51From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 7 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Lordships letter of the 5th; and the observations that were inclosed. I shall not fail should we be fortunate enough to have it in our power to enter upon such an undertaking as your Lordship has supposed, to pay them a proper attention and I have to request such further suggestions as may occur to your Lordship on this subject. We have however no certainty...
52From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 21st and 22d and have still to thank you for the particular and satisfactory intelligence which you communicate. If the embarkation now in preparation should be considerable, I think they must inevitably abandon New York, as their remaining force must be too small to risque the defence of the City upon. The Roads from Morris town to King’s ferry have become so...
53From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28–29 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of Arburthnot which comes to me, through different channels, makes it prudent to draw our force more together till we can ascertain the amount of the reinforcement by which we may form a better judgment what it will be practicable for the enemy to undertake —Your Lordship will therefore be pleased to march towards Junes leaving a regiment at Suffrans to give countenance to the...
54From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received a letter from Gen. Gates which has the following paragraph. “Two sailors belonging to Cape Cod who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night arrived here; they declare that the British fleet of men of war sailed ten days ago in quest of the french fleet.” Altho’ there is a certain want of probability in the relation, yet as it may be true, you will...
55From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 2 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have received intelligence from the Northward that the Enemy are operating against Ticonderoga and it’s Dependencies—I have therefore to request of you that you will keep your Division together as much as possible, except those two Regiments detached as parties of Observation—and that you will endeavour to obtain every intelligence of the motions of the enemy on Staten Island and if...
56From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Genl Greene has represented to me the bad state of the road leading from new Windsor to Easton and the delays occasioned in consequence of it—to the transportation of our provisions —The number of men necessary to be employed immediately in this service is 100; one half to begin at Sussex court house, & repair to Easton—the other from New Windsor to the former place—As we obtain our supplies...
57From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 19th and 20th with their inclosures, and thank you for the important and particular intelligence which you have communicated. I must beg of you to continue your endeavours to find out whether a total evacuation is intended, or a Garrison to be left in New York—If the latter, the Knowledge of the number of Troops—the Corps—and the ships of War will be very essential....
58From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Having received intelligence (though not in so precise a manner as I could wish) of a pretty considerable imbarkation at Dobbs’s ferry, and that the Transports which received the Troops had fallen down the River, I think it advisable that your division should remove to Suffrans. By the time you reach that place some further information of the Enemys movements and designs may point to the...
59X. From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 8 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am now at the Connecticut farms meeting House, where the Head of our Column is advanced. The Troops are halted and will ly on their arms to night to act as occasion may require. If the Enemy begin to cross over to Staten Island and you are well & clearly ascertained of the fact & circumstances indicate that they mean to continue passing—the Troops on your informing me of it or such part as...
60From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, dated at Gallaways in the Clove, I have March’d one division of the Army to this place whilst two others proceeded to Chester, to be ready to March by a back road to Philada (if need be) or to cross at New Windsor, if the Enemy, contrary to our present expectation, should attempt to operate up the North, or East Rivers. I have to request, that your Lordship would apply to...
61From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 21 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
When your Lordship proposed meeting at General Knox’s Quarters to deliberate on the Subject of my propositions, I readily assented, without attending closely to the matter, or considering how far it accorded with my ideas & views; I therefore, as it is by no means my intention to have the collective opinion of the Officers upon the points mentioned would wish the meeting might be avoided, and...
62From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 26 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Major General Stirling, 26 Dec. 1777. In his second letter to GW of 26 Dec. , Stirling wrote that “I have Just received your Excellencys letter of this date.”
63From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 26 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 24th overtook me at this place. Genl Green’s division will reach Morris Town this Evening. Genl Stephen’s and Genl Lincoln’s march thro’ Chester by an upper Road. I have no objection to your Lordship’s taking the Rout you mention, and as it will bring you near New Ark and Elizabeth Town, I have sent orders to Colo. Dayton to endeavour to procure certain intelligence of the Number...
64From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 9 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the unlucky failure of the expedition against Savannah and the apprehension of the Enemy’s pushing their operations in the southern Quarter—Congress have been pleased to direct, by an Act of the 4th Inst. received yesterday, the whole of the Virginia Troops to be immediately put in motion, with a view of sending them to the Southward. I have accordingly given orders for their march to...
65Orders to Brigadier Generals Lord Stirling, Hugh Mercer, Adam Stephen, and La Rochefermoy, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General desires that Brigadiers Lord Sterling, Mercer, Stephen & de Fermoy do, respectively, Quarter their Brigades in Houses or Hutts as compactly as possibly, that they may be soon form’d, and ready for action at the shortest notice of the approach of the Enemy. Each Brigadier is to take care of his own Front, and keep strong Guards at all the convenient passing places—the intermediate...
66From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do not conceive my self authorized to direct payment of such Acct as your Lordship inclosed me, however just and reasonable they may be, referring the Claimants to Congress, always; If your Lordship chooses it, I will transmit your Acct & Letter to that body; but should think the chance of payment, or a knowledge of the decision upon it, would be greater, were you to inclose it to some...
67From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 30 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 28th from Elizabeth Town, did not reach me untill this morning. From the conclusion of it, I am apprehensive that you intend to halt at Bound Brook for further orders, but I hope that will not be the case, as it was my intention that you shou’d march immediately by the nearest rout to Delaware, provided the expedition to Staten Island did not take place. The part of the River to...
68From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 25 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of 8 Oclock now before me, & am surprized to find the Enemy in the same situation after the movement which they appear’d to be making, according to the Information given by Genl Reed. I am sorry the Piquets March’d from hence yesterday, & I am still more concern’d that Genl Armstrong with the Militia moved to the Trap as it was owing to a mistake they were not halted along...
69From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 16 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to order Colonel Spencer, with his Regiment, to repair immediately to Coles Fort, at the Minisink, and there join General Count Pulaski. Your Lordship will further direct that Colonel Spencer may take the nearest route, and make his march as expeditious as possible. It was not till to day I had an opportunity to acknowlege your letters of the 11th and 13th Inst. The...
70From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is now three days since I have received any Intelligence from Your Lordship —this makes me the more uneasy as my movements depend altogether upon the indications of those of the enemy—it is of so much importance to me to be regularly informed—that I must request you will send expresses daily—acquainting me precisely with the enemys position, and communicating such intelligence as you may...
71From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been deceived I beleive, in the information of a considerable Embarkation of Troops in the North River—no subsequent intellige⟨nce⟩ from deserters & others speak of such an event, but all agree that the present position of the enemy is from Phillips’s to East Chester—Tryon and his burning crew streching up the River towards Dob⟨bs’s⟩ Ferry. The foundation therefore of the March of your...
72From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 4 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday Your Letter of the 2d with an Extract from your Orders and the proceedings of a Committee of Officers for fixing the prices of provision. It is certainly much to be wished that expedients could be devised for appreciating the Money—and any reasonable measures that will contribute to this, will meet with my approbation. It is however evident that this can only be the effect...
73From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 13 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours by Colo. Steward. Upon your letter and his representation, I shall direct the whole of the detachment which is to move tomorrow, to proceed directly to join the main Body, Should the severity of the Weather continue, and your information of the numbers—situation and circumstances of the enemy make it probable that an attempt upon them openly will succeed, I leave it to your...
74From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had just now the honor of your letters of the 4th & 5th Inst. As we are often obliged to reason on the designs of the enemy from the appearances which come under our own observation and the information of our spies we cannot be too attentive to those thing[s] which may afford us new light. Every minutiæ should have a place in our collection—for things of a seemingly triffling nature...
75From George Washington to Lord Stirling, 27 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
My Lord: Upon your representation of Capt. Butler’s state of health, I think it will be best to give him a discharge, tho the loss of an officer whose character for diligence and fidelity stands fair, is at all times to be regretted and never more than at the present. With respect to Col. Parke if the circumstances of his affairs render it absolutely necessary that he should have leave of...
76From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 19 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Lordships letter of the 18th and that of Col. Taylors. Very particular applications have been made to me of late, similar to that from your Lordship, which I have uniformly refered to the civil authority: Your Lordship will readily perceive the necessity for preserving the same conduct in all cases. In the present instance, however, I should find myself peculiarly...
77From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Between Eight and Nine OClock last night, I received your Lordship’s favor of the 16th Instant, accompanied by another inclosing Two papers. The intelligence you conveyed is very interesting, and it appears the more so, as the late accounts from Genl Scott, though not so particular as those given by Captain Clunn, correspond with it. I shall expect to hear from you frequently, as every...
78From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favs. of the 14th and 15th instants. I have undoubted intelligence that a very considerable embarkation is making from New York. It is of the utmost importance that we should ascertain the numbers as near as possible—their destination—the time of their sailing—and above all how they are convoyed as to number and force of Ships of War. Upon this, and a certain account of what...
79From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your removal from Ramapough to your present position was on account of the Arrival of the enemy’s reinforcement —but that having been found from its numbers, and their situation in respect to health, inadequate to an attempt upon these posts, I think you may with safety return to your old ground near Sufferans. This you will do immediately afte the Receipt of this. I have another Reason for...
80From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Stirling, 25 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Stirling, 25 Aug. 1777. The 13th Antiquarian Booksellers Association catalog, 1970, item 586, includes the following excerpt from this letter signed, which was written at Wilmington, Del.: “The Enemy are landing, as you will be informed by the enclosed Copy of a Letter, which came this afternoon by Express to Brigad’r Gen’l McKinlay. I request . . . you march...
81From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received letters from Generals Maxwell and Winds, that the Militia of Jersey are ordered out in very considerable force. A part has already collected. Besides the Militia, there will be two Continental brigades under Generals Maxwell and Woodford. This makes it necessary there should be some officer of higher rank than any now there to take the direction of the whole. Your knowlege...
82From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Major General Stirling, 1 Nov. 1777. Stirling wrote to GW on 3 Nov. that “Your Excellency’s letter of the first Instant, I received yesterday.”
83From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 3 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 2d and shall be obliged to you to continue your examination of the roads ’till you have them all well ascertained —Though I can hardly flatter myself with such an event, it appears to me not impossible there may be a French fleet near the Coast; and I have other intelligence of some alarm among the enemy on this subject. If it is so; it will be a most...
84From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favored with your letter of the 19th written at 9 O’clock A.M. and that of the same date of one O’clock P.M. containing the agreeable information of Major Lees having succeeded against Powles Hook. I join my congratulations with your Lordships on this occasion and thank you for the effectual assistance afforded Major Lee in completing the enterprise. The increase of confidence...
85From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 10 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I should be glad, on receipt of this, to see your Lordship on some matters of business as soon as possible. I am my Lord your Lordships most obt servt LS , in James McHenry’s writing, NHi : Stirling Papers; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW probably is referring to his planning for an attack on the British forts on Staten Island; he intended Stirling to command the attack (see GW...
86From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 23 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Major General Stirling, 23 Mar. 1777. Stirling wrote to GW on 24 Mar. that “I have Just now received your Excellencys letter of Yesterdays Date.”
87From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The intelligence communicated in yours of yesterday is confirmed by a Gentleman who has been into New York with a flag and is just returned. The mistake into which we have been led, as to the embarkation, and the sailing of those transports which actually have the troops on board, has somewhat deranged us. Lest the enemy should take any advantage, be pleased to order Woodfords Brigade to move...
88From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 26th containing your opinion upon the cantonment of the Army, and of the 29th and 30th ulto with a variety of information. Matters seem drawing very near a Crisis, and a few days will in all probability determine our doubts. In a letter, which I recd from General Scott last evening, he mentions, that a report prevailed in New York that Jamaica was taken, and...
89From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 15th. The accounts of the embarkation of the enemy vary so much in respect to Corps and numbers, that I am every day more and more at a loss: However I hope if your Spies will attend particularly to the observations recommended in my last, we shall be able to ascertain the Corps that remain at New York and its dependencies. I am informed that the persons who are...
90From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 29 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your Lordships favor of the 26th. As your Lordship was not with the division I have given my instructions to Brigadier General Woodford to return and take post between Sufferans and Stoney-point, provided the enemy have gone back. I am, &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Stirling’s letter to GW of 26 Oct. has not been found. See GW to...
91From George Washington to Lord Stirling, 19 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 11th Instant & to give you my congratulations upon your late appointment by the Honourable Congress. If the intelligence is true and to be depended on, which was brought by the Gentn to New York, I think with you, that we shall have an Opportunity of securing & putting the Continent in a tolerable posture of defence, and that the...
92From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 25 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 23d inclosing Major Lees and Major Hays letters and a few days ago with that of the 20th —By information of a deserter the Enemy have sent three Regiments from Stoney and Verplanks points and have therefore contracted their works. All accounts from New York agree that a very considerable embarkation is in agitation, but they differ much as to numbers and...
93From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 22d and am much obliged to you for the intelligence it contains. The chief part of it I have had confirmed from different quarters. Your Lordships offer to go down to the Count should he favor us with a visit is very interesting but it has been anticipated by my sending Gen. du Portail and Lt Col. Hamilton, who some time since set out on this...
94From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter dated this day at noon and the pieces of Intelligence inclosed in it—your Lordship will act according to circumstances—I altogether approve of what you propose to be done with respect to those persons who have been detected in traiterously furnishing the Enemy with Provisions—the Punishment falling upon one or two Individuals of note will probably strike a Terror...
95From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy have landed at Kings-ferry—are in such force—and seem to have such capitol objects in view, that I must move my whole strength towards the No. River. I shall therefore dispense with your Lordships coming down on the business we talked of respecting St——n I——d as I wish you to be with your division as soon as possible. I expect to leave this place to day myself if there is a...
96From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bearer presents the horse to you, which I offered in exchange for your black —In the Summer, when I first got him, he had the appearance of a fine, and handsome horse—at present (by neglect at Bethleham) his appearance is altered. He was purchased for me by Colo. Moylan as a horse of Six yrs old, & I believe him to be sound, knowing nothing to the contrary. he goes rough, equal I believe...
97Circular to Nicholas Cooke, Lord Stirling, Brigadier General William Thompson, and Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
I take this earliest opportunity to acquaint you that the Men of War and Transports with the Ministerial Troops sailed this afternoon from Nantasket Harbour. There is only a Man of War and two or three other armed Vessels now remaining there. In consequence of this movement I have ordered a Brigade to march to morrow morning for New York, and shall follow with the remainder of the Army as soon...
98From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 21 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased to require my attendance at Philadelphia for a few days the immediate command of the Troops at this place will devolve upon your Lordship. The hutting the Troops in the most speedy and commodious manner, and the preservation of order and discipline, I doubt not will receive your Lordships particular attention—I must request that you will as much as possible avoid...
99From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 29 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The present condition of the ice, opening an easy communication to all parts of the enemy, and thereby affording them occasions to make attempts on such of the officers of the army, as may be most remote from its protection: This, with other reasons, which must occur to your Lordship, induces me to request that you will, as soon as possible, choose such quarters as may give perfect security in...
100From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 8 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Blands Regiment is ordered to Winchester in Virginia on Acct of their peculiar circumstances the times of the Men being out next month, be pleased therefore to permit the small party with you to join their Corps. I am Your Lordships most obt Servt DfS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW to Benjamin Temple, this date .