121From George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin, 28 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
From your Letter of the 13th, and my answer of the 15th I expected, you would have been in Camp ’ere now; If you are not detained on Business, that is materially interesting and of consequence, I wish you to join me immediately. I this day move to Bound Brook, from whence I came yesterday morning. I am Dear Sir, Your most Obedt Servt Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The unfound receiver’s copy of...
122From George Washington to Robert Morris, 28 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you the inclosed from General Lee which I have just received by a flag. The other inclosures, I beg may be immediately handed to the Gentlemen for whom they are. As I am this moment going off to the Camp at Boundbrook, I have only time to add, that I am with sentiments of real regard & respect, Sir Your most Obedient servant LS (photocopy), in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, NjP :...
123Instructions to Lieutenant Colonel Jeremiah Olney, 28 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your detachment is to remain at Morris Town till further orders, with which, and the Militia now here, you are to Guard the Stores of different kinds, in the most effectual manner you are able. Endeavour, as far as it is in your power, to Strengthen the works already begun upon the Hill near this place, and erect such others as are necessary for the better defending of it, that it may become a...
124From George Washington to Jeremiah Dummer Powell, 28 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
As I saw no prospect of the three Super numera[ry] Regiments allotted to your State being rais’d till lately by the legislature having adopted them, and given them the priveledge of the aditional bounty, I had order’d Colo. Henly on to Camp, with a View of providing for Him in Some other Capacity I consider Him as too valuable An Officer to permit Him to be lost to the Service But when that...
125From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Trumbull, 28 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Though your remaining at philadelphia longer, to compleat the Business, you are upon, may be a desireable circumstance, Yet, it is of infinitely more importance, that you should repair to Camp without a Moments delay. All our Troops in Jersey are nearly collected at a point. Every day, we are to hope, will bring in further Reinforcements. At this time, we are greatly distressed for provision,...
126General Orders, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
One Sub.—one Serjt and twenty privates, of Lieut. Col. Olney’s detachment to do duty as Artillery Men, under Lieut: in Morristown, ’till further orders. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For the general orders regarding the establishment of guards and patrols to protect the new camp at Middlebrook, N.J., that Gen. Nathanael Greene issued on this date, see “Muhlenberg’s Orderly Book,” 33:259; see...
127To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment the Commisary reports to me that the Provisions & supplies fall short and that its out of his power with his utmost exertion to procure a sufficient supply. I wish your Excellency would order the Commisary at Morris Town down here as soon as possible to the assistance of this. We must take Sheep & Cattle about the Country to supply the present deficiency. I think Trumbull should...
128From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have ordered the Assistant Commissary at this place, to repair immediately to Camp. It is the peculiar misfortune of this Army to have, generally speaking, the head[s] of the different departments always absent when they are most wanted—Two months was I labouring, as hard as a man could, to get the Comy Genl to this place, & had scarce accomplished it before the Congress ordered him to...
129To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour of transmitting at this Time sundry Resolves, to which I beg Leave to refer your Attention. From them you will learn, that Congress have ascertained the Limits of the Northern Department, and that they have ordered Genl Schuyler to take the Command therein. The Regulations respecting Chaplains in the Army are highly necessary. By encreasing their Pay, and enlarging the Bounds...
130To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of yours of the 10th Instant, and immediately sent on Lt Colo. Sprout who is an Active Spirited Officer to correct those Abuses committed by the Troops on the March mentioned by your Excellency. I have desired the same of General Nixon who is also on his journey to Pecks Kill, at which place he will have arrived before this reaches you. But surely all the Troops have...
131To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hancock has directed me to inform you that upon the Request of several Members of Congress, who judgd my Attendance here for some Days necessary, I must remain in Philada unless the Buisiness of the Army cannot be executed to your Satisfaction by the Gentlemen who are now with you as Depy Qr Mrs Genl. In the mean Time I have my Hands filld with the Formation of the Department & the...
132To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recived your favor at this Plas as I in company with ginrol Clinton thought proper to Com to this plas to see how the Obstructions in the rever went on and also to see what could be don as to Booms with Logs we have not as yeat Com to any Detarmenation what is beast to be don but when we shall Com to any detarmenation about it I Shall inform your Exelancy of it. as to your Plan of Supris by...
133To George Washington from George Walton, 27 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Well aware of the many great objects which necessarily & constantly occupy your mind, I would not trouble you upon the present occasion, were I not pressed to it by the bearer. He is appointed to the command of the fourth Georgia-Battalion, which is yet in great part to be raised, and that too in other states. I have suggested to him the several difficulties; I have told him, that; as Congress...
134General Orders, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
It being omitted (thro’ mistake) in the Orders of the 22nd Instant, to mention the Brigadiers that command in Major General Lord Stirling’s division—Brigadier Genl Conway takes command of the 3rd 6th 9th and 12th Pennsylva Regts and Col. Spencer’s regiment, which compose his brigade—And Genl Maxwell of the 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th Jersey regiments, which form his brigade. Peter Tarling Esqr: is...
135Circular Instructions to the Brigade Commanders, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are to enquire minutely into the State & Condition of your Brigade & Order every Officer & Soldier belonging to it, not usefully employed in recruiting, or in the execution of any command (by proper Authority) or Sick in Hospitals, to Join their respective Corps immediately & see that it is done. Make strict enquiry what measures the commanding Officers of each Regiment in your Brigade is...
136To George Washington from Colonel Mordecai Gist, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours under cover to General Smallwood requiring a return of the State of my Regiment, which was Immediately forwarded to him in order that the same might be transmitted to your Excellency—agreeable to your orders, which I make no doubt you have receivd. from the Insurrection of some Tories in Somerset & Worchester Counties of Maryland in Feby last—the...
137To George Washington from James Lovell, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by a German Officer who expresses much inclination to enter into the army under your command. The trouble which your Excellency receives from Foreigners commissioned by Congress has made the Committee, appointed to examine their pretensions, averse to offering any resolutions for places above the rank of subalterns. The Bearer speaks english very well, and has an...
138To George Washington from Major Apollos Morris, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I receiv’d the inclos’d letters which Genl Firman was kind enough to have deliver’d seald thro’ Mr Wade of this City; injoining me to Suppress any thing improper. This I think it my duty to leave to your Judgment, as it was thro’ your Indulgence I took the oportunity of a private conveyance of the Letters to which they are answers. One of which Letters was the same shewn to Col:...
139From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you upon a particular Subject Yesterday, to which I refer, and request to know your sentiments thereon, as soon as you can with propriety communicate them, because it may have some influence upon my movements in this quarter. An Express from Govr Trumbull, which came in last night, informs me that two Hessian Regiments and an half, and the 63 British had orders on the 17th Instt to...
140From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday evening honored with your letter of the 22d instant—It is certainly of importance that I should have the earliest intelligence of the Enemy’s Movements, and I beg leave to thank you for the information you have been pleased to transmit on that head. Your anxiety for Troops to remain in Connecticut and my inability to grant them, when I examine matters upon a large, and I...
141General Orders, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
142To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I find a great want of Tents in several Brigades—General Maxwell sais he has none neither has he had it in his power to get any. I shall endeavor to get a more particular state today and will notify your Excellency upon the subject. A small detachment of Col. Lewis Regiment came in last Evening without Blankets or Tents and sais there were none to be had at Philadelphia. If that be true we...
143From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the uncommon prevalency of desertion at this time in the army, I am induced to think, there must be great mismanagement and abuses among the officers, which must be corrected as the first and principal step towards preventing it. This general consideration makes it necessary that a careful inquiry should be made into the matter, and as the practice exists in a higher degree in the 8th...
144From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 21st instt from New Haven came safe to hand by Colo: Henley to which mine of the 20th instt is an answer, so far as relates to inoculation. I am very glad to find, that to morrow is the day fixed on for the completion of your Regiments; but I begin to think, that with respect to the continent at large, it is almost a matter of moonshine, whether they are completed or not,...
145To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having recd Information that the Enemy were collecting Forage, Horses &c. on the East End of Long Island, I order’d a Detachment from the Several Regiments then at this Place, consisting of 1 Major 4 Capts. Viz. Throop, Pond, Mansfield & Savage, & 9 Subalterns & 220 Noncommisd Officers & Privates under the Command of Lt Coln. Meigs to attack their different posts on that Part of the Island &...
146From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Would it be practicable, do you think, under the present Circumstances, and situation of the Troops at Peeks Kill, to surprise the Enemy at Kings bridge? it must be effected by surprise or not at all, and must be undertaken by Water, which would also prove abortive, if the Enemy have Vessels of any kind above Fort Washington. The undigested Ideas which I have entertained of the matter, are...
147General Orders, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Aquillah Giles Esqr: is appointed Aide-De Camp to Major Genl St Clair; and to be obeyed and respected as such. All the troops in, and near Morristown, (except on duty) to attend divine service, to morrow morning. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Aquila Giles (1758–1822) of Maryland served in the hospital department before receiving this appointment. Captured by the British at or near Germantown,...
148To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th Inst. from Morris Town is now before me. The Barracks at Ticonderoga, and Mount Independence, will not Contain more than One Thousand Officers and Men; the Hutts that were built last Campaign, might for ought I know, contain One Thousand more; but these being made of Earth, and flimsily put together, are mostly in Ruins. But Neither the Huts, or Barracks,...
149To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencies favor of Yesterday this moment came to hand. I am perfectly satisfied with the exchange of Hazens Regiment for the Barron Arends—I am by no means attach’t to any particular Regiment—nearly an equal distribution of the forces will be entirely satisfactory to me. I only wish to stand upon an equal footing with other Officers—then if I dont execute my duty as well I am willing...
150From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Congress, that immediately after the receipt of their Resolve of the 26th of March, recommending the Office of Adjutant General to be filled by the Appointment of a person of Abilities, and unsuspected attachment to our Cause, I wrote to Colo. Timothy Pickering of Salem, offering him the post in the first instance, and transmitting at the same time a Letter for Colo....