21To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The flat Bottomed boats which I mentioned to have passed down the River landed yesterday Morning about two OClock at Billings Port—about Two thousand in Number—fifteen Hundred of which Encamped last Night within Seven Miles of Selem—and I doubt not but that they are now Employed in Collecting the Cattle &ca which the Inhabitants in that Quarter took great pains to hide from us—finding means at...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Soon after I wrote your Excellency from Mount Holly —I recd Intelligence that the Enemy had Detatched themselves into small parties and were Collecting forage Cattle &ca in the Vicinity of this place, Coopers and Timbers Creeks & this Induced me (altho my Numbers were few) to make a forced March and Endeavour to drive in or cut off some of these parties, at Nine oClock at Night we arrived at a...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
Wishing to prevent the Enemy from Receiving any benefit from the forage in the Vicinity of the River, and anxious to save as much from the Fire as possable (by Obliging the Inhabitants to carry it into the Pines ) took me up more time, than I at first expected—but that Business being now perfected—I have put the Detatchment on board of the Gallies—to be landed at Bristol, where I expect to...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this Moment favoured with yours of the 12th Instant but wish it was not so urgent, as I am but too well assured that my presence on the Occation, on which it’s required—will give me more pain—than executing any Order—which your Excellency would please to favour me with in the field. my presence will be Indispensibly Necessary in this place tomorrow, the next day you will be waited upon by...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 19 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of your Excellencys Orders, a Considerable Number of Horses & Cattle were collected in the State of New Jersey—in Feby and March —for which the Inhabitants Recd Certificates for the price or Weight signed by Col. Ricd Butler Duplicates of which are now in his possession and will serve as a Check against forgery or Impossition. In these Certificates the people are Informed that...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I took the Liberty (some time since) to Suggest to your Excellency the Idea of making an Offensive Campaign against such place as afforded the Greatest prospect of Success to us & Injury to the Enemy—but the Object will depend upon your force—the first and most Desireable would be Mr Howe’s Army—the next New York. The Question will then arrise how is our Army to be supplied and the Stores...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have endeavoured to Investigate the Questions Offered by your Excellency —and am fully and Clearly of Opinion—that the Recovery of Phila. and the Distruction of the Enemies Army there—are the first and greatest Objects—but in Order to Effect this—it will Require at least Twenty five Thousand Effective men—i.e. Eighteen thousand in front of their Lines—five thousand in New Jersey—and two...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 30 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have not heard whether the Arrangement has yet taken place by which a light Corps was to be formed, your Excellency must have been well Convinced of the Utility as well as Indespensible necessity of such a Corps previous to your Recommendg it to Congress—the time is now arrived when that Corps will be wanted to act in the field—all I wish is to be made one of the Number. I have not often...
29To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Maturely Considered the Matters which your Excellency was pleased to lay before the Council of General Officers last Evening —and am Clearly of Opinion that any Attempt on the City of Phila. with your present force whilst Defended by the Number of Troops that may be brought to act against you, will be Ineligible. but it is my wish & Opinion that you cause the sick in camp & it’s...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The purport of the Questions Offered by your Excellency this morning to the Consideration of the General Officers were As to the first I am not for Risquing a General Action with them—unless Circumstances should Render Success Certain—or at least such as not to leave you in a Worse Condition or Situation if Unfortunate, than you would have been if you had not Attacked. And in Answer to the...