1To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 19 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
An Intelligent Person, who left New York last Wednesday, say’s, that he saw many hundred Houses in that City, cleaning out, for the reception, of the Troops from Philadelphia, which were expected there, in a very short time—and that the general talk of the Town, was their evacuating Philadelphia. A Militia Officer, who this moment returned from Gloucester County, informs me, that the...
2To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 15 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Letter last Night, & you may be assured of my utmost exertions to check the Enemy’s progress in this State—It will not be in my Power, to give them much Opposition for several Days, as our Troops had just before this alarm, received Orders to march for Philadelphia, not a single moment shall be lost; after giving the necessary Orders, I shall instantly go on...
3To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
As I came thro’ Trenton, I saw the Commissioners, who were just going to begin the happy work —The Cloathing promised by the Council of Pennsylvania is arrived —An account was received at Trenton this Morng by a Gentleman from Philada, that the Enemy had captured seven fine Vessels off the Coast. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s Most Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Dickinson refers to the...
4To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 14 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
A very Intelligent young Man, who left Philadelphia yesterday afternoon at 3, OClock, gave me the following intelligence—that the Enemy for several Nights past, had been crossing over to the Jerseys, the greater part of their Army, supposed to be on this side, the River —more officers than Soldiers, walking the Streets, those in the City uneasy at their situation—many Artillery Waggons had...
5To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 11 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
This morning came to this Place, Mr. Anthony Taylor an Inhabitant of Jersey, & gave me the following account that on Wednesday Eveng last (having the liberty of the City, & by bribing two Sailors) he made his escape from New York, in a Boat; that a Frigate came up to N. York, the day before he left it, the Captain of which said, that he had left the whole Fleet much to the Eastward of N. York,...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 20 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Immediately upon the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter, I sent an Express to Genl Putnam, & shall agreable to your request, give the earliest Intelligence of the Situation & movements of the Enemy, to Genl Green—I shall send into Brunswick on Saturday next, & hope to receive some interesting Intelligence; by the return of the Person sent. I have added a second Picket, they both stand 1¼...
7To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are advancing very fast upon the Bordentown road—they are so superior in Horse, that they push our few, where ever they see them—from every present Appearance, they will pass by Trenton, they will meet great opposition at this Bridge, as I am determined to defend it, as long as tis possible. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s Most Obt ALS , DLC:GW .
8To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s of the 5th Inst. did not come to hand till last Evening, I reced the Money for your Excellency’s mare by the Express; Capt. Morrison says, his Company was raised by the State of Pennsylvania, for the particular defense of that State, but that he was order’d into Jersey, by the Council of Safety —I mentioned several Days ago to your Excellency, that I had order’d four chests...
9To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 16 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote your Excellency last, I have received Information, that I think may be depended upon, that Generals Clinton, Campbell, & Skinner came over into Jersey, with the Detachments from York, & Staten Islands. The Person who gives this account, was at the Ferry on Staten Island, when those three Generals were crossing, & heard General Clinton say, he had orderd two regiments from...
10To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 2 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Ships that came from N. York with the Troops, came to the Watering Place Yesterday, where they were busily engaged taking in Water all Day—they have on board the following Regiments, the 52d, 36th, 7th & the Light Dragoons—from this account, they intend round by Water—they have landed on Staten Island, two small Regiments one Hessians, the other Anspachers, their whole force there, amounts...
11To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed just came to hand, from Genl Maxwell —the same Intelligence, was brought me a few hours before, which I believe may be relied upon—a Person whom I sent down the River, saw the Vessells on the Stocks, at both the upper, & lower parts of the City, in flames. A Gentleman of Reputation who lives near Philada sent me word last Evening, that the Enemy were very industrious, in...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 13 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellency’s Orders, I shall this Day send down to Boundbrook, 300 men. The Person I mentioned to your Excellency, is just returned from Brunswick, & brings the following Intelligence. Genl Howe, went to New York, 10 Days ago, the Troops much in the same Situation they were, no Boats building; the Hessians very sickly, & die fast; many English Troops begin to sicken, Skinners...
13To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday, since which, I have recieved the inclosed from Genl Maxwell, & now forward by Express. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s Most Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Col. Israel Shreve to Dickinson, dated “fostertown,” N.J., 30 May 1778, reads: “this moment I Got the Intillegence I Expected yesterday, by the person I Sent in to the City. he...
14To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 29 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am under the disagreable necessity of informing your Excellency, that on my return to this place, I found the number of my Militia greatly reduced, & lessening hourly—there is a universal murmur amongst them, on account their Grass, corn, &c., &c., which they say, will be ruined in a few days, as no Persons can be employed to secure them—as those People, will frequently take it into their...
15To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency this morning, since which have had the honor of receiving your Favor of Yesterday’s date —Your Excellency will be much surprized to hear, there are not more than one thousand of our Militia now embodied, all of which are at this Post—since the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter, I have been considering in what way I could most speedily reinforce the Army under your...
16To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 13th instant I have recieved—when I mentioned the Establishment of a Post, in such Part of this State, as your Excellency should judge most proper, I meant a Post supplied by our militia; from your Excellency’s letter, I imagine you must have misunderstood me. By the latest accounts recieved from Philadelphia, Sir Harry, either intends to leave the City, or pay...
17To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 26 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this moment met with the Bearer Mr Hindman, who is just returned from viewing the Enemy; he saw them land, & can give your Excellency a very particular account, for which reason, I have desired him to wait upon you immediately. Mr Hindman thinks, they finished their debarkation last Evening, he saw both Horse & Infantry paraded. Mr Hindman is an Inhabitant of Maryland, which he left...
18To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 6 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment, recieved the inclosed from General Maxwell —in consequence of which, the Troops at this Post, are prepareing to march down the River. An Express, from the other side of the River informs me, there is a large Detachment of the Enemy, advancing towards Newtown—a plundering Party I suppose. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s most Ob. St P.S. The Tories in Bucks County, are...
19To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 23 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
From every present appearance, I believe the Enemy intend their rout thro’ allentown—Their Lt Horse with a party of Infantry appeared at the Bridge, by Lewis’s Mill—but have retired—a second party of Horse, came up to the Drawbridge, just after we had destroy’d it, & gone off—they have allso retired. I have about six hundred Militia now upon their left flank, the remainder that march’d this...
20To George Washington from Philemon Dickinson, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 27 June 1778. In another letter to GW of this date, Dickinson writes that “I wrote your Excellency a few hours ago by Express.”
21To George Washington from Philemon Dickinson, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Philemon Dickinson, 25 June 1778. In his other letter of this date to GW, written at 8:00 p.m., Dickinson indicates that “I wrote your Excellency to day at one OClock”; see also GW to Dickinson , this date.
22To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 23d inst. I have received. The Governor being at Borden Town, I sealed, & forwarded his letter to him. Our Assembly, has adjourned untill May next. I am enabled, by the Powers vested in me, to call into actual Service, the whole force of this State, on any emergency—but cannot march the Troops into a Neighbouring State, without an Order from the Assembly, or the...
23To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 21 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 21 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Dickinson on 22 Sept. : “I am favd with yours of the 21st.”
24To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 20 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment returned from the lines, the main body of the Enemy lay at Mountholly, their Picket is advanced about one Mile on this side, I was within three hundred yards of it—but could get no intelligence from the Inhabitants, as all those who remain at home, are disaffected—General Clinton is at Holly—their Waggons extend above two Miles—they march now in one Column—were delay’d many...
25To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 6 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment I received an Express from an Officer stationed on the South Amboy Shore, informing me, that a Fleet consisting of thirty six Sail, left the Narrows Yesterday Morning, at 10. OClock with a fair Wind—some of them appear’d to [be] very large, & deeply laden’d. I have a Person now on Staten Island, who will return about Midnight, expect to be more particularly informed by him—anything...
26To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 24 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterday, was handed me by Col: Fitzgerald; having detached Genl Winds with 1,000 Men to New Windsor, by order of Govr Livingston, this Post was reduced very low; I have endeavour’d by every possible means to bring in the Militia, & have only collected 700 men—hope in a few Days, to increase the Number to 1000. Immediately on reciept of your Excellency’s letter, I sent an...
27To George Washington from Philemon Dickinson, 2 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Jones, a Relation, & very particular Friend of mine, who has the honor of being known to you, & whose Principles in the present controversy, have been uniformly in favor of the Liberties of America—has a Brother Mr Evan Jones, who made a very considerable Settlement at Pensacola, before the commencement of this Dispute—the whole of which, he has lately sacrificed to the American cause....
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Two Persons returned Yesterday from the Jerseys, who inform me, that there is a very great body of the Enemy in, & around Brunswick, but they could not ascertain the Number—one of them say’s, they were sending off Provisions &c., towards N. York. They made strict enquiry about Boats, but could not hear, of any preparations of the kind. Another Person from Crosswicks informs me, that he saw a...
29To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency this morning, that I had with difficulty, prevailed on three hundred Men to march agreable to your request—I am extremely sorry to inform you, that half that number did not reach this Place—the remainder are going off hourly, being determined they say, to return home—therefore have no prospect of executing your Excellency’s Orders, which gives me great concern. The only...
30To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Major who was on Duty on the Lines last Night, this moment informs me, that the Enemy are in Motion—marching off—my Picket at the Mill drove the Enemy of[f] last Eveng & kept the Ground. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Ob. St I am moving down two or three hundred Men to amuse & detain them—& have parties out to gain Intelligence—shall take down the whole of my troops, as soon,...