1To George Washington from William Maxwell, 28 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
After my most harty Congratulations to Your Excellency on Your last glorious Campaign; which with the others will be cause of rejoicing to America to the latest times. I must beg leave to remind You that in the latter end of Septr 1780, while You lay with Your Army near Dobses ferry, I presented a small account of my disbursements while commanding on the Lines in the Year 1777 & 1778 which You...
2To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty to write to Your Excellency on the 20th Inst. stating certain circumstances respecting my self and requesting my resignation through you from Congress, but upon the most mature consideration, I am persuaded the measure was premature as by it I eventually subscribe to the Justice of the allegations of my accusers—I therefore entreat that if Your Excellency has not forwarded...
3To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to trouble Your Excellency on a subject in which I request Your aid. I am sory to inform You, that contrary to my expectations I have not found my command in the Jersey Brigade for some time past, so agreeable as I could wish. I would remind Your Excellency that nothing but the most pure and disinterested principals, induced me to enter the service, and I trust I have so far Your...
4To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
To lay a few observations before Your Excellency Viz. I earley enterd the Service of my Country in the present dispute with the King of Great Britain upon such princeples as I am confident will bear the strictest scrutiny and have exerted my self to promote it’s interest to the utmost of my abilities which I hope was not without some good effect; however I find at length that my command is...
5To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to Your Excellency on friday, informing that I arived at this place on thursday last, which day the Engineer was to have been here, to begin the works; otherwise I should not have left my old station so soon; as he is not come according to promise, and I have had no reason asigned me why he did not come I am at a loss what to think of the Matter. As the Engineer only sett one stake at...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency concerning Jones and the Negro, I consulted two Lawyers and some Magistrates, they say, that there is a Law of the State that their crimes will come under, as a misdemsnor but will not afect their lives. Jones is a young lad, of about 21 Years of age, has the carracter of being very innofensive, and rather soft before this spring; that he has gone over 4 or 5...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency that a party of the British came from Statten Island last nigh[t], in boats and escorted by some gun boats to cover their landing, and embarking if necessary; they landed near New Ark about break of day, but made no surprise on the Troops; they came into the Town between break of day and sunrise, it is supposed they had from 200 to 270 Men and one Field piece....
8To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of the 15th Inst. I recd by Capt. Rochefontain I have carefully noted the contents and recollect what passed at the private interview I had with Your Excellency before I marched; we took a little view of the places most eligible to encamp on and fortify last nigh[t], but to day we made a more thorough survey and find no place to make temporary fortification on without...
9To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Troops of my Brigad arived here yesterday Coll Dayton with his Regiment has taken the command of Elizth Town and it’s Vicinity The remaindr of the Brigade after furnishing the guard at Raway, Woodbridge, and New Ark will remain here till I have Your Excellencys Instructions. I had the pleasure Yesterday in the afternoon to go in company with Lord Stirling & the Field Officers to Elizth...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have carefully considered the Propositions made yesterday by Your Excellency, to the Council of General Officers; and am clearly of opinion that no Troops should be sent from this Armey (in its present condition) to the support of Charles Town; for two reasons 1st. If we should spare a number of Troops for that purpose they would arive there too late to answer the end proposed; 2dly. Should...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 13 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favour of the 9th I received the 10th in the evening and have given the necessary orders about the provisions to my Brigade and the Light-horse. The State regiment and Militia, I suppose, you have given orders to, if you thought it necessary, as I have no right to consider them under mine. The other part of your letter, I shall carefully observe should the enemy make any...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 1st Inst. I received this morning on this side of Pumpton, where my Brigade quartered last night. I am extreamly sorry if my march on the upper road should any way disconcert Your measures, Yet I am in good hopes that on Your finding how soon the Troops are arived at Suffrans they will in no way stop any of Your operations. Since the Armey Marched from Easton all Your...
13To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 30 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 30 Oct. 1779 . GW wrote Maxwell on 1 Nov. : “I was yesterday favd with yours of the 30th.”
14To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been at New Ark to day and on my return finds that General Thomp⟨son⟩, Watterberry is arived, with some others; I have not seen them yet. The two Commissarys of Prisoners is also arived and waits for Coll Beaty I send this by way of Basking Ridge, at their request, to inform Mr Boudenot of their arival I have no news but what is inclosed in the Papers. Coll Nealson is here and informs...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency that the first Regt set off Yesterday in high spirits about 8 o’clock, they would have gone the day before but the Paymaster had not finished paying them till evening. Agreeable to lots drawn on the receipt of Your order for one Regt to March, it falls to the 3d to march next, shall the Artillery go with them, and what is to become of Furmans...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive Your Excellencys Favour of Yesterday and the day before with all the inclosures which I shall carefully note: The first was my principal object; and which I have laid before the Officers agreeable to Your Excellencys Orders. They received it with the greatest attention and concern, well knowing how much it must affect Your Excellency; however they may detest the...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 6 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to your Excellency yesterday I found some difficulty in geting the Tents &ca. I have now wrote to General Green giving him a full account of our sittuation and beg’d that he would wait on your Excellency and know what part of our movements and destination you thought proper to communicate to him; that when I received any future Orders from you to move the whole, or any part of...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 6 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you this morning I am Just informed by Coll Ogden that the Officers of the first Regiment have delivered him a Remonstrance to our Legislature with their Commissions, informing them, that if they have not some immediate redress with respect to their pay and support, they will look on themselves as out of the service at the expiration of three days. They will however put the Regt...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of yesterday I recd last night and has informed the first Regt they are to march, or be prepared for it, agreeable to Your directions. We have not got our Portmanteaus yet, nor Waggons; our tents are not taken out of the Store at Morris Town for want of Waggons. Our Brigade Quarter Master is gone to Head Quarters to get some necessarys; however with your asistance I...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose to your Excellency a late New york paper informing us of a Packet having arived there from England last thursday. I have information that I think may be depended on, that four Regts was Embarked on board Vesel about three days ago, and it was thought verry probable more would embark in a day or two but no certainty of it. It is thought they were designed for...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take this opertunity by Coll Palfry to Inform Your Excellency, that the Soldier of the 2d Regt was executed yesterday at New Ark agreeable to Your Orders. all the three was carryed to the place of execution with their Coffins &ca and was not pardon’d till after the others was thrown off, they were much afected as well as the Spectaters; I hope it will have a good efect. Mr McWhortry...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose Your Excellency Yesterdays New York Paper giving an account of the Packet’s arival. I likewise inclose you a note I got with the Paper last nigh[t]. The person who deliverd my man the papers, last night says that the Flat bottom’d Boats went down to the Hook the day the note was wrote. Some emajins they are for Munmoth others for Egg Harbour I think it must be...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
This will accompany to Your Excellency, the proceedings of the Court Martial held at New Ark with a recommendation in favour of Curry, as to the other two I do not find they can recommend one in preferance to the other: I have likewise sent You two or thre Depositions taken before the Court concerning the behaviour of some of the Inhabitants there. I have likewise sent You some good News from...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with Your Excellencys of the 22d in due time, and will carefully note the contents. We have sent to Morris Town for the Portmanteaus, Haversacks Canteens and Tents, the lat[t]er is to be stored there till further Orders. There is but one Continental Waggon with the Brigade either with Commissary or any other. We have got some very bad salt Beef, sent here yesterday, great part...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had intiligence Yesterday evening & that by two ways Viz. New Ark and Statten Island, by which Accounts the Enemy seems to be in much commotion at both places more especialy the later, I expect to have the whole of it to morrow night if I do not get it sooner. What I heard is that there is a large number of Transports gone of[f] some out of the Hook; and some up the Sound supposed to be for...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
since I wrote Your Excellency this morning, I have further intiligence, that I think may be depended on; that seven of the nine Regts I mentioned, are alrrady embarked with all their Baggage; the two others is expected to embark immediately. The Transports lyeth in the North River. Query whether they may not have intensions of pushing up the North River. A further circumstance worthy of...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with Your Excelleny of the 18th with papers Orders &ca and the Instructions in Your Letter I shall carefully note. I inclose You a bundle of letters for Mr Rutherford one of which from his Brother I think worthey Your perusal. When You have looked over it; I shall be much obliged to You to put a Seal on it and Deliver it to General Sinclear. I am Your Excellencys Most Obedient...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am sory to inform Your Excellency that the night before last 6 soldiers of the 2d Jersey Regt made their escape from New Ark to the Enemy, they were followed very close by way of the cedar Swam[p], and fired on by our party as they were crossing Hackensack; but was a little too late. There was 12 or 13 of them all Sworn to secrecy, they were to have surprised the Guard at New ark Ferry and...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour, of the 12th Inst. and the News papers from Mr McHenery came safe to hand. Mr Woolfen says that a Corporal and 4 men will be sufficient to relieve those he would wish to send back to Camp, but he begs they may be what he calls safe hands, Americans. If those could be safe Hands got it might be as well to relieve the whole of them, except a Jerman Sergt that he has; and...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of writing to Your Excellency yesterday I have had some intiligence cannot yet pronounce it certain Viz: that about 200 men from long Island had landed on Statten Island last friday, and that a company of Artillery men with some Field pieces was to be on the Island today. Some day last week they had laid a plan to go up the River as far as Fort Lee or further with...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 11 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to Your Excellency two of the latest papers I have from New York I have no other news from there than what they contain which is not much. I am informed, that the Officer of the light Dragoons stationed here Mr De Wolfen is to be relieved to morrow by another Officer of the same Corps from Camp. Oour Field officer of the day, recommends him to me as a verry attentive Officer and begs...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of yesterday came safe to hand. I have been at New ark and find that the Officer who was taken with his party had been informed that some traiders from this side was gone to Bergan, on which information he increased his Guard by Volunteers, and continued in the Bay till day light, and then landed, and was way laid. We shall not be able to get the whole truth before the...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with Your Excellencys of the 4th Inst. with Sir Henry Clintons l[ette]r and one for the Commissioners, accompanying it. The two latter I sent off yesterday morning, but the Commissoners was not then arived on the Island. This accompanys a Letter from Sir Henry Clinton to your Excellency. I have got more fair promises about the boots, but I am informed that a little Rum to the...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have now inclosed to Your Excellency Yesterdays New York paper. There has been much firing to day by the Shiping in the narrows supposed to be discharging the old loaded Canon of the Fleet, lately come in. Admiral Gambier’s own ship is come into the narrows. I believe there is not the least doubt, that the whole of the Vessels, and Troops, on the Expedition to the Eastward, is returned...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 31 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Pleasure to Receive Your Excellency favour of the 28th Inst. on the 29th. The French Commissary of Prisoners has sent me notice that he will not require the Provisions to be sent to New York. I have observed Coll Shrieves complaint and am well satisfyed that it is verry ill-founded. We have all along guarded New Ark by detachment, till some time in this winter when the wood for fuel...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency that I have last night received intiligence from New york that may be chiefly depended on. Viz. that yesterday and the day before about 28 Sail came into the Hook Mostly Transports from England, at same time landed at New york a Hessian Coll with between 3 & 400 English Troops, last from Hallifax. Governor [General] Clinton is returned to New york...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have got a large asortment of papers from New York so late down as Thursday. The Enemy is pluming themselves much upon a Victory obtained over our Troops in Georgia on the 4th March. Notwithstanding I have my fears about the Matter I hope the information may prove to be false, the acct is not sufficiently authenticated in my opi⟨nion⟩ from any of their Officers. Should our Troops suffer...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency Favour of Yesterday with the Commissions for the Brigade I recd. I have noted the contents of the letter and will send you my observations on what you have requested; as soon as I can. There is a French Man sent to New York by the Imbassdor in the Carractor of a Commissary of Prisoners, to effect an exchange for the French Prisoners; he is also authorised by the Board of War,...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
There is not the least doubt that Admiral Gambier with nearly all his force is sailed out of the Hook for Rhode Island; and General Clinton with all the Transports and Privateers is gone up the Sound. I cannot find they have taken any Troops from N. York or Statten Island but they are to take off some from the East end of Long Island—It’s thought there design is to the East ward of Rhode...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of the 15th Inst. did not arive before 11 oclock to day. I have had Accounts to day by a person from New York that Admiral Gambier Sailed out of the Hook the latter end of the week for Rhode Island; and on saturday last 13 Transports with a good number of small craft besides sailed up the sound it is supposed that there is 3000 Troops on the East end of Long Island and...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to transmit to Your Excellency one of the latest papers from New York. I have had an account from Statten Island of several Letters being received there from Georgia mentioning many of the new Corps being kill there in a late Engagement: but I could not find that any of our friends saw the letters. They mention further that they were all lying close by their Shiping and...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 10 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to Your Excellency the New York paper of Yesterday. I have intiligence that a returning Cork Fleet of 17 Sail is to sail for Cork this day or to-morrow, they fell down yesterday—and there has been scattering Cannon heard ever since. I have further that Admiral Gambier is to Sail to morrow, or next day, on pr[e]tence of paying a visit to New Port; but in reallity it is believed to New...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of yesterday I recd. The men that returned from the Indian country I was informed lives in Sussex County, I do not know their names. I had the account from a Mr Meeker Major of Milita living not far from the Court House. I ask pardon for not mentioning the Boots befor; on the rect of your former letter I spoke to the man about them, and he informed me that it was the...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2–3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency that I went to New Ark yesterday it being the begining of their Court and I thought likely for intiligences. The first acct I had was a report that some of the Enemy had been fortyfying themselves for several days past at Hobuck or there abouts I was afterward informed by what I thought good authority that the Enemy had made a shew up the River side some days...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 28 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 1 March : “I am favd with yours of the 27th and 28th ulto containing a more particular account of the enemy’s late attempt upon your post.”
46To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, which was writen imediately, after the affair of the day before yesterday, I have collected the following particulars—The party which attempted to surprise this post was Commanded by Colo. Sterling of the 42nd Regt & composed of the following Corps—to wit—the 42d & 33d regts—a party of Welch Fuzeliers, together with a full company of Light Infantry of the 2d Battalion of...
47To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy attempted a surprise this morning—They disembarked about three O’clock, at which time, Colonel Ogden, officer of the day, obtained information, and conveyed it to me. Their landing was made on our left; as it appeared the most unsuspected part, being a very difficult marsh. Not knowing their design or numbers, after assembling the troops, I marched them to the rear of the town, that...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 23 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 24 Feb. : “I recd your favr of yesterday with several News papers inclosed.”
49To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 19 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 20 Feb. : “I have your favr of yesterday accompanied by four New York papers.”
50To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 15 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 16 Feb. : “I have received your favour of yesterday.”