51From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favour of the 24th Instant. I am well pleased with your Orders to Genl Poor to proceed immediately to Danbury—and to Colonel Badlam for escorting in his room the Rear divisions of the Convention Troops to Fish Kill. There has never been any regulation of Congress, authorising Officers and Soldiers on furlough to draw their Rations in the Country—and it can never be...
52From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are upon the Receipt hereof to proceed to Danbury with General Poors Brigade and send on General Pattersons and Learneds by the most direct Route to Fishkills. Should Genl Poors, agreeable to my orders of yesterday, have marched on towards Fishkill, you will be pleased to countermand them and turn them back to Danbury. The two Connecticut Brigades are also ordered to Danbury, at which...
53From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 17th I wrote you that Genl Poor, with his Brigade was to proceed to Enfield to conduct the Convention troops to Fish Kill landing. On the 18, having received a Letter from Colo. Bland, advising that the Van of the Convention Troops had reached Enfield on the 13 and that proper Escorts of Militia were provided; and supposing that the whole would have passed that place before my Letter of...
54From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 18 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote you Yesterday—I informed you that Genl Poor, with his Brigade, was to proceed to Enfield for the purpose of conducting the Convention Troops from thence to the North river, but I find by a Letter received since from Colo. Bland—that their Van had reached Enfield on the 13th & will be at Sharon to night. As this is the case—and proper arrangements of Militia escorts have been...
55From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 17 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will, as soon as possible after receipt of this, put the two Massachussets Brigades under your command in motion—with their Artillery and Baggage—and proceed with them to Danbury, where you will receive further Orders. Genl Poor, with his Brigade—is to conduct the Convention troops from Enfield to Fish Kill landing. I have written to him particularly on the subject and therefore it is...
56From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 7 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will immediately proceed to Harford, and take the command of Poors—Pattersons and Learneds Brigades till further arrangements can be made. You are to hold the troops in a state of preparation to march at the shortest notice; and upon certain advices from Major Genl Gates of the british army appearing off Boston you will put them instantaneously in motion, and march by the shortest and most...
57George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 November 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Fredericksburg [ New York ] November 2, 1778 . Orders Putnam to assume command of division lately under command of Major General Horatio Gates. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
58From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Gates having been ordered by Congress to repair to Boston and take the command of the Eastern district; I have thought it best, that you should proceed to Hartford and take the command of the division late General Gates, consisting of Poor’s, Patterson’s and Larned’s brigades. This you will, therefore, be pleased to do without delay. The standing order for that division is that it is...
59From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your two letters of yesterdays date about noon. I have received accounts, corresponding with those of Mr Putnams, so far as his respects the regiments actually imbarked, and the fleet which sailed on the 19 and 20th Instant. As the troops which have embarked still continue in the harbour you will keep the strictest look-out imaginable on the river, and give me the earliest...
60From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall remove this afternoon to Fredericksburg to which place be pleased to address any future intelligence. If the enemy should make any move up the river of a serious nature, you are immediately to call upon Baron de Kalb who will remain here untill the designs of the Enemy are more fully known. I would recommend it to you always to keep a sufficiency of Boats ready to throw over your force...
61From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colonel G. V. Schaick advises me in a letter of this date, that he is “this moment informed, that, a ship, a tender and a galley are standing up the river—they were seen off Tallers point about ten O’clock this morning under sail. I have sent off a party of fifty men well officered to bring off a number of boats laying at Kings ferry.” You will give your attention to this information of the...
62From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The enemys designs still continue ambiguous, however it is our policy to provide against possible events—You will therefore detach a field officer with about one hundred men to guard the pass leading from Haverstraw to Fort Montgomery, I mean the pass by which the enemy marched to the reduction of that post. You will take every other necessary precaution or place such advanced parties as may...
63From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the inclosed I have some advices that the enemy are moving towards the Clove at Suffrens, you will immediately dispa[t]ch some horsemen to ascertain the fact —I shall be at Fish kill Town this afternoon if you should have any intelligence to communicate. Sir I am & Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW apparently obtained this information, in...
64From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 27th Inst. with that of yesterdays date. His Lordship Gen. Stirling who is perfectly well acqd with the Jerseys & its Militia has been dispa[t]ched there this morning, in order to condense the regular troops under Gen. Maxwel, with those who have marched from your division and the Militia wch are Assembling to a useful point, where they can affoard cover to the...
65From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased to send Genl Woodfords Brigade to the West side of the River with orders to fall down towards Clarks town, for the purpose of hindering the Enemy from advancing parties from their main body about Hackensack Bridge, to carry off the Stock which has been drove out of the Necks. I have directed Baron Kalb to send a Brigade from his Division to Fishkill, who will be ready to come to...
66From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterdays date came to hand this moment A very little time must discover the designs of the Enemy, yet I can not conceive that they have any thing farther in view than to Forage and collect cattle, I would however have you to be in the most perfect readiness to oppose them where you are, or to move should it be necessary and you receive orders for that purpose. I am &c. Df , in...
67George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
West Point, September 19, 1778 . Orders Putnam to camp on east side of the Hudson River, to dismiss Connecticut and New York militia, and to send parties to aid in work on the garrisons. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
68From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On consideration it appears to me best, that you should incamp with the division under your command on the East side of the River; so as to preserve as easy a communication with the forts, as the situation of the ground will permit. This position will be most convenient both for the benefit of water and for the greater facility with which you may form a junction with the rest of the army in...
69George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 September 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ White Plains, New York ] September 15, 1778 . Orders Putnam to march to West Point to reinforce garrisons in Highlands. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
70From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to march precisely at the hour appointed tomorrow morning, with two divisions, the one under your own immediate command, and the other under the immediate command of Baron De Kalb. You will take the route by Young’s Tavern and Stephen Danfords to Croton Bridge . Near Crotons Bridge the two divisions will separate—with the one under your immediate command, You are to Proceed to West...
71From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 5 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the favorable aspect of our Affairs, Congress have wisely determined to put nothing to the hazard, and have therefore directed the preparations for the Campaign to be carried on with as much activity as possible. I must therefore again request you to use your utmost endeavours to forward the Recruits of Connecticut to the North River with all possible dispatch. Those belonging...
72From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 29 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 18th instant, and am pleased to hear that your prospect of procuring Recruits and Draughts for the Army bore a more favourable appearance than when you wrote before. I must beg you to forward on all those for the Regiments at this Camp as fast as possible. I expect in a few days a general plan of operations for the Campaign will be settled; if one similar to that which you...
73From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 16 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having by a Resolve of the 28th November last directed that an enquiry be made into the loss of Forts Montgomery and Clinton and into the conduct of the principal Officers commanding those Forts, I have appointed Maj. Genl Mcdougal, Brig. Genl Huntingdon and Colo. Wigglesworth to carry the Resolve into execution. It is more than probable that the conduct of the officer commanding...
74From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I duly received yours of the 13th instant, and am happy to learn the works on the north river are getting into some train for execution, though I could wish circumstances had permitted them to be in greater forwardness, as I consider them of the last importance: For if the enemy next campaign should be able to open a navigation up the north river—to mention no other ill consequence, that may...
75George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Valley Forge ] February 8, 1778 . Asks Putnam to send return of Connecticut troops to Jonathan Trumbull. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
76From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to request, that you will, without loss of time, make a return of the troops under your command belonging to the state of Connecticut, to His Excellency Governor Trumball. It is necessary this return should be very exact and particular, as it is intended for the information of the assembly, in the measures they may think proper to take, towards completing their batalions. Among other...
77From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the resources of this Country in point of fresh Provision are nearly exhausted, and the Army under my command is in consequence litterally reduced to a starving Condition—it becomes indispensibly necessary for us to avail ourselves as much as possible of our more distant Supplies, and not to suffer any part of them to be diverted into other Channels; which has I am told been heretofore in...
78From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favor’d with your Letter of 13th Instant inclosing a return of those taken from Colo. Webbs & Ellis’s Regiments. I begin to be very apprehensive that the Season will entirely pass away, before any thing material will be done for the defence of Hudsons river—You are well acquainted with the great necessity there is for having the Works there finished as soon as possible, & I...
79From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
An officer of Genl Glovers Brigade arrived here yesterday and informs me that he left twelve Waggons load of Cloathing at that place, which he had under his Charge from Boston with directions to bring it on to this Army. He alledges in excuse for leaving it, that the Waggons would not come any further, but it does not appear that he took any pains to procure others. The Army being in the...
80From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from you of the 25th Octobr last, you informed me that twenty three Boats had been saved from the Enemy, besides what were up Esopus Creek, the number of which you did not then know. You at the same time informed me that you should have those put into repair that wanted it, and set the Carpenters at work to build new ones. I shall be glad to hear in your next what number you have...
81From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 16th instant from the Sawpitts. I am glad to find that matters are not as represented in Colo. Drakes memorial, and my only wish is that the people may be protected as far as circumstances will permit without detriment to the public cause. I am exceedingly sorry to hear of the misfortune that has befallen Colo. Webb and Colo. Eli, and I can only hope that our loss...
82From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The importance of the North River in the present contest and the necessity of defending it, are subjects which have been so frequently and so fully discussed and are so well understood, that it is unnecessary to enlarge upon them. These facts at once appear, when it is considered that it runs thro’ a whole State—That it is the only passage by which the Enemy from New York or any part of our...
83From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed remonstrance was laid before me by Colo. Drake and Mr Hunt Commissioners appointed in the County of West Chester to take Care of all Forage and property exposed to the depredations of the Enemy—and also Commissioners of sequestration to dispose of the personal property of those who have fled to or joined the Enemy. They complain that parties from your Army frequently take property...
84From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 14th. I could have wished that the Regiments that I had ordered had come on, because I do not like Brigades to be broke by detatchment: The urgency of Colo. Hamiltons Letter was owing to his knowledge of our wants in this quarter, and to a certainty that there was no danger to be apprehended from New York if you sent away all the Continental Troops that were then...
85From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 11 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 7th and am glad to find that you had determined to detain Warners Militia. At whatever place Govr Clinton and yourself determine to throw obstructions and Batteries upon the River, I imagine it will prove satisfactory, for no person is supposed to have a better knowledge of that Country than the Governor. For the very same Reasons that Genl Howe is reinforcing himself...
86From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 11 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you this morning Mr Young deputy Cloathier has arrived from peekskill and informs me that you stopped 400 of the Blankets & one Cask of Shoes that were coming on for the use of this Army. You cannot conceive how these stoppages by the way disappoint and disarrange our plans; The Cloathier General endeavours to give each their share, but by such proceedings those that are...
87From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot forbear Confessing that I am astonishd. and Alarm’d beyond measure, to find that all his Excellency’s Views have been hitherto flustrated, and that no single step of those I mention’d to you has been taken to afford him the aid he absolutely stands in Need of, and by Delaying which the Cause of America is put to the Utmost conceivable Hazard. I so fully explaind to you the Generals...
88From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with yours of the 3d acquainting me with the exhausted state of your Treasury. I am just in the same situation, but have wrote to Congress for a supply. I will in my next to them inform them of your wants, and desire them to forward a sum of Money to you. I have not the large Spy Glass, belonging to Mrs Morris, with me. I think it is at Bethlehem with my Baggage. I will write to...
89From Alexander Hamilton to Major General Israel Putnam, 5–8 November 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Albany, November 5–8, 1777 . On November 9, 1777, Hamilton wrote to Putnam : “I wrote to you from Albany.” Letter not found .]
90From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 5 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 5 Nov. 1777. On 14 Nov. Putnam wrote GW that he had been “favd with your’s of the 4th 5th & 9th Instt.”
91From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 4 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 27th ulto and am glad to find that the Enemy have fallen intirely down to New York. By their doing this, and sending away a reinforcement to Genl Howe, it is evident that they have done with all thoughts of attempting any thing further to the Northward. Having lost one Army, it is certainly their interest and intention to make the other as respectable as possible,...
92From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
As representation has been made to me that the Purchase of Cattle has entirely ceased for some time past in the State of Connecticut, by means of those Gentlemen not chusing to Act who were appointed by Congress for that purpose, by which Our Army may possibly suffer for the want of Meat in a short time —I have therefore to reques⟨t tha⟩t you will without Loss of time appoint One or more...
93From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 31 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 25th from Fishkill. Although you say that the Enemy have passed down by that place, you do not say whether they have gone entirely down and evacuated the Forts upon the River, but from the tenor of your letter I imagine they have. I shall be glad to be particularly informed of this in your next, and also whether you have heard with certainty of the reinforcement’s...
94From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by Genl Dickinson, that he has intelligence, which he thinks may be depended upon, that Sr Henry Clinton, with all the troops under his command, has returned down the River. If this is so, and the Brigades of Nixon & Glover should have joined you from the Northward, I desire they may be immediately put under march to reinforce this Army. Colo. Hamilton, who will deliver or send...
95From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 26 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 20th inclosing a Copy of Genl Burgoines Capitulation which was the first authentic intelligence I recd of the Affair, indeed I began to grow uneasy and almost to suspect that the first accounts you transmitted me were premature. As I have not recd a single line from Genl Gates, I do not know what steps he is taking with the Army under his command, and therefore cannot...
96From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 16th I received Yesterday morning—and was much obliged by the interesting Contents. The defeat of Genl Burgoyne is a most important event, and such as must afford the highest satisfaction to every well affected American breast. Should providence be pleased to crown our Arms in the course of the Campaign with one more fortunate stroke I think we shall have no great cause for...
97From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 8th and 10th instants giving me the account of the loss of Fort Montgomery and the evacuation of Peekskill in consequence of it, but I am very glad to find that you had previously removed the greater part of the Stores. This Stroke would have perhaps proved fatal to our Northern Affairs in its consequences, had not the defeat of Genl Burgoine providentially taken...
98From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd a letter from Colo. Hay dated the 4th instant in which he informed me that the Enemy had landed at Verplanks point. The Express who was stationed at King’s Ferry came off, and also informs that a party landed at the same time upon the West side of the River. I have not recd a line from you respecting the Matter which makes me conclude that your dispatches have been intercepted by some...
99From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Congress having recommended it to me to send an Engineer to Fort Montgomery, I have instantly dispatched Lt Colo. Radier upon that Service. He is the second in command of four Gentlemen sent out by Docr Franklin and Mr Dean. The Congress have transmitted me Copy of a letter from you to them of the 29th Sepr in which you express your doubts of being able to defend the posts upon the North River...
100From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of 2d Inst. I receiv’d Yesterday, & I understand that General Varnum with his Brigade got as far as Coryells Ferry last Night—I expect such Measures will be taken as not to let the Army under General Gates suffer at present for want of Flour, & that things may be put in such a Train that a Circumstance of that kind cannot possibly happen in future. I sincerely wish with you that a...