1731To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 2 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sensible the State of Massachusetts Bay are determined, to use every vigorous exertion, to raise their proportion of the Continental army—It is my indispensable duty, to promote their determination. I am conscious, many good men, from the militia of that State now in camp, might be engaged, were they indulged a furlough, on their enlistment. But, as the design of the Court, in sending out...
1732To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 2 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to write you the 30th ulto by Colonel Harrison, and have now to acquaint your Excellency that the 20,000 Dollars which I received your warrants for, is dispersd amongst the Officers Some of whom have got the horses for their Troops, and make further demands upon me, if your Excellency will be pleasd to give me an order on the Committee of Congress for what I may have occasion,...
1733To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer hereof Capt. Goodrich was Taken at Quebeck on the 31st of Decemr 1775 When General Montgomery made his Unfortunate attempt upon that City—Capt. Goodrich is a Brave and Good officer, He was not Exchanged Untill Since Christmass—And has as yet no Appointment in Our Army—His Zeal for the Publick Service is Such that upon Hearing the Army stood in need of a Reinforcment He Immediately...
1734To George Washington from Colonel Hugh Hughes, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Sometime in December General Mifflin order’d me, after arranging Affairs well here, to wait on your Excellency. In answer to which I acquainted him that a proper Disposition could not, suddenly, be made, on Account of disbanding the greatest Part of the Army then here, together with some other Obstructions which occurr’d at that Time, but added that I was ready to obey his Commands as soon as...
1735To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 31st is this moment Come to hand, I am Sorry the wire did not prove good I will endeavour to get better & Send it by first Conveyance, I will Call at Hiltzemers this morning and enquire of him, indeed See myself the State of the horses, an acct of their Condition I will do myself the pleasure of informing your Excellency in my next. I am most Cordialy Dr Sir Your Most Ob. H....
1736To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
According to your Excellency’s Permission I came into this State the 22nd of Jany to give what Assistance I could to the Recruiting Service & to forming & regulating the Troops; the 25th I receivd Genl Heath’s Order to return to the Camp near Kingsbridge, which I obeyed with some Degree of Reluctance, as I could not see the Necessity of my Presence there; I found Genl Heath at White Plains...
1737To George Washington from James Warren, 3 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Warren, 3 Feb. 1777. In his letter to Warren on 15 Mar. , GW says that “I was some time since honoured with your Letter of the 3d Ulto.”
1738To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 4 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The several Points mentioned in your Last Letter have been attended to. I gave to Col. Knox an Order to procure in New England Two thousand Tents. I have purchased Russia Duck and every other kind of Canvas that I could find in this Town fit for Tents—The Sail Makers are at Work repairing & making Tents. The Ammunition Wagons are on hand—Five are finished—The Tomhawks will be compleated—One...
1739To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 4 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 4 Feb. 1777. When writing to Putnam on 5 Feb., GW says that “Your favor of Yesterday . . . I have received.”
1740To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 4–5 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evening honored with Your Excellency’s Favor of the 27th Ult: Covering the Letter & Resolutions of Congress and the Letter for Doctor Stringer which I have delivered. Altho’ I make not the least Doubt, but that General Carlton is constantly and very well informed of the Condition we are in at Tyonderoga, by the many disaffected Persons that reside in the Vicinity of that Fortress,...
1741To George Washington from Colonel Henry Sherburne, 4 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this Day informed that Mr Oswald whom your Excellency had appointed Lt Colonel of my Regiment, had prefered a Majority in the Artillery to that of a Lt Col. in a Marching Regt—as that is the Case of Course there is a Vacancy, which I should be extreamly happy might be fill’d by Major Meggs (If agreeable to Your Excellency) this Gentleman from his Universal Good Character I make no doubt...
1742To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 5 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the Honor of your’s of the 2nd Instant. Nothing material hath happened since my last —We have been busily engaged in foraging, and have collected considerable Quantities—To morrow morning we are to make a grand forage in N. Rochell and East Chester—Our Chain of Troops for covering the foragers, is to form a little East of Williams’s Tavern—The Loss of the forage to the...
1743To George Washington from the Pennsylvania General Assembly, 5 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The receipt of Your Excellencys letter of the 31st ult. respecting the desertion of the army and the encouragement given thereto, is hereby acknowledged. With deep concern we have observed the prevalence and growth of the evils Your Excellency complains of, and the protection afforded to those who are the Subjects thereof, by persons in the neighbourhoods from whence they originally came: And...
1744To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The last evening I received the honor of yours of the 3d & 4th Instant, which has given me great Pain—Perhaps I may venture to say that no Officer is more attentive to Orders or more anxious to carry them into Execution than I am—When I received your Excellency’s Orders to march towards Kingsbridge, nothing could be more agreable than the Manoeuvre; but I cannot say the taking the Command of a...
1745To George Washington from William Livingston, 6 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am requested by Congress to procure one or more Affidavits on the following Subjects. 1 The Enemy’s Treatment of Prisoners. 2 Their abusing and mangling Persons upon the Field or elsewhere after Surrender. 3 Their Depredations of Property. & 4 Their ill treatment of Women. With respect to the 2d Point, if I remember right, I understood from Collo. Flower when I was at Morris Town, that he...
1746To George Washington from Richard Peters, 6 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Board of War had deliver’d to them a sett of recruiting Instructions given by your Excellency to Colonel Hartley, in which they perceive an Oversight, whereof they have directed me to inform you, that the mistake may proceed no further. There is no distinction held up to the Recruits, between those who inlist for three years, and those who engage during the War. In the hurry in which your...
1747To George Washington from an Anonymous New Jersey Farmer, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
As I have past your Quarters Several times Lately I saw With Concern A number of Peirsons Great Enemies to Your Excellency (as A general) and their Country Pleas therefore to take Great Care of the Name of Ogden, (Particularly that family) and their Connection Peter McKee &c. Depend on What I write here to be fact I know them Well. Abought 5 Days Ago one Wm Stewart an assistant of these fals...
1748To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 24th Ulto I had not the pleasure of receiveing untill the 3d Inst.—am sorry to hear the Militia of the Southern States, have not yet suffered enough to excite them to rise in their own defence and expel their Inhuman Enemies from the Country, I am not however, without hopes your Excellency will be able to finish this Campaign, with great honour, & Advantage to Our Country....
1749To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
This is the fouth day of my being in this disagreeable place, making application to the Governor and Council, for the use of their Factories at Fredricksburg, which I have just obtain’d. I shall set out tomorrow for Petersburgh to get a part of my Saddles made there, and from thence I shall go to Ronoak in North Carolina, to perchase Horses; the price of them being so exorbitant here, that it...
1750To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Opinion of Mr Duer & other Gentlemen of the Committee of Convention of the State of New York —Since I wrote mine of Yesterday, I have seen General Lincoln & Mr Duer, both of whom are in sentiment with me that there is but little prospect of Advantage from an attempt to surprise Fort Independence, as the Enemy appear very alert—I have ordered the Troops to be in readiness to...
1751To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I inclose You a Copy of a Letter from Majr Genll Schuyler just recd expressing his strong apprehentions of an attack on Tyconderoga, & pressing me to send forward Troops &c. He has doubtless informed your Excellency of the situation of Affairs in that quarter. were the Quota of this State raised I shod not consider my Self properly authorized to order their march but according to your mind &...
1752To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Warner, 7 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Warner, 7 Feb. 1777. GW informed Warner on 8 Feb. that “Yr favr of yesterday was brought me.”
1753To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
In October last the Council of Safety, with the view of promoting the public Service, and for the general security of these States resolved to form the broken remains of the three Provincial Regiments, lately Colonel Miles and Attlees’ into one, and to have it recruited to the full complement of 1000 Men. The necessity of continuing the few remaining Men in the field has hitherto prevented...
1754To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Letter of 3rd Inst: by Express & of 6th by Mr Burr—agreeable to your orders I went yesterday with about 400 men, below the six mile Runn, but with little expectation of finding any thing of importance to bring off —Since I have taken post at this place, the troops have been fed altogether, with what was collected from within the enemy’s reach, & have at present large quantities...
1755To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 8 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to remind you of an Application I made to your Excelly before I left Morris Town in Behalf of Mr Odell a Gentleman of this Place who acts in the double Capacity of a Clergyman & Physician. He was drove from his Home by the Violence of the Gondola Men who hunted him in such a Manner as in my Opinion made it necessary for him to retire to preserve his Life. At that time the Enemy...
1756To George Washington from Colonel David Chambers, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Observ’d your Excellency’s letter of the 14th of last Month, where from some Malitious informant, I am made highly criminal or rather the Officers of my Batalion, for scandulously taking Goods out of the Stores at Princetown, and converting the same to their private uses, and that too through my connivance, I abhor the charge much more the fact —According to the direction of the above...
1757To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th and 24th ultimo and have laid them before the General Assembly. The Enemy having landed not less than 7,000 Troops upon Rhode Island, and being possess’d of the Bay with a large Fleet laid us under the Necessity of establishing a Body of Forces with all possible Expedition. In this Situation, when it was impracticable to fill the...
1758To 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...
1759To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
As Lord and General Howe have given me permission to send the inclosd to the Congress, and as the contents are of the last importance to me and perhaps not less to the Community, I most earnestly entreat, My Dr General, that You will despatch it immediately and order the Express to be as expeditious as possible —They have likewise indulgd me with the permission of sending for one of my Aid de...
1760To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am going to explain some querys I find in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Jany pr favour of Mr Vanzant. You desire to know by what authority Pearson and others took away a Quantity of Iron Rum and other Stores from Acquackonock Bridge. The next Morning after my arival at Springfield I found that the Enemy had evacuated Newark and gone to Elizh Town, the next night I had information that...
1761To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Disorder has not abated but has Really weakened me So much that I am totally unable to wait on yr Excy to Day—with Respect to the Small pox my opinion is that the only way to get Rid of it is Immediately to Send all Infected persons to Some Back Town where an hospital Should be Erected; to this place Should Every person be Sent if the Symptoms of the Disorder appears on him. at this place...
1762To George Washington from Brigadier General Benedict Arnold, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclos’d is two receipts, one from Earl Percy for twenty Six prisoners deliver’d him the 8th Instt; the other from John Read (Secretary to Sir Peter Parker) for seventy Seamen receiv’d from Mr Clarke, and Capt. John Havens, those receiv’d from the latter I have Inclose’d a particular list of, which with those deliver’d Earl Percy amount to Fifty, who were received from New Hampshire, the...
1763To George Washington from William Livingston, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 3d Instant, I received this Day, and am greatly obliged to you for the Intelligence it contains. We are exceedingly anxtious in this solitary Retirement to hear from head Quarters as often as possible: And any Accounts of the spirited behaviour of our Troops, affect us with unspeakable Pleasure—What Pity it is that any of our Officers should be so unacquainted with themselves...
1764To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
since I came into this State I have been constantly employed in forwarding the Eight Battalions to be rais’d here in which I have many Obs[t]acles both in raising & furnishing them with Arms & Clothing the little Time the Soldiers have been at Home is one Reason why they do not engage yet small Guards are establish’d on our Coast into which they inlist in Preference to a Service abroad where...
1765To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Application has been made to us by James Smith Esqr. of Westmoreland, a Gentleman well acquainted with the Indian Customs, and their manners of carrying on war, for leave to raise a Battalion of marksmen expert in the use of Rifles, acquainted with the Indian method of fighting, to be dressed intirely in their fashion, for the purpose of annoying and harrassing the Enemy in their marches and...
1766To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The last Evening I arrived at this Place, and Tomorrow morning shall Set out for Boston, The Spread of the Small Pox at and near Stanford in the State of Connecticut, is alarming I am Informed that Some of the Inhabitants are Secretly Inoculating their Families, I yesterday wrote to Governor Trumbull on the Subject—Some of our Prisoners have been Sent out of New York Undoubtedly Infected with...
1767To George Washington from James Mercer, 11 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Mercer, 11 Feb. 1777. GW wrote Mercer on 21 Feb. that “your Letter of the 11th . . . came to my hands a few days ago,” and a note that Mercer made on GW’s letter reads in part: “I refer to my Let. to G.W. of the 11th Feby to which this is an answer.”
1768To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 11 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 11 Feb. 1777. On 12 Feb. GW sent Sullivan an “Answer to your favour of Yesterday.”
1769To George Washington from Colonel William Crawford, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sory to brek in uppon your Hours that Aught to reast you from the many feteagues you have to under go in that important task you have under taken in Defence of our Libertys. But nedsesetys Obliges me under my Present Defiquiltys. I Should have bin with you sir before now but for the following reasons viz. The Great probebility of an Endien War for many Evident reasons Given by the Endien...
1770To George Washington from the Citizens of Hanover, Pennsylvania, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Hanover, Pa., 12 February 1777 . Request that no Continental soldiers be inoculated in their town “as Comparitively Verry fiew in Our Town has had that infectious Disorder and For the reasons as Follows. “1st It must be Verry Distressing to the Inhabitance at this Season of the Year When our Provisions Such as Fowls and Every other Nessesary Fit for that Disorder is already Exhausted by armies...
1771To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Hartley, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last from Philadelphia I have been almost continually riding and forwarding the Recruiting Service of my Regement. Mr Chambers declined serving—it was not till within a few Days, that another was appointed in his Room He is a Lieutenant Coxe of the same Maryland Battalion. In a short Time I had recruited between 50 & 70 Men but these I delivered over to Colonel Irvines Regement I have...
1772To George Washington from Robert Morris, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Morning received the letter & two parcells of Money sent herewith, from Mr Hancock who requests you will send them in by a Flagg, the letter is for Lieutt Colo. Rawlings one parcell said to Contain six half Joes is for him & the other said to Contain ten half Joes for Lieutt Cresap but both are to be delivered to Colo. Rawlings according to the terms of the letter herewith. A ship...
1773To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Edward Antill, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to Appologize for troubling you again on the State of the Regiment. I forwarded to Head Quarters a Return of the Regiment as it then Stood & Requested your Intentions as to the Contents[.] Lt Wilson of our Regiment having Some business at Camp will Wait your Commands with which he will return to me, if your Excellency Declines filling up the Remainder of the Subaltern officers,...
1774To George Washington from the Continental Congress Medical Committee, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress Apprehending that the Small Pox may greatly endanger the Lives of our fellow Citizens who Compose the army under your Excellency’s Command, and also very much embarrass the Military Operations, have directed their Medical Committee to request your Excellency to give Orders that all who have not had that Disease may be Inoculated, if your Excellency Shall be of Opinion that it can...
1775To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Person who obtained Mr Morgan’s releasment, returned from New York with Doctor Vanderveer Yesterday, upon the same terms which were mentioned to your Excellency —The Intelligence recieved, is, The Prisoners at New York treated much better than they were, within a very short time past, in real want of nothing but cloathing, their distress great on that account—Troops arrived at Hell-gate...
1776To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
We embrace this Oppertunity to Inform Your Excellency that the Officers of the Fifteen Battalions to be raised in this State, were Appointed as Follows. The Officer for Six of the Battalions were Appointed by a Committee of the General Court at the Camp near New York. The Officers for Five of them by a Committee of the General Court at Ticonderoga & the Officers for the remainder of them by...
1777To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to write to you from Philadelphia at which place I was detaind near three Weeks by Want of Cash. This being the best Place to purchase Intrenching Tools and Forage I employd Colonel Mark Bird to procure them—He has engaged a very considerable Qy but is now obligd to stop through Want of Money having expended all his own and a very large Sum which he borrowd. I sent an Express...
1778To George Washington from the New York Committee of Safety, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Safety beg leave to request your Attention to the Exchange of certain Prisoners of War belonging to this State, Major Hetfield, Captain Van Dyck, Lieutenant Dunscomb & Adjutant Hooghland who all belonged to General Scotts Brigade. The Major was taken in the unfortunate Attempt on Montresors Island, the Captain in the Retreat, from New York on the 15th September and the...
1779To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the Pleasure of addressing you a few Days ago on a particular Occasion & then expected to have attended you in less than a Week —but the Difficulty of procuring a proper Retreat for my Family & adjusting my Affairs will make it longer: But if in the Settlement of the Cartel or any other Occasion you think I can be of Service, I will obey the earliest Summons. We have not been...
1780To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 13 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Recollect once to have Read That on the Fatal Ides of March, when Cesar was going to the Capitol Artemidorus presented him with a paper Containing Those words “Cesar Beware of Brutus Take Heed of Cassius come not Near Casca have an Eye to Cinna; Trust not Trebonius; Brutus Loves thee not These men have all but one mind and That is bent agt Cesar if Thou art not Immortal Look about Thee:...