11To George Washington from Captain Fleury, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
in my quality of engineer in chief at fort mifflin i think that my duty obliges me to informe you of the present situation of the fort. the fire of the enemy has been successful enough to spoile our three Block houses, and dismount the canon of all, except two. the great lockes of which we had covered them are not strong enough to preserve the inside of the block houses, and we have none...
12To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been detained here these two days, by a fever and violent rheumatic pains throughout my body. This has prevented my being active in person for promoting the purposes of my errand, but I have taken every other method in my power, in which Governor Clinton has obligingly given me all the aid he could. In answer to my pressing application to General Poor for the immediate marching of his...
13From George Washington to James Mease, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 4th inclosing Returns of the Cloathing that has been delivered, and which you are now sending on to Camp. If I understand you, it is all that you have on hand made or unmade. If this is so, our prospects are melancholy indeed, except considerable quantities are expected from abroad, or are on some other part of the Continent. Of this I shall be glad to be informed...
14To George Washington from Pierre Penet, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
permit me to address these few lines in Congratulation of your late success against the Troops of Great Brittain, as we have just had the agreeable news by post of the arrival of a Packet at St Malo’s in this Kingdom, whereby we learn you have drove them & prevented their schemes against the Southern Colonies—I have taken the Liberty of sending you a pair of Shoulder knots & a sword knot, also...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I Receved your Excelanceys favour of yesterday at 10 oClock last night. I was out Reconnitring, the Shiping are com up the number of soldiers I cant assurtain. as to the marching of the Militia the were all at Head Quarters before I Recd your Letter, as for my Harressing the Enemy the sitation of the pleace is such that I can do Little, and my numbers so Trifling, that I cant prevent there...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorey to Inform your excelancey that Last night in the night the enemy got two Briggs and one Sloop up past the Island on the side next the Islands and this day they were unloading them at the Lowast ferrey in Schulkill, there has been a verey hevey fiering this day at the fourt from the Battreys on the Islands the fourt Seldom Returned the fier the Galleys went lower down the River then...
17From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Favor of the 10th Instant, and am sorry to find the Enemy’s Batteries had played with such Success against our Works. Nevertheless, I hope they will not oblige you to evacuate them. They are of the last importance, and I trust will be maintained till the latest extremity. I have written to Genl Varnum to afford you immediate succour by sending Fresh Troops to releive...
18To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday unfortunately recd a Contusion on my Hip & left Arm both which give me much pain. I imprudently went into my Barracks to answer a Letter from Gen. Varnum & A Ball came through the Chimney & Struck me on the Hip So forcibly that I remain’d senseless for Some time. however I am happy to find myself much less hurted than I at first imagin’d & Hope in 5 or 6 days to be again fit for...
19From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find from yours of Yesterday, that the fire of the Enemy had made so great an impression upon the Works of Fort Mifflin, that you thought an evacuation would be necessary. As I have not yet heard that the measure was determined upon, I hope it is not carried into execution. If it is not, it is the unanimous opinion of a Council of General Officers now sitting, that the Fort be...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Garrison holds out; tho’ the Enemy continue to batter with great Success upon the Works, but few Men are killed and wounded. The Troops are extremely fatigued. I shall send one Hundred fresh Troops this Night, &, all that I have tomorrow Night, if the Fort should remain defensible—The most fatigued will be taken from the Garrison. Colo. Smith will be unable to return to his Command for...