1To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 6 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief having desired our Opinion in what order the Troops composing the Light Infantry of the Army should be Posted. We are of Opinion—That the same Principle which has been adopted for Posting the Troops in the Line of the Army should also govern in the Light Infantry and that the Troops of each State should have their Geographical position the same as is the Line of the...
2To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having referred to our consideration the claim of Mr Robert Hoakesly to the goods found in his store at York town in Virginia, and by a board of General Officers held on the 24th of October 1781, adjudged to be forfeited—beg leave to report. That having read and considered the memorial of Mr Hoakesly—the proceedings of the board above mentioned, and the depositions of Mr...
3To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 27 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 27 June 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 1 July: “I have been favoured with four letters from you three of the 22d and one of the 27th.”
4To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 29 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 29 June 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 1 July: “The proposals towards a monthly inspection contained in … your letter of the 29th appear in general to be very eligible.”
5To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 24 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit your Excellency the Abstracts of the Muster Rolls for the Months of July and August: and to the Report of the Inspection made by Colonel Stewart I have added the Original. The account which he gives of the Army is so minute and just that I have nothing to add except what respects the Progress which the Troops have made in Exercise and Manoeu v res. As your...
6To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 11 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Minister of France, has fixed on Monday next for his departure from hence for a Visit to your Excellency I have therefore order’d a Detachment of the Marechaussée to attend in order to escort him to Camp. I expect every moment to hear the Committee are named to consult with your Excellency; as mentioned in my last, and I have fixed on Friday next for my departure for Camp. I am with...
7To George Washington from Steuben, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
With regard to the first question —We are to examine whether the Enemy may expect formidable Succours—if that be the case we ought to reinforce the army with the greatest dispatch, and strike a daring blow before those Succours arrive—The enemys force is estimated at 10000 men—if ours is under 20000 rank and file, the enterprise would be hazardous, and by exposing ourselves to a general action...
8To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 15 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency a Letter from Major Lee by which you will perceive that two Men had deserted from the first Post he visited this morning & perhaps others will be found gone from the other Posts. I was utterly unacquainted with your Excellencys intentions of releiving Major Gibbs or I should have represented the necessity of keeping Those Troops on the Lines who...
9To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 28 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Previous to the reception of your two Letters of the & Instant I had been informed of our disappointment with regard to the Arms expected from France; Mr Izard made no secret of their detention or the cause —The distress I foresaw this disappointment would bring upon us determind me on a measure for which, if disapproved by your Excellency, I must be answerable. I engaged General Howe to write...
10Baron von Steuben’s Plan for Disbanding the Army, October 1783 (Washington Papers)
l. The Period being fixed for the dismission of the Army—it will be necessary to adjust the accounts of the Officers and Soldiers from the 1st of January 1783 to that Period. 2. As that Period will be more or less retarded as well to give time for the settlement of accounts as to make other necessary arrangements—The Officers and Soldiers shall receive their Pay, Rations and every other...
11To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 19 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Convention for establishing the Society of the Cincinnati, this 19 June 1783, Voted That His Excellency the Commander in Chief be requested to Officiate as President General, until the first general meeting, to be held in May next. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
12To George Washington from Steuben, January 1784 (Washington Papers)
The letter of december 23d which I have had the honor of receiving from Your Excellency is the most honorable testimony which my serving could have received. My first wish was to approve myself to Your Excellency & in having obtained it my happiness is complete. The Confidence Your Excellency was pleased to place in my integrity & ability Gained me that of the Army & of the United States—Your...
13To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 8 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
As the Peculiarity of my Situation requires an immediate Explanation with Congress, I have it in Consideration to proceed to Philadelphia, taking the York and Jersey Lines in my Rout. It is unnecessary to inform your Excellency of the Circumstances which render this Measure indispensibly necessary; your own Observations will prevent me the Pain of recapitulating them. A Delicacy due to my own...
14To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 23 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Delay which must result from collecting the Returns of all the dispersed Corps which you mention in your Letter of the 18th inst. is a difficulty which I apprehended as soon as I Saw the Resolutions of Congress on that Object. Besides that it will be almost impossible to make out those Returns with the necessary Exactness, We shall Certainly lose two months at a Time when we ought not to...
15To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
To avoid all disorders which may result from drawing by seperate Corps, I proposed in my last Letter to your Excellency, that the Light Infantry should draw nothing as a Seperate Corps, except their Rations, distributed by a Commissary Their Forage—by a Forage Master, and their Amuniton by a Conductor, who are to be appointed particularly for the Light Infantry —The Arms—Accoutrements, Camp...
16To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 6 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 2nd Instant yesterday. The necessity there was of having something done for the additional Regiments induced me to write the Board of War a Letter, copy of which I now inclose your Excellency, pressing their immediate attention to those Corps, but tho’ some days have since passed & the necessity of coming to an immediate decision in this affair...
17To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 22 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith to your Excellency Coll Febigers letter representing the situation of the Officers and soldiers of the Virginia Troops now here. Having already spoke to your Excellency on this subject and Colo. Febiger having so fully represented the matter I have only to add that the situation of the Officers is as distressing as can be imagined—to my own knowledge there...
18To George Washington from Steuben, 29 January 1790 (Washington Papers)
Though sensibly imprest with the marks of confidence & freindship, you have been pleased to manifest for me, since my arrival in America. Nothing but the most urgent necessity could induce me at this time, to divert your attention from more important Objects of National concern, to the consideration of one, which may be of a more personal nature. Unaccustomed to suffer pecuniary distress...
19To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 10 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Major General Steuben, 10 Feb. 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 26 Feb. : “Capt. Walker delivered me your favor of the 10th inst. with the Sequel of your Manuscript.”
20To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 5 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys obliging favor of 26 Ulto was handed me by Cap. Walker with the first part of the Regulations for the Exercise of the Infantry. I am much obliged by your Excellencys remarks on that Manuscript which I have corrected agreable thereto, and that it may not be defficient in perspicuity and correctness of diction I have submitted it to the Correction of a Gentleman in Town in order...
21To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit your Excellency the Inspection Returns with the Muster Rolls for the Month of May. Those of Hazen’s Regiment and Vanheer’s Corps have not yet arrived; and Sheldon’s Regiment of Horse, on Account of the Distance, and for want of the necessary Means could not possibly be inspected. Between the first of May, and the last Inspection, four Hundred and seventy seven...
22To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 5 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
The Committee appointed to Confer with me on the Subject of Your Excellencys letter, where of oppinion that by the inclosed Resolve Every Arrangement Respecting the Evacuation and Garrisoning of the Posts on the frontier Was left to the sole direction of Your Excellency; and altho the y approved of the proposed Measure for my journey to Canada and my proposition of taking an ingenier with me,...
23To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Genl McDougall return’d me yesterday the Inclos’d Plan for the formation of the Massachusets & North Carolina Brigades which he assures me will be perfectly agreable to the Commanding Officers of Regiments If your Excellency approves it, it may be publishd in orders & take place immediately. The movement of Genl Heaths Division & the late expedition of the Light Corps has hitherto prevented...
24To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 23 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Being called by General Greene to the Southern Army, I have the honor to Report to your Excellency my proceedings whilst in this State. The unfortunate Affair of Camden having intirely broke up the remains of the Virginia Line, a few Officers only remaining uncaptured—the State passed a Law to raise 3000 Men, some for 8 Months and others for 18, not more than one half of this number ever came...
25To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 4 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Maj. Lomagne will represent to your Excellency the present State of Colo. Armands Corps—the distress I was in for Cavalry in Jany last obliged me to employ this Corps on the Lines at Portsmouth, where by the activity of Mon. Lomagne they were extremely servicable, till they were so harrassed that I was under the necessity of with drawing them from Service & sending thanks for your Activity &...
26To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 16 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the honor to present the report of a board of Officers on Captain Segonds affair the papers relating there to are also forwarded. The Opinion of the board I hope will meet with Your Excellencys approbation. I beg leave to congratulate Your Excellency on the near prospect of Peace, this event which we have so long wished for will give happiness to thousands. Your Excellencys...
27To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 23 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last informed you that I had sent Capt. Depontiere onboard the French Fleet, to know if I could under take anything against Portsmouth and was making the necessary preparations as well for such an enterprize, as for the security of the French Vessells in case of danger. For the first object I ordered General Gregory to assemble all the force in his power on the other side the Dismal Swamp,...
28To George Washington from Major General Steuben, May 1780 (Washington Papers)
the Inspection established in the Army has hitherto extended only to the Infantry in the Line of the Army the Cavalry Light Infantry & Independent Corps have yet no other Rules than the Articles of War Resolves of Congress & occasional Orders given them, their Discipline & manner of performing the Service is different as they have Commanders who have each prescribed such Rules as they thought...
29To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 22 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letters not found : from Maj. Gen. Steuben, 22 June 1779. GW wrote Steuben on 1 July: “I have been favoured with four letters from you three of the 22d and one of the 27th.”
30To George Washington from Steuben, 6 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Letter whose Original I Shall have the honor to present to your Excellency, will instruct you of the motives that brought me over to this Land. I shall add only to it that the Object of my greatest Ambition is to render your Country all the Services in my Power, and to deserve the title of a Citizen of America by fighting for the Cause of your Liberty. If the...
31To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 26 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
As Your Excellency has ordered discharges for those soldiers whose time is near expiring to be printed & the form is probably already furnished, I have not attempted giving any sentiments on the matter; they will doubtless by signed by the Commander in Chief which will add a dignity to them, pleasing to soldiers who have served with fidelity; if they could be authorised by those discharges to...
32To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 28 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
it appear by a final ajustment of my Accounts that there remaind due to me a ballance of Eight thousand two hundreds and fifty dollars in Specie the Sum remaining due is a proof that I have received a Less proportion of my appointment than the others officers of the Army, tho’ I have been obliged to undergo more Considerable expense than any others individual by the Constant journies to which...
33To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 15 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor yesterday to receive your letter requesting my sentiments on a peace establishment. I am sorry that my little Knowledge of the Frontiers, or Sea Coast of the United States does not permit my giving Your Excellency my Sentiments on the matters proposed. I am of opinion that whatever number of troops are kept on a peace establishment there they should be entirely continental,...
34To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last informed your Excellency of the Enemys having passed Hoods on their way down the River —the 12th I marched with 700 Militia to Cabbin point the Continental Troops being too naked to keep the Field had been sent back to Chesterfield Court House. The 14th the Enemy landed at Hardys ferry 22 Miles below Cabbin point & began their March towards Smithfield—Supposing that Colo. Parker with...
35To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 23 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with the Greatest satisfaction I Acquaint You that the Plan of Arrangement for the Army, which Your Excellency sent to Congress has been Agreed to Yesterday without any Alteration. The granting half pay for life to the Reduced Officers has met with some Opposition, but the Proposition has not only passed; but it was Resolved immidiately after, to extend these Advantages to all the...
36To 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...
37To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 14 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from West Point where I have been making some necessary arrangments towards preparing for an Offensive Campaign I have represented to Genl How the absolute necessity of exempting the Recruits from fatigue Duties that they may be renderd as serviceable as the short time we have for this business will allow. We have in the 8 Brigades in this Department about 3000 Old soldiers,...
38To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 31 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my last I had the honor of informing your Excellency that the Regulations would be printed by the middle of April, till which time I proposed staying here in order to hurry the Work as much as possible. I did not then foresee a Thousand little things that retard the progress of the work & which now convince me it will be the last of April before it can be finished, I have therefore...
39To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 10 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
Before I can give an Answer to the Questions which your Excellency has proposed to my Considerations, I conceive it will be necessary to take a comparative View of the Troops which the Enemy have actualy on the Continent: and those which we may have a Probability of bringing into the Field the ensuing Campaign. In the first Instance the Force the enemy may have at Halifax is not comprehended;...
40To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 20 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to Inform Your Excellency that this post will be intirely broken up by the 1st of December. Those of the Invalids who were not intitled, or did not choose to go to West point, are discharged, those destined to that place amount with Seven Commisd Officers to thirty four. These will be sent off with all the speed possible. I shall this day agree with the directors of the State...
41To George Washington from Steuben, March 1784 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival here I received a letter from Major L’Infant an extract of which I have the honor to present Your Excellency. [“]It is with the greatest satisfaction that I announce the success of the Cincinnati in France, the difficulties which it was supposed would attend the introduction of this order (as no foreign Orders are permitted to be worn with the Kings) are surmounted. His Majesty...
42To George Washington from Steuben, 6 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Steuben, 6 Dec. 1778. On 19 Dec., GW wrote Steuben : “I had the honor of receiving a few days since your letter of the 6th instant.”
43To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 18 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Our affairs to the Southward become every day more Critical, Since I had the Honor of Writing Your Excellency the [ ] Inst., I have recd a Letter from Genl Greene advising me that a Variety of circumstances had combined to oblige him to retire towards the frontiers of Virginia; his letter is dated at Guildford Court House, midway between Salisbury, & Hillsboro, marked in the Map New Garden...
44To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 14 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
Intending in the course of next week to set out for camp, & having a number of accounts to settle in this City previous to my departure. I have to beg your Excellency for the letter you were pleased to Offer in my favor, to the minister of Finance. with the greatest respect. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Servant DLC : Papers of George Washington.
45Enclosure: Major General Steuben to the Board of War, January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Delivered to the Board of War by Major General steuben on Friday Jany 28th 1780. The incomplete state & Extreme inequality of our Regiments of Infantry, against all good Order and regular formation, induced me last Campaign to present to H[is] E[xcellency] the Commander in Chief a Plan of formation for an Order of Battle, in which I joined Two and three Regiments together in Order to form a...
46To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 11 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to address your Excellency the 8th inst., giving you a detail of what had passed down to that date. The Enemy laying Still at Westover the 9th, and some Vessels which had lain at the mouth of the Appamatox dropping down that Day to their Fleet, I thought it Evident they had no design against Petersburg, and therefore ordered the few Militia who were assembled there to march to...
47To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our present situation is nearly the same as it was at the opening of the campaign. The enemy are still superior in number, their troops better provided. They possess more means of executing their projects by the help of their vessels. They are masters of our coast and of the entrance of the North River. The capture of Stoney Point has given a great advantage to our side. It has not only...
48To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
On Monsieur Tillys arrival in James River I began to prepare for an enterprize against Portsmouth, which preparations I fortunately Continued, although he informed me he should not stay in the River, I have it therefore in my Power to afford the necessary assistance to the affair now in agitation, much sooner than could be expected. You need not My Dear General be under any apprehensions that...
49To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Two days after I had the honor of addressing you my last the Marquis arrived with his Detachment at Richmond and as he will inform your Excellency of the Operations of the Army I shall only add to my last, that of all the Articles collected at Chesterfield Co. Ho. & Petersburg for the Equipment of the Levies not the least article fell into the Enemies hands. The Marquis de la Fayette now...
50To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 12 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to address your Excellency the [ ] since then nothing material has occurred in this quarter the Enemy laying quiet in Portsmouth. The Letter of which the enclosed is Copy came yesterday by Express not being certain that General Green had wrote your Excellency by the same Conveyance I inclose copy of his Letter to me by an omission in dating the Letter I am uncertain where he...