1To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have recovered our Sloop which I wrote concerning the other Day, & no other Damage sustained by the Tories retakg her, than a few Barrells of Flower, & some Pork, our Party havg surprized & drove them of[f] whilst unloading her. The Brig is like to be much more valuable than was at first supposed, there appears to be a great Quantity of Arms, Baggage & some Cloths, Ammunition Rum & Wine,...
2To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon rect of your favour of 23d Inst. late at Night, the next morning early I gave orders Immediately for the removal of such Stores and Baggage as were retain’d here, to one Bells between Kennett Square and Chads-ford, proposing to take a position on the most Advantageous ground between Gibsons & Chads-ford, as nearly opposite to Dilworths as the ground wou’d Admit, which position not Knowing...
3To George Washington from William Smallwood, 4 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that since I wrote you on the 1st Instt. I have received arms and Accoutrements for the 4th Regiment and about one Hundred of the 5th and the State promise to make every exertion to forward Supplies of Cloathing after the Troops into Virginia which induces me to order them to March early Tomorrow Morning with all possible dispatch to join the Marquis as they...
4To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 24 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival here at Christmas I found the Regular & flying Camp Officers in general much disgusted by the Appointments of the Commissioners, in which indeed there were irregula[ri]ties and Improprieties which no established Mode cou’d justify, many being below, others promoted above their Rank, & many more not appointed at all; which induced me, as the Appointments were incompleat, to make...
5To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have dispatch’d two Officers one to Governor Johnson at Annapolis & the other to the head of Elk for the purposes you required the result of which upon their return shall take the earliest opportunity of Communicating and in the Interim the troops shall Constantly be held in readiness to move at a Minutes warning. Just before I recd your favour I had wrote you yesterday, The party detach’d...
6To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Last Night Colonel Gist joined me he has * Troops—our united Force amounts to §. I am now on my march and rest assured every Effort shall be exerted to §§—as expeditiously as possible which I hope to effect Tomorrow—the Shameful neglect in the Commissarys Department throws many Obstacles in my way and retards my March—I am reduced to the Necessity of sending Officers forward to provide for the...
7To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 25 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have revolved in my Mind the Subject of your Requisition last Night, and placed it in every Point of View, and must confess I am much embarrassed, I see the Propriety and Necessity of an Attack, I view with Pain the pressing Expectations of the Public, the Reputation of the Army at Stake, the depression of our Money, the difficulty & hazard of the proposed Attact, and the Misfortunes & I may...
8To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 3 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of the 1st Instant, in answer to mine by Colo. Proctor, soon after his Departure the Fleet hove in sight, & got up to Marcus hook that Tide, where & at Grubs Landing Numbers of Tories came on Shore, & traded with The Inhabitants; five of whom a Party of ours took, and forced the others on Board, soon after which the whole stood up the River—part of Salem is said to be burnt...
9To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 5 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had Intelligence yesterday afternoon from Newcastle, that upwards of one Hundred Sail of Transport Ships lay off reedy Point, the Admiral off New Castle, & that upwards of fifty Sail more pass’d down yesterday; I have not heard from that Quarter to Day, I have understood that a draft of Marines from each Armed Vessel was ordered up to Philadelphia, and Capt. Rumford informed me four Sloops...
10To George Washington from William Smallwood, 6 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
Commodore Brook who will address this acquaints me that you desired him to request me to inform you of the Circumstances of Mr Stromats taking out a Warrant to affect Vacancy contiguous to your Lands on this Side the Patowmack —I know very little of the Situation and Courses of your Lands or the adjoining Vacancy—but since Stromat took out his Warrant I have understood from Mr Dunnington the...
11To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Two of the Questions stated yesterday by your Excellency to the Council respecting Detatchments being sent towards Boston, & against the Indians & disaffected on the Frontiers of this State, being determined, require no farther Observations or Reply. The Uncertainty of the Enemys Views—their Strength, & superior Advantages to effect Speedy Operations—The present State of, and the disciplining...
12To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 20 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemys Fleet still remain down below Reedy Island, except such Transports as conveyed off the Invalids &c.—various accounts of the Numbers, from 1,200 to 2,000, some are said to have marched down by Land, others to have landed from the Fleet near Salem, they have plundered, and were the other Day carrying off Forage, the Jersy Militia took & sent over here nine of their Seamen, they landed...
13To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 19–20 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your orders I sent Capt. Norwood to obtain a List of the Stores at the head of Elk, who returned this Evening with the Inclosed Lists from Hollingsworth, Rodolph & Huggins who could give no Acct of the Stores in the Peninsula below and at Charles Town, but Colo. Hollingsworth informs Capt. Norwood there were near as much more at those Stages & that he daily expected Several...
14To George Washington from William Smallwood, 18 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Favor dated the 6th Instant, and regret much that the Commands are so filled—and that Circumstances will not admit of my having the Pleasure of joining you in the Enterprize below—especially as I see no possibility of pushing the recruiting Service shortly, with any prospect of Success—for want of Specie, or some other Medium that would circulate, to engage the Men, if...
15To George Washington from William Smallwood, 9 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since I have been in this State I have been peculiarly embarrassed—not only in raising Men—but in equipping them—The acts of the State and her Finances have been utterly incompetent towards compleating her Quota, which I am well assured might have been effected, could Money have been advanced—and the Public Acts calculated to promote the recruiting Service—Impressed with a just sense of the...
16To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by your favor received last Evening, and shall take every necessary precaution to obviate any design formed against this Post—but I am induced to think the Information was groundless, as we have now seve⟨n⟩ Prisoners taken on the Evening of the 7th, part of them taken by the mouth of Derby Creek going up with Provision, & the others above that, coming down from Philadelphia...
17To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 26 March 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, c.26 Mar. 1778. GW wrote Smallwood on 28 Mar. , “I was yesterday favd with yours without a date, inclosing the proceedings of a Court Martial held upon Colo. Hall of Maryland.” The usual time of passage for letters from Smallwood was one day, and Josias Carvil Hall wrote GW on the subject in a letter of 26 March.
18To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency will excuse the Delay in not answering your favors of the 12th & 13th Inst. before. I have been so pester’d this 10 Days past, that I need not tell, for you will readily perceive I am scarce yet in my proper Senses, nor do I believe I shall ever get clear of the Echo of Rank in the Line , of the Staff, Furlough, Recruiting, Resignation, Desertion, disaffection, pass into...
19To George Washington from William Smallwood, 30 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favor wrote from Newburgh without Date—and shou’d sometime ago have anticipated your Requisitions, by laying before you the Information you require—but was first solicitous to have a Detachment nearly ready for marching, which the want of Cloathing and Equipments has prevented. As you seem desirous of obtaining regular Reports of the progress I have made, and a minute...
20To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
By return of a Party of Dragoons who I had detatched for that purpose, I have just received Intelligence of some of the Enemys Movements, & have inclosed the Ltrs for your perusal & satisfaction, from which it will appear (tho these Views are not absolutely demonstrated) they have intended to intercept General Wayne, & his collected supplies, and that they have had & may still have a design...
21To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 13 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
After meeting with many impediments in the Commissary’s & Quarter masters departments, which have delayed considerably the march of the Militia under my command I arrived here yesterday evening with about 700 effectives and expect to be joined in a day or two by 600 more exclusive of the body under Colo. Gist, who was yesterday at Christeen & will pursue the rout you have chalked out for him:...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just been favor’d with yours of yesterdays Date, & the Requisitions therein shall be stricktly complied with—I wrote some Days ago by Colo. Gist (who informed he had your Permission to retire to settle his Regimental Accts) to Governor Johnson, to forward the Cloathing to this Place, & have taken Measures to comply with the Resolution of Congress respecting the Stock. I have no...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 15 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have sent you as ⅌r the Inclosed List, such Goods as you wrote for, so far as the Prize wou’d furnish (escorted by Serjeant Sprig —& Guard all trusty Men) which I hope will suit, as they are the best in Quality in the Prize. There were but two steel mounted small Swords (& none other tolerably genteel) these are small & rather short, however I think them genteel, & have sent them both, that...
24To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I recieved your favour dated the 1st Inst., and in pursuance of your Order have directed Lieut. Hugoe of the fifth Maryland Regiment to repair to, and take Command of the Soldiers in the Shoe Factory at New Ark, and have given him proper Instructions for this purpose, he Marches down Twenty of the Nine Months Men, who have inlisted in that Regiment, as they are altogether from the...
25To George Washington from William Smallwood, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Smallwood, 2 June 1778. In his letter to Smallwood of 5 June , GW mentions “your last of the 2d Inst., with which I w⟨as⟩ favoured.”
26To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Marbury Quarter Master of the first Maryland Brigade waits on you to obtain an order for Clothing and Blankets for my Brigade agreeable to the Inclosed returns, which the troops are in extreme want off particularly Blanketts, the want of which has already Subjected many of our Men to sickness, and from the Approaching cold weather cannot Longer be dispensed with, part of the first, and...
27To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a letter, I fancy from Governor Johnson, forwarded by the bearer hereof Mr Burrell who informs me that he left his son about fourteen Months ago with his Brother about 12 Miles above Philada upon the Schuylkill to Learn the Bleaching trade, his Brother having taken refuge with the Enemy Carried his son without his Privity with him & having understood that his brother sent the boy...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 9–10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favor of the 6th Inst., & in reply to that part relative to the British Prisoners, & their Treatment contained in the Deposition transmitted you, I can truly assert the whole is without the least foundation, except several being frostbit, which Fate many of our Soldiers in common shared with them, from the severity of the Weather, & unavoidably getting their Feet & legs wet in...
29To George Washington from William Smallwood, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
General Greene in his late Requisitions, was very pressing for Men to be forwarded—I have near two Hundred who I wish to march immediately, but cannot without Supplies of Blankets, Cloathing, and Equipments can be obtained from Philadelphia, for which I have made application to the War Office; these I also applied to the State for, in January, and repeatedly since, but without effect, and I...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 9 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our Field Officers desire me to request your Opinion on the following Questions, as they judge the Resolve of Congress of the 24th November to be silent thereon. Does a Title to Promotion, upon a vacancy previous to the 16 Sept.—76, give Rank from the Time such Vacancy happend, & ought to have been filled, whether the Party acted in it, under Brevet or otherwise? If it does, are the Officers...
31To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Horse you required are forwarded, the troops ariv’d here last Night, and I hoped to have had the pleasure of seeing you in Camp to day, but the weather proving very wet, will Delay our getting up ’till Tomorrow—Capt. Lansdale has just return’d & also Mr Thornton, you’l observe below the Number of Ships, and where Anchored, they bring Intelligence of; which I believe may be depended on, as...
32To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 16 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
There were three Ladies Captured by Barry but he informs no one of the Name of Mitchell they were sent off from New Castle Yesterday with some others having by a Flag obtained permission to send them up by Water in one of our Vessells. We have had the Mouth of the Christiana for some Days blocked up by the Nautilus & some Gallies which has obliged Barrys little Fleet to lye snug here—this...
33To George Washington from William Smallwood, 10 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Letter dated the 28th December last, and agreeable to your request, communicated the Objects contained therein to the Delegates of our State Society of the Cincinnati—and to obviate a possibility of failure in the communication, requested them to acknowledge the receipt of my Letters by the earliest Opportunity. I have anxiously waited for an Opportunity of contriving...
34To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
The above is an Extract of the last Letter I have received from Colo. Richardson on the Subject of his Rank & Resignation, which you will observe fixes the latter on the 22d October 1779—and relinquishes Pay and Subsistence from the first of March last—but in a Letter antecedent to this (dated the first of July) on the above Subjects, he intimates, that he should wish to relinquish his Pay and...
35To George Washington from William Smallwood, 13 Aug. 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from William Smallwood, 13 Aug. 1779. On 15 Aug., GW wrote Smallwood: “I have received Your Letter of the 13th.”
36To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 8 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed you the proceedings, and Sentence of a Court Martial on the tryal of Capt. Norwood, it gives me much pain to trouble you with such business, when I am sensible your engagements are pressing, and your time taken up with bussiness of much more Importance, but from pure Motives of Public good, I find myself constrained to trespass on you thus far, to prevent in future the Service...
37To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 31 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Evening of the 29th I was favored with yours of the 28th Inst., Mr Richmond copying my Ltr omitted the Date, & my being much hurried prevented my adverting to the Omission. You must have been misinformed respecting the Quantity of Hay remaining between Chester & this Place; pursuant to your Original Orders directing my taking post here &c., I have drawn chief of our Supplies of Forage &...
38To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 5 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
By this Opertunity, I transmit the Inclosed Letters, & Mr Franklins Accts of Provision, Cloathing & Cash, furnish’d our Prisoners by him, to be Address’d to Mr Boudinot, which were handed me to day by Lieut. Croxall who has obtain’d his Parole for a Fortnight —to day there was two men of War, Eight Transport Ships, & two Schooners with some Troops on board pass’d by here, & it is said there...
39To George Washington from William Smallwood, 9 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have inclosed a Return of the Troops at this Station, by which you will observe the number marched, and remaining sick in Hospital and Barracks; exclusive of the recruiting Parties, and such recruits as I have had no return of. The detachment embarked on the 5th Instant for the Head of Elk, they were without Tents, bare of blankets, shirts and some other articles of clothing, but I directed...
40To George Washington from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 17 April 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. William Smallwood, 17 April 1778. On 18 April, GW wrote to Smallwood , “I have this moment recd yours of yesterday by Capt. patton.”
41To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 27 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday Evening the Enemy in a Sloop of war, one Galley, and about 40 Boats fell down the Delaware, and Anchor’d off this Place at Dusk: The Boats were full of Troops & upwards of 30 said to be flat Bottomed from the best intelligence I received, cou’d not distinguish from this Place, as they came down under cover of this shore, and at Dusk made over to the Jersey Shore, & came to an...
42To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I think an enterprize against the Enemy in their present Situation in Philadelphia, would be impolitic, and avail nothing, as they either have it in view to evacuate the City upon an Attack, or throw in a reinforcement, both which would be practicable and in the attempt much might be risk’d, which if crowned with Success, would not afford any material Advantage. From a Comprehensive view of...
43To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd your favour of the 25th Inst. & am happy to find the Measures I had Adopted have in a great Measure Coincided with your views and the Possition you have recommended, I had just finished my Letter to send by Mr Fitzhugh, shall send the Express off with him —I hope my reasons for remaining here thus long will Suffice for deviating from your orders in not Marching Immediately as...
44To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 13 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favor’d with yours of Yesterdays Date, & your Orders shall be strictly complied with respecting the choice of Officers and Men who may be best qualified to execute the Service you have in view. I have no Baggage or Stores here but such as cou’d readily move in the Regimental Waggons at half an hours warning with the Troops—but if you view our Detention here necessary, ’till the Stores...
45To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 15 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is four Days since I wrote concerning the Situa[tio]n of the Troops under my Command, & am afraid the Express has fallen into the Enemys hands; ever since I have been detained in this Neighbourhood for want of Cartridge[s], wch I wrote to you for, and also sometime before that Period sent two Expresses to Governor Johnson to that Effect; I have collected some Public Powder, and am...
46To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 17 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
For this two Days past the Enemys Fleet have been passing by here, to amount of 150 Sail, of which there were 70 or 80 Sloops & Schoners, some few flat Bottom and a number of Ships Boats on Deck & in Tow besides—there destination not known, it’s said there are Troops on board, but it is not reduced to a Certainty, if any, they were kept below, as there was no great appearance on Deck—The...
47To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Fleet of 59 Ships, inclusive of a Frigate of 28, & a Sloop of 16 Guns came down the River Yesterday, & Anchor’d of[f] the Mouth of Christiana Creek in the Evening, & from the Number of Boats attending them, & stopping short of the Admirals Ship, when both Wind & Tide favored, I was induced to think the Enemy had in View an Attack on this Post last Night, but the Weather proved too...
48To George Washington from William Smallwood, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that the third Regiment was detained beyond my Expectations, for want of Equipments, they marched to join the Marquis on the 28h of August, but are yet deficient one hundred stand of Arms, and upwards of two hundred Blankets, The arms I have procured, and shall forward with all possible dispatch—some Cloth has been received which is now making up into Blankets to be...
49To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 10 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favors of the 7th Inst., & am peculiarly embarrassed, by a Proposition, which I am induced to think you did not mean to extend to an absolute order, as in that Instance you wou’d have been more pointed & precise, & must beg your excuse for not complying wth it, till the following Considerations were submitted, & your further Direction taken. I am persu[a]ded it wou’d be the...
50To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Waggons not returning from moving the tents ’till yesterday and the weather proving wet on Wednesday, prevented my Marching that day, but we arived here yesterday after having got all the Quartermaster and Commissaries stores under way before we left Wilmington, we have taken a possition about a mile back of Chads Ford but are not fix’d being about now to reconitre and fix upon an...