24751From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 18 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, 18 Aug. 1777. When writing to GW on 11 Sept. , Custis says: “Your kind Favour of the 18th Ult. came safe to Hand.”
24752From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 Aug. 1777. In his letter to Lt. Col. Holtzendorff of 18 Aug. , GW says: “I inclose you a letter to General Greene, informing him, that I have attached you to his division.”
24753From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the Honor of your Favor of the 17th with Its Inclosure. You will perceive by my Letter of yesterday, transmitted by favor of the Marquis De la Fayette, that I had been so happy, as to anticipate the views of Congress by ordering Colo. Morgan to march with his Corps to the Northern Army. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Yr Most Obedt servant LS , in Robert Hanson...
24754From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Holtzendorff, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of your favour of the transmitting me the plan of a military work, which you propose to publish and requesting my protection of the same. As I have not seen the work, I cannot undertake to determine what degree of merit it may have a claim to; but if it be well executed upon the plan you exhibit, the few good books we have circulating in this country on the military art,...
24755From George Washington to Captain Thomas Nelson, Jr., 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 7th Inst. You plead so powerfully and urge so many reasons to leave the ⟨Ar⟩my, that I cannot refuse your request altho it is with regret I see a Gentlem⟨an⟩ go out of it. The principal cause of your Application, However, you have no⟨t⟩ expl⟨icit⟩ly ⟨s⟩tated, But yet I p⟨res⟩ume my Conjectures respecting It, are just and right. I suppose it is your...
24756From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 15th. As it appeared clearly from the account sent out by the Enemy, that Palmer was really an Officer of theirs, he deservedly suffered for being found lurcking about our posts, and was a spy in the truest Sense of the word. I am surprised at the conduct of the Militia of Connecticut, who because they find no Enemy directly at their own doors refuse to stay and assist...
24757To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 14th Inst: & have notified your Approbation of the sentence against the unfortunate Majr Mullins. I have also rectified the mistake about the Pay Abstracts agreable to your Excellency’s directions. I am inclined to think your Excellency will soon hear from Mr Howe at the Southward where I beleive he is bound, & will even land though...
24758From George Washington to Captain Van Swearingen, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
It being represented, that Several of the Men in a Detachment under your command, as Captain from the Eight pensylvania Regiment, which composes part of the Corps commanded by Colo. Daniel Morgan, made up of Detachments from several Regiments, have Claims against the United States for Horses and Other necessaries furnished the said Regiment, for which they have received no satisfaction; Also,...
24759Henry Johnson to the American Commissioners, [after] [19] August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Public Record Office Should have wrote you e’er this! I had no subject to write upon, knowing you have enough else to do besides reading a Scrawl, which signified nothing. Yours of the 19th Inst. came safe to hand, have to say I have done tolerable well with the French Sailors, many of them finding I would pay them no money have decamped; others (some few) have gone on board....
24760John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging Favour of the 5th. came by Yesterdays Post, and I intended to have answered it by this Mornings Post, but was delayed by many Matters, untill he gave me the slip. I am sorry that you and the People of Boston were put to so much Trouble, but glad to hear that such Numbers determined to fly. The Prices for Carting which were demanded, were detestable. I wish your Fatigue and...
24761John Adams to Abigail Adams, 19 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
The Weather still continues cloudy and cool and the Wind Easterly. Howe’s Fleet and Army is still incognito. The Gentlemen from South Carolina, begin to tremble for Charlestown. If Howe is under a judicial Blindness, he may be gone there. But what will be the Fate of a scorbutic Army cooped up in a Fleet for Six, Seven or Eight Weeks in such intemperate Weather, as We have had. What will be...
24762George Washington to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 19 August 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Camp at Cross Roads [ Pennsylvania ] August 19, 1777. Abides by Brigadier General de Borre’s preference of an American as brigade major and recommends Captain Matthew McConnell of Colonel Moses Hazen’s regiment. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24763To Benjamin Franklin from Jean-Baptiste-Xavier Joyeuse, 19 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society L’interêt que j’ay toujours pris, Monsieur, aux succés des Colonies unies de l’Amerique, vû la bonté qui m’a paru dans leur cause, me donne le desir de tâcher d’y contribuer, si je le pouvais. Le déperissement de l’Armée Anglaise en Amerique, attribué principalement a la mauvaise qualité des Vivres qu’on leur distribüe, dont je lisais le détail, il y a...
24764To Benjamin Franklin from Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, 19 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Un de mes freres cadets vient d’entrer au service de votre république et j’ai cru cette occasion favorable en vous demandant le service de lui faire passer une lettre (dont je vous prie de prendre lecture) de me procurer l’honneur de vous connaitre personnellement. Il y a longtems, Monsieur que je vous connoissois comme grand phisicien, comme grand orateur,...
24765General Orders, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The following are the sentences of a General Court Martial, held the 7th, 12th and 16th inst: of which Col. Sheldon was president. Edward Willcox Quarter Master to Capt. Dorse’s troop charged with “Desertion, taking a horse belonging to Col. Moylan’s regiment, and a trooper with his accoutrements”—found guilty and sentenced to be led round the regiment he belongs to, on horseback, with his...
24766To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Board of General Officers took into Consideration your Excellency’s Question, respecting the German Battalion, and Colonel Hazen’s Regiments: Are of Opinion; “That from the peculiar establishment of the German Battalion and Colonel Hazen’s Regiments, they had better rise Regimentally.[”] Also your Excellencys Question “concerning the Sixteen additional Battalions[”]: They are of opinion...
24767To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the latest accounts I have received, I cannot find there has been any movements of the Enemy, upon Staten Island; and this Day I recieved the inclosed Letter from Gen: Forman, which I thought proper to send your Excellency. A few Days ago, I saw Mr Douglass, being the Person, whom I mentioned in my last letter to your Excellency, that made his escape from N. York, he say’s, that Gen:...
24768From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
If I did not misunderstand what you, or some other Member of Congress said to me respecting the appointment of the Marquis de, le, Fiatte, he has misceived the design of his appointment, or Congress did not understand the extent of his views, for certain it is, If I understand him , that he does not conceive his Commission is merely honorary; but given with a view to command a division of this...
24769To George Washington from the Maryland Delegates, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We are just now honoured with your Letter respecting the Arrest of Lieut. McNaire of the Artillery and shall immediately enclose it to Governor Johnson to take such Measures on the Subject as the Law will warrant him: We wish the Artillery Corps and the 16th Regiments had been apportioned on the States that our State knowing its Proportion might have pursued the Same Means for raising it as it...
24770To George Washington from Richard Peters, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
There are about 80 Men with Officers for three Troops of Horse of thirty Men each now at Philadelphia. They came from North Carolina with General Nash’s Brigade & have been here for a considerable Time their Horses being sold as they were unfit for Service & the Board were so embarrass’d with the high Price of Horses & other Necessaries for sending them into the Field that they had determined...
24771From George Washington to Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 17th; by which I perceive you are inclined in preference to have an American Gentleman appointed to the office of your Brigade-Major, and for that purpose have recommended Capt. McConnel of Col: Hazen’s regiment to my approbation. My only reasons for mentioning what I did in my last, were, that I thought it might be more agreeable to you to have one of your...
24772To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to congratulate your Excellency on a signal Victory obtained by General Stark over a Detachment of about 1500 of the Enemy near Bennington on the 16th Instant, an Account whereof I have this Moment received in a Letter from General Lincoln of which the following is a Copy—“Bennington August 18th 1777. Dear General The late signal Success of a Body of about 2000 Troops mostly...
24773From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wish thro’ you, Sir, to return my thanks to the Pennsylvania Officers, who subscribed the Memorial you delivered me a few days since, for the obliging sentiments they are pleased to entertain of me—At the same time, you will inform them, that I am fully sensible of the justice, in which their Complaint respecting the exorbitant price of Goods & Necessaries is founded, and that I painfully...
24774John Adams to Abigail Adams, 20 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
This Day compleats three Years since I stepped into the Coach, at Mr. Cushings Door, in Boston, to go to Philadelphia in Quest of Adventures.—And Adventures I have found. I feel an Inclination sometimes, to write the History of the last Three Years, in Imitation of Thucidides. There is a striking Resemblance, in several Particulars, between the Peloponnesian and the American War. The real...
24775The American Commissioners to William Lee and Thomas Morris, [c. 20 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft ): Library of Congress This letter was almost unquestionably not sent. It was to be in answer to a now missing one of the 16th, in which Lee and Morris claimed, according to Arthur Lee, that the powers given to Jonathan Williams to handle prizes were incompatible with their own agency and should be withdrawn. Deane and Franklin were ready to do so, as they say here, but proposed to...
24776The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., [c. 20 August 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): Library of Congress The Prize of Capt. Wickes, which we ordered into your Hands, we desire you will deliver up to the Disposal of Mr. Lee; and are Your humble Servants Notation: Letter to Mr Williams This is also in BF ’s hand and was clearly intended to accompany the preceding letter; like it, we assume, it was not sent.
24777General Orders, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The order, by which Col. Armand’s Corps was annexed to Genl Conways brigade is countermanded. The Commander in Chief is pleased to approve of the following sentences of a General Court Martial, held the 18th instant, whereof Col. McClenahan was president. Lieut. Ambrose Crane of Col. Stewarts regiment, charged with “Breaking his former arrest, and going to Philadelphia in company with two...
24778From George Washington to William Buchanan, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of the 18th. In respect to the Subject of it I can only inform you, that it is necessary, there should always be a Sufficient Quantity of Spirits, with the Army to furnish moderate Supplies to the Troops. In many Instances, such as when they are marching in Hot or Cold weather—in Camp in Wet—on fatigue or in working parties, it is so essential, that it is...
24779From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter from Genl Schuyler of 13th Inst. it appears that you had not reach’d Stillwater at that time, since which I have not had any accounts from you, but expect you had arriv’d there soon after that date. From the various representations made to me of the disadvantage the Army lay under, particularly the Militia, from an apprehension of the Indian Mode of fighting, I have dispatch’d...
24780From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to forward you a packet which just came to my hands from Genl Schuyler. In his letter to me he communicates an agreeable account of the face of Affairs at Fort Schuyler, I therefore do myself the pleasure of inclosing you an extract. I have the Honor to be Sir Your obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 152; copy, DNA:PCC , item 169. This letter and...
24781To George Washington from Benjamin Harrison, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I remember well a Conversation passing betwixt you and I on the Subject of the Marquis de la Fyattes Commission, & that I told you it was merely Honorary, in this light I look’d on it, and so did every other member of Congress, he had made an agreement with mr Deane, but this he gave up by Letter to Congress, not wishing as he said to embarrass their affairs, Mr Duer who presented this Letter...
24782To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this day received ⅌ Mr Fessenden the honor of yours of the 5th 10th & 12th Instant, most heartily thank your Excellency for the Intelligence communicated therein, and shall strictly attend to the directions given. We have just received the inclosed Intelligence of the success of our Troops under General Starks near Bennington, upon which I beg leave to congratulate your Excellency. We...
24783To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Bearrer hereof Mr Philip Pelton is a known Friend to our Cause; He will communicate to you a matter of importance which prudence forbids I should commit to paper. I must refer you to him for particulars. But least he should forget to inform you; the Enemies Force to the Northward is but 5,600. Question him how we have received this intelligence, and it will be explained to your...
24784To George Washington from Brigadier General Silas Newcomb, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to Your Excellency’s Instructions of the 11th instant, I immediately marched my Men to Redbank—General De Coudray (as I was informed by General Potter) had not been himself either at Redbank Fort-Island or Billingsport for several Days past, nor had he left any Person to superintend there—Therefore after staying a few Days, and the Men murmuring for want of Quarters to shelter them...
24785To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Evening Gen: Gates arrived at the Camp and this morning I shewed him the different passes, gave him an Account of the disposition of the troops, The posts they Occupied, and the Orders I had given with Such Information as he required, or that occured to me and then Came down to this place. Inclose Your Excellency a return of the Army, Copy of a letter from General Lincoln and Copy of Gen:...
24786From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 15th by Capt. Cosden. I am sorry to hear that you did not find your Brigade in that order, as to discipline &ca that you could have wished, but I hope your attention to it in person will soon work the necessary reform. I most sincerely wish that the success of the recruiting Service had been such, that all our Brigades would have made a more respectable...
24787John Adams to Abigail Adams, 21 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
This Morning, We have heard again from the Fleet. At 9 o Clock at Night, on the 14. Inst. upwards of an hundred Sail were seen, standing in between the Capes of Cheasapeak Bay. They had been seen from the Eastern shore of Virginia, standing off, and on, for two days before.—This Method of coasting along the shore, and standing off, and on, is very curious. First seen off Egg Harbour, then...
24788To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Albemarle, Va., 21 August 1777. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Jefferson, Papers The Papers of Thomas Jefferson , ed. Julian P. Boyd and others, Princeton, 1950-. , 2:27–29. Jefferson suggested applying for a loan from the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who reportedly had a considerable hoard of crowns in his treasury. Philip Mazzei was recommended as a suitable agent to negotiate the loan. Jefferson...
24789General Orders, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The whole army is to march to morrow morning, The General is to beat at half after three; the Troop at half past four; and at five o’clock the troops are to begin their march. The Major Generals, Quarter-Master General and Commissary General will receive their orders at Head Quarters, at five o’clock this afternoon—An orderly man from each regiment of horse to attend at the same time for...
24790Council of War, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of General Officers, held at Neshamini Camp, in Bucks County the 21st day of August 1777. Present His Excellency, the Commander in Cheif, Major Generals Greene[,] Lord Stirling[,] Stephen[,] Marquis Fayette[,] Brigadiers Genl Maxwell[,] Knox[,] Wayne[,] Muhlenburgh[,] Weedon[,] Woodford[,] Scot[,] Conway. The Commander in Cheif informed the Council that the British Fleet left the...
24791From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the Time, which has elapsed, since Genl Howe departed from the Capes of Delaware, there is the strongest reason to conclude, that he is gone either far to the Eastward or Southward, and with a design, to execute some determined plan. The danger of the Sea, the injury his Troops & Horses must sustain from being so long confined, the loss of time, so late in the Campaign, will scarcely...
24792From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you on the 12th instant on the subject of the Militia under the command of Genl Newcomb, I have recd another letter from him which you have enclosed. By this it appears that the Men were not employed in any way while they were at Red Bank, and that they are now anxious to get home to their farms as they see no immediate occasion of their Services—As I had in some measure put...
24793To George Washington from John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon the Resignation of Mr Philips as Commissary of Hydes, the Congress have been pleased to appoint Mr George Ewing in his Place, who is ordered to carry into Execution the Plan you have proposed; which I make no Doubt he will do with Application and Success. Your Favour of yesterday I had the Honour of receiving with the Inclosures from General Schuyler, and am extremely pleased to hear that...
24794From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with yours of this morning containing several peices of intelligence of the Fleet’s having been seen off the Capes of Virginia on the 15th instant. I shall in Consequence of this information halt upon my present ground till I hear something further. Colo. Pinkney of South Carolina paid me a Visit two days ago, he informed me that the Military Stores in Charles Town and...
24795From George Washington to John Hancock, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose you a Copy of Doctr Franklin’s Letter in favor of Count Pulawski of Poland, by whom this will be handed to you. I some time ago had a Letter from Mr Deane, couch’d in terms equally favorable to the Character & Military Abilities of this Gentleman. How he can with propriety be provided for you will be best able to determine—he takes this from me, as an...
24796From George Washington to William Livingston, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose you a Resolve of Congress which I have just received, directing me to call on you for one thousand Militia from the State of New Jersey to releive a like number of the Militia of the State of New York at present in garrison at the Forts upon Hudsons River, who are to march to the reinforcement of the Northern Army. The requisition makes no mention of any...
24797From George Washington to Brigadier General Francis Nash, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are to hold the Brigade under your command, in readiness to March early on Friday Morng next by the Route of Princeton —You will not begin to March untill you hear further from me. I am &ca Df , in John Fitzgerald’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The following day was a Friday. Nash’s brigade was stationed at Trenton.
24798From George Washington to John Page, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this Afternoon honored with your Letter of the 15th. The Order of the Board of Council to the Regiment at Alexandria, in consequence of the Advices they had received, I think perfectly right, and I shall write to the Commanding Officer of it, by this Conveyance, to remain there, subject to the direction of Congress—Your Board or Myself. The conduct of Genl Howe is extremely embarrassing....
24799To George Washington from Richard Peters, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Bland informed me that the Enemy had thrown into the Rariton on their Departure from Brunswick two Cannon—one of 32 the other of 24 —If these Cannon could be raised & sent on to this Place they would be very useful in the Defence of the Chevaux de Frize as we have no spare Guns of that Weight of Ball. I mentioned this Matter to the Board who gave it in Direction to me to request your...
24800From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 21 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was a few Days ago favored with your’s of the 13th and Yesterday with that of the 15th. I immediately forwarded the Letter to Congress, who, I dare say, will be satisfied with your Reasons for remaining some little Time at Albany for the purposes you mention. I do not know that any particular Charges are exhibited against you, or in what way Congress intend to take the Matter up—I observe by...