalli⟨s’s⟩ Baggage I am informd (so that I think it cannot be doubted) Are imbarkd—Yesterday a Conversation was had among their Officers on whom the Command would devolve on...
68To 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...
69To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 26 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have sent by a Gaurd Wm Davenport and Samuel Marsh, two Persons taken by the Patroles from woodbridge last night: Davenport was imployd in the Service of the States in 1776, and joind the Enemy on the Retreat through Jersey in that year; and since that Time has been imployd in the Se[r]vice of the Enemy, and was about 6 weeks since in Arms with a Party of the Enemy in Jersey: and is...
70To 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...
71To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
By Letters from Colo. Sherman & other Officers I am informd of the Distresses of the Connecticutt Line of Officers, for Want of Clothing and should be happy if I could give them fairer Prospects of Supplies from this State. the Legislature have voted Monies for that Purpose and appointed their Agent to purchase, but the Monies are not collected nor is any Clothing yet procurd; the Truth is,...
72To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Excellency’s Letter of the 12th Inst.; in which I am desird to join the Army as soon as I can make it convenient, in Consequence of which I intended to have joind my Brigade next Week; but at present I am unable to undertake so long a Journey being troubled with Disorders which prevent my riding any considerable Distance, but I hope within ten or fifteen Days to be able...
73To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I did not call at Westpoint on my Way to this place as I thought it of Importance to be with the assembly before the End of their Session; in which I was disappointed the Session being over. I immediately waited on the Governor and Council: and find the assembly have order’d One Thousand five Hundred Men for the Continental Army and apportion’d this Number to the Towns; Two Thousand five...
74To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been through most of the Towns in the eastern Parts of this State since I last wrote you; and from present Appearances I am inducd to beleive the Recruits orderd for the continental Army will be furnish’d; the orders were so lately made by the Assembly, that the Recruits will be later in the Field than I could have wishd and their Term of Service in general does not exceed the first of...
75To 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...
76To 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...
77To 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...
78To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday honored with yours, of the 16th Instant, and shall take every Measure in my Power for the immediate Return to Camp of such Officers as are now in the State: I have detained only four nor have any continued in the State by my Direction or Licence; I beleive it will not be necessary to retain more than Six or Seven within the State to receive and forward Recruits to Danbury—The...
79To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am induc’d to beleive very few Recruits will be added to the Connectt Line this Campaign, and I should wish your Excellency’s Permission to join my Brigade —some Success has attended the inlisting Volunteer Companies to be cal’d when New York is invested & to continue subject to the Regulations of the Army during the Seige. I am not yet certain of the Numbers ingag’d three or four Companies...
80To 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...
81To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to excuse my not waiting on you with the inclos’d Letter: I am so exceedingly unwell as to be unable to go from my Quarters, if I should recover Strength enough & the weather should clear off serene I will ride down to Day. the inclos’d Letter is from General Arnold, the Cover & Seals as they came to me except their being broke you may still see the inward Seal has not been broken. I...
82To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
If I should remain silent on the Subject of General Smallwoods Promotion, my Conduct would receive Constructions very different from the real Motives; I therefore feel myself under a Necessity of troubling your Excellency on the Subject. I do most sincerely acquiesce in the Promotion of that Officer, the strong existing Necessity at the Time as well as his own distinguishd Merit in saving our...
83To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this Day receivd Notice of my promotion; and am also favor’d with the present Establishment of the Army. when I left Camp I had no Intention of joining the Army again unless the restoration of my Health should enable me to reassume a Command for the present Campaign; I had therefore turnd my Attention to resuming some Station in civil Life, and joining my pursuits With those of my...
84To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lieuts. Grant and Cook who were made Prisoners on the Surrender of Fort Washington and are now exchangd, apply to me to be arrangd in the Connecticutt Line; on which I beg your Excellency’s Direction—these Gentlemen were appointed Officers for the Army raisd in 1777 but being Prisoners were not Commissiond in the Regiments rais’d on the present Establishment; they were noticed of, and accepted...
85To 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...
86To 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...
87To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was on my Way to wait on your Excellency but the Difficulty of passing the River prevents my pursuing my Intention. The inclosd Letter from Major Alden & Certificate from the Officer commanding the Regiment, is to request his Discharge from the Service —I am sorry his Circumstances require him to leave the Army, but am convincd his Reasons are such as ought to intitle him to his Discharge—I...
88To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last Night Six prisoners were brought to the Provost Guard in Fishkill; who belong to the State of Connecticutt, three of them viz: Jos. Easton Trowbridge Henry Gibbs and Benja. Prescott were sentenced last October to be confind in Symsbury Mines Eighteen Months, the two former escapd on their Way & joind the Enemy[.] Prescott, a Brother in Law to Roger Sherman Esqr. made Interest through his...
89To 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...
90To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 24 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I left my Hutt last Tuesday to visit the Rhode Island Troops, with General Heath’s Permission to make a Small Excursion to see my Family which was Twenty five Miles East of that Line of Troops on Condition I was to be again at my Quarters to Day —I understand, on my Return, that Capt. Walker has gone Eastward, with your Excellency’s Commands for me; I have not seen him, if any Thing of...
91To 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...
92To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 14 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellencys directions I have to this time been pursuing the objects of the Enqury you have ordered: but have not been able to make the Discoveries wished for with a sufficient degree of precision, to make any attempt to secure the Persons concernd. I believe it is certain that an Association is formd to submit to British Government, on the terms of the last...
93To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys Orders; I have attended to the Business with which I was Charged; and have been through Various parts of the State where I judged the most Essential service might be Rendered; have succeeded in some Measure; but being Seized a few days ago with a fever am at present unable to stir abroad; hope in a short time to be able to attend to my duty where your Excellency...
94To 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...
95To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Fever by which I have been confined has left me exceedingly weak, and unable to attend to any business of importance, nor do I expect to recover my strength soon unless a Journey to which I am advised, shall restore me—I hope to be able to join the army by the forepart of June, but have no expectation of being sooner able to do my Duty there—Two severe Fevers in Six months are very...
96To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Inteligence from New York as late as Saturday (which I have every Reason to beleive) General Arnold was every Hour expected there to take Command of an Expedition. Admiral Arbuthnot is going to England his Officers refusing to serve with him since the Action with the french Fleet—his Baggage was landed. Admiral Graves who commands the Fleet was in New York on Saturday but expected to sail...
97To 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...
98To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letter by Capt. Walker. The Detachment at Danbury shall march as soon as the Quarter Master has provided Teams for transporting the Provisions from Danbury, which I hope will not exceed two or three Days. the prisoners which cannot be tried before they march will be sent with them to Fishkill. inclos’d are the Proceedings of a Court Martial against,...
99To 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...
100To 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...