79711General Orders, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following general order: “The Bonam Town Picket to parade Tomorrow 10 oClock A.M. ” (orderly book, 22 Dec. 1778–26 June 1779, DNA : RG 93, Orderly Books, 1775–1783, vol. 28).
79712From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
My last to you was on the 5th instant, a Copy of which I now inclose; also Copies of mine of the 31st January 15th Feby and 5th March to General McIntosh, lest any accident shou⟨ld⟩ have happened to the originals. I have directed Colo. Rawlins with his Corps consisting of three Companies to march from Fort Frederick in Maryland, where he is guarding the British prisoners, to Fort Pitt, as soon...
79713To George Washington from Thomas Burke, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I had the pleasure of Seeing you in this City, I had a little Conversation with you on the Subject of reinlisting Such of the North Carolina Troops and levies whose time of Service might be nearly expired. My Collegues and myself wrote to the State on the Same Subject The assembly thereupon resolved that “three hundred dollars per man be given to each Soldier who Shall reinlist for one...
79714To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Two Hours ago, I had the Honor, to cover Sundry Copies of Original Letters and papers from New-York, to which I beg Leave to refer you. This will be handed to you, by Mr Elijah Hunter Assistant Commissary of Forage at Bedford in this state. He is the person, mentioned in my last, the link of the Chain between me and ——. He goes to Head Quarters, for such Intelligence, as you shall judge...
79715To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honord with your Excellencys Letters of the 16th & 17th Inst. The first Division of Poors Brigade, would have March’d this day, but the Weather is such as to render it impossible—They will go on when the Weather will admit of it. Hazens Regiment will March tomorrow if possible. I have just received a Letter from Govr Trumbull, in which he mentions, that they are in daily expectations of...
79716To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received the Inclosed Letter, by which your Excellency will see the disposition of the Enemy on Long Island. They have for a long time past been building Flatt-Boats at the East-End, under the direction of Sir William Erskine, who still continues there. Sir Henry Clinton having Join’d the Detachment makes it appear more probable that they are meditating a serious push on the...
79717To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received Your Excellencys Instructions Respecting the recrutes this day, and shall Set out Tomorrow morning for Williamsburg in order to receive The Govrs farther Instructions, I cannot but Observe to You That I am fearfull it will not be in my power to git them to Camp So soon as Your Excy Expects, Owing to the inattention respecting the Clothing without Which (by an Act of our Assembly)...
79718To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am Sorry to Trouble your Excy with any Sort of Complant But in Justice to my Regt I Do it. In the beginning of December Last, I with my Regt was ordered to this post; the Duty has been hard, and very much so in the time of the hard frost. I had 190 nine months men, 79 are Inlisted to Serve Dureing the war, mostly on furlough on Condition of their Inlistment, the Remainder are Discharged and...
79719To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 22 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I send your Excellency enclosed two Copies of the proposed Signals, and of the Alarm posts of the Militia of this State, with a letter I would Offer for your Excellency to write to Governor Livingston on the Subject. I have made an Addition to the Signals for the County of Monmouth which I think are absolutely Necessary. If your Excellency approves of the first part of the plan you will be...
79720General Orders, 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief directs that the following ration be delivered to the Army until further orders. 25 ounces of beef, or 18 ounces of Pork— 16 ounces of bread or flour. 1 gill of spirits occasionally— The usual quantity of soap and candles. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following additional general orders: “A...
79721To George Washington from Colonel Zebulon Butler, 23–28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I was first Ordered to the Command of this Post it was from the Board of war and Soon After recd Acct from Colo. Hartley that he Command’d at Sunsbury and Wyoming I Made my Returns to him as Belonging to his Command Repeatedly Representing the Necessity of more Men at this Post—A Part of Colo. Hartleys Regt as Youll Se by Inclosd Return are at this post, I Conclude Colo. Hartley has Made...
79722From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
For the more speedy assembling of the Militia upon an emergency, I have agreed with the Feild Officers in this and the next County to erect Beacons upon the most conspicuous Hills, the firing of which shall be signals for them to repair to their different Alarm Posts—You will be pleased to have one erected upon the Mountain in the Rear of Pluckemin, upon the place that shall seem most visible...
79723From George Washington to William Livingston, 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The possibility of the Enemys making incursions into this state has suggested the expediency of fixing Signals at places calculated to communicate the most speedy alarm to the Country; and of appointing convenient posts for the Militia to assemble at for Orders. I was therefore induced to request Lord Stirling a few days ago, from his more intimate acquaintance with the Country, to see the...
79724To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the satisfaction of receiving your Letter of the 15th by Colo. Laurens and I would have answer’d it by Colo. Harrison but I had not the pleasure of seeing him (being from home when he call’d on me) till he was about to leave the City. I am happy that my taking a seat again in Congress meets with your approbation; and shall be still more happy, if by my advice or assistance, America shall...
79725From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
For the more speedy assembling of the Militia upon an emergency I have agreed with the Feild Officers in this and the next County to erect Beacons upon the most conspicuous Hills, the firing of which is to be the signals for the⟨m⟩ to repair to their different alarm posts. You will be pleased therefore to order a party from your division consisting of an Officer and 24 Men with Axes and four...
79726From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
For the more speedy assemblage of the Militia upon an emergency an agreement with the Feild Officers of this and the next County to erect Beacons upon the most conspicuous Hills, the firing of which is to be the signals for them to repair to their different alarm posts. You will be pleased therefore to direct three parties, from the Maryland line, consisting of 24 Men each with Axes to repair...
79727From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I should have issued orders for the fatigue parties intended to erect the Signals to assemble tomorrow but I was not certain that the Guides would be ready. Instead therefore of a general Order for the purpose, I would propose that you give directions to the parties from Woodfords and Scotts to erect the Signals at Steels Gap and the Hill upon Baskenridge Road. I will desire Genl Smallwood to...
79728To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment Honored with your’s of the 16th Containing the Affidavits & Extract of a letter from Govr Levingston, the Enclosed Naritive of Mr Archer will shew you something of the Nature of the Complaint —I hope it will [not] be persuming too much on your Excellency’s good nature to Recapitulate the Circumstances which Immediately relate to myself. some time in January—at an early hour in...
79729General Orders, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress have been pleased to pass the following resolution— March 16th 1779. Resolved, “That all Warrant-Officers on the civil staff of the Army be put on the same footing with commissioned officers in respect to arrests, trials and punishment.” Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Congress passed this act on 16 March in response to a report from the Board of War dated 5 Feb. that...
79730Circular to New England States, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The present situation of the Enemy—and the appearances that hostilities are still to continue, make it necessary that we should know our Resources with tolerable certainty—and the aid that may be reasonably expected from the Militia, in case it shall be requisite. To this end, I must take the liberty of soliciting the good offices of your Honorable Board, and to request that they will inform...
79731To George Washington from Thomas Burke, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Governor of South Carolina has pressed the Governor of Virginia for an aid of Cavalry, and the latter has recommended to the Several Counties of his State which lie contiguous to Carolina to raise Corps of Volunteer Cavalry in order to march to the aid of the Southern army and has transmitted his proceedings to Congress. the affair is Comprehended in a Business referred to A Committee of...
79732To George Washington from Maria Farmer, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency will excuse the freedom I have taken, in asking your premission to go to New york & return, It is near four years sence I Left it, Some of My property I brought with me, which have had the Miss fortune to Loose. The expencive Living for so Long a time, makes it necessary for me to try if I can get possession, of my houses in New York, (which being a Widdow) I have some...
79733To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
By return of the Express who carried Your Excellencys letters to General Sullivan, I received the following Answer to my Letter to Him by That conveyance; “I shall immediately write to General Washington, his Answer may perhaps enable me to determine whether I shall undertake The Expedition, or not:” in consequence of This Answer, I remain here, until I know the result of Your Excellencys...
79734To George Washington from James Gray, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
With this you will receive my Return for Jan’y —as I think it verry probable it would be as satisfactory, and servicable for your Excellency, If instead of these Monthly Returns, I forwarded a Monthly Return Only of the stores on hand in the Northern department, which might be done at an early day, as I have Order’d all my Assissts. at the Middle of each Month to make me A Return of what...
79735To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote Your Excellency the 24th Feby, pointing out the necessity as well as utility for Enlisting Waggoners dureing the War. I have received a Resolution of Congress upon that subject, Dated the 16th of this instant. The Resolve directs Your Excellency to take the necessary measures for carrying it into execution. As the Object is important, I wish to receive your instructions upon the...
79736From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 20th with the inclosures to which it refers. As soon as the weather will admit, I intend the German Battalion—Armands and Schotts Corps shall move over to Wyoming to take post there, and as Spencers Regiment will remain some time behind them, as a cover to the part of the Country in which you now are, and to wait for a detachment from the North River which is to be...
79737From George Washington to Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I received Your favor of the 10th Instant. It gives me much concern that there have been so many difficulties, respecting the Cloathing of the Connecticut Troops—and that they still exist in some degree. I heartily wish they had obtained their supplies through the ordinary channel, which would have been the case, if there had not been the most pressing applications to prevent...
79738From George Washington to John Jay, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured, in due order, with Your Excellency’s several Favors of the 15. 17 & 19 Instant with the Papers to which they refer. I shall direct the earliest Returns to be made, that circumstances will admit, of the Officers—Soldiers &c., who are the Objects of the Act of the 15th—and will transmit them to the Board of War. Captain Greene’s case shall also have my attention—and his...
79739To George Washington from John Jay, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of acknowledging the Receipt of your Excellency’s favor of the 20th Inst., with the Memorial enclosed with it—On the 15th I had the Honor of transmitting to You by Major Talmage an Act of Congress of that day for the releif of such of the Troops of the United States as are not included in the Quotas assessed on the different States—This Act I hope has reached your Excellency &...
79740To George Washington from John Jay, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is an Act of Congress of this day authorizing the Commissioners of Indian Affairs in the Northern Department to order Supplies of Provision to the Oneidas & the other friendly Indians whose Necessities may require it, & directing the Commissaries in that Department to obey such Orders. Altho’ this Act may not require your immediate Interposition, yet as every circumstance that may...
79741From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Procter, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 14th instant with its several inclosures, was regularly received. I shall apply the whole to the purpose for which they were required. I am sir Your most hble serv. P.S. you will be pleased to call upon the board of war for a resolve of Congress of the 15th Int. relating to the corps of Infantry Artillery mdash;and make your returns agreeably to the resolve. Df , in James...
79742To George Washington from Lund Washington, 24 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Lund Washington, 24 March 1779. GW wrote Lund Washington on 3 April : “Your letter of the 24th Ulto reached me yesterday.”
79743General Orders, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
79744To George Washington from the Board of War, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
We beg leave to ask your Excellency’s opinion relative to a Mr Macpherson who is the subject of the inclosed memorial. His conduct and situation as represented in that, we believe to be justly stated; and we should chearfully have taken such notice of his merits as they deserved, could it have been done consistent with the establish’d rules of the army. He has been in the British army from his...
79745From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Butler, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to request that you would call at Head Quarters on your return to your regiment; and that you will come as soon as you can possibly make it convenient after the receipt of this letter. I am sir your Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Butler apparently had secured leave from his command of the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment (see GW to Butler, 12 Nov. 1778...
79746To George Washington from John Cochran, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I should not trouble your Excellency at this time, but am under Apprehensions that, my Absence may be attributed more to a Neglect of Duty, than any real Cause. When I came to this Place, on my Way from Boston to Head Quarters, I found Mrs Cochran so dangerously ill that I could not possibly leave her, but at the utmost risk of her Life, and am sorry to say that, her Circumstances are such...
79747To George Washington from Marianne Camasse Deux-Ponts, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Suffer, my General, that I recommend to your kindness and to your protection, Mr De Fontevieux, my relation, who passed a year since into America, and who was then particularly recommended to you by the good and obliging Mr Franklin. He made the last campaign with your army attached to the corps commanded by Mr De la Rouerie, in quality of first lieutenant of dragoons—He there acquired the...
79748To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty to do myself the honor to enclose to your Excellency a Letter which I have just received from Colo. Armand who has express’d a great inclination, if agreable to you, to have Major Daniel Lyman my eldest Aide de Camp advanced to the Lieutenant Colonelcy of his regiment, which is now vacant. I should with much reluctance part with Major Lyman from my family, but, if this...
79749To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Excellency’s directions concerning the Beacon dated 23d instant. I will have it executed immediately and inform your Excellency of the Spot. I have only one Copy of the late Arrangement of the ordnance department which I have lent to an officer who is gone out. I will get it from him and send it to head Quarters. The Corps of Artillery being so dispers’d it will take...
79750From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with the receipt of your letter of the 17th int. If you have any knowledge of the country which lays between Niagara and our settlements I shall be obliged by your deliniating with as much exactness as you are able the different Indian villiages—the best routes which lead to them—their names—the nature of the country whether hilly or swampy—the waters—and such obstruction⟨s⟩ as...
79751To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
There is not the least doubt that Admiral Gambier with nearly all his force is sailed out of the Hook for Rhode Island; and General Clinton with all the Transports and Privateers is gone up the Sound. I cannot find they have taken any Troops from N. York or Statten Island but they are to take off some from the East end of Long Island—It’s thought there design is to the East ward of Rhode...
79752From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your favour of the 20th instant—Mr H—— has just delivered me that of the 22d—The letter and inclosures referred to in it have not yet come to hand. I have had a good deal of conversation with Mr H—— He appears to be a sensible man capable of rendering important service; if he is sincerely disposed to do it —From what you say—I am led to hope he is; but nevertheless, if he is...
79753From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your obliging letters of the 1st and 8th instant with their inclosures. Your answers to the several queries stated in mine of the 11th of february are very satisfactory, and so far as my information through other channels extends, it corresponds in most particulars with what you communicate—If the main body to be employed on the expedition were to proceed by way...
79754From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 25 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, 25 March 1779. Brig. Gen. John Glover wrote GW on 2 April : “Your Excellency’s Letter of the 19th to General Sullivan respecting the Arrangment of Col. Jackson’s Regt I received, with yours of the 25th inclosing a Resolve of Congress respecting the Artillery, & some of the Corps of Infantry.”
79755General Orders, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Brigade General Court Martial, Fish-Kill Septr 29th 78, Lieutenant Colonel Smith President, Lieutenant Philip Shrouder & Ensign Henry Magg of the German Battalion were tried for, “Behaving in a cowardly manner at the battle of Germantown by leaving their regiment in time of Action and not joining it ’till the Action was over.” The court having considered the evidences are of opinion that...
79756To George Washington from the Board of War, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Board of War, 26 March. GW wrote the Board of War on 29 March : “I have the honor to receive your favours of the 25th and 26th with the Commissions mentioned for the Connecticut Officers.”
79757From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with Your Letter of the 11th Instant—and I am also to acknowledge the receipt of the one that came by Mr Holker. When I wrote you on the 29th of October and the 6th of November—Congress seemed to apprehend that an Attack might be made on Boston—and indeed it was the opinion of many. This consideration—as your services in such case might have been very essential there—and...
79758From George Washington to John Jay, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor of addressing Your Excellency on the 11th Instant, I transmitted some intelligence I had just received from General Maxwell, respecting Admiral Gambier’s preparing to sail from New York—and suggesting New London to be the Object of the expedition. How far events may justify this suggestion, I cannot determine; however, by advices which came to hand this Evening, from a...
79759To George Washington from Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer and William Fitzhugh, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
By request of the General Assembly of this State, We have the honor to transmit to your Excellency the enclosed resolution respecting rank and Grade. We have also enclosed a Resolution allowing half pay during life to such of our officers as shall remain in the Service during the War; this probably may prevent resignations. That health & happiness, may always attend your Excellency is the...
79760To George Washington from the Maryland Council, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
We have the Honor to inclose you two Resolutions of the General Assembly passed yesterday, before their Adjournment, and hope that our Parts of the Rifle and German Battalions may be incorporated without Inconvenience or Difficulty. The Merits and Services of many of the Officers, we have no Doubt, will make any Instances of ours, to place them in the same advantagious Situation as others,...