121To George Washington from Major Jacob Morris, 10 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I find by several Gentlemen lately from Camp, that I am much censured for not accepting the Commission offer’d by the State of New York, & am greatly concern’d to hear that some people have been ilnatured, & ungenerous enough to impute my refusal to General Lee’s persuation—this is a reflection upon both that Gentlemans Character, & my own that distresses me exceedingly; & I will venture to...
122From George Washington to William Sever and Thomas Cushing, 10 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 20th last month, in which you make a request for five thousand of the Arms, lately arrived from France, for the use of the Troops of your State. As your letter went on to Philadelphia it only reached my hands a few days ago. I cannot conceive that such a number could be wanting, had proper pains been taken to collect the public Arms, and to purchase all that...
123To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 10 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Stirling, 10 April 1777. Stirling wrote Alexander Hamilton on 12 April: “I wrote to his Excellency on Thursday last about the Appointment of Wilcocks” ( DLC : Hamilton Papers).
124General Orders, 11 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Brigadier Genl Muhlenberg will take the trouble of inquiring into the Rank, and Claims for promotion of the Subalterns of the 1st 3rd 4th 5th 6th & 9th Virginia Battalions; determine the disputes, and make report; that no time may be left [lost] in filling up the vacancies. The commanding Officers of detachments and parties, as they arrive, must make Returns to the Adjutant General without...
125From George Washington to Thomas Johnson, 11 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The latest Accounts received respecting the Enemy, (rendered probable by a Variety of Circumstances) inform Us, That they are very busily engaged in fitting up their Transports at Amboy for the Accomodation of Troops, That they have completed their Bridge and are determined to make their first push at Philadelphia. The Campaign is therefore opening, and our present situation, weaker than when...
126General Orders, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
All the troops in Morristown, except the Guards, are to attend divine worship to morrow morning at the second Bell; the officers commanding Corps, are to take especial care, that their men appear clean, and decent, and that they are to march in proper order to the place of worship. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The following day was Sunday.
127From George Washington to a Committee of the Continental Congress, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was, late last Evening, honored with your favour of the 10th, and perfectly agree with you upon the propriety of forming an army on the West-side of Delaware—I can only regret, that the situation of our affairs at present is such, that not a man of the Continental army, can yet be suffered to remain there, without endangering the small part, that is already collected here. But this is no...
128From George Washington to Col. William Grayson, 12 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. William Grayson, 12 April 1777. Tench Tilghman docketed Grayson’s letter to GW of 1 April in part: “Ansd 12th April.”
129From George Washington to John Hancock, 12–13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 10th accompanied with one from the Committee of Congress, to whom I have wrote very fully upon the subject of the Resolve for forming an Army upon the West side of Delaware and to which I refer you. I wish I could see any prospect of an Army, fit to make proper opposition, formed any where. You will perhaps be surprized at this, after the public Reports of the...
130To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel James Hendricks, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I this moment received yours respecting the Situation of 6th Virga regiment, which imply’s a Censure I think I by no means deserve, it gives me much pain sr to think a regiment of which I had in Some measure the regulation of, Shou’d be more Neglected than others from the Same State, and much more if I was conscious any part of the neglect happen’d with me, Early in February I had the promised...
131To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am inducd to write you in consequence of a [letter I] have just receivd from Lord stirling acquainting me that some troops from Virginia were on their march to join the army and that he had directions to quarter them between Baskenridge, and the first ridge of mountains next to Boundbrook as thereby in case of necessity, they would be well situated to march to the assistance of either...
132To George Washington from Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was honor’d with your favour of the 2nd Inst. I am happy in your good Opinion of my conduct. Since I came to this Post, I caution’d the Asst Commissary against increasing the Stores at this Place, which I believe he has observ’d; a few Days, as I wrote you, would have greatly reduced them. The loss of the Rum, Wine, Sugar and Candles is much to be regreted for the reasons you mention. I take...
133To George Washington from James Mease, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellencies letter of 10 Int. informing of an application from the State of Massachusetts for a share of the Blankets arrived at Portsmouth from France. I have not yet given any directions respecting any distribution of those goods further than the general orders to the Agents to forward all the supplies they possibly can to Head Quarters. There is no invoice of the...
134From George Washington to Edmund Pendleton, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry to hear of the accident you have lately met with, an acct of which I receivd from B. Genl Woodford, whom I am glad to find will again enter into the Service. I have been favour’d with your Letter by Majr Taliaferro and shall always think myself happy in shewing proper attention to any Gentn of your recommending—Motives of prudence and policy however forbid me to be...
135From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Price, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 4th instant inclosing a Return of your Regt which I am sorry to find, so far below my expectation. I have wrote to Governor Johnson, entreating him to endeavour to settle the unhappy dispute that has hitherto subsisted in your State respecting Rank; and I hope it may be effected. I desire you will immediately upon the Receipt of this order your Lieut. Colonel to march to...
136From George Washington to the Justices of the Peace of Sussex County, New Jersey, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
It has been represented to me by Capt. Kinney, that there are many people in the County of Sussex, who are really innocent of any Crime or evil design against their Country, but having been seen in Company with some notoriously disaffected, who have been tampering with them, they fear they will be considered of their party, and have therefore fled. Capt. Kinney says he is informed, that if...
137From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
As Mr Fornandez an Officer just released from Captivity by an exchange, informs me, that large and weekly supplies of fresh provision are brought into York, which, he was informed by a Friend of ours, came from Connecticut, but whether by Water or by Land he does not know—This information I have thought proper to transmit to your Honor by the earliest opportunity, that you may adopt such...
138From George Washington to John Augustine Washington, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have been favourd with your Letter from Mount Vernon, and one other of the 8th Ulto which is now before me, from Bushfield. To my great surprize we are still in a calm—how long it will—how long it can remain, is beyond my skill to determine—That it has continued much beyond my expectation already, is certain, but to expect that General Howe will not avail himself of our Weak State, is, I...
139From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
As you are appointed in the Arrangement of the Army to command a Brigade of Pensylvania Troops, I desire, that you will hold yourself in readiness and repair to my Head Quarters, as soon, as a General Officer arrives at the post where you now command. Your presence here, will be materially wanted, and I persuade myself, you will lose no time in complying with my requisition, when the...
140From George Washington to Brigadier General David Wooster, 12 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 28th Ulto covering the Proceedings of a Court Martial against William Stone and Alexander Fulton I received a few days ago. Having maturely considered those Proceedings, I confirm the Sentence decreed against William Stone and transmit you a Warrant for his Execution. The Name of the person who will act as provost, you will insert in the blank left for that purpose. The...
141General Orders, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
William Wilcocks Esqr. is appointed Aide-De-Camp to Major Genl Lord Stirling, and to be obeyed as such. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Stirling wrote Alexander Hamilton on 12 April: “I wrote to his Excellency [GW] on Thursday last [10 April] about the Appointment of Wilcocks, If he is approved of I wish you would get both McWilliams & him in Orders, & that you would be so good as to write him to...
142From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday Evening had the honor to receive the favor of your Letter of the 29th Ulto. It gives me much concern to hear, the recruiting service proceeds so slowly in most of the States; That it is the case in Virginia affects me in a peculiar manner. I feel myself much obliged by the polite respect your Honorable Board of Council are pleased to shew to my Opinion, & am under the necessity of...
143To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 13 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, 13 April 1777. In his letter to Hancock of 12–13 April, GW writes: “13th I have this Moment recd a line from Genl Lincoln informing me that the Enemy attempted to surprize him, early this morning, at his post at Bound Brook, but he made good his Retreat to the pass of the Mountains just in his Rear, with trifling Loss.”
144To George Washington from Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I am just going off for East Florida with our Troops, & have not any Returns by me now, as I have hitherto regularly Sent th[e]m to General Lee, & Since his departure to Brigr General Howe in Charles town, I cannot avoid this opportunity of giving you some account of our present Situation & Circumstances in this state. Our present Military Force is between Seven & Eight hundred Men. the...
145To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Board of War, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
By the inclosed copy of a letter which we have received this morning from our signal at Cape henlopen, your Excellency will be informed of the appearance of several of the Enemy’s ships in our Bay —whether this is intended as a feint, or a real attack upon this City, we are yet at a loss to determine, but as our defence on the river is greatly weakened by a detatchment of our state Regiment of...
146To George Washington from Colonel Elisha Sheldon, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
On my arrival here, I met Major Blackden Who informed me that the Saddlery for the Regiment is nearly compleated, that Carbines for 4 Troops are ingaged to be made, that Pistols Could not be made, Wherefore he is endeavouring to buy up a number through the Country, that he has procured Steel for the Sword Blades & with the Hilts they are making. As to men & Horses we are nearly Compleat, I beg...
147To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 13 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The 5th Instant I received your Excellency’s Favor of the 12th Ulto; As I had previous thereto virtually comply’d with the Contents, can now only say, I delivered the inclosed Orders to Colonels Crary & Angell. From the first of January last, to the Rect of your Favor of the sixth, of March, the particular Command of the Post at Howland’s Ferry, Tiverton, devolved upon me by Order of General...
148General Orders, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General Court Martial of which Major Harmar is President, is to sit to morrow, at 9 o’clock, to try Lieut: Francis Costigan of Col. Ogden’s Regt and such other prisoners, as may be brought before them. All Evidences are to attend—Col. Biddle will furnish the evidence against Lieut. Corstagan. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For the charge against Lt. Francis Costigin (Costigan; c.1744–1821)...
149To George Washington from Colonel George Baylor, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
My indisposition for three weeks past has prevented my writing as you have directed, and I am inclind to do, by every post. Our situation is nearly the same now, as it was then; we have only forty men here, of Capt. Smiths, Lieut. Jones, Lieut. Pages and Cornet Baylor’s, and seventy eight Horses, which are pretty well traind. Most of the officers have got some men, and a few of them have...
150From George Washington to Owen Biddle, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this morning favd with yours of yesterday, inclosing Copy of a letter from Mr Henry Fisher of Lewis Town. The Ships therein mentioned are certainly meant for no other purpose than to distress and cut off the Trade in Delaware Bay, you may depend, that when an Attack upon the Works below the Town is really intended, there will be a co-operation of their land and sea Forces. I would...
151To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Favors of the 14th ult. and of the 3d instant are now before me. In Pursuance of your Recommendation Mr Hutchinson, and Governor Shirley’s Son are permitted to go to Rhode Island. I have made Enquiry after the Mulatto Lad, Thomas Rogerson, but can as yet gain no Account that is perfectly satisfactory. I believe he was brought into this Place, and very soon after sailed for...
152To George Washington from William Livingston, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Collo. Duyckinck has preferred a Petition to the Governor & Council of Safety of this State for a hearing being under terrible apprehensions of the approaching warm Season of the year in the place of his Confinement —As the Judicature he has addressed, is competent to release him from confinemt or order his Imprisonment in this State, for an Offence against the municipal Laws, it is on the one...
153To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of your Kind favour of the 8th instant, I had fixt on this day, for my Setting out for Maryland, but the hostile appearances in this Bay are Such, that I have given up the thought of going there, and have wrote to Major Washington to repair to Baltimore, and take the part of the Regiment raiseing there under his Command, I have reccommended him to push them forward as Soon as...
154From George Washington to Colonel John Patton, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of 7th Instt with a Return of your Regiment came to hand two days ago, & am sorry to find that your Officers are so slow in the Recruiting Service—The Company you intend to March in a few days you will order directly to head Quarters, unless countermanded. The Expences that necessarily arise to recruiting Officers I believe is much increas’d, but at same time cant help remarking,...
155To George Washington from Colonel Timothy Pickering, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I sent by the express an answer to your letter respecting the office of adjutant general, & gave what appeared to me sufficient reasons to excuse my declining to accept it; but have since been uneasy, lest you should deem them otherwise; & that I was too willing, under the civil offices I sustain, to shelter myself from the dangers & fatigues of war. An opinion which, if it has taken place, I...
156To George Washington from Major General Joseph Spencer, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have rec’d your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d of April instant, and in Answer thereto take Liberty to observe, that by the late Appearances there is no probability that the Enemy will soon evacuate Rhode Island, as your Excellency has apprehended and as we have heretofore generally expected in these parts: the Ships that were haul’d off when I wrote last, being thirty three Square rigg’d...
157To George Washington from Major General Adam Stephen, 14 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd I send your Excellency a Return of the men of my division, exclusive of General Maxwells Brigade, of which I have got no return yet. I go on the Out posts to day, and do not approve of the mens being so dispersd as not be Able to support one Another—The troops at Quibble town were kept in Awe by Appearances yesterday; had they happily reinforcd their pickets a little; or Shou’d some...
158General Orders, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Serjt Keener of the 11th Pennsyl: Battn and Serjt Berns of the 10th tried at a General Court Martial, held at Samptown, of which Col. Shreve was president, on a charge of “Intending to desert” The Court find Serjt Keener guilty of the above Crime, and sentence him to be reduced to the ranks, and receive 100 Lashes on his bare back—The Court acquit Serjt Berns of the Charge against him. John...
159From George Washington to Landon Carter, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 22d of Feby I have had the pleasure to receive; but the other Letters alluded to, have never got to hand; and may be adduced among many other proofs of the villainy you suspect in the Post Offices. I should have been very happy in seeing your Grandson inlisted under the Banners of his Country and under the care of so good, and brave a Man as Baylor—But a Mothers tenderness...
160To George Washington from Colonel Jedediah Huntington, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d inst. & observe your Desire that I march my Men fit for Duty immediately to Peek’s Kill. Since the Date of your Letter, the Governor & Council have resolved forthwith to make a Draft of Men to fill up the continintal Battalions, upon which I think my Stay here very necessary & shall therefore presume it to be your Pleasure untill further...
161To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 15 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Two detachments from the Regiments of this State have marchd for head Quarters, another will march this Week; I hope some time next week a Considerable Body may be ready to leave the Colony; the Small Pox has been very heavy upon them, they are much reducd by it, & about Twenty have faild; this is one Reason of the Delay—About 150 from Rhode Island and some from Massechusetts Bay are on their...
162To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, 15 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, 15 April 1777. GW wrote St. Clair on 18 April: “I am favd. with your of the 15th.”
163General Orders, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
164To George Washington from John Hancock, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves will convey to you such Information of the Proceedings of Congress as may be necessary for your Direction and future Conduct touching the same. In the present Situation of the British Army, it is extremely to be wished, that an Attack could be made upon their Troops in Rhode Island, which, tho’ it should not prove successful, would, in all Probability, cause a Diversion...
165To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have received the honor of yours of the 30th ultimo and the 1st Instant & this moment that of the 5th. The Troops mention’d in my last as nearly ready have since marched, as have also about 60 of Col. Crane’s Regt of Artillery, who are now pushing their way to join your Excellency—A Second Division of Col. Bailey’s marches to morrow for Ticonderoga—The Hospitals are now opened...
166To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your letter to the Committee was immediately laid before Congress, and in consequence thereof, Gen. Schuyler was ordered to carry your ideas into execution with all possible dispatch. The Troops are therefore ordered to Bristol without delay, and thither will go all such as come from the Southward. You have only to order them from Bristol to Head Quarters at your pleasure. The inclosures now...
167From George Washington to William Livingston, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 14th. I dont know whether Colo. Duyckink comes under the Civil or Military Jurisdiction, but from the following State of the facts on which I ordered him to be secured, you will be able to form a Judgment, and if you think, he falls within the line of civil Authority, I will most cheerfully give him up to you. Colo. Duyckink, some time in the Winter came...
168To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
On the Intelligence received by Congress that nine of the Enemies Ships of War had got into Deleware Bay, and that a Number of Transports were seen in the offing, the Continental Troops in this City amounting to 563 Rank and File were ordered to Fort Island to assist in compleating the Fortifications there, which are in a very defenceless State, and to throw up a Work on Red Bank to prevent...
169To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 16 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favourd with your Excellencys Letter of the 23d ulto—also with those of 29th & 31st of same Month which came safe to Hand—Yesterday received your Proclamation relative to Deserters—& have sent it to the Printers —In mine of 21st March I informed you of the Order given for marchg 2,000 Militia to Peekskill agreable to your Request & that Brig: Genll Wadsworth would take the Command—Want of...
170General Orders, 17 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Sentence of the General Court Martial whereof Major Harmar is President, against Lt Costagan of the 1st Jersey Battalion; accused of “Behaving in a scandalous, and infamous manner, unbecoming an officer and a Gentleman, for pressing a Horse, the property of John Kidd Esqr. of Bucks-County, (Pennsylvania) appropriating him to his own use, and when required by Col. Biddle D.Q.M. Genl, to...