72991To George Washington from John Hancock, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing further in Charge from Congress at this Time, except the enclosed Resolve, founded upon Complaints which, if not immediately enquired into and redressed, must be productive of the most fatal Consequences to the Army. Nothing can so effectually lay the Foundation of Discontent, and of Course encourage a Spirit of Mutiny and Desertion among the Soldiers, as withholding their Pay...
72992From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favrs of the 26th and 30th last Month. Colo. Conway and the two Gentlemen who accompanied him are gone forward to Congress, who, I make no doubt, will provide for them in a manner suitable to their merits. The Board of War have sent orders to the Continental Agents, at Boston, Portsmouth and providence, to remove all the military Stores, Arms &ca in their possession, from those...
72993To George Washington from James Hill, 10 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Hill, 10 May 1777. GW in his letter to Hill of 12 Jan. 1787 refers to “a letter of your own . . . dated the 10th of May 1777.”
72994From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will be delivered to you by the Chevalier D’annmours, who, if I am not mistaken in my judgment, has something more in view than preferment. In the course of two days conversation with him, he appears to me, to be a man of superior abilities to the common run of his Country men, who have visited us—He is sensible & judicious, &, as far as I am capable of judging, well Instructed in...
72995From George Washington to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer and Nicholas Thomas, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 18th instant inclosing the Arrangement of the Officers of your Seven Battalions as settled by General Assembly 1st April 1777. I hope this arrangement will prove satisfactory to all the Gentlemen in nomination, but should any disputes or difficulties arise, I shall endeavour to have them settled upon the most impartial Scale. The impediments to the recruiting...
72996From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
So little room is left for doubting the Enemy’s designs are up the North River, that (notwithstanding proper Preparations for such an Event have been the frequent Subject of my Letters to you, which I am assured will claim a just share of your serious Attention) I can not help writing again on this head—Let me therefore, in order that no Measure for Defence may be left untried, desire you to...
72997To George Washington from Robert Morris, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not taken the liberty of giving You any trouble for sometime past and indeed I never do it but with great reluctance because I know how much Your attention & time must be engaged in the most important pursuits. The bearear of this the Marquis Armand de la Rouerie is entitled to my Warmest recommendations because he brought from his own Country letters to me that I am obliged to attend...
72998From George Washington to Richard Peters, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 7th instant inclosing Genl Gates’s Letter to Congress. A proper attention has been paid to the importance of the passes upon Hudsons River, for the Security of which a large part of the Eastern force is ordered to Peekskill and that neighbourhood, there to wait, untill the intentions of the Enemy are more fully known. You will be pleased to transmit Major...
72999To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I just receiv’d your favour of yesterday —there are a number of the Maryland & Virginia troops have been laying at Bristol some time. I this day took the liberty of ordering them up, & soon as any part of them arrive I shall immediately, give orders to Major Smith who commands a detachment of the 9th Pennsya Regt to march —Capt. Sewards Compy of Artillery arriv’d here this morning—the Company...
73000From George Washington to Brigadier Generals William Woodford and Charles Scott, 10 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The third, Seventh, Eleventh, and fifteenth Virginia Regiments are to compose your Brigade; the duties of which you are immediately to enter upon, and to make yourself master of the true State of those Regiments, as early as possible. The necessity of occupying so many Posts, as we at present do, will prevent your drawing the Brigade into compact order, till further orders; but the Regiments...
73001General Orders, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 3rd 7th 11th & 15th Virginia Regts are to compose a Brigade, under the command of Brigadier Genl Woodford: And the 4th 8th 12th & 16th Virginia Regts, are to compose another, under the command of Brigadier Genl Scott. Benjamin Day Esqr: is appointed Brigade Major, to Genl Woodford, and Samuel Shaw Esqr: is appointed Brigade Major, to Brigadier Genl Knox; both to be respected and obeyed as...
73002To George Washington from Col. David Forman, 11 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. David Forman, 11 May 1777. GW wrote Forman on 15 May : “I am favd with yours of the 11th.”
73003From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed, that the Cloathing for Col: Shepherd’s Regiment of Massachusetts, in pursuance of the Original Plan, has been sent on to Tionderoga, but as the Destination of this Regiment, among Others has been altered, You will send back the Cloathing for It, as expeditiously as possible to Albany; giving Directions to have it immediately transported thence to Peeks Kill, where the Regiment...
73004To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd the Honor of yours of the 16th Ulto and 2d Instant. I wrote your Excellency in a former Letter that Mr Langdon had consented to deliver the Cannon, Ordnance & Military Stores lately arrived at Portsmouth to Mr Barber, which he has since done. They are now forwarding with all possible despatch. Inclosed is the Return of what has been sent on in the course of the last week, Ten...
73005From George Washington to William Livingston, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this day honoured with yours of the 2d instant, as I was a few days ago with that of the 30th April. previous to the Rect of it, I had desired Mr Boudinot, to demand Mr Fells release for that of Mr Hugh Wallace, Colo. Philipse or Mr Jauncey whose paroles we have and who are all Counsellors of the State of New York. If they refuse this, I shall call upon one of those Gentlemen to return to...
73006From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Major General Green. He and General Knox are sent by me to review the posts under your command, and their appendages; and to give their advice and assistance towards putting every thing in the most defensible state possible. The vast importance of these posts and the great probability that the enemy will direct their operations against them make me anxious for...
73007To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 5th Inst. I was honord with the Rect of your letter of the 23d of Aprl—I have order’d all the Troops in this State who are of the Continental Army to N. Haven, & Danbury; in the western Parts of this State; Govr Trumbull desire’s me to post them there untill he shall receive an answer to a letter he has sent your Excellency, respecting the Defence of this State; As their March to...
73008To George Washington from Richard Peters, 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Order of the Board I have the Honour of enclosing the Resolution of Congress herewith sent. I have written to Governor Livingstone & General Putnam & as soon as their Answers are recieved they will be communicated to your Excellency. Congress are desirous to be informed what Number of Men are now under your Excellency’s Command in New Jersey as nearly as Certainty can be arrived at in the...
73009From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 11 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday evening honored with your letter of the 4th inst. I regret our loss of Stores at Danbury and the misfortunes of our brave men who fell, and of those who were wounded. However, from these latter events, we derive this consolation, that the sentiments of the People are still powerfully directed to Liberty, and that no impression of the Enemy, be it never so sudden and unexpected;...
73010To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 11 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 11 May 1777. GW wrote his brother Jack on 1 June : “I think I stand Debter to you for your Letters of the 22d of April and 11th of May.”
73011General Orders, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
73012From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
In your ride to and from Peeks Kill, I would have you make the best observations that time and Circumstances will admit, upon the Country, and point out, at your return, such places for posts of Communication, as you shall conceive necessary. Determine upon the propriety of having a Post at Pompton, examine the Works throwing up at that place, and give such directions to General Heard or...
73013From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this Morning honored with your Letter of the 10th Instt accompanied by the proceedings of Congress of the day before. The conduct of too many Officers, in withholding the pay of their Soldiers, I am persuaded, is reprehensible, and has been the cause of uneasiness & of many desertions. Every measure in my power, will be exerted to prevent such Abuses in future, and every aid given to...
73014From George Washington to John Hancock, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by General Arnold, who arrived here to day in his way to Philadelphia. He seems to be anxious to settle his public Accounts, which are of considerable amount, and waits on Congress, hoping they will appoint a Committee of their Body, or of such Gentlemen, as they shall judge proper, to take the matter into consideration. This he considers, the more necessary, as he...
73015To George Washington from James Lovell, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the singular manner in which General Lee gives out his characterizing opinions Monsr Malmedy was exalted to a colonial rank in Rhode Island which will be a source of pain to him contrary to the intention of his mentioned zealous friend. Congress has aimed by passing over one continental gradation, from Major to Colonel, to lessen that pain to this Gentleman, who is high in his professions...
73016From George Washington to James Mease, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being more and more convinced, of the impolicy of any part of our Troops being Clothed in Red and that many injurious and fatal consequences are to be apprehended from it, I think it necessary to repeat my request, mentioned in my last, that you will have all the Clothes in your hands, of that Colour, dyed of some other, as soon as you can. Yesterday an Escort to money from Colo. Moylan’s...
73017To George Washington from James Mease, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Upon receipt of your Excellencys letter of 17 Ult. I waited on Col. Moylan, & mentioned your disapprobation of his regiment being dressd in Red, & he appeared desirous of complying with yr Excellencys wishes, but upon consulting the officers, on this point; it appeared they had been all at a considerable expence for scarlet Uniforms, & therefore they concluded best on the whole, to take the...
73018From George Washington to Colonel Stephen Moylan, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
A party of your Regiment arrived here Yesterday with an escort of money. Their appearance has convinced me fully of the danger which I always apprehended from the similiarity of their Uniform to that of the British Horse, and the officer who commands the party, tells me, that the people were exceedingly alarmed upon the Road, and had they been travelling thro’ a part of the Country, where it...
73019From George Washington to Richard Peters, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 11th. Capt. Gamble who was at princetown has been exchanged some time since, and Capt. Mcpherson who was left there wounded, has, upon his own Request, permission to go into Brunswic, whenever the State of his health will admit of his removal. The Docr will of course go with him. I never heard of any particular improper behaviour of the Docr. Genl Putnam barely...
73020From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favour of the 10th. Of the Troops coming on and to come on from Bristol, you are to detain at your post all the Marylanders, Colo. Hazen’s Regiment of Pennsylvania, and that of Delaware, the others must be sent on immediately to the places where their respective Corps are stationed. Your application to General Mifflin for tents, was right, and must be repeated, as we...
73021To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I can now with propriety Congratulate your Excellency on a Certain and Considerable Advantage gaind over the Enemys best troops; by the Continental Troops of My Division. Col. Cooks Pen. Regt begun the Attack, supported by the 1st Regt of that State; They behavd well, & the Captains Chambers & Par distinguishd themselves. Capt. Phelps of Col. Wards Regimt behaved well & the few men that were...
73022From George Washington to Major General Adam Stephen, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your account of the attempt upon the Enemy at Piscataway is favourable, but I am sorry to add, widely different from those I have had from others, (officers of distinction) who were of the party. I cannot by them learn, that there is the least certainty of the Enemy’s leaving half the slain upon the Field, you speak of in your letter of this date; that instead of an orderly retreat, it was...
73023From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Trumbull, 12 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
General McDougall’s frequent complaints of the Mismanagement in your department, that fall within his notice, have induced me to address this to you on the Subject—As Consequences of the last Importance are involved in the fate of our Provisions, I hope that the following Extracts of his letters will immediately produce the desired and indispensably necessary reformation. Extracts. Peck’s kill...
73024General Orders, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
William Johnson Esqr:, formerly Brigade Major to Genl Lewis, is appointed to that duty, in Brigadier Genl Scott’s Brigade; and is to be respected and obeyed as such. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . William Johnson, who had been mustermaster of the Fairfax Independent Company when he visited GW at Mount Vernon on 25 April 1775 to discuss the company’s uniform, became adjutant of the Prince William...
73025To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 25th of april came to hand by the last post, it’s not requireing an immediate answer, I defer’d it until the present opportunity, flattering myself that by this time, our Assembly would of done something towards filing up our Regiments, with which I should of been pleas’d to of informed you, They have done nothing towards it as yet. it is now the only method left to compleat...
73026To George Washington from James Craik, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Affectionate & very freindly Letters I have the pleasure to Acknowledge And cannot too much express my gratitude for the freindship shewen me on all Occasions This fresh instance of it when so much taken up with affairs of the Utmost consequence And so many waiting for Offices lays me under the greatest Obligations. The freindly, and pointed manner in which the proposal is made to me,...
73027To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night I had the Honour to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 7th Inst: from Morris Town; Upon my Arrival here, I dispatched without any delay, Your Excellency’s first Letter to General Wayne; he immediately repaired to Albany, and is gone from hence, whether to Morris Town, or Philadelphia, I cannot say, as he did not seem determined. Major Troup, upon being disappointed in procuring...
73028From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have reason to apprehend, from the information I have received, that desertions from some of the Virginia Regiments, now on their March, will, in all probability, be not less frequent, than they have been from some from Pensylvania, which are in Camp. There is cause to fear, they will be more common & certain. I am told, that Convict Servants purchased from their Masters by the Recruiting...
73029From George Washington to Lieutenant General Heister, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honoured with your favour of the 8th Inst. by Capt. ORiley of the Hessian Corps. Altho’ the receipt and distribution of Money & other Necessaries, intended for Prisoners, properly fall within the Commissary’s departmt (who shall strictly attend to all Directions that come with them) and must in future pass thro’ his hands, Yet I will not in this instance refuse permission to Lieutt...
73030To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Our Loss of Seventeen hundred Tents at Danbury will, I fear, prove of bad Consequence to the Divisions of Ticonderoga & peeks Kills. To prevent as much as possible any bad Effects of that Loss I orderd Mr Chase Ass[istant] Qr Mr Genl at Boston to send all the Tents which were stord at Boston or portsmouth to Mr Hughes at peeks Kills who will distribute them in such Manner as your Excellency...
73031To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
There arrived here Yesterday about 1000 Men—The Maryland Detachments, of which I have yet no Return, but suppose about 600, I shall detain at this Place, agreeable to your Instructions —The Detachment of 9th P[ennsylvania] B[attalion] under Majr Smith I have ordered to march immediately to Bont [Bound] Brook—Since the 10th Inst. have passed thro’ this Place about 400 Virginians in different...
73032To George Washington from Benjamin Rush, 13 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just now learned from General Mifflin that your Excellency intends to take the field in a few days. I hope your Excellency will excuse the liberty I am about to take in Suggesting that your troops will probably suffer from being so early exposed in an encampment. The variable weather of the Spring and fall have always been found much more destructive to the health of an Army than the...
73033General Orders, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Master General, is to apply to the Adjutant General, for a fatigue party, to repair the road from hence, to Pluck’emin, which, is said, to be almost impassible in some places. He is also, to have a Guard-house, in the upper Redoubt, on the hill adjoining this place, erected with dispatch, and sufficient to contain 30 Men—This building to be slight, and attended with little expence....
73034To George Washington from Brigadier General Nathaniel Heard, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday morning the new recruits from Bergen under the Command of Colls Barton & Buskirk—came up to Paramus with about 300 Men—with an intent to Surprize the Detachment I had there—about 70 Men—under the Command of Captains Fell & Berry —The Enemy ariv’d there about the Break of day—and Surround[ed] the Houses our Men had Quarterd at the day before, but Fortunately, Capt. Fell who had...
73035To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Post setting off rather sooner on Monday than common prevented mine of the 11th Instant being forwarded by him. An application from Governor Trumbull of Connecticutt to Mr Langdon, copy of which Mr Langdon has ⟨Sent m⟩e occasions my writing to your Excellency by Express. ⟨Governo⟩r Trumbull has represented to Mr Langdon that the State of Connecticutt seems now “to be the Object of the...
73036To George Washington from Brigadier General Robert Howe, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Charleston [S.C.] 14 May 1777 . “I had the Honor of receiving your Letter a few days since, and have consulted the President of this State upon the Subject of it; He acknowledges the Propriety and Importance of an Expedition against Augustine, but seems to think it ought not immediately to be undertaken. For my part Sir, convinced as I am that the Enemy should be dispossessed of that Post and...
73037To George Washington from Captain John Hunter, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your Commands in a Letter from Colo. Johnston together with a warrant for four hundred Dollars, which was paid. Enclosed I send your Excellency the Muster of my Recruits, which I look upon to be as good men as any in the service. The Board of war has given me orders to Join Colo. Pattons Regiment untill such time as your Excellencys pleasure is known as they say...
73038Instructions to Captain Strother Jones, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have appointed you to the Command of a Company, to be raised for the Continental Service, agreeable to the printed Instructions herewith delivered to you. As the Good of the Service depends in a very great Measure on a proper Choice of Officers, and the honour of a Superior as much upon the quality of his Subalterns, I have given you power to nominate yours—subject to my Disapprobation—From...
73039To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this moment receivd an extract of a letter from Genl Stevens to your Excellency of this days date, purporting the situation & designs of the enemy—and a letter from Colo. Harrison expressing your desire that I woud avail myself of the intelligence containd in the extract, and be gaurded in the best manner possible, to elude, & baffle their designs, I shall most chearfully do it —I have...
73040To George Washington from Colonel Malmedy, 14 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
it Beeing more Easy to me, to Write, than to speaek English, permit me to give your Excellency a relation in Writing of my journey to philadelphia. I am flattered, With the Esteem With Which the Congress has honored me; the Board of War seemed un Easy at my situation; But after the intimation, I have received by mister Hamilton, of your Excellency opinion, concerning my promotion, I plainly...