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...
251811777. Septr. 19. Fryday. (Adams Papers)
At 3 this Morning was waked by Mr. Lovell, and told that the Members of Congress were gone, some of them, a little after Midnight. That there was a Letter from Mr. Hamilton Aid de Camp to the General, informing that the Enemy were in Poss essio n of the Ford and the Boats, and had it in their Power to be in Philadelphia, before Morning, and that if Congress was not removed they had not a...
25182To John Adams from Thomas McKean, 19 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I am informed, that some of the Members of Congress are dissatisfied with my allowing, as Chief-Justice of this State, writs of habeas corpus for twenty persons confined in the Free-masons Lodge in Philadelphia. Next to the approbation of a good conscience I esteem the good opinion of good men; and of my friends in particular. This occasions you, Sir, the trouble of reading the following brief...
25183George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Reading Furnace, Pennsylvania ] September 19, 1777. Orders McDougall to join main Army. LS , in writing of H, George Washington Photostats, Library of Congress.
25184To Benjamin Franklin from [Thadée-Humphrey?] O’Doüin, 19 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You was so kind as to grant to my request your letters of reccommandation to the Honourable Congress for a young nobleman [?] who intended to go over to Philadelphia. The Circumstances having not allowed him to perform that Journey, his family refusing him (tho very rich) the necessary supplys, your good will towards both him and me became of no use to...
25185To Benjamin Franklin from Benjamin Vaughan, [19 September 1777?] (Franklin Papers)
Incomplete ALS : Library of Congress We have debated at length whether this letter, which lacks an opening, continues Vaughan’s note to Franklin in December, 1776, or was written immediately after their meeting at the Bains de Poitevin the following September. There is some evidence for guessing each way, but nothing conclusive. As for the first way, the opening sentence here seems to follow...
25186General Orders, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Lt. James McMichael’s diary entry for this date reads: “At dawn, broke camp and crossed the Schuylkill at 2 P.M. , at Parker’s Ford, where we had to strip to wade. Reached the great road to Reading, passed the Trappe, crossed the Perkiomen, on the eastern bank of which we encamped. Through false alarms we got no rest, tho’ after such fatigue rest would have been...
25187From George Washington to George Clinton, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 12th instant was delivered me last night. I recollect, that Permission was granted Mrs Hatfield to visit her Husband, & had not the least Doubt, but she would be suffered to return whenever she had an Inclination, unless some singular Circumstances should render it ineligible for a Day or two. Her Detention seems to be by the Mayor, to whom she was referred for a Passport. As...
25188From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 19 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 19 Sept. 1777. Dickinson wrote GW on 20 Sept. : “I . . . have had the honor of receiving your Favor of Yesterday’s date.”
25189From George Washington to John Hancock, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured this Morning with your Favors of the 17th & 18th, with their Inclosures. I am much obliged to Congress for the late instance of their Confidence, expressed in their Resolution of the 17th, and shall be happy if my conduct in discharging the Objects, they had in view should be such as to meet their approbation. I am now repassing the Schuylkill at Parkers Ford, with the Main body...
25190To George Washington from Colonel Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
N.B. if from each Brigade was ordered an officer to bring all unnecessary Guards whi[c]h are Gone allong with the Baggage it would strenghten the Regiments. There is a great Complain[t], That where ever our Baggage marches—they Soldiers & Waggoners plunder all houses & destroy every thing. it is the Waggon Masters Genl or his deputys duty as allso the Commanding officers—Sergts &ca to prevent...
25191From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The exigency of our affairs makes it necessary, you should use all the diligence and dispatch in your power to join this army, with the troops under your command. The enemy are making the most vigorous efforts to succeed in their attempt upon Philadel: and it will require our utmost exertions to disappoint them. We shall this day cross the Schulkill at Parkers ford about thirty miles from...
25192To George Washington from John Page, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not having received the least Intelligence of your situation, or the disposition of the Enemy for seventeen days past, and knowing that they were then so stationed, that possibly they or their adherents may have intercepted dispatches of importance, from you, or Congress to this State, I have thought it proper to send an Express to your Excellency, and to our Delegates, that if any of your...
25193To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night Colonel Gist joined me he has * Troops—our united Force amounts to §. I am now on my march and rest assured every Effort shall be exerted to §§—as expeditiously as possible which I hope to effect Tomorrow—the Shameful neglect in the Commissarys Department throws many Obstacles in my way and retards my March—I am reduced to the Necessity of sending Officers forward to provide for the...
25194To George Washington from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 19 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 19 Sept. 1777. GW in his letter to Sullivan of 20 Sept. refers to “your favr, and request of yesterday.”
25195To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the Enemies Beating the Revellee I ordered the Troops under Arms and began our March for their left flank—But when we Arrived within a half a Mile of their Encampment found they had not Stired—but lay too Compact to admit of an Attack with prudence—Indeed their Supineness Answers every purpose of giving you time to get up—if they Attempt to move I shall Attack them at all Events. this...
25196To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are very quiet, washing & Cooking—they will probably Attempt to move towards Evening —I expect Genl Maxwell on their left flank every Moment and as I lay on their Right, we only want you in their Rear—to Complete Mr Howes buisness—I believe he knows Nothing of my Situation—as I have taken every precaution to prevent any Intelligence getting to him—at the same time keeping a Watchful...
25197To George Washington from Samuel Washington, 20–22 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Samuel Washington, 20–22 Sept. 1777. GW wrote his brother Samuel on 27 Oct. : “Your Letter by my Nephew Thornton, begun on the 20th of last Mo. and ended the 22d came safe to my hands.”
25198Septr. 20. Saturday. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Mrs. J. B. Smiths. The old Gentleman, his Son Thomas the Loan Officer, were here, and Mrs. Smith’s little Son and two Daughters. An elegant Break fast We had of fine Hyson, loaf Sugar, and Coffee &c. Dined at Williams’s, the Sign of the Green Tree. Drank Tea, with Mr. Thompson and his Lady at Mrs. Jacksons. Walked with Mr. Duane to General Dickinsons House, and took a Look at...
25199General Orders, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is with the utmost concern, that the General observes, a continual straggling of soldiers on a march, who rob orchards and commit other disorders; and that many officers pay little or no attention to prevent a practice attended with such mischevious consequences, notwithstanding the orders relative thereto—The officers are reminded that it is their duty, and the General expects, that for...
25200To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 20 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 20 Sept. 1777. Dickinson wrote GW later on this date : “I wrote your Excellency this morning.”