3361To George Washington from James Mease, 18 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of writing your Excellency, the 12th Inst., which missing the post, was delayed some days, Since which, your Excellencys favors of 9 & 12, are come to hand, The former of which surprized, & paind me very much, The paragraph from Mr Youngs letter to Mr Kemper, respecting the sending forward some Shirts & stockings, which seems to have given your Excellency cause of offence, I...
3362To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 18 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose your Excellency a Return of the Troops in the Town —We have not a Blanket to cover them with The Quakers refused to furnish any to the Committee appointed to collect from the Inhabitants. I have written to John Pemberton on the Subject, and am determined if they do not voluntarily afford us a thousand, to make Use of coercive Measures. This Jesuitical Set do us...
3363To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 18 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Evening I had the Honor to receive Yours of the 11th Instant; That the Enemy will Harrass our Coasts and Injure the Maritime Towns, by sudden Debarkations and Attacks is beyond a Doubt; at the same Time, I Join [with you] that their Capital Object, is either Philadelphia, or Hudson’s River. Am sorry to find the Forces with You are so deficient and inadequate to Check the progress of the...
3364To George Washington from Lieutenants William Clark and William Norcross, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Morristown, 19 May 1777 . Ask GW to discharge them from the 3d New Jersey in which they recently had been commissioned second lieutenants after serving the previous campaign as ensigns. “Our Reasons Are, that Gentlemen Are Appointed First Lieuts. Over Us, that have not Born Rank in the Army nor Seen Service, we Therefore Are of Oponion That if That Body [the New Jersey general assembly] did...
3365To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Saturday last the General Court Martial appointed for the Tryal of Lieut. Colonel Farrington of Colo. Putnams Regiment (charged with behaving in a scandalous and infamous manner) gave in their Judgment that He was Guilty of the Charge alledged against him & have adjudged him to be discharged from the Army—Incapable to serve in the Continental Service and ordered him to be published in the News...
3366To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
One of the Hessians left their camp at the landing this afternon, his account of their numbers & situation is very simelar to that we have often had from others. He informs there are no appearances of removing at present, they are waiting for a reinforcment which they daily expect—That the treatment they receive is so very different from what they expected, & so injurious, (were promised 16d....
3367To George Washington from Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Peekskill [N.Y.] 19 May 1777 . “By a late Arangement of the Officers Appointed to Five Battallions of Continental Troops now Raising in this State, under the Denomination of New york Regiments, (I must beg leave to represent to your Excellency that) Injustice is done me, in being Ranked as youngest Colonel of the five Although two of the Gentlemen Appointed, Or rather Arranged before me, Held...
3368To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favors of the 10th & 11th Instant and a Visit from Generals Green & Knox, we have viewed the passes and different Routs on this Side of the River, which lead to the Mountains, and are of Opinion from the strength of Ground, that its unnecessary to make any works; For if the Troops will not defend strong Defiles, they will not any works that we can finish in the probable...
3369To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 19 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 19 May 1777. GW wrote Stephen on this date : “I have receiv’d your favor of this date” concerning a proposed attack on Bergen, New Jersey. GW’s aide-de-camp George Johnston wrote Stephen on this date: “His Excellency [GW] bids me acknowledge the rect of your favour of this date,” which concerned Stephen’s illness.
3370To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
My returns of the 16th Instant amount to 234 Including Dead & Deserted upwards of 50 have already marchd for Peeks Kill agreeable to orders received from Brigadier General Parsons, the others I shall forward on as they leave the Hospital, The Assembly of this State are now setting—and are adopting very spirited measures for immediately filling the Nine and a half Battallions, as your...
3371To George Washington from Major John Grizzage Frazer, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 20 May 1777 . “I am offered the Deputy Adjutant Genls place in the Northern Army, provided Genl Gates had not already appointed some one, which he had power to do. I shall set out for Ticonderoga on Wednesday Morning with a Letter from the President of Congress to Genl Gates requesting him to appoint me in that department, if it is still vacant, but I have some reason to think...
3372To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mrs Graydon of this City, a very worthy Lady, whose Anxiety to see her Son Captain Graydon, now a Prisoner with the Enemy, is so great, that Congress have been induced to consent to her having an Interview with him. I am therefore to request your Attention to the enclosed Resolve on the Subject, and that you will give Directions for having it carried into...
3373To George Washington from Colonel Hugh Hughes, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honour’d with your Excellency’s Favour of the 15th Instant, and shall punctually obey every Command it contains. General Mc,Dougall order’d, sometime since, five Hundred Tents to Peekskill, which we furnish’d, and shall be able, when all the Stuff is made up, to supply upwards of a Hundred more. Captn Bowen, of Providence, writes me, of the 17th Instant, that he had procur’d two Hundred...
3374To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have in the Guard House an infamous tory said to be one of Skinners men who on an attempt made by our people to secure him fired on them & wounded one—he also was wounded but is now almost well—By the enclosed warrant your excellny will learn more of the matter than I can explain —Wish to know whether he is to be tried by the civil authority of this State or by a Genl Court martial—By a...
3375To George Washington from Richard Peters, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of enclosing all the Resolves of Congress I know of relative to the recruiting Allowance. Much Complaint has been made as to its Sufficiency for the Support of both Officers & Soldiers. It was at the Time the Resolves were passed perhaps equal to the Expence incurred by recruiting Officers. At these Times when all the Necessaries of Life are so enormously advanced the...
3376To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowlege, the Receipt of your favor of the 16th last night. Before the sword was drawn for the Defence of the Rights and privileges of this distressed Country, I voluntarily sacrificed my Constitution, and no small part of my fortune to promote her Interest and secure her Liberties. The Motives which determined me to those Acts of self Denial, will induce me to contribute...
3377To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since the 15th Inst. I have had no Returns by which I can give any further particular Information of the State of the Regiments; in General small Additions are daily making: next Monday the finall Draft is to be made which I hope will nearly compleat Us: at present we have very few who have ingagd to the first of Jany Only. So great a proportion of our men when raisd will not have had the...
3378To George Washington from General William Howe, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not having received an Answer to my Letter of the 21st April, I am to request your final Decision upon the Demand I then made of the Prisoners in your Possession, both Officers and Soldiers, in Exchange for those I have returned, and for your Determination respecting the Prisoners now here, that I may my Arrangements accordingly. It is with Concern I receive frequent Accounts of the ill...
3379To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The subject of your letter of the 17th is a very important one, and whilst it deserves the greatest attention, is certainly involved in great difficulty. Of one truth however, I beg you Sir to be convinced—That no desire to get rid of importunity has occasioned these appointments, but motives military and political meerly. These Adventurers may be divided into three Classes, some who came...
3380To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencies directions of the 20th forwarded by Colonel Harrison. In order to prevent in some measure the too frequent desertions, and to promote the safety of this camp I have detached a few companies of good faithful men on whom we can depend as well for their atteachment to the cause as for their bravery and activity, to act as scouts ⅌ day and patrols by night, they...
3381To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Greaton, who has the Leave of Congress to go into New York, provided your Excellency approves, was to have been accompanied by a Colonel Muellevain —I am just now informed that she has taken James Fisher of this City with her, a notorious Tory, and capable of giving more Intelligence to the Enemy than any Man in it —I have informed Mr Hancock of this and he has advised me to communicate it...
3382To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 22 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 22 May 1777. GW wrote Sullivan on 23 May : “Your favour of Yesterday I have received this morning.”
3383To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As it may be of Consequence for you to be acquainted with every Movement of the Enemy, would inform your Excellency, that by a Letter this day receiv’d from Govr Bradford Dated the 20th instant, have Intelligence that, on the forenoon of that day, twenty seven Sail left New Port and appear’d to be bound up Sound—and that they learnt by some Deserters before that Time that two Hessian Regiments...
3384To George Washington from Colonel Henry Sherburne, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Wrote your Excellency about six Weeks ago informing of the Proficency We had made in Recruiting the Battalion, to which have not as yet Recd an Answer. Three of the Companies which are raising in Connecticut have Recd that state Bounty which has given us an Opportunity of doing as well there as any of the other Battalions, Most of the Recruits have passed thro the small pox and am this Day...
3385To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 23 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 23 May 1777. Stephen wrote GW on 24 May : “I wrote your Excellency last Night from Col. Shrives’s Quarters.”
3386To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
There was one Richard Burrest Tryed by General Court Martial on the 22d Instant, & Convicted by his own Confession of Attempting to Desert to the Enemy. he was taken by one of our Scouting partys near the Enemies Lines & Sentenced by the Court to be Shot for Desertion. I Should have forwarded him with a Copy of his Sentence to Head Quarters but as Desertions are So frequent here I think an...
3387To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th Inst. from Morris Town is now before me. The Barracks at Ticonderoga, and Mount Independence, will not Contain more than One Thousand Officers and Men; the Hutts that were built last Campaign, might for ought I know, contain One Thousand more; but these being made of Earth, and flimsily put together, are mostly in Ruins. But Neither the Huts, or Barracks,...
3388To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencies favor of Yesterday this moment came to hand. I am perfectly satisfied with the exchange of Hazens Regiment for the Barron Arends—I am by no means attach’t to any particular Regiment—nearly an equal distribution of the forces will be entirely satisfactory to me. I only wish to stand upon an equal footing with other Officers—then if I dont execute my duty as well I am willing...
3389To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
A number of Colo. Brodheads men, 8th Pennsylvana regiment, were some time since tried for desertion—Your Excellency was induced from the disordered state of that regiment to suspend the execution of the several sentences untill a court of enquiry could ascerta[i]n the real cause of such disorder no court hath set & from the long confinment of the men they have lost their healths & are become...
3390To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency last Night from Col. Shrives’s Quarters, where I was Concerting Measures for attacking the Enemys Camp near Amboy, before they had all left the Town; or could get the Camp fortify’d; when I was disconcerted, by receiving the inclosd from Genl Mullenberg & advice of the Same Sort from Genl Maxwell. This Manœuvre is of very extensive Consequence—It gives the Enemy Command...
3391To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I find a great want of Tents in several Brigades—General Maxwell sais he has none neither has he had it in his power to get any. I shall endeavor to get a more particular state today and will notify your Excellency upon the subject. A small detachment of Col. Lewis Regiment came in last Evening without Blankets or Tents and sais there were none to be had at Philadelphia. If that be true we...
3392To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having recd Information that the Enemy were collecting Forage, Horses &c. on the East End of Long Island, I order’d a Detachment from the Several Regiments then at this Place, consisting of 1 Major 4 Capts. Viz. Throop, Pond, Mansfield & Savage, & 9 Subalterns & 220 Noncommisd Officers & Privates under the Command of Lt Coln. Meigs to attack their different posts on that Part of the Island &...
3393To George Washington from Colonel Mordecai Gist, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours under cover to General Smallwood requiring a return of the State of my Regiment, which was Immediately forwarded to him in order that the same might be transmitted to your Excellency—agreeable to your orders, which I make no doubt you have receivd. from the Insurrection of some Tories in Somerset & Worchester Counties of Maryland in Feby last—the...
3394To George Washington from James Lovell, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by a German Officer who expresses much inclination to enter into the army under your command. The trouble which your Excellency receives from Foreigners commissioned by Congress has made the Committee, appointed to examine their pretensions, averse to offering any resolutions for places above the rank of subalterns. The Bearer speaks english very well, and has an...
3395To George Washington from Major Apollos Morris, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I receiv’d the inclos’d letters which Genl Firman was kind enough to have deliver’d seald thro’ Mr Wade of this City; injoining me to Suppress any thing improper. This I think it my duty to leave to your Judgment, as it was thro’ your Indulgence I took the oportunity of a private conveyance of the Letters to which they are answers. One of which Letters was the same shewn to Col:...
3396To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment the Commisary reports to me that the Provisions & supplies fall short and that its out of his power with his utmost exertion to procure a sufficient supply. I wish your Excellency would order the Commisary at Morris Town down here as soon as possible to the assistance of this. We must take Sheep & Cattle about the Country to supply the present deficiency. I think Trumbull should...
3397To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour of transmitting at this Time sundry Resolves, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention. From them you will learn, that Congress have ascertained the Limits of the Northern Department, and that they have ordered Genl Schuyler to take the Command therein. The Regulations respecting Chaplains in the Army are highly necessary. By encreasing their Pay, and enlarging the Bounds...
3398To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of yours of the 10th Instant, and immediately sent on Lt Colo. Sprout who is an Active Spirited Officer to correct those Abuses committed by the Troops on the March mentioned by your Excellency. I have desired the same of General Nixon who is also on his journey to Pecks Kill, at which place he will have arrived before this reaches you. But surely all the Troops have...
3399To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hancock has directed me to inform you that upon the Request of several Members of Congress, who judgd my Attendance here for some Days necessary, I must remain in Philada unless the Buisiness of the Army cannot be executed to your Satisfaction by the Gentlemen who are now with you as Depy Qr Mrs Genl. In the mean Time I have my Hands filld with the Formation of the Department & the...
3400To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recived your favor at this Plas as I in company with ginrol Clinton thought proper to Com to this plas to see how the Obstructions in the rever went on and also to see what could be don as to Booms with Logs we have not as yeat Com to any Detarmenation what is beast to be don but when we shall Com to any detarmenation about it I Shall inform your Exelancy of it. as to your Plan of Supris by...
3401To George Washington from George Walton, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Well aware of the many great objects which necessarily & constantly occupy your mind, I would not trouble you upon the present occasion, were I not pressed to it by the bearer. He is appointed to the command of the fourth Georgia-Battalion, which is yet in great part to be raised, and that too in other states. I have suggested to him the several difficulties; I have told him, that; as Congress...
3402From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 29 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress Count Pulawski of Poland, an Officer famous throughout Europe for his Bravery and Conduct in Defence of the Liberties of his Country against the three great invading Powers of Russia, Austria and Prussia, will have the Honour of delivering this into your Excellency’s Hands. The Court here have encouraged and promoted his Voyage, from an Opinion that he may be highly...
3403To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Zebulon Butler, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Persuent to Orders reced from your Exelency by the Hand of Majr Genl Lincoln I have Marched with the three detachments from Connecticut Regiments; Part of the Westmoreland Independant Companies have Joined me as was Ordered and more will be in this day. I am Now Encamped upon the Heights between Chatham and Springfield—Genl Stevens had Left this Place before my Arival & I am destitute of any...
3404To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Carnes being now in waiting, I have Time only to acknowledge the Honor of the receipt of yours of the 18th Instant and shall pay strict attention and obediance thereto, General Glover and Colo. Pickering set out this day or to morrow to join the Army And the French Officers on Monday, In my next I will transmit to your Excellency a Return of such Stores and Ordnance as are gone on to...
3405To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Putnam arrived here to the 22d, he has Since been Viewing the river and the Country, tomorrow he takes the command. A Flag I Sent to Newyork the day before yesterday, to exchange Families of ours on the Nassau Island, for Some of the Enemies, who had leave of Convention to leave this part of the State, has this day brought me the Following intelligence. “That they were not Suffered to...
3406To George Washington from Major Apollos Morris, 29 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
My knowledge of Coll Tillingmans departure was too late to give me time to reexamine my letter. The leave therein was therefore too bald for the dictates of my heart or understanding, when speaking to a person whose character I revere, whose justly exalted Station demands respect from every one & to whom I look on myself as oblig’d by Tyes of gratitude for the Confidence shewn as well as for...
3407To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Late last night the Inclosed from General poor, was brought me Express from Ticonderoga. I also inclose Your Excellency a General Return of the Garrison at that post dated the 24th Instant, by which You will perceive the shameful deficiency in the Numbers proper for it’s defence. Artillerists are likewise much Wanted; I always expected Six Companies: Two, is as many as can be said to be there....
3408To George Washington from Captain Francis Grice and W. Masters, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to directions of General Mifflin, we are to informe your Excellency of ower safe arival at Corrells, wth a Continental Fleet consisting of eight flat bottom boats, fixed on Carrages; we expect a reinforsement of twelve by friday next all wch when arrived shall agreable to your Excellency’s order be kept on the Carrages untill further Order. The bearer Capt. Grace informes us of a...
3409To George Washington from James Lovell, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As chairman of the Committee on foreign applications, I inclose herewith to your Excellency the only list which has come to hand from France, tending, in any manner, to discover the arrangement made there of the officers who lately arrived in the Amphitrite. Should it appear hereafter by any vouchers that some of them have a just claim by compact to higher commissions, Congress will attend to...
3410To George Washington from Richard Peters, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Order of the Board I do myself the Honour of troubling your Excellency for Information on the Subject of our Prisoners who are with the Enemy. I am directed to enquire whether a Commissary has been sent in to supply them or in what Situation that Business now is & what Steps have been taken which have fallen within your Observation for the Relief of their Wants. The Board are desirous of...