1George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 March 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Morristown [ New Jersey ] March 8, 1777. Instructs Smallwood to order all officers and men not needed for recruiting to repair to camp. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
2From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The present weak state of our army, and the appearance of a speedy movement being intended by the ennemy make it necessary that I should use every resource to augment our numbers in the most expeditious manner possible. You will therefore immediately call upon the commanding officers of all the regiments of yr state, and order them without delay to repair to camp, with such men as they have...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of 24th of April I received Yesterday, with the arrangements &ca inclosed. It is with concern I understand, that the recruiting Service has been so materially injured by the ineffectual Measures fallen upon by your Legislature and the removal and resignation of Officers. Until the Regiments, or at least a Majority of them join us, it will not be in my power to fix the Rank referred...
4George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 July 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Smiths Clove [ New York ] July 18, 1777. Requests Smallwood to join Army at Headquarters. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
5From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
A long time since, you wrote to me, asking my directions whether you should come on to join the army, with second division of the troops of your state; or should stay behind to forward the remaining recruits—in answer to which I recommended to you to accompany the second division. I expected ere this to have had the pleasure of seeing you at Camp, and I am intirely at a loss to conceive what...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 20 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 15th by Capt. Cosden. I am sorry to hear that you did not find your Brigade in that order, as to discipline &ca that you could have wished, but I hope your attention to it in person will soon work the necessary reform. I most sincerely wish that the success of the recruiting Service had been such, that all our Brigades would have made a more respectable...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 23 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the march to day I was honored with a Letter from Congress transmitting Sundry Resolutions for calling out reinforcements of Militia to repel the threatned invasion by the Enemy, who have arrived high up in the North East part of Chesepeak Bay. Such as respect the Militia of Maryland and which make the Subject of this Letter, you will find inclosed. I request, that immediately after receipt...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 30 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of the directions of Congress, I wrote you on the 23d Instant by Express, requesting you & Colol M. Gist to repair immediately to Maryland to arrange—march & conduct the Militia of that State which Congress had called for, Twelve Hundred & Fifty of which were to assemble at Baltimore [and] at Hartford Towns, and Seven hundred & fifty more at George Town on the Eastern Shore...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 9 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 4th Inst. and hope by this Time, that you have arrived at Nottingham. The Enemy advanced towards us Yesterday with a seeming intention of attacking our post near New port. We waited for them all day, but upon reconnoitring their situation in the Evening, we judged they only meant to amuse us in Front, while they marched by our right flank and gained the Heights of...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 12 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having more maturely considered ⟨the⟩ situation and circumstances of the Enemy, since Colo. Hamilton wrote you this Morning, It appears to me, that the Forces under your command, can not be employed to so much advantage in anyway, as by falling on the Enemy’s Rear and attacking & harrassing them, as Often as possible. I am persuaded many advantages will result from this measure. It will...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
As it may be dangerous for the Troops under your command to act alone, and the service may be more advanced by drawing Our Whole Force together, I earnestly request, that you will form a junction with the Main Army as soon, as you possibly can. We shall be at Warwick Furnace, on French Creek to Morrow Evening. The Enemy are now posted near the White Horse Tavern on the Road leading from...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
With the Division lately commanded by Genl Sullivan, you are to March immediately for Wilmington, and take Post there. you are not to delay a moment in putting the place in the best posture of defence, to do which, and for the security of it afterwards, I have written in urgent terms to the President of the Delaware State to give every aid he possibly can of Militia —I have also directed an...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy marched out of Philada this morning early with a considerable Body. Their intent is said to be to forage, but lest they may have something further in view, I think it proper to put you upon your guard. They incamp this Evening near Derby. I have this day recd information that the Troops which were embarked some days ago, and were said to be destined for New York are designed to land...
14From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 27th as I was with those of the 22d and 25th: I imagine the Ships you saw going down were only empty transports and Victuallers for which having no use, they think it safer to send them aw⟨ay tha⟩n let them lay crouded in the docks of Phila⟨da⟩ where a single Vessel taking fire might prove destructive of the whole. The Enemy, who were only out upon a...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been regularly favd with yours of the 28th and 30th of December and of the 1st instant. I congratulate you upon the prize that has fallen into your hands, and the more so as she turns out more valuable than you at first expected. That her Cargo may be removed and secured with all possible expedition, I have sent Colo. Biddle to assist you, he will take down with him all the Waggons that...
16From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Learning that the Captured Brig contains a great quantity and variety, of officers baggage; and necessaries proper for them; many articles of which from the length of time I have been in the service and difficulty of procuring them at first, I stand much in need of, I shall be obliged to you for sending me, if to be had, the things contained in the Inclosed memm. I will pay the appraised...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed to Govr Johnston, on the subject of compleating and Cloathing the Troops of Maryland, is left open for your inspection. After reading, be pleased to seal and transmit it to the Governor with the Returns for which I have referred him to you. The Officers in this Camp are anxious to come in for a share of the Baggage taken in the prize Brig. That justice may be done to all, I...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 10th: My order to you to have the Baggage removed to this place was founded upon information that there was a much greater quantity than there turns out, but as it proves otherwise you were right in detaining it, till you represented the matter to me—I wish the Gentlemen who drew up and signed the representation had attended more closely to my letter. They would...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you this morning on the subject of the prize Brig Symetry, the Regulations of the Feild Officers of the division for conducting the Sale and disposing of the Cargo was laid before me with a letter from the Regimental Surgeons and Mates to Docr Cochran. These Gentlemen feel themselves so much hurt by the discrimination made by these Regulations between them and the Officers of...
20From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 23 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As I have not recd any answer to mine of the 13th instant, I am at a loss how to give you further directions respecting the Sale or distribution of the Symetry’s Cargo. My reason for putting a stop to it was upon seeing what was certainly a very inequitable mode, upon several accounts, of conducting the Business as appeared by a plan drawn up by the Feild Officers. In the first place, the...
21From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 26th ⅌ Express, inclosing Returns of the Maryland Companies of Artillery and the law of that State for recruiting their Battalions. Their Bounties are generous but I very much fear that nothing short of drafting will have the desired effect—The Congress having ordered Hazens Regt to the Northward for a particular purpose I have directed Major Taylor to march...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 16 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The distress of this army for want of provisions is perhaps beyond any thing you can conceive; and unless we strain every nerve to procure immediate relief, a general mutiny and dispersion is to be dreaded. Our nearest Magazines are at Dover and the Hd of Elk; and it is absolutely necessary, by a vigorous effort, to push on all the provisions at those places, for the present subsistence of the...
23George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, February 21, 1778 . Discusses method for obtaining shoes for Smallwood’s men. States difference between intended and attempted desertion and proper punishment for each. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
24From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with yours of the 10th instant. You intirely misconceived my intention, with respect to the mode proposed of furnishing your division with shoes. I did not mean, that a shoe manufactory should be established for the purpose; but only, that you should contract with private persons, in the way of barter, to furnish you with such a number of shoes, and to be paid for...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your Two favors of the 15th and 21st Instant. I thank you much for the trouble you took in procuring the several Articles, which came by Serjeant Sprigg. The Caledonian pistols and both Swords I return—The latter are too small. I wish to be informed by the earliest opportunity of the prices of the other Articles, that I may transmit you the Money. I will order the...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 1 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 27th ulto was delivered to me by Express and that of the 28th by Colo. proctor, who saw the British Ships and Craft on their return, they had passed Marcus Hook. He says it was reported that they had burnt Salem, he does not know the truth of this, but he saw a great smoke in that quarter. When I heard last from Genl Wayne he was at Haddenfield, and I hope will return safe with...
27From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 6 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 3d instant and am sorry to find that what I meant merely as a joke has been taken by you in a serious point of light. I can assure you I never had the least suspicion that any part of your time was sacrificed or your duty neglected on account of the Ladies who fell into your hands. As it has been thought expedient to detain them a considerable time for the security...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 20th: I think the Steps you are taking in regard to removing what Forage can be carried off and destroying what cannot, are very proper—As it is more than probable that the Enemy will attempt a stroke at you with a superior Force, nothing more ought to be kept at the post than is absolutely necessary. I would therefore have you immediately send four pieces of your...
29From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours without a date, inclosing the proceedings of a Court Martial held upon Colo. Hall of Maryland. Inclosed you have Copy of my opinion which is published in the General Orders of this day. I am informed that there still remains a considerable quantity of Hay between Chester and Wilmington upon the River side, particularly at one John Smiths near Marcus Hook. I...
30From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 12 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours by Mr Burrell, who I believe has found his son in more agreeable circumstances than he expected. Upon a full consideration of all circumstances I have determined to withdraw the main Body of your division from Wilmington, and to leave a Feild officer and two good Captains with about 150 Men who can be depended upon, to act as patrols from Wilmington to Duck Creek, and, in...