1To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 25 February [1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[Colo. Meade has return’d from examining into the Affair of the Flag. He has brought the inclosed papers which I send for your inspection. I do not find sufficient Reasons to Detain Mr. Hare any longer and have therefore sent orders to have him discharged.] I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency, that the Detachment has marched from this consisting of 400 Rank and file. They are well...
2Memoranda of Needs Submitted by Steuben, [ca. 1 March 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( NHi ); in Steuben’s hand; at foot of text is the following: “Marquis 1200 Infant Reg: Gen. Weedon 800 Milice Coll Parcker 1400 —— Gen. Steuben 2500 —— Cavallerie 120 6020 .”
3To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 5 March [1781] (Jefferson Papers)
The danger which th[r]eatend the State has occasioned the calling together the Legislature, and as I have no doubt but that the principal object of their attention will be the security of the State I take the liberty of submiting to your Excellency, some observations, which I think worthy their attention. However happy a turn Affair[s] may take it is not to any Efforts of ours, but to the...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 7 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here yesterday Evening and am sorry to inform your Excellency that there has been no appearance of the French Fleet since they went out—on the contrary the Bay is full of British Cruizers and three Vessells lay in Lynhaven bay. The Dispatches your Excellency and myself sent had not left York Yesterday. I must request your Excellency to provide four Surgeons and 4 Mates with proper...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
From the first moment I was informed of Lt. Hares arrival with a Flag I declined all transaction with it and referd it wholly to the Civil Authority, for as the purposes for which he came out were by no means of a Military nature it seemed to me subject only to their decision. The Officers of Militia who have acted in this affair have doubtless considered it in this point of View. They acted...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 9 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received a Letter from General Muhlenberg dated the 7th. Inst. informing me that the Reinforcement which was to have Joined him the 5th. inst. had not then arrived and consequently he was prevented from detaching the 800 Men destined to Join General Gregory and to secure the passage of the great Bridge. At the same instant arrived Twelve Men being all of the 104 who were orderd from New...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 10 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A number of boats are absolutely wanting. There are only seven in Colledge Creek and those without oars. The Quarter Master informs me Your Excellency will not give him Militia for the purpose of impressing boats , when they can not be procured by any other means. The want of them is alone sufficient to put an end to the Expedition. Tr ( NHi ); endorsed. TJ nevertheless issued warrants for...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment informed of the return of the English Fleet into Lynhaven Bay in the night of the 24th. and that this morning Eighteen sail now arrived and Joined them. It is very probable the last are Transports with the Reinforcements expected from New York. When the Express came from Hampton one Ship was under way coming up to Hampton Road. The Wind has not been fair today for the Vessells...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 1 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received a letter from Colo. Banister informing that the Times of the Rifle men, and other Troops under Genl. Muhlenberg will expire in ten days. Your Excellency will judge whether it is not necessary to order a relief as soon as may be, that is, if the present force is intended to be kept up. If not I wait Your orders to dismiss them. I am with the greatest Respect and...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, [4 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment honor’d with your Excellency’s Letter of 3d. April. What has engaged me to mention the Relief of the Militia is a Letter from Genl. Muhlenberg of 30th March in wich is the following paragraph “Colo. Mathews informed me to day that on the 12 of next month his militia would have Served three months and expect to be discharged on that day and as Colo. Boyers Regiment is in the...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 15 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have already appointed Mr. Robinson Deputy Commissary Issues and hope that Department will soon be properly Arranged. Orders are already given to Captain Prior for the Removal of the stores from Prince George Ct. Ho. to this place. I have no doubt it will be done immediately. General Muhlenberg in a Letter dated 14th. informs me that the Enemy have nearly compleated 25 Boats to contain each...
12Steuben to William Phillips, [15 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to receive from his Excellency the Governor of this state an extract from your letter to him on the subject of a flag, which he had requested you would permit to pass to Charles Town with tobacco for the benefit of the prisoners at that place belonging to this state. I am the more willing to undertake the regulation of this matter with you from the full confidence I repose in...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, with Plan for Defensive Operations, 17 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Major Mitchell will present to your Excellency a List of the Men now with Genl. Muhlenberg and will inform you of the number of those who are on the point of leaving him. He will also communicate to your Excellency my plan for defensive Operations , which will require at least the number of Men I have already asked for, and I must again request that this force may be on foot before the Enemy...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 19 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with your Excellency’s Letter of this Date. Colonel Innes informs me of some Vessels Being on their way up. Till we know their force, which side they Mean to Act, we can Determine nothing, and till then I approve the Different Rendezvous you have Named. I am only afraid if their Movements are Rapid, they will get here Before the militia. I shall Communicate to your Excellency...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, [21 April 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
The great distress we are in for Arms has determined me to deliver out all those we have here that were destined for the Recruits, excep 150 which I have delivered to the recruits that are here. I have in the same time taken the arms out of the hands of the Artificers, in order that they may be deliverd to the Militia. Notwithstanding our Distress I find that the 1,000 Arms which have been...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment received intelligence from Gen. Muhlenburg which I inclose you. Your letters of Yesterday are received and shall be answered the first leisure moment Yr Excellcys Dft ( NHi ) endorsed: “Copy to Govr Jefferson 23 Apl 1781 8 o Clk Pm.” Enclosure missing, but from two letters that Steuben wrote to James Innes on the same day it is clear what information Muhlenberg had transmitted....
17Steuben to William Davies, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As I am unacquainted with officers commanding the Militia at Richmond, and it being my desire that of those that are Armed one half shall march immediately to Turkey Island and the other to the Long bridge on Chickahominy, I have inclosed the order, which I request you to communicate. I only wait the arival of Colo. Senf, to visit hoods and Blands Ordinary, where I intend making the...
18[To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, ca. 4 May 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Camp Bottom’s Bridge, ca. 4 May 1781 . In a letter to Major Lomagne, replying to an urgent appeal for forage, Steuben wrote: “Orders are given to provide Forage and Provision for your Corps and a good Pasture to refresh the Horses. I have wrote to the Governor to procure the necessary Cloathing for the men whilst in Quarter. What may be necessary for the Campaign must not be furnished till...