77971To George Washington from Captain Thomas Young Seymour, 8 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Capt. Thomas Young Seymour, c.8 Sept. 1778. Seymour wrote GW on 9 Sept. : “The two Ships mentioned in my last, to have come to anchor, close under Long-Island shore, passed City Island early this morning, and stood for New york.”
77972General Orders, 9 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The following resolutions of the Committee of Arrangement respecting rank in the Army are published at their Request. The Committee of Arrangement after mature Consideration of the many disputes of rank, subsisting in the Army of the United-States have agreed to the following resolutions founded upon a report made by a board of General Officers of the whole line (vizt). 1st—That the relative...
77973To George Washington from the Board of War, 9 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 9 Sept. 1778. On 19 Sept., GW wrote the Board of War : “I have been honoured with the Boards Letter of the 9th Inst.” In a report of the Board of War to Congress on clothing, 5 Oct. 1778, they stated: “In a letter of the 9th [to GW] we suggested that the drafts were not intitled to new cloathing—that where necessity obliged us to clothe them, it might...
77974From George Washington to the Officer Commanding Militia at Hackensack New Bridge, 9 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Clough, who commands at Hackinsack, is under the necessity of sometimes allowing persons to carry small matters into New York, and to bring a few goods out, that he may the better obtain intelligence. The persons employed in that way are sometimes stopped by your guards, under suspicion that they are carrying on a contraband trade. You will therefore be pleased to give orders to your...
77975From George Washington to Charles Pettit, 9 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have more reason for thinking that the Army will have occasion to remove from its present position shortly, than when I wrote to you two days ago. I therefore desire you will immediately send off all the supernumerary Stores of your department. I think it would save land carriage if they were transported by water above the posts in the Highlands, and removed from thence more inland, at...
77976To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 9 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the unhappiness to inform You that Desertion still prevails among my Corps, we Seldom Send a Detachment on the line, But we loose one or two. and last night Deserted From this Camp three Serjants and 29 privats of Colo. Grayhams Regt of Militia, whom I am much afraid has gon to the enemy. as three of them are taken up by one of my Picquets making that way, this togather with those...
77977To George Washington from Captain Thomas Young Seymour, 9 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The two Ships mentioned in my last, to have come to anchor, close under Long-Island shore, passed City Island early this morning, and stood for New york —Sun an hour high this afternoon hove in sight a Large Fleet from the Eastward, which continued to increase till darkness prevented a further discovery—In the Morning, I hope to be able, to give your Excellency a more satisfactory account of...
77978From George Washington to William Shippen, Jr., 9 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is more than probable, from some late maneuvres of the Enemy, that the Army will have occasion to move from its present position to the Eastward. I therefore desire that the most immediate measures may be fallen upon to remove the sick of the Army at least as far as Danbury. The Hospital established at Bedford will for the above Reasons be too much exposed and should therefore be...
77979From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 9 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 5th and 6th I hope the loss of the enemy mentioned in the former may prove true. I cannot at present account for the intent of the landing at Bedford, if they mean to act seriously to the Eastward, I think it will occasion a removal of their whole force from New York. Many accounts from thence say that an evacuation is intended, but I cannot learn that they have yet...
77980General Orders, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Arrangement having requested that a board of Officers may sit not connected with the Artillery to settle the rank and Precedence of the Colonels and the Seniority of the Regiments in that Line; All the General Officers in Camp except Brigadier General Knox are to meet at 4 oClock tomorrow afternoon at the New-Dining Room for these Purposes where the Parties interested will...
77981To George Washington from a Board of Officers, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
At the request of His Excellency General Washington, we the Subscribers met to consider, and Report, upon the best ways, and means, for the Invasion, & possession of Canada. Camp—at White plains September the 10th 1778. This Campaign is drawing to a close, and we have great reason to hope for a happy Issue thereof. The union of Canada, on which depends a permanent peace with the Indians—The...
77982To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
A difficulty has arisen between the Officers of the State of Newhampshire & me, in settling their Accounts: The State some time since, transmitted to the Board of Treasury a list of Monies advanced to the Officers, including the Continental Bounties, which have since been transmitted to me: I have called upon the Officers & they alledge they ought not to be charged with those sums—as the State...
77983To George Washington from the Continental Congress Committee of Arrangement, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Before a proper arrangement can take place in the Line of Artillery, it is the opinion of the Committee that a dispute Subsisting between Cols. Harrison Lamb & Crane respectively should be settled; they therefore request the Subject of this difference may be referred to a board of officers, of some other Corps, as soon as it may be convenient. We are with the highest Respect your Excellency’s...
77984From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The superiority of naval force, which the enemy at present possess over our allies, rendering it not improbable, that they may be tempted to undertake a co-operation, by sea and land, for the capture or destruction of the French fleet, in the Port of Boston, it appears expedient, that our dispositions, so far as is consistent with the other important objects of our attention, should be...
77985To George Washington from Major Ebenezer Gray, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having received certain Intelligence that about Forty Refugees from this State were Commissioned by Govr Tryon to Cruise in the Sound in Eight Whale Boats and that their Place of Rendezvous was in Huntington Harbour about one mile & a half from the Town and Two mile from the Fort I formed a little Expedition against them with the assistance of some People from Long Iland who had fled to this...
77986To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed I do myself the honor to transmit the Commission of Capt. R. Allen late of Colo. Aldens Regiment who had your Excellency permission to Resign. Colo. Lee some time since received leave from Congress to resign his commission in the army —The time when the resignation was to take place I have settled with him but have not taken his Commission as his accounts are not settled—He informs me...
77987To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s orders for the opinion of the Board of M. Gls respecting the next Winterquarters. It appears to me that they should be taken in the State of New-york, on North River either on the left Bank or on both Sides, at the Distance of about 40 Miles from the Enemies Lines at kings Bridge, if they keep their present position. for the following reasons. 1st Because ’tis...
77988To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 5th by Burwell, I have had the honor of receiving and presenting to Congress Your Excellency’s favors of the 4th and Inst. together with Copy of Major General Sullivan’s Letter of the 31st Ulto and other Papers referred to. Your Excellency will be pleased to receive under the present Cover the following Acts of Congress. LB , DNA:PCC , item 13. A note on the letter-book...
77989To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Herewith are inclosed the weekly return of the Garrison. General Duportail arrived yesterday I wish it had been six weeks sooner—Koscuiszko is not returned from the plains, but the General has been shewn all the works—Your Excellency may depend that I will shew him every proper Attention. To morrow I go up to Windsor with him—He has already laugh’d at Stephens mills and I wish to have him view...
77990To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Hay is just arrived; and, having met a Letter from me at Tarry Town, has sent off an Express from thence to order Vessels for conveying the Sick to Fishkill. As there is no absolute certainty of the Teams expected from Connecticut coming in so soon as your Excellency wishes to have them employed, it may be best to impress some of the Teams of this State between this and Fishkill. Col....
77991To George Washington from Charles Pettit, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Scarcity of Forage, and the Reluctance with which the Farmers part with what they have to spare, has, for some Time past, filled me with more alarming Apprehensions than I have felt on account of any other Branch of the Quarter Master’s Department. The necessary Consumption of Forage, not only in and about the Army, but for the numerous Teams employed in the inland Transportation of...
77992To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd Your orders through Colo. Meade which Shall be immedeatly attended to. Capt. Leavenworth is now on the Sound In persute of Intilligence I make no doubt He will be able to give Some Acct of the Fleat You mention. Exclusive of this I Shall this moment Send Colos. Butler Parker & Grayham Some of them I make no doubt Will be able Learn with Certainty whether they have troops on Board. my...
77993To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I can only Inform you at present that the Enemy have Left Bedford but are Still Hovering Round the Shore they have Burnt ten Dwelling Houses all the Stores & all the vessels but one in Bedford Sir Henry Clinton Left them at New London & Returned to New york in a Frigate Major General Gray Commands the Party which Consists of one Regt of Light Infantry & one of Granadiers of Six hundred men...
77994To George Washington from Major Thomas Wickes, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Certain Accompts that the Enemy at Newyork are Putting Large Quantitys of Lead on Board there Transports, and the Coopers are Very Bussy in Over haling and Reparing there Water Casks, I was further Informed that days was Appointed to Sell there horses but I have not heard Whether they Sold any, there Sick is Removing down to the ferry, from out of the Country, A man is Sent to Loyds...
77995General Orders, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General Court-Martial whereof Coll Humpton is President is to sit tomorrow nine ôClock at the new Dining Room—Lieutt Coll Regnier is appointed a Member, vice Lieutt Colonel Mellin—Nixon’s and the 1st Pennsylvania Brigades each give a Captain in the room of those who have marched. The Drum and Fife Majors of the Regiments on the Ground are to attend at the Inspector of Musick’s tent in the...
77996From George Washington to Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to request that you immediately employ Proper Persons to gain the most Authentic Intelligence from Canada of the several matters hereinafter mentioned vizt First—What Force is now in Arms in that Country. Secondly—If any Reinforcement has arrived in Canada the Summer past, & if any are expected to arrive this Season. Third—In what State of Defence are the Garrisons, and how are the Troops...
77997From George Washington to a Board of General Officers, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Book you will herewith receive contains the Journals and proceedings of Congress for the year 1776. Among these—and agreable to the pages marked below, you will find all the Resolutions that I am possessed of, respecting the Regiments and Officers of Artillery now in Camp—and also the establishment of the Army for 1777. I have the Honor to be with great respect and esteem Genn Yr Most...
77998To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The board of General officers to whom your Excellency was pleased to refer a draught of a number of resolves transmitted to your perusal and observations there on by Congress relative to the appointment of an Inspector General &c. have attentively considered the same and view with concern that resolves so dangerous in their consequences to the safety of the united States as some of them are &...
77999From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Butler, 11 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to find by your letters of the 31st Augt that matters continued so quiet upon the Frontier. It appears to me that the money, arising from the sale of Cattle belonging to those in the interest of the enemy, belongs to the Captors. But I beg you will proceed in these matters with the caution which you have used in the first instance, otherwise the soldiers for the sake of plunder will...
78000From George Washington to Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 11–12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving Your Excellencys Letter of the 5th inst: accompanied by a copy of two letters to Congress and General Sullivan—The confidence which you have been pleased to shew me in communicating these papers, engage my sincere thanks—if the deepest regret, that the best concerted enterprises and bravest exertions should have been rendered fruitless by a disaster which...