9171From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 29 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 25 Inst. came safely to hand. Capt. Whipple’s Voyage has been unfortunate, but it is not in our power to Command Success, tho’ it is always our duty to deserve it. I hope he will be mo⟨re⟩ Successful in his intended Voyage. If it ⟨is⟩ proposed in Consequence of the Direction of the Congress I think it proper you shoud apprize him that two Schooners have Sailed from hence to...
9172From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 29 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
As you will be fully informed of every matter and thing relative to the army, by your own Committee I should not have given you the trouble of a Letter at this time were it not on Colo. Reeds acct—He is, as I presume you may have heard, concernd in many of the principal Causes now depending in the Courts of Pensylvania and should those Causes be press’d for tryal by his brethren of the...
9173From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 29 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of addressing you last no material occurrence has happened in our Camp. Depy Governor Griswold was very desirous to take the minutes of the Conference with the Delegates of the Continental Congress, with him, but they were so lengthy the time did not admit of it—As soon as they can be copied fair they shall be transmitted. I was somewhat surprised to find, that in one...
9174General Orders, 30 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
9175From George Washington to John Hancock, 30 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Information which the Gentlemen who have lately gone from hence can give the Congress of the State & Situation of the Army would have made a Letter unnecessary if I did not suppose there would be some Anxiety to know the Intentions of the Army on the Subject of their Re-inlistment. Agreeable to the Advice of those Gentlemen & my own Opinion, I immediately began by directing all such...
9176From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 30 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
After you left this yesterday Mr Tudor presented me with the Inclosed—as there may be some observations worthy of notice I forward it to you, that it may be presented to the Congress; but I would have his remarks upon the frequency of General Courts Martial consider’d with some degree of caution, for although the nature of his Office affords him the best oppertunity of discovering the...
9177From George Washington to James Warren, 30 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
At the Instance and Request of the Committee of Cape Ann, I dispatched Major Mason, to survey and make a Report of, such Works of Defence, as were already constructed there, and how far any new one might be necessary. From his Observations and account I find, that a Battery may be erected there, to the great Advantage, and Security of the Place. But the small Stock of Artillery, belonging to...
9178From George Washington to Lund Washington, 30 October 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 30 Oct. 1775. On 12 Nov. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “Yours of the 30th Octbr I recievd last night.”
9179General Orders, 31 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
As many Officers, and others, have begun to inlist men for the Continental Army, without Orders from Head Quarters; The General desires, that an immediate Stop be put thereto; that the inlistments be return’d; and that no person for the future, presume to interfere in this matter, ’till there is a proper establishment of Officers, and those Officers authorised and instructed in what manner to...
9180General Orders, 1 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
The General recommends it to those Officers, who have signified their Intention to continue in the service of the United Colonies another Campaign, not to run themselves to any expence in procuring Coats and Waistcoats until they are arranged into proper Corps and the Uniforms of the Regiment they belong to ascertained; which will probably be in a few days. Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
9181From George Washington to Loammi Baldwin, 1 November 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Loammi Baldwin, 1 Nov. 1775. At the end of a draft of a letter to GW, dated 3 Nov., Baldwin wrote : “an answer to a letter of Novr 1 1775.”
9182General Orders, 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
9183From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 28th Ulto before me—immediately upon reciept of it, I communicated the Contents to the D: Commissary, (Mr Trumbull being sick in Connecticut—) as a business appertaining to his department; but, as Deputy, he wishes for the direction of his principal, to whom I could wish you to write, as he is at Lebanon & not expected back under three Weeks—his intention I know, was...
9184From George Washington to John Hancock, 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I could not suffer Mr Randolph to quit this Camp with out bearing some testimony of my duty to the Congress, although his sudden departure (occasioned by the death of his worthy relative, whose loss as a good Citizen, and valuable member of Society is much to be regretted) does not allow me time to be particular. The Inclosed return shews at one view what reliance we have upon the Officers of...
9185From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 30th ulto by Mr Trumbull —I sincerely wish this Camp could furnish a good Engineer—The Commisary Genl can inform you how excedingly deficient the Army is of Gentlemen skilled in that branch of business; and that most of the works which have been thrown up for the defence of our several Encampments have been planned by a few of the principal Officers...
9186From George Washington to Joseph Trumbull, 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
The news of your recovery, has given your friends a great deal of Joy. we had little hopes of seeing you again from some late accts of your health. I have given Captn Wadsworth a draft on the Treasury for 120,000 Dollars agreeable to your request, although the State of our Cash is by no means able to bear such a pull upon it. besides this, Mr Avery on the 20th Instt got a Warrt for 20, M...
9187From George Washington to James Warren, 2 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I promised the Gentlemen who did me the honor to Call upon me yesterday by order of your house, that I woud inquire of the Quartr Mr General, & Let them Know to day what quantity of wood & Hay woud be necessary to suply this Army threw the winter. I accordingly did so & desired Genl Gates this morning to inform you, that it was his (the Qr Masters) oppinion it woud require ten thousand Cord of...
9188General Orders, 3 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
William Briant, Alexander Ingham, Francis Woobourn and Joseph Rockwood, tried at a late General Court martial, for “stealing Rum out of the Commissary General’s Stores” The Court are of opinion that the prisoners Briant, Ingham & Woobourn are not guilty; but that the prisoner Rockwood alone is guilty of the Crime laid to his charge, and do therefore sentence him to receive Ten Lashes upon his...
9189General Orders, 4 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Artemas Ward’s orderly book gives the countersign as “Falmouth” ( MHi ).
9190From George Washington to Josiah Quincy, 4 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 31st Ulto was presented to me yesterday. I than⟨k⟩ you (as I shall do every Gentleman) for suggesting any Measure which you conceive to be conducive to the publick Service; but in the adoption of a Plan, many things are to be considered, to decide upon the utility of it. In the one proposed by you, I shall not undertake to determine, whether it be good, or whether it be bad;...
9191Circular Instructions for the Seizure of Certain Royal Officials, 5–12 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
At a time when some of our Sea port Towns are cruelly and Wantonly laid in Ashes; and ruin & Devastation denounced against others—When the Arms are demanded of the Inhabitants, and Hostages required (in effect) to Surrender their Liberties—When General Howe by Proclamation, under the threat of Military Execution, has forbid the Inhabitants of Boston to leave the Town without his permission,...
9192General Orders, 5 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Samuel Huntington, and John Englis, soldiers in the 34th Regt of foot, tried at a late General Court Martial for “ Mutiny ”—The Court upon mature consideration, are of opinion that the Evidence against the prisoners, is not sufficient to convict them of Mutiny ; but that they are each of them guilty, of assisting and encouraging Mutiny; therefore adjudge that each of them pay a fine of fifteen...
9193From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 5 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 26th Ulto with the Inclosures containing an account of the Surrender of Fort Chamblee was an excellent Repast, but somewhat incompleat for Want of Montgomery’s Letter which (a Copy) you omitted to inclose. On the Success of your Enterprize so far I sincerely congratulate you. as the acquisition of Canada is of unmeasurable Importance to the Cause we are engaged in—No acot of...
9194General Orders, 6 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Robert Hanson Harrison Esqr. is appointed Aid-de-Camp to his Excellency the Commander in Chief, and all orders, whether written or verbal, coming from the General, through Mr Harrison are to be punctually obeyed. Although the men confined by Lieut. Col. Reed of the 26th Regt were released upon Application to Head Quarters—The General, so far from being displeased with Col. Reed, for his...
9195From George Washington to Enoch Moody, 6 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 2d Inst. and am very Sorry it is not in my power to Supply the necessities of the Town of Falmouth—I have referr’d the Gentleman who brought Me your Letter, to the General Court of this Province, who I hope will fall upon some method for your Assistance, the arrival of the Cerberus Man of War tho very alarming, I do not apprehend they will attempt to penetrate into...
9196From George Washington to Colonel Edmund Phinney, 6 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Having received a Letter from Mr Enoch Moody, Chairman of the Committee of Falmouth, that the Inhabitants of that Town are greatly alarmed by the arrival of the Cerberus man of war and are under great apprehensions that Some of the Kings Troops will be Landed there It is my desire that you raise all the force you can and give the Town every assistance in my power. The difficulty of removing...
9197From George Washington to Lund Washington, 6 November 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 6 Nov. 1775. On 3 Dec. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “Two Letters from you came to hand this Week dated Nvmr the 6th & 12th.”
9198General Orders, 7 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
9199General Orders, 8 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
9200From George Washington to John Hancock, 8 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
The immediate occasion of my giving the Congress the trouble of a Letter at this time, is to inform them, that in consequence of their Order signified in your Letter of the 20th Ulto, I laid myself under a solemn tye of secresy to Captn McPherson, and proceeded to examine his Plan for the destruction of the Fleet in the Harbour of Boston with all that care and attention which the Importance of...
9201From George Washington to Richard Henry Lee, 8 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I mean but to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favour of the 22d ultimo; for, as I expect this letter will be handed to you in Philadelphia, to recite the contents of my letter to the Congress would be little more than idle repetition. I should be very glad if the Congress would, without delay, appoint some mode by which an examination into the captures made by our armed vessels may be...
9202From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 8 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Ship-wreck of a Vessell, said to be from Philadelphia to Boston near Plymouth, with 120 Pipes of Wine, 118 of which are save’d—another from Boston to Hallifax near Beverly, with about 240£s worth of dry Goods—the taking of a Wood Vessel bound to Boston by Captn Adams —and the sudden departure of Mr Randolph (occassiond by the death of his Uncle) are all the occurrances, worth noticing,...
9203General Orders, 9 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
To prevent any false Alarm, Notice is hereby given, that the Riffle Battalion will discharge their Arms to morrow, at twelve at noon. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Artemas Ward’s orderly book includes an additional paragraph offering a reward for the return of a pocketbook containing $42 in paper money that Brigade Major David Henley lost “between Head Quarters & Prospect Hill” ( MHi ).
9204From George Washington to James Warren, 9 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Mr Lewis who left Boston yesterday afternoon Informs me, that on account of the Scarcity of Wood and provisions in that place, General Howe has Issued a proclamation, desiring such of the Inhabitants as are Inclined to leave the Town, to give in their names & a List of their effects before Twelve OClock this day. As the Caution necessary to be used with these people to prevent a...
9205From George Washington to William Ramsay, 10–16 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
By Mr Harrison I have been favour’d with your Letter of the 16th Ulto, and am glad to find that my Address to the People of Canada, and Corrispondance with genl Gage have Merited the approbation of the Publick. I am not without my hopes that Arnold, and his Detachment have got into good Quarters in Quebec, long before this—I have heard nothing (directly) from him since the 13th Ulto; which,...
9206General Orders, 10 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
The General thanks Col. Thompson, and the other gallant Officers and Soldiers (as well of other Regiments as the Rifflers) for their alacrity Yesterday, in pushing thro’ the water, to get to the Enemy on Letchmore’s point; he is inform’d that there were some (names as yet unknown) who discover’d a backwardness in crossing the Causway—these will be marked, if they can be discovered—The General...
9207From George Washington to Colonel Alexander McDougall, 10 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Having been favourd with your Letter of the 23d Ulto by Mr Ray, permit me to assure you, that I shall, at all times, esteem it a happiness to have it in my power to shew Civility to any Gentleman of your recommendation—It is exceedingly necessary for every person, appearing in the character of a Gentleman, & not personally known, to bring Letters of Introduction from those that are, otherwise,...
9208From George Washington to Colonel William Woodford, 10 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 18th of September came to my hands on Wednesday last, through Boston, and open, as you may suppose. It might be well to recollect by whom you sent it, in order to discover if there has not been some treachery practised. I do not mean to flatter, when I assure you, that I highly approve of your appointment. The inexperience you complain of is a common case, and only to be...
9209General Orders, 11 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
9210From George Washington to John Hancock, 11 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to address myself to you the 8th Inst. by Captain Macpherson, Since which, I have an account of a Schooner Laden Chiefly with fire wood being brought into Marblehead, by the armed Schooner Lee Captain Manly. She had on board the Master, a midshipman, two Marines, & four Sailors, from the Cerberus man of war, who had made prize of this Schooner a few days before, and was...
9211General Orders, 12 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Each Colonel upon the new-establishment, to come to Head Quarters, to morrow morning ten OClock, in order to receive from the Adjutant General, as many printed Inlistments, as there are commission’d Officers in his Regiment—They will therefore without delay distribute One to each Officer, who is forthwith to proceed to inlist men for their respective Regiments in the Continental Army. The...
9212From George Washington to Lund Washington, 12 November 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 12 Nov. 1775. On 3 Dec. Lund Washington wrote to GW : “Two Letters from you came to hand this Week dated Nvmr the 6th & 12th.”
9213General Orders, 13 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Colonels upon the new Establishment to settle, as soon as possible, with the Qr Mr General, the Uniform of their respective regiments; that the buttons may be properly number’d, and the work finished without delay. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See General Orders, 17 Nov. 1775 .
9214From George Washington to William Bartlett, 13 November 1775 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to William Bartlett, 13 Nov. 1775. On this date Bartlett wrote to GW : “I hereby Acknolidge the Receipt of Your favour of the . . . 13th Instant.”
9215General Orders, 14 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
This moment a confirmation is arrived, of the glorious Success of the Continental Arms, in the Reduction, and Surrender, of the Fortress of St Johns; the Garrisons of that place and Chamblee being made Prisoners of war —The Commander in Chief is confident, the Army under his immediate direction, will shew their Gratitude to providence, for thus favouring the Cause of Freedom and America; and...
9216General Orders, 15 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Lieutt Lyon of Major Johnson’s Company in the 34th Regt tried at a late General Court Martial whereof Col. Pattersons was president for “aiding and countenancing a mutiny in the Camp”—There being no proof of the Charge; the Court unanimously acquit the prisoner. Lieut. Soaper and Ensign Parker, tried at a Genl Court Martial whereof Col. Douglass was president, for “striking & abusing Lieuts....
9217From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 15 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Cambridge , 15 November 1775 . “Inclosed you have a Copy of instructions given to Genl Sullivan on his departure for Portsmouth New Hampshire.” LS , in Stephen Moylan’s writing, NjMoHP ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The contents of this letter are nearly identical to the third, fourth, and fifth paragraphs of GW’s letter to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., of this date. See Circular Instructions for...
9218From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 15 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 6th inst. in which you give a detail of Dr Chiney’s case as it appeared before you and Council, in which nothing but the fair side of his character appears. You may be assured Sir that his tryal will be impartial, that no insidious designs of his inemies will have weight, and that it will give me much plasure to find he can acquit himself of the crimes he is...
9219General Orders, 16 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Motives of Oeconomy rendering it indispensibly necessary, that many of the Regiments should be reduced, and the whole put upon a different establishment; several deserving Officers, not from any demerit, but pure necessity, have been excluded in the New Arrangement of the Army, among these was Col. Whitcomb; but the noble Sentiments disclosed by that Gentleman, upon this Occasion, the Zeal he...
9220Instructions to Colonel Henry Knox, 16 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to examine into the state of the Artillery of this army & take an account of the Cannon, Mortars, Shels, Lead & ammunition that are wanting; When you have done that, you are to proceed in the most expeditious manner to New York; There apply to the president of the provincial Congress, and learn of him, whether Col. Reed did any thing, or left any orders—respecting these...