21To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 14 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take this oportunity by a Man of Coll Huggs that is going to Head Quarters to Inform your Excellency of any thing worthy of notice on this side. The Enemy is dayly giving out they are coming through the Jersey, by the best accounts they have 300 & odd two Horse waggons & above 100 four Horse waggons on this side at Coopers Ferry and they were Impressing Negros & others for drivers some days...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Received a Message from General Dickenson last night to return to Trenton again that the Enemy was in force in the other side of the Drawbridge and attempted to lay it but He had beat them off I could not go then as my People had been Marching all day with out Provisions besides I informed him I thought it was a faint of the Enemy & I would wait his further Intiligence of this Morning which...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
My Troops is all got into Quarters and I have Just now received a letter from Major Bloomfield of my Brigade who I sent to bring me crtain Intiligence Viz. he says he was at Mr Edwd Taylors in upper Freehold he dates at 7 P.M. He was within ¼ of a mile of their light Horse they on one hill and he on another the Enemy had Pitched their Tents at his first going there he now ashures me that they...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inform your Excellency that the Letter which accompanys this was delivered a little way below this place a few minutes ago, by a Capt. Murray one of General Clintons Ade D. Camps, I was surprised that he was not stoped sooner but the Militia did not know Your Excellencys former Orders I suppose and I suppose they purposely eluded Coll Morgan. He delivered General...
25To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to Inform your Excellency that the main body of the Enemy lyeth about 3 miles below middleton on a chain of Heights, that reaches from the bay to Shrewsberry River, which is verry narrow and not come[–]at[–]able. By several accounts they have been busy embarkquing since the night before last, (that is their Baggage only & possably some of their Artillery[)]. We have no certainty of any...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take this opertunity by Mr Furman to in form Your Excellency of what I know respecting the Enemy. Viz. the night before last a Deserter came in from the Island to Amboy seem’d to be verry intiligent; says, he is shure that the 5th Regt—10th 15th 27th 40th 55th Regts lyeth on Statten Island, besides some of the new Leveys; that the 15th came there the day before he Deserted. There is two...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig.Gen.William Maxwell, 2 Aug. 1778. On 4 Aug., GW wrote Maxwell : “I was last Night favd with yours of the 2d with a York paper.”
28To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 7 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 7 Aug. 1778. On 8 Aug., GW wrote Vice Admiral d’Estaing : “I have just received a letter from Brigadier General Maxwell … dated yesterday at nine oClock in the forenoon”; GW also wrote Maxwell on 8 Aug. : “I just now rec’d your favor of yesterday.” For quotations from Maxwell’s letter, see GW to John Laurens, 8 August .
29To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 18 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, c.18 Aug. 1778. On 21 Aug., GW wrote Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene : “By a Letter which I received yesterday from Genl Maxwell, inclosing one from Major Howell … it appears certain, that Sixteen of Lord Howes fleet entered the Hook on the 17th.” GW’s other correspondence with Maxwell around this time suggests that the travel time for letters...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have little to inform your Excellency of but even that will be more agreeable to you, I emajin than not to hear from us at all. I have intiligence almost dayly from the likelyest places for news. The Troops lyeth mostly as they did when I wrote you of the partys going to Cow neck which is still confirmed, & that a party had gone to Joyn Governor Tryon on the East of the Island. besides the...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency may depend on the following; as I have it from a Gentle Man of Varacity that came from Long Island yesterday Viz. Lord How went the day before yesterday off Barren Island out of the Hook and that day 4 Regts went down Long Island one of them Turnbuls, new levys, they said they were going on board of the Fleet to act as Marines but an express follow’d them that night, and they...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inclose to Your Excellency Major Howels Journal. I have it confirmed by another channel that the 7 Vessels of the Cork Fleet is arived, the day before yesterday; and that Lord How Sailed with his Fleet the same day to the Eastward; this is all I have at present only that I have Just got another Packet from the Commissioners to Congress and sent it on —I am Your...
33To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I forwarded to your Excellency yesterday a Journal from Major Howel with an Acct of Lord Hows being saild to the East Ward, 6 or 7 of the Cork Fleet having arived in the Hook &Ca which is all confirmed; it is likewise confirmed that the 4 Regts returned that was going on board the Fleet. Genl Clinton is on long Islan, it is said with 8000 Men but one half is most likely as I have both...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 31 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
Coll D’Hart having some bussiness to transact at Camp, he has obtained my leave for that purpose. I have had intiligen[c]e from New York though not d[i]rectly or by so good authority as I could wish, yet it is believed & I believe it, that a part of Birons Fleet has arived about 3 days ago Viz. five large Ships, that the Officers has been seen and spoke with in New York. I have attempted to...
35To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have some thing to lay before your Excellency which is far from being agreeable and I do ashure you that I have done every thing in my power to prevent it, unless I had put your orders to me into publick Orders here. I have herewith sen you the proceedings of a General Court Martial where two Capts. is tryed for disobedience of Orders. I think the Evidence is quite full especialy agains Capn...
36To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 14 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I believe I can inform you Excellency that Lord How is returned to New york with the whole or greatest part of his Fleet. This I had last night from N.Y. and to day confirmed by Major Howel so far that 29 Sail went in. The Brest Fleet is much talked of but no one knows where it is. It is said that with Genl Clinton came Lord Cornwalles & Sir Wm Arskin but that the Troops they took with them...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I inclose to Your Excellency by Coll Balor three Letters from England that may amuse You a little some of which has not gone through the Enemys hands—if Your Excellency will please to return them to me I will send them to the owners Every intiligen[c]e seems to confirm that ten Regts is ordered to the West Indias and is supposed to sail sho[r]tly I have likewise incllosed to Your Excellency...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will Accompany to Your Excellency a Packet brought from England by the same Hand that brought Mrs Rights & the other letter I sent You. I thought to have sent some person over last night, but the Storm was so high it was impossable I had 9 Saylors Deserters Yesterday, from Byrons Fleet; they say there is above 2,000 of them sick on Statten Island where they have a Vast many Sails Pitched...
39To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Your Excellencys Orders from Coll Harrison to try to inform you what the 29 Sail of Vessels were that Major Howell mentions I understood they were all Victualers or chiefly so as far as he knew that many of them was armed Victualers 6 or 7 of them was from Cork & the rest from England. The report of a party making ready to Imbarque still prevails some says they are going to Boston...
40To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 20 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was Honoured with Your Excellencys Favour of the 19th Inst. about noon to day, it accompany one to Coll Ogden[,] Barber & some others as Coll Ogden is gone to Philada to day on some private Bussiness I opened his letter, but as I did not know what he wrote to Your Excellency last I can return nothing on that subject. I suppose he thought by this time to have much to send you and so did I,...
41To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to Inform your Excellency that last Evening above 40 of our Officers that was Prisoners with the Enemy came here besides some Sea Men & Officers that is come since that I have not seen. They all agree in this point that they are either going on some Expeditions or they are going to leave New york. Some says there is two expeditions on foot one up the sound the other up the North River...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take this oportunity by Mr Woodroof to inform Your Excellency of our affairs for some days past. I have desired that Coll Baylor would give you constantly an Account of the Hackinsack affairs, The day before yesterday we had a Flag Boat at New york with a little Flour, they saw one 20 Gun ship between 12 & 15 small armed Vessels and about 50 Flat bottom’d Boats go up the North River They...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
There is nothing new since I wrote to your Excellency yesterday save that near 50 Shallops and such small vessels went up the Bay yesterday towards Hackensack, one Row Galley among them they seem’d to have no more hands on board than sufficient to work them, it is supposed they are gone for Hay and Forrage &Ca. I had an Officer at General Winses Camp yesterday and could not find that the Enemy...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 29 Sept. 1778. Maxwell wrote GW later on this date : “Your Excellency’s Favour of the 27th Inst. came to hand since I sent of[f] mine of th[i]s morning.”
45To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favour of the 27th Inst. came to hand since I sent of[f] mine of th[i]s morning, I shewed it to General Heard and as many of the Colls as was handy, likewise Mr Caldwell that was here as he knew how the Stores was sittuated in Morristown; We were all of opinion that had Your Excellency received my last Letters and known the sittuation of General Winds and his strength that he...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 7 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of the 5th Inst. I recd last evening I have forwarded Major Howe’s letter and have wrote to Coll Dayton to use every means in his power to obtain certain information about the Fleet. The Account furnished by Genl Gates of an epidemical Distemper being among Byrons Sea Men is the verry same we had handed about on their first arival but I believe without foundation, for I...
47To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform your Excellency that last evening I recd a Letter from Major Howell dated the 4th Inst. says that on the 1st Inst. a Fleet of four Ships & eight Brigs Schooners & Sloops sailed to the Southward, designed as they imagined for Egg harbour; Several Signal Guns was heard on the 3d in the Morning and they were again seen off—Same day two Ships went in & one the day before. I wish...
48To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknowledg Your Excellencys Favours of the 14th & 15th Inst., concerning the disposition of the armey for the ensuing winter, and requireing my opinion thereon. It is verry probable I would have answered them sooner had not Lord Stirling advised to defer it to see if the appearant motions of the Enemys Troops, and Fleet, (part of which must shortly move) would throw any more light...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Morrison of the first New Jersey Regt will be the bearer of this to Your Excellency. I send him to receive Your Orders on the Cloathier General for the Cloathing belonging to the New Jersey Brigade. It is useless for me to mention the difficul[t]ies that the men labour under for want of them, as they have had nothing this summer only a few light things in the Spring. There will be...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 16 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have not any thing new to inform Your Excellency of, save that I have sent Coll Shrieve with his Regt to New Ark to take the command of that & second River, till further Orders. It seems necessary to lighten this place with respect to finding wood; Forrage, and even Quarters if possable. I have inclosed You a Letter from General Jones to Genl Skiner with Genl Leslies pass to Vanmater; all...
51To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the plasure to inclosed to Your Excellency two New York papers one of which contains a parragraph with a large sample of the old Story of the Fox & Sower grapes. and in another the distressed and disapointed state of the Refugees more than I thought they would be permited to express to the Publick. I wish Your Excellency would give me some directions concerning Hatfield and the others...
52To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favour of the 21st with my Instructions came safe to hand. I shall make it my Studdy to act agreeable to them. I find it is your wish that the intercourse between the enemy and us may be as small as possable, yet you say I may permit as many of the Inhabitants to pass with in the Enemys Lines, as have written Licences from the Congress, the Governors, or Legislative...
53To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency that a Packet arived from England in the Hook the 22d. I have inclosed You an English paper and the latest New York one. We have had the sevarest weather for some time past that has been known for many Years. The Sound is froze up and it is currantly reported that a Number of Vessels is on shore at Statten Island; & some cut through and sunk coming out of the...
54To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 31 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I a few hours ago received Your Excellencys favour of the 26th Inst. with a letter accompanying it to Sir Henry Clinton that and the Letter to Coll Butler was immediately sent forward I inclose to Your Excely two New York Papers of the 26th & 30th Inst. Was I supply’d with some Pennsylvania & the Jersey Papers to send into New York I could have a constant supply in return. I have likewise...
55To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have nothing to Inform Your Excellency of since my last, only that Lieut. Campbell of the Convention Troops is co[m]e out, and I have sent an Officer with him. I have got a London paper from him which I inclose of the 6th Octr wherein their is a passage that mentions Coll Houseker, and which I thought proper you should be acquainted with. I am your Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servant...
56To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of the 8th Inst. came safe to hand last night, accompany’d with the News papers. I like the scheme of Sending in the Flags once every month with the Inhabitants, provided that if the Enemy will not receive them on that day, or the next day, or two, as the Boats and weather m[a]y sute, in such case I might inform them, or order that they quit the town, and return to...
57To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26–27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have but little news to acquain Your Excellency with at present and that not verry certain, but such as it is I think it my duty to send it. There seems to be a good deal of a bustle amongst the new Levy’s and Refugees they have been making every atempt to see their Friends here, and declared with sheding of tears that they were going to leave the Continent or to the Southward so that they...
58To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
This Accompanys a Packet from Sir Henry Clinton. The Octr Packet arived from London last Saturday, I inclose You yesterdays paper. I had it from a person living on Staten Island, that he had great reason to believe that the Enemy would soon evacuate that Island. I had an account from New Ark last evening that Capt. Laurence of the N. Carrolina Brigade with 50 Men who had gone into Bergan Town...
59To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy have got it amongst them that we are prepareing to carry on an Expedition to the Northward, that large quantitys of tools were collecting through the country and carrying to Albany, and great preparations making there. One Officer was heard to mention the above to the other, who reply’d D—m them let them go, we will have a large Army up by way of Canada next Spring, and if the...
60To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 7 Feb. : “I have to acknowlege your several favors of the 26th & 27 Ultimo with that of the 1st Instant.”
61To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 8 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 9 Feb. that he was writing: “In answer to your letter of yesterdays date.”
62To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 11 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 11 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 13 Feb. : “I received your favor of the 11th Inst.”
63To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 15 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 16 Feb. : “I have received your favour of yesterday.”
64To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 19 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 19 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 20 Feb. : “I have your favr of yesterday accompanied by four New York papers.”
65To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 23 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 23 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 24 Feb. : “I recd your favr of yesterday with several News papers inclosed.”
66To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy attempted a surprise this morning—They disembarked about three O’clock, at which time, Colonel Ogden, officer of the day, obtained information, and conveyed it to me. Their landing was made on our left; as it appeared the most unsuspected part, being a very difficult marsh. Not knowing their design or numbers, after assembling the troops, I marched them to the rear of the town, that...
67To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, which was writen imediately, after the affair of the day before yesterday, I have collected the following particulars—The party which attempted to surprise this post was Commanded by Colo. Sterling of the 42nd Regt & composed of the following Corps—to wit—the 42d & 33d regts—a party of Welch Fuzeliers, together with a full company of Light Infantry of the 2d Battalion of...
68To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 28 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Maxwell on 1 March : “I am favd with yours of the 27th and 28th ulto containing a more particular account of the enemy’s late attempt upon your post.”
69To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2–3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform Your Excellency that I went to New Ark yesterday it being the begining of their Court and I thought likely for intiligences. The first acct I had was a report that some of the Enemy had been fortyfying themselves for several days past at Hobuck or there abouts I was afterward informed by what I thought good authority that the Enemy had made a shew up the River side some days...
70To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Favour of yesterday I recd. The men that returned from the Indian country I was informed lives in Sussex County, I do not know their names. I had the account from a Mr Meeker Major of Milita living not far from the Court House. I ask pardon for not mentioning the Boots befor; on the rect of your former letter I spoke to the man about them, and he informed me that it was the...