1To George Washington from Colonel James Mitchell Varnum, September 1775 (Washington Papers)
Prospect Hill September 1775 . Requests that Christopher Greene be brevetted as lieutenant colonel of his regiment, Thomas Holden as major, and John Singer Dexter as adjutant. “There are several other Vacancies, which I’ll not trouble your Excellency about, but wait, at present, & make Application to the Committee of Safety in the Colony of Rhode Island.” ALS , DLC:GW . The context of this...
2To George Washington from Colonel James Mitchell Varnum, 5 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Prospect Hill , 5 December 1775 . Informs GW that Private Ralph Morgan of his regiment “hath a Wife and two Children destitute of an House to cover them, & his Household Furniture in the Streets.” Morgan wants an eight-day furlough, “But, as that Regard which the Colo. is happy in paying to General Orders will not admit of a regimental Relief (Morgan declining the Service), begs his...
3To George Washington from Colonel James Mitchell Varnum, 12 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Prospect Hill, 12 March 1776 . Submits a “Return of Officers to be commissioned in the Ninth Regiment” with vacancies for a second lieutenant, three ensigns, and a surgeon’s mate. “I am not able, at Present, to point out suitable Persons to fill the Vacancies, as I have been confined to my House for upwards of three Weeks, and could not exert myself according to my own Wishes—As often as a...
4From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon your appointment to the Rank of Brigadier General in the Continental Army. Your Commission shall be forwarded to you, as soon as it comes to my hands. It will bear date from 21st last Month. I beg you will make use of your utmost Exertions, to raise and equip the two Battalions allotted to your State, which, by a letter from Govr Cook, I hope will...
5From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity I am under for Troops obliges me to desire You to call upon the several Continental Colonels in your State in the most peremptory manner to make Returns of the Men they have inlisted, and to march all those that have had the Small pox immediately to join the Army here. If any of their Companies are not complete, proper Officers must be left behind to make up the deficiency, and...
6From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Samuel Holden Parsons, Enoch Poor, and James Mitchell Varnum, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Situation of our Affairs again compells me to call upon you in express, and positive Terms to hasten the Troops of your State (those Inlisted for the Continent I mean) to Peeks Kills, or head Quarters, without one moments loss of time. I do not mean by this to interupt the Inoculation of them; but, that nothing which can facilitate the March of the whole, or part (under proper Officers)...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 1–4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Commands of the 3rd March last, I received the 18th of said Month; Agreeable to which I called upon the Colos. for a Return of their Battalions; I have finally got them. On the 28th ultimo your Excellency’s orders of the 6th of the same Month was received. The Troops who have had the small Pox will march on Monday next, about one hundred and forty or fifty as appears by the...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not having been favoured with an Answer to my letter to you on the 3d Ulto I flattered myself that the Order it contained “that you would have innoculated all the Recruits of the two Regiments to be raised by Rhode Island as fast as they inlisted,” had been executed. But a letter from Governor Cook dated the 18th Ulto informs me that You are taking Methods to have the Regiments innoculated as...
9To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 5th Instant I received your Excellency’s Favor of the 12th Ulto; As I had previous thereto virtually comply’d with the Contents, can now only say, I delivered the inclosed Orders to Colonels Crary & Angell. From the first of January last, to the Rect of your Favor of the sixth, of March, the particular Command of the Post at Howland’s Ferry, Tiverton, devolved upon me by Order of General...
10To George Washington from Brig. Gen. James Mitchell Varnum, 28 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. James Mitchell Varnum, 28 April 1777. Varnum wrote GW on 6 May : “On Monday last [28 April] I wrote your Excellency, and inclosed the Returns of the Battalions.”