1To George Washington from Colonels Jedediah Huntington, Samuel Wyllys, and Samuel Holden Parsons, 16 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Recommend Stephen Keyes “A Young Gentleman from Connecticutt . . . as a person of Education, Genius, & Spirit, & capable of doing honour to any Regt in which yr Excelly Should see fit to appoint him a Lieut.” LS , DLC:GW . This undated letter was apparently written about the same time as was Joseph Spencer’s letter to GW of 16 Dec. recommending Keyes. For background on this letter, see Keyes...
2To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 14 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Part of my Brigade which were Present & Able to march have cros’d the River according to your Excellency’s Order receiv’d Yesterday. The Number which have march’d I cannot inform with certainty as more Attention has been paid to forwarding them to your Excellency’s Aid, than to a particular Return of Numbers; however I think they will not be far from 1000, about 200 More of the Brigade...
3To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It is now five Days since I have first walked from my Bed to the I have moved as fair as I have any Right to expect since that continues very weak. I hope the Day to go abroad; and when I gain Strength sufficient hope a Journey will restore my Strength as well as Health; I am at present unable to attend to the Business you committed to my Charge; Captain Walker will take charge of those...
4To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 Aug. 1779. On 1 Aug., GW wrote Parsons: “I return you my thanks for the intelligence contained in your letter of this date.”
5To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letters of the 12th, 17th & 19th Inst. I have in Consequence of your Directions to Put this Division of the Troops in Perfect Readiness to march by the 10th of May next, orderd the Detachments made from the Division to New London and other Places remote from Camp to join the Division immediately and hope Nothing will prevent the Troops being ready to march...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I hope to be able to send to your Excellency’s Assistance One Regiment of continental Troops by the last of next Week. These will be Detachments from all the Regiments raisd in this State; I can send nearly this Number as soon as a Field Officer’s Command as that cannot march ’till the present Class are out from the Hospitals. Colo. Livingston informs me your Excellency’s Orders to him to make...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 19 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Friends of Capt. Wells of Glassenbury in the State of Connectt have applied to me to procure Him exchangd & releasd from his Imprisonment; As tis not a Matter I am impowerd to transact I have referd them to your Excellency Capt. Wells’s Case is perhaps as distressing as that of any Prisoner, A Numerous Young Family, his Wife an Invalid; his Parents very aged these are the Persons who...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 23d Ulo I recd your Excellency’s Letters of the 8th 10th & 18th of Feby; before I recd those Letters I had establishd Hospitals in several Parts of this State for innoculating the Recruits; most of those who had not the Small Pox before are now in the Hospitals: some will come out in about ten Days. I shall pay a particular Attention to your Excellency’s Orders to send on...
9To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Pursuant to Your Excellency’s Direction I have directed the Commanding Officers of the Companies under my Command to Ascertain the Number of Officers & Soldiers in their respective Companies who are willing to extend the Term of their Inlistment to the first Day of Jany next: by their Returns I find there are Two Hundred & Twenty Noncommissiond Officers & Soldiers who are willing to Serve till...
10To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 14 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your Excellencys directions I have to this time been pursuing the objects of the Enqury you have ordered: but have not been able to make the Discoveries wished for with a sufficient degree of precision, to make any attempt to secure the Persons concernd. I believe it is certain that an Association is formd to submit to British Government, on the terms of the last...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a Variety of Accounts from New York the Enemy design a Speedy Mov’ment from thence about Thirty Transports are ballast, Cannon taken on Board & Troops marchd from Kings Bridge to the City last Sunday where their Destination is I cannot conjecture from the Informat⟨ion⟩ I have recd, I hope not Up th⟨is Rive⟩r until our Defence is more perfect; I this Moment hear the Fleet Saild the Day...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colonel Gray waits upon your Excellency for your Directions concerning a Quantity of Goods in his Hands, seis’d last Winter from One Scudder who had Plunderd them from the Inhabitants of Long Island, the particulars of which you was made acquainted with and approv’d of Col. Gray’s Conduct in the Affair. agreable to your Directions the Admiralty Court in Connecticutt tried the Justice of...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 1 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Assembly of this State were delay’d by the severe weather near a Fortnight, and since they have conven’d have not taken up the Subject of recruiting the Army; I have applied to the Governor as well as the Gentlemen of the Assembly on the Subject, and am inform’d that neither your Excellency or Congress have made any Requisition to this State for that Purpose. I am induc’d to beleive the...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am inform’d that forty Sail of Transports fell down to the Narrows last Fryday said to be a fleet for England, no Troops on Board, but Transports with Troops have been faling down every Day since; Genl Clinton’s & Ld Cornwalli⟨s’s⟩ Baggage I am informd (so that I think it cannot be doubted) Are imbarkd—Yesterday a Conversation was had among their Officers on whom the Command would devolve on...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In Answer to your Question by Cpt. Christie of 3d Pensylvania Regt I have deliver’d him a general Information of the State of this Garrison which will be explaind by the Proper Key The Garrison is in high Spirits and are very desirous to receive the Enemys Attack. I cannot promise the Post will be defended, but I am certain every Exertion will be made by the Troops to secure the Possession of...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency’s Letter of the 13th I receivd this Morning and shall pay a particular Attention to procure an exact detail of the Mischiefs done by the Enemy at the different Places both on the Persons & Property of the Inhabitants, the Movments of the Enemy and the apparent Prospects of a speedy Descent upon Stamford has hitherto so far ingagd my Attention as to prevent my paying that...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
If I should remain silent on the Subject of General Smallwoods Promotion, my Conduct would receive Constructions very different from the real Motives; I therefore feel myself under a Necessity of troubling your Excellency on the Subject. I do most sincerely acquiesce in the Promotion of that Officer, the strong existing Necessity at the Time as well as his own distinguishd Merit in saving our...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Letters of the 6th 12th 20th & 29th of March. The first Detachment of the Troops from this State will march from Danbury on Tuesday Morning, under the Command of Lt Colo. Butler of Wyllys’s Regt, Nothing has been or shall be wanting on my Part to forward to Camp every Person who is able to March, from my Soul I ardently wish & desire your Excellency may receive every necessary...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last Week on my return from this Place to Camp; but on receiving Inteligence of the Enemy’s moving toward this Place have returnd. the Commander in Chief of the Enemy’s Forces is said to be at Southampton, a Fleet of Thirty Sail of Ships and other Vessels have arrivd at Sagg Harbour through the Sound. Thirty Ships have arrivd Yesterday at Newport; a Fleet of Twenty five Vessels left...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not been much Us’d to ask Favors of your Excellency nor do I wish in any Instance to be gratified where the Public Service will be injurd by it. As I have had much Trouble in raising & forming the Regiments in this State, I should esteem it a particular Favor if I could be indulged in having the first Regiment, Col. Wyllys’s, Col. Bradly’s & Col. Saml Webb’s arrangd in the Brigade I am...
21To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Instances of Firmaness in the Connectt Line exhibited amongst the Privates since I had the Honor of seeing you fully convinces me of the Justice of my Observation Yesterday on that Subject and I beleive the same Spirit pervades the whole of the Line. In two Instances Application was made this Morning for furloughs by Privates who had been three years absent the Men were informd that the...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a Report of the Number of Houses Stores &c. burnt at Norwalk the 11th Inst. the Enemy were so necessarily attentive to their own Safety whilst they remaind in Town and retird with so much Precipitation when they began their Retreat, as left them no Time to perpetrate those Acts of Cruelty & Brutal Savageness they were guilty of in other Places. they had however Opportunity to...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 24 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am inform’d that the Fleet which had fallen down to the Hook Saild Yesterday at 2 o’Clock P.M. and consisted of near 100 sail under Convoy of 1 Ship of 74 Guns & 1 of 40 Guns & one of 36 Guns bound to Europe, No Troops on Board —The Fleet with Troops are still at the Watering Place ’tis expected this Fleet will fall down to the Hook about the forepart of next Week —The Horse on Staten...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receivd your Excellency’s Letter’s of the 25th & 29th of May, Yr Excellency’s Approbation of the Expedition to Long Island affords me particular Satisfaction, I hope it will ever be my highest Ambition to promote the best good of my Country—at the Time Genll McDougall made his last Return twas true but about 330 Men were at Peeks-kill from Connecticut; yet it could not be considered as a...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 24 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I did not call at Westpoint on my Way to this place as I thought it of Importance to be with the assembly before the End of their Session; in which I was disappointed the Session being over. I immediately waited on the Governor and Council: and find the assembly have order’d One Thousand five Hundred Men for the Continental Army and apportion’d this Number to the Towns; Two Thousand five...
26To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d yesterday with your Letter of the 30h of April & shall as soon as possible send the Men you direct. I find an Uneasiness arises among the Officers respecting the Appointment of several Field Officers in the Light Infantry under the Command of the Marquis; if there shall be any alteration in that Command, I would request your Excellency to appoint Lt Colo. Gray of the Connec ticu...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosd the Commission and Resignation of Lt Hitchcock of the 8th Regiment, and request your Excellency to discharge him. I am Satisfied the good of the Service and Peace of the Regiment require it. I hope your Excellency will not be troubled with many more from my Brigade. I expect Two or three will resign which I beleive will close the Scene. By your Excellency’s Last Letter I suppose...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis Fayettee cal’d upon me this Morning on his Rout Eastward; and on Conversation with him, on the Subject of procuring Arms, Ammunition & other Supplies, he thought it advisable to request 3000 or 4000 Stands of Arms to be collected in this State, lest there should be a Deficiency in the public Stores to arm all our Levies and also to request the Governer & Council to furnish all the...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Detachments marchd from the several Regiments in this State are less than I expected owing to a Variety of unforeseen Accidents—435 Non Com. Officers & Soldiers, with a Suitable Number of Officers to command them have marchd to Head Quarters & Peekskill, I expect another Detachment will be ready this Week—every possible Method to forward the Levies & Promote recruiting shall be attended to...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 18 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your’s of the 16th of January, about Eight Days Since at this Place, where I had returnd to take Charge of my Brigade—In the Present State of the Army I shall continue in my Command lest a different Conduct may prove injurious to the Cause of my Country at this critical Conjuncture of Affairs. However my Inclination may induce me to retire to the Injoyments of...
31To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this Day receivd Notice of my promotion; and am also favor’d with the present Establishment of the Army. when I left Camp I had no Intention of joining the Army again unless the restoration of my Health should enable me to reassume a Command for the present Campaign; I had therefore turnd my Attention to resuming some Station in civil Life, and joining my pursuits With those of my...
32To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 July 1779. GW wrote Parsons on this date: “I have yours of this day.”
33To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 November 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 2 Nov. 1776. The Continental Congress on 6 Nov. read “a letter, of the 3, from R. H. Harrison, enclosing a letter from Brigadier General Parsons of the 2d” ( JCC Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789 . 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. , 6:928; see also Robert Hanson Harrison to John...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Excellency’s Letter of the 12th Inst.; in which I am desird to join the Army as soon as I can make it convenient, in Consequence of which I intended to have joind my Brigade next Week; but at present I am unable to undertake so long a Journey being troubled with Disorders which prevent my riding any considerable Distance, but I hope within ten or fifteen Days to be able...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Two detachments from the Regiments of this State have marchd for head Quarters, another will march this Week; I hope some time next week a Considerable Body may be ready to leave the Colony; the Small Pox has been very heavy upon them, they are much reducd by it, & about Twenty have faild; this is one Reason of the Delay—About 150 from Rhode Island and some from Massechusetts Bay are on their...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
According to your Excellency’s Permission I came into this State the 22nd of Jany to give what Assistance I could to the Recruiting Service & to forming & regulating the Troops; the 25th I receivd Genl Heath’s Order to return to the Camp near Kingsbridge, which I obeyed with some Degree of Reluctance, as I could not see the Necessity of my Presence there; I found Genl Heath at White Plains...
37To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 9 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 9 July 1779. GW wrote Parsons on 10 July: “I have received Your favors of the 9th from Luddington’s & Redding.” The letter that Parsons wrote from the location of Henry Ludington’s mills and home in Dutchess County, N.Y., is the one that has not been found.
38To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am now on my Road to the Settlements forming on the River Ohio; and take this only Method in my power to take leave of your Excellency & to assure you of my most cordial Wishes for your Happiness; should any Occurrances render my Services in that Country of Use to you, I shall never be more happy than in devoting myself to the execution of your Wishes—The State of our Country must give very...
39To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my Return to Camp I was favor’d with the Act of Congress for releiving the Garrison of Wioming and would beg Leave to inform your Excellency that many of the Inhabitants of New Jersey are interested in the Land on the Susquehanna under the Claim of Pensylvania and at different Times have assisted the Pensylvanians in their Attempts to remove the New England Settlers. this being a Matter...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 10 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
since I came into this State I have been constantly employed in forwarding the Eight Battalions to be rais’d here in which I have many Obs[t]acles both in raising & furnishing them with Arms & Clothing the little Time the Soldiers have been at Home is one Reason why they do not engage yet small Guards are establish’d on our Coast into which they inlist in Preference to a Service abroad where...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Patterson joind his Brigade last Evening and is now on the Point; when the public Service will admit I shall be happy to join my Brigade at such Place as will most conduce to the general Welfare. Your Excellency was pleasd to desire my Opinion of the Disposition to be made of the Army. Under all Circumstances I think 3000 Men should be assignd for garrisoning this Post, by which, I...
42To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
By a late Resolution of Congress, the States of Rhode Island & Connecticut are made one District for the purpose of Promotion, & intitled to two Brigadiers; the same Resolution provides that where a Brigadier is necessary one shall be made from the Senior Officer of the District. that to which we belong has hitherto had but one; we think the service, perticularly at this time, deserves...
43To George Washington from Major General Samuel Holden Parsons, 18 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Colo. Huntington of the 3d Connectt Regiment informs me he has a Claim to a prior Rank to Lieut. Colonels Grosvenor & Johnson of the connecticutt Line—Lieut. Colonel Gray also claims a prior Rank to Lieut. Colo. Huntington—these Claims will consequently involve some Questions relative to the Rank of the Majors—And the Rank of some of the Captains has never been settled in the Line. Lt...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Before you receive this you will be informd that the french Fleet are blockd up in Rhode Island by fifteen Ships most of them large; as every Mov’ment of the Enemy may now be of Importance; I think it my Duty to inform you that about fourteen Transports, Square rig’d Vessels, supposd to have Troops on Board arriv’d at Huntington from the Westward the Night before last, and Yesterday Two...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 26 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have sent by a Gaurd Wm Davenport and Samuel Marsh, two Persons taken by the Patroles from woodbridge last night: Davenport was imployd in the Service of the States in 1776, and joind the Enemy on the Retreat through Jersey in that year; and since that Time has been imployd in the Se[r]vice of the Enemy, and was about 6 weeks since in Arms with a Party of the Enemy in Jersey: and is...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Supposd Strength of the Enemy, and our own Numbers and Preparations as Stated by your Excellency to the Council will in my Opinion oblige Us to adopt a defensive System until our Army is considerably increasd in Numbers and other Preparations for offensive Operations; the Posts in the Highlands are of so much Importance as ought to induce Us to defend them at every Hasard; for that Purpose...
47To 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 &...
48To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letters not found: from Brig. Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons, 22 Dec. 1779. GW wrote Parsons on 23 Dec.: “I received Yesterday both Your Letters of that date.”
49To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
some of The Troops of this State began their March to join the Army Yesterday. they probably will arive at the North River about next Tuesday or Wednesday, the Number I am not able to inform your Excellency as they march from distant Parts of the State & are to rendezvous at Danbury where I expect Lt Col. Butler will take the Command of the Party; I shall be able by next Post to give the...
50To George Washington from Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
You certainly fully understood me, when you suppos’d me fixed in my Determination of leaving the Army at all Events; the Reasons I then assignd were such as I could not surmount, and they continue in full force to this Time. but the Matter being undecided, when I last saw you, whither a Derangment of General Officers would take Place, agreable to a Resolve of Congress, and that being the only...