1From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste de Gouvion, June 1780 (Washington Papers)
By His Excellency George Washington Esqr. General & Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States. Whereas Colonel Gouvion of the Corps of Engineers hath served in the American Army with great reputation from an early period of the War, until the happy termination of it in the acknowledgment of the Independence of the United States—And whereas his services have been principally...
2Questions and Answers about York Island, 1781 (Washington Papers)
Questions: 1 How many Batteries are there between Laurel hill & Fort Tryon, along the line of Pallisades? Answers: Only one which is commanded by the Work on Laurel Hill—it has four 18 pounders in it. 2 Are they all open Batteries? It is open in the Rear. 3 Are they under the command of the close redoubts?—and could the men allotted for their defence remain in them if an Enemy was possessed of...
3Washington’s Observation Respecting the 1781 Campaign, 1781 (Washington Papers)
If the Count de Grass should arrive before the expected reinforcement reaches New York—more especially if he brings a land force of 2000 Men—or can possess himself of the harbor of New York. We ought to prosecute the operation against New York with the Men we have & the chance of obtaining more. If on the other hand a reinforcement of 2000 Men should come from Virginia before the French fleet...
4From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 7 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged to you for the answer to the address as soon as it is convenient to you. if we do not ride to the point to See the fleet pass out, I am to have a conference with Count De Rochambeau & the Engineer directly after Breakfast, at which I wish you to be present. I am sincerely and affectly Yr DLC : Alexander Hamilton Papers.
5From George Washington to Christopher Ellery, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Among the distinguished honors which have a claim to my gratitude since my arrival I have seen with peculiar satisfaction those effusions of esteem and attachment which have manifested themselves in the Citizens of this antient Town. My happiness is complete in a moment that unites the expressions of their sentiments for me with their suffrages in favor of our Allies. The conduct of the French...
6From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that the whole Fleet went out with a fair Wind this Evening about sun set. You may possibly hear of their arrival in Chesapeak before this letter reaches you– Should you not– You will have every thing prepared for falling down the Bay at a moments warning– We have not yet heard of any more of the British in Gardeners Bay– Should we luckily meet with no...
7From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform Your Excellency that the Fleet set sail this Evening about Sun Set, with a fair Wind—We have not yet heard of any movement of the British in Gardiners Bay—A few days must determine whether they intend to give us any interruption. I have the honor to be with the highest Respect Yr Excellency’s Most obt and hble Servt AAE : Memoires et Documents, Etats-Unis.
8From George Washington to William Gordon, 9 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter begun on the 28th Ulto ended the first instant came to my hds at this place– I am conscious of being indebted to you for several other unacknowledged favors. I thank you for ascribing my omission to a multiplicity of other matters. I can with much truth assure you that my business has encreased with our difficulties, & kept equal pace with them. To what length these have arisen no...
9From George Washington to Massachusetts Continental Agent in Newburyport, 10 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 19th Ulto from Newbury port came safe to hand as did one of an earlier date (I think) for when I requested you to purchase a pair of E pau lets for me at this place—it was on the presumption that there were French sutlers-- or shopkeepers who abounded in them—as this is not the case, It was not my meaning that you should and I am sorry you did give yourself any further...
10From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 11 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform your Excellency that I arrived here on the 6th. In consequence of previous arrangements between the Count de Rochambeau and myself I found between eleven and twelve hundred of the French Grenadiers and Infantry already embarked and the Fleet nearly ready to sail. They however did not put to sea until the evening of the 8th. By advices from New London the...
11From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 11 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I informed you on the 8th in the Eveng that the French Fleet had put to sea. By advices from New London the British did the same yesterday morning with their whole force. They gave out publicly that they were bound for Chesapeak—I think the French had so much the start that they will first reach that Bay, but as there is no accounting for the delays and accidents of the sea I have given you...
12From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 11 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor to inform your Excellency that the French Fleet put to sea on the evening of the 8th. By advices from New London, the British in Gardener’s Bay did the same yesterday morning. They took their sick on board and departed with their whole force— They gave out that they were destined for Chesapeak. From appearances a meeting of the two Fleets seems unavoidable— Their force...
13From George Washington to Jacob Bayley, 12 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 25th ulto at this place. It is not in my power to comply with the request of the Men of Major Whitcombs Corps or with that of the Inhabitants of Coos to leave those Men upon the Frontier. Congress finding the great expence incurred and little advantages derived from a number of detached Corps, small in respect to Men but full of Officers, have been pleased to direct all...
14From George Washington to William Greene, 12 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s polite favr of the 8th—It would have given me singular pleasure had circumstances admitted of my making a visit to Providence upon my return to the Army, but the very interesting intelligence which we may now daily expect from the Southward make it necessary for me to return by the Route in which the chain of Expresses are Stationed; lest I should...
15From George Washington to Meshech Weare, 12 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Having lately been obliged to make a very considerable detachment from the troops in the vicinity of West point, I have been under the necessity of calling upon the neighbouring States to send forward the new Levies which have been raised, and of urging them to compleat their Quotas as expeditiously as possible. The same reasons urge me to make the same requests of your State, and to desire...
16From George Washington to Benjamin Whitcomb, 12 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
After the positive order given to you to send the Men of your Corps to the Regiments of the States to which they respectively belong, I little expected to have heard that they were still at Coos, and to have received a petition from the Men themselves desiring the indulgence of remaining there—You very well know the order was given in conformity to a Resolve of Congress for reforming the Corps...
17From George Washington to Jabez Bowen, 14 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am happy in the oppertunity which your address affords me of testifying to you how deeply I am penetrated with those demonstrations of attachment which I have experienced from the Inhabitants of this Town. The confidence and affection of his fellow Citizens is the most valuable & agreeable reward a Citizen can receive—Next to the happiness of my Country, this is the most powerful inducement...
18From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
By letters which I have met at this place from the Marquis de la Fayette I find that he was embarked and had determined to fall as low down the Chesapeak as Annapolis as the passage is more certain from thence than from Elk River. I have received advice from Colo. Dayton an intelligent Officer stationed near Elizabeth town that the British transports at New York fell down to the Hook on...
19From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
It would have afforded me the greatest pleasure, had I been able to have extended my late visit to Newport as far as Boston, but the important operations, which may be expected to the southward, made it necessary for me to return as soon as possible to the North River, that I might be more immediately in the way of receiving intelligence, and communicating any, which might be essential to the...
20From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 18 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received intelligence last night from General Heath—that the British Transports which were supposed to have sailed from New York on the 9th returned again to the watering place on the 11th. Various are the conjectures and reports in New York upon the occasion, but I hope the true reason is, that finding the French Fleet a head of them, they did not chuse to risque the detachment. I shall...
21From George Washington to François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de Chastellux, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived, my dear Chevalr, at these my Quarters in the fore noon of yesterday; after passing over very bad roads & riding thro very foul weather without any damage—I must again give vent to that sensibility wch your goodness has impressed me with—and again thank you for all those civilities which your politeness heaped up on me at Rhode Island—I shall be greateful for them—& shall wish for...
22From George Washington to Nathanael Greene, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I returned the last Evening from Newport to which place I had been upon a visit to the Count de Rochambeau. I have, since my last of the 28th of Feby, received yours of the 9th 15th and 28th of the same month—the last releived me from much anxiety by informing me that you had saved all your Baggage—Artillery and Stores notwithstanding the hot pursuit of the Enemy and that you in turn were...
23From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, Sr., 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return to this place last night, I met your private & friendly letter of the 25th of February. I do not delay a moment to thank you for the interesting matter contained in it, and to express my surprize at that part which respects a pension for my Mother. True it is, I am but little acquainted with her present situation, or distresses, if she is under any. As true it is, a year or two...
24From George Washington to William Heath, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my arrival at this place yesterday, I found your letter of the 2d, inclosing the complaints of sundry field Officers of the Massachusetts line. It is a painful reflection, that the best meant endeavors to promote the Service is subject to, and often meets with, the most unfavourable constructions; and that the numerous embarrassments which the distressed situation of our affairs...
25From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I returned to this place yesterday at Noon. I did not prosecute my intention of visiting Springfield, as I wished not to be out of the line of communication from the Southward, on account of the important intelligences which may be hourly expected from that quarter. Give me leave sincerely to congratulate Your Excellency and Congress upon the completion of the Confederation of the United...
26From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I should have done myself the honor to have acknowledged your Excellency’s Letters of the 8th, 12th,17th, 26th of February and 8th Inst., at the time they were severally received; had I not been absent from this place on a Journey to the French Army at New Port, from whence I have but just now returned. The transactions and movements you have made me acquainted with in the course of these...
27From George Washington to James Potter, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I returned yesterday to this Place from Rhode Island, and now take the earliest opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 19th Ulto which was put into my hands on my arrival. I am extremely obliged to you, Gentlemen, for this communication of the Proceedings with respect to the late unhappy affair, which has taken place in the Pennsylvania Line—Sensible that the circumstances...
28From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place yesterday at Noon. Upon my return I found intelligence contradicting that which I gave your Excellency from Hartford. The British Transports, I suppose, had made some change of disposition, which gave rise to the report of their having sailed and returned again to New York. I believe it may now be depended on that they sailed from the Hook the 13th instant. I am in...
29From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have not had it in my power, untill the present moment, to acknowledge the receipt of your several favors of the 18th and 23d of Febry & 1st Inst. which were forwarded to me, while on my Journey to Rhode Island, from whence I returned Yesterday. Since the Enemy have turned so much of their attention to the Southern States, the situation of our affairs in them, has become extremely...
30General Orders, 22 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief having returned from Rhode Island and resumed the Command of the Army Approves the orders issued by Major General Heath and thanks him for his great attention to the security of the Posts entrusted to his care. The Honorable the Congress have been pleased to make the following appointment In Congress January 8th 1781 "Congress proceeded to the election of an Adjutant...
31From George Washington to Catharine Littlefield Greene Miller, 22 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last, written in an hour of haste from Providence would inform you of my disappointment in not havg the please of seeing you in the course of my trip to R Island—Since my arrival at this place I have received a letter from Genl Greene of the 28th Feby (with the inclosed to you) informing me that Lord Cornwallis was retreating & that he was advancing; but the end & design of the Retrograde...
32From George Washington to Thomas Sim Lee, 22 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 18th ulto came to Head Quarters during my visit to Count de Rochambeau at Newport from whence I only returned two days ago. You may be assured that every attention shall be paid to the Exchange of Colo. Marbury in his due turn, more than that I cannot promise without deviating from a Rule of conduct which I myself had ever observed and which has lately been...
33From George Washington to Joseph Willard, 22 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much indebted to you for announcing my election as a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences—I feel myself particularly honored by this relation to a Society whose efforts to promote useful knowledge will, I am perswaded, acquire them a high reputation in the literary world. I entreat you to present my warmest acknowledgements to that respectable body and to assure them that I...
34General Orders, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial held by order of the Commander in Chief at Springfield the 1st instant—Colonel Shepard President—Mr John Collins Deputy Commissary of Military stores was tried on the following charges vizt. 1st For defrauding the Public of a quantity of saltpetre and employing a person to receive the same as his property, but to conceal his name as he was a public officer and to...
35From George Washington to François Barbé de Marbois, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your favor of the 1st at Newport, upon a most agreeable visit Le Count de Rochambeau & the Gentlemen of the French Army. I shall most readily grant the certificate which the friend s of the late La Radier desire, but as it will be necessary for me to see Genl Du Portail to ascertain some particulars relative to the different tasks which he bore in the American...
36From George Washington to Board of War, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return from Newport three days ago, I found your favor of the 3d. I look upon the procuring shoes and Accoutrements to be so much more essential than that of Caps that I would not wish the matters carried into execution while there is the least danger of its interfering with the manufacture of those necessary articles. I recommended the measure upon a presumption that there would be...
37From George Washington to Armand-Charles-Augustin de La Croix, duc de Castries, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my return from Newport I had the pleasure of finding your letter of the 1st from Philada. Convinced that you would not have taken a step in the least disagreeable to His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, I cannot but be flattered with the Offer you make of attending the Marquis de la Fayette as a Volunteer in the American Army—I wish and hope that every thing may concur to make the...
38From George Washington to Baron Robert Dillon, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 1st from Philada met me at this place on my return from Newport—I cannot but approve that Zeal which carries you to the southward with the Marquis de la Fayette while I am assured that you would not have undertaken the measure had it in the least interfered with your duty in the French Army. I had the pleasure of seeing your Brothers and other Friends well at Lebanon. I am...
39From George Washington to Jacob Johnson, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Memorial of the 24th of Feby addressed to me, was lodged at Head Quarters, while I was absent on a Journey to Rhode Island, from which place I have but lately arrived. In answer to your request to be appointed Chaplain of the Garrison at Wyoming I have to observe; that there is no provision made by Congress for such an establishment; without which, I should not be at liberty to make any...
40From George Washington to Cadwallader Jones, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of the 15th Feby never reached me ’till a few days past. I must inform you that you have been mistaken in the principles of promotion at present existing—Your right to the Majority of the 1st Regt does not depend upon your being eldest Captain in the 1st and 3d, but upon being the oldest in the four Regiments—I have written to the Board of War for the date of your Commission and that...
41From George Washington to William Livingston, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored on my return from Rhode Island, with Your Excellencys Letter of the 1st Inst. together with the enclosures. Altho the discharging a single man from the service, is a very inconsiderable diminution of our force; Yet when the innumerable applications on this subject are taken into consideration, the unavoidable decrease of our Army if discharges are granted, the amazing difficulty...
42From George Washington to John Mathews, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
On my return from Newport three days ago I found your favor of the 6th at my quarters. In my letter of the 26th of Feby I meant only to express my apprehensions that the British Commander in Chief would make some difficulty in the exchange of those Citizens of eminence who were not clearly invested with military Commissions—You may rest assured, as I before mentioned, that whenever it shall be...
43From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 14th Instant was forwarded to me in my absence from this place, and met me on my return; since which this is the first leisure moment I have had to attend to its contents. I am sorry to find the evil so deeply rooted—and that the defection is still gaining ground. From its extensive nature & pernicious tendency; I think every measure which policy and precaution can dictate...
44From George Washington to Francisco Rendón, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 26th ulto reached me at Newport, where I have lately been upon a visit to the Count de Rochambeau. I am obliged by the interesting intelligence which you have been pleased to communicate, and I most earnestly hope, that no unfortunate incident will again prevent the progress of the expedition against Pensacola. Our whole attention is turned to the Southward, which is at...
45From George Washington to Philip John Schuyler, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return to this place 3 days ago I had the pleas ur e to rece. your favor of the 25th Ulto—I thank you for the honor you intended me if Mrs Schuyler had added a Son to your family & chearfully become a sponsor for the daughter on the birth of whom and the good health of your Lady please to accept & offer my congratulatory Compliments. By a Manœuvre too profound for my understanding—if...
46From George Washington to William Sharpe, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 27th ulto while at Newport—Your communication of the positions and relative distances of the several places mentioned in the late letters from the southward has been both satisfactory and servicable to me, as I have not been able to find many of them upon the Maps—Should you in future find leisure to favor me with similar information you will...
47From George Washington to William Shepard, 23 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 7th March; with the Proceedings of the General Court Martial for John Collins. The sentence is approved, and a Certified Copy herewith transmitted. You will be pleased to send the Prisoner in question, under Guard to the care of the Navy Board in Boston, to be put on Board a Continental Ship, if there should be none in that Harbour, to be confined until...
48From George Washington to William Davies, 24 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favr of the 20th ulto inclosing a representation signed by you and a number of the Feild Officers of the Virginia line against the readmission of Brigadier Weedon to command in the line of that State—Being a stranger to the transactions which took place at the time General Weedon was thought to have retired from service, I can give no decided opinion upon the propriety of...
49From George Washington to William Heath, 24 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am favored with your two Letters of Yesterday. As soon as the time of Major Cartwrights resignation is transmitted by you, so that the Discharge may be properly dated, it shall be granted. I do not recollect Austin to have been employed by me—but he may be sent to this place; where he will be recognised, if he has been employed as a private Agent: and the pass given accordingly. I am Dear...
50From George Washington to Adam Hubley, Jr., 24 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 3d Ulto by Genl Hand who arrived here about the middle of this month. It is a painfull consideration that the late reform of the Army has deprived the service of many excellent Officers: but as matters of this kind must be regulated upon general principles, the lot, as in your instance, will sometimes fall hard upon individuals who would have wished to have...