1To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letters will inform you of what is passing with The Enemy. A movement will soon take place. Nixon and Parsons Brigades are on the Positions you were pleased to assign them. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency Hble Servant. ADf , NHi : McDougall Papers. These enclosures have not been identified. See GW to McDougall, 19 June.
2To George Washington from Colonel Alexander McDougall, 20 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was this moment honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 13th Instant; on the Subject of Cannon and shells. I should long ere now have forwarded the latter, agreeable to Colonel Knox’s memorandum, if I had not been interdicted by a former favor. you may rest assured that all Posible dispatch will be given to expedite the shells; but as the men of warr’s boats often Row gard to where the...
3To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 26 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Necessity only can apoligize for this address, which I know will be as painfull to your Excellency, as it is mortifying to me. But the attention you have paid my private concerns, when they did not interfere with the public service, has induced me to hope this will not give you offence. The non payment of my wages, since I have been a General Officer, (except a very trivial sum) together with...
4To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 22 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was happy to find that your favor to Col. Vose directed him to Stay in this State. But I am extreamly Chagrined, that the object of that order is not likely to be Effected. This State is totally deranged, without Government, or officers civil or military in it that will act with any Spirit. Many of them have gone to the Enemy for Protection, others are out of the State, and the few that...
5To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 13 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored in due time, with your Excellencys favor of the 8th Instant. Before the receipt of this, Colo. Cilleys Regiment embarked for New-Windsor, and was from thence, to take the Route of Sussex Court House, which I was informed, is the shortest distance to East-Town. I have not the most distant Idea, of General Clintons sailing, in the Fleet you mention. However, a few Days will...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 16 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your favor of the 9th Instant, covering an open Letter to General James Clinton. I thank God I am so far recovered, as to be able to do my duty, which I ascribe to some indulgence I have had in these Quarters. The time of the Troops, who now Garrison Fort Montgomery will expire the first of March, They must therefore be relieved by some of the Militia in the Pay of the...
7To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 16 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellencys favor of the 13th instant in answer to mine of the 6th. I had no design to convey an Idea in that Letter that a releif from the Command of this Post and its dependencies would be agreeable to me; as I have made it an invariable rule Since I entered the Service to do the duty assigned me, without a murmur or expresing a desire of preferring any other,...
8To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 24 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
Major Villefranch of the Corps of Engineers, has served a considerable time under my orders, and inspection, and I can with great trust assure your Excellency, he is an intelligent excellent careful Officer, particularly so, of the public stores. From the General and particular observations I have made on his conduct, in the time of service he is in; I think him an acquisition to the Country;...
9To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 9 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with extreme Reluctance, I trouble your Excellency with Applications on the Subject of my Arrest: But I am perswaded whatever is armed with propriety, will, from your known sense of Justice be granted. Under this Impression, I beg your Excellency to order me a certified copy of the Minutes of the Council of war held at my Quarters at Mrs McGowans, on the 12th of September 1776 . This...
10To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 26 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency favor of yesterday. The arrangement of the Massachusets line made by the Committee of officers was transmitted from Pecks-Kill some time ago—with remarks—and the objections to it by those who considered themselves injured. Least it should have miscarried, I inclose the only copy I have left; also Such of the sentence of death as I have in my Posesion. The...
11To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 4 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
My last address to your Excellency was of the 25th Ultimo by the Stated express’s. I have not been favored with any of yours Since the 16th of december. The works at Kings-Ferry, will be ready for the Cannon and Compleat to receive the Troops, long before those can now be transported from the Eastward. west Point can very ill, Spare any heavy for the Ferry. Col. woods regt having finished...
12To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 1st was handed to me last Night from Fish Kill. Agreeable to your request I inclose you a return of the Corps at these posts of the 27th Ultimo. It is far from being correct; but it is the best I can obtain. Col. Greatons and Aldens regiments are not yet ordered down from Albany; as the Stores there were exposed to a Coup de main of the Enemy, Till the River was...
13To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Teams of General Nixons Brigade are all Sent off, at Some distance, for want of Forage, which will render it impracticable, to move the Brigade or Transport Provission to it. I have therefore directed him to Send out, a Field officers command of 150 men, with four days Provission, which will come up to the Idea your Excellency last mentioned to me, on that Subject. These can be releived,...
14To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yestarday Evening, I was honored with your Favor of the 3rd Instant. The Enemy is on Verplank’s Point, without Tents or Marquees, and their Shipping are all at the Ferry —It is doubtfull whether he has brought up any apparatus for a Seige—If he has not, he is waiting for it—A Deserter who came in last Night, says General Knyphausen is on the west side of the Ferry with Troops, and that some...
15To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
yesterday at one P.M. the Enemies Vessells in great numbers as per margin came up as far Haverstraw Bay, and Landed about 15,00 men at Tallars point. The Van of his Vessells is near the Ferry—Two prisoners taken last night agree in the account that the Enemies detachment had returned from Virginia, and did not land at Newyork, and compose apart of their Army now on the River. The Block-House...
16To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 23 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I came last to these posts, I have generally been under no apprehension, of an attack from the Enemy. The reasons which induced me to be of this opinion, were that the Enemy had no object beyond them, equal to the risque of the enterprise. And he cou’d not hope, to carry the Works before the Grand-Army and the Troops in Connecticut wou’d arrive to succour the Posts. But as this Conduct...
17To 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...
18To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 25 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was this Day honored with your Excellencys favors of the 23d and 24th instant. All the New Hampshire Troops that marched, were ordered to be supplied with two pair of Over Halls. I shall however write the Deputy Cloathier to furnish a particular return of the several Articles furnished each, of those Corps, and transmit it. Orders were also given to send on to East Town the several Articles...
19To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 28 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency may remember, that I gave you early information in the Winter of 1779 , when I commanded the Department on Hudsons river, that matters were in a promising train to obtain good intelligence from the Enemy through Captain Hunter . Your Excellency on that representation approved of my sending him with a Flag in order to obtain intelligence : In the course of that visit to New...
20To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favor of this Day is this Moment received. Colonel Hamiltons of equal date, reached Me at 3 P.M. Only Eight of the Boats written for, can be procured and are now ready. It is imposible at this post, to furnish the Horse Harness desired; for few of the Artillery brought here are accompanied with Horse Harness. I have however directed the Quarter-Master to write immediately to...
21To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 24 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
From present appearances, It will be impracticable to get Provission into this Garrison before the River closes to Supply three Brigades during the uncertain season of the Navigation: or to get materials to Build Barracks to cover them & the Artillery and Artificers. One or two of those Brigades must Hutt, at near three miles distance from the Point. The Comy informed me the Supplies of flour...
22To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 9 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 7th instant from Paramus. Sir Harry Clinton was informed there were fifteen Hundred Barrels of Provission at Kings Ferry. The object of it is expected. His expedition as you conjectured was founded on false information. He secured a litle Broken Fish, which was all the acquisition of his enterprise to the Kings Ferry. The detachment of his, that marched out to...
23To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 3 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to address you a few days since by General Knox; in which I informed your Excellency of the deranged State of this department. Since that I have received your favors of the 25th and 27th ultimo. The necessary orders are given at the Ferries, to the drivers of Catle and Stores for the Grand Army, to Cross the Deleware at East Town. And your orders respecting the recruits of the...
24To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 30 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Altho I am extremely averse, to detaching men from their Corps; yet I cannot help expressing a Wish, to detain the Masons of General Poor’s Brigade, if I have your Orders for it. It is next to impossible, to get a sufficient Number of them, on any Terms, and they are much wanted to compleat the Works at West Point—The whole Number in it, is under Ten—The Place is a central Position, for them;...
25To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 3 August 1781 to 6 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Last Monday an Officer of the Corps of Invalids from Boston, came to this Post for orders, expecting they would reach Fish Kill the next day. He was ordered to releive the Guard at that place, as their Number is competent for it: But as I have not heard from the Officer commanding, I conclude they have not arrived. Last night those from Philadelphia arrived here, they are in a truly wretched...
26To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 30 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was this Morning honored with your Favor, of the 28th Instant. Since mine to you last Night, I have received the inclos’d Intelligence—which corresponds with what the Deserter gave us last Night. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s humble Servant LS , DLC:GW . The enclosed copy of a letter from Richard Hatfield to McDougall, dated at midnight on 29 May at South Salem, N.Y., reads: “I...
27To George Washington from Alexander McDougall, 6 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was honored this Evening, with your Excellency’s Favor from Newburgh, without date; in which, your Excellency is pleased to say, you have it in your power to place a Division of the Troops in the Cantonment, under my Orders; desiring to be informed, whether my State of Health will enable me to accept that Command, or not: And that the Situation of the service will, in Case my health requires...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 30 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you yesterday by the express rider, and Sent you inclosures of all the intelligence I was poss[ess]ed of relative to the Enemies expedition to Danburry. The inclosd was one of those dispatches which induced me to move to Bedford but was mislaid when I wrote you last. Captain Suel’s detachment of Artillery is Just at Hand; but to my great mortification find the most of them have not had...
29To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to your Excellency for the discretionary permission given to me in your favor of the 17th, to attempt a Cure of my Complaint. Upon considering the matter I find it will be most advancive of my design to be freed from Command; as I can pursue the experiment without interruption which is Necessary to its produ[c]ing the desired effect. some circumstances beside those I...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Rheumatism and other disorders detained me at Haverstraw and seperated me from my Brigade. Eight days since I found myself much better; and followed General Lee’s divission to Morris Town; where I arrived the day after he was unfortunately taken. This Catastrophy determined me by the advice of Friends not to proceed unless I had a Guard. The three Regiments from the Northward under Colonel...