1To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have little to inform your Excellency of but even that will be more agreeable to you, I emajin than not to hear from us at all. I have intiligence almost dayly from the likelyest places for news. The Troops lyeth mostly as they did when I wrote you of the partys going to Cow neck which is still confirmed, & that a party had gone to Joyn Governor Tryon on the East of the Island. besides the...
2To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency Questions for consideration—handed to the Generals dated the 20th Inst. I have carefully considered. The first General plan of operation proposed, Viz. the recovery of Philadelphia, in my opinion is the most eligible and promises the most permanent success, I would recommend at first to begin with Blockadeing the City, till Billings Port and some other places in the Jersey was...
3To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of the 15th Inst. I recd by Capt. Rochefontain I have carefully noted the contents and recollect what passed at the private interview I had with Your Excellency before I marched; we took a little view of the places most eligible to encamp on and fortify last nigh[t], but to day we made a more thorough survey and find no place to make temporary fortification on without...
4To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency that I have last night received intiligence from New york that may be chiefly depended on. Viz. that yesterday and the day before about 28 Sail came into the Hook Mostly Transports from England, at same time landed at New york a Hessian Coll with between 3 & 400 English Troops, last from Hallifax. Governor [General] Clinton is returned to New york...
5To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inclose to Your Excellency Major Howels Journal. I have it confirmed by another channel that the 7 Vessels of the Cork Fleet is arived, the day before yesterday; and that Lord How Sailed with his Fleet the same day to the Eastward; this is all I have at present only that I have Just got another Packet from the Commissioners to Congress and sent it on —I am Your...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with Your Excelleny of the 18th with papers Orders &ca and the Instructions in Your Letter I shall carefully note. I inclose You a bundle of letters for Mr Rutherford one of which from his Brother I think worthey Your perusal. When You have looked over it; I shall be much obliged to You to put a Seal on it and Deliver it to General Sinclear. I am Your Excellencys Most Obedient...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
This will accompany to Your Excellency, the proceedings of the Court Martial held at New Ark with a recommendation in favour of Curry, as to the other two I do not find they can recommend one in preferance to the other: I have likewise sent You two or thre Depositions taken before the Court concerning the behaviour of some of the Inhabitants there. I have likewise sent You some good News from...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 18 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, c.18 Aug. 1778. On 21 Aug., GW wrote Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene : “By a Letter which I received yesterday from Genl Maxwell, inclosing one from Major Howell … it appears certain, that Sixteen of Lord Howes fleet entered the Hook on the 17th.” GW’s other correspondence with Maxwell around this time suggests that the travel time for letters...
9To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to trouble Your Excellency on a subject in which I request Your aid. I am sory to inform You, that contrary to my expectations I have not found my command in the Jersey Brigade for some time past, so agreeable as I could wish. I would remind Your Excellency that nothing but the most pure and disinterested principals, induced me to enter the service, and I trust I have so far Your...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to transmit to Your Excellency one of the latest papers from New York. I have had an account from Statten Island of several Letters being received there from Georgia mentioning many of the new Corps being kill there in a late Engagement: but I could not find that any of our friends saw the letters. They mention further that they were all lying close by their Shiping and...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5–7 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I imbrace this opertunity to writ to Your Excellency by Major Conway who goes to Camp for sundrys the 4 Regts are in much want of. I have no intiligence from the Enemy that will alter what I sent by way of General Dickeson. They are lying verry still at Coopers Ferry and as far as Coopers creek & bridges where they keep a guard or centrys, in short they give us no opertunity to pick any of...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Received a Message from General Dickenson last night to return to Trenton again that the Enemy was in force in the other side of the Drawbridge and attempted to lay it but He had beat them off I could not go then as my People had been Marching all day with out Provisions besides I informed him I thought it was a faint of the Enemy & I would wait his further Intiligence of this Morning which...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 16 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had Your Orders from Coll Hamilton last night, and had ordered every thing cimilar to Your Excellencys I have had a party of 50 Just come in from the Turks head, at 12 oclock they found a party of the Enemys light Horse a little on this side but on the first discovery they made off and the Officer by enquirey found they had a piquet of foot about one Mile in the other side of the Turk the...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour, of the 12th Inst. and the News papers from Mr McHenery came safe to hand. Mr Woolfen says that a Corporal and 4 men will be sufficient to relieve those he would wish to send back to Camp, but he begs they may be what he calls safe hands, Americans. If those could be safe Hands got it might be as well to relieve the whole of them, except a Jerman Sergt that he has; and...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am going to explain some querys I find in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Jany pr favour of Mr Vanzant. You desire to know by what authority Pearson and others took away a Quantity of Iron Rum and other Stores from Acquackonock Bridge. The next Morning after my arival at Springfield I found that the Enemy had evacuated Newark and gone to Elizh Town, the next night I had information that...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, which was writen imediately, after the affair of the day before yesterday, I have collected the following particulars—The party which attempted to surprise this post was Commanded by Colo. Sterling of the 42nd Regt & composed of the following Corps—to wit—the 42d & 33d regts—a party of Welch Fuzeliers, together with a full company of Light Infantry of the 2d Battalion of...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 14 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take this oportunity by a Man of Coll Huggs that is going to Head Quarters to Inform your Excellency of any thing worthy of notice on this side. The Enemy is dayly giving out they are coming through the Jersey, by the best accounts they have 300 & odd two Horse waggons & above 100 four Horse waggons on this side at Coopers Ferry and they were Impressing Negros & others for drivers some days...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am sory to inform Your Excellency that the night before last 6 soldiers of the 2d Jersey Regt made their escape from New Ark to the Enemy, they were followed very close by way of the cedar Swam[p], and fired on by our party as they were crossing Hackensack; but was a little too late. There was 12 or 13 of them all Sworn to secrecy, they were to have surprised the Guard at New ark Ferry and...
19To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 28 July 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 28 July 1777. GW wrote Maxwell on 30 July that “I was this day favoured with your Letter of the 28th.”
20To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of the 8th Inst. came safe to hand last night, accompany’d with the News papers. I like the scheme of Sending in the Flags once every month with the Inhabitants, provided that if the Enemy will not receive them on that day, or the next day, or two, as the Boats and weather m[a]y sute, in such case I might inform them, or order that they quit the town, and return to...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency that a party of the British came from Statten Island last nigh[t], in boats and escorted by some gun boats to cover their landing, and embarking if necessary; they landed near New Ark about break of day, but made no surprise on the Troops; they came into the Town between break of day and sunrise, it is supposed they had from 200 to 270 Men and one Field piece....
22To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take this opertunity by Mr Furman to in form Your Excellency of what I know respecting the Enemy. Viz. the night before last a Deserter came in from the Island to Amboy seem’d to be verry intiligent; says, he is shure that the 5th Regt—10th 15th 27th 40th 55th Regts lyeth on Statten Island, besides some of the new Leveys; that the 15th came there the day before he Deserted. There is two...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledg Your Excellencys Favours of the 14th & 15th Inst., concerning the disposition of the armey for the ensuing winter, and requireing my opinion thereon. It is verry probable I would have answered them sooner had not Lord Stirling advised to defer it to see if the appearant motions of the Enemys Troops, and Fleet, (part of which must shortly move) would throw any more light...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inform your Excellency that the Letter which accompanys this was delivered a little way below this place a few minutes ago, by a Capt. Murray one of General Clintons Ade D. Camps, I was surprised that he was not stoped sooner but the Militia did not know Your Excellencys former Orders I suppose and I suppose they purposely eluded Coll Morgan. He delivered General...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was Honoured with Your Excellencys Favour of the 19th Inst. about noon to day, it accompany one to Coll Ogden[,] Barber & some others as Coll Ogden is gone to Philada to day on some private Bussiness I opened his letter, but as I did not know what he wrote to Your Excellency last I can return nothing on that subject. I suppose he thought by this time to have much to send you and so did I,...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 6 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote you this morning I am Just informed by Coll Ogden that the Officers of the first Regiment have delivered him a Remonstrance to our Legislature with their Commissions, informing them, that if they have not some immediate redress with respect to their pay and support, they will look on themselves as out of the service at the expiration of three days. They will however put the Regt...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 7 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of the 5th Inst. I recd last evening I have forwarded Major Howe’s letter and have wrote to Coll Dayton to use every means in his power to obtain certain information about the Fleet. The Account furnished by Genl Gates of an epidemical Distemper being among Byrons Sea Men is the verry same we had handed about on their first arival but I believe without foundation, for I...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with Your Excellencys of the 22d in due time, and will carefully note the contents. We have sent to Morris Town for the Portmanteaus, Haversacks Canteens and Tents, the lat[t]er is to be stored there till further Orders. There is but one Continental Waggon with the Brigade either with Commissary or any other. We have got some very bad salt Beef, sent here yesterday, great part...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency Favour of Yesterday with the Commissions for the Brigade I recd. I have noted the contents of the letter and will send you my observations on what you have requested; as soon as I can. There is a French Man sent to New York by the Imbassdor in the Carractor of a Commissary of Prisoners, to effect an exchange for the French Prisoners; he is also authorised by the Board of War,...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 23 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I took the liberty to write to Your Excellency on the 20th Inst. stating certain circumstances respecting my self and requesting my resignation through you from Congress, but upon the most mature consideration, I am persuaded the measure was premature as by it I eventually subscribe to the Justice of the allegations of my accusers—I therefore entreat that if Your Excellency has not forwarded...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 18 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of this date I have Just now recd and am but very lately returned from near Woodbridge I did suspect the Enemy would be out to day after yesterdays Truce, and found it so when I was at Colo. Potters Quarters about 9 oclock. I had given Orders sometime ago that the whole of the Eastern Division except those on scouts & Picquets should Assemble at some apointed parade...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 13 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favour of the 9th I received the 10th in the evening and have given the necessary orders about the provisions to my Brigade and the Light-horse. The State regiment and Militia, I suppose, you have given orders to, if you thought it necessary, as I have no right to consider them under mine. The other part of your letter, I shall carefully observe should the enemy make any...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26–27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have but little news to acquain Your Excellency with at present and that not verry certain, but such as it is I think it my duty to send it. There seems to be a good deal of a bustle amongst the new Levy’s and Refugees they have been making every atempt to see their Friends here, and declared with sheding of tears that they were going to leave the Continent or to the Southward so that they...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 28 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 1 March : “I am favd with yours of the 27th and 28th ulto containing a more particular account of the enemy’s late attempt upon your post.”
35To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy attempted a surprise this morning—They disembarked about three O’clock, at which time, Colonel Ogden, officer of the day, obtained information, and conveyed it to me. Their landing was made on our left; as it appeared the most unsuspected part, being a very difficult marsh. Not knowing their design or numbers, after assembling the troops, I marched them to the rear of the town, that...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with Your Excellencys of the 4th Inst. with Sir Henry Clintons l[ette]r and one for the Commissioners, accompanying it. The two latter I sent off yesterday morning, but the Commissoners was not then arived on the Island. This accompanys a Letter from Sir Henry Clinton to your Excellency. I have got more fair promises about the boots, but I am informed that a little Rum to the...
37To George Washington from William Maxwell, 28 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
After my most harty Congratulations to Your Excellency on Your last glorious Campaign; which with the others will be cause of rejoicing to America to the latest times. I must beg leave to remind You that in the latter end of Septr 1780, while You lay with Your Army near Dobses ferry, I presented a small account of my disbursements while commanding on the Lines in the Year 1777 & 1778 which You...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency concerning Jones and the Negro, I consulted two Lawyers and some Magistrates, they say, that there is a Law of the State that their crimes will come under, as a misdemsnor but will not afect their lives. Jones is a young lad, of about 21 Years of age, has the carracter of being very innofensive, and rather soft before this spring; that he has gone over 4 or 5...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had intiligence Yesterday evening & that by two ways Viz. New Ark and Statten Island, by which Accounts the Enemy seems to be in much commotion at both places more especialy the later, I expect to have the whole of it to morrow night if I do not get it sooner. What I heard is that there is a large number of Transports gone of[f] some out of the Hook; and some up the Sound supposed to be for...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arived at this place last evening, as did General Dickesons Artillery the others I left with Coll Dayton who was to stop at Penny Town last night to draw provisions; we had a wet morning of it, and wet the night before. When the Troops comes here I intend to halt them for the Remr of the day to draw more Provisions rest them selves and clean their Arms. I have had some talk with General...
41To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 Sept. 1777. GW in his first letter to Maxwell of this date refers to “your Letter of this morning .”
42To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
My Troops is all got into Quarters and I have Just now received a letter from Major Bloomfield of my Brigade who I sent to bring me crtain Intiligence Viz. he says he was at Mr Edwd Taylors in upper Freehold he dates at 7 P.M. He was within ¼ of a mile of their light Horse they on one hill and he on another the Enemy had Pitched their Tents at his first going there he now ashures me that they...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to Your Excellencys request of last evening, that we should give our opinion concerning the most eligible place for Quartering or incamping the Troops during the winter. As much has been said on the Subject of Quartering in different places some with a view of covering the Country, & others for recovering, recruiting, and gathering the Troops together for another Campaign and to ly...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take this opertunity by Coll Palfry to Inform Your Excellency, that the Soldier of the 2d Regt was executed yesterday at New Ark agreeable to Your Orders. all the three was carryed to the place of execution with their Coffins &ca and was not pardon’d till after the others was thrown off, they were much afected as well as the Spectaters; I hope it will have a good efect. Mr McWhortry...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy have got it amongst them that we are prepareing to carry on an Expedition to the Northward, that large quantitys of tools were collecting through the country and carrying to Albany, and great preparations making there. One Officer was heard to mention the above to the other, who reply’d D—m them let them go, we will have a large Army up by way of Canada next Spring, and if the...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of yesterday came safe to hand. I have been at New ark and find that the Officer who was taken with his party had been informed that some traiders from this side was gone to Bergan, on which information he increased his Guard by Volunteers, and continued in the Bay till day light, and then landed, and was way laid. We shall not be able to get the whole truth before the...
47To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 16 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have not any thing new to inform Your Excellency of, save that I have sent Coll Shrieve with his Regt to New Ark to take the command of that & second River, till further Orders. It seems necessary to lighten this place with respect to finding wood; Forrage, and even Quarters if possable. I have inclosed You a Letter from General Jones to Genl Skiner with Genl Leslies pass to Vanmater; all...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take this oportunity by Mr Woodroof to inform Your Excellency of our affairs for some days past. I have desired that Coll Baylor would give you constantly an Account of the Hackinsack affairs, The day before yesterday we had a Flag Boat at New york with a little Flour, they saw one 20 Gun ship between 12 & 15 small armed Vessels and about 50 Flat bottom’d Boats go up the North River They...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 31 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the Pleasure to Receive Your Excellency favour of the 28th Inst. on the 29th. The French Commissary of Prisoners has sent me notice that he will not require the Provisions to be sent to New York. I have observed Coll Shrieves complaint and am well satisfyed that it is verry ill-founded. We have all along guarded New Ark by detachment, till some time in this winter when the wood for fuel...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of writing to Your Excellency yesterday I have had some intiligence cannot yet pronounce it certain Viz: that about 200 men from long Island had landed on Statten Island last friday, and that a company of Artillery men with some Field pieces was to be on the Island today. Some day last week they had laid a plan to go up the River as far as Fort Lee or further with...