1From George Washington to Board of War, 7 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to my Promise to you in Phila I have consulted Doct. Craig on the Subject of the Hospital Appointments—Inclosed is the Answer I have received—which I do myself the honor to transmit to you—And am Gentlemen Your most Obet Servt DLC : Papers of George Washington.
2From George Washington to Board of War, 9 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is a list of promotions due upon the resignation of Colo. procter and an account of Vacancies in the 2nd and 3d Regiments of Artillery. These promotions are agreeable to the mode of preferment established previous to the Resolve of the 25th of May. You will oblige me by having the Commissions immediately made out and all but Lt Colo. Carringtons forwarded here. I have the honor to be...
3From George Washington to Board of War, 4 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed was delivered to me a few days ago by General Hand, being the first intimation I ever had upon the subject. It appears to me the powder had better be removed from Lancaster either to Philada or to some Magazine lower down the Country where it may be properly taken care of, for you must undoubtedly know that if the Casks be not turned every now and then the Nitre will subside and...
4From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to the Board of War, 5 Nov. 1779 . The Board of War wrote GW on 12 Nov. : “We have been honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th inst” (see also Joseph Reed to GW, 15 Nov. , and GW to Reed, 25 Nov. ).
5From George Washington to Richard Peters or the Board of War, 15 October 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Richard Peters or the Board of War, 15 Oct. 1777. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman docketed Peters’s letter to GW of 7 Oct. in part: “Ansd 15th.”
6From George Washington to Board of War, 16 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 2d and 8th Inst. The first did not reach me till yesterday. I have immediately made application to Sir Henry Clinton for permission to send Tobacco to Charles Town, but I apprehend it will not be granted, as I think a request of a similar nature has been heretofore refused. Inclosed you have some additions to the arrangements of the Penna line—They...
7From George Washington to the Board of War, 13 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday recd the inclosed from Capt. Von Heer. As I do not know how he has been supplied heretofore with the Articles he now calls for, I cannot determine upon the propriety of the present application. I can only say, if it appears that they are necessary, he ought to be furnished with them—If The Quarter Master supplied him in the first instance with Horses he can I suppose remember...
8From George Washington to the Board of War, 31 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
Not having been as yet made acquainted with the Mode proposed for remounting the Regiments of Dragoons, or whether it is expected that the Horses for this service will be furnished by the Continent, or the States to which the Regiments are now assigned—I could wish to be informed of the intentions of Congress & that Measures might be adopted to put the Cavalry on a respectable footing for...
9From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 22d accompanied by the Returns of sundry of the additional and detached Corps, from which, and from those which I had been enabled to collect in and near the Army I have furnished the respective States with a tolerably accurate account of the deficiencies of their Quotas. I have informed them, that should any more Men appear to their Credit upon a full...
10From George Washington to the Board of War, 16 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 12th and 13th. I am much obliged to you for the step you took respecting the city-horse; their services here at this juncture will be extremely useful. I write to His Excellency the President requesting they may be sent forward. I shall have no objection to Lt. Col. Conolly’s having the indulgence he asks though I should wish his going in to be postponed...
11From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14th Instant I received on Saturday Evening. The Release of Genl Thompson is what I wish much to effect. No circumstances have arisen since his captivity by which it could be accomplished. Your Letter is the first & only information, I have had respecting Genl Hamiltons desire of being exchanged & remaining in America, having never received a Line from Genl Gates or any...
12From George Washington to Board of War, 28 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Inclosed Letter from Doctr Craick of the Hospital, is of so much Importance, that I cannot omit to transmit it to your Board—& to enforce it with my Warmest Desire that its Request may be complied with in the shortest Time possible—The Exhausted Condition of this State admits no Relief—our only Hope is from you—the Importance of the Soldiers life to our Service, is too well known to you,...
13From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with yours of the 31st Augt and 3d instants. Hallet was safely delivered to me by Lt Colo. Washington and I sent him up to Govr Clinton, with an account of his conduct, similar to that which you have transmitted to me. I agree with you in opinion, that the Standard, with the Union and Emblems in the Centre, is to be preferred—with this addition, the number of the Regt and...
14From George Washington to the Board of War, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 29th ulto I barely expressed our want of shoes. I did not then know the extent of our wants, or that there was not a single pair in the hands of the Cloathier at Camp to supply them. A considerable part of the Army is now returned unfit even for fatigue duty in these stony Grounds, and should circumstances require a move we must inevitably be deprived of the services of a number...
15From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed plan for the establishment of a corps of Engineers has been submitted to me by General Du Portail. I now return it to the Board accompanied with my remarks on such parts of it as appeared to me to require them. These have been first communicated to General Du Portail. With great respect & esteem I have the honor to be Gentlemen Yr Most Obed. servt. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s...
16From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Letter of the 6th Instt, and beg leave to assure you, that I shall not only be always ready to rectify any Error which I may commit through hurry or Otherwise, but be happy to have them pointed out. I have not the proceedings of Congress at this time, which would apply to the subject matter of your Letter, and therefore, cannot pronounce upon it with certainty...
17From George Washington to the Board of War, 4 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier General Knox, at my direction, has made out an estimate of military stores wanted for the expected cooperation dated the 3d instant, which he has transmitted to the Board. I have carefully examined it and find it not to exceed the necessary quantity, nor ought we to undertake a decisive operation on a more contracted scale. I must therefore entreat the Board to employ every expedient...
18From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of your letters of the 9 and 16th Inst. upon the subject of paying the arrearages of Cloathing due to the Army for the year 1777 —I have drawn up the inclosed rough plan, which contains the heads of what, in my opinion, will be necessary to establish some general Regulations for a settlement with the line of the Army at large. That justice may be equally distributed to the...
19From George Washington to the Board of War, 30 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit you an Arrangement of the Officers in the Maryland line—and have to request, that you will take the earliest Occasion that may offer to make out and forward Commissions agreable to it, except in the cases of No. 46—Benjamin Garnett 1st Lieut. 5 Reg. 13 Oct. 78 47—Parker Hall Lee do 4 do 16 do do 53—William Trueman Stoddart do 5 do 21 May 79
20From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received a Letter from Colo. Spencer dated at Wyoming the 22d Ulto—inclosing a List of the Officers that remain in service of his—Malcoms—& Formans Regiments—I determined sometime ago to incorporate them —and now transmit an arrangement of the whole —upon which the Board will be pleased to issue Commissions where they have not been issued in consequence of the arrangement of the two...
21From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
In a letter which I wrote to Congress a few days ago, I took the liberty to recommend uniting the remains of the late Count Pulaski’s legion—Colo. Armands Corps—and a small troop of Horse under the command of Capt. Bedkin. The whole to be under the command of Colo. Armand. Should Congress determine upon the measure—Colo. Armand wishes the Resolve, for the incorporation of the Corps, should be...
22From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
If Major Lee’s Corps is still at Philadelphia or within its vicinity—or has not advanced more than three or four days march towards the Southward—I request that You will order it to join this army as soon as it can be done. His Horse in particular is infinitely wanted at this time. I inclose a Letter for him on this subject. The Enemy are out in force in Jersey and liejust below Sp[r]ingfield....
23From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the honor to receive your Letters of the 13th & 17th Instant, with their inclosures. With respect to the Boats and other articles which make the subject of the first, I beg leave to inform the Board that I do not know that there will be any objection to selling them, except such a part of the Tar as they may think it necessary to keep. The state of our Treasury & the necessity...
24From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed Copies of letters to General Sullivan and Messrs Otis and Andrews, you will be informed of what I have written on the subject of Clothing—in consequence of the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 29th Ulto. The prospect of having the Army amply provided for, by your exertions, affords the highest degree of satisfaction—I am particularly happy to be informed that...
25From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment honored with your favour of the 2d instant. The arrangemen⟨t⟩ of Proctors corps cannot be confirmed as it now stands. The principles held up in my former letters on this subject are such as must be adhered to, and upon this plan only can I request the Board to issue Commissions. If Congress think proper on account of incapacity in Major Holmer to promote Major Forrest it will...
26From George Washington to the Board of War, 7 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit the inclosed letter for Colo. Blane to Your care, as I do not know with certainty where he is. It is on the state of our provision Supplies, which is most alarming. By the Issuing Commissary’s Return of today and the Return of the State Superintendent Colo. Dunham—It appears that the whole of the provision of the meat kind which they both have in & in collecting...
27From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Committee of Arrangement having determined to annex the Regiment late Pattons to Colo. Hartleys, it will be proper to put them in the same Uniform. I have therefore desired Capt. Prowell the commanding Officer to send an Officer to Philada with an exact return of the Regiment, and the Cloathing wanting. Be pleased to give an order to the Cloathier General to have them made up after the...
28From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have lately recd 1900 Stand of Arms from the Eastward, which will nearly, if not quite, compleat the number of Men who are at present in want—But we are exceedingly distressed for Cartouch Boxes. By an exact return made a few days ago 1700 were wanting for the new Recruits, and to replace the old ones worn out in the last Campaign. Since this a number of Recruits from N. Yk & Maryland have...
29From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had Yesterday afternoon the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 30th of March, and agreeable to your request I inclose a permit for the Goods in charge of Captain Bowman. This mode of obtaining supplies is certainly justifiable from the unhappy situation of our affairs & the necessity of having them; but at the same time, for reasons which will readily occur to the Board, I very much wish...
30From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday evening I received the favor of your Letter of the 8th Instt; in consequence of which, I stopped the Flagg that was going in with the Ladies you mention, pointing out to them the necessity of the measure and recommending them to write to their Husbands & connections to obtain Genl How’s assurances for the release of Mrs Lewis & Mrs Robinson & her Children with their baggage, as...
31From George Washington to Board of War, 21 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last Evennig favored with yours of the 16th instt—inclosing Copies of two Letters from B. Genl Knox to your Board on the Subject of forwarding military Stores to the Army—Circumstancd as I am at this Moment, with many surroundg Doubts & Uncertainties, from too many Reasons, it is impossible for me to fix on any certain Point of Time, at which I should wish to have the Stores in Camp—I...
32From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your favour of the 31st of, March, which, through hurry of business has been hitherto unanswered. From the relation in several respects between the duties of the office of Adjutant General and those of the Inspectorship; I pe[r]ceive advantages that would result from uniting them in a certain degree; but I am induced notwithstanding to recommend, that nothing...
33From George Washington to the Board of War, 30 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon receiving information that the enemy are preparing to send a reinforcement to the southward, I have determined to detach Major Lees Corps, both Horse and Foot to that quarter, and have written to the commanding Officer to put them in readiness as expeditiously as possible. As they will undoubtedly want many matters to equip them for so long a march, I have directed the Officer to repair...
34From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday evening received Your Letter of the 3d and have directed the Commissary of prisoners to permit Capn Edmonstone to go into New York upon parole, subject to an immediate and final exchange, by Sir Henry Clinton’s releasing One of our Captains now in his hands, who has been longest in captivity, & whose name will be mentioned in his parole. Mr Beatty has written to Mr Adams—Deputy...
35From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
We have so constantly experienced the want of Hats, than which no part of dress is more essential to the appearance of a soldier, that I have been endeavouring to find out a substitute for them, which could be procured among ourselves—I have seen none so likely to answer the purpose, and at the same time of so military an air as a leather Cap which was procured in the year 1777 for the 6th...
36From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
As we may now expect that Levies will be coming in from the States in a little time —and we shall have many occasional demands for Arms, I request that the Board will be pleased to order Three thousand Stand compleat, to be forwarded immediately to the North River. For fear of accidents in case the lower communication should be exposed by the removal of the Army—I think it will be prudent that...
37From George Washington to the Board of War, 28 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letters which you did me the honor to write the 22d & 23d inst. In consequence of the first—I have written to Col. Bland appointing him to the command at Charlotteville—and inclosing the Resolve of Congress relative to the general superintendence of the Governor and Council of Virginia—for his direction —As Col. Bland in my opinion answers the description of the Officer...
38From George Washington to the Board of War, 2 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of the 12th ulto in which I took the liberty of mentioning the want of the Commissions for the Massachusetts line, I have received frequent and pressing applications on the same subject from the Officers of that Line. There is something peculiar in their situation—A Board of Commissioners are appointed by the State to make a compensation to their officers for the depreciation of...
39From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you an extract of a letter which I have lately received from Major General Gates, on which the Board will be pleased to direct the necessary measures—I have requested General Knox to send a proper person to inquire into the administration at Springfield; and to have the abuses rectified, so far as it may be done without interfering with the establishment of the...
40From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the honor to receive Your Letter of the 22d Instant. The exertions of the Board to relieve our distresses and the good Offices of the Merchants were most timely. The Army never stood in greater need of them. On several days the Troops have been entirely destitute of provision of this kind—and at best they have only received for a considerable time past, but an Eighth—a...
41From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit you the Copy of a Letter of the 16th Ulto which I received from Wm Gardner Esq. Agent Cloathier at portsmouth, and of the foot of the Invoice to which he refers. I don’t know the terms on which the Cloathing Agents act; but there appears to me to be something obviously wrong in the present instance—and which has induced me to trouble the Board with this...
42From George Washington to Board of War, 19 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Favor of the 9th—Respectg the Cloathing—I think it my Duty to inform you that the Southern Army from the Supply that has been sent them from York Town & is now going on under the Care of the Detatchment under Comand of Genl St Clair, with what Genl Greene has been able to obtain, will probably go near to be pretty well covered—a few small Articles such as Overhals & small...
43From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the 8th late in the Afternoon I had the honor to receive Your private Letter of the 3d Inst. I sent the next morning for Captain Bowman, but owing to his being out of Camp in quest of provision, I did not see him till yesterday, when I took measures with him for complying with your views. He will march with his Company & with some additional Men I directed to be attached to it to make it...
44From George Washington to Board of War, 9 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 26th ulto and 3d Inst. the Resolve of Congress to which you refer in the last was not inclosed, but I have recd the Original from the president—Give me leave to thank you for the attention which you promise to pay to my wants—It is necessary you should be informed, that besides the Articles which it will be in your power to procure and forward from...
45From George Washington to Board of War, 13 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Commissary of Prisoners informs me that there are still a number of officers on Long Island who have been exchanged, but are detained there for want of money to pay their board, not having been able to negotiate the bills which he received for that purpose. This is a most painful circumstance, both as it affects the officers and our public credit. If it were possible to find a sufficient...
46From George Washington to Board of War, 29 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 13th 14th. and 17th. instants. My late absence from the Army prevented my acknowledging them sooner. If the Uniforms which were fixed upon for the troops of the States of North and South Carolina have not been ordered from Europe, I do not see that any inconvenience can attend the proposed alterations. I think, however, the Lace ought to be dispensed...
47From George Washington to the Board of War, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with the Boards Letter of the 9th Inst. With respect to inlisting either Deserters or prisoners in general cases, I am decisively of Opinion against it—and I am convinced it will always operate against us, or at least till our appointments in Cloathing &c. can be placed upon as good a footing as those of the Enemy. With respect to the Count pulaski’s Corps, as the Campaign...
48From George Washington to Board of War, 28 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favors of the 17th and 22d instants. It ought to be presumed that Mr Verna the British Dy Commy of prisoners comes to Elizabeth Town no oftner than his business requires, and except there can be proof stronger than suspicion that under cover of his office he carries on a correspondence with disaffected persons in Philada it will be indelicate to charge him with...
49From George Washington to the Board of War, 31 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will oblige me by forwarding the inclosed to Colo. Wood, as expeditiously as possible. It contains orders to send down Brigadiers Genl Spetch and de Gall of the Convention troops, to whose exchanges sir Henry Clinton has consented. The Gentlemen are both old and infirm and it is therefore to be wished that they may accomplish their long Journey before the severity of the season sets in. I...
50From George Washington to the Board of War, 5 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
In a letter from Colonel Brodhead, dated Fort McIntosh the 3d Ultimo, he has the following paragraph “There is a prodigious deficiency of Clothing and money in this department; some cloth has indeed been purchased in the State of Virginia, but the means of making it up are not provided; shoes and Linen cannot be had at any rate unless they are sent up by the clothier general.” He adds in...