21From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 10 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received your letter of the 9th. I wish mine of the same date had gotten to hand before the transaction you mention had taken place—I fear it will have a bad effect both in the Army and in the Country—I would by no means have you to carry into execution your plan of diversifying the punishment, or in any way to exceed the spirit of my instruction yesterday—And even the...
22From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 12 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine to you of the 5th—I requested you to attend to the movements of the enemy on the river below and for this purpose to engage the country people as look outs along the River—I would wish you to have such persons on whose fidelity and vigilance you can rely stationed at different places as low as fort Lee, that we may have the earliest intelligence of any collection of vessels or boats or...
23From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning I received your favor of yesterdays date —I did not think it necessary to change your position or, the kind of duty I had alloted to you—therefore only repeated to you, that it was my wish you should keep a good watch down the river—This I have now to request you will do in the most effectual manner—I am happy to hear of the fate of the Marauding party your letter mentions—The 24...
24From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two letters of the 21st and 22d—The intelligence you communicate is interesting and I am anxious to have the movements it mentions more clearly and certainly unfolded—You will spare no pains nor cost for this purpose. It is of great importance we should ascertain as early as possible the reality of the supposed embarkation—its extent and the course it takes in the first...
25From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 26 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor by Capt. Rudulph I received yesterday —He has my directions respecting Cloathing for your Officers. As you think the two serjts named in your list officers worthy of promotion, I approve the appointments—the remove of your Qr Mr into McLanes company I also consent to—but, the appointment of an extra capt. in the Corps & 3 subs under McLane I cannot conceive necessary, the former you...
26From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 2 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning your letter dated at Paramus came to hand—I thank you for the intelligence it contains —I have received similar accounts from the other side of the river transmitted by different persons. In the present situation of affairs it is important to discover if possible the views as well as movements of the enemy—for this purpose I should think you might fix on some inhabitant of...
27From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 10 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterday with its inclosures —The plan you propose for the attack of Powlus Hook and for making good the retreat of the party is well concerted, and such as would be most likely to succeed, if the enterprise were to be carried into execution—But upon the whole in the present position of the enemy’s army I should deem the attempt too hazardous and not warranted...
28From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 12 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will see by the inclosed letter to Lord Stirling, which you will be pleased to deliver him, the footing upon which the affair is placed. If upon confering with him, the enterprise is judged elegible, it will be carried into execution. I am Dr Sir Your most hble servt. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW’s first letter to Stirling of this date . GW...
29From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
As Congress are yet uninformed of the enterprise against Powles Hook, and I am anxious to have them furnished with the particulars, I have to request your report without delay. I heart[i]ly congratulate you and wish you to give my thanks to the officers and troops who were concerned on this occasion. I am & Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For Lee’s...
30From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 23 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your report of the attack of Powles Hook transmitted by Capt. Rudulph which I have forwarded to Congress by Lieutenant McCalester. I shall be sorry if this should be contrary to your wish or Capt. Rudulph’s expectation, as I have the best opinion of this Gentleman’s merit. My motives for sending Mr McCalester with the dispatches were that he commanded one of the forlorn hopes...