101From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the large fleet that sail’d on the 19th and 20th Inst. 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 throˆdifferent channels, and which cannot but be certain and authentic that there were none but invalids and the Officers of reduced Corps on board—and that the troops which had...
102To George Washington from James Willis, 18–24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
An unhappy accident attending the exhibition on Saturday Evening last, lays me under the painful necessity of troubling You in this manner. Having two Stacks of Grain standing Contiguous to the Fire Works, unfortunately took fire, and were entirely consumed, to the amount at a moderate Computation, to Seventy Bushels of wheat, which considering the peculiar scituation of my Family, a Long time...
103General Orders, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
104To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Burr, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The excessive heat and occasional fatigues of the preceding campaign, have so impaired my health and constitution as to render me incapable of immediate service. I have, for three months past, taken every advisable step for my recovery, but have the mortification to find, upon my return to duty, a return of sickness, and that every relapse is more dangerous than the former. I have consulted...
105From George Washington to George Clinton, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Colo. Butlers Journal of his expedition against Unadilla and Anaquaga You will perceive from that the Route he pursued and the difficulties he met from the Waters, even at this Season. Perhaps this may be of some service to you in forming a decisive opinion upon the Chemung expedition. Be pleased to return this Journal and Colonel Hartleys when you have done with them. I am...
106From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The coincidence between Your Excellencys sentiments respecting the Marquis de la fayettes cartel, communicated in the letter with which you honored me the 20th and those which I expressed to him on the same subject; is peculiarly flattering to me—I am happy to find that my disapprobation of this measure, was founded on the same arguments which in Your Excellencys hands acquire new force and...
107To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having the honor to meet with your relation, Capt. Lewis at this place, I am happy in the opportunity of addressing you. I find my son was taken prisoner with a party of our friend Baylor’s dragoons and is now on Long Island. I have not a letter from him; but advice that he is well; and I have sent him by this week’s post letters of credit for whatever he may want. I am afraid, as we have...
108From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
A fleet of about one hundred and sixty sail supposed to contain 7, or 8000 men having left the Hook the 19th and early the 20th; I Yesterday morning, put three Brigades, Nixons, Parsons and Huntingtons in March, under Major General McDougal to join you at Hartford. You will be pleased to open a correspondence with Generals Heath & Sullivan, in order to obtain from them instant information of...
109To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys commands I have been in company with Colo. Putnam and examined all the Country from this place to Fish Kill from FishKill to Pecks Kill and from Pecks Kill to Crumpond, Croten and Bedford and from thence up through Salem to this Place and can find but one Tract of Woodland of sufficient extent to Hut the Army collectively. That is called the Furnace Lot and lies a...
110From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
If the fleet of Men of War and Transports, which have lately sailed, should appear off Boston, be pleased instantly to send an Express to meet Genl Gates with information of it, that he may hasten the march of the six Brigades under the command of himself and General Mcdougall. Be pleased also to advise me of it with the greatest dispatch, as I mean, should such an event take place, to set out...
111To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will be surpris’d to hear that I am yet in this city, and that I Could never get out till this time—My own business were immediately done, and I Receiv’d from Congress all possible Marks of kindness and affection—but public affairs do’nt go quite so fast, and I am detain’d for the expedition of projects, instructions, and Many papers which I am to Carry with me—the zeal for the Common...
112From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The letter, which I had the honor of addressing to you the day before yesterday, would inform Congress of the embarkation and sailing of a considerable detachment of the enemy from New York; and of the measures I had taken, in expectation of—and upon the happening of the event. Whether this will be succeeded by a further embarkation, or by a total evacuation of the posts, which they hold...
113To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was on the 15th instant honored with your favor of the 9th with several letters one to Mrs Washington I shall do my self the honor of waiting on her if I pass through Alexandria—I am greatly obliged to you for your introductory letters to Gentlemen in Carolina and for your many unmerited marks of friendship, for them, I can only thank you over and over again—As early as I can know a state of...
114From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have written to General Gates whom you will join at Hartford—that in case he should receive certain advice of the arrival of the fleet, which lately sailed from the Hook, at the Eastward, to proceed with the two divisions, to the Quarter which seems to be threatened. I mention this lest that part of your instructions which require you to wait further orders from me, should occasion any...
115To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. William Malcom, 24 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Malcom on 31 Oct. : “I have been favd with yours of the 22d 24th and 29th with the several weekly Returns inclosed.”
116To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 24 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Putnam on 25 Oct. : “I was favoured with your two letters of yesterdays date about noon.”
117From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you the opinion of Mr Pettit A.Q.M.G. and the Commissaries Mesrs Flint and Stuart, on that paragraph in your letter of the 22d In[s]t. which respects the purchasing the flour and wheat in those districts of Pennsylvania and Jersey, above Trenton, with their several sentiments how far a water conveyance can be conveniently adopted —Mr Stuart is particularly conversant in the...
118To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Charles Scott, 24 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Scott on 25 Oct. : “I recd yours of Yesterday inclosing Capt. Walls Report.”
119From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 21st and 22d and have still to thank you for the particular and satisfactory intelligence which you communicate. If the embarkation now in preparation should be considerable, I think they must inevitably abandon New York, as their remaining force must be too small to risque the defence of the City upon. The Roads from Morris town to King’s ferry have become so...
120From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I desired the Quarter Master Genl when he left this the other day for the purpose of discovering a proper spot East of the No. River to Hutt the Troops at, to write to, & request your Lordship to send some judicious Officer to explore the Country about Aquakinack, the Great Falls &ca for the same purpose. A position still more South, for instance New Ark Mountain, Springfield, or middle Brook...
121To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Stirling, 24 Oct. 1778. In his letter to Stirling of 25 Oct. , GW refers to “The intelligence communicated in yours of yesterday.”
122From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 22d—The three Brigades mentioned to you in my last marched yesterday morning towards Hartford—I have directed General Gates to open a correspondence with General Heath and yourself—that you may give him instant advice of the arrival of the enemy’s fleet which lately sailed from the Hook—should they be designed to operate Eastward—in order that he might...
123From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 22–23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been Honoured, in due order, with your favors of the 13 & 16 Instant; the former came to hand on Sunday Evening —the latter to day. The several matters, which are the Objects of them, shall have my attention, as far as it shall be practicable. With respect to the practices complained of by Governor Livingstone, the Extract from his Letter, transmitted by Congress, conveyed the first...
124General Orders, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial of the Line Octr 15th 1778—Coll Patten President, Henry Despert, Daniel Thompson, John Kidder, John Cole, Asa Adams, Samuel Wortman, Jonathan More, Davis Brown & Edward Wiley of the Commander in Chief’s guard were tried for going out secretly with their side Arms in the night of the seventh instant with a design of being revenged on Captain Van Heer’s men for...
125To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received almost at the same time, the two letters that Your Excellency had the goodness to write me the 18th and 20th of this month. The important advices they contain were confirmed to me at the same moment by Mr De Boubie an officer of marine, who has just completed the exchange of our prisoners. I have the honor to send you a copy of what he tells me concerning an embarkation....
126To 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...
127To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Patrick Henry, 23 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Henry on 23 Nov. : “I have been hond with yours of the 23d October inclosing an extract of an Act of the State of Virginia for recruiting the Continental Army.”
128From George Washington to Major General Johann Kalb, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Master General has an immediate occasion for 250 Men with a proper number of Officers to assist in getting forage down the North River while the Navigation is open. You are to furnish that number from the two Maryland Brigades and put them under the direction of Colo. Hay Deputy Qr Mr Genl who will assign them to their posts and duties. The fatigue will be extraordinary and the Qr...
129To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing Your Excellency Yesterday by Jones, and also of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favor of the 18th with the Refugee Petition to the British Commissioners. This, I understand will appear in print tomorrow, and be prefaced by a private hand. Congress heard it read and paid no other attention to it. Inclosed in this Your Excellency will receive...
130From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to proceed with the brigades of Nixon, Parsons and Huntington—by the route which will be delivered to you by the Quarter Master General—as far as Hartford—where you will wait for farther orders. I am persuaded that no attention on your part will be wanting for the maintenance of discipline, and preservation of the Health of your troops—and that no precaution will be...
131From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 14th inst. inclosing the weekly Return and an Account of two wounded Officers. The application must be to the Director General Docr Shippen. I am told there has been a Resolve of Congress passed for making provision in such cases, but I have never seen it. Inclosed you have an order upon the Cloathier at Fishkill for Blankets and Cloathing for the persons you describe. The...
132To George Washington from Brigadier General John Stark, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just returned from Schoharie, and find that the enemy have been driven too far from the frontier for me to overtake them this season, as it is so far advanced. Too much honor can not be given to Colonel Butler and his brave officers and soldiers, for their spirited exertions in this expedition against the Indians. They have put it entirely out of the power of the enemy to do our...
133From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Resolution you will find the determination of Congress to remove the Troops of the Convention from the State of Massachusetts to Charlottville in Virginia, should not the conditions therein required have been complied with. I have directed Genl Heath, should it be found necessary, to put those troops in motion as quick as possible, as the Season is already far advanced, and the...
134General Orders, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nixons, Huntington’s and Parsons’s Brigades are to march at seven ôClock tomorrow morning from the Left under the Command of Major Genl MacDougall—The Quarter Master General will give the Route. The first Connecticutt Regiment to be stationed at Danbury to guard the Stores now there ’till further orders. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For a discussion of the march of Maj. Gen. Alexander...
135To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I send your Excellency the Proceedings of a Brigade Court martial, held by Order of Coll V. Scoick, by which the Prisoner is condemned to die—and wait your Confirmation of the Sentence to have it put in Execution. It may not be improper also to inform your Excellency, that as Col. V. Scoick’s Regiment is now under marching Orders to the Northward, he wou’d wish to proceed as soon as...
136From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency yesterday—I have received some further accounts, which you will be pleased to find inclosed. They confirm the sailing of the British fleet, which lay at the Hook. I confide most in the account from Lord Stirling, with respect to their number. You will observe it is said they sailed Eastward; but Your Excellency will be sensible, that nothing...
137To George Washington from Royal Flint, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 20th instant was brought to my quarters, when I was absent, on a journey to Poughkepsie, to accomplish the very purposes required in the letter. While I was there, the legislature of this state were compleating a bill, that is to invest the comisaries with full power to secure all the flour & wheat in the state, exclusive of this year’s crop. The purchasers in...
138From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you yesterday inclosing the resolve of Congress for the removal of the Troops of the Convention to Virginia. I find, upon perusing the resolve more attentively, that Sir Henry Clinton by the resolve of the 11th of Septemr—recited in that of the 15th Inst.—had the choice of either granting passports to transport Flour by Water, or to supply the Troops himself by the 1st Inst. If...
139To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last Letter of the 16th by Brown, I have had the honor of presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favor of the 14th Instant. Within the present Cover Your Excellency will receive three Acts of Congress of the 21st Instant. 1. for granting Monsr de Vrigny such testimonial of his zeal and services as he is entitled to. 2. for obtaining a Return of re-inlistments in the Army in...
140From George Washington to William Livingston, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favor’d with your letter of the 13th inst. I must refer you for the particular circumstances attending the surprize of Colo. Baylor’s Regiment to those Officers and men who made their escape, and who are now in the Jersey’s. Those persons also in whose houses the Dragoons were quartered, may be able to assist in your report to Congress. And should any deserters have come from the...
141To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed herewith are the Weekly returns of this Garrison —No person has yet Appeared on the Subject of provision as was intimated in the last letter I had the Honor to receive from your Excellency —I Have nevertheless sent for our Commisy & put him in a way to furnish the Quantity of Salt provisions which you thought proper to order—and Shall Continue to Isue fresh beeff as usual. We are not...
142To George Washington from Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the present Campaign seems nearly at an end, I must request your Excellencys permission to go to Virginia, as soon as the Troops go into Winter Quarters, in order to Settle my Affairs there—I went to Virginia last Winter for that purpose but having receivd some intimation on my Way at Yorktown, how the dispute between Genl Woodford & myself was like to be settled, I had no intention to...
143To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Philip Schuyler, 22 Oct. 1778. In his letter to Schuyler of 24 Oct. , GW refers to: “your letter of the 22d In[s]t.”
144From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 20th and 21st. The Serjeant is intelligent and proves beyond a doubt that a large Body of troops have been embarked. The Fleet left the Hook the 19th and 20th. It now remains to find out whether they mean a total evacuation this fall or to garrison New York. let the attention of all your intelligencers and Spies be turned to these points. If they intend to...
145To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Recd Several Pieces of Intellegence Since I Wrote Your Excellency. But as it was only respecting the Imbarcation of the troops without any farther Particulars than that we have already heard, I thaught it onnecessary to Mention it—the inclosd intelligence is from a Gentleman that I mentiond in a letter to You Some time ago who was Recommended to me by Majr Talmadg. I think it may Be...
146From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 19th and 20th with their inclosures, and thank you for the important and particular intelligence which you have communicated. I must beg of you to continue your endeavours to find out whether a total evacuation is intended, or a Garrison to be left in New York—If the latter, the Knowledge of the number of Troops—the Corps—and the ships of War will be very essential....
147To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed your Excellency will receive what Intelligence I have been able to Collect Since Yesterday when I wrote by Major Monro. there is undoubtedly another large embarkation soon to take place, and many Circumstances makes me think Still it will become a general Evacuation of New-York; when Rivington come’s to be furnished with all the particulars of Major Ferguson Enterprize he will have...
148From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of yesterday I gave you my latest information. I have now to advise you that the fleet left Sandy Hook the 19th and 20th Inst. The first division consisted of above 120 vessels, of which 15 were of the line, and 10 or 12 frigates. The second division about 30 sail of which two were of 50 guns and two frigates. They all stood Eastward—Whether the remaining ships and troops are to...
149To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I This morning before Day Break had the Honor of Receg your Excellenceys favor of the 20th Instant & Shall in Consequence Take Every measure to Discover the Enemys Intentions in this Quarter. I have Lately had a number of Inhabitants Sent from the Island; a number of Deserters have Lately come off & persons which I Sent on for Intelligence have returned: from all these I can Collect nothing...
150From George Washington to Colonel Charles Mynn Thruston, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find by your favour of the 20th, that we have not perfectly understood each other, with respect to your continuance in the army. I cannot now recur to your letter written in the fall of 77 which has been by some accident mislaid —but I well recollect it was conceived in such terms as led me to believe you had lost all prospect of raising your regiment, and would be obliged,...