1General Orders, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Thomas Henly and Israel Keith Esqrs. are appointed Aid-de-Camps to Major General Heath; they are to be respected and obeyed accordingly. The Court Martial to sit to morrow, for the tryal of Lieut: Holcomb of Capt. Anderson’s Company, Col. Johnson’s Regiment, under Arrest for “assuming the rank of a Captain & mounting Guard as such.” The Colonels of the several Regiments, or commanding...
2From George Washington to John Hancock, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As there is reason to beleive that but little Time will elapse before the Enemy make their Attack, I have thought It advisable to remove All the papers in my hands respecting the Affairs of the States from this place. I hope the Event will shew the precaution was unnecessary, but yet prudence required that It should be done, Lest by any Accident they might fall into their hands. They are all...
3From George Washington to Colonel Thomas McKean, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In answer to that part of your Letter of the 10th Instt “whether, when a Brigade is drawn up, and the oldest Colonel takes the Right, his Battalion is to be on the right with him; that is, whether the Colonel gives rank to the Battalion” I shall inform you, that to the best of my Military knowledge a Regiment never looses its Rank, consequently can derive none from its Colonel, nor loose any...
4From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer, 13 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer, 13 Aug. 1776. In a letter to GW of 15 Aug. , Mercer refers to “your Letters of the 13 & 14.”
5From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 6th Inst. I received this Morning by Bennet. The Reports made by the Emissaries who have been among the Indian Nations, appear not so promising as I could wish. However I trust, as so many have come to the Treaty, their Views are friendly, & tho they may not consent to take an Active Part in our Favor, that they will not Arm against Us. The Difficulties attending the Vessels...
6From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I could not have supposed the Company of Artificers under Capt. Ayres would have insisted on their Wages being augmented in Consequence of their being ordered to this place, the consequences of raiseing their pay would be an Immediate Application from all those in Service as Artificers to be put on the same footing, if not refuse doing Duty any longer than absolutely bound. But these men...
7General Orders, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Alexander Scammell and Lewis Morris Esquires, are appointed Aids-de-Camp to Major General Sullivan; they are to be obeyed and respected accordingly. The Divisions of the Army, under Major Generals Putnam and Sullivan, having undertaken some special works are to be omitted out of the general detail of Guards and Fatigue for the present. The General orders three days provision to be cooked...
8From George Washington to James Bowdoin, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 30th Ultimo in behalf of the Honorable Council of the Massachusetts State is duly Received, thro you I beg their Acceptance of most hearty Thanks for their readiness in undertakeing the late Treaty. I likewise congratulate them on the Success with which it was attended, and wish an early arrival of such of their Tribes as intend Joining Us in the present Controversy, The four...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Head Quarters [New York] 14 August 1776 . Forwards Clinton’s commission as brigadier general in the Continental army. “As the Post you are now at is an Object of great importance, & I am unacquainted with the Officers under you, must request you will remain there, till you hear farther from me.” LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, CSmH ; LB , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The cover of...
10From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday morning received your Letter of the 29 Ulto by Bennet the Express and am extremely sorry to find the Army is still in a sickly and melancholy State—The precaution taken to Halt the Reinforcements at Skenesborough, which are destined for your Succour, is certainly prudent—they should not be exposed or made liable to the Calamities already too prevailing, Unless in cases of extreme...
11From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on Monday Nothing of Importance has Occurred here, Except that the Enemy have received an Augmentation to their Fleet of Ninety Six Ships—some Reports make them more: In a Letter I wrote you Yesterday by Lieutt Colo. Reed, I advised you of this, but presuming It may not reach you so soon as this will, I have thought proper to mention the Intelligence...
12From George Washington to John Hancock, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Captn Moeballe, a Dutch Gentleman from Surinam, who has come to the Continent with a view of Entering into the Service of the States, as you will perceive by the Inclosed Letters from Mr Brown of Providence and General Greene. What other Letters & Credentials he has, I know not, but at his request have given this Line to Congress to whom he wishes to be...
13From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer, 14 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Hugh Mercer, 14 Aug. 1776. In a letter to GW of 15 Aug. , Mercer refers to “your Letters of 13 & 14.”
14General Orders, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
William S: Smith Esqr: appointed to act as Aide-de-Camp to General Sullivan, during the absence of Major Scammell, and to be obeyed and respected accordingly. Henry Williams of Capt: Parks Company, Colonel Shepard’s Regiment convicted by a General Court-Martial whereof Col. Wyllys was President of “Desertion”—sentenced to receive thirty-nine Lashes. The General approves it, and orders it to be...
15From George Washington to John Hancock, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As the situation of the Two Armies must engage the attention of Congress and lead them to expect, that, each returning day will produce some Important Events, This is meant to Inform them that Nothing of Moment has yet cast up. In the Evening of Yesterday there were great movements among their Boats and from the Number that appeared to be passing and repassing about the Narrows, we were...
16From George Washington to Walter Livingston, 15 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Walter Livingston, 15 Aug. 1776. Livingston’s letter to GW of 7–9 Aug . is docketed “An[swere]d 15. 1776.”
17General Orders, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In recommending Pay Masters it is to be observed that no officer can be appointed unless he resigns his former Commission, which he is to do in person at Head Quarters. Major Livingston, and William Blodget, are appointed Aids-du-Camp to Major General Greene—they are to be obeyed and respected accordingly. David Astin of Col. Sillimans Regiment and Captain Meads Company, convicted by a General...
18From George Washington to Elbridge Gerry, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 3d & 6th have come duly to hand, and Mr Adams’s return affords me an oppertunity of acknowledging the receipt of them, & thanking you for the attention paid to the several matters I took the liberty of mentioning as you passed this place. The Enemy have given us much time to collect our Strength, and erect the necessary Works of Defence—The Militia from Connecticut are...
19From George Washington to John Hancock, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform you that since I had the pleasure of addressing you Yesterday Nothing Interesting between the Two Armies has happened. Things remain nearly in the situation they then were. It is with peculiar regret and concern that I have an Opportunity of mentioning to Congress the Sickly condition of our Troops. In some Regiments there are not any of the Field Officers capable of...
20From George Washington to Frederick Jay, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of my Orders, the undermentioned persons have been apprehended and are now under a Guard at New Rochelle or its Neighbourhood. As the sending a Guard thro’ to Govr Trumbull with them would be attended with much Inconvenience to the public and cannot be agreeable to the Gentlemen Upon their giving you their Word & Honor to proceed to Lebanon to Govr Trumbull I am satisfyed to...
21From George Washington to the New Jersey Convention, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that in consequence of my Letter acquainting you that a number of Persons deemed unfriendly to the Interests of America were suspected of holding a Correspondence with the Enemy from Shrewsbury & its Neighbourhood, Mr Isaac Low late of this City has been apprehended, & is now detained under some kind of Confinement. Since that time I have received Satisfaction with respect to...
22From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have been obliged to trouble you with some more disaffected persons whose residence here was dangerous to the American Interest. I trust I have now done with them, at least for the present, and hope you will excuse the disagreeable necessity I have been under of solliciting your care and attention to provide for them and dispose of them. As the case of these differs in no respect from that...
23General Orders, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Benjamin Durant of Capt: Wadsworth’s Company & Col. Bailey’s Regiment, convicted by a General Court Martial whereof Col. Wyllys was President, of “getting drunk on Guard,” sentenced to receive Thirty Lashes. Patrick Lion of Capt: Curtis’s Company; Regiment late Learnad’s, convicted by the same Court, of “sleeping on his post”; sentenced to receive Twenty-five lashes. Benjamin Wallace of Capt:...
24Proclamation for the Evacuation of New York, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
B y H is E XCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esquire, General, and Commander in Chief of the Army of the United States of North-America. W hereas a Bombardment and Attack upon the City of New-York, by our cruel, and inveterate Enemy, may be hourly expected: And as there are great Numbers of Women, Children, and infirm Persons, yet remaining in the City, whose Continuance will rather be prejudicial...
25From George Washington to Lord Drummond, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have your Lordships Favour of this Day, accompanied by Papers on Subjects of the greatest Moment, & deserving the most deliberate Consideration. I can allow much for your Lordships well meant Zeal upon such an Occasion, but I fear it has transported you beyond that Attention to your Parole which comprehends the Character of a Man of strict Honour. How your Lordship can reconcile your past or...
26From George Washington to John Hancock, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The circumstances of the Two Armies having undergone no material alteration since I had the honor of writing you last, I have nothing particular or Important to communicate respecting them. In my Letter of Yesterday I forgot to mention the arrival of Lord Dunmore here. By the examination of a Capn Hunter who escaped from the Enemy and came to Amboy on the 14th transmitted me by Genl Roberdeau,...
27From George Washington to Maj. Gen. William Heath, 17 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. William Heath, 17 Aug. 1776. Heath’s letter to GW of this date is docketed in Joseph Reed’s writing: “Major Genl Heath Kingsbridge Aug. 17 1776 Answerd do.”
28From George Washington to Lord Howe, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Being authorized by Congress, as their Commanders in every Department are, to Negociate an Exchange of Prisoners, and presuming as well from the nature of your Lordships command, as the Information Genl Howe has been pleased to Honour me with, that the Exchange in the Naval Line will be subject to your Lordships direction, I beg leave to propose the following mode of Exchange for your...
29From George Washington to Major General William Howe, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit the Inclosed Letter from Major French, & at the same time to inform you, that his Exchange for Majr Meigs, whose parole I am advised you have, will meet my approbation—I would take the liberty also to propose an Exchange of any Captn you may chuse for Capn Dearborn whose parole I have heard was delivered you with Major Meig’s. Give me leave to assure you Sir,...
30From George Washington to the New York Convention, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
When I consider that the City of New York will in all human probability very soon be the scene of a bloody conflict: I can not but view the great Numbers of Women, Children & infirm persons remaining in It with the most melancholy concern—When the Men of War passed up the River the Shrieks & Cries of these poor creatures running every way with their Children was truly distressing & I fear will...