26381To Benjamin Franklin from Madame Brillon, 4 [December] 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Monsieur votre fils vient de nous apprendre les admirables nouvélles de l’amérique nous lui avons tous sauté au col, et nous voulions allér sur le champ, vous témoignér la joye inéxprimable que nous cause cet événement: il nous a dit que vous étiés fort occupé et que nous pourrions vous gésnér; nous réspéctons vos affaires; mais mon chér papa, mon coeur est...
26382To Benjamin Franklin from Valltravers, 4 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society These Lines will be conveyed to you by the Elector Palatine’s secretary of the ambassy, Mr. David, who setts out for Paris to morrow, and will, I hope, come safe to Hand. What has been the Fate of my 3. last Letters from my House, at Rockhau, near Bienne in Switzerland, written September 21t. and 26. and another the 9th. of last Month, I don’t know. If...
26383General Orders, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The troops are constantly to have one day’s provisions on hand, ready cooked—The officers are to pay particular attention to this, and consider it as a standing rule, that if they are suddenly called to arms the men may not be distressed. Major General The Marquis La Fayette is to take the command of the division lately commanded by General Stephen. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
26384To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
In regard to the Advisability of a Winters Campaign, I answer —In keeping the Field, the hardships on both officers and privates are manifestly great, nor is there an alternative presenting your Excy with less inconvenience, at best you have but a choice of difficulties of which Hutting in the field is in my Opinion the least of the two, and most in Character for the Army. The only Semblance...
26385To George Washington from William Dewees, Jr., 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Have Just Recd Information which I Beleive to be the Best Can be Obtaind that the British Army had Last Night Packd up all their Baggage & each Man four Days Provision Coock’d; their Horses hitchd to their Artillery & every Appearance of marching out Immediately But something happening which is Not accounted for the orders were Countermanded; the Reason Assignd to me is they Expect our army...
26386To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment informed that a Ship is arrived at portsmouth with a valuable Cargo of Ordnance & ordnance Stores for the use of the United States. as soon as we are fully ascertained of it measures shall be taken to secure, and forward them to the Arsenals. A large Quantity of Lead is on the Road, which with upwards of one Hundred Thousand Musket Cartridges, will be forwarded from...
26387To George Washington from Brigadier General James Irvine, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
If posting the army in a position similar to that I advised in my last letter, be to form a winters campaign, the measure in my opinion is not only adviseable, but absolutely necessary, as the more I think on the subject the more I am convinced that retiring into winter quarters and leaving the country uncovered will be followed with the ruin of our friends, give ease and plenty to our...
26388To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of yesterday I received concerning the Adviseability of a winter Campaign, and the practicability of an attack upon Philada with the Aid of a considerable body of Militia asembled at an apointed time and place. I do ashure Your Excellency I think the object a verry desireable one could it be put properly into execution and without tacking a winter Campaign to it, which...
26389To George Washington from Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency was pleasd to desire the Opinion of your General Officers on “The Adviseability of a Winters Campaign, & practicability of an Attack upon Philadelphia, with the Aid of a considerable Body of Militia to be Assembled at an appointed Time & place” —I must Confess that to me this Question seems so much interwoven, with the Question Your Excellency was pleasd to put a few days ago,...
26390To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bad State of our Army at present, destitute of Clothing and many other Necessaries the Necessity of its being reunited this Winter that we may be superior to Mr How in the Spring induces me to give my Opinion in favour of going to Winter Quarters. The Attack on Philadelphia, from the best Knowledge I can obtain of the Strength of their Works I must think wou’d fail, the Consequences of...