151From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Disposition of the Army which I am about to make renders it necessary that I should call away the Continental Troops now at Newark & Elizabeth Town—I therefore think it necessary to give you this Information, & to let you know that I expect you will extend part of the Militia under your Command, so as to give assistance to the well affected people of that part of the Country from Newark to...
152To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
A number of Colo. Brodheads men, 8th Pennsylvana regiment, were some time since tried for desertion—Your Excellency was induced from the disordered state of that regiment to suspend the execution of the several sentences untill a court of enquiry could ascerta[i]n the real cause of such disorder no court hath set & from the long confinment of the men they have lost their healths & are become...
153From George Washington to Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
When you were at this place some time since, you assured me, that I might expect to see you and your Regiment at Camp about a fortnight thence. I must confess I did not entertain the least Suspicion, after this assurance, that so long a space would have elapsed, and that at the end of it the event would be as remote for any thing I should know, as ever. I find myself utterly at a loss to...
154To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency last Night from Col. Shrives’s Quarters, where I was Concerting Measures for attacking the Enemys Camp near Amboy, before they had all left the Town; or could get the Camp fortify’d; when I was disconcerted, by receiving the inclosd from Genl Mullenberg & advice of the Same Sort from Genl Maxwell. This Manœuvre is of very extensive Consequence—It gives the Enemy Command...
155From George Washington to Major General Adam Stephen, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
No pleasure could exceed what I should feel, if it was in my power to protect every Town, and every individual on this wide extended continent; this, however, is a pleasure that never can be realized, and as our dispersed Situation, is neither formidable for defence, or offence, it becomes me to place the Continental Troops in such a manner as to answer a more valuable purpose than to give the...
156From George Washington to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 19th instant, in which you inform me, that by the last returns your Regiment amounted to 234 including dead and deserted. This is rather an unsatisfactory account of the matter, and admits the supposition of a very large as well as a small part coming under this description. I should be glad you would be more explicit in your next and furnish me with as exact...
157General Orders, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief is pleased to approve, the following sentences of a General Court Martial, held at Ash-Swamp, on the 14th Inst: whereof Col. Mathews was President. Ensign Gill of the 4th Virginia regiment, charged with “Being absent from his regiment without leave, and neglect of duty”—found guilty of the charge; but in consideration of his good character in the regiment, ordered to be...
158From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By this day’s post, I received your favor of the 13th Instant. I am sorry to find you have to combat so many difficulties in raising your Regiment; These However, I flatter myself, in a little time will all be surmounted by your persevering activity. A Chaplain is part of the Establishment of a Corps of Cavalry, and I see no Objection to your having One, Unless you suppose yours will be too...
159From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 23 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 23 May 1777. Greene wrote GW on 24 May : “Your Excellencies favor of Yesterday this moment came to hand.”
160From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your Two favors of the 11th & 14th Instant. I think with you, that it will not be entirely prudent, to deposit All our Stores at one place, not so much from an apprehension that the Enemy will penetrate the Country to destroy them, as that the whole may not be lost, in case of other unhappy events. I have spoke to Genl Knox, who will direct, what he judges proper to be...
161From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I, yesterday, had the pleasure of your’s of the 21st instant. I wish every Gentleman in the army could appeal to his own heart and find the same principles of conduct, which, I am persuaded activate you; we should experience more consistency, zeal and steadiness, than we do, in but too many instances. A disinterested attachment to the cause, we are ingaged in, can alone produce that line of...
162From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your Letters of the 18th & 22d Instant with their Inclosures. I am sorry to find there is such a Scarcity of Blankets, and doubt not, whatever Measures you pursue to procure a Supply, will be founded on the strictest propriety. I thank you for your Information respecting Mr James Fisher, and shall avail myself of it in a suitable Manner. I am Dr Sir with great Esteem &...
163To George Washington from Colonel Henry Sherburne, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Wrote your Excellency about six Weeks ago informing of the Proficency We had made in Recruiting the Battalion, to which have not as yet Recd an Answer. Three of the Companies which are raising in Connecticut have Recd that state Bounty which has given us an Opportunity of doing as well there as any of the other Battalions, Most of the Recruits have passed thro the small pox and am this Day...
164To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 23 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Adam Stephen, 23 May 1777. Stephen wrote GW on 24 May : “I wrote your Excellency last Night from Col. Shrives’s Quarters.”
165From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday I have received this morning. As Genl Greene is gone down, with an intention to collect his Division and I dont know what advances he may have made in it, I could not with propriety agree to the change you mention without his approbation; I have wrote to him signifying my assent and desiring him to give you his sentiments upon the occasion. If I have made a mistake in...
166To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
There was one Richard Burrest Tryed by General Court Martial on the 22d Instant, & Convicted by his own Confession of Attempting to Desert to the Enemy. he was taken by one of our Scouting partys near the Enemies Lines & Sentenced by the Court to be Shot for Desertion. I Should have forwarded him with a Copy of his Sentence to Head Quarters but as Desertions are So frequent here I think an...
167From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your letter of the 18th inst. As I could only repeat the observations contained in my letter of the 11th upon your request for two Regiments to remain in Connecticut, I must beg leave to refer your attention to them, and to a few more which I shall now subjoin—If the several Battalions designed to compose the Army, were compleat, I should then hope, a few Troops...
168From George Washington to James Warren, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 4th instant was duly handed me. I am fully sensible of the zeal your state has demonstrated in the instances you recite, and in many more. With you, I consider them as great exertions; and as a decisive evidence of your inclination to do every thing in your power, to advance the common cause. At the same time, whatever efforts have been or can be made are not more than...
169General Orders, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The following arrangement is to take place for the present, subject to such alterations as circumstances may hereafter require. Viz: The 1st 5th 9th and 13th regiments from Virginia, with Hazen’s regiment; to compose the first Brigade from that State, under the command of Brigadier Genl Muhlenberg—The 2nd 6th 10th and 14th regiments, to compose the second, under the command of Brigadier Genl...
170To George Washington from General William Howe, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not having received an Answer to my Letter of the 21st April, I am to request your final Decision upon the Demand I then made of the Prisoners in your Possession, both Officers and Soldiers, in Exchange for those I have returned, and for your Determination respecting the Prisoners now here, that I may my Arrangements accordingly. It is with Concern I receive frequent Accounts of the ill...
171To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The subject of your letter of the 17th is a very important one, and whilst it deserves the greatest attention, is certainly involved in great difficulty. Of one truth however, I beg you Sir to be convinced—That no desire to get rid of importunity has occasioned these appointments, but motives military and political meerly. These Adventurers may be divided into three Classes, some who came...
172To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellencies directions of the 20th forwarded by Colonel Harrison. In order to prevent in some measure the too frequent desertions, and to promote the safety of this camp I have detached a few companies of good faithful men on whom we can depend as well for their atteachment to the cause as for their bravery and activity, to act as scouts ⅌ day and patrols by night, they...
173To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mrs Greaton, who has the Leave of Congress to go into New York, provided your Excellency approves, was to have been accompanied by a Colonel Muellevain —I am just now informed that she has taken James Fisher of this City with her, a notorious Tory, and capable of giving more Intelligence to the Enemy than any Man in it —I have informed Mr Hancock of this and he has advised me to communicate it...
174To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 22 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 22 May 1777. GW wrote Sullivan on 23 May : “Your favour of Yesterday I have received this morning.”
175To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 22 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As it may be of Consequence for you to be acquainted with every Movement of the Enemy, would inform your Excellency, that by a Letter this day receiv’d from Govr Bradford Dated the 20th instant, have Intelligence that, on the forenoon of that day, twenty seven Sail left New Port and appear’d to be bound up Sound—and that they learnt by some Deserters before that Time that two Hessian Regiments...
176General Orders, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Michael Ryan Esqr: (late Brigade Major to the Garrison of Ticonderoga, and Fort Independence) is appointed to that duty in Brigadier Genl Wayne’s Brigade; and to be respected and obeyed as such. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Michael Ryan (d. 1791), who had been commissioned a second lieutenant in the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment in January 1776, became adjutant of that regiment in March 1776 and...
177From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honor to transmit you a General Return of the Forces in Jersey. It is regimentally digested and will shew the strength of each Corps. I should not have sent it so particularly made out, had I not conceived the conveyance, by which it goes from hence, entirely secure. I have nothing material to add respecting the Enemy. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Yr Most...
178From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 21 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 21 May 1777. Lincoln wrote GW on 24 May : “I was honoured with your Excellences favor of the 21.”
179To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to acknowlege, the Receipt of your favor of the 16th last night. Before the sword was drawn for the Defence of the Rights and privileges of this distressed Country, I voluntarily sacrificed my Constitution, and no small part of my fortune to promote her Interest and secure her Liberties. The Motives which determined me to those Acts of self Denial, will induce me to contribute...
180To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since the 15th Inst. I have had no Returns by which I can give any further particular Information of the State of the Regiments; in General small Additions are daily making: next Monday the finall Draft is to be made which I hope will nearly compleat Us: at present we have very few who have ingagd to the first of Jany Only. So great a proportion of our men when raisd will not have had the...
181General Orders, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Valentine Peers Esqr. is appointed Brigade Major, to Brigadier Genl Weedon; and is to be respected, and obeyed as such. Lewis Woodruff Esqr: is appointed a Deputy Muster Master. Colonels, and Commanding Officers of Battalions, and Corps, must cause their regimental Paymasters, to make up their pay-abstracts to the 30th day of April, inclusive, and order them to attend, at the Pay Master...
182Circular to the Brigade Commanders, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are desired, immediately upon the receipt hereof, to draw together the men of the Regiments assigned to your Brigade. As soon as they are assembled; you are to call for exact returns from the Colonels or commanding officers, obliging them to render a particular account of the officers and Men who are absent. If they are well, let them specify where they are and upon what service. If they...
183To George Washington from Major John Grizzage Frazer, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 20 May 1777 . “I am offered the Deputy Adjutant Genls place in the Northern Army, provided Genl Gates had not already appointed some one, which he had power to do. I shall set out for Ticonderoga on Wednesday Morning with a Letter from the President of Congress to Genl Gates requesting him to appoint me in that department, if it is still vacant, but I have some reason to think...
184To George Washington from John Hancock, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Mrs Graydon of this City, a very worthy Lady, whose Anxiety to see her Son Captain Graydon, now a Prisoner with the Enemy, is so great, that Congress have been induced to consent to her having an Interview with him. I am therefore to request your Attention to the enclosed Resolve on the Subject, and that you will give Directions for having it carried into...
185To George Washington from Colonel Hugh Hughes, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honour’d with your Excellency’s Favour of the 15th Instant, and shall punctually obey every Command it contains. General Mc,Dougall order’d, sometime since, five Hundred Tents to Peekskill, which we furnish’d, and shall be able, when all the Stuff is made up, to supply upwards of a Hundred more. Captn Bowen, of Providence, writes me, of the 17th Instant, that he had procur’d two Hundred...
186To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have in the Guard House an infamous tory said to be one of Skinners men who on an attempt made by our people to secure him fired on them & wounded one—he also was wounded but is now almost well—By the enclosed warrant your excellny will learn more of the matter than I can explain —Wish to know whether he is to be tried by the civil authority of this State or by a Genl Court martial—By a...
187From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this day received your favor of the 19th. General putnam being thus far in his way to peeks Kills, and fully instructed upon most of the matters contained in your Letter, makes it unnecessary for me, to answer it so particularly, as I otherwise should have done; and as I wish to refer you to those instructions for my Sentiments & Ideas upon the Subjects of it. I shall observe However, that...
188From George Washington to James Mease, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 12th instant. I am informed, that Colo. Moylan has provided Frocks for his men, with which they can cover their Red Coats occasionally; if so, it takes off the objection which I had to their Uniform. But this cannot be done by the Foot, as they cannot carry a coat and Frock, you must therefore contrive to have their Coats dyed, as quick as possible. Colo:...
189From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 15th inclosing the order of your Governor, founded upon a Resolve of Congress for detaining two of the Continental Battalions in Connecticut. My Letter of the 17th, fully expresses my opinion upon the impolicy of this measure, of which I am more and more convinced. From some late accounts, I have good reason to believe that the Enemy do not expect an early...
190To George Washington from Richard Peters, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour of enclosing all the Resolves of Congress I know of relative to the recruiting Allowance. Much Complaint has been made as to its Sufficiency for the Support of both Officers & Soldiers. It was at the Time the Resolves were passed perhaps equal to the Expence incurred by recruiting Officers. At these Times when all the Necessaries of Life are so enormously advanced the...
191Instructions to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having been pleased to appoint you to the rank of Brigadier General in the Armies of the United States of America, the following Regiments, in a division to be commanded by Major General Sullivan, are to compose your Brigade; vizt: the German Battalion, so called, under the Command of Baron D’Arendt, and the 2nd price’s, 4th Hall’s, 6th Williams’s, from the State of Maryland. The...
192Enclosure, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Arrangement and Present Strength of the Army in New Jersey Majr Genls Brigadrs No. of the Regimts Names of the Colonels To what State belongg Strength of ea: Regt Strength of each Brigade Strength of each Division Green Muhlenburg 1 Reed Virga
193General Orders, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief positively directs, that all officers stationed at Out-Posts, do not come to Morristown, but when their business absolutely requires it; and in that case, that they return to their posts, with all possible expedition. Thomas Mullen Esqr:, is appointed Brigade Major to Brigadier Genl De-Borre; and is to be respected, and obeyed as such. A number of horses having been...
194Instructions to Colonel Armand, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Desirous of making our Service as agreeable to you as possible, and of furnishing you with every Opportunity in my power of acquiring Honour, I have consented to the request you made me of raising and commanding a Partisan Corps. You probably will have it more in your power, to distinguish yourself at the head of a body of Men that understand the French Language, than of any others, Wherefore...
195To George Washington from Lieutenants William Clark and William Norcross, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Morristown, 19 May 1777 . Ask GW to discharge them from the 3d New Jersey in which they recently had been commissioned second lieutenants after serving the previous campaign as ensigns. “Our Reasons Are, that Gentlemen Are Appointed First Lieuts. Over Us, that have not Born Rank in the Army nor Seen Service, we Therefore Are of Oponion That if That Body [the New Jersey general assembly] did...
196From George Washington to Major Colerus, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter by Monsr Malmady. I am sorry some of the Gentlemen promoted by Congress render themselves unhappy, either by forming in their minds, the most groundless suspicions of neglect, or torturing themselves by an unwarrantable degree of jealousy at the promotions of others. It has always been my wish and design, that you should be provided for, so soon as you acquired a...
197Instructions to Brigadier General Thomas Conway, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Congress having been pleased to appoint you to the rank of Brigadier General in the Armies of the United States of America, the following Regiments (from the State of Pennsylvania in a division to be Commanded by Major Genl Lord Stirling) are intended at present, to compose your Brigade, vizt third, Wood’s, 6th Magaw’s, 9th Morris’s and 12th Cooke’s. These Regiments, being at present in an...
198From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd yours of the 13th which is in a great measure answered by one which I wrote to you on the 15th But I cannot help taking notice of some expressions in your letter, which appear to me like an imputation of partiality in favr of this Army, to the disadvantage and inconvenience of the Northern. Can you suppose, if there had been an ample supply of Tents for the whole Army, that I...
199To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Saturday last the General Court Martial appointed for the Tryal of Lieut. Colonel Farrington of Colo. Putnams Regiment (charged with behaving in a scandalous and infamous manner) gave in their Judgment that He was Guilty of the Charge alledged against him & have adjudged him to be discharged from the Army—Incapable to serve in the Continental Service and ordered him to be published in the News...
200To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 19 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
One of the Hessians left their camp at the landing this afternon, his account of their numbers & situation is very simelar to that we have often had from others. He informs there are no appearances of removing at present, they are waiting for a reinforcment which they daily expect—That the treatment they receive is so very different from what they expected, & so injurious, (were promised 16d....