82801To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I Receivd your instructions by Col. Barber, shall meet the Majestrates to morrow, in the mean time we are Doing Every thing to Collect Sheep and Cattle the Sheep I Directed to be killed and sent in Sleds about Eighty Carcases Just now sets of[f], twenty oxen will be Sent off to morrow morning, one hundred sheep will be Ready by next Wensday —and another Small Drove of Cattle, If the...
82802From George Washington to Colonel Walter Stewart, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
My Nephew (the bearer) has a great desire of participating in the present enterprize on Staten Island. I commit him to your care & beg you will make him useful to you—& see that he does his duty. The detachment which at first was intended for seperate duties will now go wholly under your command & had better be divided into three equal divisions—300 Men in each. with cordial wishes for your...
82803From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have directed Lt Colo. De Haart with a detachment of 250 Men to move from paramus to Newark and send parties of observation from thence to Bergen to watch the motions of the enemy upon the North River and at Paulus Hook. He will communicate with your Lordship by way of Elizabeth town and is directed to receive any commands from you. The detachment will move from hence as soon as the sleds,...
82804To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 13th; in consequence of which it is determined to pass upon the Island by day Break in the morning. On inquiry, I find, the men have no axes with them, and we ought at least to have an hundred. We shall endeavour to procure as many as we can here; but it is not probable we shall get a sufficient number. I therefore request your...
82805From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with your Lordships letter of this date. The detatchment under Col. Stewart moved off on sleds from the parade about half after 2 O’clock, and the artillery passed by this place at four this afternoon. I had ordered down 500 axes, with shovels and picks; of the former however, I find on inquiry that only one hundred and eighty were in store which is all that could be...
82806From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 27th ultimo. It gives me pleasure to hear that the legislature of your State have fallen upon so effectual measures to put a stop to all illicit intercourse between its inhabitants and the enemy in New-York and upon Long Island. The practice I am convinced has been extremely beneficial to our enemy and detrimental to us. I have ever...
82807To George Washington from John Witherspoon, 14 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have heard with much Concern the Straits the Army is in for Provision in this very severe Season. The Justices of this County of Somerset and others also in this neighbourhood are ex⟨ert⟩ing themselves with great Zeal to send forward Supplies—They were at my House Yesterday when I spared them two Beeves which are to go in Meat upon a Sledge to Day to Somerset Court house. On conversing with...
82808General Orders, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The troops are to be held in the most perfect readiness for action at a moments warning and to be supplied with two days cooked provision in advance. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
82809From George Washington to the Board of War, 15–17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with yours of the 21st ulto by Capt. Edgar. I should have replied to it sooner, had not my whole time and attention been of late engrossed by endeavouring to raise a supply of provision for the Army. With respect to the Cloathing for Colo. Sheldons Regiment, I think you had best order Messr Otis and Henley to procure a quantity equivalent to a full Corps, and when finished...
82810To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
On our present plan, It appears to me the quantity of ammunition proposed by General Knox for the Artillery is insufficient. A larger consumption may be necessary—The Stone houses in which the enemy may attempt to defend themselves may be obstinate and we should have it in our power by the severity and duration of our fire to bring them to reason. I take the liberty to suggest these matters,...
82811To George Washington from Colonel Henry Jackson, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I receivd a note from Colonel Harrison this morning desireing I would State to your Excellency in writeg the complaint I yesterday made against Brig. General Stark. My principal Complaint against him is, that he has discharged a man from my Regiment who had at the time of his discha[r]ge more than twelve months to serve, and this without my knowledge altho present in Camp or a certificate from...
82812From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd a letter from Colo. Hamilton. It is Lord Stirlings opinion that the quantity of Amunition sent with the peices may be perhaps insufficient, should they find the Houses possessed by the Enemy stronger than are expected. You will be pleased to send a further supply to Elizabeth Town without loss of time, that we may lose no advantage for want of it—The troops began to...
82813From George Washington to William Livingston, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I sincerely regret that any circumstances should render it necessary for you to make use of Mr Parson’s house instead of Perseppeny. If you think a guard would give you security in your own dwelling, I shall be happy to furnish you with one, and am Dr Sir &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW wrote this word. GW is replying to Livingston’s letter to him...
82814To George Washington from William Livingston, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely obliged to your Excellency for your very kind & polite offer of a Guard for my Security at Persippeney. But as I am pretty commodiously lodged in my present Quarters, & so near my family as to have constant Intercourse with it, I cannot think of putting the men to that trouble for my sake. Agreeable to your Excellencys Invitation, I shall do myself the Honour of dining with you...
82815From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Sherman, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evening favd with yours of yesterday. It gives me pleasure to hear that you have executed your Business with so much ease and satisfaction. I have had the same favorable reports from several of the neighbouring Counties. You will be pleased to call upon the Commissaries who are in Brunswic and direct them to attend at the several places fixed upon by the Magistrates to receive and...
82816From George Washington to Brigadier General John Stark, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Although the discharge which you gave to the Soldier of Colonel Jackson’s Regiments, about which you were written to Yesterday, was contrary to my sentiments and to the spirit & direction of my Letter of the 6th —Yet as you informed me that it proceeded from a mistake or an error in Judgement—it is by no means my wish to delay You from prosecuting your Journey to the Eastward. At the same time...
82817To George Washington from Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 15 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favou⟨r⟩ of the 6th ulto was recd on the 26th ensuing. The instructions therein contained for C—— Junr to effect a Communication with Head Quarters, if possible, across the North River, had been previously given him. I conclude his dispatches have been forwarded to Hd Qrs as usual since I left the Lines, making allowance for the Severity of the Season. I have just recd a Line...
82818General Orders, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
82819To George Washington from Ephraim Blaine, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Last Wedensday I accepted the Appointment of Commissa[r]y Genl of purchases and previous thereto had every assurence from Congress of their utmost exertions in furnishing Money and recommending such Measures to the Executive Authorities of the United States as will not fail in enabling me to procure Ample supplies for the army —I am Promised Instructions and money the 21st Instant at which...
82820To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to recommend to your Excellency, Captain Neven who asks to be placed in The Corps of Engineers and who appears to me to have every claim to this favour—Your Excellency will see by the Letter which he has written me and which I annex, that he has long done the Service of [a]n Engineer. Colonel Koskiuske has told me much in his favour, and Colonel Gouvion, with whom he was...
82821To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene and Brigadier General Duportail, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
To locate the army to any particular spots, may facilitate the Enemies getting possession of advantageous grounds, either upon one or the other of our flanks. It appears to us more proper therefore, that we move the troops upon the high and advantageous grounds, according as the motions of the enemy may indicate an intention to make an impression at particular places. Having examined the...
82822From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 13th—I hope you may meet with the same success in the Counties of Salem, Cumberland and Cape May, as that which has attended the Officers who went into those contiguous to the Camp—All from whom I have heard, found the Magistrates and people most willing to contribute to the releif of the Army. When you return from your present Tour, I shall have no objection to...
82823From George Washington to Major General William Phillips, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
On Friday I received Your Letter of the 8th, with a duplicate of the One you did me the honor to write on the 29th of December. So far as they respect the case of Major Gardiner—I refer you to the inclosed Copies of My Letters to you & this Gentleman on the 2d Instant. I should suppose the Originals will have come to hand before this, as they were sent from hence in a day or two after they...
82824To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have many and Sincere thanks to render Your Excellency for your affectionate favor of the 25th ult., which I had the honor to receive on the 14th Instant Whilst I regret with Anxious Concern the Causes which deprive me and mine of the satisfaction and happiness we promised ourselves from an Interview with You and Your lady at this place I lament with all the feelings which Affection can...
82825From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 14th I am in hopes you will execute the whole of your Business without being under the necessity of making a collection by military force. You may make up any deficiency in Flour by Indian Corn or Meal. I am Sir Your most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, TxHU . GW signed the cover. The letter is addressed to Shreve in Burlington County, New Jersey.
82826To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that early on yesterday morning the corps under my command crossed the sound at DeHarts point and proceeded towards the Watering place. The enemy having received previous intellegence of our movements a surprise was out of the question; and as their works were well situated and appeared otherwise strong an assault was deemed unadviseable, as it would...
82827To George Washington from Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 16 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have Yesterday Received a Letter from Thomas Chittenden who Calls himself Governor of the State of Vermount Requesting Provisions &c. for Men Ordered into service By him an Authority which I am not at Liberty to Acknowledge Have therefore Inclosed a Coppy of Mr Chittendens Letter and my Answer to him, and Beg that I may be Honoured with Your Exellencyes Directions In this Case. I am Most...
82828General Orders, 17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
General Hand’s brigade will furnish two men to be employ’d in securing hides, by the Commissary of that department. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following additional general orders: “The Maryland Division furnishes the Main Guard Tomorrow” (orderly book, 17 Oct. 1779–22 March 1780, DNA : RG 93, Orderly Books,...
82829To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel William De Hart, 17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys Orders I Brought the Detachment to this place Which I Perform’d in Nine Hours from the Receiving My Orders I Requested Col. Hamilton last Evening to Mention to your Excellency the Reasons of My Not Returning to Paramus Untill I Heard further from your Excellency. the Naked situation of One half of My Men the U⟨nc⟩ertainty I was in with Respect to My being Relief’d...
82830To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17–18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The last evening I was honor’d with yours of the 12th Instant, and this day have ordered a Court of Inquiry for the purposes therein mentioned. The enclosed Letter from Colonel Scammell is just handed to me by Major Painter. As the Major is in an ill State of health, the travelling exceedingly bad & very expensive, he has concluded to wait at Fishkill untill your Excellency’s pleasure is known...
82831To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
My last letter to your Excellency was antedated by one day, so that the business of collecting supplys for the army commenced sooner than then reported. I found the countys to which I was sent very patriotic, & the magistrates anxious to give every aid to the army. Salem has fully complied with the demand from her. one hundd & seventy head of good cattle & twenty barrels of flower are on the...
82832To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had—the honor to address myself to your Excellency under the 4th instant Since which your Letter of the 5th has reachd me. the exceeding heavy Snows had Stoppd up the roads in Such a manner as renderd it absolutely impossible for the 2d Regt to move on to Colchester or the 4th to Leave Walingford, untill the 14th inst. when they got as far as Durham. I expect them in from thence at this...
82833To George Washington from Captain Joseph Traversie and Joseph Louis Gill, 17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mon General excusé nous, si nous prenont la liberté de vous scrire cet ligne; pour vous informer de ce que nous Sçavont a legard, du General Belly et du Col. Bedel. Depuis trois ans que nous sommes au service, nous scavont que cés Messieur⟨s⟩ ici, ont fournie atoutes les Sauvages qui sont ici a Co’os, toutes ce qui l’ont eu de besoin, et demander, et leur Subsistance, donc que toutes les...
82834General Orders, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Court-Martial whereof Major General Howe is President is to meet tomorrow morning 11 ôclock. A pound of hard or soft bread and one quarter of a pound of indian meal or a pound of flour and a pound of beef or fourteen ounces of pork to be the daily ration until further orders. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following...
82835From George Washington to Colonel Richard Butler, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 13th—and am happy to find that you have been so successful in your mission. I did not doubt the willingness of the good people to help us to the extent of their abilites, and their ready compliance confirms me in my opionion. I am much indebted to Colonl Taylor for his exertions on this occasion. You will forward to Morristown, as soon as it can be effected...
82836From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William De Hart, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening favd with yours of yesterday. A party will be immediately sent to paramus to occupy your former Ground, but you need not march your detachment back to that place—All that want Cloathing, or that are other w⟨a⟩ys out of order may be sent to Camp upon Sleds under a proper number of Officers. The remainder may stay at Newark untill Thursday Evening —The Officer commanding...
82837To George Washington from James Gray, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
With this I forward my Monthly Return for Augst, it is at so late a day I blush, Alth’o its not owing to any Neglect of mine, or my Clerks, but one of my Commissaries at the remotest distance, whose Return I was Oblig’d to send back for correction, I have not seen Mr Lyne yet, or heard any thing from Co’os. As the Commissaries Department is now by Resolve of Congress, put wholly under the...
82838To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed I detained a day or two Since out of a number of Letters Submitted to me for inspection, intended for New York by a flag. The Letter is undoubtedly from Mr Bostwick the commissary of forage at Fish kill, and it’s contents on the face of the Letter innocent but on the other side seems to be a mistery which I cannot develope I think the writing on the other side was wrote by the...
82839From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Major General Baron de Steuben, who goes to philadelphia on business, will do me the honor of presenting this Letter to your Excellency. From this Gentleman’s perfect knowledge of service in general and of the state of our Army in particular, he has it entirely in his power to satisfy Congress in any inquiries they may think proper to make, with respect to it’s situation necessities and wants....
82840From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The severity of the Weather having rendered a descent upon Staten Island practicable by the Ice, and it being also imagined that the communication between New York and the Island was interrupted by the same cause, a favorable opportunity, of striking the enemy stationed there, (who amounted by report to 1000 or 1200 Men) seemed to present itself—A detachment of 2500 Men, including the troops...
82841To George Washington from Ensign Thomas Russell, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
That I having Obtaind a Furlough from Brigadier General Stark dated the 10th Inst., since which I have been Arrested by Col. Sherburne for Defaming his Character, and a Devision Court Martial order’d by General Stark having meet Yisterday, but the Principle Evidence against me being on Furlough, and my Evidence (being General Stark) who will be Absent till the First of April—The Court...
82842To George Washington from Major Benjamin Whetcomb, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of Benjamin Whitcomb Esqr. in the State of New Hampshire in behalf of himself and officers under his Command humbly Sheweth that whereas Your Memralist hath ben and now is Stationed in the Fronteirs of the State of New Hampshire and as the Inhabitance of the said Fronteirs are Greatly Exposed to the Incursions Devestations and Depredations of the Enemy to prevent which and For the...
82843To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Walton White, 18 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Col: Bland having sent in his Resignation, which the Board of War tells me is æccepted of; pardon me for applying to your Excellency for a Certificate of my being the eldest Lt Col: in the Cavalry, without which the Board inform’s they cannot give me the Commission I am intitled to, which deprives me from procuring many things that the Regt is in great want of. I have the honor to be your...
82844General Orders, 19 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Honorable the Congress have been pleased to pass the following resolve (vizt)—Resolved—That every officer in the Army of the United States whose duty requires his being on horseback in time of action, be allowed a sum not exceeding the average prices given at that time in the department or place where the accident shall happen for horses purchased for private dragoons, as a compensation...
82845To George Washington from James Caldwell, 19 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Lord Stirling has no doubt acquainted your Excellency with the Order he published after leaving Statten Island respecting the plunder taken from the Inhabitants. As the care of sending it back was committed to me, I went this day to Town to obtain a Flag for that purpose—but was told by the Officer commanding there that he could not grant a flag without your excellencys order. If it is your...
82846From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 19 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The severity of the weather has occasioned unavoidable delay to the Gentlemen who came out with the propositions concerted between Major General Phillips and themselves which will put it out of their power to complete their business and return in the time limited by their paroles. Persuaded that your Excellency will readily excuse their exceeding their permission a few days they have taken the...
82847To George Washington from Colonel Moses Hazen, 19 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
The three Regiments under my Command Comprose 1012 men Rank and file; I have Cantoon’d them in the following manner viz.—one Regiment at Connecticutt Farms, one at this place and the other at Raway—a Detachment of a field officer and one hundred men at Elizabeth Town which Furnishes a Subalterns guard at DeHart’s point; I have a Subaltern and Twenty men at Newark. Two Subalterns guards opposit...
82848From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 19 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor yesterday to receive your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th by Colo. Magaw with the Resolutions of the several dates to which it refers. I am sorry to trouble Congress again on the subject of the proposed exchange of prisoners, but circumstances and my desire to do what is right compel me to it. I must beg leave to Inform your Excellency that when your dispatches on this point...
82849To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 19 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Last Saterday the Majestrates of this County met, And Chearfully undertook to Raise the provision Called for, and Gave Written orders to Edward Thomas & Richd price (Contractors) to Immediately Collect it, I fear the Number of Cattle will fall Short, but that Deficiency will be made up in other meat, Exclusive of what the Commisarys had Purchaced before this Requisition was made, upwards of...
82850To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Ward, 19 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave, to inform your Excellency, that in compliance with your Excellency’s pleasure, signified to me in a letter from Colonel Harrison, the 13th Instant, I immediately wrote to the Majors of Brigade (as I had no Officers in Camp) and requested them to muster their respective Brigades, and make a return of their muster Rolls to me. In the mean time I proposed to muster the Artillery, and...