25201To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency this morning, since which have had the honor of receiving your Favor of Yesterday’s date —Your Excellency will be much surprized to hear, there are not more than one thousand of our Militia now embodied, all of which are at this Post—since the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter, I have been considering in what way I could most speedily reinforce the Army under your...
25202To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of addressing your excellency; on the 17th from Tapan. Colonel Durkee returned in the Evening; and brought unquestiable intelligence, that the Enemy had returned to Fort Washington, Newyork and Bergen; and from the last place to Staten Island. The next morning I marched for Paramus, in order to Collect Provisions; to Supply me on my March to join your Excellency; which I...
25203From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favr, and request of yesterday, I wish it was in my power to give you the compleat satisfaction you desire—but how is it possible? I saw nothing of the disposition you had made, not getting up till the action was, in a manner over; & then, employed in hurrying on a reinforcement; and looking out fresh ground to form the Troops on, which, by this time, were beginning to give...
25204From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
As it seems most probable to me that the Enemy will ford the River upon our Right, I desire you will immediately send parties to break up and throw Obstructions in the landing places of all the Fords from Richardsons at least as high as parkers where we crossed Yesterday. Advise the Officers who superintend, not to neglect such as the Country people tell them are difficult, because at such...
25205From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 20 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 20 Sept. 1777. Wayne wrote GW on 21 Sept. : “Whilst I am writing I received yours of the 20th.”
25206To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White, 20 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to inform you that my Wound is so much better that I am able to hop about again, and as I am not yet well enough to join my Regiment I should be happy to render any Service to my Country while I remain here. Being the only Field Officer now in Town I have been frequently applied to by Captains Barre and Reid of the two Frigates and many of the Inhabitants to act as such, and order...
25207Franklin’s Notes for a Dispatch, [before 28 November 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AD : University of Pennsylvania Library These jottings are beyond question an early step in formulating the dispatch below, November 30, to the committee for foreign affairs. They afford the first insight we have had into Franklin’s approach to the drafting of such a document, and also into his determination to dabble in French even when preparing notes in English. The list can be assigned...
252081777 Septr. 21. Sunday. (Adams Papers)
It was a false alarm which occasioned our Flight from Philadelphia. Not a Soldier of Howes has crossed the Schuylkill. Washington has again crossed it, which I think is a very injudicious Maneuvre. I think, his Army would have been best disposed on the West Side of the Schuylkill. If he had sent one Brigade of his regular Troops to have heald the Militia it would have been enough. With such a...
25209Abigail Adams to John Adams, 21 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
I immagine before this reaches you some very important Event must take place betwen the two Armies. Affairs on all Sides seem to be workd up to a crisis, How is putting his whole force in action and seems determined to drive or be driven. I feel in a most painfull situation between hope and fear, there must be fighting and very Bloody Battles too I apprehend. O! how my Heart recoils at the...
25210Major General John Sullivan to Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens, [21 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
[ September 20, 1777. On September 21, 1777, Hamilton and Laurens wrote to Sullivan : “We have just received your favour of Yesterday.” Letter not found .] Laurens, like H, was an aide-de-camp of Washington. A native of South Carolina and the son of Henry Laurens, John Laurens was H’s closest friend in Washington’s official family.
25211Bill for Expenses of George Washington’s Staff, [21 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
paid at Christiana for family’s breakfast, horses &c.— £6.5 paid on the road from thence to Wilmington for lodging &c— 6. paid for breakfast the morning we crossed brandywine— 1.12 pd. 1.12 15.9 Received the above from Capt Gibbs ADS , George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Town on creek of same name, which flows into the Delaware near Wilmington. I.e., Washington’s staff. The...
25212Lieutenant Colonels Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens to Major General John Sullivan, 21 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
We have just received your favour of Yesterday, desiring from us a Testimony of your Conduct, so far as it fell under our Observation, the day of the Battle on the Brandywine. As we had not the pleasure of seeing you in the fore part of that Action when the Line at large was Engaged, We are unable from our own Knowledge, to say any thing of your Conduct at that time. But we can chearfully...
25213To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, [21 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
The distressed situation of the army for want of blankets and many necessary articles of Cloathing, is truly deplorable; and must inevitably be destructive to it, unless a speedy remedy be applied. Without a better supply than they at present have, it will be impossible for the men to support the fatigues of the campaign in the further progress of the approaching inclement season. This you...
25214From Benjamin Franklin to George Washington, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Three Spanish Gentlemen, Natives of Peru, and Officers in the Army of that Country, [ in the margin : here insert their Names] propose to pass into North America with a View of entring our Army, being ambitious of serving as Voluntiers under your Excellency, whose Reputation as a General stands high all over Europe. They are represented to me by Persons of...
25215Samuel Nicholson to the American Commissioners, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society On my leaving St. Malo I wrote You giveing You an Account of the Sailing of the Reprisal and Dolphin. Capt. Brown Arrived here in the Dolphin the Night before last, and Agreable to his Orders from Capt. Wickes, Under french Colours, and to the Address of Monsr. Peltier as Comeing from St. Austatia, but haveing no Clearance from that Place or any other...
25216To Benjamin Franklin from ――― de La Faye, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. de la faye qui fait mille sincéres complimens à Monsieur de Francklin, et à Monsieur de heyn [Deane], à l’honneur de leur annoncer avec le plus grand plaisir, que la Personne qui leur remettra le present, est Mr. Ponteney, d’Auxonne en Bourgogne; qui se propose de leur faire des fournitures de différens Genres, soit pour armement, soit pour équipement de...
25217To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 21 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Republicks of Switzerland have been treated with the same Contempt by the present Rulers of G. Britain as all other States and Républicks in Europe. A private Secretary to Mr. Norton has been these several Years, and during the whole Negotiation of the inclosed Treaty of alliance with France, the only Representative of his Brittish Majesty amongst us,...
25218General Orders, 21 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable Congress have been pleased to appoint The Count Pulaski, to chief command of the American light dragoons, with the rank of Brigadier General. Some diligent officers of each brigade are to be sent immediately to all the houses within four or five miles of the camp, to find and bring all stragglers to their respective corps—the Brigadiers will see this done. The Major Generals and...
25219To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 21 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 21 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Dickinson on 22 Sept. : “I am favd with yours of the 21st.”
25220To George Washington from Bryan Fairfax, 21 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am very sorry to disturb Your Excellency at this time with a Letter upon private Business; but when I set out from Home I did not expect it would have been so difficult to get to Camp as I have found it, having rode round a great ways & being still at some distance from it. Your Excellency knows that I have had the Misfortune to differ in Opinion from many of my Countrymen, and I am sure...
25221Instructions to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 21 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The distressed situation of the army for want of blankets and many necessary articles of Cloathing, is truly deplorable; and must inevitably be destructive to it, unless a speedy remedy be applied. Without a better supply than they at present have, it will be impossible for the men to support the fatigues of the campaign in the further progress of the approaching inclement season. This you...
25222To George Washington from General William Howe, 21 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
There being some wounded Officers & Men of your Army at Howel’s Tavern & the neighbouring Houses, with whom a Surgeons Mate is left, having Orders to join me on the 23d if not sooner relieved by one of your Surgeons, I am to request you will lose no Time in sending whom you shall think proper for this Purpose with Directions to give Receipts for the wounded so delivered up as Prisoners of War...
25223From George Washington to General William Howe, 21 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of this date was received this Evening & agreable to your request have sent Doctor Wilson to take charge of the Wounded Officers & Men of the Army under my command who have fallen into your hands at Howels Tavern & the neighbouring Houses. The Doctor has directions to give a receipt for All that are delivered him, and they will be considered as Your prisoners. I am Sir with due...
25224To George Washington from Brigadier General Caesar Rodney, 21 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
There has Just fell in to my hands, found in the Tract of [the] Enemy by Some of my people some Eight or ten days ago, One of the Enemy’s Orderly Books. It Commences in April last, and Ends Since they landed at Elk. I have perused it, and being of opinion that it might be Verry Usefull, provided you are not previously informed as to the matters it Contains, have sent it [to] you by a private...
25225To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 21 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 21 Sept. 1777. GW wrote his brother Jack on 18 Oct. : “Your kind and Affectionate Letters of the 21st of Septr & 2d Instt came Safe to hand.”
25226From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 21 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 21 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Wayne on 23 Sept. : “I received Your favor of Yesterday morning, and am apprehensive, as you have not acknowledged the receipt of a Letter, I wrote you the Night before, that It has fallen into the Enemy’s hands.”
25227To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
About 11 OClock last Evening we were alarmed by a firing from One of our Out guards—The Division was immediately formed, which was no sooner done than a firing began on our Right flank—I thought proper to order the Division to file off by the left, except the Infantry and two or three Regiments nearest to where the Attack began in order to favour our Retreat—by this time the Enemy and we were...
25228To Benjamin Franklin from Louis Filleul: A Wedding Invitation, [on or before 30 September 1777] (Franklin Papers)
D : American Philosophical Society Monsieur FILLEUL a l’honneur de vous faire part de son Mariage, avec Mademoiselle BOQUET, et vous prie d’assister à la Bénediction Nuptiale, qui leur sera donnée Mercredi premier Octobre 1777, à cinq heures du matin, à Passy. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur de francklin / en sa Maison / a Passy Or, more strictly speaking, an invitation to attend the blessing...
252291777. Monday. Septr. 22. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted at Ringolds in Quaker Town, dined at Shannons in Easton at the Forks, slept at Johnsons in Bethlehem.
25230Order to Continental Officers, 22 September 1777 (Adams Papers)
Having here observed a diligent attention to the sick and wounded, and a benevolent desire to make the necessary provi sion for the relief of the distressed as far as the power of the Brethren enable them, We desire that all Continental officers may refrain from disturbing the persons or property of the Moravians in Bethlehem; and, particularly, that they do not disturb or molest the houses...
25231From Alexander Hamilton to John Hancock, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I left camp last evening and came to this city to superintend the collection of blankets and cloathing for the army. Mr. Lovel sends to inform me there is an express going off to Congress, and I do myself the honor to communicate a brief state of things, when I left camp. The enemy moved yesterday from where they lay opposite to valley forge &c. higher up the river on their old scheme of...
25232To Alexander Hamilton from George Washington, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I have order’d eight or Ten light Horse more to your assistance, and if you should find a further force necessary to facilitate the business you are upon, there are fifty or sixty dismounted No Carolinians attach’d at present to Colo. Nicholas Corps. These must be subject to your order. I have been just now inform’d, that there are not less than three thousand pair of Shoes in the hands of...
25233From Alexander Hamilton to William Livingston, 22 September 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
I am in Philadelphia on some business of great importance to the army; to execute which I stand in need of a party of about 100 men which are not readily to be procured here. If Your Excy. will be pleased to order over such a party under good active officers, you will equally serve the public & oblige. Yr. Excy’s Most Obed servt. ALS , Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston.
25234To Benjamin Franklin from Castrioto, 22 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The pamphlets I was to send you, as we agreed, were broght from Holland, and detained here, in the chambre Syndicale : I had great difficulty to obtain them before my departure, and having no time to deliver them to you I was oblig’d to leve them in a friends hands, who will bring them to you: there is one more of the second letters, because I had none,...
25235General Orders, 22 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Clothier General is immediately to distribute all the cloaths and shoes in his possession. The army is to march by the right in small divisions or platoons, in this order—first Genl Sullivan’s division—then Lord Stirling’s—then the park of artillery—then Genl Nash’s brigade—then Genl Stephen’s division—then Genl Greene’s—the officers of all ranks are to march in their proper places, and...
25236To George Washington from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 22 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I would just suggest the propriety of Sending Some active persons to Bristol & Trenton to impress Wagons to remove what continental Stores are at those places & may be carried thither from Pha in consequence of your orders to Colo. Hamilton—This measure is the more necessary as the order of Congress for removing these Stores is suspended till their meeting at Lancaster wh. may not be Some...
25237To George Washington from Samuel Chase, 22 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
In this Place the Inhabitants are almost all Tories. I have endeavoured to obtain Information whether any Goods are stored here. Capt. Caldwell, who now lives here, beleives that some Goods and Spirits, above 100 Hogsheads, are lodged in the Hands of one John Phillips. it is probable some Goods may be stored with the Potts’s of this place. an immediate Search & Waggons ready to remove what may...
25238From George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 22 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 21st and am happy to find that you are on the point of marching to the reinforcement of this Army. To quiet the Alarms and Fears of the people upon the Sound, I would recommend it to you to pick one thousand or twelve hundred of your best Militia and let the remainder return. If you come with them yourself I beg you may march with all possible expedition to form a...
25239From George Washington to John Hancock or Any Member of the Continental Congress, 22 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Hancock or Any Member of the Continental Congress, 22 Sept. 1777. Elbridge Gerry in his letter to GW of 24 Sept. referred to “your Letter of the 22d directed to the President or any Member of Congress.”
25240From George Washington to Colonel George Gibson, 22 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you about ten days ago, directing you to join this Army with the utmost expedition. But our Situation has been so much changed by a variety of circumstances since that time that I think it proper to inform you that we are at present here and are moving up the Country towards Reading as the Enemy are moving that way upon the West Side of Schuylkill. I would recommend it to you to...
25241From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 22 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have order’d eight or Ten light Horse more to your assistance, and if you should find a further force necessary to facilitate the business you are upon, there are fifty or sixty dismounted No. Carolinians attach’d at present to Colo. Nichaolas Corps. These must be subject to your order. I have been just now inform’d, that there are not less than three thousand pair of Shoes in the hands of...
25242From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 22 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on Friday last requesting your earliest arrival with the Troops under your command to join me. This I must repeat, and have sent an Officer on purpose to deliver my Letter, to whom I refer you for the particulars of our Situation & that of the Enemy at this Time. I shall only observe respecting them, that the main body of their Army lay last night, near French Creek Bridge about...
25243To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 22 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne, 22 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Wayne on 23 Sept. : “I received Your favor of Yesterday morning.”
252441777. Tuesday. Septr. 23. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Okeley Okely , Mr. Hassey Hasse and Mr. Edwine Ettwein came to see me. Mr. Edwine shewed Us, the Childrens Meeting at half after 8 o’clock. Musick, consisting of an Organ and Singing in the German Language. Mr. Edwine gave a Discourse in German and then the same in English. Mrs. Langley shewed Us the Society of Single Women. Then Mr. Edwine shewed Us the Water Works and the Manufactures....
25245From Alexander Hamilton to ———, [23 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
by Virtue of powers from His Excellency General Washington I do hereby Authorise you to require from the inhabitants, contributions of Blankets and Cloathing of every kind and to take whatever materials you know will be useful to the Army that you may find in the Stores keeping an account of the same and giving receipts. ADS , sold by Stan V. Henkels, March 9, 1904, Lot 1150. Text taken from...
25246From Alexander Hamilton to Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White, [23 September 1777] (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of orders received from His Excellency General Washington, I desire you will press all the horses in this city & neighbourhood in order to be conveyed thence to some place more remote from the present seat of the war, except such as come under the following description: Those which are the property of poor needy persons, whose livelihood depends upon them, and those which belong...
25247General Orders, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General expects the returns of the army to morrow morning without fail, and enjoins it upon the commanding officers of corps to see that they are exactly made. Each regiment is to proceed in making cartridges for its own use, that they may be held in store—Genl Knox will furnish them with materials. It is expected, as the weather is now growing cool, that the troops will never have less,...
25248Council of War, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at the Camp near Potts Grove the 23d day of Septemr 1777. Present His Excellency the Commander[,] Major Generals Sullivan[,] Green[,] Lord Stirling[,] Stephen[,] Armstrong[,] Brigadiers General Knox[,] Weedon[,] Nash[,] Scott[,] Conway[,] Potter. Besides the above Major Genl St Clair and John Cadwolader Esquire were also present. His Excellency informed the General...
25249From George Washington to Colonel Arendt, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is of the utmost importance to prevent the Enemy’s Land Forces and Fleet from forming a junction, which it is almost morally certain they will attempt by seizing on Fort Island below Philadelphia, if it is possible, and thereby gain the Navigation of the Delaware by weighing and removing the Chivaux Defrize, which have been sunk for that purpose. This Post—(Fort Island) if maintained will...
25250From George Washington to John Hancock, 23 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not had the honor of addressing you since your adjournment to Lancaster, and I sincerely wish that my first letter was upon a more agreeable subject. The Enemy, by a variety of perplexing Maneuvres thro’ a Country from which I could not derive the least intelligence being to a man disaffected, contrived to pass the Schuylkill last Night at the Flat land and other Fords in the...