31To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 16 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Last night I was honored with your Excellencys favor of the 9th instant; And am extreamly Sorrey, that the State of the General officers is Such, as to be distressing to you and injurious to the Service. It is very painful to me, to be in any degree the Cause of either; And it would give me great pleasure to have it in my Power to remove it. Since I have had the Honor of Serving under your...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To 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,...
35To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 6 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Sufferings of this Garrison last Winter, the present State of the Post and the advanced Season, constrain me to trouble your Excellency with this Address. The Supplies of Forage in this Vicinity are in the best Seasons, but small, compared to other Parts of the Country. And the most of the Inhabitants South and West of Crumpond, were deprived of an Opportunity of mowing their Hay, by the...
36To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency General Washington informed the Council of General offic⟨ers,⟩ Convened at His Quarters last evening, that from the best intelligence he could get of the Strength of the Enemy in and about New York and its dependencies, it amounted to about Twelve thousand men, exclusive of Horse and Artillery. That the Rank & file of the Army, under His immediate command was Ten thousand,...
37To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 18 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
There is no Horse Harness at New-Windsor or Newburgh; what were at Fish-Kill I fear is sent off with the Quarter-Masters Stores. They are however sent for, but I am informed those for Waggons, will not suit to draw Artillery. If the Enemy reinforce Verplanks point, General Howes Cannon will be in great danger of being lost, as they are placed near the Old-Ferry; and the Enemy in that Case can...
38To 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...
39To 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,...
40To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Early in the Spring, when it was apprehend; a Scarcity of flour would take place; the Ration of a pound and a Quarter (published at the Plains) Reduced to one Pound; and ordered half a Gill of Rice to those who should be on fatigue. And a Quarter of a Pound Salted beef to all as a Compensation for the flour stopt. The Rice is now expended; and the fatigue men Complain of the insufficiency of...
41To 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...
42To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 23 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 23 June 1779. GW wrote McDougall on this day, 9:45 P.M. : “Half an hour ago I received your Note at eight P.M. ”
43To 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.
44To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 19 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 19 June 1779. GW wrote McDougall on 25 June: “In answer to your Letter of the 19th.”
45To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have considered the Subject on which you were pleased to ask my opinion. It is indeed a very Complex one. The movements of the Enemy may be So various, that its imposible to provide against them. The Post he has now taken is So near West Point, that while we consider it as a first object, we cannot with Safety move from it should the Enemy make excurtions East or West, unless we should be...
46To 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...
47To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy having as I have informed your Excellency landed at Tallar’s Point on the 31st Ultimo; the Troops under my Command took a Position in the Highlands with their Van at the Village. The principal Stores being removed from thence and the Enemy having my Flanks open on the North River, on which he could move undiscovered at Night, I judged it expedient to retire to this Place to keep open...
48To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 3 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 3 June. GW wrote Brig. Gen. Henry Knox on 4 June: “By a letter this moment arrived from General McDougall dated two OClock yesterday.”
49To 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...
50To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with your Excellenies Letter of Yesterday. The Enemies remain, where they debarked yesterday, from Tallars point towards Kings-Ferry. The wind is unfavorable to day for him to Sail up the River. He has opened Batteries on the west side of Kings Ferry, against our work but without effect. The Brigades mentioned to you in a former Letter are at west Point, Pattens &...
51To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just Time to inform your Excellency, that last Evening the Enemy had about forty Sail of Vessels at Phillips’s, His Troops encamped from the North River to Mile square; and the Intelligence adds, that from the Position of the Transports, it appear’d they were embarking Troops. I have the Honor to be your Excellency’s very humble servant LS , DLC:GW ; ADf , NHi : McDougall Papers. For...
52To 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...
53To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 29 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received the inclosed Intelligence. The Enemy’s march to the plains is very probable, but have had no advice of the appearance of the Enemy on the River. I have written for General parsons Brigade, to march here with all possible dispatch, and notified Governor Trumbull of the intended movement of the Enemy, and Suggested the propriety of holding the Western Militia in...
54To 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...
55To 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...
56To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 18 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The pretentions of the Field Officers and Captains of the Bay-Line, were omitted to be inclosed in mine of the 14th instant; which I now beg leave to inclose. The Enemy are making frequent excursions at Closter near Tappan. The Troops at Paramus and Kings Ferry, are too remote to give succour in time. The Inhabitants call upon Me for aid, but before it can be sent, on such events, the mischief...
57To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 14 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Subject of this Address, will be confined to the Bay Line. On Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter, on that Head, I furnish’d a Copy of it to the commanding Officers of Brigades—The Committee of Field Officers from each, were instructed to report on the different Matters contained in the Columns of the Inclosure No. 1. in order to give a clear view of the Rights and Pretensions of all, the...
58To 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...
59To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 8 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s Favor, of the 6th Instant, in due time. General Huntingtons Brigade arrived at Crompond the same Day. I conclude General Parsons has informed you the reason of his not sending on the other. Colo. Cilley’s Regiment, was to have marched to Day; but the Wind blowing hard down the River, and no Teams to be had, to remove even the little Baggage they carry prevented it....
60To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is happy for the Army and America, that no more of the former, was destined to Quarter on this Side Hudsons. If it had, the greatest distress to the Army, wou’d certainly have been the cons[e]quence. For there were not sufficient means here, to support Man or Horse. When I first vissited Fish-Kill, I found Three hundred Head of Cattle, of different kinds, which had been eating their Mangers...