1To George Washington from Major Daniel Jenifer Adams, 31 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am extreamly sorry to inclose you my Commission at this unseasonable time of the Campaign, with a signification of my resignation—I Observe Colonels Howard & Tillard who was Captains in the Flying Camp at the same time I was Brigade Major with the rank of Major from the State, with their promise I should rank Agreable to my Commission, The Board of Genl Officers who your Excellency was...
2To George Washington from John Armstrong, 7 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major Nichols having been Nominated by the Board of War as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Pennsylvania line, and afterward disappointed of that rank by the judgment of a Board of Officers, has I find for some time past been indulgeing in himself that Spirit of resignation but too general in our Army at present—His better reflexion however has led him to observe that Several other Officers in the...
3To George Washington from John Armstrong, 25–29 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am for Some time possessed of your Excellencys favour of the 18th Ulto and perfectly convinced of the truth & importance of the contents, but have & shall punctually observe that degree of reserve, which is equally just as it can be agreeable to your wishes. You are not mistaken when on a late amplification of certain powers, you immagin Congress had an eye to something particular or out of...
4To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 13 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been anxiously waiting a long time in expectation that the situation of the Army would admit the Court Martial to proceed on my Trial, as a part of the British Army are gone down the North River, I hope the time is now arived; If it can be done without prejudice to the service I beg your Excellency to appoint as early a day as posible, the Cruel situation I am in will apologize for my...
5To George Washington from Lt. Col. Robert Ballard, 4 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Lt. Col. Robert Ballard, 4 July 1779. GW wrote Ballard from West Point on 30 July: “I have duly received your letter of the 4th instant. Agreeable to your desire, I accept your resignation; but as it is customary and necessary that an officer who leaves the service should settle his public accounts, I am to request you will take the earliest opportunity of effecting a...
6To George Washington from Joseph Barrell, 3 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have at last the pleasure to forward to your Excellency the Certificate for the prisoners taken by the Vengeance, it is under cover of the Honble Mr Adams, as the Captain having a desire to release a friend of his, insisted on its being forwarded to him, but the owners having none in captivity of their particular friends, have given me power to make use of the remaining prisoners as I...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 10 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Goslin is arrived with the Party Sent with him To Canada with two other Canadians one from below Quebeck the other from Saint Nicolate and four American Prisners which Place he left the 26th of may. his account is that no English Vessels had arrived at Quebeck that it was reported that a French Fleet had arived in St Laurance, that two Frigates had been at St Pauls and got Cattle for the...
8To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Blackden, 18 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of rec[e]iving your Excellency’s letter of 23d June yesterday, in which you are pleased to direct that I send you explicit & specific charges against Colonel Sheldon to be the foundation of an enquiry into his conduct. When I wrote your Excellency the 4th of June desiring leave to retire from the regiment, I did not mean to accuse Colonel Sheldon of any thing but want of...
9To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Blackden, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry that necessity obliges me to inform you, that the affairs of Colonel Sheldons Regiment are in such a situation, that I cannot make it consistant with my Ideas of a Military character, to continue any longer under his command. The Reasons that occur are Numerous, but not to intrude upon your Excellencys leisure I Shall mention but one, which I hope will be considerd as sufficient for...
10To George Washington from Col. Theodorick Bland, 10 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Theodorick Bland, 10 July 1779. GW wrote Bland on 27 July: “I received Your favor of the 10th by Yesterday’s post.”
11To George Washington from Col. Theodorick Bland, 26 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Theodorick Bland, 26 June 1779. GW wrote Bland on 20 Aug.: “Your favr of the 26th June, which was handed to me by the Board of War, did not reach me till this day.”
12To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Board of General Officers, assembled at Genl Putnams Quarters July 22nd 1779 agreeable to the direction of His Excellency the Commander in Chief, communicated in his Letter of the 20th Inst. Present. Major Generals { Putnam De Kalb Brigadiers { Smallwood Muhlenberg Gist. Major General Putnam laid before the Board the Letter of the Commander in Chief, requesting him “to consult with the...
13To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Board of General Officers orderd to sit the 25th to decide respecting a number of persons prisoners With the Enemy, who of them have broke their Parole, and who of them are Military Prisoners. Beg leave to Report the following state of their Cases and their Opinion upon them. Colonel John Hannom was a Militia Colonel in Chester County Pensylvania; was in actual service, and made prisoner...
14To George Washington from the Board of War, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is a copy of a letter we have just dispatched to Lt Colo. White. We thought if these suspicions were well founded that it was of consequence your Excellency should be made acquainted with the facts; & they might coincide with other circumstances which may fall within your immediate knowledge. If any satisfactory intelligence should be recd it shall be forwarded without delay. We...
15To George Washington from the Board of War, 8 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 8 July 1779. GW wrote the Board of War on 11 July: “I am this morning honored with your letters of the 3 and 8th.”
16To George Washington from the Board of War, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter from General Thompson is transmitted to your Excellency to correct a mistake he made of the name of a captain in the 21st British regt proposed to be exchanged on parole, the board being informed that the determination of the matter is by Congress referred to your Excellency. We are, with great respect, your very obedt servants ALS , DLC:GW ; copy, MHi : Pickering Papers....
17To George Washington from the Board of War, 15 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 15 July 1779. GW wrote the Board of War on 22 July: “I have now to acknowledge the Honor of Your Several Letters of the 28 Ulto and of the 10th 11th 14th & 15th Instant with the several papers & Commissions to which they refer.” GW also wrote the Board of War on 25 July: “I am honored with your two letters of the 15th and 16th.”
18To George Washington from the Board of War, 16 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 16 July 1779. GW wrote the Board of War on 25 July: “I am honored with your two letters of the 15th and 16th.”
19To George Washington from the Board of War, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Early in the Spring Mr Garanger shewed to the board a letter from Colo. Hamilton signifying your Excellency’s wish that he would proceed to camp to exhibit the requisite proofs of skill in his profession as an officer of Bombardiers to intitle him to employment in the United States. On that occasion we advanced him five hundred dollars. In May he returned hither, without having made any...
20To George Washington from the Board of War, 10 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 10 July 1779. GW wrote the Board of War on 22 July: “I have now to acknowledge the Honor of Your Several Letters of the 28 Ulto and of the 10th 11th 14th & 15th Instant with the several papers & Commissions to which they refer.”
21To George Washington from the Board of War, 11 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 11 July 1779. GW wrote the Board of War on 22 July: “I have now to acknowledge the Honor of Your Several Letters of the 28 Ulto and of the 10th 11th 14th & 15th Instant with the several papers & Commissions to which they refer.”
22To George Washington from the Board of War, 14 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 14 July 1779. GW wrote the Board of War on 22 July: “I have now to acknowledge the Honor of Your Several Letters of the 28 Ulto and of the 10th 11th 14th & 15th Instant with the several papers & Commissions to which they refer.”
23To George Washington from Colonel Gamaliel Bradford, 12 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
As the Officers & Soldiers of my Regiment are in great want of the gratuity, granted to them by the Massachusetts State, They are very desirous that Lieutt Peterson should go for that purpose to Boston. If your Excellency thinks it consistent, I would humbly request, that Lieutt Peterson might be granted leave of absence for four Weeks, for the above purpose. I am your Excellency’s most Obedt...
24To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
About a Fortnight ago three Men which I had sent to reconnoiter the Seneca Country returned from Venango having been chased by a number of Warriors who were coming down the Allegehany in Canoes they continued the pursuit until they came some distance this side the Kittaning & the White men narrowly escaped, A few days afterwards Captn Bready with 20 white men & one Young Delaware Chief (all...
25To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favours of the 10th and 21st of last Month. on the 26th of last month I threw in a small Supply of Provisions to Fort Lawrens with orders to Major Vernon to throw up inner Works of earth Sufficient to resist light Artillery. this Supply will last the Garrison Consisting of 75 Rank and file untill the 19th of this month, by which time I hope to be able to throw in Another...
26To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 31 July 1779–4 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your instructions of the 23d of June and 13th Instant. A Complete Stockade fort is erected at the Kittaning and now Called Fort Armstrong and I have Sent orders for the evacuation of Fort Lawrens that the Garrison there might be added to the Troops already Collected for the Expedition against the Seneca Country and if no impediment happens I Shall begin my March the 7th or...
27To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Brooks, 13 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I think myself injured by the present arrangement of the Lieutenant Colonels in the Massachusetts Line, I must request your Excellency to appoint a Committee to investigae the Rank of those I shall dispute and my own. I am your Excellency’s most obedt humle Servt ALS , DNA : RG 93, manuscript file no. 2107. GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison docketed this letter: “determ[ine]d in his...
28To George Washington from Colonel Richard Butler, 19 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Genl Wayne being Indisposd, desires that I inform your Excellency that I Remaind to See the whole of the Troops off the ground & just as the last Party movd A Canonade from the Enemys Ships began to Cover their landing, at 5 OClock—they took Imediate Possesion of the Point & Dismantled works, Confining themselves within the morass that incircles the Point, on which they placd guards & Confind...
29To George Washington from Col. Richard Butler, 20 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Richard Butler, 20 June 1779. GW wrote Butler on 21 June: “I have received your letter of yesterday.”
30To George Washington from Col. Richard Butler, 22 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Richard Butler, 22 June 1779. GW wrote Butler on 24 June: “I have received your two favours of the 22d and 23d.”
31To George Washington from Col. Richard Butler, 23 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Richard Butler, 23 June 1779. GW wrote Butler on 24 June: “I have received your two favours of the 22d and 23d.”
32To George Washington from Ezekiel Cheever, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
His Excelly Govr Trumbull having been pleased to apply to me as Commissary of ordnance Stores by Letter the 10th Inst. advising the dangerous State of Connecticut & thair absolute need of Some Field pieces with thair apparators, and that he had well founded reasons to Believe that it was the determined Resolution of the Enemy to penetrate into the Country & extend thair Ravages as far as...
33To George Washington from Oliver Clarke, 29 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Oliver Clarke, 29 June 1779. GW wrote Clarke on 29 July: “I have received your favour of the 29th of June which a multiplicity of business has prevented my answering before.”
34To George Washington from George Clinton, 1 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd Your Excellency’s Letter of the 28st Ulto —I have already given Colo. Pawling Directions to make every necessary Preparati on and be in perfect Readiness to march with the Troops under his Command on the shortest Notice and that his Men might be properly provided[.] I have barely intimated to him in Confidence that he was to form a Junction and continue with the Troops destined for...
35To George Washington from George Clinton, 7 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite Regret I inform your Excellency, that in Consequence of some Violent outrages lately committed in County of Cumberland and which the Resolutions of Congress (Copies of which I do myself the Honor to transmit) do not in my opinion tend to remedy the Duty I owe to the State will soon constrain me to quit the Field, in Order to convene the Legislature, and to make the...
36To George Washington from George Clinton, 24 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from George Clinton, 24 June 1779. GW wrote Clinton on 27 June: “I have received your two favours of the 24th and 25th.”
37To George Washington from George Clinton, 9 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I intended to have done myself the Pleasure of waiting upon your Excellency To Morrow but am now prevented by unexpected Business. The Necessity of attending to Agriculture will render it not only difficult but, extremely injurious to the Country to detain the Militia at this Season much longer in the Field unless the public Service shod render it indispensably necessary Colo. Malcolm who was...
38To George Washington from George Clinton, 28 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from George Clinton, 28 June 1779. GW wrote Clinton in a second letter on this date: “I just now received your favor of to day.”
39To George Washington from George Clinton, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to your Excellency for your Letter of Yesterday inclosg Spencer’s Relation of our Sucesses to the Southward —I now transmit a Copy of a Letter that I have this Moment recd from Colo. Drake who has unfortunately had two of his Pickets surprized by the Enemy—the one of them entirely cut off. I fear from the Tenor of Colo. Drake’s Letter that this will so dispirit the Militia as...
40To George Washington from George Clinton, 13 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of transmitting to your Excellency a Copy of a Letter I this Moment received from my Brother as I have Reason to beleive he has not been able to write to your Excellency by the Person who delivered me his Letter —I am with the Most perfect Esteem & Respects Your Excellencys Most Obedt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The cover of this letter reads: “By Express.” The enclosure is a copy...
41To 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...
42To George Washington from Brig. Gen. James Clinton, 6 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. James Clinton, 6 June 1779. GW wrote Clinton on 10 June: “I have received your two favours of the 28th of May and 6th of June.”
43To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
This Day I had the honour to receive your favour of the 10th instant: as also one from Genl Sullivan of the 11th containing Intructions for me to move up to Connojoharie & transport my Boats &c. across to Lake Otsego there to wait farther orders to join him. I have ordered one hundred Batteaux loaded with Stores to be transported up the River to Connojoharie by the 3d N.Y. Regt & the...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 26 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is with singular Pleasure I can inform Your Excellency, that I have forwarded on to Lake Otsego one Hundred and twenty three Boats which are now at the Landing, thirty more are this day on the Road, and the remainder necessary to compleat the Complement of two hundred and twenty expected up in a few Days—I have also forwarded on all the Provision necessary for the use of the Detatchment for...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 30 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a letter from General Clinton Dated Conojoharie. “Yours of the 27th instant, I just now received, I am unhappy to think, that any misunderstanding has happened with respect to the quantity of provision, destined for the use of the detachment under my command. The instructions contained in your Excellency’s letters previous to your referring me for orders to General Sullivan were...
46To George Washington from Major Thomas Cogswell, 24 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Humble Petition of Thomas Cogswell Major in the Massachusetts Line, Sheweth. That in settling the Rank of the Feild Officers of the Fifteen Battalions from said State, at Valley Forge Your Petioner was (as he thinks) much injured, in not having justice done him as to his Rank, in a number of instances, He mentions only one instance, which will be Sufficient to convince your Excellency that...
47To George Washington from the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 28th covering the Acts of Congress of the 17th & 22d we had the Honor to receive Yesterday. The Line of Conduct which your Excellency points out as necessary to be observed with the Indians meets our entire Approbation. We shall immediately try to engage the Onondagas to bring off Brandt and Butler. If any Exchange of prisoners should take place your Directions...
48To 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...
49To George Washington from Volckert Pieterse Douw, 27 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Volckert Pieterse Douw, 27 July 1779. GW wrote Douw on 29 July: “I last night received the favour of your letter of the 27th on the subject of the restoration of the Onondaga prisoners.”
50To 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...