158031To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 23 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will before this reaches you be informed that the Enemy quitted their Post last Evening. of Consequence the Attempt failed. the best Account I can get of it, is that Genl Howe with his principal officers came over yesterday reconnoitred the Ground which they were busily fortifying—they immediately ceased working began to embark & continued it till Sunset when the last went over. They then...
158032To George Washington from Major Samuel Ward, Jr., 23 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the desire of Colo. Greene, I congratulate your Excelly on the Success of the Troops under his command, Yesterday. On the 21st Inst. Four Battalions of Germans amounting to 1,200 men commanded by the Baron Donop Colo. Commandant landed at Coopers ferry & Marched the same Evening to Haddonfield. At 3 oClock Yesterday Morning, they marched for this place; when the Guard at Timber Creek bridge...
158033To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont: Two Notes, [before 22 October 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Je prie M. franklin d’avertir M. andrew Patton de se Rendre a Rouen pour s’embarquer pour Cadix a Bord de L’heureuse Rencontre Capitaine Noel Martin. M. Patton peut prendre la diligence qui vat a Rouen dans un jour. Il s’adressera a Rouen a M. holker avec La Lettre cy Jointe. Il s’adressera a Cadix a Messieurs Rey et Brandenbourg. M. franklin voudera Bien...
158034To John Adams from Samuel Cooper, 22 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
I write to you in Hast and Confidence—and beg you to conceal me when I speak with Freedom of Men and Things. After many Reports that Burgoyne and his Army were Prisoners of War, we have this Day receiv’d the Articles agreed on between him and our General. Perhaps I may be mistaken, but my Joy is damp’d by the Concessions G ates has made, considering how totally Burgoyne was in our Power. He...
158035George Washington to John Hancock, 22 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 22, 1777 . Regrets that Hancock is forced to retire as President of Continental Congress because of poor health and the pressure of private affairs. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
158036George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township [ Pennsylvania ] October 22, 1777 . Discusses distribution of newly arrived supplies. Sends news of General John Burgoyne’s defeat. Describes recent movements of enemy. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
158037General Orders, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
such of the troops as have not already drawn provisions, for to day and to morrow, are to do it immediately, and cook the whole; and all be ready to march on the shortest notice. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
158038To George Washington from Maj. John Clark, 22 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. John Clark, Jr., 22 Oct. 1777. GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison wrote Clark on 23 Oct.: “His Excellency received last night your favor of Yesterday” ( DLC:GW ).
158039From George Washington to Brigadier General David Forman, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy yesterday morning threw a body of troops across the Delaware, with intention no doubt either to storm or invest Red-bank. As the Works there are strong, it is improbable they will hazard the loss of men, that would be likely to attend an assault, but will, I imagine, endeavour by a Blockade, to oblige the garrison to surrender. On this supposition, I am to request in the most earnest...
158040From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
It gives me real pain to learn, that the declining state of your health, owing to your unwearied application to public business, and the situation of your private affairs oblige you to relinquish a station; though but for a time, which you have so long filled with acknowledged propriety. Motives as well of a personal as of a general concern make me to regret the necessity that forces you to...
158041From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 9th and am glad to hear of the different arrivals of arms, tents and cloathing, the latter of which is exceedingly wanted in this army, and I hope the agents will immediately forward the proportion intended for them. Major Nicholas who is just returned from the Eastward informs me, that a large parcel of lead has lately arrived at Boston upon private account. As...
158042To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the Honor of the receipt of yours of the 30th Ultimo and 8th Instant. We have this moment receivd the agreable news of General Burgoynes Surrendering himself and Army Prisoners on the 17th Instant to General Gates, on this Happy Event I beg leave most Heartily to Congratulate your Excellency, I find by the Articles of Capitulation that Burgoynes army is to be Sent to...
158043From George Washington to William Livingston, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your of the 20th inclosing a list of the Gentlemen appointed to raise Recruits and apprehend deserters in the State of Jersey. I do not recollect the Resolve of the 31st of July to which you refer, but I imagine you will find it fully explained by a Resolve passed the 17th instant, by which I am to appoint an Officer in each state to superintend the persons appointed by the...
158044From George Washington to Brigadier General Silas Newcomb, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy seem determined to possess themselves, if possible, of the Forts on the River. Their Operations against Fort Mifflin have been carried on for several days with unremitted attention, and from Various accounts they mean to storm Red Bank or to invest It. For this purpose, it is confidently said, that a pretty considerable Detachment crossed the River yesterday morning. It is of...
158045From George Washington to Richard Peters, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 18th with a Return of our military Stores in the different States. I sincerely wish they were more numerous, but I hope the Gentlemen of the Secret Committee in whose department it falls to import these Articles, have been taking care to procure a further supply. Major Nicholas who is just returned from the Eastward informs me that a large quantity of lead has...
158046From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
your Letter of 18th Inst. I receiv’d last night wherin I find you express a desire to be recall’d from fort Mifflin to Join your Corps. I found it Absolutely necessary to reinforce yr Garrison & that it was impracticable to do it consistently without supersedeing you, this determin’d me to send the Baron DArandt as the Person originally mention’d to you to command there, but would have omitted...
158047To George Washington from Charles Stewart, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday afternoon I left this place and went to Fort Mercer & hearing at that post about 7 OClock in the evening that the Enemy were advanced as far as this place I took back roads through the pines & tho all night & this morning ⟨ illegible ⟩ I am this moment arrived here, The Enemy left this at half after 4 OClock this morning in Number I beleive about three thousand some say 4000 they...
158048To George Washington from Charles Stewart, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote from Haddonfield I have seen Mr Saml Clements who was Guide to the enemy he is a man of business Says they consist of at least 2500 Men mostly Hessians he heard the Word Donnop often mentioned & thinks he commands[.] Coll Blaine was at Fort Mercer at 8 OClock this morning and got in Sixty head of Cattle, & Near one thousand Gallons of Spirits are in the neighbd of Gloucester...
158049To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 22 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I must Acknowledge that the Opinion of the Court of Enquiry has given me both pain and Surprise—Surprise to find Gentn go on the most Erronious ground in two facts from which they seem to found their Opinion i.e. with Reguard to the Distance, and the Carrying off of one of the Piquets. the Distance between the nearest part of the Enemies Camp and where I lay—was near 4 Miles w[h]ich was...
158050To John Adams from Benjamin Rush, 21 October 1777 (Adams Papers)
I fear you will class me with the weeping philosophers of antiquity, but I cannot help it. He who can be happy while his country is wasting her blood, and treasure to no purpose must be more or less than a man. General Gates’ unparalled success gave me great pleasure, but it has not obliterated the remembrance of the disorders I have seen in the army in this department. On the contrary I am...
158051George Washington to Brigadier General David Forman, 21 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 21, 1777 . Believes that British will attack Red Bank. Requests Forman to collect as many militiamen as possible and go to aid of that post. Has asked Brigadier General Silas Newcomb to do the same. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Forman was a brigadier general in the New Jersey Militia and a colonel in one of the...
158052George Washington to Commodore John Hazelwood, 21 October 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Whitpain Township, Pennsylvania ] October 21, 1777 . Announces that Baron d’Arendt will assume command of Fort Mifflin. Hopes that there will be complete cooperation between Hazlewood and D’Arendt. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Hazelwood was a commodore in the Pennsylvania navy.
158053[To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington], [21 October 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
The Magazine of History , VI (November, 1907), 294. This letter is listed here because it is attributed to H in The Magazine of History . Actually it was written by Robert Hanson Harrison for Washington to Brigadier General James Potter and is printed in GW John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington (Washington, 1931–1944). , IX, 408–09.
158054Nathan Dorsey: Two Receipts to the Commissioners, 21 October 1777: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AD : Library of Congress <Passy, October 21, 1777: Two identical receipts, each for 192 livres; three receipts have been given, and the first one paid will void the others.> A Marylander who was surgeon of the Lexington: Naval Docs. , VIII , 238. He seems to have been captured with her in September and to have escaped in a matter of weeks. There are receipts for a payment entered in the Waste...
158055To Benjamin Franklin from the Duc de La Rochefoucauld, 21 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Ne voiant point paroître, Monsieur, la Constitution du Maryland , j’avois imaginé que peut être il y avoit quelque empêchement à cette publication c’est ce qui m’avoit fait différer la traduction de celle de la Caroline Méridionale . La premiere vient d’être inserée dans le Journal d’Amérique et d’Angleterre, et j’ai l’honneur de vous envoier la seconde en...
158056General Orders, 21 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial is to sit to morrow morning at 9 o’clock at the Quarter Master General’s quarters for the trial of all prisoners which shall be brought before them. Col. Grayson is appointed president of this court Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
158057From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the honor to receive your Letter of the 17th Instant with its several Inclosures. I heartily wish the States may feel the importance of filling their Batallions, and may, in consequence of the Recommendation of Congress, adopt such measures as will prove effectual for the purpose. I cannot but think that heretofore, there has been a want of attention in this instance, and that...
158058From George Washington to Commodore John Hazelwood, 21 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
By this time, I imagine, Colonel Arendt will have arrived at Fort Mifflin, the command of which post was originally designed for him; he was prevented through indisposition from entering immediately upon it, but being now recovered, it of course devolves upon him. This gentleman’s knowlege of and experience in war, which has been the study and business of his life, induce me to expect with...
158059From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 21 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Owing to the rain last night & the probability, that it might be of long continuance, the Detachment I wrote you about was prevented marching. One is now in motion for the same purpose. I wish you to obtain the best information you possibly can respecting the Convoy that went to Chester and to find out Whether it has returned. That the object we have in view may be facilitated and the...
158060From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 21 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 18th I received last night and was extremely sorry to find from the Commodores Letter, which made a part of Your’s, that you & he were not in the strictest harmony. This circumstance, I confess, gives me great uneasiness, as I well know that a good agreement between the Navy & Garrison is of the last importance, and that a want of co-operation and every possible mutual aid...