1General Orders, 16 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
James Finley Serjt in Capt. Price’s Company of Rifle men, tried by a General Court Martial for “expressing himself disrespectfully of the Continental Association, and drinking Genl Gage’s health”—The Court sentence the Prisoner to be deprived of his Arms and Accoutrements, put in a Horse Cart, with a Rope round his neck, and drum’d out of the Army and rendered for-ever incapable of serving in...
2General Orders, 17 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Revd Mr John Murray is appointed Chaplain to the Rhode-Island Regiments and is to be respected as such. Col. Prescott being taken sick, Lt Col. Johonnet of the 21st Regt is to go forthwith to Sewells point, to take the Command of that post. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . John Murray (1741–1815), founder of Universalism in America, came from England in 1770 and was residing at Gloucester,...
3From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 17 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Burwell Bassett, 17 Sept. 1775. On 6 Nov. Bassett wrote to GW : “Your favour of the 17 Sepr came safe to hand.”
4From George Washington to Thomas Everard, 17 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
As I believe it will be three Years next December, since some of my Ohio Lands (under the proclamation of 1754) were patented; and as they are not yet improved agreeable to the express Letter of the Law, it behoves me to have recourse, in time, to the common expedient of saving them by means of a friendly Petition. My distance from Williamsburg, and my ignorance of the mode of doing this, lays...
5General Orders, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The enquiry into the Conduct of Dr Church Director Genl of the hospital and the respective regimental Surgeons, to be held to morrow in General Heaths brigade. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For the particulars of this inquiry, see General Orders, 7 Sept. 1775 .
6From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 18 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favours of the 9th, 14 & 15th Instt have been duly received: The Readiness of the Committee to co-operate with me in procuring the most authentick Intelligence & dispatching Captn Whipple for this Purpose, is peculiarly satisfactory, & I flatter myself will be attended not only with Success, but the happiest Consequences to the publick Cause—I should immediately have sent you Notice of...
7General Orders, 19 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
8General Orders, 20 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
As the Commissions are ready to be delivered to the Officers serving in the Army of the United Colonies; The General recommends it to them, to apply (as soon as it is convenient) to him at Head Quarters, for the same. No Person is to presume to demand a Continental Commission, who is not in actual possession of the like Commission, from the proper Authority of the Colony he is at present...
9General Orders, 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Whereas frequent Applications are making to the General, Commander in Chief, by Officers of all Ranks & Denominations, for an allowance of Rations of provisions, which are not only absolutely necessary, but usual and customarily allowed to them—The General has thought proper to order, and direct, that from the first day of July last, there be Issued by the Commissary General, the following...
10From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have been in daily Expectation of being favoured with the Commands of the Honbl. Congress, on the Subjects of my two last Letters. The Season now advances so fast, that I cannot any longer defer laying before them, such farther Measures, as require their immediate Attention, & in which I wait their Direction. The Mode, in which the present Army has been collected, has occasioned some...
11From George Washington to John Langdon, 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
E’er this you must have heard of the taking, and retaking of your Ship; and of my ordering it to be delivered up to your Agent. I have promised the Officers, to wit Captn Broughton, Lieutt Glover, & another Subaltern whose name I cannot recollect, that I would recommd them to your notice & compensation. I should have done the same thing in behalf of the Men (for you must know the Vessell which...
12From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 21 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
It gives me much concern to observe by yours of the 15th Instant that you should think it Necessary to distinguish between my personal & Publick Character & confine your Esteem to the former. Upon a Reperusal of Mine of the 8th Instant I cannot think the Construction you have made the Necessary one, & unless it was, I Should have hoped the Respect I really have, & which I Flattered myself I...
13From George Washington to Lund Washington, 21 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 21 Sept. 1775. On 15 Oct. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “I recieve’d on Sunday last . . . one . . . of the 21st Septmbr.”
14General Orders, 22 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The undernamed Prisoners, try’d by a General Court Martial for “Mutiny, Riot and Disobedience of orders,” are severally guilty of the Crimes, wherewith they are accused, and the Court upon due Consideration of the Evidence, do adjudge that the prisoner Joseph Seales receive thirty-nine Lashes upon his bare back and be drum’d out of the Army, and that the prisoners, John Gillard, Jacob...
15General Orders, 23 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
16General Orders, 24 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Major Scarborough Gridley, try’d at a late Genl Court Martial, whereof Brigd. Genl Green was president, for “being deficient in his duty upon the 17th June last, the day of the Action upon Bunkers-hill”—The Court find Major Scarborough Gridley guilty of a breach of orders; They do therefore dismiss him from the Massachusetts service; But on Account of his inexperience and Youth, and the great...
17General Orders, 25 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
As frequent Applications to the Major Generals for furloughs, have become very troublesome, and takes up much of their time, the following method of granting them for the future is to be observed, and under no pretence whatsoever, to be dispensed with, until further orders on this head vizt. The Colonels, or commanding Officers of Regiments, or Corps, when they find it really requisite, and...
18From George Washington to Lund Washington, 25 September 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 25 Sept. 1775. On 15 Oct. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “this day I received one date’d 25th of Septmbr.”
19General Orders, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
For the future the weekly Returns on Saturdays, are to be made in the old form; The Majors of Brigade will give printed forms as usual, to the Adjutants of every brigade, at Orderly time to morrow. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
20From George Washington to Major Christopher French, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 18th Instant is now before me, as well as that from the Committee of Hartford, on the same Subject. When I compare the Treatment you have received with that which has been Shewn to those brave American Officers who were taken fighting gallantly in Defence of the Liberties of their Country, I cannot help expressing Some Surprize that you Should thus earnestly contest Points...
21From George Washington to the Hartford Committee of Safety, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 18th Instant & one from Major French on the Same Subject have come Safely to Hand. From the general Character of this Gentleman, & the acknowledged Politeness & Attention of the Committee of Hartford to the Gentlemen intrusted to their Care I flatter’d myself there would have been a mutual Emulation of Civility which would have resulted in the Ease & Convenience of both. I...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General Joseph Spencer, 26 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have perused & consider’d a Petition or rather a Remonstrance directed to you & signed by Several Captains & Subalterns on the Appointment of Mr Huntington to the Lieutenancy of Capt. Chester’s Company. The decent Representation of Officers or even of common Soldiers through the Channel of their Colonel, or other superior Officers I shall always encourage & attend to: But I must declare my...
23General Orders, 27 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Amos Brown of Capt. Wilders Company in Col. Whitcomb’s Regiment, tried at a General Court Martial whereof Col. Bridge was Presdt for “mutinous and abusive language”—The Court are unanimously of opinion the prisoner is not guilty & therefore acquit the prisoner. Genl Thomas’s brigade to be mustered on monday morning at seven OClock, and General Spencers on Wednesday morning at the same hour....
24From George Washington to James Otis, Sr., 27 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Captn Jacob Rogers having sollicited my Protection & Interference for his Safety, has laid before me sundry Papers shewing the publick Sense of his Conduct since the Commencement of the present Troubles. I beg Leave to inclose his Memorial & sundry Papers to the Honorable Board, as the Subject of his Complaint seems more properly to fall within the Cognizance of the civil than...
25General Orders, 28 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The enquiry into the Conduct of Dr Church, Director General of the hospital, and the respective Regimental surgeons, being finished in the four Brigades in and near Cambridge, conformable to the General Orders of the 7th Instant—The same is to take place to morrow in Brigdr Genl Thomas’s brigade, and in Brigadier Genl Spencers brigade on saturday. The General Court Martial whereof Col. Nixon...
26From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court, 28 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Indian who accompanies Mr Kirtland is an Oneida Chief of considerable Rank in his own Country. He has come on a Visit to the Camp principally to satisfy his Curiosity: But as his Tribe has been very friendly to the Cause of the united Colonies, & his Report to his nation at his Return have important Consequences to the publick Interest, I have studiously endeavoured to make his Visit...
27General Orders, 29 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Court of enquiry to sit this afternoon at three ’OClock to examine into the Complaint of Lt Col. Abijah Brown of the 25th Regt against Col. Ruggles Woodbridge—Col. Glover president, Col. Bridge, Major Wood, Major Lee and Major Durgee, members. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Abijah Brown of Waltham was lieutenant colonel of Col. Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge’s Massachusetts regiment. Brown left...
28General Orders, 30 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Court of enquiry ordered to sit this day in Brigadier General Spencers brigade, in relation to the dispute between the Director General of the hospital, and the Regimental Surgeons, is on account of the Indisposition of Dr Church, to be postponed until further orders. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Benjamin Church had been arrested the previous day on charges of conducting a treasonous...
29From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Revd Mr Kirtland the Bearer of this having been introduced to the Honle Congress can need no particular Recommendation from me: But as he now wishes to have the Affairs of his Mission & publick Employ put upon some suitable Footing, I cannot but intimate my Sense of the Importance of his Station, & the great Advantages which have & may result to the United Colonies from his Situation being...
30From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 30 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 6th Instt by Mr Hite came safe to hand, and gave me the pleasure of hearing that you, my Sister, & Family were well —I find also that one of my Letters had reached you, which is more than I expected (notwithstanding I have wrote you several) as I learn by my last Letters from home, that neither Mrs Washington, nor Lund, had received a Line from me since the 27th of July,...
31From George Washington to Anne Steptoe Washington, 30 September 1775 (Washington Papers)
The testimony of regard, which you were pleased to annex to my Brothers Letter of the 7th Instt filled me with grateful pleasure—may every Blessing which Heaven can bestow light on you, and yours, is the sincere wish of your Affecte Brother Please to present my best respects to the good Families at Fairfield, & other friends—I have given leave to one of the Tabs to return home. ALS , NjP :De...
32From George Washington to John Hancock, September 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Gentleman this Instant ⟨put the⟩ Inclosed Gazette (containing ⟨the Addre⟩ss & Petition of the Lord Mayor, ⟨Aldermen⟩, & Commons of the City of London) into my hands, desiring I would forward it to you. I accordingly ⟨do⟩ so, and am with very great ⟨regards⟩ and esteem, Sir Yr Most Obedt & Most Hble Serv⟨t⟩ ALS , PHi : Conarroe Collection. The manuscript is torn in several places. This is...
33General Orders, 1 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Colonels and commanding Officers of Corps, are upon application from the Qr Mr General, immediately to employ under his direction, all the Carpenters in their several regiments, to erect barracks for the Regiments and Corps they respectively belong to. Lieut. Cummings of Capt. Dow’s Company in Col. Prescots regiment, tried at a General Court martial, whereof Colo. Hitchcock was presdt for...
34From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 1 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have understood from a Letter which Genl Gates has receivd, that you had thoughts of purchasing a Mill from Mr Jacob Hite —Let me Intreat you to consider the Matter well before you bargain—I have understood that this is a very expensive piece of Work—that the Dam has already gone off once or twice &, independently of this, the Work, from the extensiveness of them, is, & must be, costly—To...
35General Orders, 2 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
36From George Washington to Lund Washington, 2 October 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 2 Oct. 1775. On 29 Oct. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “On Sunday last I got three Letters from you dated the 2d 7th and 9th of Octbr.”
37General Orders, 3 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Any Officer, non Commission’d Officer, or Soldier, who shall hereafter be detected playing at Toss-up, pitch & hustle, or any other Games of chance, in, or near the Camp or Villages bordering on the encampments; shall without delay be confined and punished for disobedience of orders. Doctor Isaac Foster, to take the direction and superintendency of the General Hospital, until further orders,...
38General Orders, 4 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
The General approves the Sentence of the General Court Martial, inserted in Yesterday’s Order, and directs that Ensign Proctor, be mulct’d one Month’s pay, and the prisoner John Gallop of Capt. Williams Company, in Col. Patterson’s regiment, punished with Fifteen Lashes, on the bare-back, at the time, and place the Colonel of the regiment shall think proper, and the Value of the Gun stopt out...
39Instructions to Colonel John Glover and Stephen Moylan, 4 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
His Excelly having resolved to equip two armed Vessels has impowired you to negotiate this Business in which the followg Directions are to be observed. Copy in Joseph Reed’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Although Reed’s copy has no dateline, it is endorsed “Octr 4th 1775.” The Varick transcript includes the closing, “I am, Gentn Your Most Obt Servt G. Washington.” GW left much...
40From George Washington to Captain Daniel Morgan, 4 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I write you in Consequence of Information I have received that you & the Captains of the Rifle Companies on the Detachment agt Quebeck claim an Exemption from the Command of all the Field Officers e[x]cept Col. Arnold. I understand this Claim is founded upon some Expression [of] mine, but if you understood me in this Way, you are much mistaken in my meaning. My Intention is and ever was that...
41From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 4 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 20th Ult: came safely to Hand, and I should have dispatched the Express much sooner, but Colo. Arnold’s Expedition is so connected with your operations that I thought it most proper to detain him till I could give you the fullest account of his progress. This Morning the Express I sent him returned and the Inclosure No. 1. is a Copy of his Letter to me. No. 2. is a Copy of a...
42General Orders, 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. Zachariah Walker tried at a General Court martial whereof Col. Varnum was presdt—for “Cowardice in the action upon Bunkers-hill the 17th of June last”—The Court on Consideration of the Evidence, are unanimously of opinion, that the prisoner is not guilty, of the charge against him—The General commands the prisoner to be instantly released. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Walker served in...
43Circular to the General Officers, 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter from the General Congress dated 26th Sept., Information on the following Points is required. What Number of Men are sufficient for a Winters Campaign. Can the Pay of the Privates be reduced, & how much. What Rations should be allow’d The Men. What Regulations are further necessary for the Government of The Forces. To the above Queries of The Congress, I have to Add several of my...
44From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
By an intelligent Person &c. (as in the preceding Letter) Your several Favours of 26. & 29. Septr were duly received—The Care of the Men respecting whom you request Direction in yours of the 29th I will consider of, as there are some Regulations forming in the Army of which I chuse to see the Result before I make any Disposition. you will therefore be pleased to have them employed in this...
45From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your Favour of the 26th ult: late the Night before last, and a Meeting of the General Officers having been called upon a Business which will make a considerable Part of this Letter, I took the Oppy of laying before them those Parts of yours which respect the Continuance, & new modelling the Army—the Fuel, Cloathing & other Preparations for the ensuing Winter. They have...
46From George Washington to the New York Committee of Safety, 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
By an intellig⟨ent Person from⟩ Boston the 3d Instt, I am informed ⟨that a Fleet⟩ consisting of one 64 one 20 Gun ⟨Ships. 2 Sloops⟩ of 18 Guns: Two Transports with 60⟨0 Men were⟩ to sail from Boston as yesterday; t⟨heir Destination⟩ a profound Secret. That they took on ⟨board⟩ 2 Mortars, & 4 Howitzers with other Arti⟨llery calcu⟩lated for the Bombardment of a Town. ⟨I have⟩ thought it proper...
47From George Washington to Robert Carter Nicholas, 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 8th Ultimo came to my hands on the 2d Instant by Mr Byrd. I return you my sincere thanks for your kind congratulation on my Appointment to the honourable and important Post I now hold, by the suffrages of this great Continent. My heart will ever bear testimony of my gratitude, for the distinguished mark of honour which has been conferred on me by this Appointment; as it also...
48From George Washington to the Portsmouth Committee of Safety, 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favour of the 2d Instt informing me that the Ship Prince George Capt. Emms from Bristol to Boston with Flour for the Enemy by a Mistake of her Captain, & the spirited Conduct of some of the Inhabitants is now in your Possession. I cannot but consider this as a most providential Event, the State of this Army being alone defective in that Article. It would...
49From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 5 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
By a Person from Boston the Day before yesterday we learn that a small Fleet consisting of a 64 Gun Ship a 20, 2 Sloops of 18 Guns. 2 Transports & about 600 Men sailed as yesterday. They took on Board 2 Mortars, 4 Howitzers & other Artillery from which we suspect they intend to bombard some Town on the Coast. General Gage is recalled Genl How commands in his Place. We have some late Accounts...
50General Orders, 6 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .