51From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 6 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday last Evening. It was intirely owing to the idleness of the Express that the letter informing you of the intended reconnoitering party did not reach you in time. I send you by the Dragoon the Theodolite taken at Stoney point. There is no Chain belonging to it. You must supply that deficiency with a Rope. Paramus was not in my opinion the proper position for the whole...
52From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 10 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of yesterday inclosing a sketch of the bearings and distances of the Grounds contiguous to Stoney point. It is not to our Interest to disturb the enemy at that or any other detached post just now. Under present circumstances we should endeavour to keep them as much separated as possible, for if part of my plan, recommended to the Count, can be carried into execution, we shall...
53From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 13th by Colo. Wood. As the Road which Colonels Butler and putnam have traced will be so easily opened, there will be no need of working upon it untill we know certainly whether we shall want to use it—A deserter from the Vulture sloop the day before yesterday informs that Sir Henry Clinton, Colo. Robinson and several other Officers came up the River the day he came...
54From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 15 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 14th and am glad to find you have got so good and secure a position. The Carolina Troops have returned and Major Murfree will resume his command in the Infantry. This circumstance makes it unnecessary for Lt Colo. Vose or any other Field Officer to be sent down. I will give orders for the Artificers and Tools you mention—& for a conductor and Ammunition...
55From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 17 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
By intelligence I have just received from Elizabeth Town Colo. Webster left N. York on the 13th with three Regiments—and came up the River. The ostensible reason is to relieve the Troops at Stony & Verplanks points; but as they may have it possibly in view to attempt some thing—I have thought it necessary to communicate the intelligence to you by a Return Express. that you may be on your...
56From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 18 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Should we undertake an operation of consequence in conjunction with the Count D’Estaing we shall stand in need of a considerable quantity of Facines—Gabions and pickets. You will therefore be pleased to set the Troops under your command at that work. The following [are] the dimensions which the Engineers have given for each. Gabions 4 feet high—3½ feet wide. Facines as long as possible ten...
57From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of yours of the 19th I gave your Qr Mr an order for 500 pair of shoes which, considering the stock on hand, is a full proportion for your Corps. I have directed all the Commissaries of Hides to collect and send in all the shoes they possibly can procure, and I am not without hopes that we shall in a little time have a sufficiency. It is not in my power to grant the request of...
58From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you this morning I have received accounts from deserters which seem strongly to indicate a speedy evacuation of Verplanks & Stoney Points—There is some reason to think that Verplanks was left last night. The deserters add that the Grenadiers were embarked and laying off against Fort Washington and that two other regiments were under orders to Embark at a moments warning. If...
59From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 22 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday late last night—I had, previous to the arrival of it, heard of the evacuation of the points, from the other side of the River. I purpose going down early tomorrow morning—Be pleased therefore to order a covering party of 100 Men to be upon Stoney point tomorrow morning by eight OClock—at which time I shall be glad to meet you there. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt LS...
60From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
There will be a necessity of throwing up a small Work at Stoney point to protect the communication by Kings ferry. Colo. Gouvion will go down tomorrow to lay it out. When that is done, you will be pleased to furnish a party from the Infantry to assist in executing it. I have wrote to General Woodford to furnish a party from the Virginia line also. You had best see him and detail agreeable to...
61From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yours dated 1, OClock this morning reached me at 7—You will probably be soon informed more certainly of the real strength of the Enemy and what seems to be their intention. Should you find it more than a hasty forage, you will endeavour to collect the Militia lately ordered out, some of whom I suppose are by this time at their rendezvous at Pompton, and many more undoubtedly at their place of...
62From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 29 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 27th in due time. Before this reaches you, you will undoubtedly have heard that the enemy have returned to Staten Island. I think you may as well take post with the Infantry, for the present, in the neighbourhood of paramus inclining towards Kakeate, and draw your forage as much as possible from the lower part of Bergen. You will be in a good situation to gain...
63From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received information of the Guards (and some add other Troops) advancing to Kings Bridge—This though on the contrary side of the river, is in the vicinity of your Camp. Boats hid at Spiten devil and which can be brought up Harlaem river may under cover of Night land Troops at the Slote—Nyack or the Hook before Ten OClock without discovery unless a very good look out is kept They have...
64From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of yesterday. I can hardly suppose that a total evacuation of New York can be in contemplation at this time. but it is not improbable that they may endeavour to throw a Body of troops over to the West Indies, and the preparations you observed and have heard of may be for that purpose. However, be it a partial or total embarkation, a very little time must discover it. I am Dear...
65From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 5 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of this morning, I have seen a letter from Governor Livingston to Genl Sullivan of the 2d in which he mentions the enemy’s having assembled on Staten Island in force, and from their preparation of Boats another incursion was apprehended. I imagine the Governors information is the same as that communicated to you by Colo. Seely, but as I would not wish to be behind hand with them in...
66From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I rode down to this place to see General Sullivan and to be in the way should the enemy, by their late preparations upon Staten Island seem to threaten any thing serious. But having heard nothing to make me beleive that they will come over in any considerable force I shall return part of the way to West point this Evening. From a variety of circumstances, but particularly for want of Water to...
67From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 10th Inst. by Major Moore. I should have no objection to his joining your family during Captain Archers indisposition, was it not inconsistent with his Rank according to the Regulations of the Army and interfering with his present duty of Brigade Major and Inspector. I have directed two Lieutenant Colonels to be nominated to me to fill the vacancies in Colonel...
68From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 17 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 15th yesterday, with its inclosures. Mr Woodbridge has had an order on the clothier for 130 pair of shoes. The other articles on the return, it is not possible to deliver previous to a general distribution. The failure of our attempt to the Southward is by no means as disagreeable as represented. Altho’ we were repulsed in the storm of the works of Savannah, we met...
69From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 18th. It would have been a very desirable thing to have wound up the Campaign by a successful stroke upon the enemy before they retired within Kingsbridge. I have no doubt but if, in the course of your enquiries into their situation, the enterprize had been found warrantable, you would have given me information before any movements would have been...
70From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 19th and that of the 25th. As the different State clothiers have drawn their proportion of clothing—I think the sooner you send your quarter master through the line from whence the Light Infantry have been taken, the better—that he may receive from them their quota of blankets and other clothing which comes to the share of the Infantry, and have it disposed of...
71From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 3 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of yesterday reached me in the Evening. I only arrived here the day before, and have not yet had leisure to look about me, or finally determine upon the arrangement and disposition of the troops this Winter, and consequently must defer the decision of the question you make concerning the light Infantry. All the Officers of the Corps, except those of Massachusets, may safely send for...
72From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 15 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yours of yesterday came to hand late last night. I had received an account by some Gentlemen from Newark that the fleet had certainly sailed, which I find by yours was premature. The same account mentioned that a great number of flat Boats and some Horse were on board. I would wish you to endeavour to ascertain the truth of these circumstances. It is probable they are waiting untill they are...
73From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 18th. Of the objects that claim the enemy’s attention it is difficult to determine which is their choice. Should circumstances prevent them making detatchments, or from the prosecution of any remote enterprise, which they may have designed, and their whole force be thereby detained in this quarter, such an attempt as you have suggested is by no means...
74From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 26th—mentioning the sailing of the second Fleet—General Parsons sends me intelligence by which it appears that this Fleet contained the long talked of Embarkation. As there is now hardly any probability that any thing will be attempted here in the course of the Winter it is unnecessary to keep the men under your command any longer in their present...
75From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 18 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your obliging favour of the 10th Instt. From the great importance of the subject I confess I am infinitely anxious my self about the issue of the operations against Charles Town—and wish most cordially that we had it more in our power to pursue means which would certainly relieve it. The unhappy state of our finance is opposed to this—and lays us under every embarrassment...
76VIII. From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 23 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Some time before the recpt of yr favor I was informed that the Enemy had returned to their Station, at E. T. point—It is certainly difficult if not impossible to ascertain their views. I however all things considered wish to keep our force as compact as possible, & therefore wish you if you find in the morning that the Enemy are quiet or gone over to Staten Island to return by the same route...
77From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed with the 1st and 2d Pennsylvania Brigades and Colo. Moylans Regt of Dragoons upon the execution of the Business planned in yours of yesterday. I do not at present think of any necessary alterations in plan submitted to me, except that of detaching a few Horse this Afternoon to patrol all night, and see that the Enemy do not, in the course of the Night, throw over any troops to...
78From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Anthony Wayne and William Irvine, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I cannot but premise my answer to your letter of yesterday, by observing that the refusal of the Colonels & Lt Colonels of your line to comply with my request for stating in writing their motives to the part they have taken in the affair of Majr McPherson, is to me as extraordinary as unexpected—I assure you I had not the least idea there could have been any difficulty in the matter and had no...
79From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Instead of coming to The Ferry you will march your brigade by Storms and Clement’s to West Point sending your baggage by water. You will, for this purpose, send forward your Qr Mr to Kings ferry to prepare boats, with directions, if there are not a sufficiency there, to come on to West Point for them. I am Sir Your most Obedt & huml. ser. If there should be two brigades on their march the...
80VIII. George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 21 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
On Friday —morning, at Sun rising you will march the division under your command to a mile below Acquaquenack Bridge, advancing a Regiment a Mile or two in your front towards New Ark, and remain in this position ’till Retreat beating. You will then renew your march, slowly, a Mile or two forward and till it is quite dark and there halt till further orders. These will reach you in all...
81From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 14 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Officer who is to command the detachment from your line, agreeably to yesterday’s orders will be refered to you for instructions. The inclosed contains the heads of such as have occurred to me—you may possibly think of others. If your old Hutts are too much injured. or if the Wood (for firing) about them is insufficient —there are two places (if my memory serves me) either of which, in...
82From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
You will march with the division under your command to the ground in the neighbourhood of Morris Town, which Colo. Craig has pitched upon for the Winter Cantonment of the Line, and on which he has been preparing Huts—You will as soon as possible get both Officers and Men compleatly and comfortably covered —As soon as the timber necessary for building is drawn together, you will deliver over to...
83From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favr of the 25th as I did that of the 10th. I think your precautions for the security of your Camp very good—Tho’ I hope, if the Enemy have made a detachment equal to report, which say 2000 to 2500, you will be quiet in your Quarters. You are more in the way of gaining intelligence from New York than I am, and I shall be obliged to you for procuring as much as you can, and...
84From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 3-4 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I this day, at Noon, recd yours of the 2d in the Morning, by Major Fishbourn, who has given me a full account of the unhappy and alarming defection of the Pennsylvania line. The Officers have given convincing proofs that every thing possible was done by them to check the Mutiny upon its first appearance, and it is to be regretted that some of them have fallen sacrifices to their Zeal. I very...
85From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 8 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 4th with the enclosures, by the Express, the Evening before last —I had been deliberating in my own mind, whether to continue at this place, or set out for Princeton, but am advised by the Governor of this State, and the General Officers with me (and which seems to be consonant to your opinion also) to remain here. As the ultimate measures might probably be...
86From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 16 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
The receipt of your favor of the 11th Instant afforded great satisfaction, by informing me that the unhappy affair, which had given you so much trouble and anxiety, was likely, speedily to be settled. You will be informed by Major Genl St Clair, why I did not think it expedient (as matters were circumstanced) to give an answer to your last by the usual Route. I thank you for the hint given in...
87From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your letter of the 21st—The affair of your line has been singularly mortifying and disagreeable in all its progress. Its influence threatens the whole army. You will have heard of the revolt of part of the Jersey line. Last night we marched a body of troops to their huts to compel an unconditional submission and make examples of some of the leader⟨s—⟩The execution of this...
88From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 2 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the 29th of January I partly answered yours of the 21st —Yours of the 17th had been duly received, and I am since favored with that of the 28th. I am satisfied, that every thing was done on your part to produce the least possible evil from the unfortunate disturbance in your line, and that your influence has had a great share in preventing worse extremities—I felt for your...
89From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
Congress, as you will have been informed, have determined that the Pennsylvania line shall compose part of the southern Army, and have ordered it to proceed to Virginia, in detachments, as they may be in readiness to march. I have given General St Clair directions to carry the Resolve into execution as speedily as possible —I think it essential that one of the Brigadiers should proceed with...
90From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 4 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I feel myself much indebted to you for the congratulatory letter you forwarded to me by Genl Jackson, and for the favour you did me in bringing me acquainted with that Gentleman. Your reflections on the arduous nature of the Station in which I am placed correspond exactly with my own. If the Crisis has demanded my services, I hope the countenance of my fellow Citizens will assist me in...
91From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 12 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday was presented to me this day—but at a time when I was in conversation with a Gentleman on business. I embrace the first moment of leisure to acknowledge the receipt of it, and to add assurances of my belief that the account given by Mr Sheuber of his leaving the british service, and bringing letters to me whilst my quarters were at Rocky Hill is true. I have some...
92From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 8 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favored with Yours of the 19th ulto, by Colonel Harrison—at the same time, that I commend the laudable efforts you made to have a Corps of the Troops of Pennsylvania in readiness to march with the Detachment under the Command of the Marquis De la Fayette, I deplore with you the causes which have occasioned this delay, and hitherto frustrated your endeavours. The critical situation...
93From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 9 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
It gave me great Pleasure to learn by yours of the 26th ulto. that You had marched from York Town, tho’ I was somewhat disappointed as to your numbers, as I had been made to expect they would be considerably larger. Sudden and exemplary Punishments were certainly necessary upon the new Appearance of that daring and mutinous Spirit which convulsed the Line last Winter, and nothing will make me...
94From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 30 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I with the greatest Pleasure received your Acco. of the Action at Green Spring—as I had just before seen it thro’ the Channel of Mr Rivingston and you may therefore suppose in the most unfavorable Light—The Marquis de la Fayette speaks in the hansomest Manner of your own Behaviour & that of the Troops under your Comand in the Action. I think the Account which Lord Cornwallis will be obliged to...
95From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
Your Application is not a little distressing to me; and if comply’d with must have an unhappy influence on the Minds of the detachment which is going to the Southward—Colo. Stewart is already gone—and Colo. Butler on account of his Health is going. three of the first officers then in rank and consequence in the Pensylvania Line, to be away from their Troops when an important & interesting...
96From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 4 November 1781 (Washington Papers)
As you know that an enterprise against Wilmington is the first object in view for the detachment which is to March to the Southward, and that it is not more than half the distance of, and in the Rout to General Greene’s Army, I shall add no more on the subject, but leave you to act as you have requested—or, if it is more agreeable to you to be absent from the Army for a while, to consent to...
97From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have only time before my departure from this City to acknowledge the receipt of your two favors of the 1 Novr and 14 December with the several inclosures which I will take an opportunity of laying before Congress at as early a period as possible. I should have been very happy to have seen you—here—and am sorry your health did not permit it—I hope however I shall soon have that pleasure at...