51From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, 25 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army forming by our enemies in the south renders it necessary for us to reserve as much of our militia as possible free to act in that quarter. At the same time we have reason to believe that a very extensive combination of British and Indian savages is preparing to invest our western frontier. To prevent the cruel murders and devastations which attend the latter species of war and...
52Appointment of a Commissioner of the Provision Law, 8 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
You are hereby appointed a Commissioner under the act for procuring a supply of provisions and other necessaries for the use of the army, but restrained specially to the procuring the articles enumerated in the said act, and live cattle for the subsistance of the continental regiment of guards marching to the barracks in Albemarle and again to march from there shou’d they be found unnecessary...
53From Thomas Jefferson to the President of the Continental Board of War, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 15 Jan. 1781. This letter is virtually identical in substance with the letters to Samuel Huntington and to Thomas Sims Lee of the same date, qq.v. FC ( Vi ); 2 p.; at head of text: “Governor Lee and President of the Board of War.”
54To Samuel Huntington, enclosing an Intercepted Letter from Leslie to Cornwallis, 10 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose your Excellency an intercepted Letter from Major General Leslie to Ld. Cornwallis. It was taken on a person endeavouring to pass through the Country from Portsmouth towards Carolina. When he was apprehended and a proposal made to search him, he readily consented to be searched but at the same time was observed to put his hand into his Pocket and carry some thing towards his mouth as...
55From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Shenandoah, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The prisoners taken at the Battle of the Cowpens being to pass under the conduct of Mr. Hyrne or Mr. Boush Commissaries of Prisoners, they will be attended by the guard at present with them as far as Shenandoah Court House. There you will be pleased to have assembled such guard and at such time as either of these Gentlemen shall fix on, which guard must see them safely over the Potowmack. I am...
56From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Augusta, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the receipt of this letter I expect you will have furnished Mr. Hyrne Depty. Comsy. Genl. of Prisoners with a guard for the safe custody of the prisoners taken at the Battle of the Cowpens. You will be pleased to continue that guard on duty with the prisoners untill releived by one from Shenandoah as ordered. I [am] with much respect, &c. FC ( Vi ).
57From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Greenbrier, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army [as in the preceding letter to “by the way of’] Montgomery court house where they will receive under their escort 1000℔. of powder and 1500℔. Lead and a large number of pack horses to be carried to the falls of Ohio. From their arrival at Montgomery court house subsistance and the means of transportation of baggage will be found by Mr. Rowland Maddison who is appointed to act...
58From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Hampshire, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter is founded on representations received from the Counties of Frederic and Berkely. I have not heard that the same aversion to the service has arisen in your county, and I am led to hope it has not from many considerations: Lest it should however, and you should be delayed by sending here, I inclose you a copy of my letter to the County Lieutenants of the other Counties and...
59From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Chesterfield, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As I have hopes that 280 men of your County may arm themselves, and I do not think it proper that a greater number should be sent from thence, you will be pleased to order that number of the most effective men to proceed to Watkin’s Mills at which place they shall receive further orders, as soon as further intelligence shall enable me to point them properly. I am Sr. &c &c. FC ( Vi ).
60From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
THE invasion of our country by the enemy at the Close of the last Session of Assembly, their pushing immediately to this place, the dispersion of the publick papers, which for the purpose of saving them necessarily took place, and the injury done at the printing office, have been so many causes operating unfortunately to the delay of transmitting you those acts of Assembly which required...
61From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of James City and Certain Other Counties, [24 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to order to on receipt of this of the militia of your County to remain on duty only till releifs ordered from Counties less exposed shall arrive. I hope this call will be thought less heavy on your County as we would avoid calling on it to perform a full tour of duty, and only wish them to serve during those short intervals between the necessary discharge of the militia and arrival...
62From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Chesterfield and Dinwiddie, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing where the very rapid march of Ld. Cornwallis may terminate, I think it necessary to desire that every man of your Militia who has a firelock or for whom one can be procured by impressing or otherwise be immediately embodied under proper Officers. I do not herein give orders for their march because you are so convenient that you can without it’s causing but little delay give me...
63From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Henrico and Certain Other Counties, 4 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enemy having last Night past far up James River and seeming to point immediately to this Place or Petersburg, I must desire you without a moments Delay to send every man of your County able to bear Arms to rendezvous at Westham. Let them come in small Detachments as they can be collected and not wait to be formed into Companies. I am Sir your mo obt. hble. Servt., FC ( Vi ). At head of...
64From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Hampshire and Berkeley, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army forming by our enemies in the south and an extensive combination of savages in the west will probably render the ensuing campaign exceedingly active, and particularly call forth the exertions of this state. It is our duty to look forward in time and to make a proper division of our force between these two objects. There seems but one method of preventing the savages from...
65From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Monongalia and Ohio, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army &c. [as in letter to county lieutenants Hampshire and Berkeley to ‘proper officers’ and leave out from thence and insert] to be rendezvouzed at Pittsburg precisely by the first of march to proceed by the way of the falls of Ohio for an expedition under Colo. Clarke into the country beyond that river and to continue in service during the expedition; as to which Colo. Clarke is...
66From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Berkeley and Frederick, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have with exceeding distress of mind received information that the service to which the Militia of the Counties of Frederick and Berkely have been called Westwardly is so disagreeable as to render it probable that that call will be very imperfectly obeyed. A knowledge that an extensive combination of Indians had been formed to come on our frontier early in the spring induced us to prevent...
67From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Washington and Certain Other Counties, 15 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received intelligence from Genl. Greene that Lord Cornwallis, maddened by his losses at the Cowpens and George town, has burnt his own Waggons to enable himself to move with facility, and is pressing forward towards the Virginia line, Genl. Green being obliged to retire before him with an inferior force. The necessity of saving Genl. Green’s Army and in doing that the probability...
68From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Shenandoah and Certain Other Counties, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enemy having again thought proper to invade our Country and being now on their Way up James River I have thought proper with Advice of the Council of State to require of your Militia under proper Officers to repair immediately to Richmond armed with good Rifles and Accoutrements suitable as far they have them; such of them as have not Rifles will be armed here with Musquets and joined to...
69From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, and Fauquier, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be pleased immediately on receipt of this, to order one fourth of your Militia to be assembled and marched without delay to Wmsburg under proper field officers, Captains, and subalterns. Send as many riflemen among them with their rifles as can be had, and of the rest let every man bring a good musket and accoutrements who has one. Let them proceed first to Fredericksburg where we...
70From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Lunenberg, Amelia, Powhatan, Cumberland, and Brunswick, 18 February … (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing where the very rapid march of Ld. Cornwallis may terminate I think it necessary to desire that you immediately assemble the whole of your Militia who have arms, or for whom they can be procured by impressing or otherwise and march them with proper officers without delay to join Genl. Greene who by the last intelligence had crossed the Dan at Boyd’s ferry and was retreating before...
71From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Fayette, Lincoln, and Jefferson, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army &c. [as in letter to county Lieutenants Hampshire and Berkeley to ‘before hand with them’ then omit and add as follows] The counties of Fayette, Lincoln and Jefferson of course must concur in the western defence. From these three I am to desire five hundred militia under proper officers to be furnished, each county sending a quota of the five hundred proportionate to the number...
72From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Dinwiddie and Essex, 5 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received particular information that Richard Overby and Richard Wills two of Capt. Hardaway’s company of Militia of your county lately on duty below have deserted and carried off their arms; as they are triable by a Court-Martial of the Officers remaining in the field, I am to desire you to exert every effort to have them taken and when taken to send them under guard to Cabbin point or...
73From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Charlotte and Certain Other Counties, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Arrival of a hostile force within our State being confirmed, and their movements indicating an intention to come immediately into the heart of the Country, renders it necessary, to call for one fourth of your Militia under proper Captains and Subaltern officers to rendezvous at Petersburg. That there may not be a moments delay, let them come in detached parcels as they can be collected,...
74From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Botetourt and Montgomery, 1 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The propositions of the Executive for raising in the counties of Botetourt, Washington and Montgomery, a corps of volunteers to proceed to the southern army having on account of some circumstances contained in them failed to induce the engagement of such a corps, they have put them into a form in which they hope they will be more successful. The necessity of vigorous exertions to repel the...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Crockett, 25 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by Colo. George Rogers Clarke, whose orders you will be pleased to receive in future as it is become necessary that your regiment should proceed to act under him to the westward. He will settle with you the time of your marching for Pittsburg and deliver to you the necessary money for subsisting your men to that place. I am sir, Your very hble servant, FC ( Vi ).
76From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I suppose there is no hope of our getting hats for the soldiers. We will aid you anywise in our power towards getting caps made. Mr. Armistead receives 1800£ to be transmitted you for your tailors and sempstresses. He has received an order to deliver you all the leather he has (enough for about 300 or 350 pair three qr. soals) and receives one now to make up the deficiency of 1500 pair as soon...
77From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It was our intention that the tools should go with the workmen and hope they have accordingly gone. I have enquired of Mr. Armistead as to the giving a yard of linen for making shirts at Petersburg. He says it was never done by him; but that Colo. Elliot the Continental Q.M. had given the price of a yard of linen. Mr. Armistead’s allowance for the white linen shirts is 30 dollars. There is no...
78From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 5 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am anxious to have secured for the detachment which is next to proceed Southwardly as many tents as will suffice for them, and to collect all the residue belonging to the State and send them down for the use of the Militia. Of 230 tents issued during the last invasion, I understand that 75 were sent on with Colo. Green’s detachment, I find that about 28 were returned to this place, the rest...
79Charles Fleming to William Davies, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Manchester, 10 Jan. 1781. Arrived at this place the previous evening; the men “had a very disagreeable night, seven of them taken sick”; will proceed as soon “as they get comfortably dried and get their breakfast”; requests supplies. “The Governor lodged on this side last [night], whom I have seen. He informs me the enemy were yesterday morning lying still at and about Colo. Harrissons mills:...
80From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 2 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sorry the shoes and cloathing fall so far short of what we had reason to expect. Such of the former as are unfit for use had better be returned. We shall omit no opportunity of making up the whole deficiency. The Shoemakers and Taylors at Warwick receive orders to day to go to your post under a Mr. Thornbury’s care, who is himself one of them. We shall be glad to have the services of...
81From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 26 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As for the outer Clothing for the Soldiers there is no early Prospect but from the 1495 yards of Cloth sent you some Time ago. We purchased 100 or 150 Blankets and 400 Pair of Stockings of Mr. Ross whom I desired in Presence of an Aid of Baron Steuben’s to deliver them to the Order of the Baron. And the aid ( Major Walker ) promised to notify the Baron of this. There are some Blankets (perhaps...
82George Muter to William Davies, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The enemy’s approach rendering the removal of the arms and stores belonging to the state at Petersburgh, immedeatly necessary; Capt. Spiller (State Commissary of Military stores) goes directly from hence towards Petersburgh for that purpose, and will call on you. I must request the favour of you to render Capt. Spiller what assistance you can in the execution of the duty he goes on. The powder...
83William Armistead to William Davies, 3 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 3 Jan. 1781. Has been directed by the governor to order the tailor and shoemaker at Warwick to go to Chesterfield Courthouse immediately; but fears that without an officer to attend them they will desert; suggests that they be sent for, with a wagon or two to remove the leather and cloth on hand. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed: “Colo. William Davies Chesterfield Court House”; endorsed;...
84From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The want of a board of Council prevented our taking up the final arrangement of the Clothier’s duties till yesterday, the paper I sent you having contained only what was proposed to be agreed on. Unfortunately no copy of it was retained, so that I am obliged to ask the favor of you to return it if you still have it. We have here a large number of undressed deer-skins, and no person who can...
85From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 1 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Baron Steuben having desired that all Issues and Furnitures from us to the Continent might be on his Order while here, I immediately on Receipt of your Letter sent it down to the Baron; he was just set out to Hoods. I therefore have given an Order to Mr. Armistead to deliver the Materials to the Person attending for you that they may be making up and paying due Attention to the Barons Request....
86From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Dick, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I was willing to hope from your letter to me that you would still consent to conduct the gun factory at Fredericksburg; in the hurry of business while you were here I omitted to ask you particularly, for which reason I think myself obliged to send you the inclosed resolution, and inform you that the Executive have reappointed you to that business and hope your continuance in it. Colo. Lewis’s...
87From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Dick, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am exceedingly pleased at the spirited exertions of your town and its Neighbourhood, which with the aid Gen. Weedon carries back, and the Militia called from the Counties of Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham and Shenandoah (supposed about 900) and directed to proceed to Fredericksburg will I hope secure you. I meant this day to have begged the continuance of your attention to the Gun factory...
88From Thomas Jefferson to George Elliott, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The establishment of a Line of riders between Genl. Gregory’s Camp and Suffolk is very necessary. I would advise you to purchase horses for that purpose at any rate almost, rather than to impress. But if you cannot purchase they should be impressed. I think it would be better, whether you purchase or impress, that it be done in the neighbourhood of the enemy as much as possible, because horses...
89George Muter to J. P. G. Muhlenberg and Others, 28 December [1780] (Jefferson Papers)
The General Assembly having Authorized the Supreme Executive, in case of an Invasion of this State, to embody and Officer as they think most adviseable a force for opposing the Enemy, the Executive think it will be essentially necessary for them, to be beforehand provided with a roll of all the resigned and supernumerary Officers in the State, wherein shall be noted their Names, places of...
90From Thomas Jefferson to the First Magistrate of Each County, 20 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
THE invasion of our country by the enemy at the close of the late session of Assembly, their pushing immediately to this place, the dispersion of the publick papers, which for the purpose of saving them necessarily took place, and the injury done at the printing office, have been so many causes operating unfortunately to the delay of transmitting you the important act for supplying the army...
91From Thomas Jefferson to William Frazer, 26 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
You are at liberty to make use of the cannon and other public Stores for defence of the branches of York River. Any powder which may be necessary and can be procured from private hands, shall be paid for by the publick on your certificates. Commissaries, Commissioners of the provision Law and others having public provisions in their hands shall be justified in delivering a sufficient quantity...
92[From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 14 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ 14 Dec. 1780. Epistolary Record: “Th: J. to Gl. Gates. merely friendly & private.” Not located. Probably this letter expressed TJ’s cordial feelings toward Gates at the time of the latter’s quitting his command in the South.]
93From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 4 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
My Letter of Sept. 23d. answered your favours received before that date, and the present serves to acknowledge the receipt of those of Sept. 24th and 27th. I retain in mind and recur almost daily to your Requisitions of August; We have as yet no prospect of more than one hundred Tents. Flour is ordered to be manufactured as soon as the Season will render it safe, out of which I trust we can...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 28 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letters of the 14th, 20th, and 21st are come to hand, and your dispatches to Congress have been regularly forwarded. I shall attend to the caveat against Mr. Ochiltree’s bill. Your Letter to Colo. Senf remains still in my hand as it did not come till the enemy had taken possession of the ground on which I know him to have been, and I have since no certain information where a Letter might...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 10 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the third instant Enclosing Colo. Preston’s Letter, came to hand on the eighth. The proposals mentioned in the colonel’s Letter for sending volunteers to you were accepted and put as was necessary into such precise form as that all parties might know what they had right to expect. In doing this two circumstances happened to interfere with what had been expected. 1. We required...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 15 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am rendered not a little anxious by the Paragraph of yours of the 7th. Inst: wherein you say ‘it is near a Month since I received any Letter from your Excellency; indeed the receipt of most that I have wrote to you remain unacknowledged.’ You ought within that time to have received my Letter of September 3d. written immediately on my return to this place after a fortnights Absence; That of...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 4 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 4 Nov. 1780. This letter is almost identical with TJ’s letter to Samuel Huntington of 3 Nov. , q.v., except that it lacks postscript. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed (in part): “Recd 11 Novr. 80.”
98From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 19 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The vessel which had been sent by Genl. Leslie, to Charles town as we supposed, returned about the 12th. inst. The enemy began to embark soon after from Portsmouth, and in the night of the 15th. compleated the embarkation of their whole force. In the morning of the 16th. some of our people entered Portsmouth. They had left their works unfinished and undestroyed. Great numbers of negroes who...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation of affairs here and in Caroline is such as must shortly turn up important events one way or the other. By letter from Genl. Greene dated Guilford C. house Feb. 10. Ld. Cornwallis rendered furious by the affair at the Cowpens and surprise of George town had burnt his own waggons to enable himself to move with facility, had pressed on to the vicinities of the Moravian towns and was...
100From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 22 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Letters which accompany this will inform you of the Arrival of a large fleet of the Enemy within our Capes, and that they have begun their Debarkation. We are taking Measures to collect a Body to oppose them; for which purpose it seems necessary to retain such Regulars Volunteers and Militia as have not yet gone on to you. We have left the Counties of Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Halifax, and...