121From George Washington to Lund Washington, 26 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 14th is now before me —You are fully acquainted with my unwillingness to be concerned in Vessels, but if you cannot dispose of my Flour in the Country (which I should much prefer) you must then do the best you can with it, without waiting for particular Instructions from me, as the distance is too great to do this; and you know I shall not disapprove of any thing you do...
122To George Washington from Joshua Wentworth, 26 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to advise the arrival at this Port a Prize Ship named the Nelly Frigate, (Lyonel Bradstreet mastr) from the Bay of Honduras, for London, Lading with a Cargo, of 120,000 feet Mahogany Logs and Forty Tons chip’t & unchipt Logwood, sent in by the Hancock Capn Tucker & the Franklyn Capt. Skimmer, in the Service of the United Colonies the Vessel & Cargo the property of...
123General Orders, 27 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Sgt. Peter Kinnan of Col. Ephraim Martin’s regiment of New Jersey militia levies, which was stationed on Long Island, wrote in his orderly book under this date: “This being the day of the attack on Long Island, the orders were all verbal” ( Kinnan, Order Book Peter Kinnan. Order Book Kept by Peter Kinnan, July 7–September 4, 1776 . Princeton, N.J., 1931. , 88).
124Lieutenant Colonel Robert Hanson Harrison to John Hancock, 27 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I this minute returned from our Lines on Long Island where I left his Excellency the General. From him I have It in command to Inform Congress that Yesterday he went there & continued till Evening when from the Enemy’s having landed a considerable part of their Forces and many of their Movements, there was reason to apprehend they would make in a little time a Genl Attack. As they would have a...
125To George Washington from John Hancock, 27 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment favd with yours of yesterday’s Date, which I shall in the Morng Communicate to Congress. I inclose sundry Resolves of Congress to which beg leave to Refer you, & am with much Respect, Sir Your most obed. srt ALS , NjP : General Manuscripts. Hancock enclosed copies of Congress’s resolution of 26 Aug. concerning pensions for disabled American officers, soldiers, marines, and...
126To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 27 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Express this moment, I am Informed that Two Ships and One Brig are Just Come to Anchor above Frog Point near the New City—I have Instantly Detached Colo. Graham with his Regiment with orders to prevent their Landing to Pillage or Burn, I Imagine that more ships will follow them—But whether their Plan is only to Block up the Sound or to make a Diversion on this Side, Time must Discover, I...
127General Orders, 28 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Peter Kinnan wrote in his orderly book under this date: “No orders this day that ever came to hand” ( Kinnan, Order Book Peter Kinnan. Order Book Kept by Peter Kinnan, July 7–September 4, 1776 . Princeton, N.J., 1931. , 88).
128To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 28 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I had the Honour to receive your Excellencies Letter of the 14 Instant which is all I have been favoured with since that of the 19th of July. I have at length the Satisfaction to send a pretty correct General Return of the Army in this Part of the Northern District of America; a Copy of my last Letter to General Schuyler, which is in the Packet, will explain the Return to your...
129To George Washington from Abraham Yates, Jr., 28 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am commanded by the Convention to enclose to Your Excellency the Copy of a Letter they received last Evening from General Woodhull[.] The Convention are of Opinion that the Enemy may be prevented from getting the Stock and Grain on Long Island, if the Regiments under the Command of Colo. Smith and Colo. Remsen be sent to join General Woodhull. That this Junction may be effected and how Major...
130From George Washington to Abraham Yates, Jr., 28 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was just now honored with your favor of this date with Genl Woodhulls Letter & should esteem myself happy were it in my power to afford the assistance required; but the enemy having landed a considerable part of their force here & at the same time may have reserved Some to attack New York, it is the opinion not only of myself but of all my General Officers I have had an opportunity of...
131General Orders, 29 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
One Orderly Serjeant from each regiment in General Wadsworths, General Wolcot’s and General Fellows’s Brigades, and one from Col. Knox’s Command, to attend daily at Head Quarters until further orders. The commanding officers of each company, in the several regiments in this post, are strictly required to attend, to the orders that have been given, by the Commander in Chief, from time to time,...
132Council of War, 29 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
At a Council of War held at Long Island, Augt 29. 1776. Present His Excellency, The Comander in Cheif[.] Majors General Putnam[,] Spencer. Brigrs Genls Mifflin[,] McDougall[,] Parsons[,] Scott[,] Wadsworth[,] Fellows. It was submitted to the consideration of the Council whether under all circumstances It would not be Eligable to Leave Long Island & Its Dependencies & remove the Army to New...
133From George Washington to John Hancock, 29 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was last night honoured with your favor of the 27th accompanied by sundry Resolutions of Congress. Those respecting the officers &c. that may be wounded in the service of the States are founded much in Justice, and I should hope may be productive of many salutary consequences—As to the Encouragement to the Hessian Officers, I wish It may have the desired effect, perhaps It might have been...
134To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 29 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday I was honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 24th Instant. The Articles mentioned in your Letter to Captain Varick are arrived and forwarded to Tyonderoga—Those sent by Philo Sentford are not yet arrived, detained I suppose by Northerly Winds which have prevailed for some Days. Our Carpenters at Skenesborough sicken very fast—Captain Titcomb’s Company from the Massachusetts Bay...
135To George Washington from Lord Stirling, 29 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have now an Oppertunity of informing you of what has happened to me Since I had last the pleasure of Seeing you; about 3 oClock in the morning of 27th I was Called up and Informed by General Putnam that the Enemy were advanceing by the Road from flat Bush to the Red Lyon, and ordered me to March with the two Regiments nearest at hand to Meet them; these happend to be Haslets & Smallwoods,...
136General Orders, 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
All commanding Officers of regiments are to parade on their regimental parade, this evening at five o’Clock, examine the state of their men’s ammunition and arms, get them in the best Order—All damaged Cartridges are to be returned and in this case fresh ones drawn without farther order. The Returns of the regiments are to be made as soon, and as exact as possible. No Arguments can be...
137To George Washington from William Duer, 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
By Order of the Committee of Safety of this State I transmit to your Excellency the Examination of Daniel Redfeild in order that such Measures may be pursued for baffling the Enemy’s Operations, as your Prudence shall dictate —I have likewise to inform your Excellency that on Yesterday Morng one Lounsbery in Westchester County who had headed a Body of about 14 Tories was kill’d by an Officer...
138From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
New York, 30 August 1776 . “As Numbers of the Militia are going off without Licence, I desire you will stop all such at Kings bridge, as are not furnished with regular Discharges.” LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi : Heath Papers. Heath wrote the captain of the main guard at King’s Bridge later on this date, instructing him “to Stop all Soldiers Coming from the City Except Such as have...
139To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
A Sloop from Red Hook (up the North River) has Just Come to Anchor near this Place, having on Board about 4 Tons & half of Gun Powder made at Livingstons Mills which was to be Deliver’d to your Excellency at New York, but the master has Stoped here Untill He Knows your Pleasure where to Land it. A very Extraordinary Report has Just Spread here, that whether True or false we are as yet...
140To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
On Thursday Last I received an Express from Captain Davis Stationed at Montauk Point notifying me, that he had discovered three saild of the Enemy making for the Point, that they had hoisted out their Boats to the Number of ten or twelve he susspected with design to land and Carry off Stock: After giveing the orders I thought necessary to Captains Roe, and Griffin, I set out for the Point, On...
141To George Washington from the New York Committee of Safety, 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In our way to Fishkill agreable to an adjournment of the Convention, we are informed that the Army is removed from Long Island to the City of New York—an anxiety to know the fact, as well as to be informed wether you think any measures necessary for us to take—Induces us to trouble your Excellency at this time for an answer hereto—We have ordered last Night all the Militia of the Counties of...
142From George Washington to Abraham Yates, Jr., 30 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of this date is just come to hand. Circumstanced as this Army was in respect to Situation Strength &c., it was the unanimous advice of a Council of General Officers to give up Long-Island, and not by divideing our Force be unable to resist the Enemy in any one point of Attack, this reason added to some others, particularly the fear of haveing our Communication cut of from the Main...
143General Orders, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major Livingston, charged with having ordered a negroe to fire on a Soldier of Capt: Newcomb’s Regiment is ordered to be confined and brought to trial: But the General is sorry to see Soldiers, defending their Country, in time of imminent danger, rioting and attempting to do themselves justice. The Plunderers of Lord Stirling’s house, are ordered to restore to the Quarter Master General, what...
144From George Washington to John Hancock, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Inclination as well as duty would have Induced me to give Congress the earliest Information of my removal and that of the Troops from Long Island & Its dependencies to this City the night before last, But the extreme fatigue whic⟨h⟩ myself and Family have undergone as much from the Weather since the Engagement on the 27th rendered me & them entirely unfit to take pen in hand—Since Monday...
145To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Ever Since my arrival at New york I have considered this Post to be the Key of the Island, and Consequently of great Importance[.] Its Importance at this Time is apparently Enhanced, And much more is necessary to be Done than we Can Possibly Do with our few Scattered Troops, General Clintons five Regiments Consist of near 1400 Rank and file fit for Duty Two Hundred of that number are on...
146To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
What Fatality Attends the Sinking of the Chevaux De Frise I cannot tell, I was Extremely Uneasy yesterday at the Delay, I went to the Place, Called Capt. Cooke on Shore, told him every moment was precious, and that if any Benifit was ever to be reaped from them it would Probably be Soon, He told me that they met with many & Great Dificulties, that the night before last one of the Vessells...
147To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Since Enclosing—Col. Remsen’s Regiment are here, they say their Time of Engagement is up this Day many of them are desirous, to go over and if possible save their Families & Effects, Should be glad to know your Excellency’s Pleasure in this respect—They say they mean to return, I cannot answer for them—I suppose the like Applications will be made by many of Col. Smith’s Men—I beg an immediate...
148To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received Information that a Large Body of the Enemy appeared Opposite to Hunts Point Just before Sun Sit and Pitched their Tents on an Hill to the number of 100 or more[.] it is also Said that numbers of men have been Put on Board the Ships, this Day, I have Ordered the Regiments to lie on their Arms &c. I have the Honor to be &c. with great respect your Excellencys most...
149From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have reciev’d your letter of this day, and concur with you in sentiment as to the probability of the Enemy’s endeavoring to land their forces at Hunts point, or some place not far distant from it; in order to prevent such an attempt from being carried into execution, I have sent up General Mifflin with the troops he brought from your quarters strengthened by a reinforcement; with this...
150To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 31 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have since I wrote to You Yesterday received by Express an Account which may be depended upon that General Woodhull was taken a Prisoner by our Enemies on wednesday Last. Their Troop of Horse is considerd by the Inhabitants to the westward of Huntington as an insurmountable Obstacle to their ever Obtaining their freedom independant of Great Brittain, many have been prevaild with by the...