51From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered to you by Colonel de la Radiere of the Corps of Engineers, who was employed to superintend the fortifications on the North River—but from some misunderstanding between him and the late commanding Officer, in which he thought his own honour and the public interest were committed, he determined to renounce the work, and return to Camp —I can safely recommend him to you as...
52From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 14 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am to request that you will in company with Generals Knox and Du Portail make a visit to all the works on both sides the river, and ascertain the number of Cannon and the sizes which will be necessary for their defence—You will be pleased to distinguish between, a full complement of Cannon, which it would be expedient to have and the number which is absolutely necessary. I am Sir Yr Most...
53From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you copies of my two Letters of the 30th and 31st, lest any accident should have happened to the originals. Col. Clarke has informed me that he had received intelligence of the enemy being at Tallar’s point with 42 sail and a number of flat-bottomed boats—that they had landed a party of men on the other side the North River and a party at the Slote —That he had called in his out...
54From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received the favor of your two letters of the 6th and 15th with the papers inclosed. I am glad to find it is your opinion that from the present state of the works at the fort the enemy will not make his attack on the West side—I wish it were more in our power to provide against the danger you mention from the opposite point than it is—our prospect of heavy cannon is very unpromising,...
55From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 13 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
There being but one General Officer (a Brigadier) with the line of the Army at present; I must, for particular reasons, request you will expedite your return from Philadelphia as much as possible. With great regard & esteem I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedient Servant CSmH .
56From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I must beg the favour of you to look out for a sensible, honest, active, young fellow, well acquainted with Figures, & well qualified to discharge the duties of a Deputy Muster Master—His pay is low, 35 dollars ⅌ Month—On discovering such an one, you will be pleased to appoint him, & refer him to the Letter &C. from Colo. Ward that attend this. I am Dear Sir Yr most Obed. Servt P.S. I wish to...
57From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Mr Laurance delivered me your estimate of the strength and position of the Enemy at New York and its dependencies. I have since been favd with yours of the 4th instant. I shall endeavour to reinforce your post by the time the nine months men are about leaving you, so that I hope the enemy will be disappointed should they have such intentions as have been communicated to you. Since I sent up...
58From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 9 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of my Orders, some of the Troops from the Northern Frontier will soon arrive at West Point—all that shall arrive at that Post, you will be pleased to retain for its Security untill further Orders. I am sir Your most Obedient Servt CSmH .
59From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 31 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
That part of the Troops of New York have left that place, admits of no doubt—the accounts of their number differ—some say four Regiments (two British and two Hessian)—some 2300, and others 2500 men—all of which there is reason to believe are arrived at Philadelphia; as a Fleet consisting of near 50 Transports (the same number that left New York) passed Wilmington about five days ago. By...
60From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
An outrage has been committed on some inhabitants of this State, by a Lieut. Henderson—Marshal—B. Ball and an Ensign Smith, as appears from the deposition in the hands of the bearer of this letter. As these officers are in your command, you will be pleased to direct them under immediate confinement; and to remain so till the civil power can take up the matter. Henderson and Ball I beleive are...
61From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 31 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your two favours of the 29th and 30th. I this morning received similar intelligence of the enemy’s movement towards the white Plains, from Elizabeth Town. The day before yesterday, General St Clair moved with the Pensylvania division from this camp towards Springfield—I have now directed him to continue his route to Pompton and govern himself afterwards according to...
62From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 3 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
About a fortnight since, I sent you by Mr Laurance, fifty guineas —I have now given Colonel Malcolm One hundred and fifty more to be delivered to you. These two parcels will nearly amount to the sum you requested from Congress. I am with great regard and esteem D. Sir Your most Obed. serv. LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, CSmH ; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . On the draft,...
63From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 5 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have wrote pressingly to General Heath and General Putnam to forward the Recruits of Massachusets and Connecticut to the North River with all possible dispatch. If they arrive there during the continuance of your command, you will be pleased, agreeable to former orders, to send on those, belonging to the Regiments that are here, immediately. I very much fear that we, taking it for granted...
64From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 25 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope this will find you arrived at your quarters upon the North River. By advices recd two days ago from Elizabeth Town I am informed that two Regiments of British and two of Hessians were embarked at New York and by accounts from Rhode Island it was imagined that the Enemy were about evacuating New Port. This makes me suspicious that General Howe is drawing his reinforcements together to...
65From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Alexander McDougall, 4 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Comandr in Chief to acquaint you, that Information has been conveyed to Head Quarters that a certain Person is employed by the Enemy to come out in the Guise of a Spiy to make his Observations on the Works at West Point & to obtain Knowlege of our Strength & Situation at that post—The Person is discribed to have a Mould under one of his Eyes & a Scar on one Temple—& will...
66From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favour of this day I inclose you a Copy of a General order of the 23d of March regulating the component parts of a ration agreable to which our present issues are made at the main Army. The necessity of the strictest œconomy in the article of flour—makes me unwilling to increase the quantity especially as I should apprehend it might raise the expectation of the troops in...
67From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 1 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Letter of the 29th Ulto, with its several inclosures. I regret much, that the Enemy should have accomplished their Scheme with so little loss on their part; but I confess, I feared, that it would be the case, and that their retreat would be effected before a sufficient force could be assembled, to cut them off, or to give ’em any great annoyance. I wish you to...
68From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
The late collection of Waggons, by the Enemy, upon Long and Staten Islands, some of which are already brought over to Amboy, plainly indicate a Move, whenever the State of the Roads will permit. Several accounts, by Deserters and others, also agree, that Materials have been brought from New York for constructing a floating Bridge, which can be for no other purpose than laying across the...
69From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I return you my thanks for your favor of the 27th Ulto and heartily congratulate you on the important intelligence contained in it. As the matter is related in general terms, France appears to have acted with politic Generosity towards us, and to have timed her declaration in our favor, most admirably for her own interests and the abasing her ancient Rival. One immediate good consequence I...
70From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 12 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 10th You will be pleased to let me have, as quick as possible, a Return of the Troops at West Point and its dependencies, as I want to ascertain our total Strength. If you will make me acquainted with the names of the prisoners under sentence and the Regiments to which they belong, I will endeavour to find out the Judgments against them and either have them put in...
71From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 7 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 5th: You make mention of a letter of Colo. Huntingdons of the 1st instant which you have not inclosed, there are a few lines from him of the 30th April, but they only respect a peice of intelligence of the Enemy’s having landed at Frogs point on their way down the Sound. I have a long time seen and felt the ill Consequences of the want of Arrangement in the...
72From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 6 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The two new whale boats at Wapping’s Creek, & the one at New-borough in the charge of Mr Brooks Depty Cloathier, are much wanted here; I wish you to send a party for them, have muffled Oars provided, & forward’d to King’s ferry or Tarry Town, to the order of Majr Darby. the party of Men that conduct the boats will return to West point, after delivering them to Majr Darby. I am, with respect...
73From George Washington to Colonel Alexander McDougall, 7 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor upon the Subject of Rations and agreable to your request have Inclosed a List of Rations allowed the Officers of the Regiments before Boston —those in service the 1st of July have been allowed from that time, Others appointed to Office since, from the dates of their Commissions. Having never given any direction about the Officers alluded to, or any Others except those...
74From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 17 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received intelligence last night, that the enemy on Staten Island are in motion, with more than usual demonstration and parade. This may intend an incursion into the Jerseys, or it may be meant to cover an expedition elsewhere— possibly against the posts under your command . I therefore think it necessary to communicate to you the intelligence, I have received to put you upon your guard and...
75From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 21 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this Evening favoured with yours of the 19th from Chatham. I not only approve of the disposition you made of the three Regiments under Colo. Vose, because I think it was a very judicious one, but I had, previous to the Receit of your Letter, determined upon exactly the same plan, and had sent Orders to Colo. Vose to halt at Morris Town, that he might afford protection to the well affected...
76From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 31 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am much surprised at never having received any regular account from you, of the late Affair at peekskill. I am yet intirely at a loss to know the Quantity, Quality or Value of the Stores that were lost. A Captain of a Tobacco Ship taken and carried into New York, left that place on Saturday last, he informs that three thousand Men were embarked and laying on Board Transports at Staten...
77From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 6 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to desire, that you will immediately procure and send me exact returns of all the troops belonging to your state, except those which are gone to Tionderoga; and that you will have them assembled with the utmost expedition at Peeks-Kills, there to hold themselves in perfect readiness to march at a moment’s warning. I must, also request, you will make a point of informing me, from time to...
78From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 19th I request that you will send me All the proceedings of Court Martials in your hands in Capital cases, where the sentences have not been executed. If there are any sentences which have been approved by you; but yet remain unexecuted, you will be pleased to particularize them. I fully agree in sentiment with you, as to the impolicy of too frequent...
79From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 15 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
When speaking of your Son, I was just now informed, that he had not been provided for in the late appointments of Officers in your State, being under parole when they were made. The part he early took in the Contest & his sufferings for it, would not be rewarded, was he to be neglected; I therefore wish, if he inclines to continue in service, that he may be appointed to the command of One of...
80From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to march tomorrow morning precisely at the time appointed with the division under your command towards Danbury, there to join the left Wing, under the immediate command of Major General Gates. You will take the Route by King’s Street Bedford &ca. You will regulate the particular order of your march, agreeable to the principles of a General Order issued at Valley Forge the first of June...
81From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 23 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
After reading the inclosed be pleased to seal and send it forward to Reading by Express—I have recd another letter from General Maxwell of a later date than that enclosed to General Putnam, in which he says that seven of the nine Regiments were embarked with all their Baggage and the other two expected to embark immediately. The transports lye in the North River—I do not think, from the...
82From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Expedition against Arnold has failed—After the favourable moment (occasioned by the disability of part of the British Ships in Gardners bay) was suffered to pass away, I never was sanguine in it—but the object being great, the risk was warrantable. The attempt of the Chevalier Des Touches at the time he Sailed, was bold & enterprising—for this, and political reasons; and because I know it...
83From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 7 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours dated the 5th at West Point early this morning. I was yesterday on my way towards the River when I met Major Platts letter from Haverstraw informing me that the enemy had fallen down the River again —and of the dispositions which had been made for their reception. By this letter I was releived from my principal anxiety which was, that perhaps Pattersons and Learneds Brigades...
84From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 23 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Putnam’s orders to you to return to Peeks Kill was founded upon a misapprehension of my orders; which required your halting at Pompton, as you were there at a considerable distance from Peeks Kill. But from the late change of circumstances, with respect to the enemy, your countermarch has not happened amiss. It is now pretty evident they are leaving the Jersies, and probably they may...
85From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 28 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening was favd with yours of the 21st instant with the several inclosures to which it refers. —— is gone to Philada and will call upon me in his way back. In my last I took the liberty to drop you a hint upon the subject of the danger of our putting too much confidence in persons undertaking the Office of double Spies. The person alluded to in the present instance appears very...
86From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 2 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received yesterday your Letters of the 8th and 9th of February and have duly noticed the contents of them. Altho the first order for holding the Court Martial for your trial directed the Court to assemble at West Point, yet by an after order of the same day (which, I am informed was regularly transmitted from the Orderly Officer ) permission was given for it, to be holden at West Point, or...
87From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 31 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 29th. Your Conjectures, respecting the Troops arrived, correspond with my own. I shall not be disappointed, if they are those, which were in Canada, having long thought, there was a probability of their coming to reinforce Genl Howe. I am much surprized, that more of the Connecticut Troops, have not reached Pecks Kill. I have repeatedly & in most...
88From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Major Fishbourn has just arrived from Genl Wayne with the agreable account of our having possessed ourselves of Stoney point and the whole Garrison with very little loss. You will throw the Troops across the River, which I mentioned yesterday, with all possible expedition. I am Dr sir Yr Most Obedt st P.S. You will order Nixon’s Brigade to move...
89From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with your letter of yesterday morning. I have no particular orders to communicate except that I wish you and Genl Lincoln to send from your divisions a fatigue party to repair the Road from Fredericksburg by New Milford, Woodberry, and Waterbury to Farmington. I have written to Genl Lincoln upon the subject. This measure will facilitate the movement of the Army if it should be...
90From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 9 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
In my letter of the 29th Ulto I briefly acknowleged the receipt of your favours of the 10th of december 11th and 19th of Jany and promised you a particular answer to their contents so soon as I should be disengaged from the variety of pressing business in which I was, at that time, immersed. I returned to Camp, three days since, and embrace the earliest opportunity of resuming your letters;...
91From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 3 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your detention of apart of Capt. Sewards Company of Artillery, for the reasons you assign, is intirely agreeable to me; and you will observe the same rule with respect to others which shall be coming on in the same circumstances. I should be glad to hear such further particulars of the Danbury expedition, as may have come to your knowlege, that bear the marks of authenticity. I am Dear Sir...
92From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 20 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Huntington and some Officers of his Brigade were some time since on a Court Martial at Reading —I have directed General Putnam to appoint another Court at that place consisting wholly or principally of the same members to try one of the persons concerned in the same transactions who did not attend as he ought to have done and apparently endeavoured to elude his trial by a resignation...
93From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
If you should not have reached Danbury or very near it with the division before this gets to hand, you will be pleased to halt the two Connecticut Brigades where this shall find you ’till further orders. General Nixon will still proceed to Danbury, as was at first intended. In this case you will inform me where the two Brigades halt. But if you should be very near Danbury with the division you...
94From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 23 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your several favours of the 13th 14th and 18th with their inclosures—I shall pay due attention to the contents and acquaint you with the result as speedily as possible. For the present, I shall only say, that I would not wish you to distress the posts under your command, in order to cover that part of the country, you mention in your letter of the 18th. I request you to furnish...
95From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 14 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favour of the 9th and 13th. I think it will be on every account better for the Officers of the Connecticut line, to take their places as they were posted by the new arrangement, and I desire that General’s Huntington and Parson may do it. I have received advice from Boston that the Sommerset of 64 guns, one of Admiral Byrons Fleet, went on shore on Cape Cod in a Gale of wind the...
96From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will forthwith proceed to the Highlands and take the command there—All the Posts in the North River from Poughkeepsie, inclusively, downwards, will be comprehended within the limits of your command. The Troops under you will consist of three Massachusetts Brigades, Nixons, Pattersons, & Learneds & the Garrison at West Point. I need not observe to you that West Point is to be considered as...
97From George Washington to Alexander McDougall, 18 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much disappointed in not having the Boats sent from Wapping Creek to Kings Ferry, as requested by Colonel Pickering. You will be pleased, on the receipt of this, to order One hundred and fifty men to bring thirty of the aforesaid Boats to Kings Ferry; from whence the Men may return immediately to West Point. I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servant PPRF .
98From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Schuyler having wrote in a pressing and urgent manner for a General Officer to be sent to the Northern department, I inclose you open, a Letter for Brigadr James Clinton, which you will forward to him after sealing it, provided in your opinion his services can be dispensed with where he now is. This I immagine will in a great measure depend on the State of health you are in; If you are...
99From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 6 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon receipt of this you will be pleased to give directions, that the regiment of General Poor’s brigade which was ordered to march to Eastown, in my letter of the 3d instant, be paid up to the 1st of April, previous to its departure. But in case there should be no money in the chest, I would not have the regiment delayed any time in waiting for it. A supply will set out from this place...
100From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 29 January 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with your several letters of December 10th January 11th and 19th, with their inclosures. They have all been received in this city, where I have been for some time past, intirely engrossed in a variety of important business with Congress, which has put it out of my power, to give them an answer so full and particular as I could wish; and as the same impediment still...