1From George Washington to David Arell, 12 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I expect a suit in Chancery will be instituted against me in Fairfax Court, as Surviving Executor of the late Colo. Thomas Colvill, by Major Moody, for obtaining a Settlement of Accounts and a Deed of Conveyance for a piece of Land which the late Captain West who was a joint Executor, and myself sold him some years ago. It is probable the Executors of Captain West will be made parties. The...
2From George Washington to Colonel Armand, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 4th and fifth. Inclosed you will find a letter to the Board of War, recommending the incorporation of your corps with the late Pulaski’s including the troop command⟨ed⟩ by Capt. Bedkin. I do not unite the Marechaussee, because that corps is destined for a particular service, to which it will be altogether applied in the course of the next campaign, nor...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 9 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
The severity of the Season having prevented the persons concerned from attending the Court Martial which was appointed to be held at this place the 20th January last, I have, for the conveniency of the parties ordered a Court to sit the 15th April next at Springfeild—You being charged by Mr Isaac Tichenor Dy Commy of purchases “With suffering a quantity of Beef at Coos to take damage thro’...
4From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 22d accompanied by the Returns of sundry of the additional and detached Corps, from which, and from those which I had been enabled to collect in and near the Army I have furnished the respective States with a tolerably accurate account of the deficiencies of their Quotas. I have informed them, that should any more Men appear to their Credit upon a full...
5From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I wrote to Congress a few days ago, I took the liberty to recommend uniting the remains of the late Count Pulaski’s legion—Colo. Armands Corps—and a small troop of Horse under the command of Capt. Bedkin. The whole to be under the command of Colo. Armand. Should Congress determine upon the measure—Colo. Armand wishes the Resolve, for the incorporation of the Corps, should be...
6From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th late in the Afternoon I had the honor to receive Your private Letter of the 3d Inst. I sent the next morning for Captain Bowman, but owing to his being out of Camp in quest of provision, I did not see him till yesterday, when I took measures with him for complying with your views. He will march with his Company & with some additional Men I directed to be attached to it to make it...
7From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th, came to hand this morning. It is to be regretted that circumstances should have interposed to diminish the command proposed for Col. Armand. When the idea was formed of Uniting the legion late Pulaski’s to his corps I had no intimation that Congress had determined on its reduction. I would hope however, that the order of the Board for its suspension will arrive in...
8From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is an Estimate of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, which I think it expedient to have lodged at Pittsburgh, ready to answer any favorable opportunity which may present itself, for carrying on operations against the Enemy’s posts to the Westward. I do not know whether there is any practicable Road at this Season for Sleds, if there is, it would be much the easiest and cheapest mode of...
9Enclosure: Major General Steuben to the Board of War, January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Delivered to the Board of War by Major General steuben on Friday Jany 28th 1780. The incomplete state & Extreme inequality of our Regiments of Infantry, against all good Order and regular formation, induced me last Campaign to present to H[is] E[xcellency] the Commander in Chief a Plan of formation for an Order of Battle, in which I joined Two and three Regiments together in Order to form a...
10From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I find by a Resolution of the 9th Instant, of which I received a Copy last night, that Congress have been pleased to determine the Quota of Troops to be furnished by the respective States the ensuing Campaign —and that the Non-Commissioned Officers & privates in the additional Corps—Artillery & Cavalry and the Regimented Artificers in the departments of the Quarter Master General & Commissary...
11From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the regulations the non-comissioned officers are to be armed with swords as a mark of distinction and to enable them the better to maintain the authority due to their stations—This necessary arrangement has not yet been carried into execution— By some returns I have seen there appears to have been a considerable number of Hessian hangers at Albany, though I find no mention of them in the...
12From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have, agreeable to the Resolve of Congres⟨s⟩ of the 12th Novemr, formed a regimental arrangement of the eleven Companies of Artificers at pres[ent] acting in a detached manner under the direction of the Quarter Master General —who I have consulted on the occasion, as being better acquainted with the merits of the Officers, and the nature of the service, than I could possibly be. —I have...
13From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 28th ulto. It gives me great pleasure to find by your letter and by one which I recd a few days ago from Mr Lovell that we have favorable account⟨s⟩ from France on the subject of supplies of Cloathing and other stores —I have directed the Adj⟨t⟩ General to call for an exact return of the drum⟨s⟩ and fifes wanting which shall be transmitted to the Board as...
14From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honoured with Your Letter, stating the difficulties which occurred to prevent Colo. Mitchell from attending then the trial of Major General Arnold. As several days have elapsed since, I would willingly hope that things are in such a train as to admit of his coming now, without any material injury to the public service. Genl Arnold is very anxious on this head—and indeed so am I, as...
15From George Washington to the Board of War, 26 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received the inclosed proceedings of a General Court Martial held by order of the Board —As I am not informed of any provision having been made for vesting the power of appoin[tin]g Courts Mar⟨tial⟩ in the Board (which is too confined in many respects), I should not think myself at liberty to confirm the proceedings of the present Court, were there no objection to the manner of the...
16From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have lately had several applications from the Subalterns of the Massachusetts line respecting mistakes which they say happened in the arrangement settled at West point, and confirmed by Congress and agreeable to which their Commissions were issued. As I have no Copy of that arrangement I am unable to determine upon the propriety of their complaints—I shall for that Reason be obliged by a...
17From George Washington to the Board of War, 15–17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with yours of the 21st ulto by Capt. Edgar. I should have replied to it sooner, had not my whole time and attention been of late engrossed by endeavouring to raise a supply of provision for the Army. With respect to the Cloathing for Colo. Sheldons Regiment, I think you had best order Messr Otis and Henley to procure a quantity equivalent to a full Corps, and when finished...
18From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Returns of Arms and Accoutrements wanting by the 2d and 4th Regiments of Light Dragoons —The Articles of sadlery could, I beleive, have been procured in Connecticut, but the Dy Qr Mr General there did not think himself at liberty to proceed in the Business, without a special order, and therefore transmitted the Returns to the Quarter Master General for his direction—who,...
19From George Washington to Captain Nathaniel Bowman, 11 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed immediately with the men of your company, present, and those attatched to it by an order of yesterday for the purpose of making it complete, to Squan, by the way of Freehold, taking with you the ammunition waggon for which you obtained an order on General Knox. At Freehold you will draw two weeks provision for your party, for which purpose you will find an order inclosed on...
20Circular to the Brigade Commanders, 6 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
As it will contribute in some degree to relieve our distress on the subject of provision, I am to desire that you will discharge all the men in the Brigade under your command whose enlistments and terms of service will clearly expire by the last of this month. In conducting the matter you will be pleased to call upon the commanding officers of Regiments, to prevent the discharge of any not...
21From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 4 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have successively received your letters of the 10th 22d of Novemr, & 13th of Decemr. Persuaded that a Winter expedition against Detroit would have great advantages over a Summer one, and be much more certain of success, I regret that the situation of affairs does not permit us to undertake it. We cannot at present furnish either the men or supplies necessary for it. From the estimate you...
22From George Washington to Colonel Richard Butler, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 13th—and am happy to find that you have been so successful in your mission. I did not doubt the willingness of the good people to help us to the extent of their abilites, and their ready compliance confirms me in my opionion. I am much indebted to Colonl Taylor for his exertions on this occasion. You will forward to Morristown, as soon as it can be effected...
23From George Washington to Colonel Richard Butler, 24 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favr of the 21st—As we are tolerably well supplied with provision at present I would not wish you to distress any of the inhabitants by taking their working Oxen. As there is a law of the state for punishing engrossers, Lt Colo. Chamberlain if guilty of a breach of it will more properly come under the cognizance of the Civil than Military law and I therefore think you had...
24From George Washington to James Caldwell, 1 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Should the grain which was collected for the army be deposited at any one place, in such quantity, as to become an object with the enemy, it, or at least a part of it, may be sent up to this place. I would wish however to avoid expence, as much as possible—and therefore to retain what must be consumed by the detatchments on the lines—if it is not too much exposed. You will be pleased to take...
25From George Washington to James Caldwell, 21 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 19th this morning. It is fully my intention to do every thing in my power to promote the operation of Lord Stirling’s general order respecting the plunder taken from Staten Island—I inclose a permission for a flag to return what you may have collected, and a letter to Col. Hazen to furnish such parties, and for the purpose you have recommended, on...
26From George Washington to James Caldwell, 10 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of this days date—I am much obliged to you for your exertion in our present difficulty and the supply of grain they have procured. Col. Ogden is directed to retain the grain in the County for the use of the detatchment. I am with great regard your obt serv. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW to Matthias Ogden, this...
27From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Cilley, Jr., 9 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial is to be held at Springfeild on the 15th April next for the trial of Mr Isaac Tichenor Dy Commy of purchases at Coos on sundry Charges exhibited against him by Colonel Hazen, and for the trial of Jacob Bailey Esqr. Dy Qr Mr Genl at Coos on a charge of neglect of duty exhibited against him by Mr Tichenor. After going thro’ the before mentioned trials, part of the Members...
28From George Washington to George Clinton, 5 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I think it my ⟨duty to transmit⟩ Your Excellency the inclos⟨ed Representation⟩ and Request from sund⟨ry Officers⟩ in your line, which I re⟨ceived Two⟩ days ago. The Objects a⟨re of a⟩ delicate and interesting ⟨nature⟩ and such I am persuaded ⟨as will⟩ have, if they have not alread⟨y had⟩ it, the attention they deserve⟨. From⟩ the conversation and expostu⟨lations⟩ I had with the Gentlemen who...
29From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 19 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The severity of the weather has occasioned unavoidable delay to the Gentlemen who came out with the propositions concerted between Major General Phillips and themselves which will put it out of their power to complete their business and return in the time limited by their paroles. Persuaded that your Excellency will readily excuse their exceeding their permission a few days they have taken the...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 12 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a circular letter of the 22d of Jany—in your absence—I transmitted the Inspectors reports of december to the Commandant of your Brigade delineating several defects and abuses there pointed out and exhorting to effectual measures for remedying them. This letter I presume you have since your return received; if not you will be pleased immediately to call for it, and have the objects contained...