51From George Washington to Israel Putnam, 2 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th of May I received with much pleasure—For I can assure you, that, among the many worthy & meritorious Officers, with whom I have had the happiness to be connected in Service, through the Course of this War, and from whose chearfull Assistance & Advice I have received much support & Confidence in the various & trying Vicissitudes of a Complicated Contest, the Name of a...
52Orders to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
It was with no small degree of concern I percieved yesterday a scattering, unmeaning & wasteful fire, from our people at the enemy, a kind of fire that tended to disgrace our own men as soldiers, and to render our defence contemptible in the eyes of the enemy; no one good consequence can attend such irregularities, but several bad ones will inevitably follow on it; Had it not been for this...
53From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
On examining the return from Peeks kill of General Poors brigade, which was some time since directed to that place, I was surprised to find that only 457 rank and file had arrived. You will immediately on receipt of this letter, give express and positive orders, for all such as remain, however employed, to join their respective regiments without further delay. I am sir &. Df , in James...
54From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 2 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Gates having been ordered by Congress to repair to Boston and take the command of the Eastern district; I have thought it best, that you should proceed to Hartford and take the command of the division late General Gates, consisting of Poor’s, Patterson’s and Larned’s brigades. This you will, therefore, be pleased to do without delay. The standing order for that division is that it is...
55From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 31 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 25th from Fishkill. Although you say that the Enemy have passed down by that place, you do not say whether they have gone entirely down and evacuated the Forts upon the River, but from the tenor of your letter I imagine they have. I shall be glad to be particularly informed of this in your next, and also whether you have heard with certainty of the reinforcement’s...
56From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon reciept of this Letter you will put Hazens regiment in motion—Inclosed are his instructions—his whole Regiment is to march —You will please to put the remaining part of Poors Brigade under Marching Orders—their destination will be pointed out in a Subsequent Letter —and you will use the most effectual means to cause every Officer & Soldier now on furlough, or who may obtain leave of...
57From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 5 January 1777 (Washington Papers)
Fortune has favord us in an attack on Princeton—General How advancd upon Trenton which we Evacuated on the Evening of the second of this instant and drew up the Troops on the Southside of the Mill Creek and continued in that position until dark, then march’t for Princeton which we reacht next morning by about Nine oClock—There was three Regiments Quarterd there of British Troops—which we...
58From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a copy of the Information I received last night. From this, It appears, the Enemy are drawing their force from New York, and the account seems to be corroborated thro’ several other Channels. My principal design in communicating this intelligence, is, that if the facts are true, it favours the Expedition suggested in my Letter of the 25th. You are not to understand...
59From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 28 September 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on the 23d Instant—Lest my Letter should have miscarried, I now inclose you a Copy. I must request your immediate attention to the Contents, and that you will not delay a Moment in sending the Troops which are ordered. Their aid becomes more and more necessary, and I wish you to urge the Officer, who shall have the command to join me as soon as possible without injuring and...
60From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 13 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote to you last evening I forgot to desire that the detatchments of Colo. Saml B. Webbs and Colo. Sherburns Regiments might march with the first division from Peekskill. They are to join Genl Varnums Brigade, which is at present weak. When any other detatchments of the same Regiments arrive with you, they are to be hastened forward as fast as possible. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
61From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 24 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
By recent intelligence, thrô different Channels, I have the best reason to believe that, General Clinton has drawn his whole force to a point at New York and its vicinity—That he has collected (& some accts add removed, to Kings bridge) a number of flat-bottomed Boats with Muffled Oars—and that, every appearance indicates an expedition at hand —There are but too important objects he can have...
62From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
It being judged necessary to reinforce the Army to the Northward with another Brigade, you are desired to dispatch Glovers as speedily as possible by Water to Albany. As Genl Schuyler has lately had ten peices of Artillery sent up to him, Genl Glover need not carry his with him. The remainder of Nixon’s Brigade are to follow as fast as they arrive. Every Tent that can possibly be spared from...
63From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 27th Inst. with that of yesterdays date. His Lordship Gen. Stirling who is perfectly well acqd with the Jerseys & its Militia has been dispa[t]ched there this morning, in order to condense the regular troops under Gen. Maxwel, with those who have marched from your division and the Militia wch are Assembling to a useful point, where they can affoard cover to the...
64From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
A Committee appointed by the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay to inquire into the conduct and behaviour of the Officers both Civil and Military doing duty at Springfeild, having preferred Complaints against Colo. David Mason, Colo. Smith Dy Qr Mr and Major Eyres, the Congress have by a Resolve of the 11th instant (Copy of which you have inclosed) directed me to order a Court Martial...
65From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1779 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Udney Hay, communicated to me, a proposal of Mr Weeks a D.W. General a late inhabitant of Long Island of considerable property, and the person who will deliver you this letter. Mr Weeks represents that there are several saw mills, on Long Island, very valuable to the enemy, and easy of access to a small party; and that he is willing to conduct a party for the purpose of destroying...
66From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with yours of the 3d acquainting me with the exhausted state of your Treasury. I am just in the same situation, but have wrote to Congress for a supply. I will in my next to them inform them of your wants, and desire them to forward a sum of Money to you. I have not the large Spy Glass, belonging to Mrs Morris, with me. I think it is at Bethlehem with my Baggage. I will write to...
67From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favour of the 24th Instant. I am well pleased with your Orders to Genl Poor to proceed immediately to Danbury—and to Colonel Badlam for escorting in his room the Rear divisions of the Convention Troops to Fish Kill. There has never been any regulation of Congress, authorising Officers and Soldiers on furlough to draw their Rations in the Country—and it can never be...
68From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 2 August 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 2 Aug. 1777. On 4 Aug. Putnam wrote GW that “I Recd yours of the 1st Inst. last evening & your favour of the 2nd this moment.”
69From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 14 May 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 14 May 1777. Robert Hanson Harrison docketed Putnam’s letter to GW of 13 May in part: “Ansd within 14.” On the reverse of Putnam’s letter, Harrison wrote the following memorandum of the reply: “14 Wrote to Genl Putnam to send on All the Troops except those from Maryd—the State of Delaware, & Hazen’s Battalion.”
70From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Yesterdays date came to hand this moment A very little time must discover the designs of the Enemy, yet I can not conceive that they have any thing farther in view than to Forage and collect cattle, I would however have you to be in the most perfect readiness to oppose them where you are, or to move should it be necessary and you receive orders for that purpose. I am &c. Df , in...
71From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the Last night with the dispatches from Canada, Came to my hands at Woodbridge this morning, I wish that the information given you by Captain Goforth respecting the number of prisoners taken, may prove true, what he told you about the enemy’s not haveing Sallied out, differs widely from General Thomas’ acct of that affair. you will please to give every assistance which General...
72From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 14th. I could have wished that the Regiments that I had ordered had come on, because I do not like Brigades to be broke by detatchment: The urgency of Colo. Hamiltons Letter was owing to his knowledge of our wants in this quarter, and to a certainty that there was no danger to be apprehended from New York if you sent away all the Continental Troops that were then...
73From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to march precisely at the hour appointed tomorrow morning, with two divisions, the one under your own immediate command, and the other under the immediate command of Baron De Kalb. You will take the route by Young’s Tavern and Stephen Danfords to Croton Bridge . Near Crotons Bridge the two divisions will separate—with the one under your immediate command, You are to Proceed to West...
74From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 18 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 15th. As it appeared clearly from the account sent out by the Enemy, that Palmer was really an Officer of theirs, he deservedly suffered for being found lurcking about our posts, and was a spy in the truest Sense of the word. I am surprised at the conduct of the Militia of Connecticut, who because they find no Enemy directly at their own doors refuse to stay and assist...
75From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colonel G. V. Schaick advises me in a letter of this date, that he is “this moment informed, that, a ship, a tender and a galley are standing up the river—they were seen off Tallers point about ten O’clock this morning under sail. I have sent off a party of fifty men well officered to bring off a number of boats laying at Kings ferry.” You will give your attention to this information of the...
76From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 March 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 13th Inst. The papers you inclosed I herewith return—In my letter of the 9th—I gave my opinion on the measures to be pursued in Capn Scudders and Doctor Anthony’s case—so that the papers are of no further use to me—and may be communicated to the Court of Admiralty if they throw any light on the affair. You will be pleased to forward Col. Hazens Letter. I...
77From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 19 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On consideration it appears to me best, that you should incamp with the division under your command on the East side of the River; so as to preserve as easy a communication with the forts, as the situation of the ground will permit. This position will be most convenient both for the benefit of water and for the greater facility with which you may form a junction with the rest of the army in...
78From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 13 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Board of War have requested that Israel Dodge of Colo. Durkees Regiment may be sent to Philada from whence he is to go to Fort Pitt to his Brother who is employed in Indian Affairs. Be pleased therefore to have him paid up and give him a pass to Philada with directions to apply to the Board of War, upon his arrival there, for further orders. I am &ca. P.S. I have recd yours of the 4th with...
79From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 16th 19th & 21st instant, have reached me, the former without signature—I approve of your ordering payment to the Militia; but I could wish great attention to be paid to the nature of the abstracts, they present, that they be properly certified and have every appearance of being right. You have mistaken the orders I gave, according to wch General McDougall should have...
80From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
As I am removing Head Quarters for the present from this place to New Windsor you will have the immediate command of the troops in this camp. Should any letters arrive for me immediately from the forts or out posts, you will open them for your own information and then forward them to me—All others, you will forward directly on unopened. I wish you without delay to have the inquiry which was...
81From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 16 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 16 July 1779. Putnam wrote GW on 16 July: “I am this moment honord with your Excellencys Letter, announcing the agreeable & happy news of Genl Waynes Success.” The date is supplied on the basis of Washington’s letters of this date on this topic to George Clinton, John Jay, William Livingston, and Alexander McDougall.
82From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 17th I wrote you that Genl Poor, with his Brigade was to proceed to Enfield to conduct the Convention troops to Fish Kill landing. On the 18, having received a Letter from Colo. Bland, advising that the Van of the Convention Troops had reached Enfield on the 13 and that proper Escorts of Militia were provided; and supposing that the whole would have passed that place before my Letter of...
83From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The accounts you give me of the distress of the Massachusets Troops for cloathing surprize me a good deal, as I was always taught to beleive that they had an abundance in that State. I have wrote to the Cloathier Genl to know the Reason of it. In the mean time, that the men may not suffer, I desire you will stop a parcel of Hunting Shirts, Over alls, Waistcoats, shoes and shirts that are...
84From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 31 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just rec’d information from Philaa that the Enemy’s Fleet arrived at the Capes of Delaware yesterday. you will therefore please to order the two Brigs. which were thrown over the N. River to March immediately towards Philadelphia thro’ Morris Town and over Coryels Ferry where Boats will be ready for them. The Troops to March as expeditiously as possible, without injuring the men. I beg...
85From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 29 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 18th instant, and am pleased to hear that your prospect of procuring Recruits and Draughts for the Army bore a more favourable appearance than when you wrote before. I must beg you to forward on all those for the Regiments at this Camp as fast as possible. I expect in a few days a general plan of operations for the Campaign will be settled; if one similar to that which you...
86From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 6 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the resources of this Country in point of fresh Provision are nearly exhausted, and the Army under my command is in consequence litterally reduced to a starving Condition—it becomes indispensibly necessary for us to avail ourselves as much as possible of our more distant Supplies, and not to suffer any part of them to be diverted into other Channels; which has I am told been heretofore in...
87From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 29 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 25 and 26th instt. As a few days must determine whether the Enemy really intend to leave the Jerseys, I think you should, instead of detatching any part of your force, keep it much together as possible, because if their View should be turned towards the north River, they will in all probability be sudden in their operations. I have no objections to your sending a...
88From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 16th instant from the Sawpitts. I am glad to find that matters are not as represented in Colo. Drakes memorial, and my only wish is that the people may be protected as far as circumstances will permit without detriment to the public cause. I am exceedingly sorry to hear of the misfortune that has befallen Colo. Webb and Colo. Eli, and I can only hope that our loss...
89From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 26 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 17th at this place at which I shall remain but a few days and then return to Middle Brook. I am pleased to think that your troops will have been covered before this severe Weather. A plan for the establishment and regulation of the Inspectorship is now under consideration of Congress, I would not therefore have you appoint a division Inspector at this time, but let the...
90From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 4 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 27th ulto and am glad to find that the Enemy have fallen intirely down to New York. By their doing this, and sending away a reinforcement to Genl Howe, it is evident that they have done with all thoughts of attempting any thing further to the Northward. Having lost one Army, it is certainly their interest and intention to make the other as respectable as possible,...
91From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 7 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 4th instant. We are yet intirely in the dark as to the destination of the Enemy, the Fleet has neither been seen or heard of since they left the Capes of Delaware on this day week. If they had intended back to the Hook, we must have heard of their arrival there long before this time, as the Winds have been constantly fair. As the sickly season has commenced to the...
92From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
Govr Livingston in his Letter to me of the 15th Inst: did me the honor of inclosing Copies of your Letter to him & his Answer, on the subject of imposing fines on the reluctant Militia of this State—His reasoning on this subject, perfectly coincides with my Opinion; they are so full & plain as to render any Obervations of mine unnecessary. I desire therefore that this practice may have an...
93From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 1 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
As representation has been made to me that the Purchase of Cattle has entirely ceased for some time past in the State of Connecticut, by means of those Gentlemen not chusing to Act who were appointed by Congress for that purpose, by which Our Army may possibly suffer for the want of Meat in a short time —I have therefore to reques⟨t tha⟩t you will without Loss of time appoint One or more...
94From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 11 August 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 8th instant at this place. I was upon the march with the Army to recross the Delaware upon a supposition that the Fleet had certainly gone to the Eastward, but I was last Night overtaken by an Express from Philada with an account that they had been seen on the 7th instant off Sinepuxent Inlet about 16 Leagues to the Southward of the Capes of Delaware. Upon this I have...
95From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 16 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wish to see you at this place as soon as possible to have your opinion on several matters of importance. I am Yr most Obedt serv. LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, NjP . Putnam appears to have been the recipient of this letter because the docket is in the writing of his secretary.
96From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of this morning respecting Capt. Lyman. I am intirely a stranger to his character—neither do I know upon what terms he was permitted to return to New York. When Mr Beatty the Commy of prisoners comes to Camp, I will enquire. I have understood that he had, previous to his capture at Powles Hook, sold his Commission, and that he went in to recive or get security for the purchase...
97From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 8 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of 2d Inst. I receiv’d Yesterday, & I understand that General Varnum with his Brigade got as far as Coryells Ferry last Night—I expect such Measures will be taken as not to let the Army under General Gates suffer at present for want of Flour, & that things may be put in such a Train that a Circumstance of that kind cannot possibly happen in future. I sincerely wish with you that a...
98From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 15 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 8th and 10th instants giving me the account of the loss of Fort Montgomery and the evacuation of Peekskill in consequence of it, but I am very glad to find that you had previously removed the greater part of the Stores. This Stroke would have perhaps proved fatal to our Northern Affairs in its consequences, had not the defeat of Genl Burgoine providentially taken...
99From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 11 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd a letter from Colo. Hay dated the 4th instant in which he informed me that the Enemy had landed at Verplanks point. The Express who was stationed at King’s Ferry came off, and also informs that a party landed at the same time upon the West side of the River. I have not recd a line from you respecting the Matter which makes me conclude that your dispatches have been intercepted by some...
100From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 30 June–1 July 1777 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d yours of the 28th Inst. by Col. Hughes & thank you much for your kind congratulations. The several reasons you mention for sending Genl Glovers Brigade to the white Plains had not escap’d me, Yet, I do not think they shou’d prevail against those, which appear’d more cogent & strong for keeping them where they are. But as you seem to consider it so essential, I have no objection to...