11To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 16 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 16 Dec. 1780. Lt. Col. [Richard] Campbell of the 9th Va. regiment, which is now at Fort Pitt, has orders to join his regiment but is unable to do so for want of $4,000 to pay the expenses of the journey. Steuben requests that a warrant for that sum be granted to Campbell so that the public service will not suffer by his longer detention in Richmond. FC ( NHi ); 1 p.
12To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 18 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 18 Dec. 1780. Encloses “some hints toward a Law to prevent illegal discharges and desertions from the Army.” Has written on the same subject to Congress and the Commander in Chief. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Steuben; addressed; endorsed, by TJ: “Baron Steuben illegal discharges.” Enclosure: Probably Steuben’s plan for preventing desertion, printed below at end of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 21 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am about writing to Majr. General Greene, and as it’s of the utmost importance, he should be as exactly, as possible acquainted on what supplies he may depend, I would be glad your Excellency would let me know in writing, how far the Legislature have complied, with the requisitions, made them by General Greene. Among the articles of that requisition, the arms are the most essential. I dont...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 28 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed that the Bill which passed the House of Delegates for compleating their Regiments on the new Establishment has limitted the number to 3000—by far too small a number for the end proposed—but even supposing it sufficient to compleat their Regiments in the first instance, yet from the natural casualties attending every body of Men the numbers will be constantly diminishing from the...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 30 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Many of our Misfortunes, to the Southward, and elsewhere, have arrisen from the Bad Arrangements of the Q.M. Department, which I hope In future will be on a better footing. General Green has appointed Lieut. Colo. Carrington. Dy. Qr. [Deputy Quartermaster] for this Department, and directed him to make application to the Executive of this State for Money and other article[s] he may find...
16Steuben’s Plan for Preventing Desertion, [December] 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Without place or date ] In a long war the difficulty and expense of raising men increases, and “every possible means should be employed for the preservation of the Men after they are raised.” The incomplete state of the regiments obliges one regiment to be shifted into another, destroying the attachment between officers and men “which is necessary for their preservation.” The officers,...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 1 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellencys Observation with respect to the artificers is just. A proportion of the Regiment furnished by Pennsylvania should certainly be destined for the Southward. I shall write the Board of War immediately on the Subject and have no doubt they will be sent on. The situation of our affairs are such that Necessity obliged Gen. Greene to require many things from the southern States which...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 2 January 178[1] (Jefferson Papers)
In case of the calling out a Body of Militia it will be highly necessary to adopt some measures to prevent the numerous abuses and terrible distruction of the Country which generally prevails. For want of having the Quarter Masters and Commissary Generals Departments under the direction of persons of Credit and influence the Inhabitants are wantonly distressed and thrice the quantity of...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 6 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that the Enemy left Richmond this Afternoon about one o’Clock and proceeded towards their Vessells in consequence of which I immediately ordered a Battalion of Continental Troops and a Battalion of Militia to March to this place, and came myself as well to oppose any attempts to Land here as to be so far on the way to Petersburg where it is...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Steuben, 7 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment the honor of your Excellencys Letter of this day. The thousand Stand of Arms I desired Colo. Davis to send to Colo. Gibson at Petersburg on being advised there were then 400 Militia there unarmed and more arriving and I must again request that no time may be lost in Sending as many there as can be collected. The Continental Arms were in the hands of Capt. Irish. I am...