51From 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...
52From 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...
53From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am duly favoured with your letter of the 23d of december—accompanied by one from General Parsons, which I cannot but consider as containing some insinuations not of the most delicate nature—I am the more surprised at them, as his knowlege of circumstances and the agency he had in bringing about the measure, which is now made a subject of complaint gave me reason to expect he would have...
54From 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...
55From 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...
56From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 13 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 11th with Copy of a Letter from Govr Trumbull, by which I am pleased to find that he so readily complies with the requisition for a Body of Militia. I have a letter from Govr Clinton, in which he informs me that instead of five hundred Men he shall order Eight hundred to Fort Montgomery and that neighbourhood. Mine to you of the 11th gives you my opinion fully as to the...
57From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine to you of the 24th instant, I requested you to join the main army immediately to take the command of one of the wings—As things now are at a crisis and every officer ought to be at his station I am to repeat my earnest desire wherever this finds you that you will instantly repair to my Head Quarters—I expect to set out tomorrow towards the Clove by way of Morris Town. I am Dr Sir Yr...
58From 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.”
59From 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...
60George 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.
61From 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...
62From 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...
63Orders 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...
64From George Washington to Israel Putnam, 2 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th of May I received with much pleasure—For I can assure you, that, among the many worthy & meritorious Officers, with whom I have had the happiness to be connected in Service, through the Course of this War, and from whose chearfull Assistance & Advice I have received much support & Confidence in the various & trying Vicissitudes of a Complicated Contest, the Name of a...
65Orders 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...
66From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
On examining the return from Peeks kill of General Poors brigade, which was some time since directed to that place, I was surprised to find that only 457 rank and file had arrived. You will immediately on receipt of this letter, give express and positive orders, for all such as remain, however employed, to join their respective regiments without further delay. I am sir &. Df , in James...
67From 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...
68From 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...
69From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon reciept of this Letter you will put Hazens regiment in motion—Inclosed are his instructions—his whole Regiment is to march —You will please to put the remaining part of Poors Brigade under Marching Orders—their destination will be pointed out in a Subsequent Letter —and you will use the most effectual means to cause every Officer & Soldier now on furlough, or who may obtain leave of...
70From 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...
71From 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...
72From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on the 23d Instant—Lest my Letter should have miscarried, I now inclose you a Copy. I must request your immediate attention to the Contents, and that you will not delay a Moment in sending the Troops which are ordered. Their aid becomes more and more necessary, and I wish you to urge the Officer, who shall have the command to join me as soon as possible without injuring and...
73From 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.
74George 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.
75From 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...
76From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
By recent intelligence, thrô different Channels, I have the best reason to believe that, General Clinton has drawn his whole force to a point at New York and its vicinity—That he has collected (& some accts add removed, to Kings bridge) a number of flat-bottomed Boats with Muffled Oars—and that, every appearance indicates an expedition at hand —There are but too important objects he can have...
77From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
It being judged necessary to reinforce the Army to the Northward with another Brigade, you are desired to dispatch Glovers as speedily as possible by Water to Albany. As Genl Schuyler has lately had ten peices of Artillery sent up to him, Genl Glover need not carry his with him. The remainder of Nixon’s Brigade are to follow as fast as they arrive. Every Tent that can possibly be spared from...
78From 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...
79From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
A Committee appointed by the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay to inquire into the conduct and behaviour of the Officers both Civil and Military doing duty at Springfeild, having preferred Complaints against Colo. David Mason, Colo. Smith Dy Qr Mr and Major Eyres, the Congress have by a Resolve of the 11th instant (Copy of which you have inclosed) directed me to order a Court Martial...
80From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Udney Hay, communicated to me, a proposal of Mr Weeks a D.W. General a late inhabitant of Long Island of considerable property, and the person who will deliver you this letter. Mr Weeks represents that there are several saw mills, on Long Island, very valuable to the enemy, and easy of access to a small party; and that he is willing to conduct a party for the purpose of destroying...
81From 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...
82From 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...
83From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 2 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 2 Aug. 1777. On 4 Aug. Putnam wrote GW that “I Recd yours of the 1st Inst. last evening & your favour of the 2nd this moment.”
84From 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.”
85From 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...
86From 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...
87From 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...
88George 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.
89From 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...
90From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 15th. As it appeared clearly from the account sent out by the Enemy, that Palmer was really an Officer of theirs, he deservedly suffered for being found lurcking about our posts, and was a spy in the truest Sense of the word. I am surprised at the conduct of the Militia of Connecticut, who because they find no Enemy directly at their own doors refuse to stay and assist...
91From 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...
92From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 13th Inst. The papers you inclosed I herewith return—In my letter of the 9th—I gave my opinion on the measures to be pursued in Capn Scudders and Doctor Anthony’s case—so that the papers are of no further use to me—and may be communicated to the Court of Admiralty if they throw any light on the affair. You will be pleased to forward Col. Hazens Letter. I...
93From 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...
94From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 13 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Board of War have requested that Israel Dodge of Colo. Durkees Regiment may be sent to Philada from whence he is to go to Fort Pitt to his Brother who is employed in Indian Affairs. Be pleased therefore to have him paid up and give him a pass to Philada with directions to apply to the Board of War, upon his arrival there, for further orders. I am &ca. P.S. I have recd yours of the 4th with...
95From 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...
96From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I am removing Head Quarters for the present from this place to New Windsor you will have the immediate command of the troops in this camp. Should any letters arrive for me immediately from the forts or out posts, you will open them for your own information and then forward them to me—All others, you will forward directly on unopened. I wish you without delay to have the inquiry which was...
97From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 16 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 16 July 1779. Putnam wrote GW on 16 July: “I am this moment honord with your Excellencys Letter, announcing the agreeable & happy news of Genl Waynes Success.” The date is supplied on the basis of Washington’s letters of this date on this topic to George Clinton, John Jay, William Livingston, and Alexander McDougall.
98From 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...
99From 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...
100From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just rec’d information from Philaa that the Enemy’s Fleet arrived at the Capes of Delaware yesterday. you will therefore please to order the two Brigs. which were thrown over the N. River to March immediately towards Philadelphia thro’ Morris Town and over Coryels Ferry where Boats will be ready for them. The Troops to March as expeditiously as possible, without injuring the men. I beg...