77851From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 14th instant. Whatever may be the future intentions of the enemy, it is evident that they have lain aside all designs against Boston for the present: Lord Howe having returned to the Hook with his Fleet, and the Troops under Genl Gray have come down the sound again, and have landed at White Stone upon Long Island. I shall keep the best possible watch upon their motions,...
77852From George Washington to Major General Johann Kalb, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lest you should not thoroughly have conceived my intention, as communicated by Lt Colo. Hamilton, I give you the trouble of this Letter. After advancing on the Fish-kill road (by a Colo. Luddingtons) till you have crossed the Mountain, & descended into the Flat land, you will take the first good position on acct of Water—Wood—& Forage to Incamp at, having respect at the sametime to the road...
77853To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to Inform your Excellency that last Evening above 40 of our Officers that was Prisoners with the Enemy came here besides some Sea Men & Officers that is come since that I have not seen. They all agree in this point that they are either going on some Expeditions or they are going to leave New york. Some says there is two expeditions on foot one up the sound the other up the North River...
77854From George Washington to Charles Pettit, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Charles Pettit, 22 Sept. 1778. Pettit wrote in his second letter to GW of 23 Sept. : “I was honoured with the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of the 22nd respecting the forwarding of Provisions to the French Fleet.”
77855To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to your Excellency’s request I do myself the honor to Communicate my Ideas on the mode of most Effectually Forwarding an Immediate supply of flour and wheat from this State for the subsistance of an Army In that of the Massachusetts or Rhode Island: Flour and wheat (for I apprehend a sufficient quantity of the former cannot be speedily procured) for that purpose I concieve should be...
77856From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of yesterdays date this morning. The security of your command makes it in my opinion perfectly expedient to take post five miles above Claps tavern—you should if possible be out of surprizing distance, while your scouts may be made use of to watch the movements of the enemy—I would have you to keep a constant look out on the Sound from the commanding hights near Claps...
77857From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favs. of the 18th and 19th: I have recd no accounts from the enemy since I wrote to you last, except that the troops under Genl Gray landed at White Stone upon Long Island—Another considerable embarkation is much talked of in N. york, but whether it is really to take place, or what is the destination I cannot learn with precision. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing,...
77858From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th Inst. came to hand last night. The different divisions of the army have mostly fixed on their relative positions, where we shall wait the unfoldings of the enemys measures. When you receive intelligence which may throw light on this subject, or information of their motions in your quarter, or of importance enough for a special communication I shall be glad of its speedy...
77859To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are Still Silent I have no news of the Fleet all the news of this Quarter is in the paper which I have the honor to Inclose. I am Dear General with much Respect & Esteem yr Excellenceys most obedt Servant ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed newspaper has not been identified. Sullivan apparently had already sent GW a copy of the most recent issue of the Providence Gazette; and Country Journal...
77860General Orders, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The honorable the Congress have passed the following Resolution of the 11th instant. That all Officers of the Army not authorized by the resolutions of Congress or by the special Permission of the Commander in Chief to keep horses—be prohibited, tho’ at their own Expence from keeping any horse or horses within forty miles of the Main Body of the Army, and that General Washington be desired to...
77861To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday receiv’d intiligence from a party of militia which were sent down to Burgen, that lait in the afternoon a number of Transports came as near to Powles hook as they could and landed a considerable boddy of men. other parties have returnd and confirm this account. they (the Enemy) encamped last night in Burgen wood about five miles on this side of the Town—on the road to the liberty...
77862From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Parke Custis, c.23 Sept. 1778. GW wrote Richard Henry Lee on 23 Sept. : “I think it likely that Mr Custis (& Colo. Bassett) may be in Phila. at the time this Letter may come to your hands—if so, I will thank you for causing to be delivered to him, a Letter herewith addressed to your care” (see also Richard Henry Lee to GW, 5 Oct. 1778 ).
77863To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter I received Yesterday by the Bearer Doctor Johnston, from General Stark —From intelligence from different places, corresponding with each Other, there is the Strongest reason to believe, that The Enemy meditate an Attack, both by Sea, & Land, upon Boston, and The French Fleet; indeed, they can now, have no Other Objects; in my Letter to Congress of the 3d June last, I...
77864From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have a Warrant for the impress of Teams agreeable to an Act of this State. Be pleased to be as moderate in the use of it as possible, and follow the directions of Govr Clinton in his letter to you of the 23d June, as far as you can consistent with the expedition and good of the Service. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The draft of...
77865From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by yours of the 19th that such progress had been made in forwarding the Cloathing from Boston to Springfeild &ca. I think you did right under the appearance of matters, to send the unmade Cloathing out of town, and I would recommend it to you to keep the Bulk still there, bringing it in as the Taylers want it. By a letter from Genl Greene of the 19th I am informed that the...
77866From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 12th Instant, I have received your several Favors of the 10th—12th & 16th with the Resolutions, to which they allude. I transmitted the British Commissioners the Resolve of the 4th Instant, respecting the Convention Troops, the morning after it came to hand; and also wrote to Sr Henry Clinton upon the subject of passports. I have not received his...
77867To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Richard Beresford, a Native of South Carolina, a Young Gentleman of family, fortune and good Character who left New York on the 20th Instant called on me at a late hour last Night and delivered a verbal Message from Robert Williams Esquire another Native of that State, a very sensible Man, long a Practitioner in the Law, a respectable Character in general but not well affected to the...
77868From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 6th Instt did not get to my hands till the 18th —It found me at our Posts in the Highlands, on my circuit to this place—& at a time when I had neither leizure or oppertunity to write to you. I am so thoroughly impressed with the necessity of reinlisting the Army, that you may depend upon it nothing in my power to effect it, shall be left unessayed. Instructions, and Money,...
77869To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed are the Weekly returns of the Garrison —General Putnam encamp’d on the Opposite shore, last Saturday but we have as yet obtained no fatigue party from his Divission—To morrow he has promised 800 & the boats are waiting for them—they are to work Three days & be relieved by others. I have employd Poor’s men (off duty) to build Hutts in the manner proposed to Your Excellency. My officers...
77870To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Torrey who was appointed by Genl Heath Captain of a Company of Bakers, and sent from Boston to the Army in June last, informs me that he finds it not in his Power to render that Service to the Publick, while he continues with the Army, which was the Object of his Appointment. The Camp is an improper Place for the Baking of hard Bread. He expected, on coming to it, to employ his People in...
77871To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had just made up the small Packet which will be delivered herewith, when I was honoured with the Receipt of your Excellency’s Letter of the 22d respecting the forwarding of Provisions to the French Fleet. On the first Intimation that a Number of Teams were at or near King’s Ferry with Provisions from Phila. for the Fleet at Boston, I dispatched Expresses immediatly to Col. Hay at Fish kill,...
77872To George Washington from Major Thomas Posey, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I make use of the Freedom to Trouble you with a Few lines with respect to a Command, which I was Orderd out upon by Colo. Butler— sir, youl Be informd by these lines, That Early in the morng of the 24th August, I recd Orders from Colo. Butler to Take a Command of 60 men, with Proper officers & Proceed with All Possible Expedition to Paughatoughton & Perpacton, to Try to fall in with som of the...
77873To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Some time in the day Yesterday a Country man was Seen on the North river who told that a large Body of the enemy had Crossed the North River into The Jerseys, the day before, about the time he says they Crossed my Patrolls inform me they heard a Smart Firing of Small arms on the other Side of the river, as they thaught. I immediatly on hearing this Sent Colo. Grayham to Dobs’s Ferry with...
77874To George Washington from Captain Josiah Stoddard, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to inform Your Excelly that some time in the latter end of June last, at which time I was posted at the white Plains, I receiv’d intelligence that one Isaac Underhill An Inhabitant near fort Independance was gone to New York by Water & wou’d probably return the next day & that he wou’d bring a quantity of piece & Grocery to supply a Shop which he has kept open Since the fall...
77875To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last night 12 of Clock I was honored with your Excys favor of the 19th Instant. I am well Convinced that Lord Howe & General Grays Fleets must have Returned to New york as we have heard nothing from them Since they past Point Judith Steering westward. I Inclose your Excy two Newport papers one of which Shows that I was Right in my Conjecture as to Lord Howe & General Grays Fleets having formed...
77876To George Washington from Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Scarcity of forage in this Departmt has induced Colo. Sheldon to order an assortment of the Horses belonging to this Regt that those which in all probability will never be fit for the Dragoon-Service again, may be put to some other Service in the Army, & the Publick be eased of the Burden & Expence of supplying a number of Horses, which in their present Destination, render the Publick no...
77877From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 23 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 30th Ulto came to my hands a few days ago, and gave me the pleasure of hearing that you were all well, and an oppertunity of congratulating you on the birth of a grandchild, tho you do not say whether it be Male or female. The proceedings of the General Court Martial in the case of General Lee, has lain with Congress since the 20th of last Month for their approbation, or...
77878General Orders, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General Court-Martial whereof Majr General Lincoln is President will meet next Monday at General Lincoln’s Quarters near Quaker-Hill where Head-Quarters are at present. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The following Monday was 28 September. Quaker Hill, N.Y., was about eight miles northeast of Fredericksburg.
77879To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am renderd very unhappy by discovering this morning a very great mistake which I made yesterday, in sending the letter which was directed to the President of congress to you. it did not proceed from inattention but from a deception in the twi-lite of the morning. I receivd your favor of the 22nd last night and am sorry that it will not be in my power at present to communicate much...
77880To George Washington from George Clinton, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency on the 20th Instant inclosing an Account of the Destruction of the German Flatts on the Mohawks River. Since I have been favoured with a Letter from Colo. Bellinger of which the inclosed is a Copy giving the particulars of that Unhappy Affair—Colo. Bellingers Letter was handed to me by Mr Herkimer Brother to the late General Herkimer who (as he is well acquainted with...
77881From George Washington to Samuel Fletcher, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 18th inst., I received some Time ago. I have directed Mr Measam of the Clothier’s Department to repair to Hartford and Springfield, to superintend the repacking and assorting of the Cloathing, which has been ordered to those Places. In Case it does not supercede any Appointment of yours, made in Consequence of your Instructions, from the Board of War: However as it is so...
77882To George Washington from Captain Bartholomew von Heer, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honour to represent to his Excellence this smal Memorandum of the most necessary Suppli to myn Troop of Mareshose and likewiise to by [be] granded by his Excellence the Commander and Chief the Commission according to the Rang each Officeers halts [holds]. and that the Corps who I nouw have Established me [may] be cald the Mareshose wisch Name is justed by all powers in Europe, and...
77883To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am going to Consult your excellency upon a point in which I not only want your leave and opinion as the Commander in chief, but also your Candid advice as the man whose I have the happiness to be the friend—in an adress from the British Commissaries to Congress, the first one after jonhstone was excluded, they speack in the most di[s]respectfull terms of my Nation, and Country—the whole is...
77884From George Washington to George Measam, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Board of War having directed that the cloathing which is to come on from Boston for the use of the army should be deposited in the first instance at Springfie[l]d and Hartford, there to be sorted and repacked and afterwards brought on to the army—You will proceed to those places and superintend the execution of this business, with all practicable dispatch; provided it can be done...
77885To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Larst night I recived a Leator from Collo. Spencor informing me that the Enimy had Landed at the English Nabor whod and ware on thar march to hackensack I immedat Called the ginrol ofesors togather to consult what was beast to be don it was concluded to Exammin the mens gons and Cartriges && and to have them ready for a march at the shortest notis when it shuld be thought beast or on reciveng...
77886To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have not been able to hear any Thing farther of the partie that Came out Yesterday. I detached Majr Lee this morning at day brake to watch their motions & if Possable to discover their intention. the flat Bottom boats being moved up to King bridg Leads me to believe they Ither intend to Turn my Right, whilst they amuse me in Front, or that they intend passing Some Troops over the river under...
77887From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received intelligence of the enemy having thrown a body of about 5,000 men over to Paules Hook, and of their advancing about five miles towards the English neighbourhood —I have also intelligence (from Gen. Scott) that about 3,000 men with artillery &ca were advancing from Kingsbridge —The design of these movements is probably a forage, and the gathering of Stock—&ca. It may also...
77888From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your letter of the 21st Inst. containing the account of Admiral Byrons arrival at New-port in a ninety gun ship, accompanied by a seventy four. I have nothing of a particular nature for your consideration—and am D. Sir your most obt servt p.s. Since writing the above there is accounts from deserters of two brigades being under imbarking orders for the West Indies, and...
77889To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning at Day break I Received the Inclosed from the marquis Since which have heard nothing of the Fleet Seen off [Newport]. I think it must be the Fleet which arrived at Halifax with Troops Joined by Some others from that Quarter or from England The moment I can get any Information with Certainty Respecting it Shall forward it to your Excellencey in the Interim I have the honor to be...
77890General Orders, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
It has pleased the Honorable Congress to pass the following Resolve— In Congress 4th Septr 1778. Resolved, That any Regimental Officer who has been or shall be ordered by the Commander in Chief or Commanding Officer of any department on business not incidental to his Office and distant from Camp, be allowed for the Expence of himself and horse three dollars pr day while necessarily employed on...
77891From George Washington to George Clinton, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with yours of the 20th and 24th instants; the latter by Mr Harkermir who gives a melancholy account of the distresses of the inhabitants at the German Flatts. To defend an extensive frontier against the incursions of a desultory Enemy is next to impossible; but still if you think the addition of another Regiment, ill as I can spare it, or a change of position in the troops...
77892To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 19th inst. I entreat you to accept all the thanks which I owe you, for the intelligence you have been so kind as to communicate. it perfectly accords with the little which I have received, both in point of the sickness of Byrons Crews, and the precipitation with which immense means of embarkation are preparing at...
77893From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last to you, I have been honoured with your several favors of the 1st 3d & 21st of this month. The two first came to hand before I left the white plains—& the last at this place—I should not have Delayed acknowledging the receipt of the 1st & 3d till this time—(thereby neglecting to pay that just tribute of respect which is due to you) but for the close attention I was obliged to...
77894From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterdays date came to hand this moment A very little time must discover the designs of the Enemy, yet I can not conceive that they have any thing farther in view than to Forage and collect cattle, I would however have you to be in the most perfect readiness to oppose them where you are, or to move should it be necessary and you receive orders for that purpose. I am &c. Df , in...
77895From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of yesterday 9 Oclock is just come to hand; & by the Officer you will receive twenty five Guineas. I earnestly entreat, that you will endeavour to get some intelligent person into the City, & others of his own choice to be Messengers between you and him, for the purpose of conveying such information as he shall be able to obtain & give. It is of great consequence to the French...
77896To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I rcd Your Excellencys Favors of the 24th Through Colo. Tilghman at 2 oClock this morning. on tusday last a Considerable Number of the Enemy imbarked and fell down with the tide towards the Hook. their disteny is not Yet known —By two deserters I am told that when the detachment (I mentiond in my last) Marched the whole of their bagage as well that below The bridg as above was carryed to a...
77897From George Washington to Captain Josiah Stoddard, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the day before yesterday, on the subject of contraband goods seized by your order. As the person accused of the illicit commerce & in whose hands they were taken—is committed to the custody of the civil magistrate; and will probably have his trial in due course—the Sentence passed on him, will determine the fate of the goods—in the mean time, to prevent loss or...
77898To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Marquiss de la Fayette upon further Enquiry informs me that the Fleet mentiond in my last as being off New port consisted only of small Craft belonging to that Port. The Mistake took its rise from a Fog which prevented a certain observation. I have the honor to acknowledge the Receipt of your favor of the 20th Instant which came to hand last evening, and remain with the greatest esteem and...
77899From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 23d inst: the deficiency of remounts is an evil which does not admit of immediate remedy—as I cannot at present authorise the completing your number by purchase. The same reason will render it necessary for you to make the best use of those horses, which you say are so much reduced —it gives me pain, but I cannot forbear attributing the ill-state of the...
77900General Orders, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .