74701From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Conway, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
a Letter which I receivd last Night, containd the following, paragraph. In a Letter from Genl Conway to Genl Gates he says—“Heaven has been determind to save your Country; or a weak General and bad Councellors would have ruind it.” I am Sir Yr Hble Servt. ADf , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The Varick transcript is dated 9 November. However, Conway’s reply to this letter is dated 5...
74702To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Conway, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Wrote to General Gates by Major troop the 9th or 10th of Last Month from reading. after congratulating him upon his success at the Northward, and returning him thanks for the civility he had shew’d to my Brother in Law, I gave him an account of the operations of this army. i Spoke my mind freely, I found fault with several Measures pursued in this army; but I Will venture to say that in my...
74703To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor, by Lieut. Colonel Barton, who will deliver you this, to transmit you the inclosed Resolution of the General Assembly of this State; and, agreeable to it, do recommend to your Excellency that brave Officer, who hath heretofore distinguished himself by his Activity, and enterprizing Spirit, and the several Commissioned Officers who served under him in that successful...
74704From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 22d and 25th of October. As you have wrote to Congress respecting the difficulty of supplying the prisoners of Genl Burgoine’s Army with Quarters, Fewel and provisions, I imagine they will give proper directions in the matter. I do not think it to our interest, to expedite the passage of the prisoners to England, for you may depend upon it that they will,...
74705To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you yesterday in a Letter which from unavoidable delay will accompany this. I now forward two Extracts from the Minutes of Congress both dated the 4th Inst.—One containing an Order founded upon a Report from the Marine Committee relative to the Continental Frigates & other Navigation at & near Borden Town submitted to your Excellency for approbation & in that...
74706To George Washington from William Livingston, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honour’d with your Excellency’s Favour of the 1st Instant. General Newcombs Conduct is such as might naturally be expected from a Gentleman who was made a General, because your Excellency did not think him fit for a Collonel. I take the Liberty to inclose you a Copy of what I have wrote him; & if he makes any more Difficulties of that kind, I doubt not, by his present...
74707To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am Sorey to Inform your excelancey that the Officer I send to the Brandwine Mills has not obayd my orders Instead of Taking the stone away he has taken the Spinnels Rines and Tronnale heads I was preparing to send a party to move the Runners But as it is Hard to get waggans and as I am Informed that the Taking these Artecals answers the same end as Removing the stone, I wait to Know your...
74708From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of this morning—informing me that your orders respecting the Mills have not been carried into execution—it is my desire that the Officer employed in this business should be put under Arrest and tried for disobedience of orders—the parts of the Machinery which he has removed may be easily replaced, whereas had he followed the directions given him, the end in view...
74709From George Washington to Jeremiah Dummer Powell, 5 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Favor of the 25th Ulto, and join your Honble Board most heartily in Congratulations on our Success in the surrender of Genl Burgoyne and his Army. An Event of great Importance and which reflects the highest honor upon our Arms. In respect to the embarkation of the prisoners, I take it for granted, that the beneficial consequences the British Nation will...
74710From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 5 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 5 Nov. 1777. On 14 Nov. Putnam wrote GW that he had been “favd with your’s of the 4th 5th & 9th Instt.”
74711General Orders, 6 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The independent Company commanded by Capt. Joshua Williams is to be annexed to, and do duty with the 4th Pennsylvania regiment, ’till further orders. All prisoners (not being Continental soldiers) and suspected persons are to be carried to the Major General of the day, to be examined and dealt with, as he shall see fit. The Colonels or officers commanding regiments are to appoint one officer...
74712From George Washington to William Buchanan, 6 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you an extract of a letter which I have just recd from Genl Heath. I can hardly suppose but what you have taken some steps towards laying up a supply of salt provision in New England, which is not only the most plentiful Country for Meat, but the quarter in which our principal Magazines of Salt are deposited. But I am fearful from Genl Heaths representation, who is an attentive,...
74713To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 6 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment I received an Express from an Officer stationed on the South Amboy Shore, informing me, that a Fleet consisting of thirty six Sail, left the Narrows Yesterday Morning, at 10. OClock with a fair Wind—some of them appear’d to [be] very large, & deeply laden’d. I have a Person now on Staten Island, who will return about Midnight, expect to be more particularly informed by him—anything...
74714To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 6 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here yesterday at Noon, and waited upon General Gates immediately on the business of my mission; but was sorry to find his ideas did not correspond with yours for drawing off the number of troops you directed. I used every argument in my power to convince him of the propriety of the measure, but he was inflexible in the opinion, that two Brigades at least of Continental troops should...
74715To George Washington from General William Howe, 6 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with your Letter of the 4th Instant—The general Exchange of Prisoners is so desirable a Measure in Justice to the Officers and Men immediately concerned, that I have repeatedly demanded of you a Releasement of Prisoners equivalent to those you have received, as far as the Numbers in your Possession will admit, on which Condition I could enter upon a further Exchange. The Officers...
74716From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 6 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The approaching Season, and the scanty suppl⟨ies⟩ of Cloathing in public Store, without an immediate prospect of their being increased, have induced me to send Lt Colo. Adams of your state to procure, if possible, a Quantity for the Troops which come from thence. The distress of the Army in this instance, I am sorry to inform you, is now considerable, and it will become greater & greater every...
74717To George Washington from Col. Lewis Nicola, 6 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Lewis Nicola, 6 Nov. 1777. On 7 Nov. Nicola wrote GW that the “inclosed Letter I wrote yesterday in order to send it by the first opportunity to Your Excellency.”
74718To George Washington from Richard Peters, 6 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Peters, 6 Nov. 1777. On 11 Nov. GW wrote Peters: “I have before me your favors of the 6th & 7th Inst.”
74719To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 6 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Great Manto Creek is situated two Miles and an half from Redbank, where it empties into the Delaware, On the West side of this Creek is the Promontory Billingsport, fortified, and garrisoned by three hundred Men, made up of the seventy first Regiment, and of Marines, according to the best Information I have been able to obtain. On the east side of the Creek, upwards of a Mile from...
74720General Orders, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The independent Company commanded by Captn Weaver is to be annexed to, and do duty with the 10th Pennsylvania regiment ’till further orders. Some disputes having arisen relative to certain men, inlisted by Mr Nelson, now doing duty in the 7th Pennsylvania regiment—A Court of inquiry is to examine into the matter, and report their opinion, whether those men should remain as they are, or be...
74721Orders to Lieutenant Colonel Peter Adams, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The approaching season, and the distresses of the Army in the Articles of Blankets & Cloathing make it necessary, that every practicable measure should be pursued to procure supplies. Therefore to releive, if possible, the wants of the Troops, raised by the State of Maryland, in these essential Articles, you are to proceed immediately to Govr Johnson with the Letters you have in charge for...
74722To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excelys favr of the 31st I recd the 1st Novr and The same Morning I recd an Answar from The Counsil of Safety to a Letter I had wrote to Govr Livingston Respecting The Conduct of Brgr Genl Newcomb—The Counsil of safety in their Letter to me enclosed one for Genl Newcomb which they assured me contain’d Their orders to him to make me returns of his Brigade and receive my orders—I...
74723To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
After sending upwards of Five Thousand Men to the Succour of the Southern Army, I hoped a further Draught from this Department would have been unnecessary; but Colonel Hamilton acquaints me, it was the Unanimous Opinion of a Council of War, that the whole of the Eastern Regiments should March from hence, & that Troops were only to be stationed at peeks Kill, And in the Highlands, for the...
74724To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you the 4th & 5th by the conveyance of the Express Wm Jones since which Your Excellency’s dispatch under the 1st & 3d Currt with several inclosed papers reached me, were immediately Reported to Congress & Committed to the Board of War. My present duty is to forward the following recited Minutes & Resolves. Of the 1st Inst: for observing the 18th December next as...
74725To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 7 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Henry Lee, 7 Nov. 1777. On 18 Nov. GW wrote Lee : “Your favour of the 7th Instant should not have remained so long unanswered.”
74726To George Washington from Colonel Alexander Martin, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The within Proceedings of the Board of Officers of the N. Carolina Brigade I approve of, and do recommend the Gentlemen Officers within named—both from their Rank & Merit, to your Excellency, to fill the Vacancies aforesaid. ALS , DNA : RG 93, Revolutionary War Records, North Carolina. Beneath Martin’s letter GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison summarized the promotions of four field...
74727To George Washington from Colonel Lewis Nicola, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter I wrote yesterday in order to send it by the first opportunity to your Excellency, & Just now received a letter from the Secretary of the Board of war & copy of which I have the honour to inclose to you & as you must certainly be well acquainted with the importance & danger of the Stores at Allen town & in this place & Burdentown I take the liberty to request your Orders as...
74728To George Washington from Richard Peters, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Board after making every Enquiry they can & after viewing the Subject in every Light they are capable of are convinced of the Necessity & Rictitude of siezing Blanketts Shoes & Necessaries for the Army from People of all Characters who can possibly spare them & from the disaffected altho the Measure should expose them to the greatest Difficulties which however cannot be greater than the...
74729From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not been favor’d with any Letter from you since I last wrote you. Upon revolving your Situation & the Nature of the Command you are upon, I begin to be of opinion the Number of Men you have may be rather prejudicial than serviceable to you, as they are a more attractive Object for the Enemy, & more inconvenient for you to move off upon any sudden occasion—I therefore think you had...
74730To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your’s of the 31st Octor and 1st Novemr I have been favor’d with, and have taken the Necessary precautions that your Army should be supply’d with Provisions. In my last I Informed you that Genel Warners Brigade were orderd to Join you, but as they are Rais’d only till the first of Decemr the Officers and men think it exceeding hard, that they should be obliged Make that Long March and their...
74731From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 7 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
From various accounts I am convinced that the Enemy are upon the point of making a grand effort upon Fort Mifflin. A person in confidence of one of their principal artificers thinks it will be to day or tomorrow. No time is therefore to be lost in making that Garrison as respectable as your numbers will admit, for should the attack commence before they are reinforced, it may probably be out of...
74732To George Washington from John Augustine Washington, 7 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Augustine Washington, 7 Nov. 1777. GW wrote his brother John Augustine Washington on 26 Nov .: “Your Letters of the 26th of Octr and 7th Instt have come safe to hand.”
74733From George Washington to Martha Washington, 7 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Martha Washington, 7 Nov. 1777. In a letter to Anna Maria Dandridge Bassett of 18 Nov., Martha Washington wrote her sister that “the last Letter I had from the General was dated the 7th of this month he says nothing hath happend since the unsuccessful attack upon our forts on the Dalaware” ( ViMtvL ).
74734General Orders, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The service requiring that the men be ready to march on the shortest notice, the officers commanding brigades and corps are to be particularly careful to keep their men constantly supplied with two day’s provisions on hand. To make the more dispatch in the trial of Officers under Arrest, Brigade General Courts Martial are to be held without delay for the trial of all such officers as shall...
74735Council of War, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War &c. Present Major Genls Sullivan[,] Greene[,] Marquis LaFayette[,] McDougal[,] Brigadrs Maxwell[,] Knox[,] Wayne[,] Weedon[,] Woodford[,] Scott[,] Conway[,] Huntington[,] Irvine. His Excellency having informed the Council of the Reinforcements that were expected from Peekskill and that among them was 1600 Militia from Massachusets under Genl Warner whose times would expire...
74736To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
From the Commencement of the Present war I have devoted my time, regardless of domestic concerns to the Service of my Country. and scarcely since the month of June 1775 have I paid any attention to my own private affairs. Since my appointment to a Commission in the Horse, Which was in June 1776 I can with confidence say I have not been absent from my duty in that department one week, but when...
74737From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d your favor mentioning the many & strong reasons you have for quitting the Service, or at least obtaining leave of absence for the settlement of your affairs which you say & I make no doubt are in a Situation that demand your presence. As the Contest, in which we all saw the necessity of stepping forth, still remains undetermin’d, & the event of War doubtfull & uncertain, I...
74738To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Little late of Philada has just returned from the neighborhood of New Castle—he fell in with Lieut. Linsey of Blands dragoons, who had just taken two Captain’s belonging to the Enemy’s fleet: one of them was under orders to sail for England in a packet, and came ashore to take leave of the inhabitants who are continually supplying them with every necessary. Lindsy says if he had had only...
74739To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
By every Accot from the City the enemy intend to Attackt the Fort tomorrow. the Hessians are to stand Guard. the Highlanders Granadiers and Light Infantry to make the Attackt one of their Floating Batteries that was Lanced Yesterday is Sunk to the bottom My Guard was rainforced Last Night I hope I Shall have it my power to provent the Enemys Comming into the Country as much as the have done. I...
74740From George Washington to Capt. Charles Craig, 8 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Capt. Charles Craig, 8 Nov. 1777. Craig’s letter to GW of 8 Nov. is docketed in part “Ansd 8.”
74741From George Washington to Major General Philemon Dickinson, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 6th Inst. and thank you for the intelligence contained in it—you will farther oblige me by communicating immediately whatever new matter of public consequence may occur. The importance of the Post at Red-bank makes it necessary for us to employ all possible resources in rendering it so respectable by the Strength of the Garrison, and the number of Troops...
74742From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose you an extract of a letter from Major Genl Dickinson of the 6th instant, by which it appears that a reinforcement has sailed from New York either for Genl Howe or some other expedition. I have not yet heard whether any of the Troops on their march from the northward have yet crossed the North River, but I hope they will be with me near as soon as Genl Howe’s...
74743To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Lindsay is just returned from New castle & has brought with him two prisoners; the one Capt. Nicholas of the Eagle packet, the other, Capt. Fenwick of a sloop in the service of Government. These two gentlemen being fatigued with their ride, will not arrive at Headquarters, ’till tomorrow. The transports have received orders to furnish themselves with six weeks provision, & make ready for...
74744From George Washington to Capt. Henry Lee, 8 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Capt. Henry Lee, Jr., 8 Nov. 1777. Lee’s letter to GW of 8 Nov. is docketed in part “ansd 8.”
74745From George Washington to William Livingston, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The great importance of the Post at Red-bank has led me to be importunate in applications for its reinforcement—The State over which Your Excellency presides is more particularly call’d upon by reason of its Situation, and because it never furnished the two thousand men which were order’d as its quota to the Continental Army—I do therefore most earnestly entreat you that no exertions be...
74746From George Washington to Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 26th Ulto came to my hands yesterday, & merits my warmest acknowledgements: The Idea’s you entertaind of our force was, unhappily, but too well founded; and I now wish I had given more into your generous proposal; but the distance, and uncertainty of keeping Militia in Service any length of time were obstacles which seemed too great to be counter balanced by the advantage of...
74747From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Charles Pope, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The approaching season and the distresses of the Army in the Articles of Blankets & Cloathing, make it necessary that every practicable measure should be pursued to procure Supplies. You are therefore to proceed immediately to the President of the Delaware State with the Letters you have in charge and to receive from him for the use of the Troops which have come from thence, Whatever Supplies...
74748To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Receved your excelancys favour of yesterday leat Last evining ocasioned by my being leat on the enemys lins, there is nothing pertecquler that I see in my power to do heare, could I Beleve that my Troops were fit to storm Brestworks I wold have actacted the Island before this time But Common prudance considring who I command has for bid it—altho I flater myself I have not the worst of men I...
74749From George Washington to George Read, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The approaching season and the scanty Supplies of Cloathing in public store, have induced me, to send Lt Colo. pope to procure, if possible, a suitable Quantity for the Troops of your State. The distress of the Army in this instance, is great, and will daily increase if some releif is not obtained. I do not know, whether your State may have turned its attention to this Object, or what...
74750From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 6th relieved me from much anxiety, as it was confidently reported that the firing upon the 5th was upon Fort Mifflin. I am pleased to hear of the Success of your Cannonade against the Enemy’s shipping, and I am very certain if we had more heavy Cannon mounted upon travelling carriages to move up and down the Beach occasionally, that we should annoy and distress them exceedingly....