73801To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will be Handed to you by the Count de Puluski General de Larme de la Republique de Poloigne, who has Come over to Serve in the great american Cause. Since my last we have Sent on near Three Hundred full Barrels of Powder, and a number of arms to Brookfield, A number of Shells 10 and 8 Inch with Some other Heavy articles are at Cambridge the Removal of which far by land will be very...
73802From George Washington to John Langdon, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Two Favors of the 12th & 17th Ulto have been duly received. I am happy in the arrival of the Packet from Nantes after so good a passage. I suppose the Accounts transmitted by the Commissioners are of importance, but I am not yet informed of the particulars. The Captains intelligence is agreable, and I wish much to hear it confirmed by a Declaration of War. We have been for some time and...
73803To George Washington from John Laurens, 4 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Laurens, 4 Aug. 1777. On 5 Aug. GW wrote to Laurens that “Your favour of Yesterday came to my hands late in the Afternoon.”
73804To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I met General Schuyler the 30th ultimo; a mile or two above Fort miller, just after the General officers had in council resolved to remove the army to Saratoga, as a place more tenable and convenient for disciplining the troops; I hope he will have it in his power there to make a stand, and be able soon to attack the British troops, or at least some parties of them, with success, And give a...
73805From George Washington to the New York Council of Safety, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored by your several favours of the 25th 27th and 30th of July. The misfortune at Ticonderoga has given a very disagreeable turn to our affairs, and has thrown a gloom upon the happy prospect, which the campaign previous to that event afforded. But I am in great hopes the ill-consequences of it will not continue long to operate; and that the jealousies and alarms, which so...
73806To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Recd yours of the 1st Inst. last evening & your favour of the 2nd this moment, In consequence of the Intellgience & Directions therein given Expresses were early this morning Sent to Govr Trumbull Genl Woolcut & Silliman urging in the Strongest manner the necessity of Speedily reinforcing this Post by the Militia —like Expresses have been Sent to Govr Clinton & to the Cols: of the Militia of...
73807From George Washington to Edward Rutledge, 4 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Edward Rutledge, c.4 Aug. 1777. When writing to Rutledge on 5 Oct. 1778 , GW says: “In the Month of August last year from the House of Mr. H[enry] Hill near Germantown (where I was then encamped) I wrote you a Letter as long as my arm” ( DLC:GW ).
73808To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
the Commanding officiers of the Corps Composing General Fermois Brigade having repeated their Request to be ennexed to other Brigades declaring that however high their Esteem of his military abilities might Be yet as They Could not understand his Language nor he Theirs, they had already laboured under inconveniencis and apprehended greather, I Communicated Thus to general fermoise and advised...
73809To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the unanimous advice of all the General Officers, I have moved the Army to this place—We propose to fortify our Camp in Hopes that Reinforcements may enable us to keep our Ground and prevent the Enemy from penetrating farther into the Country; but if I should be asked from whence I expect Reinforcements, I should be at a Loss for an Answer not having heard a Word from the Massachusetts on...
73810From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 4 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of the 28th ulto—I confess the conduct of the Enemy is distressing beyond measure, and past our comprehension—On thursday and friday last their Fleet consisting of two hundred and twenty eight Sail, were beating off the Capes of Delaware, as if they intended to come in. From this circumstance, nobody doubted but that Philadelphia was the immediate object of...
73811General Orders, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General Court Martial ordered yesterday, is to sit to morrow morning, at nine o’clock, at Palmer’s tavern, at Schuylkill falls; and all members must attend without fail —A Serjeant from brigade to attend the court. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW’s military family expense account contains entries for this date for £263.4 to “Daniel Smiths acct for the expences of His Excellencys family &...
73812From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Received your favour of the 19th July & according to your request inclose a warrant on the Pay Master in Virginia for twenty thousand Dollars. I fully expected the sum you had drawn before would have compleated your Regiment. I must urge you in the most pressing terms to use your utmost exertions and diligence in compleating your Regiment and proceeding with it without loss of time to Camp....
73813From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have duly receiv’d your favor of 23d of July—I believe the Evacuation of Tyconderoga has dissatisfied the people in general, nor can I say, that I have as yet heard any reason, which makes such a step appear absolutely necessary to me, however, as a Strict enquiry into the conduct of the commanding Officers is soon to take place, the public will, no doubt, be fully satisfied with the...
73814From George Washington to John Laurens, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday came to my hands late in the Afternoon. For reasons unnecessary to mention, I mean to delay the actual Appointment of my fourth Aide de Camp a while longer; but if you will do me the honour to become a member of my Family, you will make me very happy, by your Company and assistance in that Line as an Extra Aid and I shall be glad to receive you in that capacity...
73815From George Washington to Brigadier General Francis Nash, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of this you will Embark your Brigade with the Artillery belonging to it, and also Colo. Proctors Corps; you are to proceed to Trenton and there wait till you receive further orders. With respect to Waggons, if you have not a sufficient number for the use of the Brigade, you will make application to Colo. Miflin, who will furnish you; they are to be order’d to meet...
73816To George Washington from Richard Peters, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Board have given Orders to the Commissary General to make a Return to your Excellency of every Thing in his Department as they have put all Arms Acoutrements & military Stores under your immediate Direction. All Arms repaired are under the Care of Col. Flower, but Orders for the Reparation of Arms must issue to Mr Thomas Butler—Chief Armourer, who has also Directions to put himself & his...
73817From George Washington to Richard Peters, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 3d which I should have answered Yesterday, but I was down the River visiting the different posts. The constant demands for Arms and Accoutrements notwithstanding the great quantities lately delivered, is a thing so unaccountable, that I think no means should be left untried to investigate the true Reasons of such deficiencies in almost every Corps. The first Step...
73818From George Washington to John Tayloe, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 21st of June came to my hands about Eight days ago by Colo. Thornton; whom on Acct of your recommendation—the regard I entertaind for his worthy Father—and I daresay I may add, his own merit, I have taken into my Family as an extra Aid de Camp—which is all I coud do with any degree of propriety. After Genl Howe had Imbark’d his Troops at Staten Island the presumption that he...
73819To George Washington from George Walton, 5 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I moved Congress a few days ago, to order Brigadier-General McIntosh from his station in Georgia to join the grand Army; and it was objected to, because it was feared it might derange the Army, or that you would have no command for him. The cause of my having made this proposition was, that he had lately fought a Duel with Governor Gwinnett, in which the latter had fallen; and I was afraid the...
73820From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 5–9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 21st of June from Westmoreland, and 10th Ulto from Fredericksburg, are both to hand —Since Genl Howes remove from the Jerseys, the Troops under my Command have been More harrassed by Marching, & Counter Marching, than by any thing that has happen’d to them in the course of the Campaign. After Genl Howe had Imbarkd his Troops, the presumption that he woud operate upon the...
73821General Orders, 6 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
A board of General Officers, consisting of all the Major and Brigadier Generals in camp, is to sit to morrow at ten o’clock in the forenoon, at General Stephens’s quarters, at Dr Smith’s house near Schuylkill falls —to make enquiry why the pay abstracts are not regularly made out, and lodged with the Pay Master General, according to orders—The pay Abstracts of every regiment and corps in the...
73822Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
The following opinions concerning the defense of Philadelphia and the Delaware River apparently were solicited by GW on or before 6 Aug. 1777, when the first one was written, although no direct evidence has been found of GW requesting the opinions, or that the matter was discussed in a formal council of war. GW used these opinions and referred to them when writing to John Hancock on the...
73823I. Major General Du Coudray’s Opinion, 6 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
a Definitive project upon the Defence of philadelphia in the present state of affairs. In the account which I have given the Honourable Congress, of the state in which fort miflin, Red bank, and billin’gsport were, the first of august, I think I have Demonstrated, that in the actual situation of things, Litle Dependance should be had on this fort, to Defend both the places, where the River is...
73824II. Major General Nathanael Greene’s Opinion, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia is an object of such magnitude, the prejudices of the People in the surrounding States so strong, in its fervor, as to its importance, and consequence, the manufactories & supplies for the Army so numerous in that City, that the loss of it would so effect the Country, and the Army, that very great injury would arise to the common cause of America. to prevent so great an evil, it...
73825III. Joseph Reed’s Opinion, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I shall make no Apology for troubling you with the following Hints because I well know that the Goodness & I may truly add the greatness of your Mind would induce you to listen with Patience & even Chearfulness to the Suggestions of the meanest Soldier if properly presented. Whether Philadelphia is the present Object of Attack is yet a Question & every one reasons upon it as his Fears Hopes &...
73826IV. Brigadier General Anthony Wayne’s Opinion, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Wayne’s Opinion of the Defences necessary for the River and Land in case the Enemy should Attempt the Reduction of Phila. The Works, as Contracted by Agent De Coudre to be Compleated and Supplied with Six or Eight pieces of Artillery and men Sufficient to fight them with about 500 Troops—One Redoubt on the High Ground at Darby Creek Sufficient to Contain 200 men. the fleet fire ships &...
73827V. Brigadier General Henry Knox’s Opinion, 9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is the opinion of the subscriber that the Battery on Fort Island ought to have an additional work thrown up upon its left, and Garrison’d with 12 pieces heavy cannon, 150. Cannoniers, and half as many assistants, with 500. Infantry. Red Bank to be contracted so as to have 5 or 6 Cannon on the land side, and as many heavy towards the river; to prevent any Ships coming up the Channel leading...
73828From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 6 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed, which was wrote a few days ago, that you were ordered to halt, for the Reasons therein given. The letter, by Mistake of the Express, was carried up the Morris Town road, and as you were not to be heard of upon that Rout, it was brought back. As we are under the same uncertainty as to the destination of the Fleet, that we were when the inclosed was wrote, you...
73829From George Washington to John Hancock, 6 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to be informed, whether Congress have written, or mean to write themselves to Generals Schuyler & St Clair to repair to Head Quarters, or whether they expect me to do it. My reason for this is, the Resolves for their recall, transmitted in your Favor of the 2d Instant do not mention how the same should be communicated. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Your Most Hble...
73830To George Washington from Richard Peters, 6 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Board have employed the Bearer Mr James White to furnish a temporary Supply of Vinegar, Beer & Vegetables to the Army while they stay in their present Situation. As this Gentleman is not in the Commissary’s Department there will be some clashing unless your Excellency puts the Matter upon its proper Footing. Mr White will want Authority to get Waggons to hall the Articles he supplies & he...
73831From George Washington to George Walton, 6 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your Letter respecting General McIntosh. You may Inform Congress that One Brigade in this Army is without a General Officer, occasion’d by Dehaas’s not chusing to accept of that Commission & should they think proper to order Genl McIntosh for that purpose, it wou’d be very agreeable to me were it not for the length of time it will take to get him here this, I apprehend,...
73832General Orders, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial held the 18th and 19th days of July last, the following soldiers were tried for various crimes, and acquitted—viz. Timothy Brannon and William Smith of the 6th Maryland regiment—William Foster and Adam Brooks of the 10th Virginia—Isaac Proctor of the 15th Virginia, Richard Roach of the 4th Pennsylvania and William Montgomery of Col. Spencer’s Regiment. Joseph...
73833To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Relying upon your words bidding me to have an intire Confidence in you, I entreat Your Excellency to give this Letter a favorable Reception. I have just discover’d since my absence that there is a great deal of Discontent in my Regiment, and altho’ I am perfectly convinced, that no one can complain either of my conduct towards him or on any other account, I believe however that the Discipline...
73834To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
We the Subscriber beg leave to represent to your Excellency that all Regimental Officers conceive themselves greatly oppress’d by a Resolve of Congress which obliges them to draw their Provision with the men. The Resolve deprives them of the few conveniences which might be had without any disadvantage to the Publick from the Commissaries Store besides it oppresses the men, the officers picking...
73835From George Washington to John Hancock, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Evening, I received a Letter from Genl Schuyler of the 1st Inst., a Copy of which and of its Inclosures, I do myself the Honor of transmitting you. By these you will perceive, that Our affairs, at the Northward, have experienced no change for the better; On the contrary, that they are in a more unpromising train. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Your Most Obedt servant...
73836From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 4th instant. We are yet intirely in the dark as to the destination of the Enemy, the Fleet has neither been seen or heard of since they left the Capes of Delaware on this day week. If they had intended back to the Hook, we must have heard of their arrival there long before this time, as the Winds have been constantly fair. As the sickly season has commenced to the...
73837From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 1st Instant I received last Night—Those of the 26h & 28th Ultimo came safe to Hand and in due Order. As Congress have advised you of their Inclination that you should come to Head Quarters, and as it is probable you will be on your Way when this reaches you I presume it unnecessary for me to enlarge upon the Subject of your several Letters or to add more at this Time than...
73838To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Joined my Division Three Day Since, but am Exceeding weak & what is Still more afflicting I am Extremely apprehensive that I Shall never perfectly Recover Doctor Jones Says that my Excessive Fatigue has So much Injured The whole Nervous System that nothing but a Long Continuation of the Cold Bath Accompanied with a Strick Regimen can Restore me to a perfect State of Health—all Solid Food &...
73839To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday received a Letter of the 3d instant from General Putnam inclosing a Copy of yours to him of the 1st instant advising that the Enemy’s Fleet on the 31st ulto sailed out of the Capes of Deleware on an eastern Course—requesting all possible Assistance to prevent the Enemy’s possessing themselves of the Passes in the Highlands. Previous to this in Pursuance of a former Requisition from...
73840General Orders, 8 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The morning being foggy and dewy, the Brigadiers will postpone parading their brigades ’till six o’clock and longer if necessary, ’till the fog and dew are chiefly dissipated. At two o’clock P.M. the army is to march to a new encampment, about miles from hence, on the way to Coryell’s ferry, at the ground appointed by the Quarter Master General. Col. Moylan will leave proper detachments of...
73841To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 8 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do with the most unfeigned Pleasure congratulate You on Your Success in the Jerseys, over our Enemy. We are now anxious to know where these disturbers of our Peace will next bend their Course; but rest satisfied, that, at Your Approach, the Plunderers will quite any Part of the Country they may have seized upon, with the sam⟨e⟩ Disgrace they left the Jerseys. You will no doubt be surprized...
73842To George Washington from John Hancock, 8 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of yesterday’s Date, with its Inclosures from General Schuyler I duly Rec’d, & laid before Congress. We have no kind of News, nor have I any thing in Charge from Congress to communicate, further than to Inclose you several Resolutions of Congress, to which I Beg leave to Refer you, and am with the utmost Esteem, Sir Your very hume Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolutions,...
73843To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of my Sending the intelligence & orders to the Eastern States, receved from you, the militia are coming in fast from this, & from Connecticut, Genl Clinton is good anough to resume his former Command at Fort montgomery. Accounts from the northward are that Genl Burgoin is at Fort Edward, that he has left the Grants & is coming down with his whole force—and our Army is at...
73844To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 8 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclose your Excellency a Letter for Congress under flying Seal, which you will please to peruse & cause to be forwarded. It is much to be lamented that Massachusetts and Connecticut appear so loth to afford us any assistance—Whether the Reasons given by Majors Stevens & Sedgwick are the true ones, I cannot determine; but I know that from their unjust and ill founded prejudices against me...
73845To George Washington from Thomas Wharton, 8 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Complaints has been made to the Council by William McIlvaine Esqr. chief Burgess of the Burrough of Bristol against Major alias Capt. Sims of the thirteenth Virginia regiment as having greatly insulted & abused the sd Burgess, and in support of the Complaint has laid the inclosed deposition & Letter before Us. As it is of the greatest importance that the civil Magistrate should be supported we...
73846General Orders, 9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Army is to move on slowly to Corrells Ferry and Cross the River, the March to begin tomorrow morning if it should not rain as early as possible. All absent Officers not on actual duty to be order’d to join their respective Corps immediately. The Commg Officers of Regts are to give in the names of all such Absentees to his Brigr or Officers Commd his Brigade who is to lose no time in...
73847To George Washington from George Clinton, 9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter directing from 1000 to 1500 of the Militia of this and the State of Connecticut to reinforce this Garrison and the Army under General Putnam I issued Orders for drawing out 810 including Non Commissioned Officers from this State for the above Purposes. Since which I have been induced by the Situation of our Affairs to the Northward in...
73848From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will be pleased to receive Copies of Two Letters & Other papers which just now came to hand by different Expresses. Genl Heath’s Letter of the 2d Instant seems to make the intelligence respecting the Fleet, which he had obtained before, vague —if not entirely ill founded. I have the Honor to be Sir Yr Most Obedt Servant LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC , item 152;...
73849From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Letter of Yesterday and with its Inclosures. I shall pay attention to the Resolves transmitted, and as soon as circumstances admit, shall propose to Genl Howe an Exchange between Lt Colo. Campbell and the Hessian Feild Officers, and a like Number of Our’s of equal rank in his Hands. I would beg leave to lay before Congress, a Copy of a Report made by a Board...
73850To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 9 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform, your Excellency; that there are but Six men, inlisted in my Regiment, Since the Return, which I had the Honor to present, to you at Pompton. I have by memorial, to the Councill of Safety of this State, Sollicited the encouragement, they have given their State Regiments—but to no effect. Capt. Hallet cannot be found. the more Surprizing, as he was informed by Capt. Hunter,...