1From John Adams to Edward Hand, 30 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for this Address presented to me by your Representative in Congress Mr Kittera. It is indeed too plainly apparent that We must resort either submit to be dictated to by a foreign Power, or resort to Arms for the defence of all that can be held dear to Freemen. The Happiness you acknowledge under the Influence of a Government of your own Choice mild and equal in its operations, is...
2George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 4 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Wilmington [ Delaware ] September 4, 1777. Orders Hand to send forward officers of Colonel Daniel Brodhead’s regiment. Sends news of Fort Stanwix (Schuyler). Df , in writing of H, postscript in writing of Caleb Gibbs, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
3George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 12 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Towamencin, Pennsylvania ] October 12, 1777 . Discusses conditions at Fort Pitt and orders Eighth Pennsylvania Regiment to join main Army. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
4George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 19 October 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] October 19, 1778 . Orders Hand to Albany and sends details of the proposed expedition against Anaquaga. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress
5George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 26 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 26, 1778 . Gives directions for distribution of troops on Hand’s arrival at Minisink. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
6Recruiting Instructions for Colonel Edward Hand, 11 October 1776 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to Inlist such of your Regiment or any other Troops raised in the Province of Pennsylvania as are able of Body & Willing to enter into the Service of the United States of America upon the following Terms. 1st. You are not to inlist any but Freemen able of Body & under the age of 50 carefully avoiding all persons Labouring under any Lameness or other Defect of Body...
7From George Washington to Colonel Edward Hand, 14 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
You left this place many Weeks ago to collect, as I understood, the remains of your Regiment together—no good that I have yet seen, has resulted from it—by the last return just handed in, you have 263 Sick, absent—strange this! after such a length of time spent in Assembling your Regiment. The Season of the year, & the exigency of our Affairs, will admit of no more delays; I have therefore, in...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 4 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Broadhead of the 8th Pensylvania regiment has represented to me, that several of his officers sent to Westmoreland with large sums of public money, for the purposes of recruiting men for his corps & recovering others who had deserted from it, were detained by your influence and countenance from their regiment. I know not what foundation he may have for this assertion; but if the fact...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 13 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favour of the 15th Ulto from Fort Pitt, giving me an account of the State of your Garrison. I am sorry your force is not more adequate to the uses you have for it, and that such coldness appears in the neighbouring inhabitants as to preclude the assistance you had a right to expect from them. Under the circumstances you mention, I have no objection to your detaining...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are forthwith to proceed to Albany and take the command at that place and its dependencies—The forts on the frontiers, and all the Troops employed there will be comprehended under your general command and direction—Besides the garrisons, there are at this time Warners Regiment—Aldens, the fourth Pensylvania Regiment under Lieut. Colo. Butler and the rifle corps, late Morgan’s—now commanded...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours by Genl Clinton. I have furnished Genl Schuyler with the Resolve of Congress directing the Expedition to Chemung, and desired him in conjunction with Governor Clinton and yourself to take the matter fully into consideration, that if thought practicable at this season of the Year it may be undertaken, if not, that I may stand justifiable to Congress for laying it aside. You...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 12 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your letter of the 29th Ulto with its several inclosures. The two militia companies, who were under General Starks discharge, and which you mention on the cover of your letter to have left you, will necessarily forfeit by this step the state bounty, as appears by its own resolutions of June the 10th 1778. Cloathing has been already sent on to Aldens—Butlers and Poseys...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 13th containing the disagreeable account of the attack upon Colonel Aldens Regt at Cherry Valley: But your letter of the 10th has never come to hand. I have ordered General Clinton with the two remaining Regiments of his Brigade to march immediately to Albany, that they may be ready to act as circumstances may require. It is in the highest degree distressing to have...
14From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of the 16th your missing letter of the 10th and another of the 11th has come to hand. A supply of Cloathing for the 4th Penna Regt and the Rifle Corps has been ordered up by Capt. Cobourn of Colo. Aldens Regiment and I hope it may be arrived with them by this time. The exigency of Affairs to the Northward having required an additional number of troops to be sent thither, I have...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 26 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I first ordered troops to the Minisinks, Coles fort on the Delaware was recommended to me, as a proper place for them to be posted at, covering at the same time a part of the Frontier of New York, New Jersey and Pensylvania, agreeable to which, my directions to Count Pulaski were given. But the Count, on his arrival in that quarter, has represented to me, the impossibility of taking post...
16From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I arrived here, I received Your favor of the 17th Ulto. I am sorry the Country about Minisincks or within supporting distance could not afford forage sufficient to subsist Count pulaski’s Horse. Matters respecting them and their Quarters are arranged before this. As to the German batallion—should any pressing circumstances arise to make it essential, you may call it from Easton. With...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 7 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 9th 10th and 15th January with their several inclosures, which I have not had an opportunity of answering before. Count Pulaski’s Legion being ordered by a Resolve of Congress of the 2d instant (Copy of which you have inclosed) to repair to South Carolina, be pleased to direct the Officer commanding the Infantry of the Legion to march immediately by the...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 28 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 17th and 22d instants. If the Serjeant of the 3d pennsylvania Regiment will be as useful to you as you represent, you may keep him with you. I will direct the Commissary of Musters to send up a Deputy to your quarter, who will transact the Business with more regularity than an Officer not acquainted with the proper mode of making Returns. I approve of your...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 16 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to hold all the troops under your command, except Colo. Cortland’s Regt, ready to march as soon as you shall receive orders from me to that purpose. You are to move over to Susquehannah, but let this remain a secret. I am informed that three Men who were taken by the Indians from the Minisink settlement have made their escape and have returned home. If they are intelligent,...
20From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 21 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you on the 16th I have been informed, tho’ not in such a way that I can depend upon it, that the Country between Chemung and the Seneca Nation is great part of it so low and swampy that it is traversed with difficulty by even a few Foot. This is a matter that should be ascertained with the utmost precision, because should we endeavour to move a Body by that Route, to cooperate...
21From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 20th with the inclosures to which it refers. As soon as the weather will admit, I intend the German Battalion—Armands and Schotts Corps shall move over to Wyoming to take post there, and as Spencers Regiment will remain some time behind them, as a cover to the part of the Country in which you now are, and to wait for a detachment from the North River which is to be...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 1 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of the 24th I have recd a letter from Colo. Butler dated the 28th March, by which I find, that a Body of the enemy, consisting of Indians and others, had made their appearance at Wyoming, and had destroyed several Houses and Barns in the neighbourhood, but had been unsuccessful in their attempt upon the fort —This indication of the enemy’s being in motion upon that quarter makes me...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Arms, Cloathing and Camp Equipage for Colo. Spencers and the German Regiment and for Armands and Schotts Corps, of which Capt. Schott brought down a return, will all be sent up the Susquehannah to Wyoming, at which place the troops ordered to march thither will meet them—As Colo. Cortlandts Regt will not be employed upon the same service, the necessary Cloathing and Camp equipage for it...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 9 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
After having spent the necessary time with your family at Lancaster you are to proceed from thence to Wyoming and take the command of the troops there and in that neighbourhood —You are to call upon the Quarter Masters & Commissaries and direct them to use their utmost exertions in collecting the Stores in their respective departments, (necessary for the intended expedition into the Indian...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 30 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
your several favors of the 16th from Lancaster—and the 23d & 26 Instant from Esthertown were duly handed me. Proper measures have been taken with the commissary of ordinance and military stores to have the necessary supply of such articles as are the subject of yours of the 16th forwarded. As to the axes & pack-saddles; on enquiry I find that the latter, of which you complain, were not...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have before me your several favors of the 8—12—and 24th instant with the inclosures. I shall transmit them to General Sullivan, who is now at Easton, and mention to the board of war the clothing wanted for the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment. Our stores I am affraid, are by no means equal to our several demands. What they can furnish will require to be managed with the strictest frugality. I...
27From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The number of Genl Officers in Camp is so Small, & of that number, several very anxious for leave to be absent that I am, exceedingly distressed, & put to it to conduct the ordinary business of the Army, with the smallest degree of propriety. I must therefore request, that upon receipt of this Letter you will repair to Camp. With esteem & regard I am Dr Sir—Yr obt Servt ADfS , DLC:GW ; Varick...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 23 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
At the same time I acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 4th of January, I have the pleasure to congratulate you, on your appointment as Adjutant General to the Army. This has been announced to me two days ago officially from Congress. As Colonel Scammel had made his arrangements to leave the Office on the first of January, he is impatient to be releived by his successor. And indeed his...
29From George Washington to Edward Hand, 14 January 1784 (Washington Papers)
When I left Philadelphia I hoped to have had the pleasure of seeing you at Annapolis before my departure from thence, and to have had an oppertunity (previous to my resignation) of expressing to you personally, amongst the last acts of my Official Life, my entire approbation of your public conduct, particularly in the execution of the important duties of Adjutant General. Notwithstanding I...
30From David Humphreys to Edward Hand, 11 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by His Excellency to send you the inclosed, to be issued tomorrow, He also requests (if possible) that from the result of your inspection, or by the return of the Recruits who have joined since the first of April, you will afford the means (this evening) of assertaining our present force with great precision. I have the Honor to be With perfect respect, Your Most Obt Servt P.S....
31From David Humphreys to Edward Hand, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by His Excellency to send you the enclosed to be issued to morrow. He also requests (if possible) that from the result of your inspection, or by the Return of the Recruits who have joined since the first of April, you will afford the Means (this evening) of ascertaining our present force with great precision. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Your Most Obed. Servant...
32From George Washington to Edward Hand, 2 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will take the Command of the detachment which is intended to Surprise the Enemy’s Pos ts on the end of York Island. I entertain too high an opinion of your di ligence abilities & judgment as an Officer, to restrict you by Instructions. In the execution of this pr oject you will consider what follows as hints whic h may be improved upon, or departed from, as circum stances warrant. On the...
33From George Washington to Edward Hand, 30 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Honble the Congress having thought proper to request me, to remain in this City, to assist in transacting public business. I find it necessary that the Heads of particular departments should also reside here; during the term that the Business referr’d to may require attention. You will therefore upon the receipt of this be pleased to make such arrangements as your private affairs may...
34From George Washington to Edward Hand, 18 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I intend in a day or two to set out to join the Army on the North River and wish you at the same time to forward your Official Papers and send on some of the Gentlemen of your Office, but as the Adjutant Generals Department is not yet Arranged you are yourself to remain in Town untill it is compleated or untill you hear further from me. I am sr Yr Hble Servt P.S. I could wish your stay in this...
35From David Humphreys to Edward Hand, 18 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief is pleased to authorize any three of the Board, appointed to decide the despute respecting numbering the Regts of Connecticut, who shall meet at Horton’s tomorrow, to proceed to the decision of that dispute, & to report accordingly—I have the honor to be Sir Your Most Obedt Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
36From Benjamin Walker to Edward Hand, 14 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief has reced information that some Waggons are on the road to Camp—laden with money for the Army—they were Escorted by a Guard from Philadelphia to Pompton—where a Guard of twenty men took charge of them & was to bring them to Ringwood, if possible this Evening. His Excellency desires that for the farther Security of the Treasure a Guard of a Captain & fifty Men may be...
37From George Washington to Edward Hand, 3 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
In ansr to yours of last Eveng I should advise, that the Return of Hazens Regt be sent back, that the Commanding Officer be informed that unless the Alterations respectg the promotion of Officers between the present & last Return is made on good authority the Return cannot be accepted, that the Officer signing becomes responsible for the veracity of it, and must abide the consequences of the...
38From George Washington to Edward Hand, 4 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Return of Hazen’s Regt mentioned in your Letter of this date cannot be accepted, as no intimation has ever been given from Authority that the promotions in question have taken place—and until such official information shall be received no Notice can be taken of them, as I have already informed the Inspector of the Army in answer to his request to know in what manner the Persons said to be...