25361From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 17 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of this morning containing an extract of a Letter written by Colonel Ramsey on behalf of the Field Officers at Wilmington—their Apology Sir is sufficient to do away every thing disagreeable that has past on the subject, and to induce me to attribute their incautious expressions to the causes which they mention. You will communicate this to the Gentlemen by the first...
25362General Orders, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a Brigade Court-Martial held 12th instant whereof Lt Coll Harmer was President, Ensign Foster of 6th Pennsylvania Regiment having been found guilty of challenging Captn Cruise and behaving unbecoming the Character of an Officer and a Gentleman was sentenced to be discharged from the service. The Commander in Chief in Conformity to the Articles of War approves the above sentence, but in...
25363Circular to Brigadiers of the Virginia Line, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the time of service of part of the Virginia Troops has already expired, and many more will shortly petition for discharges upon the same claim; It will be necessary for the Brigadiers, and Commandants in that Line, to meet, and come to some determination with respect to the mode of doing it. I have therefore to request that you will take such steps, and precaution, as will put it out of the...
25364To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
If Fortification is necessary in any Armies, it is peculiarly so in those, which like ours, from a deficiency in the practice of manoeuvres cannot oppose any to those of the Enemy—being necessitated therefore to receive him on their own ground, they ought always to be protected either by a natural or artificial Fortification, if it were only to have (under favor of the resistance of this...
25365From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Ellis, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to hear, by yours of the 15th instant, that you have been appointed to the Command of the Brigade late Newcombs. From the Character given of you by Genl Green, I have every reason to expect that nothing will be wanting on your part to excite a proper spirit among the people, and to give the most effectual opposition to any parties of the Enemy who may attempt to ravage your Coast. If...
25366To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Fleury, 18–20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Observations Made at Cooper’s ferry. the 18. january. 1778. situation of the River. The River Delaware which is frozen at trenton, is not such opposite to philadelphia; the Current being very free, the ferry boat goes & Comes back every day. (that i have seen myself). But the boats Can not Land in any other place, than the wharf of kings-point , & the two of Cooper’s ferry . all the Remainder...
25367To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lieut. General Burgoyne has requested leave for his Assistant Commissary General, Mr Clarke, to proceed to Sr Wm Howe, to lay before him the Accounts of provisions &c. which have been supplied to the Troops of the Convention, those for the Months of November and December having been exhibited. I imagine this is in order to consult General Howe which will be most for their Interest, to refund...
25368To George Washington from General William Howe, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letter of the 8th Instant respecting Captain Dick and a number of American Officers said to be confined in Dungeons in England. It is a Circumstance perfectly new to me, and I shall transmit your Representation relative to Captain Dick &ca to England with my first Dispatches. I am with due respect Sir, your most obedt Servant Copy, in Robert Hanson...
25369To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have consulted with his Excellency Governor Clinton on the best mode of transporting the Cannon from Albany to Pennsylvania. He agrees with me that they will remain perfectly Safe at Albany untill next Spring; and when the ice shall break up in the river, which will be some time in March, to have them brought down by water to New Windsor; and thence across the Country to Pennsylvania. I have...
25370To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Col. Hellum of the militia, now a prisoner in Philada, in a memorandum of intelligence sent me this day, says, that an officer of the Anspachers engages to bring off three hundred of that corps, provided the command can be ensured him. He also mentions, that there are several persons throughout the country contracting for horses for the use of the Philada, light dragoons now raising. There are...
25371To George Washington from James Mease, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of your Excellency’s favor of the 10 Inst. respecting the materials sent by the state of Virginia for the use of the troops nothing was left here that had come forward except about 1500 Ells of cloth which I had put into the taylors hands immediatly but As it will be some considerable time before they could be all made here owing to the scarcity of hands as well as that the...
25372From George Washington to Lieutenant William Patterson, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Knyphaussen having obtained a passport for Quarter Master Major Kitz to go to Fredericksburg in Virginia with a Serjeant & Servant and a Waggon with Cloathing and Necessaries for the Hessian Officers at that place, In order that the same may be safely conveyed, and that no irregularities may attend the execution of this Business, you are to proceed with all convenient expedition with...
25373To George Washington from Colonel Walter Stewart, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour of Addressing your Excellency from Horsham Township by Captain Gibbs; the day After we began our Operations in a streight line from the Old York Road, to the River Delaware, and the different Party’s with the Comissarys are Arriv’d this Evening as high as this place; am Sorry to Inform your Excellency few Stock are to be Collected below this, both the Malitia and Philadelphia...
25374General Orders, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a Brigade Court-Martial held 7th instant whereof Major Ryan was President; Francis Morris a soldier in 1st Pennsylvania Regiment tried for repeated desertions was found guilty and unanimously sentenced to suffer death—in such manner as shall be order’d by the Commander in Chief—His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the sentence. Provisions to be issued to the Troops up to next...
25375To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing on yesterday, Genl Burgoyne has sent his packet of Letters for examination. I observe he has enclosed several Copies of Letters which have passed between us. All these Copies, and others I have some time since transmitted to Congress. It would not do for me to object to General Burgoyne’s sending them to General Howe, for obvious reasons, and I am assured your Excellency’s...
25376To George Washington from General William Howe, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you an Extract of a Letter from Mr Boudinot to Mr Fergusson the Commissary of Prisoners at this Place, signifying to him that it is expected, that after the 1st Day of February next, we supply all Prisoners with you, West of New Jersey, with every Kind of Provisions sent out from our Lines. and that he has it positively in Charge not to suffer our Agents to purchase any Provisions...
25377To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will receive by the present conveyance a Letter which I had the honour of writing the 14th & was returned to me with a Report that Susquehana was impassable. Congress having upon further consideration judged it impolitic & unnecessary to inform the Court of Great Britain authentickly of the suspension of Genl Burgoyne’s embarkation until such information shall proceed from him,...
25378To George Washington from Robert Morris, 19 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 19 Jan. 1778. On 10 Feb. 1778 GW wrote Morris : “Your favor of the 19th Ulto by Colo. Armand came to my hands a few days ago.”
25379From George Washington to George Read, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am in hopes that the legislature of your State have fallen upon some mode to fill up the Battalion allotted to it, against the ensuing Campaign. If they have not, I beg leave to remind you how short the time is from hence, to that, in which we ought to be in the Feild. The Advantages, that will arise from our being able to begin our operations before the Enemy are reinforced, are too obvious...
25380To George Washington from the Rhode Island Council of War, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since we had the Honor of addressing your Excellency by Mr Thompson, we received your favor of the 2d instant enclosing a proposition of Genl Varnum’s for raising a Battalion of Negroes. We in our Letter of the 15th current, of wh. we send a Duplicate, have fully represented our present circumstances and the many difficulties we Labor under in respect to our filling up the Continental...
25381To George Washington from Colonel Edward Stevens, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Another Flag from the Enemy, Just arrived at this post with a Letter for yr Excellency, with a number of others from our prisoners. All of which I now Forward, with Thirteen Guinea’s Five Shillings and a portmanteau that also came with the Flag. With respect I am Sir Your very hum: Servt ALS , PHi : Thomas Bradford Papers. The letter is docketed: “the money sent to McCrea Reading by Col....
25382From George Washington to Thomas Wharton, Jr., 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of observing, by a publication in Dunlaps paper, that before the adjournment of the Assembly of this State, they had, among other wholesome laws, enacted one “for filling the quota of Troops to be raised in this State.” As you may, perhaps, be ignorant of the reduced condition of your Regiments, I have thought proper to inclose you a Return, by which you will see how very...
25383General Orders, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General Officers commanding Brigades are desir’d to meet at General Sullivan’s Quarters tomorrow morning at ten ôClock in order to consider of the expediency of opening a public Market in camp; They are to take into consideration the proper Places and days of holding markets the regulations and guards necessary to preserve good order. The prices proper to be offered upon each article; in...
25384From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a Commission, by which you will find, that you are restored to the rank you claim in the line of the Army. This I transmit by direction of Congress and in pursuance of their Resolution of the 29th of November. The situation of my papers & the want of Blank Commissions prevented me doing it before. May I venture to ask whether you are upon your Legs again—and if you...
25385From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 13th instant last Evening, and have immediately written to Govr Livingston upon the Subject. I make no doubt but the prosecution will be immediately stopped upon my representation of the matter in its true light, and of my pointing out the impossibility of getting persons to undertake this kind of Business in future if they are not protected by us. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
25386From George Washington to Colonel David Forman, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet received an Answer respecting the Guard for the Salt works sollicited in your memorial. Till you hear further from me upon the subject, you may detain a Captain two subalterns and Sixty men of the detachment of your Regiment now in Monmouth, for the purpose of Guarding the works the remainder be pleased to send forward to Camp with Captain Combes, with whom be pleased to send...
25387From George Washington to General William Howe, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 8th Inst. inclosing Lieut. Eyres representation was duly received. I am not at liberty to contradict the facts which he has related; but I am inclined to think from his own state, that his conduct has not been so discreet, as it should have been: and that if he experienced a severer treatment than had been usually imposed upon Officers, prisoners with us, it proceeded in...
25388From George Washington to Archibald Kennedy, Jr., 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 15th last Evening. When I arrived at Morris Town last winter, you applied to me, thro’ Colo. Moylan, for liberty to remove from thence to your farm near second River. I consented to this, as I looked upon it as a thing more convenient to you and more proper than for you to remain in morris town under your particular Circumstances. I considered you then, as I do now, a...
25389To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recieved just now a letter from general connway who is gone on to york town, and mullens his aid de camp who is not a wit, lets me know that his going there is in consequence of two repeated letters from general gates, and miflin—that same man thinks that there are some projects to send Connway to Canada—they will laugh in france when they’l hear that he is choosen upon such a...
25390To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to inform your Excellency of an action, which happened this morning, between a party of the enemy’s dragoons, & my troop of horse. They were near two hundd in number, & by a very circuitous route endeavoured to surprize me, in quarters. About day break, they appeared, we were immediately alarm’d, & manned the doors & windows. The contest was very warm; the British dragoons trusting to...
25391To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have at length ascertained the real loss of this day’s action. Four privates belonging to the square patrole were taken, I am told they made brave resistance, & that some of them were badly wounded. The Quarter-master-sergeant who imprudently ran from our quarters prior to the commencement of the skirmish was also taken. The loss sustained stands thus: Taken one sergeant. four privates....
25392From George Washington to Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Altho I have given you my thanks in the general Orders of this day for the late instance of your gallant behaviour I cannot resist the Inclination I feel to repeat them again in this manner. I needed no fresh proof of your merit, to bear you in remembrance—I waited only for the proper time and season to shew it—these I hope are not far off. I shall also think of & will reward the merit of...
25393From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Copies of Two Resolutions of Congress you will perceive that they have restored Genl Arnold to the rank he claims in the line of General Officers, and have directed me to grant him a Commission for that purpose. This I have done, and he will receive it by the conveyance by which this goes. From your peculiar situation, and being one of the Officers within the operation of the...
25394From George Washington to William Livingston, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your several favors of the 9. 12th 13th 14th and 15th instants. I am pleased to find that your legislature have fixed a price circumscribing the avarice of your farmers, who like their neighbours are endeavouring to take every advantage of the necessities of the Army. I have mentioned to Mr Commissary Blaine what you say respecting Wilsons not having employed a sufficient...
25395From George Washington to William Livingston, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last Night recd a letter from Colo. Dayton informing me that John and Baker Hendricks and John Meeker had been apprehended upon a supposition of carrying on an illegal Correspondence with the Enemy as they had been several times upon Staten Island, and that they were to be tryed for their lives in consequence. In justice to these Men I am bound to take this earliest opportunity of informing...
25396To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr., 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 19th Ultimo should not have remain’d so long unanswer’d, had I not been oblig’d by indisposition, to absent myself from the business of the House of Delegates, for a fortnight past. What has been done during that time, I am not yet inform’d, having return’d only this day. The many difficulties that are thrown in the way of inoculating the Troops for the small pox, within this...
25397To George Washington from Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your orders dated 14th Jany respecting quarters at Fleming Town—previous to removing from hence I was desirous of informing myself whether this place might not be made suitable for us, but every one agrees that neither forage nor any other necessaries can be had in sufficient quantities for our use—on this account I am obliged to give Your Excellency notice that the Cavalry...
25398To George Washington from Brigadier General George Weedon, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Brigadiers and officers commanding Brigades in the Virginia line, having met in Consiquence of your Excellency’s directions of the 18th Instant to determine on Some fix’d system as a line to go by in the dismission of those Virginia Troops, whose time of Enlistment will shortly expire: Report as follows, Viz. They give it as their opinion; that the men whose time of service, is nearly out,...
25399General Orders, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief approves the report made by the Brigadiers and Officers commanding Brigades in the Virginia Line and orders that the men whose term of service is expired be discharged and march’d home by proper Officers in the manner there directed; The Brigadiers &c. are also to see that the Arms & Accoutrements of such men are return’d in the first instance to themselves in Order that...
25400From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you the 15th desiring you to have the Arms in Massachusets and New Hampshire collected and a Return made to me as soon as possible. I find by letters from General Heath that Arms have lately arrived in several Vessels from France, I beg they may be immediately sent to the different Arsenals and put in order. We shall want a considerable number in the Spring when the Levies come into...
25401To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency from Poughkeepsie, that as it was not probable the Train of Artillery at Albany would be wanted in Pennsylvania this winter it had better rest at present in Albany, and when the river opened in the Spring to be transported by water to New Windsor, and from thence across the country; also, that there was a report it had been, or was about to be, sent to New England....
25402To George Washington from Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr., 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since General Potter Left me, Dozens of the Inhabitants of Germantown and the Neighbourhood are applying, to Carry Flour Beef &c. to that Quarter; I would be Glad to know what Quantity to Permit them to Carry or weathr any. I Learn from Philadelphia that the Prisonrs are Bad off, for Beding If your Excellency pleases I would propose Sending them, one or two Waggon Load of Straw. The Fatigues...
25403From George Washington to James Mease, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this day recd yours of the 18th by Lieutenant Gamble who has brought down 463 Coat ready cut out. I could have wished that had not been done, as I intended to have had them made up in a new fashion which I think will save Cloth—be made up quicker and cheaper and yet be more warm and convenient to the Soldier. I desire that all the remainder of the Virginia Goods may be immediately sent on in...
25404To George Washington from Major Jacob Morris, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Williams who will deliver your Excellency this packet, handed me the inclosed papers from my Frie[n]d Genl Lee this morning. His being in some measure relieved from his confinement is an event upon which I most sincerely congratulate your Excellency. As I shall wait your Excellency’s instructions how to proceed with regard to the several applications contained in the Genls Letters; the...
25405To George Washington from Prisoners in Philadelphia, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
When we presume to address your Excellency be Assured it Cannot Arise from a trival affair humanity is the subject which we wish to dwell on & when that Amiable Quality is mentioned who can doubt that M/rs Gray is the Lady who amply has display’d that part of the grand scenery of Life which Shee was born for & which will Ever be indiliably impress/d in the Obliged Hearts. If individuals...
25406General Orders, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
25407From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of the 6th and 8th Instants. I particularly alluded to Henley’s, Lees, and Jacksons Regiments when I expressed my surprize, that they had not been innoculated, as they had lain so long in Boston. I hope that very strict attention will be paid to that matter against the next Campaign: We find upon a scrutiny there are upwards of Two thousand Men to be innoculated in Camp at...
25408To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Bearer Captn Alexander late Commander of the Frigate Delaware, is well informed of the Situation of the Shipping at Philadelphia, & is of opinion that with a little Assistance the Enemy might be annoyed greatly in their Trade & Shipping whilst the River continues full of Ice—he is desirous of communicating his Sentiments on the Subject to your Excellency—The few naval Officers here, are...
25409To George Washington from Joseph Jones, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
On my return to Congress I found the speakers Letter informing me my resignation was accepted by the House of Delegates and that I might as soon as I pleased return home which I did after staying abt a week to put the Business we had been sent upon to Camp in a proper train—the Issue of which I had then every reason to expect wod be according to the wishes of the Army but what the event has...
25410To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since my last of the 19th Inst. ⅌ Messenger Ness—I have received Your Excellency’s several favours of the 12th & 13th. The former is Committed to the Marine Committee, from whence I understand a Report will be delivered, this day or to morrow. Monsieur Duplessis who will be the bearer of this & also of two hundred & fifty signed Commissions which he is so good as to take charge of—returns to...