61From George Washington to Board of War, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evennig favored with yours of the 16th instt—inclosing Copies of two Letters from B. Genl Knox to your Board on the Subject of forwarding military Stores to the Army—Circumstancd as I am at this Moment, with many surroundg Doubts & Uncertainties, from too many Reasons, it is impossible for me to fix on any certain Point of Time, at which I should wish to have the Stores in Camp—I...
62From 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...
63From George Washington to the Board of War, 30 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon receiving information that the enemy are preparing to send a reinforcement to the southward, I have determined to detach Major Lees Corps, both Horse and Foot to that quarter, and have written to the commanding Officer to put them in readiness as expeditiously as possible. As they will undoubtedly want many matters to equip them for so long a march, I have directed the Officer to repair...
64From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday evening received Your Letter of the 3d and have directed the Commissary of prisoners to permit Capn Edmonstone to go into New York upon parole, subject to an immediate and final exchange, by Sir Henry Clinton’s releasing One of our Captains now in his hands, who has been longest in captivity, & whose name will be mentioned in his parole. Mr Beatty has written to Mr Adams—Deputy...
65From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
We have so constantly experienced the want of Hats, than which no part of dress is more essential to the appearance of a soldier, that I have been endeavouring to find out a substitute for them, which could be procured among ourselves—I have seen none so likely to answer the purpose, and at the same time of so military an air as a leather Cap which was procured in the year 1777 for the 6th...
66From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
As we may now expect that Levies will be coming in from the States in a little time —and we shall have many occasional demands for Arms, I request that the Board will be pleased to order Three thousand Stand compleat, to be forwarded immediately to the North River. For fear of accidents in case the lower communication should be exposed by the removal of the Army—I think it will be prudent that...
67From 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...
68From George Washington to the Board of War, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of the 12th ulto in which I took the liberty of mentioning the want of the Commissions for the Massachusetts line, I have received frequent and pressing applications on the same subject from the Officers of that Line. There is something peculiar in their situation—A Board of Commissioners are appointed by the State to make a compensation to their officers for the depreciation of...
69From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you an extract of a letter which I have lately received from Major General Gates, on which the Board will be pleased to direct the necessary measures—I have requested General Knox to send a proper person to inquire into the administration at Springfield; and to have the abuses rectified, so far as it may be done without interfering with the establishment of the...
70From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the honor to receive Your Letter of the 22d Instant. The exertions of the Board to relieve our distresses and the good Offices of the Merchants were most timely. The Army never stood in greater need of them. On several days the Troops have been entirely destitute of provision of this kind—and at best they have only received for a considerable time past, but an Eighth—a...
71From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you the Copy of a Letter of the 16th Ulto which I received from Wm Gardner Esq. Agent Cloathier at portsmouth, and of the foot of the Invoice to which he refers. I don’t know the terms on which the Cloathing Agents act; but there appears to me to be something obviously wrong in the present instance—and which has induced me to trouble the Board with this...
72From George Washington to Board of War, 19 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favor of the 9th—Respectg the Cloathing—I think it my Duty to inform you that the Southern Army from the Supply that has been sent them from York Town & is now going on under the Care of the Detatchment under Comand of Genl St Clair, with what Genl Greene has been able to obtain, will probably go near to be pretty well covered—a few small Articles such as Overhals & small...
73From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th late in the Afternoon I had the honor to receive Your private Letter of the 3d Inst. I sent the next morning for Captain Bowman, but owing to his being out of Camp in quest of provision, I did not see him till yesterday, when I took measures with him for complying with your views. He will march with his Company & with some additional Men I directed to be attached to it to make it...
74From George Washington to Board of War, 9 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 26th ulto and 3d Inst. the Resolve of Congress to which you refer in the last was not inclosed, but I have recd the Original from the president—Give me leave to thank you for the attention which you promise to pay to my wants—It is necessary you should be informed, that besides the Articles which it will be in your power to procure and forward from...
75From George Washington to Board of War, 13 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary of Prisoners informs me that there are still a number of officers on Long Island who have been exchanged, but are detained there for want of money to pay their board, not having been able to negotiate the bills which he received for that purpose. This is a most painful circumstance, both as it affects the officers and our public credit. If it were possible to find a sufficient...
76From George Washington to Board of War, 29 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 13th 14th. and 17th. instants. My late absence from the Army prevented my acknowledging them sooner. If the Uniforms which were fixed upon for the troops of the States of North and South Carolina have not been ordered from Europe, I do not see that any inconvenience can attend the proposed alterations. I think, however, the Lace ought to be dispensed...
77From 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...
78From George Washington to Board of War, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 17th and 22d instants. It ought to be presumed that Mr Verna the British Dy Commy of prisoners comes to Elizabeth Town no oftner than his business requires, and except there can be proof stronger than suspicion that under cover of his office he carries on a correspondence with disaffected persons in Philada it will be indelicate to charge him with...
79From George Washington to the Board of War, 31 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will oblige me by forwarding the inclosed to Colo. Wood, as expeditiously as possible. It contains orders to send down Brigadiers Genl Spetch and de Gall of the Convention troops, to whose exchanges sir Henry Clinton has consented. The Gentlemen are both old and infirm and it is therefore to be wished that they may accomplish their long Journey before the severity of the season sets in. I...
80From 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...
81From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
[ Preakness, 4 Nov. 1780 ]. With his “Military Chest being totally exhausted,” GW seeks money that will enable fifteen officers involved in a recent prisoner exchange to reach their homes. “Their long and patient sufferings entitle them to attention and to every assistance in getting themselves and Baggage forward. … P.S. There may perhaps be a few more Gentlemen than those I have named in the...
82From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th, came to hand this morning. It is to be regretted that circumstances should have interposed to diminish the command proposed for Col. Armand. When the idea was formed of Uniting the legion late Pulaski’s to his corps I had no intimation that Congress had determined on its reduction. I would hope however, that the order of the Board for its suspension will arrive in...
83From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is an Estimate of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, which I think it expedient to have lodged at Pittsburgh, ready to answer any favorable opportunity which may present itself, for carrying on operations against the Enemy’s posts to the Westward. I do not know whether there is any practicable Road at this Season for Sleds, if there is, it would be much the easiest and cheapest mode of...
84From George Washington to Board of War, 8 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 30th April and 1st Instant. After a conference with Mr Cornel I ordered as much Cloathing as could possibly be shared from hence to be immediately forwarded to the southward with one thousand Muskets and one thousand Cartouch Boxes which appeared as many as could be sent from hence upon a comparison of our own probable wants with our stock on hand....
85From George Washington to Board of War, 6 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your favor of the 25th ulto. Your first and second reasons for removing the Convention troops from their present places of confinement are unobjectionable; but I think they will be equally safe in Pennsylvania as they would be in Massachusetts, and, all circumstances considered, I am opinion that they had best be halted for the present in that State. The Board...
86From George Washington to Board of War, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received a representation, see General Knox’s letter of 23d of April of which the inclosed is a Copy, from General Knox, upon his being informed that the Board had directed the Military Stores at Fishkill to be delivered over to the Dy Qr Mr—and Mr Rud’dock and his Assistants to be dismissed—General Knox has so fully pointed out the utility and indeed necessity of keeping up such a post as...
87From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honoured with your Favor of the 8th Instant. Major Jameson is entitled to the Lieutenant colonelcy in Sheldon’s Regiment by the resignation of Lt Colo. Blagden and to rank from the time this event took place. It happened the 1st of August last & The Board will be pleased to make him out a Commission accordingly. I have the Honor to be With great respect & esteem Gentn Yr Most...
88From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 9th inclosing an abstract of the powder brought in by Capt. Ashmead. It is to be regretted that the quantity falls so far short of the estimate, but I am in hopes that the above with the three hundred Barrels forwarded before, will answer our present purposes. I would however wish that the Marine Committee may be requested not to lose sight of the object,...
89From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
As the inclosed representation from Capt. Schott to me implies that some steps have been taken by the Board respecting the incorporation of his and Capt. Selins Companies with the German Battalion, I have not thought proper to give any opinion upon it, untill I am informed how far the representation agrees with the measures which the Board may have adopted upon the occasion. I have the honor...
90From George Washington to the Board of War, 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hatfeild yesterday sent a person to communicate the several matters respecting his department to me. He himself being very unwell. Finding that he has near ten thousand Hides upon hand, I have directed him to send 2000, the number mentioned in yours of the 9th, immediately to Philada. He has delivered 1400 pair of shoes to the Cloathier General within thirty days past, and expects to turn...
91From George Washington to the Board of War, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 6th inclosing the instructions of the Board to the different Commissaries of Hides. The directions appear to me to be judiciously drawn and fully adequate to the purpose, and I doubt not, if they are strictly attended to, but that a sufficient quantity of Shoes for the Army, and leather for other uses will be procured—Mr Garanger is exceedingly impatient to know...
92From 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...
93From 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...
94From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I herewith transmit the board two letters, one to Colonel Bland, the other to Lt Col. Washington with the resolve of Congress of the 7th, ordering them to proceed to join the Southern army. The inclosed copy of a letter from Lt Col. Washington has induced me to imagine that the resolve has not yet reached him. I therefore send the letters open, through the board, lest in their transmission I...
95From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I find by a Resolution of the 9th Instant, of which I received a Copy last night, that Congress have been pleased to determine the Quota of Troops to be furnished by the respective States the ensuing Campaign —and that the Non-Commissioned Officers & privates in the additional Corps—Artillery & Cavalry and the Regimented Artificers in the departments of the Quarter Master General & Commissary...
96George Washington to the Board of War, 27 July 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, July 27, 1779. “… General Knox has reported on the subject of Mr. [Lewis] Garanger, that he may be usefully employed in the Artillery with the rank of Captain in the army , but without any particular rank or command in the line of Artillery . The officers of Artillery are very tenacious of their privileges and jealous of the introduction of new men into their corps; and not only...
97From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of yours of the 9th instant I have wrote to Mr Hatfeild to come to Head Quarters. I have not yet received an answer from him to mine of the 2d instant, and am therefore still at a loss to know what shoes may be expected from him. It is possible that a requisition of Cloathing for the troops to the Westward may have been already made to you by Colo. Brodhead, and that measures...
98From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 11th which gives me inexpressible concern. After having engaged with our allies for a cooperation after having put the states to a very great expence stimulated the people to extraordinary exertions and raised extraordinary expectations it is mortifying to find that if every other cirumstance should favour our wishes we are likely to be disappointed for...
99From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit you the Arrangement of the 11th pensylva. Regiment made by a Board of Field Officers of that line, appointed for the purpose, on which the Board will be pleased to issue Commissions. I inclose the old arrangement made out by Colo. Hubley—by which the Board will see what alterations have been made. They will be pleased to forward the Commissions to Colo. Hubley. I...
100From 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 &...
101From George Washington to Board of War, 30 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are the Copies of the letters and papers from the Marquis de la Fayette transmitted in yours of the 26th. I have recd Mr Carletons letter of the 22d inclosing one from Capt. swan on the subject of what he conceives an injury respecting his Rank. As he states no particulars, I do not know upon what he founds his claim to the Majority of the 1st Regt—But of this I am certain, that the...
102From George Washington to the Board of War, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of Your Letter of the 10th inclosing one from Mr Hughes for obtaining Captain Swan’s exchange. The only Rule by which equal justice can be done to prisoners, is to exchange them according to the priority of their capture. This I have invariably directed to be pursued where the circumstance of rank would apply and I can never depart from it, unless cases should arise making...
103From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been this day honored with yours of the 19th inclosing Copies of the letters which have passed between the Honble the Council of Pennsylvania and the Board relative to the Coats which have been delivered to the State for the use of their troops. The inclemency of the Season—the peculiar circumstances of the Army moving into quarters —and the necessity of delivering out the Cloathing...
104From George Washington to the Board of War, 1 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you the arrangement of the three New-Hampshire Regiments which I have just received —and request you will make out and forward me the commissions as soon as it can be done. The board will perceive the several promotions that are to be made, and the dates which the commissions are to bear. General Hand writes me of an application for clothing wanted in the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment....
105From George Washington to the Board of War, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress having authorised me to appoint officers for Col. Armands corps, I have given him directions for the purpose, as he is, better acquainted than I am, with the characters, that will suit him. I am to request on his furnishing the Board with an arrangement that they will be pleased to issue commissions. He expects to go to France and dispatch being necessary to his plan, I Have thought...
106From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the regulations the non-comissioned officers are to be armed with swords as a mark of distinction and to enable them the better to maintain the authority due to their stations—This necessary arrangement has not yet been carried into execution— By some returns I have seen there appears to have been a considerable number of Hessian hangers at Albany, though I find no mention of them in the...
107From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose you the Returns of Colo. Sheldons Regt of Cavalry agreeable to your letter of the 23d Novemr last and have the honor to be with great Respect Gentn Yr most obt Servt You have also the Returns of Moylans. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The enclosed returns have not been identified, but the board wanted information on the...
108From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 27th ulto with Copy of the estimate of Ordnance Stores laid before Congress with their Resolution thereon. I should be happy to see the quantity voted procured in time, but I very much fear that none of the Furnaces, to which General Knox is directed to apply, except Faesh’s, are in Blast, and should that be the case, it will be some Months before they can...
109From George Washington to Board of War, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of the 21st ulto reached me on the 28th—Should there be no Naval Officer of Capt. Willings Rank who has a prior right of exchange, I shall be very glad to see his effected, as he has been peculiarly severely treated by the enemy, but if Lt Colo. Rogers is a continental prisoner of War I cannot consistently permit him to be exchanged for Capt. Willing solely, without making a...
110From 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....