77971To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
My Brigade has cross’d the River & advanced as far as this place, the best accts I have been able to collect inform that the Enemy lay Just below orrange Town (theire is a report that a large party is gone to take possession of the pass in the Clove, but this wants confirmation) I shall keep partys out for inteligence, & move with expedition & caution to the neighbourhood of Clarkstown, unless...
77972General Orders, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
In future the Captains and Commanding Officers of Companies are allways to insert in their Muster-Rolls the time when the sick absent and those on Furlough left their Companies—No man is to be borne on the Muster-Roll before he has joined his Company. The General Court Martial whereof Major General Lincoln is President will assemble tomorrow morning nine ôClock at the Presidents quarters and...
77973To George Washington from the Continental Congress Committee of Arrangement, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
When the Committee of Arrangement had the Honour of conferring with you on the Affairs of the Army it appeared to them that it was your Excellys Opinion that no Prisoners or Deserters should be inlisted, & farther that such as had been inlisted should not join the Army: The Treachery of Armand’s Corps about that Time having too fatally demonstrated how little Dependance could be placed on such...
77974From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received advice, that a considerable body of the enemy, in addition to those already in the Jerseys, had crossed the North River on the morning of the 28th and landed at a place about two miles from Orange Town. There are rumours, that they were marching towards Kakeate and had detached a party to take possession of the Clove; but these want confirmation. They have surprised and cut off...
77975To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honoured with the receipt of Your Excellency’s Letter of to day’s date. I am sorry for the disgrace we have suffered in the Jerseys; but imagine the Enemy take advantage of the Supineness that constantly seizes our people, when they have been long unmolested. This is an evil, that even the best Officers cannot remedy. General McDougall’s Division will be put upon the March...
77976To George Washington from Major Ebenezer Gray, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
By Leiutt Brewster who returned last evening from Setocket, and also by a Gentn who came from N. York last Friday, & to this Place from Huntington Yesterday, I have the following Intelligence, both Stories agreing, (Lt Brewster’s Informant left N. York the same Day the other did,) that for 4 or 5 Days before they left N. York Troops were Constantly imbarking from the City to the Narrows where...
77977To George Washington from Colonel John Lamb and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Carrington, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
We the Subscribers, beg leave to assure Your Excellency that, we profess the greatest deference and respect, for the honorable Board of General Officers which on the 15th Instant, settled the Rank of the Regiments of Artillery; and we hereby declare our full conviction, that no partiality influenced them, in making the arrangement. But as the Board inadvertently proceeded to make the...
77978From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The enemys designs still continue ambiguous, however it is our policy to provide against possible events—You will therefore detach a field officer with about one hundred men to guard the pass leading from Haverstraw to Fort Montgomery, I mean the pass by which the enemy marched to the reduction of that post. You will take every other necessary precaution or place such advanced parties as may...
77979From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the inclosed I have some advices that the enemy are moving towards the Clove at Suffrens, you will immediately dispa[t]ch some horsemen to ascertain the fact —I shall be at Fish kill Town this afternoon if you should have any intelligence to communicate. Sir I am & Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW apparently obtained this information, in...
77980To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favor’d with your Excellencys Letter of this day. General Woodford has cross’d the River, and fallen down to Clarks-Town, and by our latest from there, the Enemy are about retiring. A small party of them have been as far up as Clarks-Town but tarried a verry short time. General Winds with his militia has, I am inform’d been at Hackinsack, and I believe the Enemy have drawn in...
77981From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday inclosing Capt. Leavensworth’s intelligence—I shall move myself to Fishkill to day, to which place be pleased to send your next dispatches. I have directed the relay of Horsemen to move their present stages to form a communication directly from you to Fishkill. I think your present position rather too near the North River, as there is a possibility that the enemy may...
77982To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment recd a Second letter from Capt. Leavensworth giving a more particular Acct From the persons who made their Escape from The Enemy. tho it amounts to but little more Than that, I sent Yesterday, I thought it my duty to Send it. the inclosd is his letter. Colo. Butler with three Hundred men and Majr Lee with his Corps has been very Near the enemys lines for two days past, I heard...
77983To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose You a letter from Colo. Butler, giving an Acct of His taking in a partie of the enemy this Morning. this in Some Measure Compensates For poor Baylor. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servant p.s. not a Single man of ours Hurt. ALS , DLC:GW . In his letter of this date to Scott, Col. Richard Butler writes: “I with Pleasure Inform you that the Troops Under my Command,...
77984To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
We are Just arrived here and as it is uncertain where Genl Woodford is, as some tell me he is at the Court house about two Miles from hence, others that he is advanced to Clarks town, others that he Marching further on, I shall therefore [remain] here ’till the Messengers I have sent to find him out return—I do not like any of those possitions for him. he [is] too Nigh [the] River and I think...
77985To George Washington from Brigadier General William Winds, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Just Now Recd yr Favour of the 28th and would Inform yr Exelency, by Divers Reports the Enemy Consists (some say) of fifteen thousand and some of twelve, and by two Deserters that Came to us Last Night say that their whole force is Nearly there—but in my oppinion there is Nine thousand Men with seven Generals —I yesterday went with my Troops of Melita Near to their works and fired on their...
77986From George Washington to Colonel James Wood, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 27th Instant and Memorandum by Genl Muhlenburg. I am sorry the recruiting business does not promise more success; but it is not to be wondered at, as there are such exorbitant bounties given for substitutes. I have never received any regular account of the Act you mention and of which you have transmitted a copy. If the Legislature have determined on the bounty...
77987From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Letter of yesterday. In consequence of the Enemy’s movements on the West side of the North river, I shall proceed to Fish Kill Town to day & hold my Head Quarters there till their intentions are better understood or while circumstances may make it necessary. You will therefore send all your Letters and information to that post and you will also be so obliging as...
77988General Orders, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Although GW was at Fishkill from 30 Sept. to 8 Oct., the general orders continued to be issued at Fredericksburg throughout that time (see GW to Horatio Gates, 30 Sept. , and note 5 to that document).
77989From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do not find that the Enemy are advancing on the West side of the River. From the latest accounts they were at the liberty pole and at the Newbridge near Hackensack; and from many circumstances and the conjectures of the Officers in their Neighbourhood, it would seem that foraging is the principal object of their expedition. I was very apprehensive that they would possess themselves of some...
77990From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed was sent to you at Boston, and by mistake of General Heaths Aide de Camp, who imagined you were returning directly to the Army, sent back again. The enemy are foraging with strong parties on this side the River, between the plains and the Bridge, and on the other, in Bergen. A few nights ago they made an unlucky stroke at Baylors Regiment of Horse laying at Harrington, four Miles...
77991To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The van of my division arr[i]ved at Mr Menezies House; at 8 this morning, when I received your Excellency’s orders, throˆ Colonel Laurence, to Halt my Division on the first Convenint Ground; and there wait further orders, which is accordinly done. From the appearance of the Country near us, I fear Forage will be a Scarce Article. Mr Van Zandt who is the Bearrer of this, will convey to me any...
77992To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Putnam has this moment return’d—he saw Lord stirling at Judge Coes, who inform’d him that he had wrote your Excellency the particulars of the Enemy and his own situation. Mr Putnam also saw Col. Hay, <who> lays with his Regt of Militia at Clarks-Town. Col. Hay informs him, that the Enemy have drew in their Picquet from towards Tappan, to a small distance from their main Body, and that by...
77993From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of Yesterday reached me early this Morning. I am happy to hear of the success of Colo. Butlers enterprize to whom and all the Officers of his party be pleased to present my thanks for their behaviour. I am here for the convenience of reciving intelligence of the motions of the enemy on both sides the River. I am &ca. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
77994To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you Yesterday afternoon by a Messenger from General Maxwell. I found Genl Woodford with his Brigade at the Courthouse about two Miles East of this place they are now on their March towards Paramis. the best account of the Scituation [of] the Enemy & of Col: Baylor & the Wounded of his Corps is Contained in the enclosed Letter from Dr Griffith to Genl Woodford. I think at least two...
77995From George Washington to Captain John Stith, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are as speedily as possible to collect all the men, Horses, & accoutrements remaining of Colo. Baylors Regt & proceed to springfield in Jersey, where you will consult with Mr Caldwell—the D.Q.M., upon the most proper place for the accommodation of the men & Horses, so as not to exhaust the forage that lays convenient for the Travelling Teams, & other purposes—The design of Your being...
77996From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 29th at this place, to which I have removed for the convenience of gaining intelligence of the Motions of the Enemy who are out in considerable force on this side of Kingsbridge, and in Bergen County in Jersey. They seem to be foraging, in which they are busily employed. A few nights ago the party in Jersey made an unlucky stroke at Colo. Baylors Regt of Horse laying at...
77997General Orders, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Captain Thomas Buchanan and Ensign Andrew Johnson of the 1st Penn sylvania Regiment are appointed the former Pay Master and the latter Quarter Master to the same, from the 2nd of June last—Likewise Lieutt Aaron Norcross is appointed Adjutant to the same from Feby 20th last. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Thomas Buchanan (c.1747–1823) of Newville, Pa., who had been appointed a third lieutenant in...
77998To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William Butler, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you a few days ago from Albany of my intentions to send a party to attack the enemy at Unadilla, last night I sent off my advanced party & am just marching the body consisting of above 200 men—I take the command of the party myself, & hope on my return to be able to give your Excellency a satisfactory account of the expedition. This will be delivered your Excellency by Capt. Long, an...
77999From George Washington to George Clinton, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Machin has been employed since the year 1776 in the engineering Branch, without ever coming to any regular settlement for his Services. He does not chuse to fix any price himself, and I am really ignorant of what is just and proper. You have been a witness of a good deal of his work, and he is willing to submit the matter to your decision. Captain Machin holds a Commission in the...
78000From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter dated the 25th instant made me happy by communicating the intelligence of Mr D’Ovillier’s victory. I entreat you to accept my repeated congratulations on an event pregnant with such important consequences to the common cause; as well as my warmest thanks, for the interesting collection of advices, you are so obliging as to make. The British Admirals, both at home and...