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...
2To George Washington from Henry Bromfield, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am hond with your Excellencie’s Favor of 24th June, wch came to Hand at a time that I was Absent on a Journey in the Country, This wth a great uncertainty whether to undertake the Task Assigned me therein has been the Reason, that I have not returned an earlier Answer, at length however, upon the Consideration of the Delay a Refusal must Occasion, & that the Excuse I might Alledge in my...
3From 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...
4To George Washington from John Hancock, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 13 August 1776 . “I have nothing in Charge from Congress to Communicate to you. Had not the honour of a Letter by the Post, I Judge the Return Express is on the Road, by whom wish to have an Agreeable Accot of the State of the Army.” ALS , DLC:GW .
5From 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...
6From 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.”
7To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys Letter of the 21 Ulto arrived here at a Time when this Committee was dispersed and the Members gone different Ways on different Business—It was however sent by Express to Mr Jay who was then in Connecticut endeavouring to procure Cannon for the Defence of Hudson’s River and we have the Pleasure of informing your Excellency that we have obtained ten twelve & ten six pounders...
8To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Aftor mr Balor cam to me with your ordor I immedatly went one bord all the roo galles and told them it was your Pesetive ordors that thay proced up the rivor with 2 fier Ships the 2 Rodisland Galles and thes 2 bult hear immedatly waied ancor and proced up the revor the oather 3 have not moved but now aply for 36 men which ware peraded by my quartors for 2 or 3 hours and then went thare way but...
9From 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...
10To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 7th Instant, by Mr Root, & the Intelligence it contains has given me great concern & Anxiety—the soon expected Strength of the Enemy & weekness of your Army were equally unforseen and surprizing—tho I never gave credit to the public Accounts of you[r] Numbers, yet I could not suspect they fell so much short of the Numbers proposed as I find they do. Immediately upon receipt...
11From 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...
12To George Washington from Abraham Yates, Jr., 13 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Convention to return their Thanks to Your Excellency for the Attention You have paid to the removal of suspicious and dangerous Persons from the Environs of the City of New York. Deeply sensible with Your Excellency of the Importance and Necessity of this Measure, the Convention had entered into a Resolution for that purpose previous to their Arrival at this Place but the...
13General 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...
14From 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...
15From 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...
16To George Washington from the Continental Congress Secret Committee, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
You have annexed an extract of a letter we have just recd from Messrs Clarke & Nightingale Merchts in Providence Rhode Island, this letter was laid before Congress who ordered this Committee to inform your Excellency of the Powder therein mentioned & to desire you woud take possession of it granting a receipt for the same to those who have it in keeping in order that we may Account hereafter...
17From 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...
18From 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...
19From 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...
20From 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.”
21To George Washington from a Secret Committee of the New York Convention, 14 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
As we are informed that the little powder belonging to this State is dispersed thro’ the Counties for the use of the Militia, we find ourselves under the necessity of requesting an order from your Excellency to Capt. Benson on Mr John R. Livingston for as much powder as may be necessary for our two armed vessels. We have directed him to procure a proper number of hand Granades—there is reason...
22To George Washington from Lund Washington, 14 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Lund Washington, 14 Aug. 1776. On 26 Aug. GW wrote Lund Washington : “Your Letter of the 14th is now before me.”
23General 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...
24To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
It having appeared in Orders that Colo: Hitchcocks’s Regiment is to take Possession of the Post opposite to Fort Washington I beg leave to acquaint you that their peculiar Attachment to the old regiments that are here, their thorough Knowledge of the Ground, their Discipline and the good Order in which they are respecting Arms makes me desirous of their remaining here, if it can possibly be...
25From 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...
26From 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.”
27To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was att Eliza. Town when your Letters of the 13 & 14 reached me —The Men who had been prepared to join the Army at N. York lay at New ark—The Posts along the Jersey Shore opposite to Staten Island are sufficiently Guarded—and more Troops are dayly arriving—If you approve of it a Body of four hundred men well accoutred from the Delaware Country may be stationed at Powlis Hook & five hundred...
28To George Washington from Brigadier General Daniel Roberdeau, 15 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
In the absence of General Mercer, he being on duty at Elizabeth Town or its neighbourhood, I just now received from one of our posts at South Amboy, two prisoners escaped from the English Fleet—They are inhabitants of Philadelphia and well known to many of us from thence. Their Examination which I forward enclosed may be depended on according to their knowledge. I am Sir Yr most obt hume Serv:...
29General 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...
30To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 16 August 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Franklin, 16 Aug. 1776. On 18 Aug. GW wrote to Franklin : “I have been honourd with your favour of the 16th.”
31From 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...
32From 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...
33To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Philadelphia, 16 August 1776 . “I have only time to Acknowledge the Rect of your Letter of 15th, and to Transmitt the Resolves pass’d since my last, which you will find Inclos’d.” ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed resolves of 13, 14, and 15 Aug. include a request that GW send Congress a copy of the Massachusetts treaty with the St. John’s and Micmac Indians, a plan for encouraging Hessians and other...
34From 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...
35To George Washington from Major William Smith Livingston, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am desired by General Green to inform your Excellency that Colo: Hand waited upon him this Morning and informed him that the Hessians were landing again Yesterday on the East End of Staten Island to a considerable Number—That there was nothing extraordinary happened—That by the Movements of the Enemy there did not appear any immediate Preparation for an Attack And that three Men of his...
36From 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...
37To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
About eight last Night I returned to this place after a Month’s Absence; on a Business the most disagreeable to a Man accustomed to Civil Society that can possibly be conceived. On the 11th Instant, I was honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 7th, but was unable to answer it from the German Flatts, altho’ I several Times attempted it being ever interrupted by a Croud of Savages. Last...
38From 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...
39To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major General Schuyler has requested that two Hundred Seamen may be raised in this state to man the Vessells on the Lake. as most of our Seamen are marched with the Militia to join your Army, I have to ask the favour of you to permit Capt. David Hawly, and Capt. Frederick Chappel to inlist such Number of Seamen out of our Militia as may be necessary for that Service. I am sir with great...
40General 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:...
41Proclamation 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...
42To George Washington from Lord Drummond, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Being deeply intarested in the welfare of America I think it my Duty to communicate a Matter of Intelligence which I flatter myself may be rendered conducive to the Restoration of a Disirable Peace And in this View I request your Excellency’s Permission to land at New York to go to Philadelphia in Order to lay the same before the General Congress. In the course of a Conversation I have had...
43From 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...
44From 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,...
45To George Washington from John Hancock, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 16th Inst: per Post this Minute came to Hand, & shall be laid before Congress on Monday. I do myself the Pleasure to enclose sundry Resolves for your Information, and likewise to forward the Commissions ordered by a Resolve of Congress on the 10th Inst., a Copy of which I transmitted in my Letter of that Date. With the most ardent and sincere Wishes for your Health &...
46To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
The Last night the Fire Ships & Row Gallies made an attempt, Upon the Enemys ships, which lay at Anchor up the River, The Fire ships were well Conducted, the Armed Schooner was Grappled and Burnt, The Phenix was Grappled for a Bought Ten minutes, But got herself Clear, The Lady Washington Galley and Independence, were Conducted with Great Judgment and Bravery, I wish I could Say that the Other...
47From 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.”
48From 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...
49From 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,...
50To George Washington from Major William Smith Livingston, 17 August 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colo: Hand has this Morning reported to the General that since Yesterday Evening four Vessels of War, one of them the Solbay have sailed from the Fleet at the Narrows—Two Brigs a Sloop and Schooner came in from Sea and the Man of War that lay off the Hook these two Days past came in—The Morning being very Thick he could discern nothing distinctly at the Hook but that late in the Evening of...