1To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 20 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take this oppertunity to congratulate your Excellency on the Establishment of peace after a long tedious & Glorious Struggle, conducted under your Excellencys auspiceous Command, against the whole power of Britain, with that Wisdom & fortitude which finally convinced them of the necessity of puting a final period to the War. This Conviction has laid the Basis of a peace as honerable to the...
2To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 29 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I cannot forbear informing Your Excellency, by the return of Major Humphrys to Camp, of the state of my health, from the first of my illness to the present time. After I was prevented from coming on to the Army, by a stroke of the paralytic kind, which deprived me in a great measure, of the use of my right leg and arm; I retired to my Plantation, and have been gradually growing better ever...
3To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 4 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the misfortune on my way to Camp to be seiz’d with a fitt of the Palsy at this place the 24th Ultimo, the first onset was my right Arm and then my right Legg in which unhappy Situation I now am (except that my Legg comes too a little) which makes it impossible for me to gett to Head Quarters, I expect this Day to sett off for my Home at Pomfret, shall acquaint your Excellency from time...
4To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 20 Sept. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Israel Putnam, 20 Sept. 1779. On this date, GW wrote Putnam: “I have your favr of this morning respecting Capt. Lyman.”
5To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favour’d with Your Excellency’s Commands of the 19th and 20th Inst.; the former came to hand in the night, and as soon as it was day I dispatched a Dragoon with orders for Generals Woodford and Muhlenberg to take post with their Brigades, according to the directions contained in it; but the Horseman return’d last evening, without being able to find either of them, I have this...
6To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honord with your Excellencys Letter, announcing the agreeable & happy news of Genl Waynes Success, on which I most heartily congratulate you. Your Excellencys Letter of yesterday did not reach me till 7 oClock this morning and as the Horses are at a considerable distance I do not think it will be prudent to delay the March of the Troops till they arrive —I shall accordingly...
7To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 7 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am now taking the earliest opportunity to acquaint your Excellency with my arrival in Camp to resume the command of my Division. In the course of my tour to the Eastward, I was at Hartford, during the setting of the Assembly, who supposed from a Resolution of Congress, which then lay before them, that all the men raised for the publick service in this State, under whatever description,...
8To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter by the return of my Express, without any signature , which, from the hand writing, the Seal and the Contents, I suppose to have come from your Excellency. However accidental it might be, it was rather a ludicrous Circumstance, that a letter without a name, should ⟨make⟩ its appearance on the first day of April—⟨anni⟩versary, which has from time immemorial, been...
9To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosures herewith transmitted came to hand by Express from Genl Parsons last Evening. I thought it not advisable to detach any more men from the Division, untill your pleasure was known; But have Orderd a Detachment of 300 already on Command near the Sea Coast to move Eastward, as far as N: Haven, and wait Gnl Parsons’s Orders—Of which I have informed him. That the Enemy have in...
10To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
By the return of Major Humphrys from New London I am just informed, of the situation of matters in that quarter, & the apprehensions, the inhabitants are under of an immediate attack upon the Fortifications & shipping in the Harbour. On Sunday last, a fleet of twenty eight sail of transports appeared off Fishers Island, standing from the Eastward, under convoy of a 50 Gun Ship, and in the Gale...
11To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honord with your Excellencys Letters of the 16th & 17th Inst. The first Division of Poors Brigade, would have March’d this day, but the Weather is such as to render it impossible—They will go on when the Weather will admit of it. Hazens Regiment will March tomorrow if possible. I have just received a Letter from Govr Trumbull, in which he mentions, that they are in daily expectations of...
12To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received the Inclosed Letter, by which your Excellency will see the disposition of the Enemy on Long Island. They have for a long time past been building Flatt-Boats at the East-End, under the direction of Sir William Erskine, who still continues there. Sir Henry Clinton having Join’d the Detachment makes it appear more probable that they are meditating a serious push on the...
13To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Excellencys Letter of the 6th Inst., with Col: Hazens instructions, and shall get his Regiment upon the march as soon as possible. I beg leave however to mention to your Excellency that the roads are so exceedingly bad at present, that it will be almost impractible to get on the Baggage & Artillery. When he arrives on the Connecticut River, he will probably find it so...
14To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 4 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with your Excellency’s Letter of the 22nd Ultimo, respecting the tryal of Col: Mason &c., and have given the necessary information to the party’s concern’d—But as it will be some time before they can get prepared, I thought it best to defer the appointment of the Court Martial, till the 25th Inst., when I have informed them that they must attend at this place. I had previous to...
15To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 2 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Excellencys Commands of the 10th & 14th Ulto. I have long since directed Lt Col. Gray to procure all the papers relative to Scudders Affair & forward them to me, that they might be transmitted to you—These I have been waiting for this some time, which prevented my Answering your Letters before—but as he cannot obtain them imediately I shall defer that till another...
16To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 30 Jan. 1779. GW wrote Putnam on 5 Feb. : “I have your favr of the 5th and 30th ulto.”
17To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 25 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday, in which I gave you all the intelligence that could be collected. As my Domestic affairs, are in much confution, and there is many things which cannot be setled, but by myself, I am under the necessity of requesting yr Excellencys permission to be absent from Camp for about thirty days—If I may be permitted, I should choose to set off some time in the month...
18To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honor’d with your Commands of the 8th Inst. respecting the Cloathing purchased by Major Bigelow and the mode to be taken for supplying the Connecticut Troops, with a proportion of it. I know not to what your Excellency alludes, in General Parsons’s Letter, which in your opinion, contains some insinuations not of the most delicate nature: As I never saw it, or heard the contents, except in...
19To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 5 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just been favoured with yours of the 20th and 26th Ulto have noticed the contents, and shall regulate matters accordingly. Nothing new has happened since I had the honor to address you on the subject of the disturbances in General Huntingtons Brigade, which I am happy to inform you has not been repeated, or attended with any farther ill consequences. The Prisoners, who were confined as...
20To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Israel Putnam, 31 Dec. 1778. On 18 Jan. 1779 GW wrote to Putnam acknowledging receipt of “your favor dated thro’ mistake the 31st Inst.,” a letter that included observations on the affairs of Capt. William Smith Scudder. An extract copy of Putnam’s letter to GW, correctly dated 31 Dec. 1778, reads: “P.S. I have inclosed Govr Clintons Ansr to mine on Capt. Scudders...
21To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 23 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 13th Inst.; have found the person mention’d in it, and given him the necessary directions to proceed to the Board of War. I have also Receiv’d and Issued a General Order of the 14th, respecting the mode of hutting, altho I had given previous direction to construct them in the manner then pointed out; and had it not been for the badness of the...
22To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 17 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Altho I have not had the happiness to receive a single line from your Excellency, since I took upon myself the Command of this Division, yet I think it my indespensable duty to continue to inform you of the situation of affairs in this department. The Troops have at this time got their Hutts in good forwardness, notwithstanding the interruptions they have met with, from a succession of bad...
23To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 9 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Israel Putnam, 9 Dec. 1778. On 20 Dec., GW wrote Putnam : “I am favd with yours of the 9th.”
24To George Washington from Israel Putnam, 4 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Israel Putnam, 4 Dec. 1778. On 13 Dec., GW wrote Putnam : “I have recd yours of the 4th with Maj: Gray’s intelligence.”
25To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 22nd Inst. I Receiv’d your Excellencys two Letters of the 20th. They found me at Farmington, to which place I had March’d from Hartford with Pattersons and Learneds Brigades. On making enquiry I found that Genl Poor, with his Brigade, had not reach’d the front of the Convention Troops, but had only fallen in with the fifth and last Division, which on the night of the 22nd Inst. Lodged...
26To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 17th inst. has just come to hand—I fear I shall not be able to march untill the day after tomorrow, as some of the Waggons are out of Repair, and the Ar[t]ificers of this Division were all left at the Bridge over the Housatonoc —However if possible shall march tomorrow—Genl Poor, acording to Orders, marches immediately, to take Charge of the Convention Troops—Their third...
27To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 24 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Putnam on 25 Oct. : “I was favoured with your two letters of yesterdays date about noon.”
28To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you by Expres your Leattor and won to Coll Thackston or Collo. litel the Expres Left this at a Clock at night and hop thay wil Com saf to hand Dannel has not returned yeat nor have I heard any thing of him your Exelancys request as to wintor quartors for the trops is beyond what I can protend to tel without I knew the intention of the Enemy but if the Enemy Continnu in New york...
29To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yestorday recived a lin from Collo. hambilton requ[e]sting me to forward the returns that war requierd the oather day thos returns war all maid out and sent of[f] som days ago Except ginrol Clinton which I have heard nothing of but I immedatly Sent of[f] Collo. hambiltons leator to the ginrol and I miak no doubt but he will Comply with the requ[e]st. I was down the rivor the day befor...
30To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I sent Mr Putnam down the River yesterday by Water, to learn for certain whether any of the Enemys shipping was up. He return’d last night, and informs me that he went down on the West-side nearly oposite Philips’s; that there is one Gally laying near Philips’s, which is the only Water Craft of any kind, above Fort Washington. The Boats with which the Enemy landed at the Slote , have all...
31To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Putnam has this moment return’d—he saw Lord stirling at Judge Coes, who inform’d him that he had wrote your Excellency the particulars of the Enemy and his own situation. Mr Putnam also saw Col. Hay, <who> lays with his Regt of Militia at Clarks-Town. Col. Hay informs him, that the Enemy have drew in their Picquet from towards Tappan, to a small distance from their main Body, and that by...
32To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favor’d with your Excellencys Letter of this day. General Woodford has cross’d the River, and fallen down to Clarks-Town, and by our latest from there, the Enemy are about retiring. A small party of them have been as far up as Clarks-Town but tarried a verry short time. General Winds with his militia has, I am inform’d been at Hackinsack, and I believe the Enemy have drawn in...
33To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is the Examination of some Deserters who have Just come in. The intellegence they bring I thought to be of some importance, and therefore send it to Your Excellency—The Deserters seem to be verry intelligent men. I likewise inclose your Excellency a Letter I last night Receiv’d from General Woodford, with one inclos’d from Col. Cooper to Col. Hay. I thought it most advisable for...
34To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By sergeant Robinson of Col: Bailer’s Regt of Lt Dragoons, I am this moment inform’d, that this morning Just before day, The Enemy found means to surprize Col. Bailer with his whole Regiment, then laying at Harring-Town. They came upon them when they had only one man out to Reconnoiter, which they took and advanced immediately to where the Regt lay: They was so compleatly surprised, that sargt...
35To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the latest accounts from the other side of the River, the Enemy, have been reinforcing considerably, and have got 17 Feild peices at the liberty pole. Their intention I amagine is to plunder the Country, of all the stock they can collect and return. I have not an Idea of their Visiting us at this post. We continue to send Fatigue to the Fort daily. I am dear sir Yr Most Obedt Servant. LS ,...
36To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Larst night I recived a Leator from Collo. Spencor informing me that the Enimy had Landed at the English Nabor whod and ware on thar march to hackensack I immedat Called the ginrol ofesors togather to consult what was beast to be don it was concluded to Exammin the mens gons and Cartriges && and to have them ready for a march at the shortest notis when it shuld be thought beast or on reciveng...
37To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
as his Excelancy ginrol Washenton requsted that Each ginrol ofesor shuld transmit to him his opinyon in riteng what was beast to be don in this creticl tim whathor the army ought to move and which way I give it as my opinyon that it would not answor any good porposes to remove Estward as the Enimy have Sent such a reinforsment as is suposed to rodisland thay must have don what thay intended...
38To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 18 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 18 April 1778. On 29 April, GW wrote Putnam , “I recd yours of the 18th instant.”
39To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 29 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Huntington deliver’d me your Letter of the 16th Inst. I am at this place; and will Attend the Court of Enquiry which is to meet to Morrow—As soon as it is finish’d, I shall return to Connecticut, and endeavour to forward on the New Levies, with the utmost Expedition, in Conformity to your Orders, tho’ I fear, my success will not Answer your Expectation. I am with the utmost Respect...
40To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Favours of the 15th & 25th of Janry which I am now to acknowledge, came to hand nearly the same time after the former had been delay’d a fortnight in the Post Office. The Boats which I mentioned in my Letter of the 25th of Octr (& of which your Excellency desires more particular information) with the addition of seven or eight others in Wapping & Esopus Creeks were Immediately put in...
41To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 27th Ulto, and am happy to find that Your Excellency is Convinced, my Conduct has not been such as Represented by Col: Drake—I have ever paid the Utmost attention to the Protection of the Inhabitants; and am Vain enough to think, that they Conceive the Army to be as good Neighbours, as Col: Drake. General Parsons has not Yet Return’d, Tho is soon expected; and till...
42To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 16 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evening favd with your two Letters of the 28th Ulto and 2nd Inst: with a Remonstrance from Mr Drake inclosd that peice I do aver is made up of Falcity and Misrepresentation, at least what has ever come to my knowledge. I have ever Acted as near your Excellency’s Orders of last Winter as was in my power—nor has any property been disposd of for the Benefit of the Captors, unless such...
43To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 28 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote my Last nothing particular has happened in this Quarter. some days ago I had made a Desposition to Cross over to Long Island, and Attackt the Forts Huntington & Setauket. but before Matters could be got Ready for the Expedition, they Evacuated both Forts and are now Making very strong Works at the Upper End of the Island. I Recd a Letter the other Day from Genl Dickenson...
44To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with your two Letters, of the 11th Inst.—As to the Blankets stopped for this department; Mr Young Informd me there were between five and Six thousand going on to the southward, besides the 400 that I detained here—The Artillary Regt here, had not Recd a single one since their entering the Service—Most of them lost all their Cloathing at Fort Montgomery, and without Blankets, they...
45To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 14 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with your’s of the 4th 5th & 9th Instt & you will see by mine of 7th that I have detain’d Genl Warners Brigade. The New York Regiments being annex’d to General Poors Brigade, they are exceeding unwilling to be seperated, and I knowing the disadvantages that would arrise from their being here have presumed in some measure to deviate from your excellencys Orders —Those Regiments are...
46To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your’s of the 31st Octor and 1st Novemr I have been favor’d with, and have taken the Necessary precautions that your Army should be supply’d with Provisions. In my last I Informed you that Genel Warners Brigade were orderd to Join you, but as they are Rais’d only till the first of Decemr the Officers and men think it exceeding hard, that they should be obliged Make that Long March and their...
47To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 3 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry that I am under the disagreeable Necessity of acquainting you that there is the greatest Necessity of Money in this Department, the Troops suffer for want of Pay, the Commissary, and Quarters Departments are exceedingly embarress’d and perplexed in their Business, greatly involved in debt, and the Public Faith will be prejudiced unless a Considerable supply of Cash is speedily...
48To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 31 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I congratulate your Excellency on the Success of your arms against the Enemy, in the attack made on Red Bank which Comes by letter from Col. Bidle—I have already informed you, by former letters, of the return of the Enemys fleet down the river—their having evacuated Peeks kill Fort mountgomery & their adjacent posts, after destroying the Cannon & demolishing the Forts, with an Evident design,...
49To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 27 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Accquaint you that yesterday Morning the Enemy Evacuated both Fort Montgomery & Clinton, (but not without laying the same into ashes) and destroying every work about them; all their Shipping Large & Small with all the sails they could Possible Crowd Proceded down the River yesterday, They have Certainly ⟨so⟩me secret expidition in View, & from every Acct I am able to...
50To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 25 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honrd with the recept of your two Favours of the 15th & 19th Inst.—and have the pleasure to acquaint you that after a Tedious march we are returned to this place, the Fleet passed down by here yesterday, & did but little dammage on their return. Some heavy Artillery & a reinforcement of Continental Troops, I am Informed by Genl Gates, are on their way to Join me—by a deserter & two...