1General Orders, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
After Orders September 15th 1778. 1st—The whole Army will march tomorrow morning at seven ôClock —The General will beat at five the troop at six and the march at seven precisely. 2nd The baggage will precede the troops the first day Provision and Forage Waggons going in front. 3rd The Park of Artillery will march with the second Line between Parsons’s and Clinton’s Brigades. 4th The Commander...
2To George Washington from Lieutenant Caleb Brewster, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
this Morning Returnd from Long Island where I find that the Garrison on Lloyds Consists of 250 Men Including Wood Cutters, they Have a Small fort Situated upon a Clift Joyning the Sound, with a Small Entrenchment about three feet in Height, Nearly four Square Abatied on three Sides in about fifteen feet of the Lines & nothing but Musquetry to Defend it, the Garrison Consists Entirely of New...
3To George Washington from Major Alexander Clough, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning I was in formd that genl Clinton had return’d to new york, the former intelligance relating the removel of the arttilery store is conferm’d with this addition, that there remains little on shore, the loss of men by sickness in Adml Byrons fleet is very considerable, at this time there is not less than 460 sick belonging, the Conquerer unfitt for duty, Adml Howe arive’d the last...
4From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will early to morrow morning with the division under your command, begin your march from Bedford —and proceed by easy marches to Danbury—near which place you will take a position—in the choice of which, regard is to be had to two capital objects—1st the maintaining a communication with the divisions between you and the North River, for mutual support and the security of the Posts in the...
5From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The army is to march tomorrow morning precisely at seven OClock. It will move in three columns—one consisting of the two divisions, General Putnams and Baron De Kalbs, will proceed towards Crotons Bridge —The former will prosecute its route to West Point—the latter will file off at or near Croton’s Bridge to Fredericksburgh and there join the second line under Major General Lord...
6To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy’s Fleet which visited and destroyed a considerable part of Bedford on the 5th & 6th Instant are now between Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth, (Cape Cod) —it is this Day reported that their number is increased to Seventy Sail, and that they have made a demand on the Inhabitants of the Island for 300 Head of Cattle & 10000 Sheep. I think the Enemy are meditating mischief this way, indeed...
7From George Washington to Major General Johann Kalb, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to march tomorrow morning precisely at the hour appointed, with your division, in conjunction with the division under the immediate command of Major General Putnam, towards Croton’s bridge; While the divisions continue together, You will take your orders from General Putnam. At or near Croton’s Bridge the two divisions separate; and you take the road to Fredericksburgh, ’till you fall...
8To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
As I understand the Army is soon to move and it certainly will be very awkward for a Man in my circumstances to be oblig’d to attend it, I shall think my self very much oblig’d to your Excellency for permission to go to Philadelphia, I shou’d not be so desirous of this indulgence, if I had not been made to believe that it yet may be a considerable time, before my affair is brought to a final...
9From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to march tomorrow morning precisely at the time appointed with the division under your command towards Danbury, there to join the left Wing, under the immediate command of Major General Gates. You will take the Route by King’s Street Bedford &ca. You will regulate the particular order of your march, agreeable to the principles of a General Order issued at Valley Forge the first of June...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to Your Excellency by Coll Balor three Letters from England that may amuse You a little some of which has not gone through the Enemys hands—if Your Excellency will please to return them to me I will send them to the owners Every intiligen[c]e seems to confirm that ten Regts is ordered to the West Indias and is supposed to sail sho[r]tly I have likewise incllosed to Your Excellency...
11To George Washington from Pennsylvania Subaltern Officers, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
White Plains, 15 September 1778 . Apply for redress from “an unprecedented & illegal mode of promotting Officers, under the Rank of Field, which has shewn it self in the late Arrangment . . . . “Your Excellency was pleased to issue in Orders, that Officers were to rise Regimentally to the rank of Captains &c. unless in Cases of extraordinary Merit, Greater Security we can never have for our...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Casimir Pulaski, 15 Sept. 1778. GW wrote Pulaski on 19 Sept. : “I have been favoured with your Letter of the 15 Inst. by Monsr Segond.” Only the addressed cover, which was docketed by Robert Hanson Harrison, has been found ( MH : Jared Sparks Collection).
13From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to march precisely at the hour appointed tomorrow morning, with two divisions, the one under your own immediate command, and the other under the immediate command of Baron De Kalb. You will take the route by Young’s Tavern and Stephen Danfords to Croton Bridge . Near Crotons Bridge the two divisions will separate—with the one under your immediate command, You are to Proceed to West...
14From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General and Field Officers of the day, have orders to withdraw the pickets at day-break to morrow morning—Previous to that, you are to assemble Major Lees Corps, and the rest of the Cavalry under your command, and distribute them on the different Roads leading to the Enemys lines, directing them to advance with a view of discovering whether the enemy intend any forward movement—that the...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I send Your Excellency a letter and two York papers, which Came out late Last evening by a flag, Gists riflemen Feird on the flag, but don no damage The officer who came with the flag begs That an answer to the letter may be sent In this Day. I have not been able to Git any intelligence by our Spies, as none of them have been able to git out Yet. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servant ALS , DLC:GW...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment recd Intelligence By two Gentlemen from Colo. Gist, that there Are a large partee of the enemy, out on the Albany road about a mile below Phillaps’s Hous and advancing they also inform that a Partee was Seen Going towards Volintins Hill Every Possable Care Shall be taken to git Their Design and be immediatly Transmited. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servant p.s. Majr Lee was at...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General John Stark, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
since my last Capt. MacKeen has Returned from a Scout from the Unendillo and brought in three prisoners who Inform that Butler and Brant are Determined to pay us another Visit, but if that should be the Case I hope to be able to give a Good Account of them. I Enclose you a Copy of the orders I gave to Capt. MacKeen, for your Approbation he is to serve During Warr, and Where the Commander in...
18From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are tomorrow morning at the hour appointed for marching; with the second Line, to take the route by Doctor Daytons at North Castle—Elijah Hunters at Bedford—second Bridge over Croton River—Lt Samuel Haits—Capt. Browns —and Wilsons Tavern to Fredericksburg—if any better road can be pointed out, that will not be liable to the objection of interfering with the Columns commanded by Generals De...
19To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
no alteration in the motions of the Enemy Since yesterday. I Inclose your Excellencey all the Intelligence I have Received which Shows where General Gray with his plundering party are —The Report of Falmouth having been burnt is without Foundation —I have the Honor to be with much Respect your Excellenceys most obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . At this place on the manuscript, Sullivan first wrote...
20To George Washington from Colonel Vienne, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
having Reciev’d news from France, which oblige Me to go home as soon as possible for domestick Concerns, and unwilling [to] Leave off the american Service, I entreat your Excellency to be pleased to give me a furlough for Eighteen Months; I pray you to send me a Writing Certifying that I serv’d in your armie as volonteer Since the first june till the fifteenth of july Next, that I Was at...
21Circular Enlistment Instructions to Brigadier Generals and Brigade Commandants, 16 September–21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
With the money you have drawn from the pay master General, you will use your best endeavours to inlist the Drafts from Virginia & such of her Old Troops, whose present inlistments will expire before the last of May next, to serve for three years or during the War, in the Army of these United States. To facilitate the Inlistments, you will put the money into the hands of such Officers as you...
22From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I transmit you the inclosed Copies of sundry Resolutions of Congress, by their order, and take the liberty to request your Answer to the last of them, on the subjects of passports by the earliest opportunity. I was much concerned to hear, that one of my patroles fired on a Flag coming from your lines on Monday Evening. I shall do every thing in my power to prevent the like mistake on any...
23To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The growing extravagance of the people and the increasing demand for the Article of forage in this quarter, has become a very alarming affair. Hay is from 60 to 80 Dollars ⅌ tun and upon the rise. Corn is 10 Dollars a bushel and oats 4 and every thing else that will answer for forage in that propo[r]tion. Carting is 9/ ⅌ mile by the tun and People much dissatisfied with the price. I have...
24To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency under the 12th Inst. by Dodd, and have in the mean time receiv’d & presented to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 11th and 12th. In answer to the latter, I am directed to intimate, “That Congress highly approve of laying up Magazines of forage and Provisions at such places as Your Excellency shall judge proper for prosecuting an Expedition...
25To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are the weekly returns of the Garrison—the Sentence of a General Court Mar: against Capt. Wood—and a Copy of the Act of Assembly of Connecticut, respecting the militia of that State —the last mention’d paper is Sent that Your Excellency may Decide, between the Colonels & me, whether they are to perform three months Actual Service in Camp, or whether a part of that time is Allowed for...
26From George Washington to Colonel Matthias Ogden, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Matthias Ogden, 16 Sept. 1778. Ogden wrote GW on 28 Sept. : “I was honored with a line from your Excellency dated 16th Inst.”
27To George Washington from Colonel Matthias Ogden, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The following intelligence may be relied on—That all the enemys transports are watering in and about New York; & that the men are returned to them, that have been on board the Men of War. A number of troops including some companies of artillery are certainly going for the West Indies very soon. By some of the knowing ones, it is strongly suspected the whole army will leave N. York this fall,...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment informd by a hors man from Majr Taylor that the enemy Are on Volentens hill with a large body of Both hors and foot. they ware halted and under arms if they move I have given Orders to the Parties to Skirmish with them To my Camp. my Bagage is just geting under way with orders to halt at Chatterton hill Untill Farther orders. if they should Continue To advance I shall make the...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd Your Excellency will receive a note from Majr Tallmadge whith what Intelligences I git from Gists Corps I have again given orders to both advanced Parties to keep up a Constant fier on them If they continue to advance we are in Perfect readiness to Support them. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter, which Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge wrote Scott on this date...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last messenger to Colo. Gist is just Returnd, and Brings the inclosd note from Majr Tallmadge. I believe the enemy murst be Gon in and what Can keep Gist I cant conseive. I have order’d my Corps to halt Short of Chatterton hill unt[i]ll Gist arr[i]ves. I have Thrown Majr Lee with his Corps on the East Side of the Brunx with orders to Patroll To New Rotchel and East Chester Indeed I have...
31To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 16 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This Day affords nothing new—I have been Honoured with your Excellenceys favor of the 13th Instant—I am well Convinced that the Enemy will Evacuate Newyork both by your Excys Letters and Every other Circumstance; Some persons who have Lately been Releasd from that City Declare that the Enemy are Laying up no forage and are Selling the wood on hand at half price: than which nothing can be...
32To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was rewarded for the confidence which I owed your Excellency, and which you inspired, by the Answer which you were so kind as to make me the 11th inst. The approbation of a great man, of one who unites the Suffrages of all, who merits them, is the most flattering of personal rewards, and can alone in part console for that fatality of events, which snatched the fleet from the happiness of...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will Accompany to Your Excellency a Packet brought from England by the same Hand that brought Mrs Rights & the other letter I sent You. I thought to have sent some person over last night, but the Storm was so high it was impossable I had 9 Saylors Deserters Yesterday, from Byrons Fleet; they say there is above 2,000 of them sick on Statten Island where they have a Vast many Sails Pitched...
34To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few Minutes ago, Mr Worthington Assistt Commissary of Purchases informed me he had just parted from Joseph Hobby of Horse Neck, Capt. Ezekl Hyat & Major Strang who informed him that this Morning, being at Horse Neck, they saw a large Fleet pass towards New York, larger they imagined than the Fleet which some Weeks since went to New Port. Mr Worthington could tell me no farther particulars,...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I returnd from Claps tavern to this place last Evening about Seven oClock and took post to the left of the Artillery park, the whole of the Horse was advanced on the Several roads Leading to the Enemy with orders to keep out Patrolls, which wear Advanced as fare as they Could venter with safety, they Will continue to do this untill Called off, the whole of the infantry Lay on their arms all...
36To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is all the Intelligance of this Day The Sloops & Schooners mentioned by General Cornell by the name of the mesqueto Fleet are undoubtedly the Fleet which I mentioned in a former Letter went from Newport & Stood Eastward Hugging the Shore —The other Fleet mentioned by Genl Cornell is Grays—The Ships which Colo. Peabody mentions as Coming into the Harbor are Lord Howes Fleet Joined to...
37To George Washington from Major Alexander Clough, 18 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
since my last tho I have seen severall from New york I have not been able to collect any thing more then a confermation of the former intellegance, and that a great quantity of furniture is selling off at vandue—Adml Byron arive’d the last wedensday with a ninhty & seventy four, which as been the only movement in the fleet for this week past, according to the best inthelligance I can get. I am...
38To George Washington from Samuel Fletcher, 18 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Esteemed favr of 14th Septemr and am quite Obliged pr your desiring General Heath to Afford me all possible Assistance in forwarding the Clothing. This Clothing had been arrived here some months before I recd charge of the same, landed in many places & some of the Packages with out any Particular Invoice, had it not been for those Circumstances I should have been able to...
39To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 18 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nothing new in this Quarter. Three Deserters came from the Enemy yesterday they Say the Sailors are all Sent off Except one Frigates Crew they think to Newyork all the Anchors Cables & Rigging out of the Stores are Loading on board the Transports. They are Laying up their winters Store of wood which they bring from Long Island they have Lately brought in twelve Ship Loads of hay. The Report of...
40From George Washington to the Board of War, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with the Boards Letter of the 9th Inst. With respect to inlisting either Deserters or prisoners in general cases, I am decisively of Opinion against it—and I am convinced it will always operate against us, or at least till our appointments in Cloathing &c. can be placed upon as good a footing as those of the Enemy. With respect to the Count pulaski’s Corps, as the Campaign...
41To George Washington from George Clinton, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the last Flagg which arrived from New York I received Certifi cates from the Commissary Genl of Prisoners there, with Proposals for exchanging Stephen Lush (late my Brigade Major & taken at Fort Montgomerie<)> for Henry Cuyler—Cornelius Van Tessel for Alexander White and James Dole for Abraham Maybie. As I conceive the exchanges advantageous I mean to agree to the Proposals, and to direct...
42To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nothing but his Majesty’s positive Instructions of which I send you an Extract, could have induced me to trouble you or the American Congress again on the Subject of the Troops detained in New England in direct Contravention of the Treaty entered into at Saratoga. The Neglect of the Requisitions already made on this Subject is altogether unprecedented among Parties at War. I now however repeat...
43From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have perused the memorial which you delivered relative to the defence of the North River at this place —and upon a view of them highly approve what you have offered upon the Subject—Col. Kosciousko who was charged by congress with the direction of the forts and batteries—has already made such a progress in the construction of them as wd render any alteration in the general plan a work of too...
44From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency on the 11th instant. I take the earliest oppertunity of transmitting you the following intelligence, which I have reason to think is authentic—That Lord Howe’s fleet has returned to New York, and that the seamen, which he had taken from the transports to reinforce his Crews, are remanded to their respective Ships. The day before yesterday, a...
45To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th came to hand last Night. I have waited upon General Heath and have got the state of the cloathing department. Mr Fletcher has forwarded for Springfield from this place between 10 & 12000 Blankets 7669 pair of Shoes, 8000 Suits of Uniforms & 2000 Shirts. He is forwarding from Portsmouth about 15,000 Pair of Hose & 11,000 Suits of Uniforms. Messrs Otis &...
46To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received the honor of yours of the 13th Instant. From my first being informed of Mr Fletcher’s appointment I have afforded him every assistance which he has asked for without the least delay, and have constantly enjoined upon him to acquaint me of any, the least, embarrassment which may fall in his way, which, if in my power, shall be immediately removed. Mr Fletcher has already...
47From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 17th Inst. yesterday evening. No certain conclusions can be drawn of the enemy’s designs on the Jersey from the fitting up of their flat bottomed boats. If part of them are going to the West Indies they will want them there. It will not therefore be altogether advisable on the present appearance of things to call out the militia—But in order to guard against the...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Your Excellencys Orders from Coll Harrison to try to inform you what the 29 Sail of Vessels were that Major Howell mentions I understood they were all Victualers or chiefly so as far as he knew that many of them was armed Victualers 6 or 7 of them was from Cork & the rest from England. The report of a party making ready to Imbarque still prevails some says they are going to Boston...
49From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Peter Muhlenberg and William Woodford and Colonel James Wood, 19 September … (Washington Papers)
I have herewith troubled you with a Warrant for the purpose of reinlisting the Virginia Troops in your Brigade, and when you send it to the Paymaster Genl if you will direct the Officer who may carry it to call at Head Quarters, I will transmit you the necessary instructions or if an earlier opportunity offers I will do it then. I am Sir Yr Mo. Obet Servt p.s. Do not delay a moment in sending...
50To George Washington from Otis & Andrews, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have this morning received Your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instant; The Cloth order’d to be made up, by the Hon’ble Board of War, has lately been order’d out of Town by General Heath, & is accordingly gone & going out, except such quantities as were necessary to keep the Taylors at work, which we requested the General’s permission to retain; There will be some unavoidable delays on...