1To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday evening the Legislature of this State finished the Bill for Setling the depreciation of the pay of their Brigade, and Leiut. Col. DeHart Major Cummins and Doctr Hunter the Committee sent from the Brigade at the request of the Assembly now take an authenticated Copy with them to the Brigade[.] this busyness I thought of so much Consequence at this Critical Juncture that I did not Care...
2To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 7 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to write your Excellency by Lt Col. Dehart who went of[f] this Morning to the Jersey Brigade with an Authentic Copy of the Law for Setling the depreciation of the pay of that Line, and with some printed Copies of the Law for recruiting the two Regimts that are to remain. Since that a very fortunate Circumstance has occurd that will I hope give an opening for Setling the Matter...
3To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 2 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
In Considering the Several Matters laid before the Council of General Officers by Your Excellency Yesterday the following are the thoughts that have Occurred to me thereon, vizt. That Although the Enemy at N. York have Since the 6th of September last made a detachment estimated at about 3000 men which is Supposed to be destined to the Southward to Cooperate with Lord Cornwallis; Yet it is...
4To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 9 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to your Excellency’s request in Council the 6th Instant, I now give you my Opinion on the Several Questions then Stated. vizt. That Since there is Still a very high probability of the Second Division Arriveing from France and of our soon haveing a Superiority of Naval Force in these Seas; we Ought to adhere to our Original plan for this Campaign, of Cooperating with our Allies,...
5To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 27 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am Just returned from Visiting the Lower & Upper Closter Landings, I find there will be no manner of Occasion for the Regiment to remain at the lower one, If a Capt. & 40 go every other day to each of them, I belive they will be quite Secure, the Militia in their Vicinity will be a good Support to them in such ruff Craggy ground, but I would not trust them as a Constant Vigilant Guard. No...
6To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Several points which your Excellency laid before the Council of General Officers the 6th of June last I think may now be reduced to one General Question, vizt “how shall the Army under your Excellencys Command be imployed dureing the present Campaign.” In our present Scituation we can do no more than to observe the Enemy, and endeavour to prevent them from Strikeing any Stroke of...
7VI. To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Just as I was Setting out this Morning to Join your Excellency I had Intellignce that the Enemy were out and Advanceing to Springfeild. I immediately wrote to the Commdg Officers of the Militia from Burlington to near Easton (and dispatched Messengers with the letters open), desired them to push down to Turkey for further orders, wrote Genl Greene what I had done, that he might in Case the...
8IX. To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 8 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
You may be assured that the Enemy have not altered their Situation since we attacked them in the Morning, I do not think we are ripe for an attack upon them yet, I believe it would be best for the Army to halt two or three Miles short of this, for the present, I will give your Excellency the earliest Intelligence of any thing that should happen. I am your Excellencys Most Humble Servant LS ,...
9To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Questions which your Excellency has been pleased to State to the Council of war, are of the Utmost importance; so very great as to involve the Event of this War, and the fate of North America, and therefore demand our most Serious Attention and fullest Consideration. The Enemy very early in this Controversy saw that while we could keep up an Army in the Middle Colonies we should Command...
10To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 19 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I Yesterday received your Excellency’s letters of the 5th & 13th. I can Assure your Excellency upon my Honor that I had no Sinister or disguised Veiw in sending to you the Orders I had framed for the Police of my division; Collecting in a short Veiw, what was dispersed in different places and adding a very few articles peculiarly Necessary in the Hutted State of the Army, I thought would be of...
11To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 1 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had prepared the enclosed paper for the police of the Division under my Command and was going to Issue it [in] division Orders; But on Considering that it might be more pleasing to your Excellency to have the police of the Whole Army Uniform in every Scituation; I have enclosed it for your Excellency’s perusal and determination. I am &c. AL , NHi : Stirling Papers. The enclosure has not been...
12To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that early on yesterday morning the corps under my command crossed the sound at DeHarts point and proceeded towards the Watering place. The enemy having received previous intellegence of our movements a surprise was out of the question; and as their works were well situated and appeared otherwise strong an assault was deemed unadviseable, as it would...
13To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 13th; in consequence of which it is determined to pass upon the Island by day Break in the morning. On inquiry, I find, the men have no axes with them, and we ought at least to have an hundred. We shall endeavour to procure as many as we can here; but it is not probable we shall get a sufficient number. I therefore request your...
14To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 13 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
After a full consultation with General Irvine Col. Hazen and Colonel Stewart, and hearing the result of their intelligence and observations—I am of opinion that an attempt to surprise the enemy on Staten Island would have very little probability of success. They are as much upon their guard as they can be—They have patroles at every accessible place; and for this purpose make use of all the...
15To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 7 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
About a month ago I deposited with Colonel Hamilton some papers for your Excellency’s perusal relative to One James O Hara, taken up at Easton for passing Counterfeit Continental Money, both in this State & Pensilvania, a large quantity of which he brought out of New york. as I was fearfull the Magistrates would enlarge him on Bail, I desired Colonel Hooper to retain him as a Military...
16To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 9 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your Excellency’s favour of this date on the Subject of the Movement of the Virginia Troops, I should have been very happy to have Continued the Command of them as they are an excellent body of Men, and Among the Officers Many Valuable Men for whom I have the greatest Esteem; but in all Arrangements of the Army I have always been Content with the Commands that have been Alloted to me,...
17To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Stirling, 26 Oct. 1779 . GW wrote Stirling on 29 Oct. : “I have to acknowlege your Lordships favor of the 26th.”
18To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Stirling, 22 Oct. 1779 . GW wrote Stirling on 26 Oct. : “I have been favored with your letter of the 22d.”
19IX. From Major General Stirling to George Washington, 5 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received your Excellency’ letter of Yesterdays date, I have no doubt the Count de Estainge is Comeing this way; & from the reports of this day (but I have none well Vouched) I am inclined to belive he is already at Sandy hook. Your Excellency may depend that I will take every measure in my power to Intercept the troops of Stoney & Verplanks point should they attempt to Move by land...
20To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 2 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a Letter from Lord Stirling dated 2d August 1779. [“]I had a Letter from Major Lee this Morning in which he says ‘Sir H. Clinton has decamp’d from Philips’s, the army lays collected near the heights of Harlem, Genl Tryon is return’d, several Genl Officers arriv’d with the Earl Cornwallis, The Ships of War have all stood out at Sea, a report prevails in the city that a French Fleet...
21To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I left Camp yesterday Morning and am thus far on my way, a little detained by the Rain. I have Just procured the enclosed two papers from Lt Col: Wm Livingston, Rivingstons Account of the Southern Affairs I think is in our favour. Intelligence from Staten Island is that Genl Grant with his detachment is returning to New York. a Sixty Gun Ship and another of their Convoy Already arrived at New...
22To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Stirling, 3 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Stirling, 3 July 1779. GW wrote Stirling on 8 July: “Yr letter of the 3d mentions the nomination of some Gentlemen to fill ensigncys in the Virginia line.”
23To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Stirling, 2 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Stirling, 2 July 1779. GW wrote to Stirling on 4 July: “I received yesterday Your Letter of the 2d with an Extract from your Orders and the proceedings of a Committee of Officers for fixing the prices of provision.”
24To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I Was in hopes that my busyness before the Legislature of New Jersey would before this time have been in such a State as would have enabled [me] to return to Camp but I have had Sufficient experience to teach me that Whoever is to be attendant on their motions, need be possessed of a good Stock of patient phylosophy. however I have got my Bill ordered to be engrossed & hope to Morrow to get it...
25To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 10 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
As my busyness with the Legislature of New Jersey will require my being at Trentown on Wednesday Next, A Vissit to Camp this Week which I intended, would be inconvenient as it would keep me Constantly on the Roads, with horses not in the best order. My being at Trentown last week I belive was favourable to the Affairs of the Jersey Brigade, The Officers under orders of March sent up a very...
26To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I send your Excellency enclosed two Copies of the proposed Signals, and of the Alarm posts of the Militia of this State, with a letter I would Offer for your Excellency to write to Governor Livingston on the Subject. I have made an Addition to the Signals for the County of Monmouth which I think are absolutely Necessary. If your Excellency approves of the first part of the plan you will be...
27To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 20 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the feild Officers of the Militia of the Counties of Somerset and Middlesex with me Yesterday & this day and have Setled with them their posts to Assemble at in Case of Alarm as in paper No. l. enclosed, and propose to write to the Officers of the Other Counties If your Excely approves of it. I have also Consulted them on the Most proper Method & places for Signals and have agreed...
28To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 26 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Haveing Carefully perused the two plans for the disipline of the Army which your Excellency was pleased to refer to me I am of opinion that they are Materially the Same, both founded on the most approved Systems now in Use in Europe, and will I think well Answer the purposes of the American Army, the Gentlemen have both had brevity and Simplicity in Veiw. The Baron Stuben in some Instances has...
29To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been so bad of the Rhuematism, that I have not been Able to work for some days. every thing worthy your Excellency’s Notice has been Communicated thro’ McHenry. Yesterday evening about Sun Set I received intelligence thro’ several respectable hands that the Enemy on Staten Island were prepareing to put themselves in Motion, and intended to pay us a Vissit this Morning; however...
30To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 18 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s letter of the 14th Yesterday Morning: I went over to your Quarters and had Capt. Bibby to dine with me there; after dinner I dispatched him in very good humour with the enclosed letter to General Phillips; he left with me the two enclosed letters for your Excellency No. 1 & No. 2. one of which he says encloses a letter to the president of Congress....
31To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 13 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honour of receiveing your Excellency’s letter of the 8th Inst. I had before the receipt of it directed the Clothier to make out a Return of every article he has on hand which I expect in a day or two. I had also directed Returns to be made out of the defeciencies of every Corps that the whole wants may be seen at one Veiw, these last I have got all excepting one Regiment in...
32To George Washington from Stirling, 9 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Stirling, 9 Jan. 1779. On 14 Jan., GW wrote Stirling : “I have your favr of the 9th.”
33To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 4 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to you Yesterday by Express, I have since received a Letter from Captn Burrowes by which he informs me of the sailing of a Fleet on the 29th consisting he says of 27 Ships 13 Brigs and Snows, and 13 Sloops and Schooners, in all 53 Sail, but the Messenger who brought me that Letter says that after the writing that Letter, more Vessels of various Siezes came down so as...
34To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 3 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiveing your Excellency’s of the 1st Instant. the very great Change in the weather has so rotted the Ice that I must give up all thoughts of proposed enterprize for the present. Yesterday Afternoon arrived here Mr Noble Aid de Camp to General Phillips with a letter to your Excellency which Doctor McHenry will now enclose, he was very desireous of either going on to...
35To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last Dispatches to you were Yesterday Evening. I now inclose you what have come to me since. Other Intelligence which I have received from N. York Staten Island and Eliz. Town in general agree that about a Fortnight ago a Fleet began to assemble at the Watering Place off Staten Island. What the Intention of this Fleet was, I have not yet been able to learn with Accuracy. Some of my Accounts...
36To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 29 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you yesterday by a return Express going to Genl Greene—I have Since received the N. York News papers down to the 24th which I now enclose with this, also a London paper of the 5th October, this paper Shews how the pulse beats in that kingdom, and it is Certain to me that they are in high Rumpas, Confusion & distraction. I send your Excellency herewith Genl Maxwell’s Letters, by which...
37To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of Writing to your Excellency the 25th. I sent the letter to McHenry to forward. there is Nothing New in this Quarter; the Severity of the Weather seems to have Stoped the Chanels of Intelligence. The distress of the Army for want of forrage had Come to the last Extremity, indeed the very existance of it depended on an immediate relief, and however disagreable the Measure,...
38To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 25 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys letter and Instructions of the 21st which you may be Assured will have my Strict Attention. Dr McHenry will forward to your Excellency a letter he received for you from Major General Reidesel. I have sent Capt. Tilton of the 9th Pensilvania Regiment to Accompany the General to the place of his destination in Virginia. and have ordered a Guard to Escort him from...
39To George Washington from Stirling, 24 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Stirling, 24 Dec. 1778. On 1 Jan. 1779, GW wrote to Stirling that his letter “of the 24th came to hand on Wednesday night,” 30 December.
40To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
There is nothing new Since I wrote your Excellency Yesterday Evening; every intelligence I have had Confirm the Sailing of the fleet and of the Commissioners tho’ not in Company; and that preparations for further imbarkations makeing; the Ships which have taken the Iron Ordinance on board are Still in the harbour; with the Ardent, and the Ships of War refitting & Scarce any others (I mean men...
41To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 29 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since Writeing the letter which accompany’s this, I have had an Oppertunity of gaining some Articles of Intelligence. vizt that more transport Ships are prepareing and fitting for Sea. that a good deal of Hessian Baggage was Embarked. a frigate of 36 Guns Came in Yesterday, every Mast gone by the board. they are forming a line Across New York Island from Bloomendale to Turtle Bay to be Guarded...
42To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday Evening that the fleet which had been so long between the Hook & the Watering place were at lenght gone to Sea. Capt. Burrow’s from the Highlands of Navesinks since informs me that at Sun set Yesterday they were twenty Miles from Sandy hook Standing South a little Easterly which was the only Course they Could Steer as the Wind hung, unless they were going to...
43To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I seize this Oppertunity to enclose your Excellency the last New york paper, Not the least Movement of the Enemy Ships Since my last, Nor have I been Able to learn any thing out of New york these two or three days. I had a boat yesterday at the Warf but they would [not] Suffer any person to land who was to return, the Only Observation they made was that they observed heavy Cannon going Board...
44To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you about an hour ago by an Express going from Congress. I have this Moment received a Report from my friend at Amboy, dated at Noon this day who informs me that 45 Sail of Ships Came down from New York to Sandy hook and have Stood out to Sea. the Wind is now at S.W. and seems to be Comeing round to South and I therefore expect to hear of their being returned to the hook—tomorrow. I am...
45To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s letter of the 19th. with my letter of the 21st, I sent your Excellency the best account I then had of the troops in the different Embarkations & those remaining at New York and its dependencies, I was in hopes of receiveg before this time a very Accurate account of every Corps remaining, but I find I can not have it till tomorrow or Next day, and tho’ I have little...
46To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 20–21 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the 16th I received the Night before last, and immediately sent orders for Colonel Spencers Regiment to March to Coles fort and there Join General Count Pulaski. at the same time I sent orders to Colonel Morgan to send a Regiment to replace Colonel Spencers at Hackinsack as it is Absolutely Necesary to keep a good look out towards Bergen Neck & the Banks of the...
47To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Besides the 74. & 64. & three Lesser Ships I mentioned to be arrived at New york I have Information of a Very large Ship being at Anchor off Deal a few Miles below Black point on the Monmouth Coast by the description I think she must be Admiral Byrons flag Ship, her Bowsprit Mizen Mast and Main top Mast gone. I have this Moment received the two papers herewith enclosed & am your Excellencys...
48To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 17 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The fleet of Transports &c. which for some days past have been at the hook, Came up last Night to the Watering place within the Narrows and were at Anchor there this Morning. I cannot Account for this Manuver any other Way than Supposing the Grand fleet under Admiral Byron has Met with some disaster, and that they have received Accounts of Count de Estangs Sailg As some Evidence of the former,...
49To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 15 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The fleet which droped down to the Hook on the 12th remained there yesterday Evening; the winds have been either ahead or too high for any thing to put to Sea. they have on Board the whole of the 71st Two Battalions of Hessian Granadiers, two Battalions of Delanceys, two of Skinners, three Companies of the 64th & two Comps. of the 33d. They are Convoyed by the Vigilant and three Gallies,...
50To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 13 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the Evening before last; and have been impatiently watching the motions of the Enemy Since, they will not let me get any thing from Staten Island. But I have this Instant received the enclosed report from Amboy by which it appears their third Embarkation is begining to move, the thirty Eight Sail which fell down to the hook yesterday Afternoon I make no doubt will be...