45971From George Washington to Isaac Craig, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 15th—The present State of Colo. procters Regt does not admit of your Company’s being made up to its full complement, but I have, by this conveyance desired Genl St Clair to let you have as many Men as will put you on a level with the others. This is all that can now be done—I have already desired the Board of War to send six artificers to Fort Pitt, you may avail...
45972To George Washington from William Heath, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Scammell, returned with me the last evening from Head-Quarters, I find by some expressions, his great desire to serve in the Light Infantry this Campaign, he observed that no Field Officer during the war, had been taken from the New Hampshire Line to serve in that Corps, I sincerely wish if agreable to your Excellency, and it can be effected with out inconvenience, that Colonel...
45973To George Washington from William Heath, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Assistant paymaster-general has informed me that 240000 dollars, new emission, is sent to the pay-office by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to pay the troops of their line. The Committee from the army now at Boston lately informed me by letter that they had agreed with the Common-wealth on a complete settlement for the last years pay—and that in case any money arrived at the pay-office,...
45974From George Washington to Hugh Hughes, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you a Warrant for impressing of Teams on the present important occasion—but if there is any other means in Your power of forwarding the Provisions, I would not have military coercion made use of—if this is the only alternative now left to prevent the Army from starving, let the measure be carried into execution immediately with the utmost prudence & precaution. I am Sir Your Most...
45975From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 14th to your Excellency on the subject of an immediate supply of provision for Fort Pitt, I have received the following intelligence, thro’ a good Channel, which makes the measures I then recommended more indespensably necessary—"Colonel Conolly with his corps to proceed to Quebec as soon as possible, to be joined in Canada by Sir John Johnson with a number of Tories and...
45976From George Washington to John Carlile, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will furnish a prudent discreet officer & 20 Men to impress Teams for the transportation of the salted Provisions at & in the vicinity of Fishkill—The Officer will take directions from Colo. Hughes the Dep. Qr Mastr Genl of the State. I am Sir Your Hble Servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45977To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 21st inst. I wrote to the leading Justice (Mr Burt) in Warwick relative to the procuring teams to transport the flour from that place to New Windsor: but have received no answer: and am now apprehensive that my application will be fruitless. And the supply on hand (as appears by the commissary’s return this day received) is so trifling, I dare not wait any longer my request for an...
45978From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The supply of flour for the Army must be kept up regularly, And the Means of transportation must be calculated accordingly. Should all other expedients for bringing on the flour from Ringwood, Warwick and the Deposits on the communication from Pennsylvania, prove abortive—Should the Justices refuse to issue Warrants for the impress of Teams—or should their Warrants not be attended with...
45979To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Major Tallmadge has delivered us the Letter of the 8th instant that your Excellency has favored us with. We have conjointly with him examined the plan of Loed’s neck fort, and he has given us all the intelligences which his zeal and sagacity which he has shewn in several actions, have procured him. By his report, it appears that there are 750. men garrisoned in that itshmus; that the fort is...
45980From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favors of the 6th and 15th. I am sorry to find from the last, that unavoidable obstacles have been thrown in the way of the march of the 1st division of the line at the time you expected. I can only recommend to you to get them off as soon as possible and in as good temper as possible. It is essential that General Greene should be regularly advised of the motions of those...
45981To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 24th I reconnoitre’d the Enemys Fleet when they lay opposite Westover and consisted of Thirteen Topsail Vessels and 23 flat bottom’d boats, I judged their number to be about 2500 which corresponded with the information received soon after from a Serjeant deserter who said there were 3,000. The Fleet of the enemy soon came to sail and stood at the River toward City point, which kept me...
45982To George Washington from Nathaniel Stevens, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I would inform your Excellency, in obedience to your directions of this day, that we have about 2,300 Bushels of salt at West-Point & posts in its Vicinity 100 ditto at R ingwood and about 2,600 ditto at Clavarack, also about 9,000 ditto is and will be due by the first of next 14,000
45983To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my late Interview with C— the matter of a future Correspondence, to be render’d more regular & advantageous, was fully discussed. The Plan which he has consented to adopt, on Certain Conditions, is for him to remain for the most part on Long Island & C— Junr whom he thinks might be engaged again, to reside constantly at New York —That some Confidential Person must of Course be Employed to...
45984To George Washington from John Dudley Townes, 25 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am Just arriv’d in the flag of truce from CharlsTown—and from a propper sence of your Excellency’s known candure and impartiallity, I am induc’d to trouble you with a few lines relative to my present Situation—which has hither too been Very disagreeable By the ajudication of a Courtmartial which was ordered (on me) while in Captivity to which Genl Moultrie declin’d giving his sanction to—I...
45985From George Washington to Board of War, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received a representation, see General Knox’s letter of 23d of April of which the inclosed is a Copy, from General Knox, upon his being informed that the Board had directed the Military Stores at Fishkill to be delivered over to the Dy Qr Mr—and Mr Rud’dock and his Assistants to be dismissed—General Knox has so fully pointed out the utility and indeed necessity of keeping up such a post as...
45986To George Washington from George Clinton, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Pleasure of seeing your Excellency at Pokeepsie I took the Liberty of mentioning the Expediency of laying in a Quantity of Fish for the Use of the Troops especially those Stationed on the Frontier—I find they are taken more successfully than usual That they can be purchased cheaper, for Salt than the Bate I mentioned & that a less Quantity of Salt will suffice to cure them...
45987To George Washington from Caleb Gibbs, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Accept the warmest acknowledgements My Dear General of a heart filld with gratitude, for your kind care and fatherly attention to me, while I had the honor to make a part of Your Excellency’s family. I want words to express the many obligations I am under to you, and can only wish, I may ever be so happy as to have it in my power to make compinsation. The General Order of the 23d inst. is a...
45988To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
For your Excellency’s Information, I have herewith enclosed a State of the Debts due from the United States, with the necessary Estimates for the current Year as near as they can be ascertained at present; Copies whereof are transmitted to the several States. Also a resolve of the 23d Instant, directing the Board of War to take effectual Measures for the Removal of all public Stores,...
45989To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was the last evening honored with your Excellencys favor of the 21st. Mr C. informs me that his frind will have the honor of calling on your Excellency immediately on his and will digest or agree on a plan for future operations. The General Court have repealed their order directing the Levis raised in the three eastern counties to remain there untill your pleasure should be known respecting...
45990From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 22d, I have received intelligence, which I think may be depended upon, that Admiral Arbuthnot with this Fleet was in New York harbour, and that three or four of the Ships which suffered in the late action were near the town repairing their damage. Transport were fitting and preparations were making as if for an embarkation, but I can yet gain no satisfactory account upon...
45991To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The New-york Gazette has published a Supposed intercepted Letter wrote, as it says by your Excellency to Mr Land Washington, and in which is this Paragraph. "It is very unlikely, I say it to you in confidence that the French fleet and detachment did not undertake this present expedition at the time I proposed it. The destruction of Arnold’s corps would have been unavoidable, and over before...
45992To George Washington from Ezra Stiles, 26 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
As a Testimony of their most affectionate Respect, the President and Fellows of this University have this day unanimously conferred upon your Excellency the Degree of the Doctorate in Laws; of which I am now in their Name to ask your Acceptance. We cannot add to the Accumulation of Glory which shines around the Name of Washington, and which none but himself thinks unmerited. But we are...
45993General Orders, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress having been pleased to set apart and appoint Thursday the 3d of May next for fasting humiliation and prayer the General enjoins a strict obedience to it in the Army and calls upon the Chaplains thereof to prepare discourses suitable to the occasion. All duties of Fatigue are to cease on that day. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45994From George Washington to Lewis Garanger, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Monsieur Lewis Garanger Capt. of Bombardiers in the Army of France entered the American service with the Rank of Captain in the Army of the United States in December 1778—from which time he has waited an opportunity of being employed in the particular line of his profession, but none having occurred he has requested and obtained liberty to return to France. Capt. Garanger has ever been...
45995To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed a Copy of my Letter to Congress, & am to acknowledge the receipt of a Letter from your Excellency dated the 27th of March. I have the honor to be with great respect, Your Excellencys most obt and most humble servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45996To George Washington from Alexander Hamilton, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I imagine your Excellency has been informed that in consequence of the resolution of Congress for granting commissions to Aide De Camps appointed under the former establishment, I have obtained one of Lieutenant Colonel in the army of the United States, bearing rank since the 1st of March 1777. It is become necessary to me to apply to your Excellency to know in what manner you foresee you will...
45997From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of this date has not a little embarrassed me—You must remember the ferment in the Pennsylvania line the last Campaign occasioned by the appointment of Major McPhearson, and you know the uneasiness which at this moment exists among the Eastern Officers on Account of the commands conferred upon Colo. Jemat and Major Galvan although it was the result of absolute necessity of which i...
45998From George Washington to William Heath, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Master informs that Teams with flour will probably be at New Windsor by tomorrow night, and suggests whether it will not be adviseable to have flat-bottomed Boats ready for the transportation of it; as sail Boats may be delayed by the adversity of Wind or Tide. The Commissary of Prisoners reports that there are several Prisoners of War, sent on as recruits from the State of...
45999To George Washington from William Heath, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have mentioned to some of the principal officers of the Massachusetts line the receiving but three months pay at this instant , viz. for January, February and March, out of the monies sent on by their Commonwealth, and the fourth month a short time hence: but I find their distresses so great and their debts so accumulated, that it is not possible for them to do with less than the four...
46000From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
There was never any regular formation of the department of Geographer to the Army, but to the best of my recollection Mr Erskine’s pay was to have been four dollars per day and that of his Assistants two dollars per day—Chain Bearers half a dollar per day and an allowance for the contingent expences of travelling when out of reach of the Magazine of the Army and for the purchase of the...
46001To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Returng yesterday, from a Journey Eastward as far as Boston on which I had been employed for a Fortnight, I found your Excellencys Letter of the 16th waiting for me, with a Proposal for my joining your Family in Capacity of a Secretary—as your Excellency must e’er this begin to wonder at my Silence, I think it my Duty to make an imediate acknowlegement of the Recipt of your Letter, altho I...
46002To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Letter of the 7th instant respecting Camp Equipage for the se of the Troops of this State—I am very sensible of the Importance of this Requisition & shall attend to it with particular Consideration—Our Genl Assembly will meet soon—when your Letter with One from the Q.M. Genl shall be laid before them—& hope Measures will be by then taken to make necessary Preparations...
46003To George Washington from Joseph Carleton, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose your Excellency, an Act of this Board of yesterday, respecting the extra rations to be drawn in Kind by the officers of the Army. I have the Honor to be with the highest respect Your Excellencys Most obed. Hble Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
46004To George Washington from George Clinton, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I this Moment received by the bearer Colo. Nicoll Information of the appearance of a Party of the Enemy at the Minisink on the frontier of Orange and Sussex Counties as mentioned in the enclosed Copy of a Letter from Henry Wisner Esqr. of Goshen & an intercepted Letter certified by Saml Westbroeck Esqr. a Magistrate of New Jersey The Levies raised in the Northern Part of Orange County for the...
46005From David Humphreys to William Heath, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by His Excellency the Commander in Cheif to inform you that the Troops of the Massachusetts Line may receive four Months Pay. I have the honor to be Your most Obedt Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
46006From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The necessity of getting forward what Flour is upon the communication urges me to a measure which I would not wish to adopt could it be avoided. It is, to make use of a part of a sum of Money sent to the pay master General by the State of Massachusetts purposely for the payment of the troops of that line. You will in consequence of this receive a Warrant for 9000 Dollars of the new emission,...
46007To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to send to your Excellency a Letter which I write to the Ch. de La Luzerne concerning some propositions from Congress for the Supplying the French corps with provisions. This Letter will be followed by Mr De Menonville, first Deputy Adjutant General who shall receive your Excellency’s orders, as he passes thro’ New Windsor, that none of these operations may cross those which...
46008To George Washington from François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de Chastellux, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to recommend to your excellency the colonel Menonville, one of the adjudants general, a gentleman of great learning and capacity, and my peculiar friend for a long time past your excellency is already acquainted with the subject of his errand, by a letter of Count de Rochambeau. I was always convinced that nothing good can be done in this country, but under the direction and...
46009From George Washington to George Clinton, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s favor of Yesterday, with the enclosures, by Colo. Nicoll. An order for the Ammunition had been previously given, in consequence of your first application. With respect to provision, of the Meat kind, I confess I am entirely at a loss by what means it can be supplyed to the Troops on the Frontier: the whole dependence of the Army for this Article is upon the...
46010From George Washington to John Flood, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
If Jesse Cole, an Inhabitant of the City of New York, will undertake to communicate with me through the Channel that has been proposed to him, or any other which may be more direct and better—and will give me regular information of the enemys movements—strength—& designs, as far as he can come at them from good information & his own observation, particularly noting their...
46011To George Washington from Horatio Gates, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The last Letter I had the Honour to write Your Excellency was from Berkeley in Virginia the 15th of January. I wish it was discovered by what Artifice your Dispatches of the 8th of October were detain’d Sixty Four days with Evident Marks of their having been open’d before they reach’d me, as I already mention’d in my last Letter; The Injuries which the Public, as well as myself may have...
46012To George Washington from Udny Hay, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment recd the inclosed letter for Your Excellency respecting the exchange of salt for Fish, and shall immedeately apply for an express to carry it on, a constant expectation of the Arrival of the Commissary General in Town has been the reason why the board has so long delayd ariving to any resolution. If your Excellency should think proper to order the execution of this business...
46013To George Washington from William Heath, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am this morning honored with yours of the 27th and Colonel Humphrys’ of the 28th. I shall take immediate measures to ascertain the number of prisoners of war who have been sent on as recruits from the Common wealth of Massachusetts, and write the civil Authority of the Common wealth on the ill policy and dangerous tendency of trusting the fortunes, lives and liberties of these States, to be...
46014To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency will recieve enclosed a Resolve of Congress of the 26th Instant, authorizing the quarter Master General to appoint Col. Champlin of Newport a Barrack Master to the French Army agreeable to the Sentiments expressed in your Letter of the 21st Instant. Also a Resolve of the same Date with the above mentioned, affixing the Pay of Captain Lieutenant of Artillery, and of Lieutenants...
46015To George Washington from William Shippen, Jr., 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I beg pardon for delaying so long to return a thousand thanks to your Excellency for your polite & obliging Letter of February 14th. Since I left the public service I flatter myself I have been useful in qualifying young gentlemen for your hospitals & army as well as for private life—I impatiently wait to execute any commands you may still honor me with, & beg your & your good Ladys acceptance...
46016From George Washington to David Waterbury, 29 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Captains scudder and Dean inform me that you had, from not being acquainted with circumstances, detained a Boat in which they had been over to Long Island. These Gentlemen were employed under my orders at that time and will have occasion to cross the sound every now and then as the business upon which they are engaged may require—You will therefore be pleased to give them up the Boat, and as I...
46017General Orders, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
John Powel a Soldier in the New Hampshire line tried the 27th instant by the Brigade General Court Martial whereof Major Scott was president charged with "repeated Desertion" was found Guilty and sentenced to suffer Death more than two thirds of the Court agreeing. The Commander in Chief approves the Sentence. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
46018To George Washington from James Clinton, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 17th inst. yesterday. I have communicated its Contents to Mr Rensselear, and expect in a few Days to have a satisfactory Account from him. It gives me peculiar Pain to be obliged to fill my Letters with Accounts which I am persuaded must be very disagreeable to you; but a Reguard to my Reputation and a Sense of the Duty I owe to my Country...
46019From Edward Hand to John Cochran, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency apprehensive that many of the men returned Sick Absent and in the service of the Hospitals are not now in being or cannot be particularly accounted for, has desired me to request you would furnish him as soon as possible with accurate returns from all the Hospitals under your direction on this side Susquehannah River. specifying the men’s names the Corps they belong to and time...
46020To George Washington from Richard Harrison, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of writing your Excellency on the 12th ulto & 3d Inst. advising of my purchase of a quantity of Soldiers Cloathing for Accot of the United States & inclosing Invoice for the same—The whole are now shipped and this is only intended to convey you a note of the Vessells in which they went, that your Excellency may know where to apply in case of delay, or want of proper...