25361General Orders, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
William Nelnet a Corporal now in Captain Mott’s company of Colonel Lamb’s Regiment of Artillery is claimed by the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment—Two subalterns from each of said regiments, a Captain from the latter to preside, will meet next tuesday 11 ôClock at the Orderly-Office to inquire into the claim and report to which of right he belongs. The General Court Martial whereof Coll Butler was...
25362From George Washington to Maria Farmer, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Were there no resolve of Congress, making it necessary to obtain the governors concurrence, when an inhabitant of any of the States is desirous to pass into the enemy’s lines—I should have been happy in complying with your request. But as there is such a resolution Governor Livingstons consent becomes a requisite, you will therefore be pleased to procure this, when, you shall have my immediate...
25363To George Washington from Brigadier General John Glover, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I this day was Honor’d with your esteemed favor of the 11th Ulto inclosing a Resolve of Congress directing your Excellency to indulge me with a Furlough for such time as may be necessary to my private Affairs. This is what I did not expect, nor even Wish for, I flatter’d myself the Reasons offer’d for asking a Dismission were of such weight as would most assuredly have produced it. Thus...
25364From George Washington to John Jay, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive Your Excellency’s two Favors of the 24th Ulto, with their Inclosures. I am much obliged by Your Excellency’s attention, in communicating the Act for supplying the Oneidas and Other friendly Indians with provision. Matters, in consequence, I flatter myself, will be so conducted, as not to disorder or injure our other arrangements in this Article. The Act...
25365To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have now inclosed to Your Excellency Yesterdays New York paper. There has been much firing to day by the Shiping in the narrows supposed to be discharging the old loaded Canon of the Fleet, lately come in. Admiral Gambier’s own ship is come into the narrows. I believe there is not the least doubt, that the whole of the Vessels, and Troops, on the Expedition to the Eastward, is returned...
25366To George Washington from John Mehelm, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Agreeably to your Excellency’s request I beg leave to state some of the Objections that I have to Issueing Hides to the Commandants since the General Order of the Seventh of February. My first and principle Objection to Issueing Hides upon the Officers Orders since that date, is, that I am afraid the Board of Warr will not pass the Accompts or Acknowledge their Receipt—The following Objections...
25367From George Washington to Richard Peters, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 27th March. Upon consulting General Knox it is our opinion that the contract with Mr Hughes for the thirty Eighteen pounders should be renewed, as the Cannon are absolutely necessary, and it does not appear that they can be procured from any Work so soon as from his—nor I suppose upon cheaper terms. Should a Contract be made between the public and the...
25368From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favd with yours of the 30th March. My letters of the 27th ulto and 1st instant, to which I refer you, went fully into the subject of that which I have just recd and recommend the measures which I still think, all circumstances considered, ought to be pursued—The Messenger who brought your letter, having mentioned his orders to return to you as expeditiously as possible I have...
25369To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 2–5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I beg you to accept of my Thanks for your Favours of the 28th & 29th Ult. & the Intelligence inclosed. I shall esteem such Communications a particular Mark of your Regard, & if you could occasionally mix your own Sentiments as to the Measures most adviseable it would add to the Favour. My Ideas upon the Subject so perfectly correspond with yours that I shall take every possible Measure to put...
25370From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 2 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
As there are some other disputes of relative Rank subsisting among the Feild Officers of the Pennsylvania line, besides that between Majors Mentges, Murray and Nicol, I have desired Genl St Clair to direct such of them as are in Camp to attend your Board and lay before you their claims, upon which be pleased to make a report to me. I am my Lord Yr most obt Servt. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
25371General Orders, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The contracts for shoes (in exchange for hides) made by officers commanding brigades in consequence of Lord Stirling’s orders of the 1st of January and previous to the suspension thereof on the 6th of February are to be immediately reported to the Adjutant General with the greatest exactness—These reports are to comprehend the names and places of residence of the Persons with whom the...
25372To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 28th of last Month I was honored with your Letter Dated at Head Quarters Middle Brook 5th March 1779. I have the highest sense of the Hono⟨r done⟩ me by your appointment and I sincerely Wish to merit a Continuance of your good Opinion of me, but can only promise that my best exertions shall not be wanting to answer your most sanguine expectations of the Army in this Department, so soon...
25373From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Burr, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowlege your favor of the 10th Ulto. Perfectly satisfied that no consideration save a desire to re-establish your health could induce you to leave the service, I cannot therefore withold my concurrence. But in giving permission to your retiring from the army, I am not only to regret the loss of a good officer, but the cause which makes his resignation necessary. When it is...
25374To George Washington from William Fitzhugh, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Fitzhugh, 3 April 1779. GW wrote Fitzhugh on 25 June: “I have accidentally looked over a former letter of yours of the 3d of April wherein a Mr Arthur Harriss (formerly of Hartley’s Regiment) is recommended by you for an Ensigncy” (NHi: George and Martha Washington Papers).
25375To George Washington from Brigadier General James Hogun, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take this early opportunity of informing your Excellency of the present weak state of this garrison, & the prospect of its soon being still weaker by the discharge of the draughts in the 3 No. Carolina Battn whose term of service expires the 20th Inst.—Our whole strength present fit for duty by the last returns amounts to 165 rank & file—Our daily guards consist of 82 rank & file, so that we...
25376To George Washington from Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of writing to your Excellency the 19th March. I received your Letter of the 5th ditto Just as I returned from Fort Laurens to Beaver with the Inclosures which I delivered immediately to Colo. Brodhead. My Intention when I set off was, if the Indians did not Meet me at Tuscorawas to proceed to sandusky & Destroy the Wyandot Towns, & if we could get any Supplys there...
25377To George Washington from William Patterson, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
This day Hicks returned from Shamong, where he met with Twenty five of the Troops in pay of Britain, & about thirty warriors of the Mingo, Munsey, & Tuskaroro Tribes, The whites were commanded by a Serjet who Told Hicks the Officer was gone to the lake to meet a reinforcmt of Troops, The Serjt said he knew but little more than there was an Expedition talked of among the Officers. & Indians,...
25378To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Procter, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
On receiving your Excellencys Letters Dated the 24th & 26th March, I Obtain’d the Resolves of Congress of the 15th and wou’d very Speedily have forwarded the State of My Regiment Agreeable to said Resolve, were I not engaged in transporting Artillery, Store’s &ca to Billingsport and Fort Island. In a late Return of My Regiment handed to your Excellency, the heading was Nearly the same as...
25379To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favor of the 25th Ult. I had the Honor to receive on the 31st. Having entertained an Idea that it was intended to attack the Indians with the principal Force, from this Quarter, my Enquiries were not so pointed with Regard to the Navigation of that part of the Susquehanna below Tioga—I am happy to find it is so good, because the Reasons your Excellency adduces for prefering a...
25380From George Washington to Lund Washington, 3 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 24th Ulto reached me yesterday—all that Frazer says about the Clarett are in the following words “As Captn Sanford passes by your house, I have sent you a Hhd of the best Bordeaux Claret in bottles, I hope it will come safe to hand.” Whether under the circumstances to write to him for the acct of cost, & direction to whom to pay the amount; or to remit him something of equal...
25381General Orders, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following general order: “A Sub., Serjt & 20 R[ank] & F[ile] from Woodford’s Brigade for Fatigue Tomorrow.” (orderly book, 22 Dec. 1778–26 June 1779, DNA : RG 93, Orderly Books, 1775–1783, vol. 28).
25382From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive your favors of the 30th & 31st Ulto and two of the 1st Inst.—with the several papers to which they refer. If Lieutenant Colo. Mebane was the oldest Lieut. Colonel in the North Carolina line when Colo. Hogan was promoted to the rank of a Brigadier, he unquestionably according to the principles of rank recomd should be appointed Lieutenant Colonel Commandant —and...
25383From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Schott waits upon you with a Return of Arms and Cloathing wanting for the several Corps therein mentioned which are ordered over to Wyoming. The Cloathing could have been furnished from hence, but it will be so much more convenient to send it from Philada to Esterton upon the Susquehannah and from thence to Wyoming by Water, where it will meet the Troops, that I have directed Capt....
25384From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had not the honor to receive your Excellency’s letter of the 31st ulto before yesterday evening. From this circumstance and some others that have occurred, I am sorry to inform you that the proposed meeting of Commissioners cannot take place at so early a day as you have mentioned. I am under the necessity of requesting that it may be deferred ’till Monday the 12th instant, when Colonel...
25385From George Washington to Brigadier General Edward Hand, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Arms, Cloathing and Camp Equipage for Colo. Spencers and the German Regiment and for Armands and Schotts Corps, of which Capt. Schott brought down a return, will all be sent up the Susquehannah to Wyoming, at which place the troops ordered to march thither will meet them—As Colo. Cortlandts Regt will not be employed upon the same service, the necessary Cloathing and Camp equipage for it...
25386To George Washington from John Jay, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favors of the 24th 26th, and 29th Ulto have been received & communicated to Congress—The enclosed is a copy of an Act of Congress of the 1st Inst., relative to a Body of Men lately raised by the State of New York for the Defence of their Frontiers. I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect and Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA:PCC ,...
25387From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your favor of the 2d Instant. You will be pleased to transmit by flag as early as possible the letter which I herewith send for Sir Henry Clinton; and that to his commissioners, who are to meet ours on the subject of an exchange of prisoners, and who probably it will find on Staten Island. I have nothing more in particular—command—and am sir &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing,...
25388From George Washington to Peter Scull, 4 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the Arrangements of eight of the Pennsylvania and the two Rhode Island Regiments compleated, except as to the Feild Officers of the former; and as some of those concerned in disputes of Rank are absent, I must request that the Commissions of the Captains and Subs may be made out and sent forward—without waiting for those of the Feild Officers. The 4th 8th and 11th...
25389General Orders, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
All officers who have drawn money for the reinlisting service are desired to prepare their accounts for a settlement with the Auditors. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following additional general orders: “A Sub. 2 Serjts & 32 R[ank] & File for Fatigue Tomorrow from Genl Muhlenbergh’s Brigade. A Serjt & 12 from Genl...
25390From George Washington to Thomas Burke, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had not the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 22d Ulto ’till this morning. By some means or other it had taken a circuitous route by the way of pecks Kiln most probably through the inattention of the person to whom it was delivered in the first instance. With respect to the subject of your Letter, after thanking you and Your Colleag⟨ues⟩ for your polite attention in referring the matter to...
25391From George Washington to George Clinton, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The time not being very remote, in which our intended operations must commence—it is necessary to put some of the troops designed for the expedition in motion, to the several points from whence they are to operate. In consequence of this—the troops now at Minisink will be immediately ordered from that post. As this circumstance may create apprehensions in the minds of the people for their...
25392To George Washington from General Henry Clinton, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 31st of last Month, I acquainted you that, in consequence of the proposal made to me in yours of the 14th, I should send down Colonel Hyde and Captain André to Staten Island this day, as Commissioners on my part, to meet the like number on your’s, for the purposes therein mentioned, either at Amboy, or Elizabeth Town, as you might wish; But as one of the Gentlemen has been...
25393From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wish to know, how many horns have been delivered to your department, in consequence of the general orders for that purpose; and that you would take measures to have a sufficient number of them converted into the common powder flasks for the proposed expedition—And that the whole may be under your view. You will also be pleased to give directions for the necessary complimentary shot pouches....
25394To George Washington from Brigadier General Edward Hand, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd your Exceys favour of the 1st Instant yesterday. the Troops ordered to Wyoming have recd their Orders, and will move to day. the Upper Road is Certainly the best & Shortest could there be a Boat in readiness to Cross the Wallinpepae But as that is not the Case, & the Garrison at Wyoming is too weak to detach to take up or Cover one, I think it Best to direct the March by Fort Penn,...
25395From George Washington to William Livingston, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 30th March. As I shall be very soon under the necessity of removing the troops at present at and in the neighbourhood of the Minisink settlement, I thought it advisable to give this notice to your Excellency, that you may, if you judge proper, order some Militia to occupy their posts. I have wrote to Govr Clinton upon the same subject. Altho’ the move...
25396From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your Two favors of the 31st Ulto and 1st Instant. General Clinton and Admiral Gambier, as you will probably have heard before this, have returned from the Eastward—and, I believe, several of the Troops, which had gone towards the East end of Long Island. The expedition they had in view in that Quarter, whatever it was, seems to be at an end—or at least for the present....
25397To George Washington from Major Joseph Prowell, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to General McDougalls Instructions—I Herewith Transmit your Excellency A Return of Col: Malcoms and late Pattons Regiments—when Paraded to March —The General Requested I might Mention Tents as the Detachment—is Entirely without—and he Was Uncertain Whether the Service Required Any or Not—Lieut. Jackson will Wait Any Orders Your Excellency may please to give on this Subject. I have the...
25398From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 5 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of the 29th March reached me a day or two ago—I cannot conceive from whence can arise the antipathy of Colo. Proctor and His Officers to the Uniform adopted by all the other Regiments of Artillery. In every service, it is customary to distinguish Corps by particular Uniforms, and as Black and Red has been pitched upon for that of the American Continental Artille[r]y, it is...
25399General Orders, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial of the line April 3rd 1779, Lieutt Colonel Harmar President—Captain Handy of the fifth Maryland regiment was tried for, “Refusing his tour of duty in not taking command of the Bound-Brook Picket.” The Court having considered the evidence and the reasons offered by Captain Handy for his refusal to do the tour of duty he is charged with, are of opinion that his reasons...
25400To George Washington from Captain Donald Campbell, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
This day I had the honour of recieving your Excellencys much esteemed favour of the 28th Ultmo and in compliance with your Excellencys request, send inclosed the amount of the Articles seized by Mr Conway. Nothing but a Real Desire of putting it in your power, to shew that such Practices incurred your Excellencys displeasure, would have induced me to make a Report of it; at the same time, am...
25401To George Washington from Brigadier General Duportail, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
i send to your excellency a Copy of the Resolved of the Council about me. in Council philad. march 31 1779 this board taking into Consideration general du portail’s letter and the instructions Received from general washington dated 30th of june 1778 do Resolve that from the Confidence they Repose in general duportail and their opinion of his skill and jugement he be fully authorised and...
25402To George Washington from John Jay, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jay presents his Compliments to General Washington, and encloses an Extract from a Letter in a certain Degree interesting. AD , DLC:GW . Jay addressed the cover: “Private His Excellency General Washington Head Quarters.” Jay enclosed two extracts in his own writing from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates’s letter to him of 15 March, which read: “The enclosed Copy of my Letter to General Washington of...
25403To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to deliver your Excellency a paper in Philadelphia, urging the necessity of recruiting the Corps of Artillery and completing its numbers to the establishment, which your Excellency gave to the Committee of Congress. I was in hopes the necessity was so apparent that the honorable Congress would have pointed out some effectual methods to supply the deficiencies before the opening...
25404To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with Your Excellencys of the 4th Inst. with Sir Henry Clintons l[ette]r and one for the Commissioners, accompanying it. The two latter I sent off yesterday morning, but the Commissoners was not then arived on the Island. This accompanys a Letter from Sir Henry Clinton to your Excellency. I have got more fair promises about the boots, but I am informed that a little Rum to the...
25405To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s, of the 1st Instant was handed to Me the 3d at 8 P.M. The necessary Orders were instantly issued, to Malcoms and late Pattens Regiments, to march. The Weather, want of Boats, and some little arrangements, prevented their moving ’till Yesterday. They will be all, at New Windsor this Evening. Colo. Malcom absent on your leave , was furnished with a Copy of the Orders...
25406To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I Receved your favour of the 2d of march a few days ago it Gives me plesure to see that my Ideas in any mesure Corresponds with yours—and mutch more to find that you have turned your thoughts to wards the Defence of our fronteers. Should any part of our apreations be carreid on from the Westren part of Pennsylvania you are pleased to Assk my opinion what Number of Volenteers Could be got. I...
25407To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The within is a State of the Officers present & Absent in the seven Regiments of our Line now on this Ground—It also specifies the Officers recommended as Persons best qualified for the Recruiting Service, by their Respective Commandants who they think can be spared, tho you will observe it will leave some of the Regiments very thin of Officers —I have endeavored in drawing out these Officers...
25408To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Ward, 6 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Having the happiness once more to join the Army under your Excellency’s Command, I beg leave to represent to your Excellency the treatment I received from the Enemy, while I was in their power. Mr James Bradford, Deputy Muster Master, and myself were captivated by a party of the Enemy on the 27th of November last; they being sensible of the danger to which they would be exposed on their...
25409General Orders, 7 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following general orders: “The Court of Enquiery which was to have set Yesterday, will sit next Saturday for the purpose mention’d in Orders of the 2nd Inst. “A Sub. 2 Serjts & 30 R[ank] & File from the 2nd Maryland Brigade for Fatigue Tomorrow.” (orderly book, 22 Dec. 1778–26 June 1779,...
25410From George Washington to James Duane, 7 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have taken the liberty, thro’ the Channel of the Committee appointed to confer with me, to lay before Congress the inclosed extract of a letter from General Knox, and the Return to which it refers. As the completion of the Corps of Artillery is a matter of great importance, I hope the earliest attention will be paid to that Business. There are but two ways of keeping up the Regiments of...