3301To George Washington from John Hancock, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
You will percieve from the enclosed Resolves, the Steps which Congress have thought proper to take in the present critical State of our Affairs. In Order to give you all possible Assistance in keeping the Army together at this Juncture, the Congress have appointed a Committee to repair to Head Quarters to co-opperate with you in the Business. They will set out tomorrow Morning; at which Time,...
3302To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I some Days Since Presented to your Excellency The Disposition of the Troops at this Post. I have not as yet received your Excellency Express approbation I am Endeavouring to Compleat the Business your Excellency Assigned to me, as fast as Possible. On the 21st Instant I received a Letter from General Lee a Copy of which is Inclosed, I returned him for Answer that my Division was Posted at...
3303To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Orders and shall endeavour to put ’em in execution, but question much whether I shall be able to carry wth me any considerable number, not so much from a want of zeal in the men, as from their wretched condition with respect to shoes, stockings, blankets, &c which the present bad weather renders more intolerable I sent Heath orders to transport two thousand men across the...
3304To George Washington from John Hancock, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your Dispatches by Genl Mifflin, who arrived here on Sunday Evening, the Congress, the next Day, came to the enclosed Resolves, which I do myself the Honour of forwarding in Obedience to their Commands. They will inform you of the Steps taken to reinforce your Army at this Juncture. The Urgency of Affairs, will, I trust, induce the Militia to exert themselves in a proper...
3305To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Honor of the receipt of yours of the 24th Instant[.] I do not recollect to have Sent any Letters by the Fridays Post who lost his Mail in an Infamous manner. I have Also received from Colo. Harrison, the Resolves of the Honble Continental Congress of the 19th Instant, with a Signification of your Excellencys Pleasure that they should be Published in orders, which...
3306To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
It never was my idea to leave the Highlands unguarded but only for expedition sake that Heath shou’d detach two thoushand of his Corps immediately over the River and to replace these two thoushand by the same number the most lightly accoutred from this Body here ’till the main Body with their baggage Cannon &cc. coud move—I conceiv’d this movement cou’d be attended with no risk as He has now...
3307To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer, Major Shaw, has at Length arrived here with a few Indians, Inlisted into the Continental Service, we are Sorry he has met with no better Success in this Business, however the few there are we Conceive, Will be of this Service if no other, to keep the Tribes from whence they came in a State of Amity—The Indians when here, were fond of Returning back again to their Families, but were...
3308To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
At 10 O’Clock last Evening I receivd your Letter of the 24th Inst: and will make proper Applications of your Excellency’s Sentiments on the probable Movements of the Enemy. I came into this Town at 8 OClock Sunday Evening; and waited on Mr Hancock with your Letter immediately after my Arrival—Yesterday Morning I was admitted to Congress in general Committee and went as far in my Relation of...
3309To George Washington from Joseph Trumbull, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a Warrant on The Pay Master General for One hundred thousand dollrs which I beg you to Sign, & send me by the Bearer, I expect he will find Colo. Palfrey, removing into Jersey, & therefore have put a Rect on the back, that he may take the Money, from him, & bring it on here to me. I am with the greatest Respect Your Excellency’s most Obedient Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . GW signed...
3310To George Washington from Lund Washington, 26 November 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lund Washington, 26 Nov. 1776. In his letter to Lund Washington of 10–17 Dec. , GW acknowledged receiving “yr Letters of the 20th & 26th Ulto.”
3311To George Washington from William Livingston, 27 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have directed General Williamson to order all the militia of the Counties of Bergen Essex Morris Sommerset Middlesex & Sussex (having myself ordered that of Hunterdon) immediately to march & join the Army under your Command & to continue in Service for the defence of this State for a time not exceeding six weeks to be computed from the time of their joining the said Army. The Legislature of...
3312To George Washington from Richard Peters, 28 November 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Peters, 28 Nov. 1776. In his letter to Peters of 4 Dec. , GW acknowledged receiving “Yours of the 28th last Month.”
3313To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 29 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer of this a Private in Colo. Rawlins’s Regiment made his escape from the Enemy in New York yesterday, he is an intelligent Fellow, and brings information that upwards of ten thousand of the Enemy embarked on Sunday last, under the Command of General Clinton, the place of their destination uncertain; some of them informed him they were gone to Carolina, others say to the Eastward....
3314To George Washington from Robert R. Livingston, 29 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the directions of the Committee of Safety of this state, I do myself the honor to transmit the enclosed resolutions, & to request if your Excellency should concur with them in thinking that every means should be persued to obstruct the navigation of Hudsons river, & to secure the passes thereon, that you would be pleased by uniting in, to add weight to their applications to the...
3315To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d yours last night dated the 27th from Newark—You complain of my not being in motion sooner—I do assure you that I have done all in my power and shall explain my difficulties when We have both leisure—I did not succeed with Rogers and merely owing to the timidity or caution of the Enemy who contracted themselves into a compact body very suddenly—I am in hopes I shall be able to render...
3316To George Washington from Brigadier General John Morin Scott, 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
By express last Ev’g from General Heath I received an Extract of a Letter from head Quarters to him dated 27th instant in which it is mentioned that your Excellency is assured of my Exertions to influence my Troops to continue in Service with General Heath 15 or twenty days longer —You have doubtless, Sir, been apprized by that Gent. of the Reason of my coming hither. But least it should be...
3317To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowlege the Rect of your several favors of 6th 7th 10th & 17th instant & for the interesting intelligence they Contain —By the nonappearance of the Enemy on ours, or the Rhodisland Coast as yet, gives us great hopes that, for this Winter, we may remain quiet in this quarter, tho’ it becomes us always to be vigilant—it equally affords me the most sensible satisfaction to hear...
3318To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 30th Novr was duely received; in Consequence of which, as the Contents were of the utmost Importance, I thought proper to call the Congress together; whose Resolutions of this Day, I now do myself the Honour to enclose. Considering the very critical Situation of our Affairs, the Congress have agreed that you may order into the Jerseys, the Troops who are at present on the...
3319To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of the 29th Ultimo—and am glad to hear of your Excellency’s safe Arrival at Brunswick, without the least interruption from the Enemy. I am happy to find my honest Endeavours to do my Duty crowned with your Excellency’s Approbation—In addition to the Stores which I before mention’d to have been secured & bro’t off, a Quantity of Pearl-Ash, Bees-Wax,...
3320To George Washington from John Langdon, 2 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Portsmouth [N.H.] 2 December 1776 . Sends GW “about Sixty thousand flints” by order of the Continental Congress Secret Committee. “Our Privateers do great execution, and had we guns for our Continental ships, they would give great Assistance to your Excellency’s Opperations, by Cuting off, the Supplies, of the British Army.” LB , DNA : John G. M. Stone Collection.
3321To George Washington from Pierre Van Cortlandt, 2 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
S ir —Agreeable to the directions of the Committee of Safety, I do myself the honour to send your Excellency the enclosed resolutions, and to assure you that it is with extreme pain that they find themselves under the necessity of passing them. The singular wantonness and cruelty of the persons concerned in burning the public and private buildings at the White Plains, which even a barbarous...
3322To George Washington from James Caldwell, 4 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Caldwell, 4 Dec. 1776. In his letter to Hancock of 6 Dec. , GW referred to “a Letter of the 4th Inst. from a Mr Caldwell.”
3323To George Washington from John Hancock, 4 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Congress apprehending that, in the present State of the Army, and Situation of our Affairs, an Exchange of Governor Franklin might be prejudicial, and attended with some bad Consequences, have been induced to come to the above Resolution, which I transmit by their Directions. I have the Honour to be, with the utmost Esteem & Respect, Sir your most obed. Sert Your favr of 3d Inst. just came...
3324To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 4 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d your pressing letter —since which intelligence was sent me that you had quitted Brunswick—so that it is impossible to know where I can join you—but ⟨a⟩ltho I shou’d not be able to join you at all the service which I can render you will I hope be full as efficacious[.] the Northern Army has already advanced nearer Morris Town than I am—I shall put myself at their head...
3325To George Washington from Richard Dallam, 5 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Richard Dallam, 5 Dec. 1776. On 5 Dec. GW wrote to Dallam : “I have yours of this Morning from Bristol.”
3326To George Washington from Lieutenant General William Howe, 5 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Persons mentioned in the inclosed List are sent in Exchange for the Officers and others against whom their Names are placed, being of equal rank & Station, altho’ this partial Mode of releasing a few at a Time upon Parole is by no Means the Mode of Exchange which from your Assurances I had a right to Expect, The Soldier has always a stronger Plea for this Justice than the Officer as his...
3327To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received Intelligence that on the 4th Instant about Sun sit Seventy Sail of ships of war and Transport with Troops on Board Sailed with a fair Wind Down the Sound towards New England, Probably to Rhode Island. I have Sent an Express to Governor Trumbull, and to Massachusetts Bay, and have Desired Governor Trumbull to Send an Express to Rhode Island, I have at this Post, Three...
3328To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
It is sometime since we have had any Intelligence of your Situation in the Jerseys or of the Enemy in that quarter Indeed no certain account has arived here Since the Evacuation of Fort Lee and our Forces retireing to Hackensack. We have to acquaint your Excellency, that we now apprehend it highly probable that a very Considerable part of Genal Hows Army Intend a descent on some parts of New...
3329To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 7 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Lord Sterling will write by the same express that this comes by and inclose to your Excellency several peices of intelligence obtaind of different People Yesterday —His Lordship thinks the enemy are makeing a disposition to advance for my part I am at a loss to determin whether their disposition is to advance, or for defence—the Enemy have got a party Advanced about Seven Miles this side...
3330To George Washington from Lord Stirling, 7 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lord Stirling, 7 Dec. 1776. Nathanael Green wrote GW on this date : “Lord Sterling will write by the same express that this come by and inclose to your Excellency several peices of intelligence obtaind of different People Yesterday.”
3331To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7–8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Lebanon [Conn.] 7–8 December 1776 . “The Genll Assembly of this State sensible of the vast Importance of supporting the great Cause in which You are so nobly strugling, Have at their Session of the 19th of Novr last, made Provision for raising by Inlistment four Battalions to serve under Your Command untill the 15th of March next, before which Time I have strong Hopes our Quota of the...
3332To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
It is with great Concern that I give you the disagreeable Intelligence that the Enemy with a Fleet consisting of 78 Ships of War and Transports entered the Harbor of Newport Yesterday. We had about Six hundred Men upon Rhode-Island who were Obliged to evacuate it with the Loss of about 15 or 20 heavy Cannon, having taken off the Amunition and Stores & the greatest part of the Stock. The Enemy...
3333To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
yesterday afternoon Lieut. Colonel Vose arrived Here from Albany, with Greatons, Bonds, & Porters Regiments, making in the whole between 5 & 600 men, on their way to Joyn your Excellency, I am Furnishing them with Tents Provisions &c. and not a moments Time shall be lost in facilitateing, their march—They do not disembarke here but fall Down to Haverstraw and will begin their march this Day....
3334To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Hampton will give you a return of the Militia already assembled and of those (if it can be call’d a return) expected—the whole will as it is said make by tomorrow morning one thousand—my Corps that pass’d the N. River will amount (for We are considerably diminish’d) to seven and twenty hundred—in fact our Army may be estimated at four thoushand—If I was not taught to think that your...
3335To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major Hoops has just deliver’d to me your Excellencys letter —I am extremely shock’d to hear that your force is so inadequate to the necessity of your situation—as I had been taught to think you had been considerably reenforc’d—your last letters proposing a plan of surprises and forc’d marches convincd me that there was no danger of your being oblig’d to pass the Delawar in consequence of...
3336To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Immediately on receiving your Excellencies intimations that it was necessary your Army should be reinforced with Four thousand of the Militia from this State, Orders were issued to raise the men—And since that as our affairs grew more serious & Alarming, the Court have given orders to Augment the number to about Six Thousand —every measure hath been adopted to forward the Troops to you with...
3337To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
With much difficulty & a small Loss I have got all the sick, except 20 who were too ill to remove, to Easton, Bethelem & Allenstown, where in a few days I flatter myself they will be as happy as sick soldiers ever are. I must mention to your Excellency that the moving of Dr Morgans stores that have not been used these 3 months, have cost the continent I verily believe as much as their first...
3338To George Washington from General Matthias Williamson, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your Excellency’s two Letters of the fifth & seventh inst. —I can declare to your Excellency with the greatest Truth, that with the utmost punctuality & dispatch on receiving Govr Livingston’s Orders, I wrote Letters to the commandg Officers of the Militia of this State, to draw out their Batallions, & join the Army under your immediate Command, or the Corps under...
3339To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 9 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have undoubted inteligence that a body of the Enemys Light horse was at a place called the Cross Roads about 9 Mile above Burlington and a report prevails that an advanced party are at Burlington, from circumstances it may be too true, we therefore wish to call your Excellencies attention to a ferry about 4 Miles below Burlington called Dunks ferry where the River is narrow and may afford...
3340To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 10 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The last Evening about 8 O’Clock I received the honor of your’s of the 7th Instt, & immediately gave Orders for the Regiments of General Parsons’s Brigade which are on this Side of Hudson’s River, to pass over which they will do this day —I shall also order Huntington’s & Tyler’s to join them, & pursue the effecting the purposes, which your Excellency has been pleased to point out. This post...
3341To George Washington from Matthew Cantine, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Convention of the State of New York to transmit to your Excellency the enclosed Resolves, by which it will appear that we have made every exertion in favour of our Sister States which our present Situation will admit. But we are extreamly Sorry to find by a Letter received last Night from General Heath, that he is ordered over to the West Shore; by Reasons of which the...
3342To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your Orders the night before last for the march of General Parsons’s Brigade, and yesterday noon the Three Regiments at Peeks-Kill began their march, making about 500 men which are now here—I have ordered Huntingtons and Tylers to Joyn me they may make about three Hundred men, after leaving a Captain & 50 men as a Guard at the Pass in the mountains Colonel Vose with Greatons Bonds &...
3343To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have three thoushand Men here at present but They are so ill shod that We have been oblig’d to halt these two days for want of shoes—seven Regiments of Gates’s Corps are on their march but where They actually are is not certain —General Lee has sent two Officers this day—one to inform him where the Delawaer can be cross’d above Trenton—the other to examine the road towards Burlington as...
3344To George Washington from Charles Thomson, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The president being necessarily engaged with his family, I have the honour to inform you that your letter of the 10th was duly received & laid before Congress, and to transmit you a resolution of Congress passed this day. I am Sir Your obedient humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW . Thomson wrote and signed the enclosed copy of this resolution below his ALS on the same manuscript page. Dated “In...
3345To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Obedience to General Schuylers Commands, I left Albany the Instant with Starks[,] Poor’s, Read’s, & Paterson’s Regiments; Greaton’s, Bond’s, & Porter’s, having Sailed from thence the day before, Bedel’s remaining to Embark the next day, as Sloops were not then ready to receive them. Upon my Arrival at Esopus I sent Brigade Major Stoddard to New Windsor to Order Greaton’s, Bond’s, & Porters...
3346To George Washington from New England Delegates, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We are this Moment informd by a Gentleman who is Brother of Collo. Griffen and has lately been at New York, that a Body of ten thousand of the Enemies Troops are actually arrivd at Rhode Island. As Congress is now adjournd to Baltimore in Maryland, and the President and the Board of War are not in Town, we think it our Duty to send you this Intelligence; and as there is no General Officer in...
3347To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Council are Obliged to your Excellency for the intelligence ⅌ Colonel Humpton and you may be assured of our strict attention to every object which your Excellency shall think proper to recommend —The inclosed is Copy of a Letter just recieved advising of the appearance of two Vessels of War at our Capes, we though it of importance to communicate it to you & have sent off Lieutenant Butler...
3348To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of Yesterday I have received —All Things in this City remain in Confusion, for Want of Men to put them into Order—The Citizens are generally with you—The Continental Recruits are cloathing & arming as fast as possible, & are employed on Guard & Fatigue Duty, for which there is scarce a Relief—A Party are now going to the Jerseys, to bring off all the Craft out of the Creeks. The...
3349To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Reed, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Gentlemen of the Light Horse who went into the Jersey have returnd safe—they proceeded into the Country till they met an intelligent Person directly from Trenton who informd them that Gen. Howe was there with the main Body of his Army—that the Flying Army consisting of the light Infantry & Grenadiers under Ld Cornwallis still lay at Penny Town & there was no Appearance of a Movement—that...
3350To George Washington from Lord Stirling, 12 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Intelligence which the two Granadiers [brought] is in many things Confirmed, first by the Extensive fires of their Incampment which appeared last Night to be about Penny Town, and other Intelligence from the other side, particularly by one person who has [passed] thro’ all their Incampments and Came out of Trentown about Eleven oClock Yesterday—who says that the flying Army is in and About...