5441To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 19 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg pardon for neglecting to answer your Excellency’s kind favour of the 11th Inst:—I shou’d by no means have so long omitted writing had I not known Congress had transmitted every Intelligence of Consequence. I beg leave (tho late) to present your Excellency my congratulatory compliments on the Arrival of the French Fleet & Minister and the pleasing prospect of our Affairs. My wounds are in...
5442To George Washington from Brigadier General William Thompson, 19 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I expected before this time to have been made happy by the receipt of my Parole from New York, and can account for its delay upon no other Principle than the hurried and very particular situation of the British Forces at this time, which may perhaps have impeded the negotiation of that business. When it arrives at Camp I am well satisfied your Excelly will forward it to me with the necessary...
5443From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, [20 July 1778] (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed I transmit your Excellency a letter from the Count Destain. He has had the River sounded and finds he cannot enter. He will sail for Rhode Island tomorrow evening; in the mean time he is making demonstrations to deceive the enemy and beget an opinion that he intends to operate in this quarter. He would sail immediately but he waits the arrival, or to hear, of a frigate which carried...
5444To George Washington from George Clinton, 20 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed Copy of a Petition & Letter which I received on my arrival here; Your Excellency will observe that the usurped Government of Vermont have sentenced sundry of the Inhabitants of this State to Banishment; which Sentence General Starke has contrary to his Duty undertaken to carry into execution, by forwarding the Petitioners down the River to Genl Gates to be sent to the Enemy....
5445To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 20 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 20 July 1778. On 20 July, GW wrote Gates : “I have been favoured with your two Letters of to day, (one inclosing a return) for which I thank you.” Only one letter of 20 July from Gates has been found.
5446To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 20 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I transmit your Excellency a letter from the Count Destain. He has had the River sounded and finds he cannot enter. He will sail for Rhode Island tomorrow evening; in the mean time he is making demonstrations to deceive the enemy and beget an opinion, that he intends to operate in this quarter. He would sail immediately but he waits the arrival, or to hear, of a frigate which carried...
5447To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 20 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to Inform you that about four Days Since twenty one Sail of Large Transports from Newyork arrived at Rhode Island with about two Thousand troops on Board They were at first Said to be Invalids but it Now appear that they are Effectives But mostly Foreigners They have Now about five Thousand Troops on the Islands & have Seven vessels of War Sloops & Small Frigates only they have in...
5448To George Washington from George Clinton, 21 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received the disagreable Account of Springfield and Andreas Town on the Western Frontier of Tryon County being destroyed by the Enemy Copies and Extracts of the several Letters forwarded to me on that Subject and the Copy of a Letter from Colo. Vroman to General Ten Broeck containing Information of the Enemy’s being on their March up the west branch of Delaware River against...
5449To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 21 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 21 July 1778. On 21 July, GW wrote Gates : “I have been favoured with yours of this date.”
5450To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency has made me very unhappy. I can submit very patiently to deserved censure; but it wounds my feelings exceedingly to meet with a rebuke, for doing what I conceivd to be a proper part of my duty; and in the order of things. When I left your Excellency at Haverstraw you desird me to go forward and reconnoiter the Country, and fix upon some proper position to draw the troops...
5451To George Washington from Charles Young, 21 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your Excellencys favour of this morning, and am to acquaint you, that on my coming here last Thursday, I found in different places at this post, 94 Hogsheads of Clothing. My Instructions on my leaving Mr Mease were, to forward all stores on to philada I thought necessary, that I might meet on the road or find h⟨ere⟩. On Examing these, I found 85 packages were Appropriated to particular...
5452To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 22 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to Inclose to your Excellency Two Letters which I received last evening from Mrs Washington, who was well when the Express came from Virginia. There is no news here of any Importance, We have not heard from Count D’Estaing these Two days, when He wrote last his Pilots had Just returned from Sounding the Hook, & reported there was not water Sufficient to Carry over his Ships,...
5453To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 22 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to Inclose you the Intelligence reced from Rhode Island Last night which is not only from Good Authority but is Corroborated by Intelligence Received from various other Quarters. Three Regiments of the Enemy Encamped yesterday on Connannicut Island Three more came out & Encamped in the North part of Rhode Island next Bristol: They may have Some Design upon us but I Rather...
5454From Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 23 July [1778] (Hamilton Papers)
I wrote to your Excellency the evening of the 20th. by Major Neville. I remained in the neighbourhood of Black Point ’till the afternoon following. The Count had received his expected dispatches from Congress and was to sail, as I mentioned before, the first fair wind. At Brunswick yesterday, Mr Caldwell joined me. He was immediately from the Point and brought intelligence that the fleet got...
5455To George Washington from James Caldwell, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Comy General having requested me to convey to the Count D’Estaing Your Excellencys present, I hurried the Cattle down & got them on board in time. For fear of some delay I went down myself and the Count in politest terms desired me to return his thanks to your Excellency for the seasonable Present, and told me that as he had a supply of sheep & Poultry in another way, he woud not have...
5456To George Washington from Thomas Conway, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I find my self just able to hold the penn During a few Minutes, and take this opportunity of expressing my sincere grief for having Done, Written, or said any thing Disagreeable to your excellency. my carreer will soon be over, therefore justice and truth prompt me to Declare my Last sentiments. you are in my eyes the great and the good Man. May you Long enjoy the Love, Veneration and Esteem...
5457To George Washington from William Gordon, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
It’s with great pleasure I congratulate you upon our late success, on a double account—the advantage it is of to the Continent—& the honour it reflects upon your Excellency. I hope this happy beginning will, thro’ the blessing of heaven, be productive of so glorious a campaign as to admit your changing the toils & hazards of the field for the repose & safety of domestic happiness. I shall...
5458To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to Your Excellency the evening of the 20th by Major Neville. I remained in the neighbourhood of Black Point ’till the afternoon following. The Count had received his expected dispatches from Congress and was to sail, as I mentioned before, the first fair wind. At Brunswick yesterday, Mr Caldwell joined me. He was immediately from the Point and brought intelligence that the fleet got...
5459To George Washington from Louis-Pierre Penot Lombart, Chevalier de La Neuville, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
the reunion of the both armÿ in one depriving me of the place of inspector Général of the northern armÿ, being verÿ Sensible that the good of the service requires that a man onlÿ maÿ have the care of the discipline, I résign mÿ commission as inspector, and will continüe to Serve the allÿ’s of mÿ King as a Volunteer, mÿ rank in france, the Senioritÿ of mÿ Services allowing not me to be...
5460To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I delivered Your Excellencys letter to Governor Trumbull this evening —his deep affliction on account of his sons death seems to incapacitate him for public business—his council is to be convened to morrow and he desires me to assure you that the militia will be collected and marched with the greatest expedition—Pilots he thinks will be found in great abundance at Providence—As there is a...
5461To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
your orders of the 16th reachd me the 19th instant, and agreeable thereto I have Marchd the three Regiments of horse to this place. I have seen your Excellencys instructions to Captain Hopkins, to which I will pay due attention, the English Neighborhood, woud be a good place for the Cavalry, if they are to stay any time on this Side the River, I shall expect further orders from your Excellency...
5462To George Washington from Brigadier General John Stark, 23 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Received your favour of the 18th Instant—some part of the Troops that was Expected here, I fear will be of Little, or no Benefit to me, or any other part of the United States, that is, Colo. Beedles Regiment, about forty of them is now on the Ground, out of one Hundred that was sent for, the Remainder are ordered Positively, to be here by the first of August, but I put no...
5463To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Robert Ballard, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your instructions I waited on Governor Henry, on Monday the 20th Inst., expecting to receive from him an Order for recruiting Money &c., The Governor inform’d me he did not know at that time what to do in the matter, as 10 Gentlemen were already employed for to recruit men to fill up the Virginia Regts, but he woud consult the Council on the Occasion; the result of which, was,...
5464To George Washington from George Clinton, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 23d instt inclosing one to General Schuyler which I immediatly forwarded to him—I am sensible, that however distressing the Situation of our Western Frontier may be, that your Excellency has taken every Method to Afford it Security that is in your Power consistant with the general good of the Service—I wou’d not wish therefore that any Representation of mine...
5465To George Washington from Thomas Johnson, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
24 July 1778 . Encloses a letter that “may occasion a comfortable Supply if not intire Relief to two worthy Men” and requests “that it may be sent the first favourable Opportunity.” ALS , DLC:GW . Neither the enclosure nor the men have been identified.
5466To George Washington from Massachusetts Legislature, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. John Blunt the Bearer hereof who has been a long time in Captivity on Long Island and has suffered much from the Ill treatment of the Enemy, yet nevertheless he is very desireous of continuing in the Service of the United States. And he having Sustained a good Character as an officer as appears by Sundry Brigadiers in the Continental Army, the Council have taken the liberty to recommend...
5467To George Washington from Brigadier General John Nixon, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 22d Instt I marched the Party under my Command (consisting of about 2000 Foot & 200 Cavalry) in the following Order. I detached Genl Parsons with Colo. Wylly’s Meiggs, Hazens & Grahams Regts together with One half the Cavalry under the Command of Lt Colo. Blagdon, to proceed on the East Side the Brunks down to East & West Chester, with Orders to make the best Disposition of his party,...
5468To George Washington from Captain Thomas Posey, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Orders of the 20th Inst. I have Joind Lieut. Colo. Butler at this place where we have Embarkt for Albany. Upon the Rect of your Orders, I sent the Paymaster acting to my Party, to draw there Pay. youl much Oblidge in leting him Know our distanation as the men are in Extream need. I am sir Yr Obt sert ALS , DLC:GW . No orders to Posey of 20 July have been identified, but see...
5469To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having been pleased to order me in the General Orders of 22d Instant to resume my Office of Inspector General & make my Arrangements accordingly, I beg leave to refer you to my letter of 17th June on the subject of the Inspection & to your kind Answer of 18th in which you granted me permission to go to York Town & desired me to lay before Congress such a Plan as would be most...
5470To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had Last Evening the honor of Receiving your Excellencys favor of the 17th Instant & Shall immediately make Every preparation mentioned. I had previous to the Receipt Sent two Expresses Informing your Excy of the Reinforcements Sent by the Enemy to Rhode Island & Inclosed you the Intelligence I had obtained Those Letters must Reach Yr Excy before this. by the Last of which you will find that...
5471To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 18th Instant. The greatest expectations are formed of the most singular and important advantages to the American Cause from the seasonable arrival of the French Squadron, it is to be hoped that the most sanguine will not be disappointed. I immediately communicated that part of your Excellency’s Letter to the Navy Board which respected the rendezvousing the...
5472To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 25 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
inclos’d I have the honor to send you a letter from General Sullivan which I took the liberty to oppen —if the suppos’d expedition against providence has taken place we can not Come up time enough as to prevent it—but I am Rather inclin’d to believe we wi’ll find the ennemy fortifying themselves, and therefore the Sooner we may begin our visit the better it will be. I have found general Varnum...
5473To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 25 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency from Lebanon—the 23d inst.—the day following at 3 oClock in the afternoon I arrived at Providence—as soon as I had delivered Genl Sullivan Your Excellencys dispatches and instructions —I set out for this place with Col. Wall and an ample number of Pilots whom General Sullivan had provided and put under his command—Col. Wall is a man of Character...
5474To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 25 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. Thomas Nelson, Jr., 25 July 1778. On 20 Aug., GW wrote Nelson : “Since writing the foregoing, I have been favoured with your Letter of the 25th Ulto from Baltimore.”
5475To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 25 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recieved a Letter from Majr General Sullivan of the 22nd advising that he expects the Enemy will make a Descent on Providence in a very short time—that they are now 7,000 Strong, and in a day or two will be eleven, requesting aid from this State —Although we are exceedingly exhausted of Men &c.—and this critical moment for securing the Labours of the last and the produce of this year, which...
5476To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 26 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Richard Henry Lee, 26 July 1778. On 10 Aug., GW wrote Lee : “A few days ago I received your favor of the 26th Ulto.”
5477To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 26 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the Command, according to your Excellencys orders, and General Glover is gone on to his Brigade—It may be that this post is in good order—but not in my opinion—I can find but very few that know what they are here for —I expected to have sent your Excellency A perfect State of every department by this Oppty but altho’ I called for returns three days ago I have got none yet but such...
5478To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take this opertunity by Mr Furman to in form Your Excellency of what I know respecting the Enemy. Viz. the night before last a Deserter came in from the Island to Amboy seem’d to be verry intiligent; says, he is shure that the 5th Regt—10th 15th 27th 40th 55th Regts lyeth on Statten Island, besides some of the new Leveys; that the 15th came there the day before he Deserted. There is two...
5479To George Washington from Don Juan de Miralles, 26 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Don Juan de Miralles, c.26 July 1778. On 26 July, Henry Laurens wrote John Laurens: “I send in the Packet with this, four Letters for yourself and sundry for Head Quarters. … There is a Letter in the Packet for his Excellency the General from Don Juan De Miralis” ( Laurens Papers , 14:80–81).
5480To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 26 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a former Letter Sent by Express I acknowledged the Rect of your Excellenceys favor of the 17th Instant which arrived only the Evening of the 22d & Colo. Laurens arrived with your Excys favor of the 22d on the 24th Inst. two of Clock afternoon—This gave me but Little time to prepare I however Endeavoured to improve it in the Best Manner & have the pleasure to Inform your Excy that Every...
5481To George Washington from the Board of War, 27 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to enclose several Resolutions of Congress relative to two Expeditions intended to be undertaken against the Indians. Had our Affairs permitted an earlier Attention to this Business or our Abilities in the Articles of supply enabled us sooner to proceed in it much Distress to the Inhabitants of the Frontiers would have been avoided. But as the principal Armies were our...
5482From George Washington to Captain Bartholomew von Heer, 27 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon receiving this letter you are immediately to repair to camp to the exercise of the duties of your office —There is no useful purpose answered that I know of by your absence, while the advantages of the institution are in a great measure lost to the army. If you have procured cloathing for your corps, it may be directed to be sent on after you. I am Sir your obt hble servt. Df , in James...
5483To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 27 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inform you that we have already Collected a Magazine amply Sufficient for all possible Demands. The French Fleet has not yet arrived the Marquis will be in on the 29 as he writes me and we Shall be in perfect Readiness My numbers I trust will be Sufficient for the purpose if a few more old troops had been Sent on it might have been Better but Even as it is I have not a...
5484To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 28 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the opportunity of an express going from General Sullivan to your Excellency for to let you know how far we are advanc’d and in which situation is the detachement you have intrusted to my Care—I am here with General glover’s brigade, and we have all cross’d the River—I hope we schall be at coventry the 31st of the present—General Varnum and his officers having Represented to me that on...
5485To George Washington from Richard Peters, 28 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Col. Nicola complains that altho’ his Corps might be exceedingly useful in Garrison were he enabled by its Numbers to turn out sufficient Guards yet from the great Inattention of the Officers commanding Regiments or Corps in Camp who repeatedly give Discharges from the Service to Men very capable of Duty in the Invalid Regiment his Number is now very small. I am therefore to request your...
5486To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 28 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 26th I was honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 22d Instant. When I did myself the Honor to write you last I beleived that you might have been informed of the Resolutions of Congress of the 11th Ultimo directing an Expedition to be prosecuted against the Senecas—As you was not advised of it when your Letter was written I take the Liberty to inclose you Copy of the Resolution. But...
5487To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 29 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to inform your Excellency by Mr Lott, that I intended coming with the Cavalry to this neighborhood, on my arrival I reconoitred the country and found a great majority disaffected, and taking every oppertunity of Supplying the enemy, yesterday I Sent a party of 80 horse to Bergen, with orders to drive up what Catle they Coud Collect, from that town, to the point, which they have...
5488To George Washington from Brigadier General John Stark, 29 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
the fourth Pensylvenia Regt and a Detatchm. of the Rifle Corps Arrived here 27th Inst. but in a very deplorable Condition for want of Cloaths—I Inclose you a Return of what is Wanted by them for the present and without which they will not be fit for Scouting which seems to be the duty they were sent for— Nevertheless I shall send them to the Frontiers Immediately to protect the Affrigted...
5489To George Washington from Lund Washington, 29 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Lund Washington, 29 July 1778. On 15 Aug., GW wrote Lund Washington : “Your Letter of the 29th Ulto, Inclosing a line from Captn Marshall to you came to my hands yesterday.”
5490To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 30 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this minute the honor receiving your Excellencys favour of 27th Inst. Colonel Hartleys Regt was ordered by Congress from this City the 14th Inst. to the Frontiers of this State, except a Party of Sixty Men who, Guarded a Number Prisoners to Elizabeth Town, & were afterwards Ordered to East Town—Inclosed is a return of the Troops in Town who are barely sufficient to do the Garrison Duty,...