51From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with Your favors of the 11 & 12 Instant. The point with respect to Monsieur Garanger shall be determined as soon, as opportunity will permit. I transmit the Board a General Arrangement of the Officers in the York line to the Captains inclusive—and a particular arrangement of each Regiment; also an Arrangement of the Field Officers in the Pensylvania line and of the 4th P....
52From George Washington to the Board of War, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with Your favors of the 18 & 19 Instant. I have directed the Commissary of Prisoners to permit Capn Fetherston (I believe he was only a Lieutenant when taken) to go to New York on parole, subject to be recalled whenever we think proper, unless his absolute exchange is effected, which I would prefer. I have examined and considered the petition of Captain Judd—and it...
53From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this morning honored with your letters of the 3 and 8th —I am happy to hear a reinforcement of cannon is coming on which is very important and was much wanted—The unmounted cannon had best be sent on slung upon waggon wheels—their carriages to follow as fast they are ready—I recommend this because the transportation of the cannon will be more slow and tedious than of the carriages which...
54From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have now to acknowledge the Honor of Your Several Letters of the 28 Ulto and of the 10th 11th 14th & 15th Instant with the several papers & Commissions to which they refer. With respect to the Baron De Geismar’s application, I should be very happy to have his Exchange effected; both because it has been uniformly my wish to promote exchanges, and because it would give me pleasure to...
55From George Washington to the Board of War, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your two letters of the 15th and 16th. I am very happy to learn the Board have adopted the salutary expedient they mention for repairing the men’s cloaths and shoes. Something of this kind has been long wanting; and I hope the present plan will answer very valuable purposes, save much expence to the public and conduce greatly to the comfort and decency of the troops. An extra...
56From 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...
57From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit you the Arrangement of the 11th pensylva. Regiment made by a Board of Field Officers of that line, appointed for the purpose, on which the Board will be pleased to issue Commissions. I inclose the old arrangement made out by Colo. Hubley—by which the Board will see what alterations have been made. They will be pleased to forward the Commissions to Colo. Hubley. I...
58From 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...
59From 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...
60From George Washington to the Board of War, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 6th inclosing the instructions of the Board to the different Commissaries of Hides. The directions appear to me to be judiciously drawn and fully adequate to the purpose, and I doubt not, if they are strictly attended to, but that a sufficient quantity of Shoes for the Army, and leather for other uses will be procured—Mr Garanger is exceedingly impatient to know...
61From George Washington to the Board of War, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of Your Letter of the 10th inclosing one from Mr Hughes for obtaining Captain Swan’s exchange. The only Rule by which equal justice can be done to prisoners, is to exchange them according to the priority of their capture. This I have invariably directed to be pursued where the circumstance of rank would apply and I can never depart from it, unless cases should arise making...
62From George Washington to the Board of War, 21 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 19th I received the Honor of Your Letter of the 9th and knowing how very essential harmony is to promote our Affairs and to bring them to a happy conclusion—I was much concerned to find, that there was a cause of difference between You and General Sullivan. I inclose a Copy of a Letter of this date which I have written to Congress in consequence of your Letter upon the subject, in which...
63From George Washington to the Board of War, 26 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive Your Letters of the 14th & 17th Instant. With respect to the subject of the first—I beg leave to trouble you with the following state of facts—and to refer you to the inclosures No. 1. 2 & 3—to shew how the business of exchanging hides has been conducted and how far and to what end it has been carried on by my permission. When I returned from Philadelphia in the...
64From George Washington to the Board of War, 27 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
The state of our magazines in the article of powder is truly distressing. We have scarcely a sufficiency for the ordinary demands of the service; and should be utterly unable to undertake any enterprise which might require a more than common expenditure however necessary it might be, or however other circumstances might invite to it. An interesting question was lately agitated respecting an...
65From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 28th of August with its inclosures. I am very happy the testimony given to Congress of the conduct of the board is satisfactory to them, as it will always give me pleasure to do justice to their exertions. I have attentively considered the regulations proposed for the department of prisoners—They appear to me to be judicious and proper, such as I have for a...
66From 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...
67From 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...
68From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 9th inclosing an abstract of the powder brought in by Capt. Ashmead. It is to be regretted that the quantity falls so far short of the estimate, but I am in hopes that the above with the three hundred Barrels forwarded before, will answer our present purposes. I would however wish that the Marine Committee may be requested not to lose sight of the object,...
69From George Washington to the Board of War, 22 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with yours of the 16th: the general Return of Military Stores accompanying it was delivered safely to me. I have directed the few things forwarded by Mr Gardner to be delivered out to those Officers of the Staff and line who are not supplied by the States, at moderate prices, agreeable to the direction of the Board. I have the honor &c. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing,...
70From George Washington to the Board of War, 29 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 23d Inst. The clothing which is packed up and ready for transportation you will be pleased to order on to New-Windsor, by way of Morristown—Pompton—& Ringwood I expect the clothier Gen. will be at New-Windsor before it arrives. We suffer so much at present for the article of shoes that should any be within the order of the board—I wish them to be sent...
71From George Washington to the Board of War, 1 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit You the Arrangement of the Virginia line as corrected and newly formed on the 23d Instant —in consequence of which Sundry Commissions are wanted—occasioned by former omissions—deaths—resignations and promotions into the State Regiments. The instances in which Commissions are required are, as I understand by the Memorandum at the end of the Arrangement, where the...
72From 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...
73From George Washington to The Board of War, 8 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 30th ulto on the subject of Major Francis Murray’s exchange for the Hussian Major Stein lately captured —Had Major Stein been taken by a continental Vessel, a preference in favr of Major Murray would have been totally inadmissible—but all circumstances considered, I do not think our Officers, who are prisoners, should look upon themselves injured, when...
74From George Washington to the Board of War, 12 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 2d instant I addressed you particularly on the subject of the want of shoes, and informed you that I had made application to Mess[r]s Mehelm—Hatfeild—and Starr the three nearest Commissaries of Hides, and desired to know what quantity of shoes I might depend upon immediately, and what were their future prospects. I have only recd answers from Mr Mehelm and Capt. Starr—Copies of whose...
75From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of yours of the 9th instant I have wrote to Mr Hatfeild to come to Head Quarters. I have not yet received an answer from him to mine of the 2d instant, and am therefore still at a loss to know what shoes may be expected from him. It is possible that a requisition of Cloathing for the troops to the Westward may have been already made to you by Colo. Brodhead, and that measures...
76From George Washington to the Board of War, 25 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Hatfeild yesterday sent a person to communicate the several matters respecting his department to me. He himself being very unwell. Finding that he has near ten thousand Hides upon hand, I have directed him to send 2000, the number mentioned in yours of the 9th, immediately to Philada. He has delivered 1400 pair of shoes to the Cloathier General within thirty days past, and expects to turn...
77From 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...
78From 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. ).
79From George Washington to the Board of War, 19 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your several favors of the 25th of Octbr and the 2d 8th 10th and 13th of this month. The boards idea of stopping the bringing forward the several loans mentioned in their letter of the 10th falls in perfectly with mine; And it might also be prudent to diminish at least to their old quantity those accumulated at Philadelphia. With regard to prosecuting the casting of shells...
80From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 12th and 15th instants, in consequence of the latter I dispatched Copies of your letters to Mr Skinner deputy Commissary of prisoners who was not at Elizabeth town to repair thither to take the necessary paroles from Majors General Philips and Riedesel and the Officers accompanying them previous to their going into New York—The paroles taken by Colo. Bland...
81From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been this day honored with yours of the 19th inclosing Copies of the letters which have passed between the Honble the Council of Pennsylvania and the Board relative to the Coats which have been delivered to the State for the use of their troops. The inclemency of the Season—the peculiar circumstances of the Army moving into quarters —and the necessity of delivering out the Cloathing...
82From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of the 30th Ulto & with Mr Stodderts of the 1st Instant. The request contained in the former has been complied with by a publication in orders. And as it respects Leather & Shoes—I will take the liberty to add—that I think it may not be amiss for the Board to enjoin it on the part of the Commissaries of Hides and other contractors for Shoes—to pay...
83From George Washington to the Board of War, 12 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 3d instant on the subject of Mr Galvan—My opinion of the qualifications of this Gentleman correspond with that of the Board; but I could not by any means recommend a compliance with his pretensions, though I should be glad to see him in some station which would afford him an opportunity of employing his talents usefully—The situation he has been in, in our...
84From George Washington to the Board of War, 14 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your favors of the 8th & 10th & also with Mr Stoddert’s of the 6th & 10th. The Virginia Troops having marched, I return the Commissions for the Officers, which the Honble the Board will be pleased to have delivered to Genl Woodford. Those for the Maryland line shall be delivered. If the Company lately commanded by Capn Lee—& Captain porter can be annexed to Colo....
85From George Washington to the Board of War, 24 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Arnold, whose trial is now going on, has represented that the Evidence of Colo. Mitchell is so material that he cannot dispense with it—and that without it—his Trial cannot be brought to a conclusion. I had on the application of the General, summoned him to attend, but by a Letter from him of the 17th he has deferred coming till he should receive farther directions, alledging “that the...
86Enclosure: Major General Steuben to the Board of War, January 1780 (Washington Papers)
Delivered to the Board of War by Major General steuben on Friday Jany 28th 1780. The incomplete state & Extreme inequality of our Regiments of Infantry, against all good Order and regular formation, induced me last Campaign to present to H[is] E[xcellency] the Commander in Chief a Plan of formation for an Order of Battle, in which I joined Two and three Regiments together in Order to form a...
87From George Washington to the Board of War, 11 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honoured with Your Letter, stating the difficulties which occurred to prevent Colo. Mitchell from attending then the trial of Major General Arnold. As several days have elapsed since, I would willingly hope that things are in such a train as to admit of his coming now, without any material injury to the public service. Genl Arnold is very anxious on this head—and indeed so am I, as...
88From 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...
89From George Washington to the Board of War, 15–17 January 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with yours of the 21st ulto by Capt. Edgar. I should have replied to it sooner, had not my whole time and attention been of late engrossed by endeavouring to raise a supply of provision for the Army. With respect to the Cloathing for Colo. Sheldons Regiment, I think you had best order Messr Otis and Henley to procure a quantity equivalent to a full Corps, and when finished...
90From 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...
91From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is an Estimate of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores, which I think it expedient to have lodged at Pittsburgh, ready to answer any favorable opportunity which may present itself, for carrying on operations against the Enemy’s posts to the Westward. I do not know whether there is any practicable Road at this Season for Sleds, if there is, it would be much the easiest and cheapest mode of...
92From George Washington to the Board of War, 10 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have, agreeable to the Resolve of Congres⟨s⟩ of the 12th Novemr, formed a regimental arrangement of the eleven Companies of Artificers at pres[ent] acting in a detached manner under the direction of the Quarter Master General —who I have consulted on the occasion, as being better acquainted with the merits of the Officers, and the nature of the service, than I could possibly be. —I have...
93From George Washington to the Board of War, 15 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I find by a Resolution of the 9th Instant, of which I received a Copy last night, that Congress have been pleased to determine the Quota of Troops to be furnished by the respective States the ensuing Campaign —and that the Non-Commissioned Officers & privates in the additional Corps—Artillery & Cavalry and the Regimented Artificers in the departments of the Quarter Master General & Commissary...
94From George Washington to the Board of War, 18 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th, came to hand this morning. It is to be regretted that circumstances should have interposed to diminish the command proposed for Col. Armand. When the idea was formed of Uniting the legion late Pulaski’s to his corps I had no intimation that Congress had determined on its reduction. I would hope however, that the order of the Board for its suspension will arrive in...
95From George Washington to the Board of War, 23 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
By the regulations the non-comissioned officers are to be armed with swords as a mark of distinction and to enable them the better to maintain the authority due to their stations—This necessary arrangement has not yet been carried into execution— By some returns I have seen there appears to have been a considerable number of Hessian hangers at Albany, though I find no mention of them in the...
96From George Washington to the Board of War, 26 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received the inclosed proceedings of a General Court Martial held by order of the Board —As I am not informed of any provision having been made for vesting the power of appoin[tin]g Courts Mar⟨tial⟩ in the Board (which is too confined in many respects), I should not think myself at liberty to confirm the proceedings of the present Court, were there no objection to the manner of the...
97From 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...
98From George Washington to the Board of War, 3 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have lately had several applications from the Subalterns of the Massachusetts line respecting mistakes which they say happened in the arrangement settled at West point, and confirmed by Congress and agreeable to which their Commissions were issued. As I have no Copy of that arrangement I am unable to determine upon the propriety of their complaints—I shall for that Reason be obliged by a...
99From George Washington to the Board of War, 6 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with yours of the 28th ulto. It gives me great pleasure to find by your letter and by one which I recd a few days ago from Mr Lovell that we have favorable account⟨s⟩ from France on the subject of supplies of Cloathing and other stores —I have directed the Adj⟨t⟩ General to call for an exact return of the drum⟨s⟩ and fifes wanting which shall be transmitted to the Board as...
100From George Washington to the Board of War, 8 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Returns of Arms and Accoutrements wanting by the 2d and 4th Regiments of Light Dragoons —The Articles of sadlery could, I beleive, have been procured in Connecticut, but the Dy Qr Mr General there did not think himself at liberty to proceed in the Business, without a special order, and therefore transmitted the Returns to the Quarter Master General for his direction—who,...