25151George Washington to John Hancock, 17 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Yellow Springs [ Pennsylvania ] September 17, 1777. Discusses situation of enemy and American efforts to secure reinforcements. LS , in the writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives.
25152General Orders, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The commanding officers of brigades are immediately to dispatch two or three careful officers who are best mounted, into the rear of the line of march yesterday, as far back as General Maxwell’s quarters, where the army last drew up, to examine all houses, barns and huts on the way, and collect and bring on all stragglers from the army—The Brigadiers and other officers are immediately to...
25153To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, 17 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, Sr., 17 Sept. 1777. Armstrong wrote GW at 8:00 P.M. , 18 Sept.: “I wrote you last Night at this hour.”
25154To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Express this moment arrived from Brigr Gen. Wines at Hackingsack, I am informed the Enemy have crossed the North River, & totally evacuated the Jersies—Gen: Wines say’s, their Number from the best Information he could collect, was near four thousand Men, & that General Clinton was certainly with them. Should this Intelligence be true, I have wrote Gen: McDougall, (who I am informed is near...
25155From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favours of yesterday and their inclosures; to which due attention shall be paid. The enemy seem now to be straining every nerve to accomplish their purpose; but I trust, whatever present success they may have, they will ere long experience a reverse of fortune. If they have four thousand men in the Jersies, it is probable, they have something more serious in...
25156To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honour to transmit the enclosed Resolves, conveying the most extensive Powers to you, in Order that the Army under your Command may be more effectually supplied with Provisions and other Necessaries; & that the same may be prevented from falling into the Hands of the Enemy. The Congress have likewise empowered you to suspend all Officers for Misbehaviour, and to fill up all...
25157To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honored a few minutes Since, with a Copy of your Excellency’s favor of the 14th instant. The Enemy’s Army which came into Jersey from different Quarters, were under the command of General Clinton assisted by three other General officers. Their Force must have been considerable as he was with them. The lowest amounts that can be relyed on, place them at 2000, others as Credible as high as...
25158From George Washington to Colonel William Malcolm, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favourd with your Two Letters of the 13th & 14th Instants. At present, the situation of our Affairs will not justifie any of the Independt Companies being attached to your Regiment, whatever may be the case in future; And having regard to the public interest and knowing the small prospect there is of raising of Men at this crisis, I do not think myself authorized to commission...
25159From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon examining the State of our Ammunition I find it so generally hurt by the Rain that we are not in Condition to make a stand against the Enemy—I have therefore thought best to move up towards Warwick Furnace in order to obtain a Supply from the other side Schuylkill & have given orders accordingly Genl Greene[’s] Division remains here & Genl Wayne’s between this & Warwick untill the Baggage...
25160From George Washington to Major General Thomas Mifflin or an Assistant Quartermaster, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I desire you will immediately move the Baggage and Ammunition from the place where you are at present to Warwick Furnace. Colo. Evans, the Bearer of this, is kind enough to undertake to pilot you by the safest and best Rout. No time is to be lost in the Execution of this Business and I think if you were to impress a few Waggons and lighten the others of part of their loads it would be better...
25161To George Washington from Major Francis Murray, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor to write you from Stutterdam I was unable to inform your Excellency what quantity of Stores was at this place, but on my return made inquiry, and found they were very considerable. In the Commissaries Store there were 500 bls Flour, 18 ho[gshea]ds Spirits, 27 bls pease, and 20 casks tried Tallow, in the Quartermasters department, and Laboratory, agreeable to the inclos’d...
25162To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 17 Sept. 1777. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman wrote Putnam on 21 Sept.: “His Excellency recd your favr of the 17th” ( DLC : William A. Oldridge Collection).
25163From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
As it may be dangerous for the Troops under your command to act alone, and the service may be more advanced by drawing Our Whole Force together, I earnestly request, that you will form a junction with the Main Army as soon, as you possibly can. We shall be at Warwick Furnace, on French Creek to Morrow Evening. The Enemy are now posted near the White Horse Tavern on the Road leading from...
25164To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Petrie, [after 18 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Petrie with respectfull Compliments to Dr. Franklin, Sends by the Bearer a small Paper Parcell, which he received this Morning from Mr. Wilkes, with that Gentleman’s Request to hand it to the Doctor, with his best Compliments. Addressed: Dr. Franklin. / Passy. A London merchant of Scottish descent, who was an ardent supporter of John Wilkes and had...
251651777. Septr. 18. Thursday. (Adams Papers)
The violent N.E. Storm which began the Day before Yesterday continues. We are yet in Philadelphia, that Mass of Cowardice and Toryism. Yesterday was buryed Monsr. Du Coudray, a French Officer of Artillery, who was lately made an Inspector General of Artillery and military Manufactures with the Rank of Major General. He was drowned in the Schuylkill, in a strange manner. He rode into the Ferry...
25166Cotton Tufts to John Adams, 18 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Our Spring was cold and Wet, Our Summer fruitful and the Fall forbodes a plentiful Harvest. We had but very little warm Weather untill August. Our Rains were frequent, attended with Thunder and followed by fair Weather which continued for several Days and then Showers again—and such a Succession of Rains and Fair Weather I hardly ever remember which continue to this Instant. Indeed we have...
25167From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [18 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
If Congress have not yet left Philadelphia, they ought to do it immediately without fail, for the enemy have the means of throwing a party this night into the city. I just now crossed the valleyford, in doing which a party of the enemy came down & fired upon us in the boat by which means I lost my horse. One man was killed and another wounded. The boats were abandon’d & will fall into their...
25168From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, [18 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
I did myself the honor to write you a hasty line this Evening giving it as my opinion that the city was no longer a place of safety for you. I write you again lest that should not get to hand. The enemy are on the road to Sweedes ford, the main body about four miles from it. They sent a party this evening to Davesers ferry, which fired upon me and some others in crossing it, killed one man,...
25169From Benjamin Franklin to Benjamin Vaughan, 18 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I shall be very happy to see my dear Friend if it may be without Inconvenience to him; and the sooner the happier. The Duke de Chaulnes, who was with me last Night, has ask’d me to dine with him on Sunday, when he expected you: But that is a long time for me to wait; And I cannot think of another Place where a Meeting with me would not occasion Speculation....
25170To Benjamin Franklin from Charles-François Le Brun: Two Letters, 18 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A friend of mine, an eminent marchant at Coruña in Spain and wellwisher to the cause of american Liberty has transmitted to me the Letter herein inclosed with prayer to have it delivered immediately in to the hands of Mr. Dean. But as I am totally unacquainted with the place where that gentleman is to be met with and afraid to have it trusted to any body...
25171To Benjamin Franklin from [Benjamin Vaughan], [18 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I am ashamed my dear sir at the littleness of my heart or rather that of my friends: as soon as I have passed the opportunity for conversing with this man it will be over, and I shall see you as publicly as at Xmas. Yes my dear sir I will meet you at 5, in the middle of the Seine; any where, so that I do but meet you, and tell you how much I revere you. In...
25172General Orders, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Gen. Peter Muhlenberg’s orderly book contains the following general orders for this date signed by Adj. Gen. Timothy Pickering: “The Rolls are to be called this evening & Officers and Men strictly charg’d not to stir from their Quarters, where their Corps are encamp’d, that they may be ready to march at a moments warning, Severe Punishment will be the Demerit of...
25173To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, Sr., 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you last Night at this hour respecting One hundred Cattle which are now Safe at Sweeds Ford. Upon examining repeatedly the disposition of the Militia from Greys Ferry to the ford last mention’d, I cou’d not See the least use especially from Troops of this Sort, in a Situation So far detatched—joined to this the great probability of the Enemies looking more immediately to Sweedsford,...
25174From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 17th I had the honor to receive last night with Governr Livingston & Genl Dickinsons Letters. It is out of my power to do more, than I already have for checking the Enemy’s progress in Jersey, and I should hope, that will be the case as soon as the Troops ordered from pecks Kill arrive to reinforce the Militia assembling under Genl Dickinson. I observe, that All the...
25175To George Washington from John Hancock, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I was duely honoured with your Favour of yesterday, and this Day communicated the same to Congress. A few Minutes ago I received a Letter by Express from Genl Dickinson (a Copy of which I enclose) covering one to you, which I also forward. A certain Joseph Burns of Chester County, who had been sent out by Genl Wayne to reconnoitre the Situation of the Enemy, has this Moment called...
25176To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote before this Day & have procured a Parcel of Maps which not knowing of this Oppty or of my being down here I must defer sending till tomorrow. I cannot help acquainting you, my dear General that the Distance of the Army from the City & its March so remote has given great Alarm & very much discourages the Militia, if any real Service is expected—I do not doubt you have sufficient Reasons...
25177To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Thornburgh, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours by express, I have not recd the order you formerly sent, or any other respecting the Baggage before this day when about 4 OClock P.M. I recd a letter from Colo. Biddle with your orders to move the Baggage to Pottsgrove & Accordingly orderd Two Divisions to move intending to send the rest on before day, about 8 O’Clock this Evening recd one other express requesting me to send on...
25178From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
As I have receiv’d Information that the Enemy have turn’d down that Road from the White Horse which leads to Swedes Ford on Schuylkill I have to desire that you will Halt your Troops wherever this Meets you if coming this way & set them to Cleaning their Arms drawing Ammunition & Cooking Provision. I must call your utmost Exertion in fitting yourselves in the best manner you can for following...
25179To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 18 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 18 Sept. 1777. GW wrote in his second letter to Wayne of this date : “I have this Instt recd yours of ½ after 3 Oclock.”
25180From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 18 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Instt recd yours of ½ after 3 Oclock —having wrote twice to you already to move forward upon the Enemy, I have but little to add—Genl Maxwell & Potter are order’d to do the same (being at Pottss Forge)—I could wish you & those Genl would act in conjunction, to make your advances more formidable but I would not have too much time delayed on this Acct. I shall follow as speedily as...