13661From George Washington to Lieutenant General Wilhelm von Knyphausen, 23 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 16th Instant. Altho’ it is not my business to inquire into those private motives which may induce officers to leave your service, yet I cannot but be sensible of the consideration that could give me notice of their characters. The officers I can assure you brought no horses to this army, or any of its posts that I know of. I am Sir, with great...
13662General Orders, 24 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Brigade returns of all the horses in each Regiment and by whom kept to be made out immediately and delivered in to the orderly Office by 12 ôClock tomorrow. The honorable the Congress have been pleased to agree to the following Report of their Committee and to pass the resolution annexed to it. In Congress August 17th 1778. The Committee to whom was referred a letter from General Washington of...
13663From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Butler, 24 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 13th instant dated at Schohary, giving me an account of events in that quarter since your arrival there. I am very glad to hear of the success of your two scouting parties, and I hope that these checks, tho’ small, and the appearance of a force upon the Frontier, will give spirit to our friends, discourage the disaffected, and establish the confidence and friendship of...
13664From George Washington to John Laurance, 24 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 13 Instant I wrote to Wm Patterson and Jonathan D. Sargeant Esquires, Attorney Generals for Jersey & pensylvania by Express & transmitted a Copy of the Resolution, which you mention; notifying them at the same time, that Genl St Clair’s trial would come on to day. I have received an Answer from Mr Patterson, by which he declines attending. From Mr Sergeant I have not heard. The Letter...
13665From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the honor to receive your favor of the 20th Instant. I take the liberty of transmitting you a Copy of a Letter, which this minute came to hand from Genl Sullivan, advising of the Count D’Estaing’s arrival. He omitted to inclose the Admirals Letter to which he refers and therefore, I can give no further intelligence than what the Copy contains. From the suffering of the fleet...
13666From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 24 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 19th inclosing the weekly Return of the Garrison. If you cannot spare workmen to assist Capt. Stephens in the construction of his Machine it must be laid aside for the present. I will not undertake to say how far the Gentlemen, who have given their opinions of the Machine, may be right, but some others who have seen and considered the plan, view it in a different light from...
13667General Orders, 25 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The whole Army to have their tents struck & loaded into Waggons, their Packs slung and to be in every respect ready for marching tomorrow morning at six ôClock —The Quarter Master General, Commissaries Clothier &c. will in like manner be ready to move with the affairs of their respective departments. At a General Court Martial August 15th 1778—Coll Hazen President Lieutt Lewis of the 9th...
13668From George Washington to Major Alexander Clough, 25 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday late last Night. I am very anxious to obtain a true account of what is passing in New York, and am therefore endeavouring to send in a variety of persons from different quarters who have no connexion or communication with each other. By comparing their accounts, I shall be able to form a pretty good judgment. I have desired them to attend particularly to some matters...
13669From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 25 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
If it be practicable, and convenient for Congress to furnish me with some Specie (gold, as more portable, would be most convenient) valuable purposes I think would result from it. I have always found a difficulty in procuring Intelligence by the mean of Paper money. and I perceive that it increases. The period is critical & interesting, and the early knowledge of an Enemys intention, and...
13670From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 25 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will be pleased to receive a Copy of a Letter of the 23d Instant from General Sullivan, which came to hand about half after three OClock this morning, with the several papers to which it refers, Copies of which are also transmitted. By these Congress will perceive, our prospects are much changed with respect to the operations against Rhode Island, and that the issue, as things are...
13671From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I shall be glad to see you upon the business mentioned in yours of this date. If Colo. Sheldon is acquainted with W—— and the circumstances as you have related them to me, let him come also—You should be perfectly convinced of the Integrety of W—— previous to his imbarking in the business proposed—this being done I shall be happy in employing him—but there will be an impropriety in his coming...
13672General Orders, 26 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Guards are to be placed at proper distances in front and Rear of the Brigades to see that the soldiers make use of the Vaults prepared for them; The Purity of the Air and Wholesomness of the Camp depend so much upon the observance of this order that it is expected it will be strictly attended to and every soldier severely punished who is found guilty of a breach of it. The Brigade Quarter...
13673George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Beque Du Portail, 27 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 27, 1778 . Instructs Du Portail to examine fortifications of Highlands and to execute instructions given him relative to the plan for defense of Delaware River and Philadelphia. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
13674General Orders, 27 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the late Order respecting Brigade Inspectors of the day renders their duty very unequal, the Commander in Chief directs, that they be daily appointed in orders in regular rotation. Captn John Alexander is appointed Pay-Master Lieutenant John McCullan Adjutant and Lieut. John Hughes Quarter-Master to 7th Pennsylvania Regiment These appointments to bear date from the 1st day of June last when...
13675From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 27 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed as speedily as convenient to the Highlands and examine the several fortifications carrying on there for the defence of the North River. When you have done this you will make me a full report of their state and progress, with your opinion of any alterations or additions which may appear to you necessary in improvement of the present plan. In doing this, you will of course...
13676From George Washington to Brigadier General Gold Selleck Silliman, 27 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Brig. Gen. Gold Selleck Silliman, 27 Aug. 1778. On 14 Sept., Silliman wrote GW : “Your Favour of the 27th Ult. respecting a Guard at the Commissary’s Stores at the Landing in this Town I received the 2d Instant.”
13677George Washington to George Clinton, 28 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ White Plains, New York ] August 28, 1778 . Asks Clinton to call out militia and states that French fleet has departed for Boston. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
13678George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] August 28, 1778 . Advises, for reasons of policy, that removal of French fleet from Rhode Island be attributed to damages caused by a storm. Asks Heath to use his influence to obtain assistance for fleet. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
13679General Orders, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General observed on the 26th instant that there were several deficiencies towards a general movement of the Army—He expects every Exertion will be made to supply them without a Moment’s loss of time, that the Troops may in all respects be in a perfect State of readiness for marching at the shortest notice: The several departments of the Army will make their Arrangements accordingly—The...
13680From George Washington to the Board of War, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14th Instant has been duly received. The object which the Board have in view is desireable—and I wish it may be accomplished; however I cannot entertain a hope that accurate returns can be obtained here of the Officers who have served in the Army from the beginning of 1777 to the present time, and I am certain it will be impossible to ascertain the dates of their Commissions....
13681From George Washington to George Clinton, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a letter received this day from Colonel Malcom I learn that the time of service for which the militia in the Highlands is engaged is very near expiring. I am to request you will be pleased to order out a relief of from 500 to 1000 as expeditiously as possible. Besides the call for them to carry on the defences of the river, there is at this juncture an additional necessity for their...
13682From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of your several favors of the 12th & 13th Instant. The packet for the president of Congress, was sent forward by express. I inclose you a letter from General Patterson respecting silk for a set of colors: You will be pleased to give directions to the clothier to have it transmitted to camp. I am Sir your most Obt and very hble Servt LS , in James McHenry’s writing, MHi :...
13683From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The unfortunate circumstance of the French Fleet having left Rhode Island at so critical a moment, I am apprehensive, if not very prudently managed, will have many injurious consequences, besides merely the loss of the advantages we should have reaped from succeeding in the Expedition. It will not only tend to discourage the people, and weaken their confidence in our new alliance, but may...
13684From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly anxious to hear the determination of yourself and the General Officers upon the great reverse of your prospects, since the French Fleet left you. I however think it incumbent upon me to inform you, that from a variety of intelligence, Lord Howe put to sea again on Tuesday, his design no doubt to attempt the relief of New port, which will be easily effected, either by throwing...
13685George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 29 August 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ White Plains, New York ] August 29, 1778 . Sends information concerning maneuvers of British fleet in the Sound. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. This was probably the news sent in Elisha Boudinot to H, August 29, 1778 .
13686General Orders, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
The board of Field-Officers appointed in orders of the 27th instant in the Virginia Line are to take into Consideration and settle Lieutt Colls Brent & Ellison’s claims of rank. Colonels Wyllys, Bradley, Swift and Meigs are appointed to settle the relative rank of the Lieutt Colonels, Majors and Captains in the Connecticutt line—They are desired to meet at Colonel Wyllys’s Marquee three ôClock...
13687From George Washington to Colonel Peter Gansevoort, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favor of the 18th Instant. Inclosed is a copy of a letter sent you some time ago respecting the court martial you transmitted. The spirit of desertion which possessed your soldiers was certainly very alarming and required a serious check. I hope the intention of the example you have made will be fully answered; and altho’ the proceeding was not strictly in the...
13688From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 12th inst. I very highly approve of the determination of your Council to reinlist the nine months Men at this period; if it is left undone, untill the time of their service is near expiring, it will be almost impossible to re-engage them. I, some time ago, pointed out to Congress the expediency of adopting this measure but as yet have not received their Answer....
13689From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 27th inclosing a weekly return of the Garrison. I observe that ten men of your small Regiment are upon furlough, I desire that they may be recalled as soon as the terms expire and that no more may be granted, during the active part of the Campaign. I have wrote to Govr Clinton and have desired him to call in from 500 to 1000 Militia to the Highlands, and I have no...
13690From George Washington to Brigadier General John Stark, 29 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have duly recd yours of the 13th 18th 19th and 21st instants to which I shall reply in course. I have desired the pay Master General to appoint a deputy at Albany and to supply him with the proper Sums to pay the troops to the Northward. I have it not in my power to make you any extra allowance for your expences, an application upon that head must be made to Congress. If Capt. McKeens...