3551To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Reed, 22 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Pomroy whom I sent by your Order to go to Amboy & so through the Jersey & round by Princeton to you returned to Burlington yesterday—he went to South Amboy but was not able to get over—upon which he came up to Brunswick pass’d on to Princeton—& was prevented going to Pennington—upon which he returned to Burlington by Way of Cranberry. His Intelligence is that he saw no Troops, Baggage Waggons...
3552From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 22 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote to you on the 14th Instant, I had little doubt of receiving considerable support from the Militia of this State, and was taught to believe that a large part of the old Troops (coming on with General Lee) had reinlisted—In the first, I have every reason in the world to fear a disappointment—In the latter, I find myself woefully deceiv’d—It is easier therefore to conceive, than...
3553From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I shall not object to yr going to Philadelphia on Acct of your Health, but wish it would have permitted you to have gone to Bristol rather, in order to have conducted matters there in cooperation with what I hinted to you as having in view here. I fear their may be some little uneasiness about Command there, as some of the Continental Colonels have gone down with the Brigade that Marchd last....
3554To George Washington from John Hancock, 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honour to acknowledge the Receipt of your several Favours of the 12th 13th and 15th inst. in the Order of their respective Dates, and to inform you that they were duely laid before Congress. As Genl Lee by the Fortune of War, has become a Prisoner in the Hands of our Enemies, the Congress are anxious to afford him all the Relief in their Power during his Confinement. They have...
3555To George Washington from Robert Morris, 23–24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your obliging favour of Yesterday by Colo. Moylan, the Contents give a most mellancholly aspect to our affairs and I wish to Heaven it may be in our power to retrieve them, it is useless at this period to examine into the causes of our present unhappy situation, unless that examination wou’d be productive of a cure for the evils that surround us, in fact those causes...
3556From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed, 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The bearer is sent down to know whether your plan was attempted last Night—and if not, to inform you that Christmas day at Night, one hour before day is the time fixed upon for our Attempt on Trenton. For heaven’s sake keep this to yourself, as the discovery of it may prove fatal to us, our numbers, sorry I am to say, being less than I had any conception of—but necessity, dire necessity...
3557To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 23 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of the 12th Instant, It gives me great Satisfaction to find that the Plan we have adopted for Supplying the new Army with necessaries meets with your approbation. I fully agree with you in Sentiment as to the Importance of having a Sufficient regular force in the Spring—am Informed the Inlistments for that purpose in the Corpse under General Spencer is in danger...
3558To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward, 23 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward, 23 Dec. 1776. GW wrote Ward on 20 Feb. 1777 : “I acknowledge the receipt of yr two favours of the 23d Decr & 17th January.”
3559From George Washington to Colonel John Cadwalader, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Fix with Colo. Griffin on your Points of Attack—In this, as circumstances must govern, I shall not interfere; but let the hour of attack be the 26th, and one hour before day (of that Morning.) I have wrote to Colo. Hitchcock to join his Brigade to yours, and cooperate therewith. If you should be successful (of which I have the highest hopes) move forward if possible, so as to form a junction...
3560To George Washington from Col. John Cadwalader, 24 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. John Cadwalader, 24 Dec. 1776. GW wrote in his first letter to Cadwalader of 25 Dec. : “I have yours of Yesterday.”
3561From George Washington to the Commanders of the Connecticut and Massachusetts Militias Marching to Peekskill, 24 … (Washington Papers)
The Necessity of collecting a Body of Troops to supply the places of those whose term of Inlistment expires on the first of next Month, obliges me to press you to march forward with as much expedition as possible to this place or wherever my Head Quarters may be, with such part of the Troops under your command as may be judged expedient, and agreeable to the Orders I have already lodged with...
3562To George Washington from Richard Dallam, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The time of the Flying Camp will be up in a few days (for which Department I was at first Perticularly appointd for.) As I expect they will immediatly go off for Philadelphia and Apply for their pay to the Treasurer, I think it necessary I should be their to settle their Accounts As sums of money have been paid on Account to Many of the Officers & Men, I think it my Duty to Mention this to...
3563To George Washington from Brigadier General Philemon Dickinson, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment dispatch’d a proper Person over the river, to make the followg enquires, (& to return tomorrow morng, at which time a Horse will be provided for him, to wait upon your Excellency, with such Information as he may obtain) Viz: what Guards are posted upon the different roads leading into Trenton, the number on the Mill-bridge, where the Cannon lay & what number; to ascertain...
3564From George Washington to Colonel Samuel Griffin, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The unfortunate mode adopted by Congress for the appointment of Officers under the New Establishment, has been big with every evil—& among others with the most shamefull delays—In short, so much confusion & uncertainty attend the appointments, for want of an arrangement of the Officers, that I do not see whether we are like ever to recover from it—this has determined me in the present exigency...
3565From George Washington to John Hancock, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
That I should dwell upon the subject of our distresses cannot be more disagreable to Congress than it is painfull to myself. The alarming situation to which our Affairs are reduced, impells me to the measure. Inquiry and investigation which in most cases serve to devellope and point out a remedy, in ours, present more & greater difficulties. ’till of late I was led to hope from report, that no...
3566To George Washington from the New York Committee of Safety, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
⟨S ir : We were honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 15th instant,⟩ and most readily ac⟨cept your apology for not answering ours of last⟩ month, since we are not ignorant of ⟨the straits into which our temporary inlistments⟩ have thrown you, and have found in the dif⟨ficulties which your Excellency had to contend⟩ with, no small addition to those under which we ⟨labour. You will see...
3567From George Washington to the Chiefs of the Passamaquoddy Indians, 24 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to hear by Major Shaw, that You Accepted of the Chain of Freindship which I sent you last February from Cambridge, & that you are determined to keep it bright and unbroken. When I first heard that you refused to send any of your Warriours to my Assistance when called upon by our Brothers of St Johns I did not know what to think; I was Afraid that some Enemy had turned your Hearts...
3568General Orders, 25 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Each Brigade to be furnish’d with two good Guides. General Stevenss Brigade to form the advanced party & to have with them a detachment of the Artillery without Cannon provided with Spikes and Hamners to Spike up the enemies Cannon in case of necesity or to bring them off if it can be effected. the party to be provided with drag ropes for the purpose of dragging off the Cannon. General Stevens...
3569From George Washington to Colonel John Cadwalader, 25 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of Yesterday & have no doubt of your doing every thing in your Power to Promote the Enterprize which I wish you may do as far as you see consistent with Propriety. If nothing more is adviseable a Diversion may facilitate the attempt above—The Dover Militia you may keep to assist you —Genl Putnam will have Instructions how to dispose of the rest, I wish Colo. Reed may see Colo....
3570From George Washington to Colonel John Cadwalader, 25 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the discouraging Accounts I have received from Col: Reed of what might be expected from the Operations below, I am determined, as the night is favourable, to cross the River, & make the attack upon Trenton in the Morning. If you can do nothing real, at least create as great a diversion as possible. I am Sir your most obt Servant Copy, in John Cadwalader’s writing, PHi :...
3571From George Washington to Robert Morris, 25 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have your obliging favors of the 21st and 23d the Blankets are come to hand, but I would not have any of the other Goods sent on, till you hear again from me. I agree with you, that it is in vain to ruminate upon, or even reflect upon the Authors or Causes of our present Misfortunes, we should rather exert ourselves, and look forward with Hopes, that some lucky Chance may yet turn up in our...
3572To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 25 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The present divided State of the Enemys army and the confidence they have gaind by their late successes, are well known to your Excellency, but we think it our duty to acquaint you likewise that there are several Companies of our back Country Militia that have applied to us for Liberty to act as scouting parties of irregulars—this mode of waging war they say is more adapted to their genius and...
3573From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to hear by Your Son that you are getting better again If I had not been well convinced before of the Enemies Intention of possessing themselves of Philadelphia, so soon as the Frost will form Ice hard enough to transport them, and their Artillery across the Delaware, I have an Intercepted Letter which puts the matter beyond a doubt. If therefore the Citizens of Philadelphia have any...
3574To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The River was so full of Ice that it was impossible to pass above Bristol, where I intend[ed]—and therefore concluded to make an attempt at Dunks’s Ferry—as soon as it was dark I sent down all the Boats I could muster, & mar[c]hed down about 8 O’Clock—I embarked a few men to line the River & prevent any person escaping to give Intelligence to the Enemy; and these were followed by a part of the...
3575To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We are now perfectly prepared, & would cross immediately, but the Troops lost their Rest last Night—We have determined to pass over to the Neck of Land a little above Bristol at six in the Morning, proceed to Bussel Town, the Square, & from thence to Bordenton—I imagine, if a part of your Army was to take possession of the other side of Crosswix Bridge, which is a pass easily defended, and the...
3576To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
yesterday General Wadsworths Brigade went Home leaving the Stores without a Guard Untill I sent one Down. The Militia of this State are Coming in—None have as yet arrived from the Eastward, Brigadier General Warner was at Danbury the Last night with 4 Companies Only—more are Hourly Expected—General Lincoln is on the Road, I have Sent your Excellency’s Letter by Express to meet him. I have...
3577To George Washington from Robert Morris, 26 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just received yours of yesterday and will duely attend to those things you recommend to my consideration, at present I have to enclose you a letter from Congress which I suppose Contains their resolves of the 20th Inst. but as the President does not say in his letter to me that they are enclosed to you & as it is necessary you shou’d have them, I take the liberty to send herewith a Copy...
3578General Orders, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
T he G eneral , with the utmost sincerity and affection, thanks the Officers and soldiers for their spirited and gallant behavior at Trenton yesterday. It is with inexpressible pleasure that he can declare, that he did not see a single instance of bad behavior in either officers or privates; and that if any fault could be found, it proceeded from a too great eagerness to push forward upon the...
3579From George Washington to Colonel John Cadwalader, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was just now favoured with your Two Letters of the 25th and 26th Instant and regret much the cause that prevented your passing the River. had it not been for this accident, I am persuaded our Plans would have been accomplished to our utmost wishes. The same Obstacle hindered Genl Ewin from giving his aid and cooperating in the attack on Trenton. could we have had his force to have secured...
3580To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I did not hear from you this Morning, & being prepared to embark, I concluded you was still on this Side & therefore embarked & landed about 1500 men, about two miles above Bristol—After a considerable number were landed I had information, from the Paymaster of Col: Hichcocks Brigade, that you had crossed over from Trenton—This defeated the Scheme of joining your Army—We were much...
3581To George Washington from Major William De Hart, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of your Excellencys Orders And Request by Genl Maxwell I have this Day begun the Recruiting Service of the first Jersey Regt And Shall Expedite it with All Possible Speed, Had I been Determin’d to Remain longer in the Jersey Service I Should long before have done it, And Nothing but your Excellencys Request & this Critical Period of time Should have Induced Me to have done it...
3582From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon the Success of an Enterprize, which I had formed against a Detatchment of the Enemy lying in Trenton, and which was executed yesterday Morning. The Evening of the 25th I ordered the Troops intended for this Service to parade back of McKonkey’s Ferry, that they might begin to pass as soon as it grew dark, imagining we should be able to throw them...
3583To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves being of the utmost Importance, will naturally claim your Attention, without any particular Recommendation or Comment. They are ardently calculated to retrieve the Situation of our Affairs, and I trust will have the desired Effect. I have wrote to the Councils of Safety of Massachussetts Bay and Pennsylvania on the Subject of creating Magazines in their respective States...
3584From George Washington to Robert Morris, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this minute received the honor of your favor of the 26th, and you may be assured that I shall with great pleasure transmit all my dispatches to Congress through your hands and unsealed. The inclosed to them will give you a full account of the attack on Trenton and to which I beg leave to refer you. I regret much, that the Ice prevented Col. Cadwalader from passing. could he have got over...
3585From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed?, 27 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning favoured with yours & thank you much for your kind congratulations & wishes. I regret much the Accident that prevented the passage of our Troops. had it not been for that cause and the Several attacks intended, had been made, I am persuaded our Plans would have succeedd to our warmest wishes. I have several Letters to write & therefore must refer you to Colo. Cadwalader who...
3586To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Reed, 27 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Joseph Reed, 27 Dec. 1776. Reed says in his narrative of events that after his arrival at Trenton late on this date: “I wrote to Gen. Wash’g by Express informing him of the State of Things of the Progress of Gen. Cadwallader’s Division & the Retreat of the Enemy & urging him to cross the River again & pursue the Advantages which Providence had presented,...
3587General Orders, 28 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Document not found: General Orders, 28 Dec. 1776. GW wrote Brig. Gen. William Maxwell on this date : “I have issued some orders to day for the encouragement of the troops, whose terms are near expiring.”
3588To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We arrived here about 1 o’Clock—the advanced party about ten —I have sent Horse-men to reconnoitre & from every Information the Enemy left Allen Town about 8 o’Clock this Morng—If I had been happy enough to have cross’d at Dunks’s Ferry we should have compleatly destroyed the Army in this Quarter—I am informed that the Hessians went off in the utmost confusion—I am sorry some of the Troops...
3589To George Washington from the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have the pleasure to own receipt of your acceptable favour of yesterday by Colo. Bayler & most sincerely do we rejoice in your Excellencys success at Trentown as we conceive it will have the most important publick consequences and because we think it will do justice in some degree to a Character we admire & which we have long wished to appear in the World with that Brilliancy that success...
3590From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Head Quarters, New Town [Pa.] 28 December 1776 . Acknowledges receipt of “Your favor of the 21st Instant” and encloses a duplicate of his letter to Heath of that date “least that should have miscarried.” GW then repeats almost verbatim the text of his letter to Hancock of 27 Dec. concerning the Battle of Trenton. “I some time ago, mentioned to you the importance, of attacking the Enemy’s...
3591From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of informing you Yesterday of our Success at Trenton, I have received Advice that Count Donnop with the remainder of the Enemy’s Army, immediately upon the News, decamped, and was on his Retreat towards South Amboy. On hearing this Genl Ewing and Colo. Cadwallader passed the River with the Troops under their command, and Genl Mifflin will follow this day with a...
3592To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just received the honor of yours of the 21st Inst., & am much distressed to hear of the disagreable Situation that your Excellency is like soon to be in. None of the Eastern Militia have as yet arrived that I know of except those mention’d in my Letter of Yesterday —When they come in I shall endeavor strictly to observe your Excellency’s Directions. It is truly surprising that whilst...
3593From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 22d and am sorry that Affairs bore so bad an Aspect in your Quarter at that time. But I hope that the late Success at Trenton on the 26th and the Consequences of it, will change the face of Matters not only there but every where else. I crossed over to Jersey the Evening of the 25th about 9 Miles above Trenton with upwards of 2000 Men and attacked three Regiments of...
3594From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
As I am about to enter the Jerseys with a considerable force immediately for the purpose of attempting a recovery of that Country from the Enemy, and as a diversion on your quarter may greatly facilitate this event by distracting & dividing their troops, I must request you will collect all the force in your power together, and annoy and distress them, by every means which Prudence can suggest....
3595To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The enclosd I have this Minute reced from an Express sent by my Order to Genl Cadwalader—The General not knowing that I was here did not write to me—& as I supposd the Contents of Importance in my Movements I took the Liberty to open the Letter for which I must plead only the Occasion in Excuse. I came here at 4 OClock this Afternoon. 500 Men sent from Philad. Yesterday crossd to Burlington...
3596To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The General Assembly of this State at their last session in novemr last ordered four Battalions to be raised in this State, to march and be stationed as part of the Continental Army and to serve untill the 15th of march while our Quota of sd army is filling up. Considerable progress is made therein, but fearing there would not a sufficient number of them arrive in season and before the term of...
3597General Orders, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Abstracts for Payment of the Troops to be made out, and lodged with the Generals Secretary for the Months of November and December. The unnecessary Baggage of the Army to be deposited for the present, at New Town, as the Sick also are till they can be removed to Philadelphia agreeable to the directions of Doctr Shippin or Doctr Cockran—But Small Guards to be left with the Baggage & those...
3598From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am just setting out, to attempt a second passage over the Delaware with the Troops that were with me on the morning of the 26th. I am determined to effect it, if possible but know that it will be attended with much fatigue & difficulty on account of the Ice, which will neither allow us to cross on Foot, or give us an easy passage with Boats. Genl Cadwalader crossed from Bristol on the 27th...
3599From George Washington to Lieutenant General William Howe, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I take the Liberty of inclosing you a Letter for Genl Lee, which I must beg the favor of you to have forwarded as early as possible, as it contains a draft upon Major Small for a Sum of Money of which I fear the General will be in want. A Division of prisoners of the 7th Regt with Captain Newmarsh, crossed the River at Easton and went in without Mr Moylans Knowledge. From the irregularity of...
3600To George Washington from Hugh Hughes, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have endeavour’d to comply with your Excellency’s Instructions, relative to the Department, as far as Time and Circumstances would permit. The Tents, to the Amount of about eight Hundred, good and bad, have been forwarded to Fishkill, as well as the entrenching Tools, Pots and Camp-kettles, unless it be those rec’d within three or four Days. I have order’d an exact Return to be made from the...