51From 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...
52From 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...
53From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 7 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By an act of Congress dated the 30th Ulto Genl Pulaskis Corps and all the Continental troops in the vicinity of Philadelphia are ordered to Princeton there to wait my orders or those of the Commanding Officer in Jersey —I leave it to Your Lordship to give them such instructions for their government as may appear to you most proper. I am Your Lordships most obedt Servt p.s. Such Detachments of...
54From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 12 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Lordships favs. of the 6th 7th 8th and 9th instants and thank you for the intelligence communicated in them. I had no material directions to give or I should have answered them immediately upon their Receipt. As your Lordships force is so very unequal to that of the Enemy, I would not wish you to remain so near them as to intice them to aim a blow at you. Keeping their...
55From George Washington to Major General Stirling and Brigadier Generals William Maxwell and William Woodford, 15 October … (Washington Papers)
In addition to the questions which I have already proposed for the consideration of the General Officers —I have farther asked whether judging from the present state and appearance of affairs, it would be advisable to detach any part of our force to Boston—& shd it be decided in the affirmative—what force would it be proper to detach—Your Lordship will be so good as to add your opinion on...
56From 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...
57From 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...
58From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you the extract of a letter from Governor Livingston to Congress, which they have referred to me. I think it not impossible, some instances of a commerce between the inhabitants and the enemy may have been tolerated for the purpose of gaining intelligence, and that this may have given rise to the whole suspicion. But lest there should be any thing more serious in it, that may require...
59From 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....
60From 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...
61From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I desired the Quarter Master Genl when he left this the other day for the purpose of discovering a proper spot East of the No. River to Hutt the Troops at, to write to, & request your Lordship to send some judicious Officer to explore the Country about Aquakinack, the Great Falls &ca for the same purpose. A position still more South, for instance New Ark Mountain, Springfield, or middle Brook...
62From 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...
63From 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...
64From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 7 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge your favors of the 31st Ulto the 1st 3d & 4th Inst. with their several inclosures. As your Lordship observes, the intelligence from the City must now become more important, since the sailing of so large an Embarkation of Troops—and will serve to determine in a great measure whether a complete evacuation of the place is intended. I need not pray your attention, and am, My...
65From 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 .
66From 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...
67From 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...
68From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am indebted to your Lordships several favors of the 17th 19th 20th & 21st Instant. The inclosed to Mr Beatty Commissary of prisoners you will be pleased to transmit by a special messinger. In case of his being at New-York, or within the enemy’s lines you will send it by a flag. It is to direct his attendance at Amboy, where Commissioners on the part of Sir Henry Clinton are to meet...
69From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 29 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Bland is in want of a party of Light Horse to assist him in the Escort of the Convention Troops, be pleased therefore to order a Subaltern and 16 from Moylans Regt to proceed immediately to Sherrards ferry upon Delaware. Should Colo. Bland have passed the Officer is to follow upon the Route of the troops untill he overtakes him. Should he on the contrary not have arrived there, he is to...
70From 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...
71From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 21 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have directed General Maxwell to deliver up Hatfeild to the Civil Authority and have informed Governor Livingston that you will furnish him with such proofs of his Guilt as have come to your Knowledge; be pleased therefore to forward such papers to him as you have at present in possession, or any new matter which you may hereafter obtain, and which may serve to throw light upon the Affair. I...
72From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I this minute received Your Lordships favor of the 29th Ulto; that of the 24th came to hand on Wednesday night. If a stroke can be effected against the Enemy on Staten Island with success, it is much to be desired—and if the situation of the Bay of New York is such as to prevent support coming from the City or Long Island; and the passage from Jersey on account of the ice should be safe for...
73From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 30th Ulto. I thank you for the intelligence it contains. I shall communicate that part of your letter respecting Cannon Ball to the Board of War and Ordnance, and if they have not already made Contracts for a sufficient quantity, they may, if they think proper, make their proposals known to the Managers of the Works under your Lordships direction. I return your...
74From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 8 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
When a distribution of Cloathing was made in the Fall, it was found that there would be a considerable deficiency of Blankets in particular; I was therefore under the necessity of only delivering a certain proportion to each Corps at that time, intending after all the troops had been served in the first instance, to collect an exact Return of all the remaining Blankets and to distribute them...
75From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 14 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 9th. I am still of opinion that no good can possibly result from any Negociation entered into with General Phillips on the subject of the Exchange of the Convention Troops, more especially as I find by a letter from Mr McHenry that Capt. Bibby had dropt some of the terms which he had in charge from Genl Phillips to propose, particularly that of exchanging whole Corps of...
76From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 26 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 13th and 18th instt with the several letters and papers they inclosed. Mr McHenry has informed me of the failure of the Refugee expedition to the Coast of Monmouth; but he mentions an account from Genl Maxwell of a Body of New Levies and Refugees having been embarked, supposed for Georgia. I could wish if it be so, that the numbers might be ascertained with...
77From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I should have issued orders for the fatigue parties intended to erect the Signals to assemble tomorrow but I was not certain that the Guides would be ready. Instead therefore of a general Order for the purpose, I would propose that you give directions to the parties from Woodfords and Scotts to erect the Signals at Steels Gap and the Hill upon Baskenridge Road. I will desire Genl Smallwood to...
78From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
As there are some other disputes of relative Rank subsisting among the Feild Officers of the Pennsylvania line, besides that between Majors Mentges, Murray and Nicol, I have desired Genl St Clair to direct such of them as are in Camp to attend your Board and lay before you their claims, upon which be pleased to make a report to me. I am my Lord Yr most obt Servt. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
79From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday inclosing a plan of operations for the ensuing campaign came to my hands this Morning—Communications of this kind are always pleasing to me, because it is my earnest wish to avail myself of every useful hint, and to have my own opinions strengthned by the concurrance of others—but where circumstances are either not well known, or not duly ballanced, a plan may appear...
80From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
For some time past my intelligence from the enemy pointed to a considerable movement. By My last accounts from General McDougall of the 30th May, the enemy had advanced from Kings Bridge in force, and was then near the White plains. It is not easy to fix a just opinion of his object. We however know what points we should secure. On last Saturday the Pennsylvania troops marched on the route to...
81From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to march immediately with the division under your command towards Pompton by way of Morris Town endeavouring to regulate your march so as to arrive at the latter place tomorrow Evening. You will open a correspondence with General St Clair who is on his route from Springfield to Pompton, and has my directions to act afterwards according to circumstances and the information...
82From 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...
83From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a Memorial from Mr Drew and request that you will direct a Board of Field Officers in the Virginia line to sit to morrow and enquire into the facts stated by him & to report their Opinions of the Arrangement that should be made of the Captains & Other inferior Officers in the three incorporated Regiments of Gist— Grayson & Thruston. I would wish it to be a full Board. Your...
84From 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...
85From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 8 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I just now received your Lordships letter requesting absence for one week —to this I shall not object, but beg leave to remind you that the present situation of affairs renders the presence of every Officer necessary—& that I wish you if possible to be back by the time mentioned—I wish you a pleasant journey & am &c. P.s. Yr letter of the 3d mentions the nomination of some Gentlemen to fill...
86From 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...
87From 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...
88From 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...
89From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 12 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had in contemplation an attempt to surprise the enemys post at Powlus Hook and have employed Major Lee to make the necessary previous inquiries. He will inform you of what has passed between us—The number first proposed for the enterprise was 600, but these appeared to me too many to hazard for an object of inferior importance. But by the inclosed letter of the 11th Major Lee proposes...
90From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 12 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall be much obliged by your informing me of the date of Colo. Smith’s resignation of the 2d State Virginia Regmt. Colo. Brent & Lt Col. Dabney can probably ascertain it. The promotion of the former was in consequence of it—& I wish to know whether he has received a Commission. I also must request your Lordship to inform me of the Christian name of Major Meriwether. The reasons of my...
91From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege the favor of your Lordships two letters of the 13th and 15th inst. Mr Erskine will receive his orders to-day, to mark out the road, which it has been proposed should be opened, and to make you the proper communication —when you will be pleased to enter upon the necessary measures to have it completed. I am & Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript ,...
92From 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...
93From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 22 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to request your Lordship to order the boats from new-Ark to their former stations as I do not apprehend them altogther safe where they now are. I am, your Lordship’s ⟨ illegible ⟩ Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . These were the boats which GW had ordered Maj. Henry Lee to gather at Newark, N.J., to support the assault on the British fort at Paulus...
94From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 23 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
An Officer of the Marichause Dragoons has charge of a large sum of the Money called out of circulation, which is to be sent forward to Philada. Be pleased therefore to direct a careful Officer of the Virginia line to proceed with it with an Escorte of six Men from Capt. Belkins troop. Your Lordship will be pleased to give this Officer the same instructions as you gave to Capt. Stith who took...
95From 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...
96From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have successively received your two favours of the 23d and 26 with their respective inclosures. The transactions in the Virginia line in consequence of the enterprise against Powles Hook are to me as painful as they were unexpected. I shall make no remarks on those parts of the state of grievances which happened without my participation, as your Lordship has fully answerd them and in a...
97From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last Night favd with yours of the 30th Ulto with Colo. Taylors intelligence, and Rivingtons paper inclosed. I am in hopes that we shall in a day or two receive more accurate accounts of the real strength of the Reinforcements —I shall desire Docr Cochran to give order respecting the sick of your division: and will have Lieut. Drummonds conduct enquired into; such proceedings must not be...
98From 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...
99From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 13 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Some circumstances having made it necessary to station Major Lee’s corps at Monmouth, your Lordship will have his post at Paramus occupied by Lt Col. Washington—Inclosed is a letter directing him to take your orders on this occasion. I am my Lord Your Lordships Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . A purported LS was offered for sale by American Art...
100From 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...