80011From George Washington to Jeremiah Wadsworth or Royal Flint, 20 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my orders of the 2d March, directing the establishment of Magazines of provision upon the Susquehannah for three thousand Men, I find there is a probability that the number may be increased to four thousand five hundred—I therefore desire that you may take the most speedy measures to inform Colo. Blaine, or whoever may have the superintendance of the formation of those Magazines of this...
80012General Orders, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial of the line held at Fort-Pitt the 1st of January 1779—by order of Brigadier General McIntosh—Mr Archibald Steel Deputy Quarter Master General was tried 1st “For neglect of duty. 2ndly Incapacity for his office. 3rdly The delaying the transporting provisions and others stores for the expedition until it was too late. 4thly Spending the time which should be employed...
80013From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two favours of the 16th and 21st of last month. Since my last letter to you and upon a further consideration of the subject—I have relinquished the idea of attempting a cooperation between the troops at Fort Pitt and the bodies moving from other quarters against the six nations. The difficulty of providing supplies in time—the want of satisfactory information of the...
80014To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receivd a Letter from Col. Mitchel, informing me of the Minister of France haveing postpond his visit to Camp. On my arrival at Philadelphia I shall wait upon the Minister; and will indeavor to learn the precise time he sets out; and give your Excellency the earliest information. By several Letters I have receivd on the Road I find the preparations for the Indian expedition...
80015To George Washington from John Jay, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Accept my Thanks for the long & friendly Letter of the 14 Inst. which I have had the Pleasure of recieving from you. It was for many Reasons grateful to me—I value the Esteem of the wise and virtuous, and had wished to know the particulars of Transactions, respecting which only vague and unsatisfactory Reports, had come to my Knowledge. Delicacy forbid my breaking the Subject to you when...
80016To George Washington from the Massachusetts Legislature, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The General Assembly have had under their Consideration Your Letter to the President of the Council dated at Middle-Brook the Twenty fourth of March last & they have directed me to Inform Your Excellency that this State will at all times Chearfully afford every Assistance in their Power by Drafts from their Militia, as they have frequently done during the present Contest, in Co-operation with...
80017From George Washington to Charles Stewart, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In order that I may be regularly ascertained of the state and quaintity of provision, and stores in your department—you will make me monthly returns of all under this description; comprehending—where deposited—the specific kind—and quantity of each. You will also furnish monthly returns of all the issues as usual. I have further to desire, that you would give orders to the issuing commissary...
80018To George Washington from Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 21 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s Instructions I have forwarded the Vial delivd me & the directions for C——’s future Conduct. In Answer to which he wrote, but as I wished to see him to communicate many things, I appointed an Interview at Brook Haven on Long Island, where I met C—— on the 16th instant, & was detained on the Island ’till this morning by a violent Storm & contrary Winds. In addition...
80019General Orders, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At the General Court Martial whereof Lieutt Coll Harmar is President, David Essex of the 6th Virginia Regiment was on the 14th instant tried for, “Letting four prisoners escape out of the Guard House” and acquitted. The General approves the sentence of Acquittal & orders said Essex reliev’d from confinement. At the same Court Daniel Daily of the 4th Regimt of Light-Dragoons was tried for,...
80020Proclamation to Deserters, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Whereas by my proclamation dated the 10th day of last month, a Pardon was offered to all deserters from the army dispersed in different parts of these States, who should rejoin their respective corps by the first of May next; and Whereas from the shortness of the term limited for its operation, the offer of grace therein contained, has not had sufficient time to circulate as extensively as was...
80021From George Washington to Burwell Bassett, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favor of the 30th Ulto, which is the only letter I recollect to have had from you these many Months. Thinking that Jack Custis and his Manager Posey, would have more leizure on their hands than might fall to your lot, I desired the former sometime ago to ease you of as much trouble as he could on my acct; but to advice with, & consult you in whatever he did relative...
80022From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favr of the 13th instant and those of Mr Scull of the 13th 15th and 19th—The number of Hunting shirts ordered to be made up by Otis and Henley will be fully sufficient, if they can be provided in time. I yesterday wrote to Boston and desired that they might be sent forward as fast as finished —Be pleased to direct Mr Mease to send on to Camp the ten thousand...
80023To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
i Receive just now your excellency’s letter and Conformably to your orders i have the honour to propose major mernan for the expedition on susquehanna. i write to him to take your further orders for that Country. i have the honour to be with great Respect your excellency’s the most obedient and very humble servant ALS , DLC:GW . See GW to Duportail, 9 April . GW wrote to Major Murnan on 4 May...
80024From George Washington to William Ellery, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favr dated 14th Feby only reached me Yesterday. The arrangement of the two Rhode Island Regt has been settled, and the Commissions are now in my hands waiting an opportunity for forwarding them. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obt Servt. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . A purported LS was offered for sale by Christie’s, June 1990, catalog no....
80025From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday evening your letter of the 21st. At this time I could have wished there had been no obstructions in the way of completing our Indian preparations—I would imagine however, that your personal representation to a committee of Congress, on the subject of your letter, will procure an immediate and necessary supply of money; which you think is the only thing wanted on the...
80026To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I waited upon the Minister of France this morning; and find he sets out for Camp on Tuesday next. He has recoverd a tolerable share of health, and seems in perfect good humour. It is said he has been detaind by Congress for some days past; but on what account is a matter of speculation. There is a report secretly whisperd about Town that there has some overtures of Peace been made by Great...
80027From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had your favor duly handed me of the 25th Ultimo. Perfectly satisfied in your recommendation of Major Lyman, I should not hesitate on the propriety of serving him. But on considering the situation of those corps, attatched to no one State; with the inexpediency of augmenting the number of their officers, in the present circumstances of the army; and at a juncture, when we have been obliged...
80028To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
It was not untill the last evening that I received the honor of yours of the 26th Ultimo, which has relieved me from no Small embarrassments arising from apprehensions, lest from my conduct, I had in some degree forfeited the friendship of one whose approbation to merit is my ambition. I shall be ready with the greatest cheerfullness to join the Army by the time mentioned in your Excellencys...
80029From George Washington to William Livingston, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is a letter to you in your official character; this you will be pleased to receive as private and confidential—to explain, for your own satisfaction the reasons which will oblige me to draw off Maxwells brigade from its present position and will prevent my replacing them by other troops. I have for a long time past been preparing for a decisive expedition against the six nations,...
80030From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your letters of the 20th and that of to day with the several papers to which they refer. The information in the last is of a very interesting Nature. To have the knowledge of the embarkation of the troops and their destination early ascertained, as it is of so much consequence, will engage your strictest attention. You will transmit what further intelligence you gain on this...
80031To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had intiligence Yesterday evening & that by two ways Viz. New Ark and Statten Island, by which Accounts the Enemy seems to be in much commotion at both places more especialy the later, I expect to have the whole of it to morrow night if I do not get it sooner. What I heard is that there is a large number of Transports gone of[f] some out of the Hook; and some up the Sound supposed to be for...
80032To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
since I wrote Your Excellency this morning, I have further intiligence, that I think may be depended on; that seven of the nine Regts I mentioned, are alrrady embarked with all their Baggage; the two others is expected to embark immediately. The Transports lyeth in the North River. Query whether they may not have intensions of pushing up the North River. A further circumstance worthy of...
80033General Orders, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
80034To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Not untill now has it been in my power to Acquaint Your Excellency that I received your Commands to take Charge of this post on the 27th Ultimo, wherein as I was referred by Yr Excellency to the Governor and Council of this State, who were Authorized by Congress to take upon them the General Superintendancy of the Officer Commanding here & to grant him their Assistance if necessary, I...
80035To George Washington from a Board of General Officers, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
We the Subscribers met agreable to the General orders of Yesterday to settle the dispute of rank between Majors, Mentges, Murray & Nicholls, and took into consideration the principles on which the Arrangement was made at White-Plains, by the Committee of Congress assisted by B.G. Wayne; We are fully convinc’d That the arrangement then made was just, and we can see no reason why it should be...
80036To George Washington from Royal Flint, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Beatty, the Comisary General of Prisoners, mentioned to me yesterday; that there were several hundred head of cattle grazing in the pastures about Amboy. He observed that the inhabitants of the adjacent towns were driving their stock cattle to that place to take advantage of the early grass in that neighborhood. As such a collection of cattle, near the seaside, in so defenceless a...
80037To George Washington from Brigadier General Edward Hand, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
on the 16th I did my self the Honour of writing to your Excy from Lancaster informing you of the State of the Military Stores at Carlisle, & requesting a Supply of Amunition, & Flints. of the Latter I order’d 4000, Such as they, are from Lancaster. I am sorry to be obliged to inform your Excy that there is not as yet Any provision made on This River for the Expidition, in the Commys...
80038From George Washington to John Jay, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In one of your former letters; you intimate, that a free communication of Sentiments will not be displeasing to you. If under this sanction, I should step beyond the line you would wish to draw—and suggest ideas or ask questions which are improper to be answered—you have only to pass them by, in silence. I wish you to be convinced, that I do not desire to pry into measures the knowledge of...
80039From George Washington to John Jay, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was, yesterday Afternoon, informed by General Maxwell, that he had received intelligence of a considerable movement of the Enemy upon New York and Staten Islands, and that it was reported General Leslie was to embark with nine Regiments and to sail in a few days either for the West Indies or Georgia. The actual embarkation of Nine Regiments, with their Stores and Baggage, was confirmed late...
80040From George Washington to John Jay, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Qr Mr General has represented to me that unless he can receive an immediate and ample supply of money the preparations for the Indian expedition in particular and for other operations with which we must open the campaign, will not be completed, in the time appointed in my orders to him, and required by the exigency of our affairs. The article of horses, for which he will be obliged to pay...