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...
3601From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of enclosing you a Letter from your Freind Robt Morris Esqr. with a draft on Major Small for £116.9.3. S⟨tg⟩. It will afford me the highest satisfaction to receive a Line from you, informing me of the State of your Health and your Situation, in both of which I hope you are as happy as a person under your Circumstances can possibly be. Such further Supplies as you may have...
3602To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here the 24th past 11, ocloack at night found things not in so good a state as I could wish. General McDougal Commanded and as he seemed to be well aquainted with the state of the Troops and where the different necessarys was most likely to be found to support them I was not anctious to take much of the Command upon me for some days but assisted all I could He says I must take it all...
3603From George Washington to Robert Morris, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter to Congress will shew you my intention of passing the River again & the Plans I have in view. After you have perused it, I beg your care of it & that it may be closed & transmitted ’em by the earliest Opportunity. I am Dear Sir with sentiments of great regard Yr Most Obed. St P.S. I shall be particularly obliged ⟨for⟩ your care of the Two other ⟨L⟩etters inclosed. That for...
3604From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 29 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Captain who commands the Guard that goes down with the Hessian prisoners taken at Trenton on the 26th. The Deputy Adjutant General will make you a proper return of their Numbers. I leave the place, where they are to be quartered, to your better Judgments. But I think the Officers and Men should be separated. I wish the former may be well treated, and that the...
3605General Orders, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
All the Attillory to be Drawn up on the high Ground over the Bridge two pieces to be posted to Command the pass at the Bridge Upon an alarm, the Troopps are to form on the Ground in the rear of the Artilery to form in three Lines. Stevens & Mercers Brigades in the front Line, Lord Sterling & Formoys Brigades form the Second Line, there to be under Command of General Green, Sergeants, Glovers &...
3606From George Washington to Major Theodorick Bland or the Officer Commanding the Virginia Light Horse, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that you are on your march from Virginia, to join the Army under my Command and that you have the Charge of the prisoners who were ordered up to be exchanged. As this must delay your march very much, and as I do not think it expedient for the prisoners to come on just at this time, I desire you will leave them at the most convenient Place; there to remain till further orders from...
3607From George Washington to Col. John Cadwalader, 30 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. John Cadwalader, 30 Dec. 1776. Cadwalader wrote GW on 31 Dec. : “I recd your Letter last Night, by Express.”
3608To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I sincerely congratulate you on the late Success at Trent Town; it came very seasonable. I have continued here Since my last to you of the 22d Instant; with the Troops under Col. Vose. The Militia greatly Lessening in Number Since the arrival of those Troops, has put it out of my Power to do any thing with the Enemy, but to act on the defensive; indeed we have Scarce force enough to do that;...
3609From George Washington to Robert Morris, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have the greatest Occasion at present for hard Money, to pay a certain set of People who are of particular use to us. If you could possibly collect a Sum, if it were but One hundred or one hundred and fifty Pounds it would be of great Service. Silver would be most convenient. I am taking every Measure to improve our late lucky Blow, and hope to be successful; the greatest impediment to our...
3610To George Washington from Robert Morris, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favour of Yesterday & will duely forward your dispatches to Congress & the other letters by Post. I am desired to put the enclosed letters in the way of being Sent into Newyork and make no doubt your Excellency will readily forward them by the first Flag after they reach your hands. I am impatiently waiting for further News from Genl Cadwallader & with constant wishes for...
3611To George Washington from Robert Morris, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have just recd your favour of this day & sent to Genl Putnam to detain the Express untill I collect the hard Money You want which you may depend shall be sent in one specie or other with this letter & a list thereof shall be enclosed herein. I had long since parted with very Considerable Sums of hard money to Congress, therefore must Collect from others & as matters now Stand it is no easy...
3612From George Washington to the Commanding Officer at Morristown, 30 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Continental Regiments from the Eastern Governments have to a Man agreed to stay Six Weeks beyond their Term of Inlistment which was to have expired the last day of this Month. For this extraordinary Mark of their Attatchment to their Country, I have agreed to give them a Bounty of Ten dollars ⅌ Man, besides their pay running on. I hope this noble...
3613To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 31 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
A very intelligent young Gentleman is returned, just now, from Prince Town—he left this yesterday Morng & got in about 12 or 1 O’Clock—He would have returned last Night but General Lesley, who commands, & Col: Abercombie would not suffer him to go off —He made his Escape this Morng early, & informs, that from the best Information he could get, there were about 5000 men—consisting of Hessians &...
3614To George Washington from the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 31 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have the honor to enclose herein sundry resolves of Congress just received from Baltimore by express, we have barely taken time to read them over and finding them so important we wou’d not delay the express one moment, we find by these resolves your Excellencys hands will be Strengthened with very ample Powers & a new reformation of the army seems to have its origin therein, happy it is for...
3615From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 31 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I just now received your favor of the 26th, and am sorry Genl Wadsworth’s Brigade should have left the Stores in such a situation. I hope you have secured ’em all. I had flattered myself that many of the Eastern Troops, if not the Whole, had got to Pecks Kills before the date of your Letter. I refer you to my last for what I would have done with ’em, & only shall add on that Subject, That I...
3616From George Washington to Robert Morris, 31 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Our Affairs are at present in a most delicate—tho’ I hope a fortunate Situation: But the great & radical Evil which pervades our whole System & like an Ax at the Tree of our Safety Interest & Liberty here again shews its baleful Influence—Tomorrow the Continental Troops are all at Liberty—I wish to push our Success to keep up the Pannick & in order to get their Assistance have promised them a...
3617To George Washington from Robert Morris, 31 December 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 31 Dec. 1776. GW wrote the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress on 1 Jan. 1777 : “I have the honor and pleasure of acknowledging your favors of the 28th and 31st Decr and Mr Morris’s of the 30th and 31st.”
3618Proclamation to the Friends of America in the State of New Jersey, 31 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Army of the American States, under my Command being lately greatly reinforced, and having again Enter’d the State of New Jersey, I most warmly request the Militia of Said State at this Important Crisis to Evince their love to their Country, by boldly stepping forth and defending the Cause of Freedom, The Inhabitants may be Assured that by a Manly & Spirited Conduct they may now releive...
3619To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 31 December 1776–4 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 31 Dec. 1776–4 Jan. 1777. GW wrote to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety on 12 Jan. 1777 : “I have yours begun upon the 31st last Mo. and continued to the 4th Inst.”
3620General Orders, 1 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
HIS Excellency General WASHINGTON strictly forbids all the officers and soldiers of the Continental army, of the militia, and all recruiting parties, plundering any person whatsoever, whether Tories or others. The effects of such persons will be applied to public uses in a regular manner, and it is expected that humanity and tenderness to women and children will distinguish brave Americans,...