1From George Washington to the Board of War, 29 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 21st Inst. and the proceedings of Congress wt. wh. you have been pleas’d to honour Me—I must beg pardon for not haveing answered it before & trust the Multiplicity of Business in which I have been engaged since it came to hand will apologize for the neglect, I shall particularly regard the several Important matters contained therein, and...
2From George Washington to the Board of War, 9 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your request communicated by Mr Peters’s Letter of the 6th Instant I am to inform you that no provision has yet been made in the Continentl Army in the Instances of your Inquiry though I have been frequently applied to. In respect to the Serjeant Majors & Quarter Master Serjeants they have been exempted from Common duties, which has been complained of by the rest. As to Drum &...
3From George Washington to the Board of War, 29 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
At length I have been able to comply with the first part of a Resolution of Congress of the 27 Ulto relative to a return of the vacancies in the Several Regiments composing that part of the Army under my immediate command. I thought to have made this Return much sooner, but the dispersed situation of our Troops—the constant duty they are upon—the difficulty of getting returns when this is the...
4From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with yours of the 31st Ultto by monsr Laytaniac and must take the liberty of referring you to my former Letters upon the subject of providing for the French Gentlemen who shall incline to enter the service of the States. to me there appears that One of two modes must be adopted—they must either be appointed to places in some of the Regiments, or formed into a distinct...
5From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday evening I received the favor of your Letter of the 8th Instt; in consequence of which, I stopped the Flagg that was going in with the Ladies you mention, pointing out to them the necessity of the measure and recommending them to write to their Husbands & connections to obtain Genl How’s assurances for the release of Mrs Lewis & Mrs Robinson & her Children with their baggage, as...
6From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having given my promise to Genl Howe on his application, that Peter Jack, a Servant of Major Stewart, who was sent to Philadelphia with the Waldeckers and, other Prisoners & who has nothing to do in the Military line, should be returned to his Master agreable to the usage of War in such cases, I must take the liberty to request the favor of you, to have him conveyed to Genl Greene by the...
7From George Washington to the Board of War, 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Rect of your Favors of the 18th 19th and 23d Instant, which, from the unsettled Situation of our Affairs, I have not been able to answer before. That of the 18th incloses a List of Stores taken in the Hancok and Adams Continental Ship, and carried into Dartmouth in New England, with a Resolve of Congress to deliver the Muskets, Powder, Lead & Flints to my Order. As the...
8From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Letter of the 6th Instt, and beg leave to assure you, that I shall not only be always ready to rectify any Error which I may commit through hurry or Otherwise, but be happy to have them pointed out. I have not the proceedings of Congress at this time, which would apply to the subject matter of your Letter, and therefore, cannot pronounce upon it with certainty...
9George Washington to the Board of War, 30 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 30, 1777. Discusses disposal of artillery imported in the Amphitrite. Emphasizes need for centralized regulations for procuring supplies. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The first of Beaumarchais’s supply ships.
10George Washington to the Board of War, 28 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pennypackers Mill [ Pennsylvania ] September 28, 1777. Asks Board of War to order the militia “from the Southward” to join the main Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
11From George Washington to Richard Peters or the Board of War, 15 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Richard Peters or the Board of War, 15 Oct. 1777. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman docketed Peters’s letter to GW of 7 Oct. in part: “Ansd 15th.”
12From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14th Instant I received on Saturday Evening. The Release of Genl Thompson is what I wish much to effect. No circumstances have arisen since his captivity by which it could be accomplished. Your Letter is the first & only information, I have had respecting Genl Hamiltons desire of being exchanged & remaining in America, having never received a Line from Genl Gates or any...
13From George Washington to the Board of War, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Sullivan who will deliver this was bearer of a Letter to me from Col. Gibson Commanding Officer at Fort Pitt, in which the Garrison is represented as exceedingly distressed for want of Cloathing and I am sollicited to give such directions as may facilitate the procuring a Supply —I have in consequence written to you on the subject, and have no doubt that every thing on your part will be...
14From George Washington to the Board of War, 2–3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of the 23d, 24th & 27th Ulto have been recieved. Agreable to your request I shall communicate to Genl Howe the information you have recieved respecting Captn Dick and the other American Officers, with your determination to retaliate on an equal number of their Officers, till Captain Dick &c. are relieved from their cruel & unjustifiable treatment. It would be a happy...
15George Washington to the Board of War, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Asks that artillery at Farmington and Albany be forwarded to Camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The draft is indorsed to “Genl. Horatio Gates, President of the Board.”
16George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 23, 1778 . Approves mode suggested to gain redress for Daniel Hiester. Will comply with congressional regulations for ordinance department. Asks about possibility of securing stores and ordinance needed for the next campaign. Asks for apprehension of John Robinson. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Daniel Hiester, Jr., of Pennsylvania...
17From George Washington to the Board of War, 9 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 6th instant inclosing a copy of a letter from you to Capt. Wm Scull and a Resolution of Congress of the 13th April the employment proposed for Capt. Scull will prevent his completing the Survey which I had directed him to make—and so far interfere with my views—but as he is in the neighborhood of the country which you intend to have surveyed, and the...
18From George Washington to the Board of War, 16 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favors of the 12th Instant. If the provisions and stores, which are in the Southern States, can be transported by water, it will without question be infinitely more eligible, than the present mode of conveyance, which is and must be attended with great delay and vast expence. The vessels to be employed in this business, I should suppose, ought to be small and...
19From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have lately recd 1900 Stand of Arms from the Eastward, which will nearly, if not quite, compleat the number of Men who are at present in want—But we are exceedingly distressed for Cartouch Boxes. By an exact return made a few days ago 1700 were wanting for the new Recruits, and to replace the old ones worn out in the last Campaign. Since this a number of Recruits from N. Yk & Maryland have...
20George Washington to the Board of War, 3 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 3, 1778 . Discusses proposed attacks against Indians. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
21From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favour of the 27th Ulto on the 1st instant, inclosing sundry resolves of Congress and other papers respecting two expeditions meditated into the Indian Country one from the Southward and the other from the Northward. I have since the receipt of it been endeavouring to collect the necessary information concerning the means already provided, or to be provided...
22From George Washington to the Board of War, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14th Instant has been duly received. The object which the Board have in view is desireable—and I wish it may be accomplished; however I cannot entertain a hope that accurate returns can be obtained here of the Officers who have served in the Army from the beginning of 1777 to the present time, and I am certain it will be impossible to ascertain the dates of their Commissions....
23From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On sunday night I had the honor to receive your favors of the 5th & 7th Instant, with the papers to which they refer. It gave me great pleasure to find, that we were on so respectable a footing in the General articles of Cloathing, and I would fain hope, if we can once get the Troops tolerably supplied, that we shall in future, by proper & timely exertions always keep them well and suitably...
24From George Washington to the Board of War, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with the Boards Letter of the 9th Inst. With respect to inlisting either Deserters or prisoners in general cases, I am decisively of Opinion against it—and I am convinced it will always operate against us, or at least till our appointments in Cloathing &c. can be placed upon as good a footing as those of the Enemy. With respect to the Count pulaski’s Corps, as the Campaign...
25From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Copies of letters to General Sullivan and Messrs Otis and Andrews, you will be informed of what I have written on the subject of Clothing—in consequence of the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 29th Ulto. The prospect of having the Army amply provided for, by your exertions, affords the highest degree of satisfaction—I am particularly happy to be informed that...
26From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Arrangement having determined to annex the Regiment late Pattons to Colo. Hartleys, it will be proper to put them in the same Uniform. I have therefore desired Capt. Prowell the commanding Officer to send an Officer to Philada with an exact return of the Regiment, and the Cloathing wanting. Be pleased to give an order to the Cloathier General to have them made up after the...
27From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Incessant and pressing applications of the Officers—and their real distress for Cloathing, obliges me to repeat my wishes to the Board to obtain the earliest direction of Congress for relieving their wants. They are in a very disagreable situation in this respect, and, unless some mode can be adopted for speedily supplying them, Many will be obliged involuntarily to quit the service—or if...
28From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Nicholas has been with me and reported the state of the Cloathing—and also the forwardness in which it is, for coming on. I was sorry to find by his account, that the whole of the shoes will not exceed seven thousand pair. This I thought it my duty to inform the Board of, as the supply will not more than answer the Instant—pressing wants of the Troops, who are actually barefoot. I fear...
29From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In the Letter, which I had the honor of addressing to you on the 18 Instant—I mentioned the scanty size of many of the Blankets, which had come to the hands of the Cloathier. By this conveyance by Wm Jones, I think it proper to send one for the inspection of the Board—by which they will find—how much we have been deceived—and the public imposed on in this essential article of supply; and also...
30George Washington to the Board of War, [18 January 1779] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, January 18, 1779. ] Outlines a “Plan for paying arrearages of Clothing to the troops.” Df , in writings of Tench Tilghman and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
31From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your letters of the 9 and 16th Inst. upon the subject of paying the arrearages of Cloathing due to the Army for the year 1777 —I have drawn up the inclosed rough plan, which contains the heads of what, in my opinion, will be necessary to establish some general Regulations for a settlement with the line of the Army at large. That justice may be equally distributed to the...
32George Washington to the Board of War, 17 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Middlebrook, New Jersey ] February 17, 1779 . Discusses proposed regulation for settlement of accounts. Suggests an additional regulation for giving certificates to inhabitants for articles taken for use of Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
33From George Washington to the Board of War, 26 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 19th 22d and 23d instants with their several enclosures —General Duportails plan for the formation of the Corps of Miners and sappers shall be immediately revised and returned by himself with the amendments which may be, in my opinion, proper —I will have the dispute of Rank between Majors Mentges, Murray and Nichols carefully examined and will transmit to the...
34George Washington to the Board of War, 27 February 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] February 27, 1779 . Encloses Brigadier General Du Portail’s plan for a corps of engineers. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
35From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed plan for the establishment of a corps of Engineers has been submitted to me by General Du Portail. I now return it to the Board accompanied with my remarks on such parts of it as appeared to me to require them. These have been first communicated to General Du Portail. With great respect & esteem I have the honor to be Gentlemen Yr Most Obed. servt. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s...
36From George Washington to the Board of War, 28 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letters which you did me the honor to write the 22d & 23d inst. In consequence of the first—I have written to Col. Bland appointing him to the command at Charlotteville—and inclosing the Resolve of Congress relative to the general superintendence of the Governor and Council of Virginia—for his direction —As Col. Bland in my opinion answers the description of the Officer...
37From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with yours of the 25 ulto inclosing papers relative to the opposition of the officers of the 1st Penna Regt to Capt. McKissacks introduction into that Corps—and of the 27th with papers respecting the dispute of Rank between Majors Murray, Mentges and Nichols. I will use my endeavours to have the first adjusted to the satisfaction of the parties, and will direct proper...
38From George Washington to the Board of War, 29 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to receive your favours of the 25th and 26th with the Commissions mentioned for the Connecticut Officers. The Boards ideas respecting the difficulties that would attend the introducing Mr McPherson into the line are certainly right. It cannot be done—or at least without exciting great discontent and producing many resignations. Nor do I think that he could be employed under a...
39From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive your favors of the 30th & 31st Ulto and two of the 1st Inst.—with the several papers to which they refer. If Lieutenant Colo. Mebane was the oldest Lieut. Colonel in the North Carolina line when Colo. Hogan was promoted to the rank of a Brigadier, he unquestionably according to the principles of rank recomd should be appointed Lieutenant Colonel Commandant —and...
40From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Schott waits upon you with a Return of Arms and Cloathing wanting for the several Corps therein mentioned which are ordered over to Wyoming. The Cloathing could have been furnished from hence, but it will be so much more convenient to send it from Philada to Esterton upon the Susquehannah and from thence to Wyoming by Water, where it will meet the Troops, that I have directed Capt....
41From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Board of General Officers to whom were referred the dispute of Rank between Majors Mentges, Murray and Nicholls having made the inclosed Report, I must request the Board to give them the information (thro’ me) which they call for respecting the appointment of Major Nicholls to the rank of Lieut. Colonel. In mine of the 26 March I desired to be informed of the number of Hunting shirts upon...
42George Washington to the Board of War, 10 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 10, 1779 . Asks that the Board wait until Baron von Steuben returns to Camp before deciding if duties of adjutant general and inspectorship should be united. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
43From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your favour of the 31st of, March, which, through hurry of business has been hitherto unanswered. From the relation in several respects between the duties of the office of Adjutant General and those of the Inspectorship; I pe[r]ceive advantages that would result from uniting them in a certain degree; but I am induced notwithstanding to recommend, that nothing...
44From George Washington to the Board of War, 13 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd the inclosed from Capt. Von Heer. As I do not know how he has been supplied heretofore with the Articles he now calls for, I cannot determine upon the propriety of the present application. I can only say, if it appears that they are necessary, he ought to be furnished with them—If The Quarter Master supplied him in the first instance with Horses he can I suppose remember...
45George Washington to the Board of War, 15 April 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] April 15, 1779 . Regrets that the clothing department is not yet reorganized. Is pleased that cannon are to be provided. Disapproves of dividing the German Battalion and of reducing the cavalry. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
46From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favours of the 7th and 9th. It is infinitely to be lamented, that the Clothiers department still remains on so undecided and precarious a footing—The Board’s observation on the present expedient is evidently just. Our prospects for the future supply of cloathing from every thing that has come to my knowlege are truly deplorable. I am happy in the measures persuing to...
47From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favr of the 13th instant and those of Mr Scull of the 13th 15th and 19th—The number of Hunting shirts ordered to be made up by Otis and Henley will be fully sufficient, if they can be provided in time. I yesterday wrote to Boston and desired that they might be sent forward as fast as finished —Be pleased to direct Mr Mease to send on to Camp the ten thousand...
48From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your favor of the 25th ultimo thro’ Col. Pickering. The extract of a letter from Mr Measam D.C.G. and the several objects to which it refers, will naturally claim the earliest notice. In particular the linen and blankets are greatly wanted for the troops; and the necessity of encreasing our supply of both so evident as to stand in need of no arguments to induce the board to...
49From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from Colonel Brodhead, dated Fort McIntosh the 3d Ultimo, he has the following paragraph “There is a prodigious deficiency of Clothing and money in this department; some cloth has indeed been purchased in the State of Virginia, but the means of making it up are not provided; shoes and Linen cannot be had at any rate unless they are sent up by the clothier general.” He adds in...
50From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your Letters of the 7th & 10th Instant. With respect to the matters submitted by the first—The Commissary General of Military Stores has certainly a right to direct in every thing relative to the execution of the public works, under his care—and every Officer stationed at the Laboratories is bound so far, to follow his directions. The rank of Lieut. Colonel which he...