84401To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I Inclose your Excellency two letters—one from Mr Oleney—and one from General Parsons—upon the most proper mode for getting on the cloathing and arms from New-London. Has your Excellency any orders to give thereon? Is the cloathing all to come on to this army, or any part of it to stop at Westpoint; and if any, how many suits, and to whom is it to be delivered? the same of the arms. And if the...
84402From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In answer to Yours of this Evening—The Whole of the Cloathing & Arms are to be sent to Fish Kill Town in the first instance, unless orders should be given to the contrary, and though it is a matter of great importance and infinitely desireable to save expence by bringing them by a Water transportation part of the way; yet the present state of navigation will not permit it or justify me in...
84403From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 16th. You mistook the point of giving me intelligence as by recurring to your instructions you will find. I now depend on you for information of every occurrence, which will save General Foreman the trouble of a business which I could only with propriety request the favor of him to discharge till another could be sent to undertake it. For the future you will...
84404From George Washington to the Massachusetts Council, 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
It unfortunately happens on a minute examination of our ordnance & Stores at the different Deposits, that we are by no means in so respectable a condition as to these, as it might be wished. A number of Heavy Cannon & Shot—Howitzers & Shells will be essential in addition to those we have, for carrying on our operations with vigor & energy; and also a further quantity of powder. After...
84405To George Washington from John Mitchell, 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellencys favour of the [ ] Instant on making particular Inquirey into the Charicter of the man I expected wou’d have answered as a Butler. I found him capable of his buisness, but not worthy of that trust he must have, and that it wou’d not be prudent to send him to your Excellency —I Shall make the strictest inquirey for proper person, and If I succed send him to...
84406From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the first Acct of your arrival I did myself the honor to write you the letter annexed; but in momentary expectation of hearing from you, I thought it best to delay the departure of the Marquis till the arrival of your dispatches. These Monsr De Rochefontaine delivered me yesterday Afternoon. The assurances you give me of the ulterior intentions of His Most Christian Majesty add to our...
84407To George Washington from Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the Resolution of the Assembly of the State of Connecticut, I am informed about 240 men from the Regts of Horse of that state are ordered to be Drafted to serve in the Contl Army till the Last of Decr ensuing. Some of those Drafts have already joined my Regt and as I have recd no Instructions respecting them. I take liberty to write your Excellency on the subject. The matter in which I wish...
84408To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
By appearances, from the preparations making I am led to suppose the French Troops are designed to be marched through this State—The inconveniences to the inhabitants, & delay which must attend the marching so large a body by land—Your Excellency is fully sensible of—and would wish to avoid as far as possible—I take the liberty to suggest whether they might not be safely transported by water...
84409General Orders, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Major Reid[,] Brigade Major Jersey Brigade The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to Congratulate the Army on the Arrival of a large Land and Naval Armament at Rhode Island sent by his most Christian Majesty to Co’operate with the Troops of these States against the Common Enemy accompanied with every Circumstance that can render it honorable and useful. The...
84410To George Washington from the Committee at Headquarters, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since the Conversation we had with your Excellency, on the subject of Cloathing the troops. We have maturely considered the matter, and from every point of view, in which we have revolved it; are fully of Opinion. That to put the army into an entire Uniform, will have a happy influence on the soldiery; and tend to inspire the foreign troops, with a more respectable opinion of ours, than would...
84411To George Washington from Theunis Dey, Robert Morris and Peter Wilson, c.20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of the Subscribers on Behalf of the Inhabitants of the County of Bergen now Prisoners with the Enemy Humbly sheweth. That a Number of Persons borne on the Militia Rolls of this County, and active in defending their Country by Arms have in different Incursions of the Enemy been taken, some in Arms, and some out of their Beds, and carried into New-York, where they remain in close...
84412From George Washington to Colonel Moses Hazen, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon the receipt of your letter of the 17th I called upon General Hand for the Brigade order to which you allude, who laid it before me, with the several letters which had passed between you and him on the subject and a Copy of the sentence of the Division Court Martial upon Mr Norcross—the issuing Commy. That the Men were without provision on the parade the 5th does not admit of a doubt—Genl...
84413From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of a communication from Comte de Rochambea and Chevalier Ternay, since their arrival at Rhode-Island, and take the earliest occasion to inform Congress of their force and situation. The succour destined for these States, for particaular reasons, were thrown into two divisions. The first (that arrived) consists of 7 sail of the line, and one of 64, converted into a...
84414From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing Congress this Morning by post, I received a Letter from Brigadier General Maxwell, requesting me to accept his resignation and assigning his reasons for the same. Having never acted on an application of this sort from an Officer of his rank, I beg leave to lay the matter before Congress & to transmit them a Copy of his Letter, by which they will be more...
84415To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Mr Faesh is so deeply impres’d, with a beleif, that the disafected, will set fire to his furnace, if he shall cast shot, or shells, that he declines to cast those articles, unless the continent, will indemnity for any loss he may incur in consequence, or provide him with a guard. I have endevor’d to convince him to the contrary, but without effect. I humbly submit to Your Excellency, the...
84416To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
having heard of an express from Rhodeisland being Going through the Continental Village I sent for him as it would not delay him More than an hour —inclosed I have the honor to send You the letter from general heath which I have oppen’d and also two letters from the french Generals to me —it seems, My dear General, that they have Anticipated the desire you express’d Yourself of settling our...
84417To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excelly’s letr of the 19th. I conceiv’d it a matter of delicacy in communicating with H. quarters, unless advised so to do by Gen. Forman to whom the business had been committed. But sir this matter is now done away & I shall do every thing in my power to execute your orders. Our situation here is disagreeable & perilous for want of Infantry. Disagreeable because we...
84418To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to trouble Your Excellency on a subject in which I request Your aid. I am sory to inform You, that contrary to my expectations I have not found my command in the Jersey Brigade for some time past, so agreeable as I could wish. I would remind Your Excellency that nothing but the most pure and disinterested principals, induced me to enter the service, and I trust I have so far Your...
84419From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed with the 1st and 2d Pennsylvania Brigades and Colo. Moylans Regt of Dragoons upon the execution of the Business planned in yours of yesterday. I do not at present think of any necessary alterations in plan submitted to me, except that of detaching a few Horse this Afternoon to patrol all night, and see that the Enemy do not, in the course of the Night, throw over any troops to...
84420General Orders, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Major Trescott[,] Brigade Major McGowan The Men last drafted into the Commander in Chief’s Guards are to be returned on Command in the regiments from which they were drafted; but to draw pay and Clothing in the Guard. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . On this date Theodosia Ford, owner of the house in Morristown where GW had made his headquarters during the...
84421To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I received intelligence that a party consisting of thirty odd Wyondat Indians, had crossed the Ohio River five miles below Fort McIntosh, and had hid thirteen small Bark Canoes upon our Shore. I immediately ordered out two parties of Militia, to go in search of them, and cover the Harvesters. At the same time I detached Captn McIntyre, to form an ambuscade opposite to the...
84422To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received the following important intelligence which may, I believe, be depended upon—viz.—That the fleets under Admirals Arbuthnot and Greaves had sailed on wednesday morning —that fifty sail of transports had gone up the sound, expecting to take troops on board at white stone, from whence ’tis said, they are immediately to proceed to Rhode Island. They declare it to be...
84423From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of this date, as I did those of the 17th and 18th. I can by no means accede to Capt. Stewards proposal of giving up his three Deserters for an Officer of ours now in Captivity, as that kind of composition is wholly unprecedented—Neither can I consent to his having an interview with his Mother—except in the presence of an Officer in whom you can confide. Every measure is...
84424To George Washington from Colonel David Forman, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Denniss going so Early only permits me Time To enclose to Your Excly a Sketch of The Diary from the [Atlantic] Highlands and The Information of a Certain Lt Wolcott. I have The Honr to be Your Excly Most obdt Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . For the return of pilot Patrick Dennis to headquarters, see GW to Henry Lee, Jr., 19 July . The enclosed report of ship movements in New York Harbor sent...
84425To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have your Excellency’s favor of the 19th containing an account of the arrival of the French Fleet—their Force, and the time they will be ready for a co-operation with the American Army—and requiring my opinion of the practicability of conveying the supplies to the seat of action, altogether by a land-transportation, except a contingent one by Water, thro’ the Sound. Inclosed I send your...
84426To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon my arrival here last night ⟨I⟩ very unexpectedly found a number of the Militia from the State of Machutussetts who had orders to remain here from the General Court till your Excellencie’s Pleasure was known, which order would extend as their commanding Officers informd me to at least six thousand men; as no Provision of any sort has ever been directed to be made for them: that I can hear...
84427To George Washington from Colonel Moses Hazen, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honour to receive your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday’s Date; I am constrained to say it does not give me that Relief which I expected from the Nature of my Complaint. The Question is shortly this; has an Inferior Officer a Right to be heard on a Complaint of an Injury done him or not, or is it the province of a superior Officer to raise up or pull down at Pleasure any...
84428To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honor’d with yours of the 15th Instant, and this day with that of the 5th. I some time since posted a guard from Colonel Greene’s Regiment over the military Stores at Providence which I think it will be necessary to continue until the Stores are removed. The Boats have been collected and repair’d they are now at the west end of the Island and at hand to convey troops either on...
84429To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
This afternoon fifteen or sixteen Brittish Ships of war have made their appearance off this Harbour to the Eastward of Block island—more than half of them I think are Ships of the Line—from appearances at Sunsetting they intended to come to under Block Island. Admiral Greaves has probably joined Admiral Arbuthnot and their design is to block up the Fleet of Monsieur Le Chevalier De Ternay, and...
84430To George Washington from Beesly Edgar Joel, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to remind your Excellency, of my disagreable situation, which amidst your extensive and important employments I do not wonder has been forgot. From the Board of War to whom I have made several applications, I cannot expect an answer untill they receive directions from your Excellency. You have allready been inform’d of some of the extraordinary reasons which induc’d me to abandon the...
84431To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
As I find an express Going from hartfort to General Greene, I send this letter to him, that You Might hear some thing further about the Recruits of Connecticut. from the Colonel under general parsons who is intrusted with the Care of forwarding them I hear that By the first of August two thousand of them Will be at West point—But I had put in My head that they were to Bring arms with them and...
84432To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis Fayettee cal’d upon me this Morning on his Rout Eastward; and on Conversation with him, on the Subject of procuring Arms, Ammunition & other Supplies, he thought it advisable to request 3000 or 4000 Stands of Arms to be collected in this State, lest there should be a Deficiency in the public Stores to arm all our Levies and also to request the Governer & Council to furnish all the...
84433To George Washington from Charles Willson Peale, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
nothing but dire necessity would have compel’d me to have called on you for any money until the end of the War. but you will allow me to relate to you my situation, as it will be my best appolegy. The House I live in being unexpectedly Sold, I am warned to leave it in a very short time, being unable to get any place to Rent in which I could follow my profession. I have been under the necessity...
84434From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive yesterday duplicate of your letter of the [ ]. Since the intelligence transmitted by the Marquis De la Fayette, I have received advices through different channels from New York that the enemy are preparing an embarkation of troops—that fifty transports have moved up the North River for this purpose—and the object of it is said to be your fleet and army. Though this...
84435To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
being convinced that our field pieces were too light to make the wished Impression on the Block house by Bulls ferry, from an experience of more than an hour (at no greater Distance than from 50 to 70 Yards)—during which time both Officers & men evinced a Degree of bravery seldom equalled—but never excelled —and seeing the Enemy in motion On york Island & their shipping under way—together with...
84436General Orders, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Colonel Hazen[,] Brigade Major Bradford Thomas Brown of the 7th pennsylvania regiment was tried the 12th Instant at the Division General Court martial whereof Colonel Angell was President, for “Plundering the Inhabitants while on Command at Paramus and abusing a Woman” Pled Guilty: The Court considering the great irregularity of his general Conduct, that he...
84437Circular to Connecticut and Massachusetts, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Unfortunately for us, the Alliance Frigate, to which the Arms and Powder we expected were committed, is not arrived. The disappointment will frustrate our prospects unless we can obtain aid from the particular States—few of which however have it in their power to afford us any. All the Arms we can muster in the public possession for our Recruits do not exceed six thousand, whereas double the...
84438To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your warrant of 11th instt for impressing Forage has expired and in Case it should be necessary for the Army to Continue at this Ground it will not only be necessary to extend the Time for which the warrant was granted, but also the distance for impressing, as the Limits to which the last warrant was confined, cannot longer subsist the Army, but in Case you should approve of extending the...
84439To George Washington from Brigadier General John Fellows, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Militia detached from this State and New Hampshire, for three months are directed to rendezvous at Claverack on Hudson’s River, from some most unaccountable neglect not the least Provision is made to supply them. I have a Letter from one of the Magistrates there whreby I am informed that more than 1000 Troops are now billited on the Inhabitants. the remainder of the Detachment I have...
84440From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote You on the 18th I have received a Letter from Genl Muhlenberg of the 11th transmitting me a List of the Officers mentioned below, belonging to Colo. Gist’s Regiment, who were omitted in the Return he sent me before —and in consequence were not included in the Arrangement intended to take place for the present with respect to the Virginia Drafts, which I inclosed You. These...
84441To George Washington from William Gordon, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take this method of introducing to your Excellency Lt Coll Weld (generally pronounced Wells) one of my parishioners, a gentleman, on whose prudence activity courage & zeal for the public good, I apprehend, you may rely without danger of disappointment. On the 5th of March 1776 at night he was honoured with a particular service at the lines next to Boston neck, & had the thanks of Genls Ward...
84442To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Gouvion, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Considering the nature and the construction of the British works at New-York, we ought to conclude that such a place is capable but of a very short Defence, if we were not obliged to make some allowance for the number of its Garrison. Experience has proved that when a Town is regularly Fortified the approachees of the Beseigers can be carried on as far as the Top of the Glacis, in about...
84443To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am informed there is a party of Indians in Sussex County, and that the Militia appointed to guard the Stores have left them; which may give the former an opening to destroy them. Will it not answer a good purpose to send into Sussex a party of Light horse both to secure the Stores and aid the Qr Master there in getting out teams? Unless there is a party sent I am afraid the flour will not be...
84444From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon examining the Return of Military Stores at West Point for the Month of June I find there were only 662 Muskets in the Commissary’s hands —This appears to me most extraordinary as the number of Rank and File of the Massachusetts line amounted on the last of Novemr 1779 to 4569 and on the last of June past to only 1623 which makes a difference of 2946 Men, who must have been...
84445To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The arriving of Graves & yet his not being at New York is at length accounted for—He was joined by Arbuthnot with one Ship of the Line & two Fifty’s, & sail’d eastward —The Object is by some said to be the Interception of the 2d Division of the F⟨renc⟩h Fleet —by others, to convoy to York the Cork victualling Fleet, about which they seem to be very anxious —a third Set suppose, that the...
84446To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
In mine of this Morning by Express I mention’d to your Excellency that Graves had been join’d by Arbuthnot, and that their Destination was Eastward, their object Variously Spoken of—Since this I have been inform’d that the British Troops were preparing to Embark, and that in Great Force, and that the End of their Movements was Rhode Island, to take our Allies before they had recover’d from the...
84447From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Committee has done me the honor to communicate a copy of their letter of the 18th to Congress containing a state of the measures they had taken & of our present prospects. The knowledge I have of facts perfectly coincides with their representation & the consequences they draw are so just & important that they ought to engage—& I am perswaded will engage the closest attention of Congress. I...
84448From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to acquaint Congress that I have been informed by a letter from Governor Jefferson to their Committee in Camp, lately received, that the Legislature of Virginia had a Bill before them, when His Excellency wrote, for raising Five Thousand Men for Eighteen months to supply their Battallions; and that by a Letter, with which he was pleased to honor me at the same time, he requested...
84449From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency on the 18th I have received a Letter form Genl Muhlenberg of the 11th inclosing a List of Sundry Officers (named below) belonging to Colo. Gist’s Regiment, who were omitted in his former Return —& in consequence in the Arrangement intended for the present of the Drafts, which I forwarded to Your Excellency. These Officers do not properly...
84450To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1780 . On 14 Aug. , GW wrote Jefferson: “I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s favor of the 22 of July.”