1From George Washington to Col. Elias Dayton, 20 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Elias Dayton, 20 Jan. 1777. Dayton’s letter to GW of 13 Jan. is docketed in part “Ansd 20th.”
2From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 19 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of this morning has just reached me. In consequence of Advice recd this day of the Enemy’s having sent a Number of Vessels up the Sound and that others are moving up the North River, I shall march with the Army to morrow Morning towards New Windsor. You are to follow immediately with your own and Colo. Ogdens Regiments thro’ the Clove. I have given Colo. Morgan his directions and what...
3From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 26 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter received this Morning from Lord Stirling of the 22d Inst., I find he intends to pursue his Rout from peeks Kill, through Keckyate & pyramus to the Great Falls—From thence thro Watsessing—Springfeild & Brunswic or Bound Brook. The reason of my being thus particular in describing Lord Stirlings Rout, is, Because I wish you to take every possible pains in your power, by sending trusty...
4From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 26 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter, from Majr Burnet, just now came to Genl Greene. You will compare the Intelligence, which you obtain with the information contained in this Letter, and after making such Observations & remarks upon the whole, you will transmit the same with this Letter to Lord Stirling. I am Sir Yr Hble servt P.S. I wrote you today by One of Blands Light Horse upon the subject of...
5From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receiv’d information from Philadelphia that the Enemies Fleet made their appearance at the Capes of Delaware yesterday, you are therefore to march as expeditiously as you can with your own and Colo. Ogdens Regts to Philadelphia by the way of Trenton where Boats will be prepar’d to carry you across. you will take care and not over march your Men. I am yr most Obet Servt. come...
6From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 1 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having recd information that the Fleet have left the Capes of Delaware and steered Eastward, you are immediately upon the Rect of this to return and keep upon your march till you reach Peekskill. If you find any Ships thrown into King’s Ferry way, you are to proceed to New Windsor and cross there. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . An endorsement...
7From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 3 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
The conduct of the Enemy is distressing, and difficult to be understood. Since my last, directing you to proceed to Peekskill, their Fleet, or a pretty considerable part of it, has appeared off the Capes of Delaware, as we were yesterday advised by express. In this state of incertainty about their real object & designs, I think it advisable, that you should halt your own and Colo. Ogden’s...
8From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 6 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the inclosed, which was wrote a few days ago, that you were ordered to halt, for the Reasons therein given. The letter, by Mistake of the Express, was carried up the Morris Town road, and as you were not to be heard of upon that Rout, it was brought back. As we are under the same uncertainty as to the destination of the Fleet, that we were when the inclosed was wrote, you...
9From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 14 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 11th and have given a warrant for the month’s pay agreeable to your request. As your present situation is not inconvenient for gaining intelligence of what may be passing about Kings-Bridge in New York and on Staten Island, I wish you to take every method in your power to inform yourself of the situation of the enemy, their strength and motions at those...
10From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 22 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately upon Receipt of this to march your Regiment and Colonel Ogdens with all their Baggage by way of Trenton to join your Brigade—You will make all convenient haste on the March, and it is probable that you will fall in with the Brigade at Philadelphia or somewhere below that Place. I am Sir &c. Df , in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
11From 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...
12From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 8 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 20th Feby and am sorry to find from it that the ill state of your health added to the situation of your private Affairs renders it highly inconvenient on the last account and impossible upon the former to remain in the Service. I am so well convinced that you have no others motives for quitting the service than those you have alledged, that you have my consent as...
13From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 27 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
If through the Channel you mentioned to me the other day, or any other, you could speedily ascertain the following points you would render an essential service to the Public & to me a favr. Whether Transports under Convoy of one or more Men of War hath lately arrived at New York from Georgia, or So. Carolina? Whether any Troops are under orders for Imbarkation? or whether from report, or...
14From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 3 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Assembly of this State, at their last sitting, passed a law for the payment of the provision which the Army were under the necessity of taking from the inhabitants during the scarcity in Camp and between the 15th Decemr and 15th January —The law directs that no provision seized as aforesaid shall be paid for, unless upon a Certificate signed by the Commander in Chief, or by some person...
15From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 17 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 15th. I shall be glad to be informed whether the Fleet mentioned by you, as having sailed on thursday last, consisted of armed ships or Merchant men, and if the former, their number—force, and destination. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The previous Thursday was 11 May. Tilghman inadvertently wrote...
16From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 20 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning recd yours without a date. If the embarkation mentioned by you is intended for Hallifax and Cape Breton, I cannot conceive why it should partly consist of Horse, which will be in a manner useless at either of those places. I would therefore wish your emissary to make as minute enquiry as possible into their real destination—desire him also in every communication which he...
17From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 29 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The intercourse between the inhabitants of the States and the Citizens of New York, by means of the Flag Boats which pass from the latter to Elizabeth Town, has become so very frequent that it excites suspicions and jealousies in the minds of many of the well affected among us, and puts it much in the power of the Enemy to gain intelligence, and to propagate injurious reports, thro’ the...
18From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 31 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 28th: That of yesterday reached me late last Night. I most sincerely wish that your suspicions of the truth of Rivingtons publication may prove well grounded, but I confess it bears too many marks of authenticity. Should you receive any further confirmation of your opinion be pleased to let me have it. It was always my intention that your own Regiment should remain with...
19From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 10 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 3d 4th and 7th—Upon your representation, and that of Mr Caldwell of the exposed state of the Country in the Vicinity of Elizabeth town, I have ordered down your Regiment, for the purposes of affording protection to the inhabitants—and enabling you to remain with safety below, to procure intelligence and put Flags again under proper regulations. I would wish...
20From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 16 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd both your favors of the 15th announcing the arrival of Admiral Greaves, which is rather an unlucky circumstance—I have only to desire you to endeavour to ascertain his force exactly, and to gain a knowledge of what preparations they are making for defence of the harbour, and where they seem disposed to dispute the passage. You mention a talk in New York of a further embarkation to...
21From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of this date, as I did those of the 17th and 18th. I can by no means accede to Capt. Stewards proposal of giving up his three Deserters for an Officer of ours now in Captivity, as that kind of composition is wholly unprecedented—Neither can I consent to his having an interview with his Mother—except in the presence of an Officer in whom you can confide. Every measure is...
22From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 24 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been for some days past under apprehensions for the safety of your Regiment—It is certainly too much exposed in its present position—I therefore desire that you will remove it some distance into the Country where it may be less exposed and yet answer the purposes for which it was sent into the neighbourhood of Elizabeth Town —It appears to me that West Farms would be a good position as...
23From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve or Colonel Elias Dayton, 30 July 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Col. Israel Shreve or to Col. Elias Dayton, 30 July 1780 . Shreve wrote GW on 3 Aug. : “I Receivd your Excys Letters of the 30th and 31st of the Instant, Col. Dayton being Absent.”
24From George Washington to Colonel Israel Shreve or Colonel Elias Dayton, 31 July 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Col. Israel Shreve or to Col. Elias Dayton, 31 July 1780 . Shreve wrote GW on 3 Aug. : “I Receivd your Excys Letters of the 30th and 31st of the Instant, Col. Dayton being Absent.”
25From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton or the Officer Commanding the New Jersey Brigade, 16 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will immediately, agreeable to the General Order of this day, augment the two light Infantry Companies to the number directed, and you will also be pleased to order three other Companies of equal numbers to be formed by detachment from the Brigade, taking the same care in the choice of Officers and Men as for the light Companies. To enable you to do this more effectually, you may, if you...
26From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 22 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
It will be indispensably necessary that we should be informed of the preparations or movements of the Enemy in New York during the absence of the detachment under the command of the Marquis de la Fayette. You will therefore be pleased to employ some of the most trusty persons within your knowledge upon this Business. My principal apprehensions are for the posts up this River—They will...
27From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 6 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
Presuming you are Presidt of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey, I give you the trouble of the enclosed address. If I am mistaken, you will be so good as to hand it to the right person. Months ago, I received a number of blank Diplomas for my Signature, which was affixed & held in readiness for Mr Peck or his order. No call has yet been for them. If a good conveyance...
28From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 27 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of the 9th, 15th & 18th Inst. were duly received, while I was absent from this place, on my journey to Rhode Island, I have now to thank you for the intelligence communicated in them. It gives me great uneasiness, to find that the irregular & improper mode of receiving & treating British Flags at Elisabeth Town, should open a channel of intelligence for the Enemy, and...
29From Edward Hand to Elias Dayton, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Exy is much surprized that no Returns of your Line have been transmitted to Head Quarters since the late Arangement of the Army has taken place, he therefore desires me to inform you that it is his positive Orders that a Monthly state of the Jersey Line be transmitted to the Orderly Office, so as to reach it by the 25th—or at farthest by the last Saturday of every Month. I am Sir DNA : RG...
30From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have never yet heard whether the Officers have had any or what success under the Law for recruiting. You will be pleased to inform me by the first oppertunity. We have a report by the way of Kings bridge that there has been an action between the French and British Fleets, but no particulars. If you hear any thing of it from Staten Island be pleased to let me hear from you. I am Yr most obt...
31From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Annexed is a duplicate of what I had written to you on the 27th ulto the original I fear miscarried last Week as the post is missing and supposed to be carried into New York. The intelligence contained in yours of the 30th ulto "that the fleet was laying at the Hook the 28th" must have been ill founded, as I see by a York paper that they had been spoken with the 21st to the southward of the...
32From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 11 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 10th: I prefer permitting an escape to giving up—because doing the last would imply that we think we have no right to seize upon a deserter in all cases whatever and wherever we can find him, a point which I would always insist upon, more especially as it may one day be brought in question where a Gentleman of high rank, who formerly belonged to us, may be the object....
33From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received the Communications, which you did me the favor to make, in Your Letter of the 20th Ultimo. The knowledge of the present state of the Enemy in New York & its dependencies with regard to the total strength, and the particular disposition of the Corps, is of so great and interesting importance, that I must request you will have the goodness to turn your earliest & strictest...
34From Edward Hand to Elias Dayton, 2 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the pleasure of writing to you the 28th of March last importing his Excellency’s surprize that the Jersey Brigade had not made returns to the orderly Office since the late arrangement took place in the army and desiring that you might be punctual in sending a Monthly state of the Line to the orderly Office so as to reach it by the last Saturday in every Month, yet no return has...
35From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 11 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I last night recd your favr of the 9th. The intelligence you communicate is interesting and what you will be pleased either to confirm or contradict as speedily as possible and with as much precision as you can as to the number of ships of War—Troops and destination—The number of ships of the line mentioned by your informant must be false except the enemy have received a reinforcement. I have...
36From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 28 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The late accounts from New York are mysterious and perplexing, but they at any rate demand that we should be in readiness to move. You will therefore concentre, as much as possible, your Brigade and put them under marching orders. The parties at the Clove are not to be immediately called in, but the Officers commanding them warned to be in readiness. Should an evacuation of New York take...
37From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 14 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 2d instant. It is very unaccountable that so many Indications of an evacuation of New York should be reported to You and that they should come from no other quarter—I have a very good channel of intelligence by the way of Long Island and no movement is mentioned but that of a fleet bound to Europe—I cannot help suspecting that there may be some design in...
38From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was Yesterday favored with your Letter without Date. Had not the Enemy made the Movement which you mention, I should, by that Time, have given you Directions to have drawn your Brigade towards this River in present Circumstances, you will be pleased to draw together as much as possibly you can, the whole Brigade (except the Parties in the Clover) to one Point, at Morris Town, where you will...
39From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 30 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Imediately on the Receipt of this you will be pleased to collect all the Troops of your Brigade (except the Compy at Wyoming) & put up them in motion on their March towards Kingsbridge. As the Operations of the Campaign are on the Point of Comencing, you will use your utmost Diligence that the Troops come on with Dispatch. It will be v ery inconvenient (to say no more) to be loaded with...
40From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 7 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 30th ulto. I take if for granted that this letter will meet you upon your march from Morris Town. Should you not have advancd too far towards Kingsferry to turn off towards Dobb’s without much Disadvantage, you will be pleased to do it, & inform me of your Arrival upon the West Side, where you will remain till further Orders. I believe I before mentioned my Desire...
41From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of this date. You will remain where you are ’till further orders, but you will make me an exact Return in the morning of the force which you have brought with you. However desirable a supply of Cloathing may be, I have no authority to allow it to be procured in the manner which Mr Caldwell mentions. I am Dear Sir yr most obt Servt CSmH .
42From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will this evening detach a party of 100 men to take post upon the Heights at Fort Lee and those above it opposite to Spiten Devil and wherever any shipping may lay. I would wish the Officers to be intelligent and capable of observation—and to make remarks upon the seeming strength of the enemy if they turn out upon an Alarm and how they in such cases dispose of their troops—The Business of...
43From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed for General Forman is of so much importance that I do not care to trust it to a common hand. If there should be an Officer in the Jersey Brigade who has any business in Monmouth he may be sent with it. If there is none under such circumstances, I must request you to send one on purpose. I am &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
44From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 25 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have rec’d your’s of the 23d, you must consider your present post of importance and the nearer you are to the point to be defended the greater will be its security it would therefore be more proper should the ground be eligable to pitch your Camp as near as possible to the Block than to occupy a position one or two miles either to the right or left. The sending your horses to pasture even at...
45From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Elias Dayton, 11 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Some Convoys are coming on from the Jersies to Dobb’s Ferry—for their Security against the Enemy—you will be pleasd, by Order of the General, to throw out some Parties from your Comand thro’ Springfield to Aquacanack with Directions to scour below towards Newark—& continue till the Convoys are safely arrived. I am &ca P.S. in your Comand you will include the Militia lately arrived. DLC :...
46From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 17 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to detach from the Brigade under your command upon the receipt of this, a Capt. & 50, with orders to patrole the Country between Closter and the New Bridge, the Officer must not consider either of these places as his post, but continue to range the intermediate space untill he receives further Orders. I wish you to be particular in your orders to the officer, that he may...
47From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 18 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to give the Officer commanding the Artillery upon the West side of the River such assistance as he want in embarking the heavy Cannon. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt P.S. You will prepare for a March to morrow Morning, with the Jersey Continental Troops under your Command—You will receive further Orders this Evening—Baggage & every thing else which appertains to the Troops is...
48From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 19 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will march immediately with the Jersey Line and Hazens Regt to the Heights between Chatham and Springfeild—You will take the most eligible position and encamp there. You will give Colo. Seely orders to remain at Dobbs’s Ferry untill Wednesday when he is to march and join you. You will order him, in a very particular manner, to keep scouts and Patroles towards Bergen, and to take every...
49From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Be so good as to use your best endeavours to obtain intelligence from York and Staten Island, that we may know what effect our late movements have produced. ascertain the strength of the Enemy on Staten Island, & whether any Troops have arrived from Virginia—What Boats could, on an emergency, be procured between Newark &and Amboy for transporting Troops if they should be required. and hold...
50From George Washington to Elias Dayton, 20 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ it seems probable that matters will remain tolerably quiet in New York for the remainder of the season; yet it may not be amiss to keep a Channel of intelligence open, that if any thing material should occur we may have the earliest information—You will therefore be pleased to take measures for the purpose. The principal thing to attend to, will be any movement of Troops and their...