151From 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.”
152From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 26 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 20th I received Your Letter of the 4th and was exceedingly sorry to find that you had been so severely attacked by a fit of the palsy. You have my sincerest wishes for your recovery—and I shall be happy if your next accounts announce this—or at least that there are good grounds to hope for it. I am Dr sir with great regard & esteem Yr Most Obedt servant Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s...
153From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 16 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 6th I directed Hazen’s regiment to be detached towards the Co’os—on receipt of this, you will be pleased to send the remainder of Poor’s brigade to reinforce General McDougall. Near a thousand of the men who now compose his command are drafts whose time of service will expire by the first of next month. The importance of the Highland posts makes it absolutely necessary they...
154From 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...
155Orders 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...
156From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 27 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I last evening recd your favors of the 22d instant with the several peices of intelligence they contained. Under the present uncertainty of the Enemy’s intentions it is impossible to determine upon drawing a force to any particular point. New London, tho’ the most probable, may not be the real object—and should it be so, it is too far distant to derive any further support from you than what it...
157From 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.”
158From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed which is this Moment come to hand you will perceive that the Enemy’s Fleet have at length fairly entered Chesapeak Bay, Swan point being at least 200 Miles up. I desire you will immediately forward this account to Govr Trumbull, to be by him sent on the Eastward. As there is not now the least danger of General Howes going to New England, I hope the whole Force of that Country...
159From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received advice of the Enemy’s fleet having sailed from the Hook, in consequence of which I have to desire you will immediately make Genl Sullivan’s & Lord Stirling’s Divisions cross the river and proceed towards Philadelphia—They will have more particular Orders on their Rout—You are to reserve two field pieces for each Brigade that remains behind, except that which is to garrison...
160From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 10 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The prospect of a Descent from Staten Island on Jersey, by the Enemy posted & collected there, has induced Congress to order Fifteen hundred Troops at pecks Kill, with a Brigadr, to be in readiness to march for repelling them. This they have advised you of, as they informed me by Letter Yesterday. As there are many circumstances proving this invasion likely to take place from the seeming...
161From 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...
162From 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...
163Orders 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...
164From 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...
165From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favours of the 20th and 21st with their inclosures. With respect to the intelligence you have had of so large a number of ships being in the sound it is too vague to place any confidence in it; but it is of so much importance should it be true, that the most effectual means ought to be taken immediately to ascertain the real state of the fact, by sending trusty persons...
166From 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...
167From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 14 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
By express this moment receivd from General Dickonson, the Enimy have crost over from Newyork & Statten Island in two divisions one at Elizabeth Town the other at Second River—each division consisting of about a thousand men with Artillery. By your returns it appears you have three thousand Six hundred and Eight men including the Militia and Sergeants fit for duty at your post—besides the...
168From 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...
169From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
By intelligence received from different quarters, there is great reason to suspect the enemy have some important movement in contemplation—In this aspect of things, it becomes the part of prudence to provide as effectually as we can for the security of those points, at which we are most vulnerable. I am therefore to desire you will, without delay , detach General Parsons’ Brigade to reinforce...
170From 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...
171George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 16 March 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] March 16, 1779 . Orders Putnam to send remainder of Brigadier General Enoch Poor’s brigade to reinforce Major General Alexander McDougall. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
172From 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...
173From 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....
174From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 15 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 15 July 1779. Putnam wrote GW on 16 July: “Your Excellencys Letter of yesterday did not reach me till 7 oClock this morning.”
175From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 17 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd intelligence last night, that the enemy on Staten Island are in motion with a more than usual demonstration and parade—This may intend an incursion into the Jersey’s—or it may be ment to cover an expedition elsewhere—possibly against the posts at the Highlands—I therefore think it necessary to communicate to you the intelligence, that you may accellerate the remainder of Gen. Poor’s...