1Orders and Instructions for Major General Israel Putnam, 29 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
As there are the best reasons to believe that the Enemys Fleet & Army which left Nantasket Road last Wednesday Evening are bound to N. Y. to endeavour to Possess that Important Post & if Possible Secure the Communication By Hudsons River to Canada. it must be Our Care to prevent them their Designs. To that End, I have Detach’d B. G. Heath with the whole Body of Riffle Men & five Battallions of...
2Orders to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having been pleased to signify a desire that I should repair to Philadelphia in order to advise & consult with them on the present posture of Affairs, and as I am on the point of setting out accordingly—I have to desire that you will cause the different Works now in agitation to be carried on with the utmost expedition. to this end I have wrote to the Provincial Congress (of this...
3Orders to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have reason to believe that the Provencial Congress of this Colony have in contemplation a scheme for Siezing the principal Tories, & disaffected Person’s on Long Island, in this City, & the Country round about; and that to carry the Scheme into Execution, they will be obliged to have recourse to the Military power for assistance. If this should be the case, you are hereby required, during...
4From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the Last night with the dispatches from Canada, Came to my hands at Woodbridge this morning, I wish that the information given you by Captain Goforth respecting the number of prisoners taken, may prove true, what he told you about the enemy’s not haveing Sallied out, differs widely from General Thomas’ acct of that affair. you will please to give every assistance which General...
5From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 24 Instant with Its several Inclosures and the Letter & Invoice from Genl Ward giving Intelligence of the fortunate capture made by our Armd Vessells, on which event you have my Congratulations. I have wrote Genl Ward as you will see by the Inclosed Letter, which having read, you will Seal and send by post, to Send forward to New York Colo. Putnams demands & also such...
6From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 3 June 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor by Yesterday Evenings Express with the sevl Letters and Intelligence from Genl Schuyler and am much concerned for the further misfortunes that have attended our Arms in Canada. I have laid the whole before Congress, who had before resolved to send a considerable augmentation to our Army there, & doubt not that Genl Schuyler may receive assistance from the Militias most...
7Orders to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
It was with no small degree of concern I percieved yesterday a scattering, unmeaning & wasteful fire, from our people at the enemy, a kind of fire that tended to disgrace our own men as soldiers, and to render our defence contemptible in the eyes of the enemy; no one good consequence can attend such irregularities, but several bad ones will inevitably follow on it; Had it not been for this...
8From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
From the Accts given by the two Deserters last Evening I think not a Moments time should be lost in throwing your Men over upon the Jersey shore, & advancing them down the River towards Dobbss Ferry. this shd be done if they are obliged to go without their Baggage. The Brigade which Marched under Lord Sterling & the Maryland Brigade may be got over first. In that case the Jersey Brigade may...
9From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 11 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 11 Dec. 1776. On 12 Dec. Putnam wrote to GW : “Your Favor of Yesterday I have received.”
10From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Two Letters of the 17th and 19th Instt. The remissness of the Inhabitants remaining in the City, to turn out at this alarming crisis, to erect Works for their own defence, is astonishing to the last degree. It surprizes me much, that any set of men can be so regardless of their own interests and security. They may flatter themselves, that this conduct will profit...
11From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to hear by Your Son that you are getting better again If I had not been well convinced before of the Enemies Intention of possessing themselves of Philadelphia, so soon as the Frost will form Ice hard enough to transport them, and their Artillery across the Delaware, I have an Intercepted Letter which puts the matter beyond a doubt. If therefore the Citizens of Philadelphia have any...
12From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 5 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Fortune has favord us in an attack on Princeton—General How advancd upon Trenton which we Evacuated on the Evening of the second of this instant and drew up the Troops on the Southside of the Mill Creek and continued in that position until dark, then march’t for Princeton which we reacht next morning by about Nine oClock—There was three Regiments Quarterd there of British Troops—which we...
13From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 7 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 7 Jan. 1777. On 9 Jan. Putnam wrote to the Pennsylvania council of safety: “I received a Letter from his Excellency last Evening, without Date, but supposed to be written 7th Inst., he was at Morris Town, & proposed refreshing his Troops a few Days at that Place” ( Pa. Archives Samuel Hazard et al., eds. Pennsylvania Archives . 9 ser., 138 vols....
14From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 5 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterday representing the Case of Mr John Taylor I have received & Assure you that I never Intended to exclude any from the benefit of my Proclamation who were not particularly Active in persecuting, and destroying the Property of the friends to our cause The case of Mr Taylor & any others that are brot to you, or confin’d, must therefore depend upon this —As to the Circumstance...
15From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receivg your favr of the 18th yesterday eveng communicating the successful attempt made by Colo. Neilson on the Enemy at Lawrence’s Island that Morng. The Colo. & his party conducted the plan with such secrecy & resolution, that they claim my sincerest thanks for this Instance of good behaviour, & I wish that you would acquaint them with my hearty Approbation of their...
16From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon taking a retrospective View of the Enemy’s Conduct, & comparing one piece of Information with another, I am led to think that Philadelphia must be their Object, & that whenever they move, it will be toward the Delaware with their main body—This belief, the necessity of a proper Attention to the River, & the Advantages which may result from havg some Person on the other side with a few...
17From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Govr Livingston in his Letter to me of the 15th Inst: did me the honor of inclosing Copies of your Letter to him & his Answer, on the subject of imposing fines on the reluctant Militia of this State—His reasoning on this subject, perfectly coincides with my Opinion; they are so full & plain as to render any Obervations of mine unnecessary. I desire therefore that this practice may have an...
18From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your several favours of the 25th & 26th Inst. came to hand —The pass granted by Ld & Genl Howe to William Taylor dated the 18 Int. is of such a nature as not to afford any protection to the Vessell & Crew even on the most scrupulous Construction of the Law of Nations; and she came in so suspicious a manner, without a Flag flying, as would have justified severer treatment than mere...
19From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 9 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 9 May 1777. Putnam wrote GW on 10 May : “I just receiv’d your favour of yesterday.”
20From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favour of the 10th. Of the Troops coming on and to come on from Bristol, you are to detain at your post all the Marylanders, Colo. Hazen’s Regiment of Pennsylvania, and that of Delaware, the others must be sent on immediately to the places where their respective Corps are stationed. Your application to General Mifflin for tents, was right, and must be repeated, as we...
21From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 14 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 14 May 1777. Robert Hanson Harrison docketed Putnam’s letter to GW of 13 May in part: “Ansd within 14.” On the reverse of Putnam’s letter, Harrison wrote the following memorandum of the reply: “14 Wrote to Genl Putnam to send on All the Troops except those from Maryd—the State of Delaware, & Hazen’s Battalion.”
22From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Would it be practicable, do you think, under the present Circumstances, and situation of the Troops at Peeks Kill, to surprise the Enemy at Kings bridge? it must be effected by surprise or not at all, and must be undertaken by Water, which would also prove abortive, if the Enemy have Vessels of any kind above Fort Washington. The undigested Ideas which I have entertained of the matter, are...
23From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you upon a particular Subject Yesterday, to which I refer, and request to know your sentiments thereon, as soon as you can with propriety communicate them, because it may have some influence upon my movements in this quarter. An Express from Govr Trumbull, which came in last night, informs me that two Hessian Regiments and an half, and the 63 British had orders on the 17th Instt to...
24From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a copy of the Information I received last night. From this, It appears, the Enemy are drawing their force from New York, and the account seems to be corroborated thro’ several other Channels. My principal design in communicating this intelligence, is, that if the facts are true, it favours the Expedition suggested in my Letter of the 25th. You are not to understand...
25From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have now before me your Two favors of the 27th and 30th Ulto. I thank you for the information contained in the latter; I had the substance of it, transmitted before in a Letter from Genl McDougal. In respect to the Rhode Island Detachment, you will have received Orders for their march to join Colo. Olney at Morris Town. I do not agree with you in Sentiment, respecting the Quantity of...
26From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
By order of His Excellency, I am to acknowlege receipt of your favour of yesterday. The General is astonished at that extraordinary want of cloathing you mention; as Mr. Mease informed Mr. Tilghman that a full proportion of this article had been retained in Massachusetts for all its troops. It is unaccountable, that they should be ⟨so⟩ unprovided, unless the cloaths destined for them should...
27From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The accounts you give me of the distress of the Massachusets Troops for cloathing surprize me a good deal, as I was always taught to beleive that they had an abundance in that State. I have wrote to the Cloathier Genl to know the Reason of it. In the mean time, that the men may not suffer, I desire you will stop a parcel of Hunting Shirts, Over alls, Waistcoats, shoes and shirts that are...
28From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
His Excellency desires you will not open or distribute the Cloathing stopped at your post, ’till a Deputy Cloathier comes up to take Charge of it, who will be with you without Loss of time. I am Sir Your most humb servt. Df , or contemporary copy, in writing of Caleb Gibbs, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
29From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d is a Letter for Colo. Sheldon which I desire you’ll forward immediately to him by express, as it contains orders for him to send on his Horse If any of them have arriv’d at Peeks kill, be pleas’d to send them on to this place as quick as possible One Troop will be left at Peeks kill, but that must be one of the last, for the Horse that are here you know have been upon hard duty all...
30From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 10 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mr Young who is sent up by the Cloathier General to issue Cloathing to the Troops at Peekskill. I beg you will give him your Countenance and Assistance in seeing that none are allowed to draw but such as are really in want. Some Regiments not content with a compleat suit of Uniform have drawn a Frock, Waistcoat and over alls, by which means they are doubly clad...
31From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 12 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 10th. From Genl Howe’s Movements within a few days past, it is clear, beyond all matter of doubt, that he has dropped all thoughts of an expedition up the North River, having drawn the greatest part of his Troops from New York and its dependencies to Amboy, and from thence to Brunswic where his main Army is encamped. Great numbers of Waggons are brought over, and many...
32From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 13 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote to you last evening I forgot to desire that the detatchments of Colo. Saml B. Webbs and Colo. Sherburns Regiments might march with the first division from Peekskill. They are to join Genl Varnums Brigade, which is at present weak. When any other detatchments of the same Regiments arrive with you, they are to be hastened forward as fast as possible. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
33From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 17 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with yours of the 15th & 16th Instant. You have done well in sending on the Troops though they have not had the small pox. The Camp is thought to be entirely clear of infection & the Country pretty much also. If it is not, Innoculation may be carried on, should it be found expedient. I am extremely sorry to find the Troops are in such distress for Tents & Cloathing. I...
34George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 20, 1777. Discusses General William Howe’s latest movements. Reviews orders to Brigadier Generals John Glover and Alexander McDougall concerning these movements. Orders stand-by preparations in case of attack on Ticonderoga. Emphasizes need of continued intelligence from New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
35From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Howe has suddenly quitted his new post between Somerset and Brunswick and has returned to his old situation. The whole design of his making his late movement this way may possibly have been to induce us to draw off our troops from Peeks Kill—though I think it most probable that he was disappointed in his expectation of the manner in which we should act; and finding the people turn out...
36George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 22, 1777. Orders Putnam to prepare for a probable British attack up the North River. States that enemy has abandoned Brunswick and will probably also leave Amboy. Orders stores to be removed from Fishkill. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
37From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 16th 19th & 21st instant, have reached me, the former without signature—I approve of your ordering payment to the Militia; but I could wish great attention to be paid to the nature of the abstracts, they present, that they be properly certified and have every appearance of being right. You have mistaken the orders I gave, according to wch General McDougall should have...
38From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favor of the 23d and am happy to hear part of the Cloaths for the Troops have arrived and that More are on the way. Under the present appearances of things & incertainty of the Enemy’s Operations, I think it unadviseable to detach Glover’s Brigade from peeks Kills. If Genl Howe should make a push up the River, the importance of the Highland passes will demand the...
39From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 29 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 25 and 26th instt. As a few days must determine whether the Enemy really intend to leave the Jerseys, I think you should, instead of detatching any part of your force, keep it much together as possible, because if their View should be turned towards the north River, they will in all probability be sudden in their operations. I have no objections to your sending a...
40From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 June–1 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d yours of the 28th Inst. by Col. Hughes & thank you much for your kind congratulations. The several reasons you mention for sending Genl Glovers Brigade to the white Plains had not escap’d me, Yet, I do not think they shou’d prevail against those, which appear’d more cogent & strong for keeping them where they are. But as you seem to consider it so essential, I have no objection to...
41From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
At sunset this evening I receiv’d your letter of the 30⟨th. ulto—⟩the intelligence contain’d in the Copies of the letters you transm⟨itted,⟩ is truly interesting & it appears almost certain to me, that Genl Howe & G⟨enl⟩ Burgoyne design if possible to unite their attacks & form a junction of the⟨ir two⟩ Armies. I approve much of your conduct in ordering Nixons Brigade to be ⟨in rea⟩diness, & I...
42From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 2 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 2 July 1777. Putnam writes in his letter to GW of 4 July that “I have Received your several favors of the 30th Ultm. the first and second Inst.”
43From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last Night favd with yours of the 4th—Genl Mifflin has this day sent off a load of intrenching Tools for Genl Schuyler, they will be delivered to you and I beg they may be immediately forwarded to Albany. The inclosed letter contains an order for Cartridge paper which is to be sent up at the same time with the Tools. If the Enemy, instead of going up the North River, should move to the...
44George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 12 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Pompton Plains [ New Jersey ] July 12, 1777. Orders Putnam to keep Brigadier General John Glover in readiness to march to Ticonderoga, to send Brigadier General John Nixon’s men on to join their brigade, and to forward field pieces to Major General Philip Schuyler. Warns of possible attack by Sir William Howe on Peekskill. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
45From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 12 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the disagreeable event which has taken place in the evacuation of Ticonderoga and Fort Independence—though our situation does not make it prudent to send on any very considerable reinforcements immediately besides those already gone, yet it is necessary we should be preparing to throw them in, when it can be more safely done, and the true state of affairs in that quarter is...
46From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 13 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with yours of the 11th. Inst. with its Inclosures. I had received a Letter from Genl Schuyler nearly of the same purport of his to the Council of Safety of New York. The more Accounts we get—the more astonnishing does the evacuation of the posts on the Lakes appear. What can have become of Genl St Clair & the Army? I wish we may have heard the worst. I have nothing in...
47From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just arrived with the Army at this place where I shall remain till I see what turn Genl Howe takes. Seventy Sail fell down to the Hook on Sunday, but I have not heard whether they have gone out. Genl Knox informs me that he has sent off two Tons of Powder Yesterday for you, and he says that there are about ten Tons in Fort Montgomery, which is much more than is necessary there, you may...
48From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 17 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Parsons having inform’d me that many Gentlemen are Candidates for the two Regts lately commanded by Genl Huntington & Colo. Douglass I have to request that you will call a Board of General Officers as soon as may be to hear the pretensions of each & enquire into the particulars of their several Claims, which, when regularly taken you will transmit to me with the Opinion of the Board...
49From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Intelligence, which occasioned us to advance from the Entrance of the Clove yesterday Morning I find to have been premature, and mean to remain here till I have your Answer. What I wish to be particularly and certainly informed of, is, Whether you have received any further Accounts from Genl Silliman or Other persons contiguous to the Water respecting the Ships that were seen going up the...
50George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 22, 1777. Asks for accurate report of British movements on Long Island Sound. Requests information on posts around Kings Bridge and Fort Washington. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.