1To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 24 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival here at Christmas I found the Regular & flying Camp Officers in general much disgusted by the Appointments of the Commissioners, in which indeed there were irregula[ri]ties and Improprieties which no established Mode cou’d justify, many being below, others promoted above their Rank, & many more not appointed at all; which induced me, as the Appointments were incompleat, to make...
2To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your Favor of the 18th Instt, at a Time I was preparing to set out. Allow me to assure your Excellency I shall use the utmost dispatch, in repairing to the Army; and that my particular Situation has been such, that it wou’d not admit of my waiting on you as I expected when I last wrote for your Directions, which have ever had, and ever shall have the greatest weight, and...
3To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 15 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival here I found Genl Sullivan at the Head of his Division, and that he had just inform’d you of the Situation of the Troops under his Command & communicated such Intelligence respecting the Enemy as he had received, together with his Opinion of their Intention to Land in New Hampshire, which I judged rendered it unnecessary for me to write as you required—however I cannot coincide...
4To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 4 September 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 4 Sept. 1777. GW wrote Smallwood on 9 Sept. : “I received your favor of the 4th Inst.”
5To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 13 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
After meeting with many impediments in the Commissary’s & Quarter masters departments, which have delayed considerably the march of the Militia under my command I arrived here yesterday evening with about 700 effectives and expect to be joined in a day or two by 600 more exclusive of the body under Colo. Gist, who was yesterday at Christeen & will pursue the rout you have chalked out for him:...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 15 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is four Days since I wrote concerning the Situa[tio]n of the Troops under my Command, & am afraid the Express has fallen into the Enemys hands; ever since I have been detained in this Neighbourhood for want of Cartridge[s], wch I wrote to you for, and also sometime before that Period sent two Expresses to Governor Johnson to that Effect; I have collected some Public Powder, and am...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night Colonel Gist joined me he has * Troops—our united Force amounts to §. I am now on my march and rest assured every Effort shall be exerted to §§—as expeditiously as possible which I hope to effect Tomorrow—the Shameful neglect in the Commissarys Department throws many Obstacles in my way and retards my March—I am reduced to the Necessity of sending Officers forward to provide for the...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have revolved in my Mind the Subject of your Requisition last Night, and placed it in every Point of View, and must confess I am much embarrassed, I see the Propriety and Necessity of an Attack, I view with Pain the pressing Expectations of the Public, the Reputation of the Army at Stake, the depression of our Money, the difficulty & hazard of the proposed Attact, and the Misfortunes & I may...
9To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Distresses of the Army, the Inclemency of the weather, & the approaching Season, combine to point out the Expediency of fixing on Winter Quarters; and in doing this, all local Attatchment ought to be sacrificed to the Public Good, to reduce the Enemy, & free ourselves, I wou’d chearfully resign myself to a Den the ensuing & many other Seasons if found necessary—Three Positions have been...
10To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 4 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
It will be unnecessary to point out the sufferings of the Continental Troops, from their various hard Duty, & distresses for want of Cloathing, particularly in the Articles of Blankets, Shoes, Stokings, the most essential part to enable them to encounter the severity of a Winter Campaign, and the improbability of procuring those necessary Supplies, without which our prospect of success in an...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Our March being retarded on the 19th Inst. by the Commissarys not furnishing Provision till the Eveng, prevented our seting off, ’till 4 Oclock in the Morning of the 20th, & after a fatiguing & rapid March, arrived here at 9 Oclock in the Morning of the 21st, with all the Troops Artillery and Ordnance Stores &c. safe; we have compleated one Battery mounting two Guns at the Bridge; and are now...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 25 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet been joined by one Militia Man, I inclose you Genl Pattersons Ltr, which is not very promising of any considerable Aid from them, tho he is now endeavoring to draw them out. Our Fortifications go on slower than I cou’d wish, as I am not able to procure more Tools than for 150 Men to work wth at once, but every Effort shall be exerted to render the Place tenable. The Eagle & 25...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Fleet of 59 Ships, inclusive of a Frigate of 28, & a Sloop of 16 Guns came down the River Yesterday, & Anchor’d of[f] the Mouth of Christiana Creek in the Evening, & from the Number of Boats attending them, & stopping short of the Admirals Ship, when both Wind & Tide favored, I was induced to think the Enemy had in View an Attack on this Post last Night, but the Weather proved too...
14To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The march of the troops down here through the frosty roads, has cut out their shoes, & by being barefoot they are rendered unfit for duty, to remedy which, I have contracted with a gentleman here, for 200 sides of sole, & 200 sides of upper leather, for which he is to receive raw hides in exchange at the same rate on which the commissary of hides exchanges raw hides for dressed leather. I have...
15To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just been favor’d with yours of yesterdays Date, & the Requisitions therein shall be stricktly complied with—I wrote some Days ago by Colo. Gist (who informed he had your Permission to retire to settle his Regimental Accts) to Governor Johnson, to forward the Cloathing to this Place, & have taken Measures to comply with the Resolution of Congress respecting the Stock. I have no...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have recovered our Sloop which I wrote concerning the other Day, & no other Damage sustained by the Tories retakg her, than a few Barrells of Flower, & some Pork, our Party havg surprized & drove them of[f] whilst unloading her. The Brig is like to be much more valuable than was at first supposed, there appears to be a great Quantity of Arms, Baggage & some Cloths, Ammunition Rum & Wine,...
17To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 10 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favors of the 7th Inst., & am peculiarly embarrassed, by a Proposition, which I am induced to think you did not mean to extend to an absolute order, as in that Instance you wou’d have been more pointed & precise, & must beg your excuse for not complying wth it, till the following Considerations were submitted, & your further Direction taken. I am persu[a]ded it wou’d be the...
18To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency will excuse the Delay in not answering your favors of the 12th & 13th Inst. before. I have been so pester’d this 10 Days past, that I need not tell, for you will readily perceive I am scarce yet in my proper Senses, nor do I believe I shall ever get clear of the Echo of Rank in the Line , of the Staff, Furlough, Recruiting, Resignation, Desertion, disaffection, pass into...
19To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by your favor received last Evening, and shall take every necessary precaution to obviate any design formed against this Post—but I am induced to think the Information was groundless, as we have now seve⟨n⟩ Prisoners taken on the Evening of the 7th, part of them taken by the mouth of Derby Creek going up with Provision, & the others above that, coming down from Philadelphia...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 15 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have sent you as ⅌r the Inclosed List, such Goods as you wrote for, so far as the Prize wou’d furnish (escorted by Serjeant Sprig —& Guard all trusty Men) which I hope will suit, as they are the best in Quality in the Prize. There were but two steel mounted small Swords (& none other tolerably genteel) these are small & rather short, however I think them genteel, & have sent them both, that...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favor of the 16th Inst. by Capt. Lee, who came here on the Evening of the 17th; I dispatch’d him very early the next Morning, with four very active officers, well acquainted with the Country, and best adapted to aid him in the Execution of the design , I also wrote to the President, General Rodney, The Purchasing Commissary, & Capt. McLane, all now at Dover, requesting that...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 27 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday Evening the Enemy in a Sloop of war, one Galley, and about 40 Boats fell down the Delaware, and Anchor’d off this Place at Dusk: The Boats were full of Troops & upwards of 30 said to be flat Bottomed from the best intelligence I received, cou’d not distinguish from this Place, as they came down under cover of this shore, and at Dusk made over to the Jersey Shore, & came to an...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
By return of a Party of Dragoons who I had detatched for that purpose, I have just received Intelligence of some of the Enemys Movements, & have inclosed the Ltrs for your perusal & satisfaction, from which it will appear (tho these Views are not absolutely demonstrated) they have intended to intercept General Wayne, & his collected supplies, and that they have had & may still have a design...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 3 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 1st Instant, in answer to mine by Colo. Proctor, soon after his Departure the Fleet hove in sight, & got up to Marcus hook that Tide, where & at Grubs Landing Numbers of Tories came on Shore, & traded with The Inhabitants; five of whom a Party of ours took, and forced the others on Board, soon after which the whole stood up the River—part of Salem is said to be burnt...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 9–10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favor of the 6th Inst., & in reply to that part relative to the British Prisoners, & their Treatment contained in the Deposition transmitted you, I can truly assert the whole is without the least foundation, except several being frostbit, which Fate many of our Soldiers in common shared with them, from the severity of the Weather, & unavoidably getting their Feet & legs wet in...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 16 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
There were three Ladies Captured by Barry but he informs no one of the Name of Mitchell they were sent off from New Castle Yesterday with some others having by a Flag obtained permission to send them up by Water in one of our Vessells. We have had the Mouth of the Christiana for some Days blocked up by the Nautilus & some Gallies which has obliged Barrys little Fleet to lye snug here—this...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
For this two Days past the Enemys Fleet have been passing by here, to amount of 150 Sail, of which there were 70 or 80 Sloops & Schoners, some few flat Bottom and a number of Ships Boats on Deck & in Tow besides—there destination not known, it’s said there are Troops on board, but it is not reduced to a Certainty, if any, they were kept below, as there was no great appearance on Deck—The...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 20 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemys Fleet still remain down below Reedy Island, except such Transports as conveyed off the Invalids &c.—various accounts of the Numbers, from 1,200 to 2,000, some are said to have marched down by Land, others to have landed from the Fleet near Salem, they have plundered, and were the other Day carrying off Forage, the Jersy Militia took & sent over here nine of their Seamen, they landed...
29To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 26 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, c.26 Mar. 1778. GW wrote Smallwood on 28 Mar. , “I was yesterday favd with yours without a date, inclosing the proceedings of a Court Martial held upon Colo. Hall of Maryland.” The usual time of passage for letters from Smallwood was one day, and Josias Carvil Hall wrote GW on the subject in a letter of 26 March.
30To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed you Depositions &c., relative to the Treatment of the British Prisoners Captured in the Brig Symetry during their Stay here—shou’d have transmitted them before, but have waited in expectation of obtaining Colo. Gunbys, Captns Godmans, & Learmonths De-positions, which would have been very material, as they were privy to the whole transactions from the Time of the Brigs Capture,...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 31 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Evening of the 29th I was favored with yours of the 28th Inst., Mr Richmond copying my Ltr omitted the Date, & my being much hurried prevented my adverting to the Omission. You must have been misinformed respecting the Quantity of Hay remaining between Chester & this Place; pursuant to your Original Orders directing my taking post here &c., I have drawn chief of our Supplies of Forage &...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a letter, I fancy from Governor Johnson, forwarded by the bearer hereof Mr Burrell who informs me that he left his son about fourteen Months ago with his Brother about 12 Miles above Philada upon the Schuylkill to Learn the Bleaching trade, his Brother having taken refuge with the Enemy Carried his son without his Privity with him & having understood that his brother sent the boy...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 13 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of Yesterdays Date, & your Orders shall be strictly complied with respecting the choice of Officers and Men who may be best qualified to execute the Service you have in view. I have no Baggage or Stores here but such as cou’d readily move in the Regimental Waggons at half an hours warning with the Troops—but if you view our Detention here necessary, ’till the Stores...
34To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 17 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 17 April 1778. On 18 April, GW wrote to Smallwood , “I have this moment recd yours of yesterday by Capt. patton.”
35To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 27 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 27 April 1778. On 30 April, GW wrote Smallwood , “I have been favord with yours of the 27th Inst.”
36To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 5 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
By this Opertunity, I transmit the Inclosed Letters, & Mr Franklins Accts of Provision, Cloathing & Cash, furnish’d our Prisoners by him, to be Address’d to Mr Boudinot, which were handed me to day by Lieut. Croxall who has obtain’d his Parole for a Fortnight —to day there was two men of War, Eight Transport Ships, & two Schooners with some Troops on board pass’d by here, & it is said there...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed you the Proceedings and sentence of a Court Martial against one Jetson a person who for some time past has been not less dreaded, than fam’d for his Infamous Practices of Piloting the Enemy in the Night and Aiding them in kid-napping the more virtuous Inhabitants, particularly those who have Manifested an Attachment to, & have been active in Support of the Common Cause, and...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have dispatch’d two Officers one to Governor Johnson at Annapolis & the other to the head of Elk for the purposes you required the result of which upon their return shall take the earliest opportunity of Communicating and in the Interim the troops shall Constantly be held in readiness to move at a Minutes warning. Just before I recd your favour I had wrote you yesterday, The party detach’d...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19–20 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your orders I sent Capt. Norwood to obtain a List of the Stores at the head of Elk, who returned this Evening with the Inclosed Lists from Hollingsworth, Rodolph & Huggins who could give no Acct of the Stores in the Peninsula below and at Charles Town, but Colo. Hollingsworth informs Capt. Norwood there were near as much more at those Stages & that he daily expected Several...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 22 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Officer detach’d to Annapolis has just return’d with dispatches from Governor Johnson which I now forward ⅌ Express & it is with pleasure I am led to acquaint you that I think the full Complement of your requisition will shortly rendevous at the head of Elk. Three Hundred recruits have ariv’d here within this three days and near as many more expected daily—Colo. Pope has swept Bomba Hook &...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon rect of your favour of 23d Inst. late at Night, the next morning early I gave orders Immediately for the removal of such Stores and Baggage as were retain’d here, to one Bells between Kennett Square and Chads-ford, proposing to take a position on the most Advantageous ground between Gibsons & Chads-ford, as nearly opposite to Dilworths as the ground wou’d Admit, which position not Knowing...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd your favour of the 25th Inst. & am happy to find the Measures I had Adopted have in a great Measure Coincided with your views and the Possition you have recommended, I had just finished my Letter to send by Mr Fitzhugh, shall send the Express off with him —I hope my reasons for remaining here thus long will Suffice for deviating from your orders in not Marching Immediately as...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Waggons not returning from moving the tents ’till yesterday and the weather proving wet on Wednesday, prevented my Marching that day, but we arived here yesterday after having got all the Quartermaster and Commissaries stores under way before we left Wilmington, we have taken a possition about a mile back of Chads Ford but are not fix’d being about now to reconitre and fix upon an...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 30 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Prisoners of War I shall send of to Lancaster early in the morning, and the tories I shall take the most elligible method of disencumbering myself off immediately. It appears from a letter which I recd from Colo. Hollingsworth on the 27th Inst. that there are a Number of Stores remaining yet at the head of Elk, but if Mr Wade has forwarded the Waggons which I directed, and they have been...
45To George Washington from William Smallwood, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Smallwood, 2 June 1778. In his letter to Smallwood of 5 June , GW mentions “your last of the 2d Inst., with which I w⟨as⟩ favoured.”
46To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 5 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had Intelligence yesterday afternoon from Newcastle, that upwards of one Hundred Sail of Transport Ships lay off reedy Point, the Admiral off New Castle, & that upwards of fifty Sail more pass’d down yesterday; I have not heard from that Quarter to Day, I have understood that a draft of Marines from each Armed Vessel was ordered up to Philadelphia, and Capt. Rumford informed me four Sloops...
47To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Horse you required are forwarded, the troops ariv’d here last Night, and I hoped to have had the pleasure of seeing you in Camp to day, but the weather proving very wet, will Delay our getting up ’till Tomorrow—Capt. Lansdale has just return’d & also Mr Thornton, you’l observe below the Number of Ships, and where Anchored, they bring Intelligence of; which I believe may be depended on, as...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed you the proceedings, and Sentence of a Court Martial on the tryal of Capt. Norwood, it gives me much pain to trouble you with such business, when I am sensible your engagements are pressing, and your time taken up with bussiness of much more Importance, but from pure Motives of Public good, I find myself constrained to trespass on you thus far, to prevent in future the Service...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I think an enterprize against the Enemy in their present Situation in Philadelphia, would be impolitic, and avail nothing, as they either have it in view to evacuate the City upon an Attack, or throw in a reinforcement, both which would be practicable and in the attempt much might be risk’d, which if crowned with Success, would not afford any material Advantage. From a Comprehensive view of...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am clearly of opinion no movements or Opperations in this army ought to be undertaken, ’till we can with more Certainty ascertain the designs of the Enemy, which from their present Manœuvres, and the aspect before us, is difficult to limit, with any degree of precission, so as to render our movements secure, or to hold up any great prospect of success; they must have had two objects in view...