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 :...