1From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed with the detachment under your command to Dunks’s ferry on Delaware, if you find in your progress the way clear & safe. When arrived there, you will take the safest & most expeditious method of conducting the detachment to fort Mifflin; by water would be easiest & least fatiguing to your men; and if practicable & safe, will certainly be most eligible: otherwise you will cross...
2From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 1 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 27th ulto by Major Mullen and am sorry to hear that you found Matters so much out of order at Fort Mifflin. Much must depend upon your activity and that of the other Officers in Garrison. Two Waggon loads of Ammunition were sent off from Trenton the moment Major Mullens arrived there and I have directed Mr Mease the Cloathier Genl to forward the necessaries wanted...
3From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 7 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with both yours of the 3d and am sorry to find that so dastardly a spirit prevailing in the Navy, but I hope there will still be good men enough left to defend the Fort and obstructions till we can give them a decisive stroke by land. I have the pleasure to inform you that we made a general attack upon the Enemy at Germantown upon the morning of the 4th. We surprised them and threw...
4From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d yours of the 19th informing of the occasion of the late firing. I imagine the Enemy still persist in their attempt as the firing has continued by intervals ever since. As the rear of the Fort is only defended by a picket work, I think you ought to lose no time in throwing up a Bank against the picket which wou’d strengthen it and make it defensible against shot. If some blinds were...
5George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 14 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Towamencin, Pennsylvania ] October 14, 1777 . Hopes that Smith will be more successful in the future in gaining control of enemy’s batteries. Has ordered Colonel Christopher Greene to assist Smith. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 12th I received yesterday. I am sorry your attempts to get possession of the enemy’s batteries have hitherto failed. I hope your future endeavours may be more successful. If they once get their batteries fairly erected, the situation of your garrison will no doubt become very trying, but I dare say, they will be duly impressed with the importance of the trust committed to them,...
7George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 18 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Worcester, Pennsylvania ] October 18, 1777 . Informs Smith that Baron d’Arendt will assume command of Fort Mifflin and that Lieutenant Colonel John Green, with reinforcements, is on the way to the fort. Sends news of the surrender of General John Burgoyne. Suggests a plan to prevent British from preparing floating batteries. Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers,...
8From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 18 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
In order to put your garrison in a more effectual state of defence, I have sent you a reinforcement of 200 men under Lt Col. Greene, who marched this morning to join you. Col. Arendt having now recovered from his indisposition will this day proceed to Fort Mifflin to take the command there agreeable to my first intention. Your conduct since you have been vested with it, has been such as to...
9From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 21 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 18th I received last night and was extremely sorry to find from the Commodores Letter, which made a part of Your’s, that you & he were not in the strictest harmony. This circumstance, I confess, gives me great uneasiness, as I well know that a good agreement between the Navy & Garrison is of the last importance, and that a want of co-operation and every possible mutual aid...
10From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
your Letter of 18th Inst. I receiv’d last night wherin I find you express a desire to be recall’d from fort Mifflin to Join your Corps. I found it Absolutely necessary to reinforce yr Garrison & that it was impracticable to do it consistently without supersedeing you, this determin’d me to send the Baron DArandt as the Person originally mention’d to you to command there, but would have omitted...