151To George Washington from William Crawford, 12 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Som time Last Summer I wrot you in regard to my being Left out of the Virga Line as it put it out of my Power to Serve as an Officer with the Continantall Army with my proper rank but I do not know wheather my Letter cam to your hands or not. when General McIntosh went to head Quarters this Spring he told me he would Aquint you with my case, General McIntosh give me for answear that I must...
152To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
West Point being to us a point which it is of the greatest importance to preserve and to put once for all in a state of defence, I think that we ought not to touch the fund of troops necessary to the defence of this post, in its present state, and to the construction of the works already undertaken. According to what his Excellency has been pleased to submit to our view, it appears that we...
153From George Washington to Major Henry Harnage, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Want of leisure prevented my acknowledging sooner the receipt of your letter of the 28th of May —I shall be always happy to show you every attention, which circumstances will permit during your residence among us; and I sincerely wish you the speediest relief from your present difficulties. You may depend on having the earliest notice of your exchange, when it takes place; but I am sorry to...
154To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 17 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 17 June 1779. GW wrote Lee on 21 June: “While I was at West point I recd your favors of the 15th & 17th.”
155From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine to you of yesterday, I wrote to General Clinton giving him some general directions which you will find in the inclosed extract —I, of course, depend on you for giving him more particular ones and am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt serv. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Hamilton indicated at the bottom of the draft manuscript that this enclosure was...
156To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 19 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Philip Schuyler, 19 June 1779. GW wrote Schuyler on 9–11 July: “On sunday [4 July] I had the pleasure to receive Your favors of the 18th 19th & 30th.”
157To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I herewith Send a deserter from the 71st Regt British, nothing material has transpired below. Some parties of Militia who are detached by the State of New York to do duty for Six months at present in the vicinity of Crompond &c. are applying for a Supply of ammunition, are they and others under like engagements to be furnished from the Continental Magazines or not. I have the honor to be with...
158To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I joined the Division at the Continental Village the last Evening, and arrived at this Post at five this Morning. I now only halt for the Return of a Reconnoitring party, sent out last Night, and shall immediately proceed to execute your Excellency’s Orders. The Field pieces you suppose to have been taken on with the Brigades are not with them. General Nixon informs me there are not any...
159From George Washington to Brigadier General William Irvine, 6 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I just now received your letter; I am happy to inform you that our supplies, of provision are rather promising; every exertion has been used to forward them on this side; many waggon loads are not far off; and I flatter myself from the accounts handed to me that if necessary we may draw on the magazines over the North river. With respect to spirits I have, also given the necessary orders to...
160To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of yesterday morning and afternoon have ordered Huntingtons Brigade to the Gorge of the mountains north of the village to take Post in the most advantageous Ground and to exercise every precaution for the Security of their Camp and to prevent a Surprise, have ordered the shortest and best Communication, from that Post to Parsons Brigade to be Carefully...
161To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favor of this Day is this Moment received. Colonel Hamiltons of equal date, reached Me at 3 P.M. Only Eight of the Boats written for, can be procured and are now ready. It is imposible at this post, to furnish the Horse Harness desired; for few of the Artillery brought here are accompanied with Horse Harness. I have however directed the Quarter-Master to write immediately to...
162From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 1 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
For some time past my intelligence from the enemy pointed to a considerable movement. By My last accounts from General McDougall of the 30th May, the enemy had advanced from Kings Bridge in force, and was then near the White plains. It is not easy to fix a just opinion of his object. We however know what points we should secure. On last Saturday the Pennsylvania troops marched on the route to...
163From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your favor of the 23d May. The taking of the two light three pounders in place of the artillery of the brigade, as you propose will depend entirely on the place of your junction with General Sullivan. If on the Susquehannah there will be no necessity to carry any artillery whatsoever, as General Sullivan has made adequate provision. If the other route is determined on I...
164To George Washington from Col. Goose Van Schaick, 29 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Goose Van Schaick, 29 July 1779. GW wrote Van Schaick on 3 Aug.: “I am favoured with your letter of the 29th of July, transmitting the disagreeable acct of the capture of Lt [William] Scudder and his party” ( DLC:GW ).
165From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 29 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have a pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your obliging favor of the 15th Instt, and in finding by it, that the author of the queries “Political & Military” has had no great cause to exult in the favourable reception of them by the public. Without a clue, I should have been at no loss to trace the Malevolent writer; but I have seen a history of the transaction, and felt a pleasure...
166From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you a letter for Capt. Clarke late of Col. Greenes Regiment, in answer to one from him, on the subject of the allowance to supernumerary Officers —I have informed him that he is intitled to it and that I should request you on application to order payment. His claim is founded in justice and authorised by a resolve of Congress of the 22d May 79 of which I now send you a copy. Nothing...
167General Orders, 18 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Light Infantry to parade tomorrow morning 7 ô clock near the Maryland camp with four days provision their packs and blankets. A General Court-Martial of the line to assemble tomorrow morning nine ôClock at Lieutenant Colonel Ford’s Markee for the trial of Lieutenant Colonel Pope and such others as may be brought before them—Colonel Morgan is appointed President. Varick transcript , DLC:GW...
168To George Washington from George Measam, 6 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from George Measam, 6 July 1779. Measam wrote GW on 7 July: “In my Letter of yesterday I forgot to mention to your Excellency.” GW also wrote Measam on 31 July: “I duly received your several Letters of the 6th—7th & 25th Instant.”
169From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 9 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am just honored with Your Excellency’s letter of the 7th. I had the pleasure of writing to you the same day inclosing a letter for General Glover, or Officer commanding his brigade, in which I was so happy as to have anticipated your wishes. In addition to that, Genl Parsons set out yesterday for Connecticut at my request —I was induced to this from a supposition that his knowlege of The...
170General Orders, 23 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
A board of General Officers to be composed of Major Generals Heath and St Clair and Brigadier Generals Nixon, Parsons Smallwood, Knox and Paterson are to sit tomorrow morning ten ôclock at General Heath’s quarters to make a complete and final arrangement of the officers in the Massachusetts line. The board will be pleased to fix the precise rank & station of every Field officer and also the...
171To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 19 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
This day I was honoured with your Favour of the 13th Instant. I wrote you some time since which I find you have not yet received—I would beg leave to inform your Excellency, that I arrived in this place last Wednesday and immediately commenced transporting the Batteaux and Stores to the landing of Lake Otsego—since which time I have sent off near 300 waggons, fifty-nine of which are loaded...
172To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 8 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 8 July 1779. GW wrote Lee on 9 July: “I have received your letter of yesterday & thank you for the intelligence you communicated.”
173General Orders, 6 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene remarked to Col. Daniel Brodhead in a letter of this date written at New Windsor: “We are here in state of inactivity finishing the fortifications at West Point. The Enemies force is at Kings Ferry and at the White Plains and in New York, Almost as idle as if the season for a Campaign had [not] arrivd” ( Greene Papers, Richard K. Showman...
174From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our advices agree that the enemy have their whole force up the river, & by a letter dated last evening from Col. Butler I am informed they had made a debarkation at stoney point. Sir Harry may wish to retaliate for the loss of that post. I am therefore extremely anxious that we should be prepared to receive them, and of course that the arrangements pointed out in Yesterdays orders should be...
175From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to examine critically the long hill in front of Fort Putnam, at the extremities of which The Engineer is commencing some works. Colo. Gouvion or Mr Rochefontaine will be able more particularly to designate the Hill I mean. The possession of this Hill appears to me essential to the preservation of the whole post and our main effort ought to be directed to keeping the enemy...
176To George Washington from Peter Scull, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Board to sollicit your Excellency’s attention to a matter that must soon become interesting to the different States. They have been inform’d that most of the inlistments in the army are “for three years, or during the war ”; and from the ambiguity of the expression, different constructions have been put upon it; the Officer insisting that the latter clause extends, & the...
177To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself The honor to enclose your Excellency a line of Intelligence this moment come to hand with a Deserter from Robinsons Corps—perhaps a part of the Enemy are going to wards New York, I shall however be doubly on my Guard Untill I am assured of their departure, I had this morning ordered a Strong regiment to march on to Sugar Loaf Hill this Evening and to remain their Untill Seven...
178General Orders, 15 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
179From George Washington to Henry Champion, Sr., 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our affairs are now at a most interesting crisis—The enemy appear to be bending their whole force in a vigorous operation against the Highland posts. We must take such positions as will render it impracticable to subsist the army, unless the most strenuous exertions are at once used to throw a very considerable quantity of Cattle on this side the river. You will instantly take every possible...
180From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 27 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday came safe to my hands, and by the Dragoon who was the bearer of it I send you Ten guineas for C——r. His successor (whose name I have no desire to be informed of, provided his intelligence is good, & seasonably transmitted) should endeavour to hit upon some certain mode of conveying his information quickly; for it is of little avail to be told of things after they have...