74701General Orders, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Court of enquiry of which Lord Stirling is president, now sitting at the president’s quarters, is to inquire into the charge against Brigadier General Wayne—viz: “That he had timely notice of the enemy’s intention to attack the troops under his command on the night of the 20th Ult: and notwithstanding that intelligence, he neglected making a disposition until it was too late either to...
74702To George Washington from William Bradford, Sr., and Commodore John Hazelwood, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Two days ago the Enemy erected a Battery at the mouth of Schuylkill to secure the passage at Webbs Ferry. The Commodore ordered several Galleys to attack it for a considerable time, and after very little firing the Enemy ceas’d having lost several men as we are since inform’d. Last night the Enemy crossed Webb Ferry and erected a redoubt opposite the Fort within two Muskets shots of the Block...
74703To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to my engagement of your Excellency, I immediately waited on the legislative Body of this State for an Order to call out the Militia to reinforce your Excellency’s Army. I procured an Order from the Assembly for two Thousand men to be ordered from this State, and was so happy as to meet with the Concurrence of the Governor & Council. A Copy of the Order from the Governor I herewith...
74704From George Washington to Commodore John Hazelwood, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Smith informs me that the Enemy have been raising Batteries near the Landing place at Webbs Ferry with an intent to cover their passage over to Provinc Island. If the Battery is erected upon the Meadow or upon the Wharf it may be much injur’d or the approach to it from the City renderd very difficult by cutting the Meadow Banks in five or six places from the mouth of Schuylkill up to the...
74705Instructions to Major John Jameson, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to proceed with the detachment under your command to Chester County, and there collect as many horses as you can find; proper for the service of the light dragoons. You are also to make collections from the inhabitants of as many blankets Shoes stockings and other articles of covering and cloathing, which are wanted for the use of the army, as you can possibly procure;...
74706To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 11 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Henry Lee, 11 Oct. 1777. GW wrote Lee on 16 Oct. : “Your favour of the 5th Inst. as also that of the 11th by Baron Kalb, are both to hand.”
74707From George Washington to John Page, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 27th I received yesterday Afternoon. In respect to public matters, I wrote you on the 2d Instant, and referred you to my Letter of a prior date to Genl Nelson. I have now to inform you, that on the Morning of the 4th we made a general Attack upon the Enemy, who lay encamped in and near German Town. The Action lasted Two Hours & Forty Minutes, during which, we drove them...
74708From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd a letter from Colo. Hay dated the 4th instant in which he informed me that the Enemy had landed at Verplanks point. The Express who was stationed at King’s Ferry came off, and also informs that a party landed at the same time upon the West side of the River. I have not recd a line from you respecting the Matter which makes me conclude that your dispatches have been intercepted by some...
74709From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d yours of the 19th informing of the occasion of the late firing. I imagine the Enemy still persist in their attempt as the firing has continued by intervals ever since. As the rear of the Fort is only defended by a picket work, I think you ought to lose no time in throwing up a Bank against the picket which wou’d strengthen it and make it defensible against shot. If some blinds were...
74710To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night the Enemy threw up a Battery in the rear of the Fort close to the Banks of the Meadow within Musket shot of us & had already got one piece of Artillery in it. We attacked it with the Floating Batteries[,] Block houses, Gallies, & 32 Pounder from the Battery & in short time obliged them to hoist the white Flag, as We were bringing off the prisoners another party ran down which the...
74711General Orders, 12 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Lockhart of the 3rd North Carolina regiment is promoted to the rank of Lieut: Colonel in the eight[h] regiment of the said state, in the room of Lieut. Col. Ingram resigned. Capt. Henry Dixon of the 1st North Carolina regiment, is promoted to the rank of Major in the 3rd regiment of said state, in the room of Major Lockhart promoted. The Commander in Chief approves the following...
74712To George Washington from John Hancock, 12 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have Nothing in Charge from Congress at this Time, but to transmit the enclosed Resolves, and to request your Attention to them. The Information that the Enemy have at different Times compelled our Troops who are Prisoners with them to labour, and that a Number are at this Time actually engaged in throwing up some Works at and near Kengsington, is of such a Nature that Congress think it...
74713To George Washington from Commodore John Hazelwood, 12 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys just now, but to comply with your desire at present is impossible, as the Enimy have one Battery at the Mouth of Schuylkill and another at or near Hollenders Creek, and large parties of Men station’d in different parts above and below Webbs Ferry. Also one redoubt opposite to Fort Mifflin, which was attack’d this Morning by landing a number of Men, and the Galleys...
74714To George Washington from William Livingston, 12 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Assembly could not be prevailed upon to agree to more than 1000 Men to be raised for reinforcing General Putnam, unless I take some of those to be called out by General Forman to join the Army under your Excellency’s command; which I suppose would not be adviseable. The Council of Safety will quit this place to morrow for Quaker Town (a most ominous Appellation!) whither your Excellency...
74715To George Washington from Brigadier General Preudhomme de Borre, 12 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of the Letter that your excellency has Send me the 13 of Septemb: with the resolve of Congress to inquiry into my Conduct; I was been at your quarters to complain me of that resolve, I could not See your excellency, but the colonel hamilton told me, you had been Surprised of that Letter and you had not told a word of me, that your Excellency would not receive my Demysion. I was...
74716To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 12 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you this day giving an Accot of the Enemies having erected a Battery in the Rear of our Northwest Block House close to the Banks of the Meadow, in which we took 56: Soldiers & 2 Officers, An Officer with a party came down under the Sanction of the flag & took & kept possession of it. we have made two or three fruitless Attempts to Storm it, in the last of which we had Some few kill’d &...
74717General Orders, 13 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Those Battalions and corps that have joined the army, since the third instant, are to attend to the orders of that day; with regard to making out their Muster rolls—An immediate attention to this duty, is required of every officer, who has not already performed it. It is with real grief and amazement that the General observes, by the late returns, how deficient of arms & accoutrements the...
74718To George Washington from Jacob Duché, 13 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
My dear friend Mrs Ferguson will deliver in your Excellency’s hands a letter which has laid by me several days for want of a safe conveyance: in which I have deliverd my sentiments to you upon the present state of our unhappy contest without reserve, and with full confidence in your honor. My mind will remain in a state of painful anxiety, ’till I have your candid answer and ’till I am assured...
74719From George Washington to John Hancock, 13–14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 11th Inst., nothing material has happened between our Army and General Howes. The inclosed Copies of Commodore Hazelwood and Colonel Bradfords Letters will shew the situation of affairs in the Navy and at Fort Mifflin on the 11th which are the latest accounts I have received from thence; But there has been a warm Canonade since, which continued...
74720To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from John Hancock, 13 Oct. 1777. GW wrote Hancock on 16 Oct. : “I have been duly honoured with your Favors of the 12th & 13th Instant.”
74721From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 13 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favour of the 15th Ulto from Fort Pitt, giving me an account of the State of your Garrison. I am sorry your force is not more adequate to the uses you have for it, and that such coldness appears in the neighbouring inhabitants as to preclude the assistance you had a right to expect from them. Under the circumstances you mention, I have no objection to your detaining...
74722From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 13 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
We are in the greatest want of Cartouch Boxes not only for the Militia but many of the Continental Troops. I therefore desire that you will immediately have all those collected that belong to the sick and send down immediately and if there are any more in any of the Stores in the Town, or that have been sent up for repair let them be sent down likewise. If there are any shot pouches or Powder...
74723General Orders, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The officers on guard are to make report of them to the officers of the day, who will report the whole to the Adjutant General. Doctor Craige director of the hospital at Reading has sent a list of the wounded there, whose blankets and other necessaries remain in camp—The commanding Officers of regiments are immediately to make the most diligent search for all such necessaries belonging to the...
74724From George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Commodore Hazlewood informs me that the desertions from the fleet have left him exceedingly deficient in men, which must greatly enfeeble his operations. As I imagine there is likely to be a number of men accustomed to the water in your garrison, I must desire you will immediately draft all such and deliver them for the Commodore, for the use of the fleet. It is essential he should have a...
74725To George Washington from Colonel Christopher Greene, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here on Saturday last with my Regiment, they were much Fatigued with the March as I forced Thirty five Miles one Day—They are now in high Spirits, and go to their duty with the greatest Cheerfulness—The Inclosed Return shews our Strength. I have found it necessary to contract the Fort—but it’s now too learge for our Numbers, as we have very little to expect from the Militia—I saw...
74726To George Washington from John Hancock, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duely honored with your several Favours of the 7th 8th and 10th continued to the 11th in the Order of their respective Dates, and immediately laid them before Congress. I have ordered one Thousand Copies of the Resolves relative to putting a Stop to any Intercourse between the Enemy in Philada and the disaffected among us, to be printed at Lancaster, and to be forwarded thence to...
74727From George Washington to Commodore John Hazelwood, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday rec’d your favor of the 12th. In consequence of your request, I have order’d a return to be made of all the Seamen in the Army, & if they can be found, shall furnish you with the number you desire, or if the whole number cannot be had, I will collect & send you as many as I can. I have also directed, Colo. Green who it is probable will have some men in his party accustomed to the...
74728To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I do not do myself the honor of wr⟨a⟩ïting to you as many times as I would ch⟨u⟩se, because I fear to disturb⟨e⟩ your important occupations—but I indulge Now that pleasure to me on the occasion of the two nominations of Congress—general connay is a so brave, intelligent, and active officer that he schall, I am sure, justify more and more the esteem of the army and Your approbation—for the...
74729To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Navy Board, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency has been inform’d that a Redoubt was erected on Province Island opposite Fort Mifflin, also another at the Mouth of Schuylkill. They are throwing up other Works in different parts of the Meadows—We believe they have not more than five hundred Men in the Meadows—We are inform’d that a number of our Troops are now near the Ferries on Schuylkill; If a body of them were order’d to...
74730To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
There was a report of one or two thousand Troops coming up from Wilmington yesterday—the report has been premature; it is said, & I believe true, that on Saturday last 300 men landed at Wilmington and it is believed that they & the Garrison will march up this day, if they do, I will harress them as much as I can—There was a large number of Ships went up as far as they could for the...
74731From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 12th I received yesterday. I am sorry your attempts to get possession of the enemy’s batteries have hitherto failed. I hope your future endeavours may be more successful. If they once get their batteries fairly erected, the situation of your garrison will no doubt become very trying, but I dare say, they will be duly impressed with the importance of the trust committed to them,...
74732To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the 12th Instant on which night the enemy threw up a long Breast Work on the high ground at province Island, which Enfilades our principal Battery. I got some small assistance from Colo. Green Yesterday and threw up a blind on the platform which with two others I intend throwing up to day, will in some measure make the men who work the Guns secure. I presume they have...
74733To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of you[r] Letter of the 1st inst.—have now the pleasure to congratulate you on the further Successes of the Army at the Northward—Hope this Aurora Borealis may not only dispell the gloom, and establish our Affairs in that Quarter—but be the forerunner of success and Victory in every other Department. The greatest part of our Intelligence is contained in the enclosed Hartford...
74734General Orders, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General has the repeated pleasure of informing the army of the success of the troops under the command of General Gates, over General Burgoyne’s army—On the 7th instant the action commenced, about 3 o’clock in the afternoon, between the picquets of the two armies, which were reinforced on both sides—The contest was warm, and continued with obstinacy ’till evening, when our troops gained...
74735To George Washington from William Bradford, Sr., 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last night I received the inclosed Letter. The Commodore plac’d the Galleys in proper places to prevent a storm, and the night being very Foggy no attempt was made. The night before last they throw’d up a Battery before the Hospital on Province Island. This morning at nine OClock the Fog clear’d away, and they began firing from the Battery at the mouth of Schuylkill, the one before the...
74736From George Washington to George Clinton, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this day honored with yours of the 9th containing a full account of the Storm of Forts Montgomery and Clinton. Genl Putnam had given me information of the loss two days before, but not in so full and ample a manner. It is to be regretted that so brave a resistance did not meet with a suitable reward. You have however the satisfaction of knowing that every thing was done that could...
74737To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
From Freehold I Wrote your Excely what steps I had Taken on my return to Draw out The Militia. At That time I could not tell what effect the order would produce. I now have The Mortification to Inform your Excely th[a]t I do not belive I shall Collect three Hundred men. The Monmouth Militia have Turned out Quite as well as Usual, but from the Irruptions of Several of The Enemies pillaging...
74738From George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Sir: I am persuaded by intelligence from different quarters, that the enemy are determined to endeavour by a speedy and vigorous effort to carry Fort Mifflin, and for this purpose are preparing a considerable force. Their attempt will probably be sudden and violent, as they are hardly in a situation to delay a matter so essential to them as that of removing the River obstructions. It is of...
74739To George Washington from Commodore John Hazelwood, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys just now. The Enimy have now opened three Batteries on us One from the Mouth of Schuylkill, One just before the Hospital and another opposite Fort Mifflin. That opposite the Fort has thrown several shells but has done no damage as yet. I have apply’d to Colonel Green who is willing to grant me some Men, but must return them as soon as any attack is done. The...
74740To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
A deserter from the 15th regt just from the enemy’s camp, informs, that the 4th brigade, two regts from the 2d, & one Hessian regt receved marching orders at one Oclock Sunday. Where they are destined is not known. He can form no conjecture. He confirms the account of Col. Birds death, & says that the 15th lost fifty three privates & seven officers in the last action—They are now about two...
74741Instructions to James Mease, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
In order to enable you to carry on the business of your department with facility & despatch—You are hereby authorized to purchase hire or press as circumstances may require from time to time—such number of horses and waggons as you shall stand in need of to answer the necessary purposes thereof—And in Consideration of the wants of the Army in many essential Articles of Cloathing, and the...
74742From George Washington to Richard Peters or the Board of War, 15 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Richard Peters or the Board of War, 15 Oct. 1777. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman docketed Peters’s letter to GW of 7 Oct. in part: “Ansd 15th.”
74743From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received Advice from Captain Lee of light Dragoons that 7 Regiments of the Enemy’s Force receiv’d Marching orders at One OClock P.M. this day, this information he had from a Deserter of the 15th who came out this Afternoon; what the destination or Route was he could give no Account of. I thought it necessary to give you this intelligence by express, as there is a probability that...
74744From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 8th and 10th instants giving me the account of the loss of Fort Montgomery and the evacuation of Peekskill in consequence of it, but I am very glad to find that you had previously removed the greater part of the Stores. This Stroke would have perhaps proved fatal to our Northern Affairs in its consequences, had not the defeat of Genl Burgoine providentially taken...
74745General Orders, 16 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief positively orders, that the horse encamp compactly, in the rear of the army, and as near as possible to Head Quarters. The regiments are to continue to draw materials for cartridges, and go on making them every day with care and dispatch, and when made, they are to be returned to the Commissary of military stores. The Court of enquiry of which Major General Lord stirling...
74746From George Washington to Colonel Israel Angell, 16 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
With the Regiment you command & what Baggage you think is absolutely necessary, you are immediately to proceed to Bristol Cross the Deleware at that place & continue your Route to Red Bank, this March should be perform’d with the utmost Secrecy & under pretence of Covering the Stores at Bristol untill you arrive at that place as the Enemy might endeaver to Intercept you should your Route be...
74747To George Washington from Major Benjamin George Eyre, 16 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your orders I have Collected the Shallops & flats in Bordentown Creeck; their was not wauter Sufficient for them in watsons Creeck. I have Sent twelve waggon Load of Duck this Evening forward. The two friggates Lies at White hill two mile from this town with Sixteen Carriage Guns Each. as for men to Reinforce the Galley they Cannot be Spar’d from the friggates. their is but one...
74748From George Washington to Brigadier General David Forman, 16 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receiv’d your favor of Yesterday, & am very sorry to find that the Number of Militia you mention your being able to collect is so far inferior to what you expected. It is my earnest request that you immediately collect all the Men you possibly can & send them on as fast as any considerable number can be got together under good Officers to Join this Army, As you will remain...
74749To George Washington from Colonel Christopher Greene, 16 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Coll Tilghman’s Letter of 14th instant, I received last night, wherein (by Your Excellency’s Command[)] he acquaints me of the agreeable Intelligence received from the Northward. Pursuant to your Request have communicated the Contents to Coll Smith & Commodore Hazelwood & desired them, to demonstrate our Joy on this glorious Occasion by discharging 13 Cannon from Fort Mifflin and the Navy at...
74750From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your Favors of the 12th & 13th Instant, with their several Inclosures. In respect to the Resolution, directing a flag to be sent to Genl Howe, I am inclined to think, that the information upon which it was framed was without foundation. The Letters which have come from our Officers, who have been lately taken, generally mention that their treatment has been...