1To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Hampton will give you a return of the Militia already assembled and of those (if it can be call’d a return) expected—the whole will as it is said make by tomorrow morning one thousand—my Corps that pass’d the N. River will amount (for We are considerably diminish’d) to seven and twenty hundred—in fact our Army may be estimated at four thoushand—If I was not taught to think that your...
2To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
It never was my idea to leave the Highlands unguarded but only for expedition sake that Heath shou’d detach two thoushand of his Corps immediately over the River and to replace these two thoushand by the same number the most lightly accoutred from this Body here ’till the main Body with their baggage Cannon &cc. coud move—I conceiv’d this movement cou’d be attended with no risk as He has now...
3To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have three thoushand Men here at present but They are so ill shod that We have been oblig’d to halt these two days for want of shoes—seven Regiments of Gates’s Corps are on their march but where They actually are is not certain —General Lee has sent two Officers this day—one to inform him where the Delawaer can be cross’d above Trenton—the other to examine the road towards Burlington as...
4To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 19 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The recommendation of General Green which you transmited to me threw the Officers to whom I communicated it into so great a flame of discontent that I ventur’d notwithstanding your orders to hesitate—They accus’d him of partiallity to his connexions and Townsmen to the prejudice of men of manifestly superior merit[.] indeed it appears from the concurrent testimony of unbias’d Persons that some...
5To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major Hoops has just deliver’d to me your Excellencys letter —I am extremely shock’d to hear that your force is so inadequate to the necessity of your situation—as I had been taught to think you had been considerably reenforc’d—your last letters proposing a plan of surprises and forc’d marches convincd me that there was no danger of your being oblig’d to pass the Delawar in consequence of...
6To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
This instant came express from Colonel Tupper (station’d opposite to Dob’s Ferry) one David Keech—the substance of his intelligence is as follows—that The Enemy began their march at 9 this morning down the River with their baggage Artillery &ca—that the Man of War and two Store Ships had just set sail and were making down—I mean those which came up last—that Three Ships still lye off Terrytown...
7To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Orders and shall endeavour to put ’em in execution, but question much whether I shall be able to carry wth me any considerable number, not so much from a want of zeal in the men, as from their wretched condition with respect to shoes, stockings, blankets, &c which the present bad weather renders more intolerable I sent Heath orders to transport two thousand men across the...
8To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 4 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d your pressing letter —since which intelligence was sent me that you had quitted Brunswick—so that it is impossible to know where I can join you—but ⟨a⟩ltho I shou’d not be able to join you at all the service which I can render you will I hope be full as efficacious[.] the Northern Army has already advanced nearer Morris Town than I am—I shall put myself at their head...
9To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, 20 November 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, 20 Nov. 1776. GW wrote Lee on 24 Nov. : “I have received your favor of the 20th.”
10To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d yours last night dated the 27th from Newark—You complain of my not being in motion sooner—I do assure you that I have done all in my power and shall explain my difficulties when We have both leisure—I did not succeed with Rogers and merely owing to the timidity or caution of the Enemy who contracted themselves into a compact body very suddenly—I am in hopes I shall be able to render...