1To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
According to His Excellency General Washington’s orders, and desire of having every Gentleman’s opinion on the Subjects laid before the Council last evening. Mine is to attempt an attack on the lines & City, as Soon as the Plan thereof can be properly laid, all necessary dispositions and calculations made, as to the mode & time. In respect to the Plan much must depend on intelligences of the...
2To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Rest, Recruiting & Cloathing being most necessary for the army I am of opinion that taking Winter quarters at Wilmington almost behind the Ennemy, will not answer the purpose, because every movements the Ennemies will make Up Schuylkill river we must follow their motions or be cut off from our Stores, or forced to fight whether it will Suit us or not, I am apprehensive this position will of...
3To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
When your Excellency recommended sometime ago the Consideration of the practicabity of an attack on the Ennemy, I was already of opinion for Such an attack if it was possible to make an attempt on the City behind the lines, either by Sending troops in Boats down Delawar River to land on, or below the wharf, or by crossing Schuylkill river below middleferry either by throwing over Bridges or...
4To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Wesons & Lt Col. Badlem of Col. Bailey regt made appear to me the necessity of their going home to provide cloathing and other necessarys for their respective Corps They desire His Excellency General Washington will grant them furloughs for that purpose. ALS , DLC:GW . The letter is docketed in part “Cols. Wesson & Badlam Furloughs to 15 March next.” Ezra Badlam (1746–1788), who had...
5To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency The Commander in chief having laid the following points before the Board of General officers to be considered, and to deliver their opinion Thereon. Questions Answers . 1º Whether it would be adviseable to march, this army, either part of it, or the whole, to the Eastward, if the Enemies Should reinforce Rhode Island or land on the Continent in either of the Eastern States?...
6To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 10 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s orders for the opinion of the Board of M. Gls respecting the next Winterquarters. It appears to me that they should be taken in the State of New-york, on North River either on the left Bank or on both Sides, at the Distance of about 40 Miles from the Enemies Lines at kings Bridge, if they keep their present position. for the following reasons. 1st Because ’tis...
7To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 14 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb, 14 Oct. 1778. GW wrote Kalb on 18 Oct. : “I have been favoured with your letter of the 14th Instant.”
8To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
To the objects His Excellency General Washington proposed on the 16th inst: to the Consideration of a Board of General officers, My observations are as follows. It has been my opinion ever Since last month of may & Still is, that the Enemies will leave New-york & Rhode Island States, & employ their Forces to protect their kingdoms & West Indies, the defense of which Seems rather more natural...
9To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb, 27 Oct. 1778. Robert Hanson Harrison wrote Kalb on 28 Oct.: “His Excellency [GW] being called from Head quarters this morning—I have the honor to acknowledge his receipt of your favor of yesterday” ( DLC:GW ).
10To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 25 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s orders, Col. Weltners whole regt & Baggage will march with one of the Divisions of the Convention Troops, now wait farther orders at Easton. The first Division of the Prisoners is To cross the River this morning. Gl Smallwood with the first Brigade is actually moving to chester, & I shall march this instant with the Second Brigade (both very Small) to the Clove,...
11To George Washington from Johann Kalb, 5 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Johann Kalb, 5 Dec. 1778. On 7 Dec., GW wrote Kalb : “I have recd your favr of the 5th.”
12To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Works which I had the honor to mention to your Excellency, to be erected or repaired, for the Security and defense of the left Wing of your army, in this Camp, are. 1st At or near the Top of the mountain at the Place called Lincoln’s Gap. a Strong Redoubt with Some pieces (four or thereabout) of Canon, to Command the wooden Bridge on Bound Brook & the Roads Leading along the Top of the...
13Council of War, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Head Quarters Middle Brook April 10th 1779. Present The Commander in Chief[,] Major Genls Sullivan[,] Greene[,] Ld Stirling[,] St Clair[,] D’Kalb, [Brigadier Generals] Smallwood[,] Knox[,] Woodford. The Commander in Chief states to the Council, that since the last meeting of Commissioners on the subject of an exchange of Prisoners, the result of which is contained...
14To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
By the letter your Excellency honored me with the 28th may it appears that the forces of the Enemy on Rhode Island Newyork, Long & Staten Islands consist yet of about 15000 They have in Cheasapeak Bay 2000 I Suppose them to have in Georgia 4000 If they receive from Europe as they Expect, no less then 5000 Their forces employed against the United states will amount to 26000 Besides their...
15To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb, 8 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb, 8 July 1779. GW wrote Kalb on this date: “Mr Galvan has delivered me your favour of this day.”
16To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb, 10 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb, 10 July 1779. GW wrote Kalb on 11 July: “I received your favor of yesterdays date.”
17To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Comparing our forces & Situation with those of the Enemy and Considering all other Circumstances it Seems difficult for us to attempt any thing considerable upon them. at the Same time it would be necessary to annoy them and Lenghten out their Campaign to little purpose and without any farther progress, Whilst we may carry on our Works and perfect the forts at West point. I think their real...
18To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency’s letter of the 22d ult: was received the 28th —I have ever Since employed myself in correcting the defects which your Excellency has been pleased to point out. The general want of officers throughout the army is an evil which has long ago broke upon us, attended with every prejudicial consequence. Most of the officers appointed of late have been taken from the Noncommissioned,...
19To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 11 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since the Rivers are clear of The Ice and the Militia Lighthorse and Foot dismissed, I thought expedient to make Some changes in the posts heretofore established by Genl St Clair, to Secure as much as possible, all the Landing-Places and Roads therefrom Leading into the Country, from Second River down to the old Blazing Star, to get the earliest information of the movements of the Enemy, to...
20To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 14 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received the honor of your Excellency’s letter of 11th inst: Mr Caldwell being at Philadelphia I confered with Colo. Jaques of the Militia of Essex County on the Subject of the Signals established for allarming the Country: I here inclose a Copy of them in all the parts of this State, I understand that those hereabout though neglected are not much impaired, I will take care to See them...
21To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 20 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Being but badly off for Boats for the Water Guards your Excellency approved of and having none at all for three other Such Guards I think necessary to Establish, not being able to get any from this State by application to the Governor, I wrote to Gl Green on the Subject a few days ago, and here inclose another letter for him, and for the perusal of your Excellency. I could not learn what kind...
22To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 24 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
At a turn I took yesterday Evening to Visit the Posts on the right, I was informed at Woodbridge that Mr Randal of Said Town had an account from Staten Island, of 12 flat Bottomed Boats being arrived there from New york, destination not known and that Several Gallies fell down from N. York to Prince’s Bay. During the Night I received Your Excellency’s letter of yesterday. all I can learn about...
23To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 29 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Considering the Subject your Excellency have been pleased to lay before the Council of yesterday, our forces in all the parts of the United states compared with those of the Enemy, the Situation on both Sides and on our back Settlements with Several other Circumstances. It is my opinion that no Troops can be spared to be Sent to S. Carolina from this Army, it might be attended with many...
24To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 6 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a Copy of my letter of this day to the Board of War, by which your Excellency will See the process of my Rout till now. Having put the Second Brigade on their march, I am Setting out this moment to come up with the Troops in front. I have the honor to be with great Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble Servant ALS , NNGL . The enclosed copy of...
25To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have Honor to transmit to your Excellency a Copy of a letter of mine of this day to the Board of War by will appear the Situation of affairs in this Quarter. I could wish to be favoured with your Excellency’s orders, and to hear now and then of what passes to the Eastward. With the greatest Respect I have the honor to be your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble Servant ALS , DLC:GW ....
26Enclosure: Major General Johann Kalb to the Board of War, 20 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour to write to you from Petersburg the 6th Instant that I was to march the Second Brigade next day, but I could not effect it untill the 11th for want of the most neccessary Waggons. I shall march the first Brigade and Colonel Harresson’s Artillery to morrow towards Hillsbourough where I shall be joined by the Secd Brigade under Genl Gest, and by Colonel Porterfield who has with...
27To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 29 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Scarcity of Provisions together with the Difficulties the Commissary’s Departement Labour under to procure any for want of money, and want of Exertion in the States, have rendered my march very tedious, and disagreeable, We live from hand to mouth, and get very little, but what is collected by Detachments, and brought in with our Baggage Waggons, the Scatter’d few farms in this part, and...