31From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 3 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of three oClock this morning, I have received. I do not think you have much to fear from the party that has been sent over to Bohemia, who lie greatly to the Southward of you & too remote from where you now are, easily to injure you. It is im[a]gined the design of their going there is to extend across from Bohemia river to Apoquiminy, by which means, they will prevent the Eastern shore...
32From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a letter from Capt. Stokes stationed at Bonum Town—informing me that the enemy on Staten Island appear to be in motion, and have been collecting boats both at New York and at the Island —You will therefore redouble your vigilance and be ready to oppose any attempt they may make near you. I am informed there is a considerable number of fat cattle between Wood-bridge and the...
33From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 31 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is at this present crisis extremely interesting to our conduct to learn with exactness and certainty the force that is reported to have sailed for New Port by way of the Sound, & that from the Hook, and whose command they are under. It will be necessary to discover what particular corps have been embarked—what baggage—what heavy cannon and artillery and how the transports (those especially...
34From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 4 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I duly recd your two favors of the 1st and 3d inst. I wish you to be as diligent as possible in gaining further intelligence respecting the embarkation of troops—how many and what regiments—what quantity of provisions they have on board—whether for a long or short voyage—and if the soldiers have received any additional light clothing adapted to a warm climate. You will give immediate orders to...
35From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln and Brigadier Generals William Maxwell and John Peter Gabriel … (Washington Papers)
I am well convincd that the amazing desertions which have of late prevail’d among our Troops, proceeds intirely from their not being regularly paid; For it is not to be supposed, that the bare encouragement of recieving a few Dollars from the Enemy for their Arms could operate so forcibly upon them. I have in vain endeavour’d to make the officers bring in their Pay Rolls and draw their money,...
36From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 1 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you a few minutes ago, I have been inform’d that there is a considerable number of Cattle and a variety of Stores (the property of Individuals) at and in the neighborhood of Nottingham—as the distance from this place to the Head of Elk is not so great as to discourage the Enemy from attempting to make themselves Masters of such valuable Articles, it will be proper that you...
37From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letters of the 25 and 26th came duly to hand with their inclosures. I have considered the Court Martial held at New-Ark of which Major Piatt was president; and as John Malcom appears from the face of the evidence to have been the most active and criminal in the transaction, I have therefore confirmed his sentence of death and inclosed a warrant for his execution. McDonald appearing less...
38From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 25 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to proceed with the two remaining regiments of your Brigade, to Mount Holly in the Jerseys, and order the other two regiments under Col: Shrieve to join you. In order to this, you will take the shortest route towards Coryel’s ferry, there cross the Delaware and repair to the place of your destination. You are to keep your Brigade when assembled, in such a situation as will...
39From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 5 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I send you herewith two letters for Lord & General Howe, which you will immediately transmit by a flag to the latter. Let Some decent officer go with the flag. I have heard a report of one of our militia parties firing upon a flag that came from the enemy; I wish you to inquire into the matter, and if you find it true, make a proper apology for it to General Howe; and strictly forbid any...
40From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favors of the 26th and 27th Inst. with the several new-york papers. The directions of the board of war relative to the French commissary of prisoners is to be complyed with as far as possible. There is I believe a resolve of Congress in the hands of Mr Beatty for the supplying the French prisoners with the enemy—but as I cannot, at this instant, have recourse to it—I do not...
41From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
That the Enemy are upon the point of opening the Campaign can scarce admit of a doubt—where, or in what manner, is yet uncertain; it behooves us however to be as well prepard as possible, & keep every thing in such order as to move at an hours warning—one step towards this is, to have the number of our Posts reduced—the Men drawn a little more compactly together—and Scouts to supply the places...
42From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 16 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd yours of the 13th. You will be pleased to forward the inclosed, to Govr Livingston. Should there be occasion to act, the State Regt and Militia will undoubtedly be under the command of you or the oldest continental Officer who may be upon the spot—The Men taken on board the Vessel who were deserters from the Brigade are unquestionably to be tried as deserters found in Arms with the...
43From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 24th instant with the inclosures was duly handed me. I have taken such measures respecting the salted provisions, as I hope will prevent the like complaint in future. The paper on the disputed subject of the arrangement I shall consider the first moment I am at liesure. I am sir your most obt servt. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
44From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is yet a matter of uncertainty whether the Enemy intend to embark or to march across the Jersey. If they do the former, you are, immediately upon obtaining certain intelligence of it, to march with the whole of your Brigade by the shortest Rout to New Burgh upon the North River, and there take your orders from Major Genl Gates. All the unarmed Men are to march, as they will meet Arms coming...
45From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 10th informing me of Admiral Gambiers intent to leave the port of New York; if that event hath taken place be pleased to endeavour to ascertain with what number of ships—their force and destination—We have heard nothing of a long time from Z. Has he dropped the correspondence? or what is become of him. If we are to depend no further upon him, you should endeavour to open...
46From George Washington to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 16 February 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 16 Feb. 1777. On 17 Feb. Maxwell wrote GW informing him that “your Excellency Favours of the 16th I have Recd.”
47From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am uncertain whether you may not already have a party somewhere in Monmouth County but however this may be, it is my wish you should without delay have one of 50 Men stationd under a very vigilant and intelligent Officer, at some place in that County most convenient for commanding a view of the Hook & its environs; in order to watch the motions of the Enemy’s Fleet and to advise me from time...
48From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 12 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 9th Inst. respecting the Case of the Young Men of Eliza. Town who refuse to take the Oath of Allegiance to the States, or to withdraw within the Enemy’s lines & discourage all the Militia round about them—I would observe that tho’ it is my Desire to have the Terms & Conditions of my Proclamation religiously complied with, Yet I do not intend that it shall be...
49From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am just favd with yours of this Evening. I do not know where the Sign of the Buck is, I therefore cannot say whether it will be proper for you to leave your present post to go and attack the party that is said to be thereabouts. If it is upon your left as I suppose it is, it will be by no means proper, because while you were gone down, the Enemy might advance from Grey’s Hill to Christeen...
50From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 14 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 12th instant with its several inclosures. I herewith transmit a copy of a representation from Lieutenants Snowden—Burrows &c. complaining of being injured in their rank by the appointment of Mr Aaron Ogden and Mr Martin. I wish this to be laid before the gentlemen who were ordered to settle respective ranks; and to know the reasons which induced them to the...
51From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 29th Sepr. Lord Stirling who is now in Jersey, and has the general command of the troops there, will be a better judge than I am of the necessary and proper dispositions to be made. You will therefore implicitly obey him, and either remain where you are at present with your whole Brigade, or detatch such a part of it as His Lordship may direct. He mentions the...
52From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 March–1 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 28th Inst. with the New-York paper which it inclosed. Upon application of commissary Beatty you will give permission to him to send into New-York, about 40 bls flour, eight quarters beef and four or five cords of wood, for the use of our prisoners within the enemies lines. I have ordered a party of ten with a subaltern, from the Maréchose light dragoons, for your...
53From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yrs of this date & must reque⟨st⟩ you to keep up a constant correspondence as the movements of this Army must be gover⟨ned⟩ wholy by the intelligence I recieve from Genl Dickinson & yourself, & as an half hour may make much difference, I must intreat you to date accordingly. I have directed Colo. Morgan to keep on the right flank of the enemy, & Genl Scott who has a very respectable...
54From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
As it is a Matter of the utmost Importance to prevent the Enemy from crossing the Delaware, and to effect it, that all the Boats and Water Craft should be secured or destroyed. I do hereby earnestly request and desire that you will take upon you the Care and Superintendency of the Matter—At Tinicum a parcel of Boats are to be collected for the Transportation of the Troops under the Command of...
55From George Washington to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 1 Jan. 1777. Robert Hanson Harrison docketed Maxwell’s letter to GW of 29 Dec. : “Ansd 1 Jany 1777.”
56From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 13 August 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 10th inclosing a list of the French Fleet. I am informed that Lieut. Lane of your Brigade, who was the Officer that recd the Flag at second River, opened the packet from the British Commissioners to Congress—read the Contents and made them known to several persons; one of whom is ready to prove the fact. I therefore desire that Mr Lane may be arrested and sent up here,...
57From George Washington to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 27 January 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell, 27 Jan. 1777. Maxwell wrote to GW on 9 Feb. to “explain some querys I find in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Jany.”
58From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 23 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have had repeated accounts that a considerable Fleet has been seen off the Coast of Monmouth, but as none of them have been sufficiently accurate to determine whether it is really so, or whether if so, they are Friends or Enemies, the Marquis de la Fayette concludes to send down Colo. Jimat to the Coast to gain certain information. He will be at Brunswic tomorrow Morning by 10 OClock. You...
59From 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....
60From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 24 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of yesterday with several News papers inclosed. The Regulations of Congress for the settlement of Rank take in every claim that the Feild Officers of your Brigade can possibly make and therefore there will be no need of referring the matter to the State. If they find they can not settle the dispute among themselves I will appoint a Board to hear their pretensions and come to a...