1Orders to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I—You will repair immediately to Philadelphia, and use your utmost endeavours to hasten the Troops on to this place —nothing but vigorous exertions—strict attention—and even rigour towards the Officers, will enable you to accomplish this purpose in proper Season, for I have too good reasons to believe, that the whole time of many of them, is spent in dissipation and extravigance—examples must...
2Orders to Major Generals Arthur St. Clair and Johann Kalb and Brigadier General Henry Knox, 17 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Major General St Clair, Major General Baron Kalb, and Brigadier General Knox. Gentlemen You are to proceed with all convenient expedition to Fort Mercer, where by conferring with Brigadier General Varnum, Commodore Hazlewood and such other Officers as you may think proper to consult—and from your own view of the ground and river, you will investigate the following Points. 1....
3From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 10 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Majr Schull leaving Camp without giving me a second oppertunity of speaking to him, prevented another offer which I had in contemplation, and which I am still disposed to make him, if it can be done without carrying with it the appearance of importunity, and consequently embarrassment, if his inclination leads to a different pursuit. The place I had in view for him was in my family—assistant...
4From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 25 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 15th. According to my present Ideas and expectations my Quarters for the Winter will be at or near Middle Brook, at which place the Pennsylvania, Maryld and Virginia troops will be hutted. Should Mrs St Clairs ill state of health require your attention, after your Affair before Congress is determined, I shall have no objection to your remaining with her, while the...
5From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 26 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
My intelligence from new York renders it indispensibly necessary for me to look towards the Posts in the highlands. As your division has been inspected, I wish you to hold it in the most perfect readiness for marching and encamping at an hours wa[r]ning —for these purposes you will settle matters with the Qr ⟨M⟩r Genl. ⟨As⟩ it is much my wish to have ⟨a light active Army this campaign, I shall...
6From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 29 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to march immediately with the division under your command, by way of Quibble Town and Scotch plains, and take posts on the heights, between Springfield and Chatham, ”till further orders, or ”till some enterprise of the enemy shall make a sudden movement necessary. If you should receive authentic advice of the enemy’s operating up the North River, against our posts in that...
7From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 30 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the last returns made by the Inspector General, I find there is a necessity for appointing some new officers to many of the regiments in your division, the precise number to each you will observe by the inclosed return. As such appointments are immediately necessary, I would wish you to give ⟨the⟩ Governor notice, previous to which I should thin⟨k it⟩ proper that you consult the...
8From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received information that the enemy were at White Plains on the 29th. You will therefore be pleased to proceed immediately with your Division towards Pompton, acting afterwards agreable to the instructions you have already received. It is probable you will be joined there by Colo. Clark with the Carolina Troops—I have sent him Orders to meet you at that Place subject to this condition,...
9From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your two letters of yesterday —I approve your reasons for taking the upper route. By the present institution of the Inspectorship neither Major Ryan nor Mr McCormick can in my opinion be appointed Inspectors. It is to be feared however we may be reduced to the necessity of altering it, from the reluctance with which the Majors undertake the office. But I could wish it might...
10From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this date ½ past eight. The Virginia division marched this day with orders to endeavour to reach Morris Town tomorrow and to communic⟨ate⟩ with you and proceed according to intelligence and circumstances —You will be pleased to open a correspondence with the commanding Officer for this purpose. Tomorrow if possible the Marylan[d] division will march also and by...
11From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of yesterday at 10 OClock last night and have written to Genl Knox to supply the Ammunition &c. which you want. As the Enemy notwithstanding their demonstrations of an Attack upon the Highland posts, may have it in contemplation to strike this Army (comprehending your division) in its divided & separted state, It will be expedient for you to act with the greatest...
12From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 6 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
There is a road leading from King’s ferry to Junes through the Mountains, by which it is possible the enemy may intercept our line of march—You will be pleased to send a good subaltern and a party down that road to find his patroles as near the enemy as he can with safety and communicate the earliest intelligence of any movement— You will for this purpose furnish him with a few horse. If some...
13From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to examine critically the long hill in front of Fort Putnam, at the extremities of which The Engineer is commencing some works. Colo. Gouvion or Mr Rochefontaine will be able more particularly to designate the Hill I mean. The possession of this Hill appears to me essential to the preservation of the whole post and our main effort ought to be directed to keeping the enemy...
14From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you a line yesterday on the subject of Lieutenant Broadheads claim, since which I received the inclosed letter and arrangement of the 11th Pennsylvania regiment from the Board of war. You will perceive that Captain Keene is not included in it & probably for the reason suggested by the Board—His original appointment as Captain according to the memorial he preferred and the answer I...
15VII. From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 4 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received, and thank you for the thoughts contained in your Letter of this date—& pray you to continue them as they may occur. I prefer receiving the sentiments of Officer[s] in this way to Councils of War; as I can digest every matter and thing at my leizure, and act with more secrecy than it is possible in pursuance of a determination discovered by a Majority of votes & known to...
16From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 21 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have the several papers respecting the claims of Captains Becker and Steddiford which were referred to me by Congress —It appears to me that there is no way of providing for these Gentlemen, but introducing them into the 4th Pennsylvania Regt under the Resolve of Congress of the 24th Novemr 1778. You will therefore be pleased to enquire what dates their Commissions are to bear in...
17From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 21 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I spoke with you some circumstances have changed the appearance of the two matters we talked over. The article of provision looks more promising, and the hard weather may delay the sialin[g] of the enemy. You will therefore, if agreeable, use the present time for the purpose of your request. I am Dr [Sir] Your obt & hble servt. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript...
18From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 23 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Congress have by a late Resolve directed the incorporation of the Inspectorate and Mustering departments. But previous to this, the Officers of the latter had chiefly left the service, and as the new arrangement is not yet organized the Musters for the Months of Novemr and Decemr are on that account incompleat. The Brigade Inspectors have generally performed that duty for those Months at the...
19From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 27 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to repair to our lines and investigate the causes of the late misfortune & disgrace at Elizabeth Town &ca —& report your opinion there upon as soon as enquiry is made. You will also examine into the state of our Guards—their situation &ca & see if any change can be made in their position for the bettr havg respect as far as present circumstances will allow to the objects in...
20From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 29 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to forward the inclosed letter by flag. It is from a Mr Ranselair, who comes particularly recommended by Gen. Schuyler. As he is impatient for an answer, as soon as one reaches you, I wish to have it sent up by express. I want to be informed in what manner the troops are accommodated as to quarters, or whether any part of them are put to inconvenience on this account. I...
21From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 30 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 28th and 29th. Your reasons for preferring patrols, and those chiefly of Horse, are so conclusive, that I would wish you to endeavour to engage about twenty to serve while the Sound is passable upon the Ice. If they will find their own Forage, it will be more convenient than to supply them from the public Magazines. They shall be allowed accordingly. One Mr...
22From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 1 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of yesterday. As the horse are so very essential during the continuance of the ⟨ice—I⟩ think you had better ⟨engage them at al⟩l ev⟨ents, a⟩nd, ⟨at such a pay as they can be obtained. The militia horse, that were employed as patroles &c. last winter—had (if I do not mistake) the same allowance as express riders. You however, will make your agreement on the best terms...
23From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The two Connecticut Brigades march this morning. I think you had best detain all the Men of that line, who are already down, who are cloathed and in other respects fit for duty—The others may be sent up under Officers to do Camp duty. I am &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See GW to St. Clair, 1 February .
24From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favored with your letter of this date. The detatchment which I mentioned as to march this morning, owing to some causes that have unavoidably intervened, does not leave camp till to-morrow. With regard to the enterprise you have in view—should circumstances make it eligible in your opinion, I have no objection to your trying the experiment. I am Dr Sir Your obt & hble servt LS...
25From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your 2d Letter of this date. As I wrote You this forenoon I leave the Enterprize in view entirely with You—and the execution to be attempted or not as You may judge proper from a full consideration of all circumstances—the intelligence you have received—and the characters of the persons who gave it. If it should appear to You that there is a strong probability of it’s...
26From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 7th yesterday afternoon. As I can see no inconveniency from permitting Mrs Hadden to pass in by Pawlus Hook, you will therefore grant her request, and make such further use of that communication, in the way of flags while the frost continues as you may judge essential for any purposes you may have in view, or for obtaining useful information. I would imagine...
27From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 12 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of yesterday, late last night. I am pleased to find that the Vigilance of your Guards and patrolls disappointed the enemy whatever might have been their intentions. I have taken precautions to guard against an attempt by such a party as might be reasonably supposed to be able to reach this in the course of a night, and I hope that a short continuance of this Weather will make...
28From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 23 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received yours of seven oClock this morning. I am apprehensive with you that the circumstances you mention will prevent the execution of your project; for which reason and the badness of the weather I delay the march of the covering party ’till I hear further from you. If the intelligence you expect proves favourable to your design I shall be obliged to you to dispatch a...
29From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 24 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday late last night. I am sorry that the state of the Ice did not admit of the prosecution of your enterprize at the time you had determined to carry it into execution, but perhaps this change of Weather may again make the passage secure. You will be pleased to come up on Monday next, if the situation of matters below will permit—Your presence is necessary as a Witness on...
30From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 27 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The letter you inclosed me in yours of this date contains some matters of information from a Mr Mercereau of Deane’s character, the person whom you sent up some time since —As I have nothing particular for your attention I have ordered the horsemans return—and am Dr Sir &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . See St. Clair to GW, 22 February .
31From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have considered the several objects of the two letters from Major Genl Phillips of the 22 and 29 of last month, which you put into my hand; and would summarily observe for your gover[n]ment so far as my opinion is concerned. General Phillips may be informed that the American Commissary of Prisoners will be instructed to signify my permission for Major Harnage and Capn Hawker of the 62d B....
32From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will perceive by the orders of this day that the corps of light infantry is im⟩med⟨iately to b⟩e formed⟨. The⟩ command of it for the Campaign is promised to the Marqs De la Fayette for reasons which I dare say will be to you obvious & satisfactory. If we attack New York the part this Corp will act will make it a most desirable command. Should it be agreeable to you to take it till the...
33From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 7th and 8th from Morris Town both reached me in the course of this day. I cannot conceive how Major Fishbourne could have misunderstood me as to my intention of going down. The postscript of my letter of the 3d to General Wayne, which was added after I had consulted Governor Clinton and the General Officers was to the contrary. Upon receiving your letter of the 7th I sent...
34From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 12 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Receipt of your Letter of the 9th inclosing One from General Wayne has, if possible, added to my embarrassments. I had heard from General Sullivan and Lord Stirling that the Mutineers had delivered up the British Emissaries immediately upon their arrival at Prince Town —From this, I was in hopes that they had precluded themselves from all assistance from that quarter, and that the...
35From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 15 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 11th together with one from the Committee of Congress of the 9th Inst. as I had just dispatched an Express to you, with my Letter of the 12th—I have detained your Messenger untill this time, in expectation that something so decisive would have turned up, as might have fixed the line of conduct which we ought to pursue. But nothing new having come to my...
36From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 3 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The unexpected reduction of the Pensylvania line from the late unfortunate affair adds to the necessity of the greatest attention to improve the measures adopted for recruiting it. I do not know precisely what these are; but I am informed in general that money is raising for the purpose and that the recriuting service goes on with success. In orde⟨r to ha⟩ve it conducted with regularity and...
37From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 13 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I observe by the recruiting instructions annexed to the printed arrangement of the Pennsylvania line, that the Regimental places of rendezvous are fixed, but that the general Rendezvous is to be at such place as shall be judged proper by me, or the commanding Officer of the line. In my opinion, Bristol and that neighbourhood will be, upon many accounts, most suitable and convenient for this...
38From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 22 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
You will, by the time this reaches you, be acquainted with the destination of the detachment under the command of the Marquis de la Fayette, which, tho’ as large as could be afforded from the troops in this quarter, is not so competent to the certain completion of the object in view, as I could wish. By some accounts from Philada I am led to hope that further assistance may be derived from the...
39From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress, by a resolve of the 20th instant, have determined that the Pennsylvania line except Moylans Dragoons and the troops upon command to the Westward shall compose part of the southern Army, and have directed me to order it to join the Army in Virginia by detachments, as they may be in readiness to march —You, will therefore, in obedience to the above resolve, put matters in proper train...
40From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 22 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 29th of Jany in answer to my circular Letter of the 28th of Dec. is at hand. I am sorry to find by it, that so many Delegates from your State Society are likely to be Nonattendants at the General meeting in May. It would have an odd appearance (whatever may be the causes) for the Society of the State, in which the General meeting is held, to be unrepresented upon such an...
41From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 31 August 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 21st ulto inclosing a letter written in behalf of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Pennsylvania on the 9th of July in the preceding year, came to this place in my absence on a tour up the river potomac with the Directors, to examine the obstructions & to point out a mode for the improvement and extension of its navigation. I am perfectly convinced that if the...
42From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 6 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
Congress having by their Act of the 29th of September last empowered me to call forth the Militia of the States respectively, for the protection of the frontiers from the incursions of the hostile Indians, I have thought proper to make this communication to you, together with the instructions herein contained. It is highly necessary that I should as soon as possible possess full information...
43From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 2 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia Jany 2d 1791. In the Journals of the Proceedings of the Executive in the North Western Territory, there appears to be certain regulations made by the Executive under the Articles of the 25th of April—6th 28th & 29th of June last, which can, with propriety, only be established by Laws. In noticing these, my mind naturally recurred to your letter to me dated at...
44From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 28 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your knowledge of the Country North-west of the Ohio, and of the resources for an Army in its vicinity, added to a full confidence in your military character, founded on mature experience, induced my nomination of you to the command of the troops on the frontiers. Your desire of rectifying any errors of the public opinion, relatively to your conduct, by an investigation of a Court of Enquiry,...
45From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 4 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have read and duly considered your letter of the 31st ultimo. The reasons you offer, for retaining your commission, until an opportunity should be presented, if necessary, of investigating your conduct, in every mode prescribed by law, would be conclusive with me, under any other circumstances than the present. But, the establishment of the troops allows only of one major general—you have...
46From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 4 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
Mr Edward Tiffin solicits an appointment in the Territory North West of the Ohio, The fairness of His Charactor in private and publick life, together with a knowledge of Law resulting from close application for a considerable time, will I hope, justify the liberty I now take in recommending Him to Your attention; regarding with due attention the delicacy, as well as importance of the character...
47From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The dispersed and broken situation of the remaining Troops of the Pennsylvania Line, after the unhappy affair of the 1st of January, rendered the unwearied attention, and greatest exertion of the Officers of every rank indispensably necessary, to reassemble the scattered remains, and restore discipline among them; for on this, and the success of the recruiting Service, depended all our hopes...
48From 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...
49From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 23 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your fav’r of the 21st: If it be reduced to a certainty that the enemy are making another embarkation, I shall not think a total evacuation of New York is improbable, except they hold us in a light more contemptable than I can suppose they do, or unless they look for speedy reenforcements, of which from the latest European intelligences, there were no appearances. I shall probably...
50From George Washington to Arthur St. Clair, 23 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I received your Favor of the 16th—I am much obliged by your Care & Attention for the Public Service—& at the same Time lament the sm all proba bility of Success which you have Reason to expect from the Representation you give of the Disposition of the Assembly of Pensylvania. some favorable Circumstances, or some adverse Fortune may possibly yet draw forth their Exertions. your Zeal...