1From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 30 October 1775 (Washington Papers)
After you left this yesterday Mr Tudor presented me with the Inclosed—as there may be some observations worthy of notice I forward it to you, that it may be presented to the Congress; but I would have his remarks upon the frequency of General Courts Martial consider’d with some degree of caution, for although the nature of his Office affords him the best oppertunity of discovering the...
2From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 8 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
The Ship-wreck of a Vessell, said to be from Philadelphia to Boston near Plymouth, with 120 Pipes of Wine, 118 of which are save’d—another from Boston to Hallifax near Beverly, with about 240£s worth of dry Goods—the taking of a Wood Vessel bound to Boston by Captn Adams —and the sudden departure of Mr Randolph (occassiond by the death of his Uncle) are all the occurrances, worth noticing,...
3From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 20 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 4th from New York—7th and—from Philadelphia (the last by Express) are all before me; and gave me the pleasure to hear of your happy meeting with Mrs Reed, without any other accident than that of leaving a Horse by the way. The hint contain’d in the last of your Letters respecting your continuance in my Family; in other words, your wish that I could dispense with it, gives...
4From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 27 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 16th by Post now lyes before me, & I thank you for the attention paid to my Memorandums; the arrival of Money will be an agreeable Circumstance. I recollect no occurrance of moment since my last, except the taking possession of Cobble Hill on Wednesday night[.] this to my great surprize we did, & have worked on ever since, without receiving a single Shott from Bunkers...
5From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 28 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
By Post, I wrote to you yesterday in answer to your Letter of the 16th, since which your favours of the 15th & 17th are come to hand. In one of these you justly observe, that the sudden departure of Mr Randolph must cause your absence to be the more sensibly felt; I can truely assure you that I miss you exceedingly; & if an express declaration of this be wanting, to hasten your return, I make...
6From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 30 November 1775 (Washington Papers)
Two days ago I wrote fully to you by Captn Blewer—to this Letter I refer—since which your favr of the 20th with the agreeable Post[s]cript of the 21st, is come to hand, and demands my acknowledgements for the Civility intended Mrs Washington, by you &ca. I have a very singular pleasure in informing of you, that by Express last Night from Cape Ann, I received the glad tidings of the Capture of...
7From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 15 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have had the pleasure of receiving your Favours of the 28th Ulto and 2d Instt. I must again express my gratitude for the attention shewn Mrs Washington at Philadelphia—It cannot but be pleasing, altho’ it did in some measure, impede the progress of her journey on the Road. I am much obliged to you for the hints containd in both of the above Letters respecting the jealousies...
8From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 25 December 1775 (Washington Papers)
Since my last your favours of the 7th, & 11th as also the 8th are come to hand—the first last Night—the 2d by Wednesdays Post; for the several pieces of information therein contain’d I thank you. Nothing new has happened in this Quarter since my last, except the setting in of a severe spell of cold Weather & considerable fall of Snow; which, together, have interrupted our work on Litchmeres...
9From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 4 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, I have recd your obliging favours of the 19th & 23d Ulto & thank you for the Articles of Intelligence therein containd; as I also do for the Buttons which accompanied the last Letter, althô I had got a sett, better I think, made at Concord. I am exceeding glad to find, that things wear a better face in Virginia than they did sometime ago; but I do not think that any thing less...
10From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 14 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The bearer presents an oppertunity to me, of acknowledging the receipt of your favour of the 30th Ulto (which never came to my hands till last Night) and, if I have not done it before, of your other of the 23d preceeding. The hints you have communicated from time to time not only deserve, but do most sincerely, and cordially meet with my thanks—you cannot render a more acceptable service, nor...
11From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 23 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Real necessity, compells me to ask you whether I may entertain any hopes of your returning to my Family? if you can make it convenient, and will hint the matter to Colo. Harrison, I dare venture to say that Congress will make it agreeable to you in every shape they can—My business Increases very fast, and my distresses for want of you, along with it—Mr Harrison is the only Gentleman of my...
12From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 31 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
In my last (date not recollected) by Mr John Adams, I communicated my distresses to you, on Acct of my want of your Assistance —since this, I have been under some concern at doing of it, least it should precipitate your return before you were ripe for it, or bring on a final resignation, which I am unwilling to think of, if your return can be made convenient and agreeable—True it is, that from...
13From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 1 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had wrote the Letter herewith Inclosed before your favour of the 21st came to hand —The Acct given of the behaviour of the Men under Genl Montgomerie is exactly consonant to the opinion I have form’d of these People, and such as they will exhibit abundant proofs of in similar cases whenever called upon—Place them behind a Parapet—a Breast Work—Stone Wall—or anything that will afford them...
14From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 10 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your obliging favours of the 28th Ulto & 1st Instt are now before me, & claim my particular thanks for the polite attention you pay to my wishes, in an early, & regular Communication of what is passing in your Quarter. If my dear Sir, you conceive that I took any thing wrong, or amiss, that was conveyed in any of your former Letters you are really mistaken—I only meant to convince you, that...
15From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 26 February–9 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
A Line or two from you by Colo. Bull, which came to hand last Evening, is the only Letter I have receivd from you since the 21st of Jany —this added to my getting none from any other Corrispondant to the Southward, leads me to apprehend some miscarriage. I am to observe thô that the Saturday’s Post is not yet arrived—by that I may, possibly, get Letters. We have, under as many difficulties...
16From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 19 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have, at length, got the Ministerial Troops in this Quarter on Ship board. Our possessing Dorchester Heights, as mentioned in my last, put them (after they had given over the design of attacking us) into a most violent hurry to Imbark, which was still further precipitated on Sunday Morning by our breaking Ground on Nukes hill (the point nearest the Town) the night before. The whole Fleet is...
17From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 25 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, things remain nearly in Statu-quo—the Enemy have the best nack at puzling People I ever met with in my life. They have blown up—burst—and demolished the Castle, totally; and are now all in Nantasket Road—have been there ever since Wednesday; what doing the Lord knows—various are the conjectures; the Bostonians think there stay there absolutely necessary to fit them for Sea, as...
18From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 28 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
General Howe has a grand Manouvre in view—or—has made an inglorious retreat. Yesterday Evening the remains of the British Fleet left Nantasket Road & (except an Arm’d Vessel or two) hath left the Coast quite clear of an Enemy—Six more Regiments will instantly March for New York—two days hence another, and a day or two after that our whole force, except about 3 or four Regiments to erect such...
19From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 1 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
By the Express which I sent to Philadelphia a few days ago I wrote you a few hasty lines —I have little time to do more now, as I am hurried in dispatching one Brigade after another for New York and preparing for my own departure, by pointing out the Duties of those that remain behind me. Nothing of Importance has occurr’d—in these parts—since my last—unless it be the Resignation of Generals...
20From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 15 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 13th was this Instt put into my hands—scarce time enough to acknowledge, the receipt of it (by this Post) and to thank you for your great care and attention in providing my Camp Equipage—whatever the list you sent, may fall short of your Intention of Providing, can be got here; and may be delayed; as the want, or not of them, will depend upon Circumstances. I am exceedingly...
21From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, 23 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been favourd with several of your Letters since I came to this place, some of them indeed after getting pretty well advanced on the Road towards Boston—My extreame hurry, with one kind of business and engagement or another, leaves me little more than time to express my concern for your Indisposition, and the interposition of other obstacles to prevent me from receiving that aid from you...
22From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed, 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed was put into my hands by an Express from the White Plains. Having no Idea of its being a Private Letter, much less Suspecting the tendency of the Correspondence, I opened it, as I had done all other Letters to you, from the Same place and Peekskill, upon the business of your office, as I Conceived and found them to be. This as it is the truth, must be my excuse for Seeing the...
23From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed, 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The bearer is sent down to know whether your plan was attempted last Night—and if not, to inform you that Christmas day at Night, one hour before day is the time fixed upon for our Attempt on Trenton. For heaven’s sake keep this to yourself, as the discovery of it may prove fatal to us, our numbers, sorry I am to say, being less than I had any conception of—but necessity, dire necessity...
24From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed?, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning favoured with yours & thank you much for your kind congratulations & wishes. I regret much the Accident that prevented the passage of our Troops. had it not been for that cause and the Several attacks intended, had been made, I am persuaded our Plans would have succeedd to our warmest wishes. I have several Letters to write & therefore must refer you to Colo. Cadwalader who...
25From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed, 12 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the eleventh is Come to hand if the account the prisoners give be true it is a very agreeable & important one. the order you Sent to Colonel Winds has interferd with a plan, Concerted by Generals Sullivan & Maxwell, whenever you have occasion to order a Movement of any part of the Army, it will be best to apply to the Commanding Officer, Lest it may, [(]as it has in the present...
26From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 14 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
I very much approve of your visiting Genl Putnam, as I cannot acct for his remaining at Crosswicks instead of removing to Princeton, as I have desird in several of my Letters. I would have him keep nothing at Princeton (except two or three days provisions) but what can be moved of at an hours warning—in that case, if good Scouting Parties are kept constantly out, no possible damage can happen...
27From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 15 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed was intended to have gone by the Express who brought me your last Letter. He came in the Evening of the 13th was desired to call early next Morning, & I have never seen or heard of him since. Many days ago I wrote to Genl Putnam (supposing him to be at Princeton) to have the Stores rescued from the hands of the Militia who had borne them off, and had no doubt but he had done it....
28From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 19 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 16 & 17th Inst. are both before me. I have come to a Resolution to recall the Protections given by Genl Howe, & am now preparing something by way of Proclamation for that purpose in order that the Country may stand upon the same Footing or friends distinguished from Foes. I have also Issued something in general Orders explaining the former Orders relative to the...
29From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letters of the 13th and 18th Instt are both to hand—the last in date arrived first, the first this Morning only—I am sorry, upon the footing you have put it, and under the apprehensions you seem to be, that I did not accept your Commission as Adjt Genl when you offered it, tho your fears cannot be realizd, because at that time it was mentiond in Genl Orders, that you having resign’d,...
30From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 14 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Joseph Reed, 14 Mar. 1777. Reed writes to GW on 22 Mar. “to acknowledge your Excellys Favour of the 14th Instt.”
31From George Washington to Joseph Reed or Colonel John Cox, 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed, there is a certain Mr Smith, who has been lately taken up by General Lincoln as a spy & sent to Philadelphia under that character. I believe for several reasons that he is the man who was imployed by you to act for Us, in that capacity, and that the apprehending him is a mistake, which may be attended with ill-consequences. Lest he should be precipitately tried and punished, I...
32From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 11 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 4th was given to me by Jos. Arrowsmith just as Mr Peters inform’d me, he was about to set out for Phila.—I could not resist the Inclination however of detaining him long enough to write you a short Letter to thank you, as I do most sincerely, for the friendly and Affectionate Sentiments containd in yours of the above date towards me, and to assure you, that I am perfectly...
33From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 23 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 12th and 18th Instt are both before me; and, on two Accts have given me concern; first, because I much wishd to see you at the head of the Cavalry, and secondly by refusing of it, my arrangements have been a good deal disconcerted—As your motives for refusing the appointment are, no doubt, satisfactory to yourself, and your determination fixed, it is unnecessary to enter...
34From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
If you can with any convenience let me see you to day I shall be thankful for it—I am abt fixing the Winter cantonments of this army, and find so many, & such capitol objections to each mode proposed, that I am exceedingly embarrassed, not only by the advice given me, but in my own judgment, and should be very glad of your sentiments on the matter without loss of time. In hopes of seeing you,...
35From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I thank you very much for your friendly favor of this date, and your polite attention in submitting the draught of your Letter to Govr Johnston to my perusal —I return it again, but before you transcribe a fair copy I would wish to see you upon the subject of it. perhaps there are some parts of it which might receive a small alteration—In the present situation of things all corrispondence of...
36From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving three days since your letter of the 30th of September; and should have answered it at once but was delayed by being separated from my papers, a recourse to which was necessary to assist my memory. I recollect, that in a conference with the Committee of arrangement on the subject of inlisting prisoners and deserters, I gave my opinion explicitly against the...
37From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 23 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of transmitting the Committee of arrangement the inclosed from Colonel Cadwallader. It is in answer to my letter at the white-plains, which accompanied one of the committee’s on the same subject. I could wish the committee to consider, if there is any method, yet remaining, by which his scruples might be removed, and the affair settled in a conclusive and satisfactory manner....
38From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am upon the eve of my departure for Winter Quarters, but shall not quit my present roof untill I acknowledge, and thank you for your obliging favor of the 25th Ulto. Unless the Officer who commanded the dispersed Dragoons of Baylor’s Regiment was directed by Mr Caldwell to Trenton, he was not only guilty of an unpardonable piece of indiscretion, but disobedience of Orders; for he was...
39From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 12 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 7th Instt by Mr Laurens came to my hands a day or two ago; previous to which, I should have done myself the pleasure of congratulating you (which I now do very sincerely) on your late election to the government of Pensylvania, had not Sir Harry’s late extra Manœuvre up the North River kept me upon the March, & counter-march, from the 5th till yesterday; when I arrived at...
40From George Washington to William Livingston and Joseph Reed, 17 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
To prevent as far as possible the intercourse between the inhabitants of these States and the enemy in New York, I have given positive orders to Genl Maxwell, who commands at Elizabeth Town, to permit no persons being inhabitants of or coming from any of the States to pass to Staten Island or New York without permission has been first obtained from their respective Governors or legislative...
41From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 24 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had not the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of yesterday till late in the evening. I am very sensible of the high mark of esteem and attention intended me by the Supreme Executive Council, and I shall be happy to receive the honor of their visit at 11 o’clock this morning. I thank you for the polite manner in which you have been pleased to convey their desire for that purpose, and...
42From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 27 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of Yesterday—and I am extremely sorry that it is not in my power to inform the Council, with precision, in the several points of their inquiry. The State supplies of Cloathing hitherto sent to Camp, have been but small and partial. These, I believe, have been generally issued by Officers appointed by the respective states—and comformably...
43From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 9 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s favr of the 5th instant inclosing sundry Resolves of the Executive Council respecting the Conduct of Major General Arnold during his command in the City of Philada: previous to the Rect of your letter, General Arnold, who had arrived at Head Quarters the day before, had shewn me a letter from the Council to him accompanied by a Copy of the same Resolves,...
44From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 12 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my last I omitted to answer that part of your Excellency’s letter of the 5th inst. respecting Capt. Campbells proposal of attempting to bring off our Officers prisoners upon parole on Long Island. Was the measure justifiable, of which I have my doubts, it would in my opinion be impolitic. We could not hope to be compleatly successfull, and strict confinement would certainly be the fate of...
45From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 27 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
It is very probable, that necessity or choice, may induce us, to undertake some offensive operations against the Indians this summer in case the situation of affairs on the Sea-board will admit of any thing of this kind. At all events it will be necessary to obtain such information of the country and the avenues leading into it, as may be advantagiously applied under favourabl circumstances—I...
46From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The President of Congress has transmitted me the instructions of the Assembly of your state to their delegates, founded on a representation of the distresses of your western frontiers—and farther the opinion of a Committee of the house on the subject of their defence—together with the two Resolves made in consequence. I am therefore to inform your Excellency that offensive operations against...
47From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 4 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a letter which I had written your Excellency, previous to the receipt of your favor by Mr Keen —If Congress have not given you official notice of their intentions relative to the defence of the Western frontier—You will be pleased to regard my letter on the subject in the light of a private and confidential intimation. I am with great regard and esteem Your Excellencys most obedt...
48From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 26 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I lately recd, from Colo. Proctor, a Return of the Names and Ranks of the Officers of his Regiment, which I called for in order to endeavour to settle the relative Rank of the line of Artillery —I observe that Colo. Proctor stiles his Regt “The pennsylvania State Regt of Artillery.” from whence I am led to imagine that the Regiment may have been, by some late act of Congress, returned to the...
49From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy have some enterprize in view—New London, on Acct of the Frigates in the river, and because Boats have been preparing at the East end of long Island, and Troops for sometime past drawing thitherward, is supposed to be the object. Probably it is so —but as the Season is now approaching when either Negociation, or vigorous exertions must take place; and General Clinton doubtless will,...
50From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 29 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of yesterday, I have received the inclosed extract of a Letter from General Maxwell at Elizabeth Town; which I send lest the suggestion contained in my letter should have made a deeper impression than I intended; which was no more than to hint at the advantages which might result from a systematical plan of assembling the Militia at certain points, on any sudden exigency & with more...