1From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 22d 23d and 24th instants. I cannot conceive what transports those can be that have come into Newport Harbour, except they are those from Hallifax. None have lately gone from New york—It will be very material to know with certainty from whence they came and whether they had any troops on board. If they are those from Hallifax, and empty, it gives weight to an...
2General Orders, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Particular Brigade returns to be made to the orderly Office on Monday next agreeable to a form which will be given by the Adjutant General. Regimental Returns to be delivered in the same day by the Brigade Majors containing every Article of Cloathing in Possession of the non commissioned Officers and soldiers discriminating the good and serviceable from the bad and unserviceable; These returns...
3From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed came to my hands by the last Post. The Enemy have been very busy since their return from the Jerseys in Imbarking Troops—Nine Regiments are compleated to their full establishment by drafts from some others which are reduced, & these I am perswaded are destined for the West Indies—Whether the rest of the Troops will remain in New York—return to England—or go to Hallifax is yet...
4From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Crowels recent violation of the usages and laws of flags render it necessary to adopt some measures, that may prevent similar procedings in future. For this purpose you will immediately fix upon a certain number of places for the reception of flag-boats, and advise the commanding Officer on Staten Island, of the places, and that no flag boats will be received any where else without a...
5From George Washington to George Clinton, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last evening recd the inclosed from Congress with a request that I would take measures for carrying the plan recommended by Colo. Hartley into execution. The advices which I have just recd from different quarters bear the strongest marks of an immediate evacuation of New York. These considerations induce me, should it be deemed expedient, to make an addition to Colonel Cortlands command by...
6From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favour of the 26th with the inclosed paper of intelligence—Every thing that tends to show the state and expectations of the Garrison at Rhode Island is highly interesting at this eventful juncture. You will have found by my last, that the fleet which sailed from the Hook did not contain the embarkation as was supposed—These troops still lay in the bay by my last...
7To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
To the objects His Excellency General Washington proposed on the 16th inst: to the Consideration of a Board of General officers, My observations are as follows. It has been my opinion ever Since last month of may & Still is, that the Enemies will leave New-york & Rhode Island States, & employ their Forces to protect their kingdoms & West Indies, the defense of which Seems rather more natural...
8To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
At the pressing request of Brigadier General Hamilton, I have given permission to Captain Masters of the 24th Regiment, British, attended by Captain Bliss to proceed to your Excellency to receive your further orders, with respect to a packet with which he is intrusted, addressed to General Sir Henry Clinton. As Major General Phillips intends writing to your Excellency, prehaps respecting his...
9From 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...
10From George Washington to George Clinton, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Machin has been employed since the year 1776 in the engineering Branch, without ever coming to any regular settlement for his Services. He does not chuse to fix any price himself, and I am really ignorant of what is just and proper. You have been a witness of a good deal of his work, and he is willing to submit the matter to your decision. Captain Machin holds a Commission in the...
11General Orders, 15 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Court of Enquiry whereof Lieutt Coll Carrington is appointed President will sit at one oClock this afternoon at the President’s quarters to enquire into a complaint exhibited by Charles Proud a soldier in the Artillery against Captain Wiley—Two Captains from each of the Connecticutt Brigades to attend as Members. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . No report of this court of inquiry has been...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 15 Inst. by Monsr Segond. I think it will be proper for you to join the Army with your Corps, as there yet remain more than Two months in which the Enemy may operate in the Field; However, you are not to proceed with it till you receive orders from Congress or the Board of War for the purpose. If Congress or the Board of War direct you to join the...
13To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 27th I have had the honor of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favor of the 23d Ulto which is still in the hands of a Committee. I have at present only to forward the Inclosed Act of Congress of the 30th September for Marching Count Pulaski’s Legion and other Continental Soldiers in and near this City to Princeton. I have the honor to be &c. LB ,...
14From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd advice that on the evening of the 9th about forty sail of Vessels were seen off Stamford standing to the Eastward. The weather was then, and has been since, so thick, that it could not be discovered whether they had troops on Board or how many of them were ships of War. It is more than probable that they are intended for Newport. You will therefore endeavour if they put in...
15From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will be delivered to you, I expect, by Colo. Thruston; from whom you will be able to receive a more circumstantial Acct of the situation of Affairs in this Quarter than can be conveyed well, in a Letter. We have been kept in an anxious state of Suspence respecting the designs of the Enemy; nor are we able, at this time, to form any precise Ideas and judgment of their ultimate...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment Recd a letter from Capt. Leavenworth with Some intellegince which You Have in Closd. the Deserters that wear taken Going to their Regiments I had Tryed Yesterday & the Court are of oppinon that they Receive one Hundred Lashes each. I orderd it should be put in execution Immediatly. upon which a Number of offi cers Politely petitiond me to pardon them assuring me that they wear...
17From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 12 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have now—at your request—given my full consent to the Sale of the Lands wch I hold in right of Dower in a Tract in the County of York—to a Water Grist Mill thereon—To Lotts in the City of Williamsburg—and others in James Town—As also to your Renting, or otherwise disposing, of the other Dower Lands & Slaves which I am possessed of in the County of King William upon the terms which have been...
18To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
yesterday noon I received the Honor of yours of the 18th Instant and about an hour after that, of the 20th. The Letters addressed to his Excellency Count D. Estaing I immediately forwarded to him as I alwaies keep an Express Boat ready for that purpose —The General Opinion here Seems to be that the Enemy are going to the West Indies—but the Possibility and Some degree of Probability that their...
19From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with yours of the 20th and 24th instants; the latter by Mr Harkermir who gives a melancholy account of the distresses of the inhabitants at the German Flatts. To defend an extensive frontier against the incursions of a desultory Enemy is next to impossible; but still if you think the addition of another Regiment, ill as I can spare it, or a change of position in the troops...
20From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of yesterday 9 Oclock is just come to hand; & by the Officer you will receive twenty five Guineas. I earnestly entreat, that you will endeavour to get some intelligent person into the City, & others of his own choice to be Messengers between you and him, for the purpose of conveying such information as he shall be able to obtain & give. It is of great consequence to the French...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your favor of Yesterdays date Late last night—I can hardly Suppose that the Fleet could possably have Saild without our Hearing of it. however every thing possable Shall Be immediatly don in order to know with Certainty whether that is the Case, particular attention Shall also be paid Respecting the disease. Capt. Leavenworth who was expected on Sunday last, is not Yet Come. I am afraid...
22From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Ebenezer Gray, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last nigh[t] I received from General Gates one of your letters to him containing such intelligence as you had collected respecting the enemy and their motions —While I wish you to keep up your communication with the Genl I am to desire you to transmit me in the first instance every information which you may receive [in] the most expeditious conveyance. If Gen. Scotts station is the nearest...
23To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are Still Silent I have no news of the Fleet all the news of this Quarter is in the paper which I have the honor to Inclose. I am Dear General with much Respect & Esteem yr Excellenceys most obedt Servant ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed newspaper has not been identified. Sullivan apparently had already sent GW a copy of the most recent issue of the Providence Gazette; and Country Journal...
24From George Washington to Gouverneur Morris, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
My public Letters to the Presidt of Congress will inform you of the Wind that wafted me to this place —nothing more therefore need to be said on that head. Your Letter of the 8th Ulto contains three questions & answers—to wit—Can the Enemy prosecute the War? Do they mean to stay on the Continent? And is it our interest to put impediments in the way of their departure? To the first you answer...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have three of your letters now before me; two of them of the 15th and the other of the 16th Inst. I inclose you a letter to Colonel Bland respecting the re-inlistment of his Regiment which you will please to have delivered. The measure you have mentioned I believe must be put in practice, in case the men cannot be induced to continue in the service by the common means—The corps is too...
26To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb, 27 Oct. 1778. Robert Hanson Harrison wrote Kalb on 28 Oct.: “His Excellency [GW] being called from Head quarters this morning—I have the honor to acknowledge his receipt of your favor of yesterday” ( DLC:GW ).
27To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter I received Yesterday by the Bearer Doctor Johnston, from General Stark —From intelligence from different places, corresponding with each Other, there is the Strongest reason to believe, that The Enemy meditate an Attack, both by Sea, & Land, upon Boston, and The French Fleet; indeed, they can now, have no Other Objects; in my Letter to Congress of the 3d June last, I...
28From 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...
29From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd intelligence from two different quarters that the Fleet, which sailed on the 19th and 20th instants from the Hook, contained only the Invalids of the Army bound for Europe—the Officers of the reduced Regiments, and the families of several public and private Gentlemen. perhaps all outward bound Vessels might have taken the benefit of Convoy, which may have swelled the fleet to...
30From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the large fleet that sailed on the 19th & 20th—and the reasons we had to conclude, that the Regiments were on board—which we had repeatedly heard were embarked—I have just received advices through different Channels—and which cannot but be certain and authentic—that there were none but Invalids & Offi cers of the reduced Corps on board; and, that the Troops which had embarked,...