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....
74751To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Rect of your Orders of 7th Instant. The Intelligence you are pleased to communicate, I received last Evening, by two Persons who came out of Philadelphia Yesterday, & by a Spy, whom I had in Billingsport Yesterday, two Hours. My Accts give these additional Circumstances, That the Garrison at Billingsport consist of two Hundred of the seventy first Battalion, & two...
74752General Orders, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Nicholas Van Cortlandt Esqr. is appointed an Aid-de-Camp, to Major General Sullivan, and is to be respected as such. Peter Bryan Bruin Esqr. is appointed a Volunteer Aid-de-Camp to Major General Sullivan, and is to be respected as such. All the empty waggons, or which can be emptied without great inconvenience, are to be got ready in the several brigades, and assemble this day, at such place...
74753From George Washington to the Continental Navy Board, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd a letter from Congress informing me that they had received a Report from your Board with your opinion upon the most probable means of securing the Frigates. Whereupon they came to the following Resolution on the 4th inst: “Ordered that a Copy of the said report be sent to Genl Washington for his approbation and if he approve the same that a detatchment of troops be sent to...
74754To George Washington from Brigadier General Edward Hand, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was duly Honoured by the rect of your Excys Favour of the 13th Ultimo. immediately on the Receipt of It I dispatched an Express to Captn Saml Miller of the 8th Pennsylvania Regimt who Occupied a Small post on the Frontier of Westmoreland County, ordering him here, as Soon As he Arives he with Lieutenant Hughs & Such of the Regimt as are here Shall proceed to join their Regimt some of the...
74755To George Washington from General William Howe, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Vallancey, who was the Bearer of General Burgoyne’s Dispatches to me, is charged with mine in Return, and will apply to you to obtain a Passport for his safe Conduct to General Burgoyne in the Massachusetts Bay, which I request may be by the most convenient Route. I am with due Respect, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant. LS , DLC:GW . Howe was referring to his letter to John...
74756To George Washington from William Livingston, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this Moment received your Excellency’s Letter of yesterdays date. I am so thoroughly convinced of the Importance of the Post at Red-bank that I want no Arguments to induce me to exert my best Endeavours to raise our Militia for its defence—your Excellency is pleased to observe that “this State is more particularly called upon by reason of its Situation; and because it never furnished the two...
74757From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter?, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor without date was handed to me last Night. As we have certain Information that a fleet of 36 Sail, has left Staten Island to Join Genl Howe I could wish to have the earliest Information of their Arrival in the River. I am Sir Your mo. Obed. servt LS , in John Fitzgerald’s writing, CtHi : Washington Letters and Papers. Although the identity of the recipient of this letter is not known...
74758From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with yours of the 3d acquainting me with the exhausted state of your Treasury. I am just in the same situation, but have wrote to Congress for a supply. I will in my next to them inform them of your wants, and desire them to forward a sum of Money to you. I have not the large Spy Glass, belonging to Mrs Morris, with me. I think it is at Bethlehem with my Baggage. I will write to...
74759To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your Excellency’s favour of the 4th I presume you must have mistook Major Fleury’s meaning. he has since he arrived acted fully in his department of Engineer, when I proposed any thing he has generally been so polite to approve it. he writes and I presume will acknowledge that his Ideas have been adopted as far as the strength of the Garrison would permit. The enemy since I wrote...
74760To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
About the 20th Instant if we are not attacked sooner I am of Opinion we shall have put this Fort in a good posture of defence, at which time the Officers of the Virginia Regiments and my party hope your Excellency will relieve them and their men. Your Excellency will see the propriety of this request when I assure you that out of 200 Men compleatly Officer’d which my party consisted of, there...