26681Plan to Attack Philadelphia, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Jameison with the light Horse on the other side Schuylkill to guard the Avenues to the City, & even to form a Chain across from Kensington to Schuylkill; and stop, & secure every Person going in, and coming out. obtaing from them all the Intelligence he can. A Small Party of Horse under a careful Officer to waylay the road from the middle & upper Ferry, & do the same. A Party of foot at each...
26682From George Washington to Richard Caswell, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive your Favor of the 25th Ulto, with Its Inclosure by yesterday’s post. A spirit of resigning their Commissions, whether resulting from necessary causes or feigned ones I cannot determine, has been but too prevalent in the Army of late. I have discountenanced it as much as possible, especially where the applications were by Men of merit and in some such instances have...
26683To George Washington from Major John Clark Jr., 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
This morning a party of the Enemy with a few Field pieces moved from Derby towards Chester, near the White Horse Tavern they fell in with a small party of our Troops, and a pretty smart Skirmish ensued, the Enemy played their Artillery so warm, that our Troops were soon obliged to give way, we have one man killed, & another wounded with a Cannon ball—& we have taken two prisoners, with their...
26684From George Washington to Elbridge Gerry, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding my last Letters to Congress were very explicit, and expressive of the wants of this Army—the necessity of arranging many matters in it—and making the necessary appointments without a moments loss of time, yet, when I consider the advanced Season, and consult my past experience of delay, I am induced to take the liberty of claiming your particular attention to this business;...
26685To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not long since I received a Letter from Colo. Sam. B. Webb, informing me that the fortune of War had thrown him into the Hands of the Enemy, that he was admitted on parole, and was very desirous if possible to effect an Exchange for some British Officer in our hands. As Colo. Webb is an active and good Officer, I beg leave to recommend him to your Excellency’s particular attention, and as an...
26686To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to Your Excellency yesterday by Colo. Boudinot. This Instant was brought to me a Resolve of Congress dated the 24th in favor of Colonel Barton, which will accompany this. I have in obedience to that Act signed & delivered to Colo. Barton a Commission of Colonel in the Army—that Gentleman will be bearer of this & intends immediately to wait on your Excellency in...
26687To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet been joined by one Militia Man, I inclose you Genl Pattersons Ltr, which is not very promising of any considerable Aid from them, tho he is now endeavoring to draw them out. Our Fortifications go on slower than I cou’d wish, as I am not able to procure more Tools than for 150 Men to work wth at once, but every Effort shall be exerted to render the Place tenable. The Eagle & 25...
26688To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I would have wrote you earlier this Morning had we not about Eight oClock heard the report of Several Cannon, yet I cannot learn the Occasion of their fireing. The Enemy keep the Same possition and their Waggons Constantly at work Night & day in geting the forrage from the Islands &c. I have 57 Waggons of my own division at work in Carrying off forrage & Grain from the Neighbourhood of Merrion...
26689To Benjamin Franklin from Le Roy, [on or after 31 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Voulez vous bien mon cher Docteur que je vous fasse demander s’il ne vous est pas resté des papiers du manuscrit de M. le Comte de Lacepede sur l’Electricité car je n’ai trouvé parmi ces papiers que le 3 le 4m et le 9 mémoire et selon la table il y doit en avoir 1 2–5, 6, 7, 8–10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Recevez mille et mille complimens. Addressed: a Monsieur...
26690The American Commissioners to Jean H. Delap, 26 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society Yours of the 19th we received Yesterday and immediately enclosed it to Monsieur De Sartine in a Letter of ours, and have not the least Doubt that Justice will be immediately done. The part you have acted merits our Thanks, and Justice to you requires that we should represent it to our Friends in America, which we shall do in our first Dispatches. You on the...