75851From George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, 1 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 8th of Decr came safe to my hands—after considerable delay in its passage. The Sentiments you have expressed of me in this Letter are highly flattering—meriting my warmest acknowledgements, as I have too good an opinion of your sincerity and candour, to believe that you are capable of unmeaning professions—& speaking a language foreign from your heart—The friendship I ever...
75852To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 1 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last was on the 21st Ulto by Messenger Millet since which I have not been honoured with any of Your Excellency’s favors. Under Cover with this Your Excellency will receive the following Acts of Congress— 1 of the 26th February—for filling up the Battalions of Continental Troops. 2 An Act also of the 26th ffebry—for ascertaining the Amount of demands for supplies of necessaries by the...
75853To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 1 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 20th of Jany last a few days since, on my journey from Albany to this town; and the last evening, with your favor of the 9th ulto inclosing a copy of the former. I have read the two resolves of Congress, in the operation of which, you suppose, I shall be effected. I find by the first that the officers of the Pennsylvania regiments are now to...
75854From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 1 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 27th Ulto and in answer to your question respecting the right of command in Officers of equal rank in the Infantry and Cavalry, I am to inform you that there is no other preeminence in our Service than what arises from Seniority; The Officer whose Commission is of prior date commands all those of the same grade indiscriminately whether of horse or foot. You...
75855From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 1 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 27th ulto was delivered to me by Express and that of the 28th by Colo. proctor, who saw the British Ships and Craft on their return, they had passed Marcus Hook. He says it was reported that they had burnt Salem, he does not know the truth of this, but he saw a great smoke in that quarter. When I heard last from Genl Wayne he was at Haddenfield, and I hope will return safe with...
75856General Orders, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General Court Martial whereof Coll Cortland is President is dissolved and another ordered to sit tomorrow ten ôClock A.M. , at the Bake House, whereof Coll Chandler is appointed President—Each Brigade gives a Captain for the Court—A serjeant from each brigade is to sent to the Court as orderly, daily. The Execution of Joseph Worrell is postponed to a future day. Whenever the Brigade...
75857To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having been detained in New York on the business committed to me by your Excellency, much longer than could have been expected, think it my Duty to take the earliest opportunity of Communicating a Report of my Proceedings and the Reasons of my Conduct. On my Arrival in Jersey I wrote to Sir Henry Clinton for permission to pass to New York, for the purpose of visiting our Prisoners &ca as per...
75858From George Washington to Continental Artillery Officers, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me singular pain to learn by your Memorial of the 10th inst., that there are any discontents in a corps of Officers, so eminently distinguished by their Services—you cannot be more ready to point out grievances, than I am desirous of redressing them, as far as depends on me—at the same time I must confess that I cannot consider all the Articles of complaint, in the same light in which...
75859To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 2 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 2 Mar. 1778. On 9 Mar., GW wrote to Gates , “I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February and of the 2d 3d and 4th instants.”
75860To George Washington from Colonel George Gibson, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to Your Excelly the 22d ultimo in which I inform’d Your Excelly I had recd a letter from the Board of War with directions respecting 7 Waggon loads of Cloathing that were on the road from York to this place, since which the Waggons arrived, the directions from the Honble the Board of War have been fully comply’d wth except sending the Goods to Camp, Three of the...
75861To George Washington from William Gordon, 2–5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by the Baron De Steuben, & by an express that went from Genl Heath. In the last I mentioned Mr Hancock. Do not find out in any way whatsoever, that he hath concerned himself at all about the late subject of conversation: & expect from circumstances that the scheme of changing is dropt, from observing that the voice of the public is against it. There were a few hints also upon the...
75862To George Washington from General William Howe, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I think it necessary to acquaint you that Colonels OHara & Stephens of the Kings Foot Guards are the Officers appointed by me to meet Commissioners on your Part at German Town on the 10th Instant, for the Purposes expressed in my Letter of the 5th of February. To these Gentlemen I propose to add Capt. Fitzpatrick of the same Corps, and that you may send an equal Number, this early notice is...
75863From George Washington to Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr., 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd yours of the 27th Feby. I had heard of the loss of the Cattle before it came to hand, and I am sorry to say that the loss is imputed to your having refused to let the drovers have a guard when they applied for one. I shall be glad to know whether it is so, and if true, what could be your reason for refusing. I desire you to send a party of 150 Men, under a good Officer, well...
75864To George Washington from William Livingston, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your Excellency’s favour of the 22d instant and am very happy to find that the State of New Jersey possesses so great a share of your Esteem, which I hope it will never forfeit by any remissness in such Exertions as it is capable of making. I am convinc’d the State is not behind hand with you in mutual regard; and as for the personal friendship of your humble Servant, if it is worth...
75865From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Navy Board, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the Gallies can now be of no service in the River, and the enemy have it in their power to get them into their possession, with all their cannon and stores, I beg leave strongly to recommend it to the Board, without delay, to evacuate them of their cannon and stores; and—removing these to a place of security, in some interior part of the country—to carry the Gallies up into some of the...
75866To George Washington from George Read, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 26th of February was handed to me by Capt. Lee, who was mistaken in his Representation, that there was no Law in the State to punish the harbouring of Deserters; such a Law was enacted in February 1777 upon your Recommendation, and the Mode of recovering the Penalties therein is both easy and expeditious. It may be said, and I think with Justice, that those Penalties are now...
75867To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Remember to have Troubled yr Excy Last Summer with Solicitations in favor of Capt. Sullivan begging your Excys influence in his behalf with Congress —at white Marsh I was informed by General Knox & by the Commissary of prisoners that Capt. Bliss was paid off that if my Brother would Come to Camp there would be no Difficulty in his receiving his money—I wrote him & he has at a most amazing...
75868To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nothing can be more painful to me than the Repetition of a request which is known to be Disagreable to a Commander to whom America in General & myself in particular Stand So much indebted—after So polite a Refusal as I have once had I Should have Remained forever Silent upon the Subject: did not pure necessity which knows no Law Compell me to repeat my request —I Sincerely Lament my being...
75869From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 26th from Mount Holly came to hand last evening. I am pleased to hear that you had so good intelligence of the designs and motions of the Enemy that you were enabled to withdraw your detatchment from Haddonfeild before they invested it. Considering the disproportion of your strength to that of the Enemy all that can be expected of you is to wait upon and circumscribe them as much...
75870To George Washington from Thomas Wharton, Jr., 2 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the twenty third of February last which I layed before Council. I hope as the militia called out, are chiefly arrived at General Laceys camp, they will secure the counties of Bucks and Philadelphia, from any further insults and ravages of the enemy (unless they come out in force) who I am sorry to find have been but too successful. General Lacey I am informed is...
75871General Orders, 3 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Guard house at Sullivan’s Bridge over Schuylkill is to be immediately built on this side; The officer of the guard is to suffer no non commission’d officer or soldier to pass over from Camp without leave in writing from the Commanding officer of his Regiment. The Quarter Master General is to delay no time in causing this guard house to be built. The General is informed that notwithstanding...
75872To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 3 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 3 Mar. 1778. On 9 Mar., GW wrote to Gates , “I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February and of the 2d 3d and 4th instants.”
75873To George Washington from Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr., 3 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I reced your Excellencys favour of the 2d Instant at Seven oClock this evening. it is true I refused the Drover a Guard for the Cattle and the reasons were on Account of the Smallness of my Numbers. four Hundred troops Newly Arived from Cumberland and York Countys but only One Hundred of them at that time had reced any Arms, and near half of them was without Flints. About fifty of Chester...
75874To George Washington from Colonel George Nagel, 3 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just Returned With the Party under My Command. from the Rising sun. I had Great Expectations of drawing out a Party of thier Horse, to Where I had my troops Posted, but it Was Not in my Power, the[y] Did Not Venture from their Picquet of 200 Men and two field Pices. Which Was Posted at three Mile Run. I was fortunate Enough to fall in With two Deserters from Colnl Cranes Train of...
75875From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 3 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Monsieur de Pontieres, to whom Congress has been pleased to grant the brevet of Captain in the Cavalry; this you will observe gives no title to rank or promotion in the line —you are therefore to consider him merely as an Officer à la suite, and to employ him in such way as will be most likely to conduce to the good of the Service. I am Sir Your humble Servt....
75876From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 3 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 28th Ulto informing me that you were proceeding with a part of Blands Regiment to join General Wayne; you will have received my instructions relative to the Service which you are to render. Your intention to resign is founded on reasons which I presume make you think the measure necessary—I can only say therefore that it will always give me pleasure to bear...
75877To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 3 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Nous avons Livré Le Combat aux Anglais mais L’infenterie a arrivé un peu tard et en petit Nombre, de La façon que Les anglais on Hardis ont marché sur avec 3 Pieces des Canons et 600 Infenterie que jais vu moi meme notre infanterie et La Cavalerie du comencement attaquent apré se defendoit de pie ferme ⟨mait?⟩ cedant toujours Le terrain revenoit a la charge on ma blaisse de Dragons 4 Chevaux...
75878To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 3 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 1st Instant, in answer to mine by Colo. Proctor, soon after his Departure the Fleet hove in sight, & got up to Marcus hook that Tide, where & at Grubs Landing Numbers of Tories came on Shore, & traded with The Inhabitants; five of whom a Party of ours took, and forced the others on Board, soon after which the whole stood up the River—part of Salem is said to be burnt...
75879General Orders, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the Field Officers of the day are often so busily employed in visiting the Guards, the day they are on duty as not to be able to wait upon the General. He desires the pleasure of their Company to dine with him the day after when relieved. At a General Court Martial whereof Coll Cortlandt was President (Feby 26th 1778.) Captn Cox of 10th Pennsylvania Regiment tried for absenting himself from...
75880To George Washington from Captain Samuel Bartlett, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I would beg leave to acquaint your Excelency that by reason of the Fatigues of the Past Campaign I am Reducd to So low a State of Health that I am intirely unfit to do Duty in the Camp, and as it is very improbable that I Shall recover So long as I Continue in the Camp, must beg your Excelency to grant me a Discharge from the Service. Your Excelencys Granting my Request will much Oblige your...
75881Instructions to Colonel George Baylor, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
It being adjudged advisable to augment the Cavalry in Continental Service by an addition of One Lieutt One Sergeant one Corporal and twenty two privates to each Troop, and that the States of Virginia and North Carolina should furnish Six hundred Horses for this purpose. You will receive from the Comee of Congress (sitting at Moor-hall) direction respecting the means to obtain these; with which...
75882To George Washington from William Buchanan, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 14th Ulto I had the Honour of recieving your Excellency’s Letter, in Baltimore. Both my duty and Inclination prompted me to answer it much sooner, but a severe Fit of Sickness, out of which I am even yet but very imperfectly recovered, has ⟨here⟩to prevented me—Words can not pain the Distress I feel in being at the Head of a Department, the Deficiencies in which, have occasioned your...
75883To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 4 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 4 Mar. 1778. On 9 Mar., GW wrote to Gates : “I have been this day favd with yours of the 27th February and of the 2d 3d and 4th instants.”
75884From George Washington to a Board of General Officers, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I transmit you the Case & papers alluded to in yesterdays Orders, respecting the claim of rank by the Brigadiers in the Virginia line and upon which you are requested to report your Opinions, as to the prec[e]dence they should hold with respect to each other. I am Gentn Yr Most Obedt Servt Df , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The enclosures...
75885To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a Board of General officers held at Lord Stirlings Quarters March 4th 1778 The Board having Taken into Consideration the Relative Rank of Generals Woodford Mulenburgh Scott & Weeden and after Examining the Papers Refferred to Them, Are unanimously of opinion That in the original promotion of Those Gentlemen to the office of Brigadiers They ought to have been Arranged in The following Manner...
75886To George Washington from Lund Washington, 4 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Horse and Letter by Fitzgerald was deliverd me on Saturday last—the Horse is rather poor, I think he is rather likely than otherways—he is much swoln about the Ancles otherways appears to be well—I shall endeavour to Fatten him—make him look as well as Possible and then let it be known that I have a Horse for the purpose of Coverg. I shall ask 15 or 20 Dollars for the season the latter if...
75887General Orders, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
As Persons, Inhabitants of this State are often brought and lodged in the Provost-Guard upon charge of being disaffected or for other reasons which upon examination before a Court Martial appear groundless and those persons consequently subjected to needless Imprisonment; The Commander in Chief therefore desires that in future the Adjutant General would before commitment refer the Cases of such...
75888From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
It being judged advisable to augment the Cavalry by an addition of one Lieutenant, one Serjeant, one Corporal and twenty two privates to each Troop, a great number of Horses will be wanting for such augmentation and to replace those worn down by the last Campaign. It is proposed that six hundred should be purchased if possible in Virginia and North Carolina and that Colo. Baylor and yourself...
75889To George Washington from George Clinton, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favour of the 16th Ultimo has been delivered to me—The Distress to which the Army has been reduced by want of Provissions is no less surprizing than alarming—Your Excellency’s Idea of the Condition of this State is very just; No material Supplies can be drawn from it—The Attachment however of the Inhabitants to the American Cause as well as to the Commander in Chief will at...
75890To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to inform your Excellency that the situation of my Private Affairs obliges me to request permision to quit the service. That is the Motive, Sir, which is my principal inducement to resigning; but there are several additional reasons that render my continuance in the Army impracticable. The Promotion of Major Washington who was my inferior in point of rank, I cannot view in any...
75891From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 20th Feby inclosing a letter from Lieut. Coune of the 62d Regt to Genl Howe. I shall send in the letter and shall have no objection to his Exchange if Genl Howe consents. As Ensign Winslips health does not admit of his remaining in the Service, I would have you accept of his resignation. The wax which you mention to have sent forward is not yet come to hand. Having...
75892To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
By an Express which Colo. Finnie sent to Camp, I inclosed you an Anonymous Letter, which I hope got safe to Hand. I am anxious to hear something that will serve to explain the strange Affair which I am now informed is taken up respecting you. Mr Custis has just paid us a Visit, & by him I learn sundry particulars concerning Genl Mifflin, that much surprize me. ’Tis very hard to trace the...
75893From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favors of the 4th and 16th Feby. I have not yet recd any answer from the Board of War respecting the Artillery at Farmington. I would not have you keep any more of the new Arms in the Magazines to the Eastward than you think will be absolutely necessary for the Recruits coming on to the Army, what number that will probably be you can best judge who are upon the spot. I do not know...
75894To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The present Messenger will deliver to your Excellency with this, a Letter which I had the honour of writing the 1st Inst. & which has been detained by Susquehana. Inclosed herewith Your Excellency will be pleased to receive the following Acts of Congress. 1. 2d March. for appointing a Quarter Master General & two Assistant Quarter Masters general & for other purposes in that department. 2d. ...
75895From George Washington to Brigadier General Ebenezer Learned, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my orders of the 8th January last I did not mean to comprehend Van Shaiks and Livingstons Regs. I only meant that you should send forward the small detatchments belonging to those Regiments of your Brigade now here. General Heath in his last letter transmitted me Copies of the Certificates which you inclose me respecting your State of Health. He mentioned your desire to resign as you found...
75896From George Washington to Major Warham Parks, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Shepard has communicated to me the contents of your Letter to him of 24th November last; your scruples relative to continuing in the service from the motives you mention, are the suggestions of a generous mind—but from the high Character I have heard of you as an Officer, I should not wish them to have influence enough to deprive the Army of so valuable a member—There can be no...
75897From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 18th Feby inclosing your remarks upon Colo. Drakes representation of your Conduct. As I did not chuse to give any determination upon the matter exparte I sent the representation back to Genl putnam that you might see it, and vindicate yourself if any of the charges were not founded in truth. It would appear from your State of the matter, that Colo. Drake and his...
75898From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I learn from undoubted authority that General Clinton Quarters in Captn Kenedys House in the city of New York which you know is near Fort George and by the late fire stands in a manner alone. What Guards may be at or near his Quarters I cannot with precission say & therefore shall not add any thing on this score least it should prove a mis-information—but I think it one of the most practicable...
75899To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Soon after I wrote your Excellency from Mount Holly —I recd Intelligence that the Enemy had Detatched themselves into small parties and were Collecting forage Cattle &ca in the Vicinity of this place, Coopers and Timbers Creeks & this Induced me (altho my Numbers were few) to make a forced March and Endeavour to drive in or cut off some of these parties, at Nine oClock at Night we arrived at a...
75900General Orders, 6 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . An entry in Lt. Col. Aaron Burr’s orderly book for this date announces, “Writing Paper to be sold at the Virginia State Store Near the Bull Tavern” ( NHi ).