51From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 18th of last Month. The late ample arrivals of Arms at Philada and at portsmouth, added to those which we before had, puts us out of all further uneasiness on account of that necessary Article. The Eleven hundred and Seventy six stand which you recd from the continental Agent at Boston, will be very near the number wanted for your two continental Battalions when...
52From George Washington to Colonel Jedediah Huntington, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favr of the 25th last Month inclosing a Return of the State of your Regiment. I am not only sorry to find your number so low as 250 men, but I do not apprehend from the tenor of your Letter that there is a probability of your being soon compleat. I however desire you to march all the men that are fit for duty immediately to peekskill, there to wait my further orders, and to leave...
53To George Washington from Colonel James Livingston, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have a Copy of a Resolve respecting my raising a Regiment in the United States, by which your Excellency will perceive the Commander in Chief in this Department, was to recommend proper Officers under me to Congress—The List of Officers was accordingly made out and sent to Congress by General Schuyler the 18t. of Decr last, & in Consequence of which, I got Orders to recruit, and...
54From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
My Letters of the 20th & 29th Ulto will convey evident proofs to you, of my extreme sollicitude respecting the Assembling of our Troops—& yet, as I have but too much reason to believe that dissipation in some, and the comfortable enjoyment of domestick pleasures in others, have had an unhappy Influence upon the Conduct of the Recruiting Officers, I must again repeat the urgent necessity there...
55From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 26th Ulto inclosing proceedings of a Court Martial upon Nagel, Key and Querry, who are sentenced to suffer Death, for desertion. The plea, of ignorance of our law, is frivolous, and if admitted, we should never convict a Criminal. Examples must be made, to put a stop to that prevailing Crime, or we may as well disband the Army at once, I therefore desire that the...
56From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 3 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Not having been favoured with an Answer to my letter to you on the 3d Ulto I flattered myself that the Order it contained “that you would have innoculated all the Recruits of the two Regiments to be raised by Rhode Island as fast as they inlisted,” had been executed. But a letter from Governor Cook dated the 18th Ulto informs me that You are taking Methods to have the Regiments innoculated as...
57General Orders, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The detachments, commanded by Capts. O’Harra, Bicker, Talbot and Selin, to hold themselves in readiness (with two days provision) to march to morrow morning. They will receive their orders from Major Genl St Clair. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Henry O’Hara was a captain in the 2d Canadian Regiment. Anthony Selin (d. 1792) was a captain in Ottendorf’s independent corps, and Jeremiah Talbot (d....
58To George Washington from John Hancock, 4–8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Resolves of Congress, which I have the Honour of transmitting, will naturally claim your Attention from their great Importance. The Regulations relative to the Payment of the Troops and the Department of the Paymaster General, will I hope be the Means of introducing Order and Regularity into that Part of the Army; where, it must be confessed, they were extremely wanted. General...
59To George Washington from William Livingston, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the Receipt of your Favor of the 1st Instant by General Forman. I apprehend your Excellency mistakes the Clause in our Militia Act respecting the Appeal in Case of a Fine. You seem to represent it as if the Delinquent was excused from paying the Fine till the Determination of the Appeal against him—But that is not the Case—The Act is however extremely deficient; and it...
60To George Washington from Colonel David Mason, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Orders of the 12th of March last came to hand this Day The contents of which I Duly Notice and shall to the Utmost of my Power comply with; The State of my Regiment I cannot give your Excellency an exact account of at this time, but will inform you of the Number of Men that marched from this Station to day and Tomorrow, which will be about two Hundred and eighty, and I hope to have at...
61To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
some of The Troops of this State began their March to join the Army Yesterday. they probably will arive at the North River about next Tuesday or Wednesday, the Number I am not able to inform your Excellency as they march from distant Parts of the State & are to rendezvous at Danbury where I expect Lt Col. Butler will take the Command of the Party; I shall be able by next Post to give the...
62To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Price, 4 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your Orders dated Morris Town March 12th this day and have Accordingly inclosed you a return of the State of my regiment and am very Sorry it is not in my Power to send you a much better one you will I make no doubt be much Surpriz’d when I tell you I have not more than four Commissioned Officers belonging to my regiment which are myself and three Lieutenants the others Commissioned...
63General Orders, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial to sit to morrow at 9 O’Clock, for the trial of Lieut. Carnes of Col: Martins Regt, and such other prisoners, as may be brought before them—All Evidences to attend. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Zophar Carnes of Morris County, N.J., served as a captain in Gen. Nathaniel Heard’s brigade of New Jersey militia levies during the summer and fall of 1776, and on 28 Nov. 1776...
64To George Washington from Elias Boudinot, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received Intelligence this Evening from a person of undoubted Veracity (who has followed me for that purpose) that a Woman who has a Son in Goal in this State (Pennsylvania) has been sent in to the Enemy, with Letters of Advice from a Club in the County of Bucks, so secreted about her person, that it would be almost impossible she should be discovered. That she had, or was to get a pass...
65From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton or the Commanding Officer at Fort Montgomery, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
In order to shorten the March of the Massachusett’s Regiments intended for this quarter, They are directed to take their Route thro’ the Greenwoods to Kinderhook, Claverack or Red hook, from whence they are to fall down to Fort Montgomery by water. If none of the Enemy’s Vessells should be in Haverstraw bay, they may proceed down the River by Water, and disembark at Peek’s kill or in Jersey,...
66From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 5 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, 5 April 1777. Gates wrote GW on 19 April : “I had the Honour to receive your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th Instant from Morris Town.”
67From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed from Monsr le Chevr de Dreudhomme de Borre, with the papers annexed to it, were received this day by the Eastern Mail —It appears that by an agreement with Mr Dean he is to have the Rank and Pay of a Brigadier General in our service—I imagine by this, that he is a Man of real Merit—If you think proper to confirm Mr Dean’s appointment, be pleased to inform me of it, and return the...
68From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 25th March. I have had no request as yet from the Council of your State, for part of the new arrived Arms, to put into the hands of such of your Troops as were ready and only waited for them, but I desire that as many as are necessary, may be immediately drawn, and the Troops forwarded. So that there can be no further plea for delay upon that head. One thing I must...
69To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is a most unfortunate circumstance for myself and I think not less for the Publick that the Congress have not thought proper to comply with my request—it cou’d not possibly have been attended with any ill consequences, and might with good ones at least it was an indulgence which I thought my situation entitled me to—but I am unfortunate in all things and this stroke is the severest I have...
70From George Washington to William Livingston, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of Yesterday. I ⟨may⟩ have been mistaken in my interpretation of you⟨r⟩ Militia Law, but it however leaves open a door ⟨for⟩ much litigation and delay. As you must certainly be best acquainted with the Circumstances of your own State, I intirely acquiesce with any mode which you may think most expedient in regard to calling out your Militia ⟨at⟩ this time. I think the...
71From George Washington to Colonel Goose Van Schaick or the Commanding Officer at Albany, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
In order to shorten the March of such of the Troops from the State of Massachusetts, as are to Join the Army immediately under my Command, I have by the Advice of General Schuyler, directed them to March thro the Greenwoods, to Kinderhook, Claverack, or Red Hook from whence they are to fall down to Fort Montgomery by Water—The Officers commanding the Detachments, are to give you Notice, to...
72From George Washington to Samuel Washington, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Thornton returns to you well recover’d of the Small Pox, as I hope to hear that my Sister, and the rest of your family are. I heartily congratulate you on the favourable manner in which you had it yourself. To save Thornton, or you, the expence of buying a Horse to ride home on, I have lent him a Mare of Mine which I beg of you to have sent by any safe conveyance which may offer to Lund...
73General Orders, 6 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
74Proclamation of Pardon to Deserters, 6 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Proclamation Whereas, many Soldiers, lately inlisted in the continental Army, not content with the generous Bounties and Encouragements granted to them by Congress, but Influenced by a base regard to their int[e]rest, have reenlisted with—received Bounties from, other Officers and then deserted; And Whereas, it is presumed that many, fully sensible of the enormity of their crimes, would return...
75To George Washington from Colonel Robert Magaw, 6 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Major Williams I beg leave to represent to your Excellency the distressed Situation of many of the Officers now Prisoners of War on this Island[.] the distance from their Freinds, the loss of their Baggage at the time they were taken, & the length of their Captivity has rendered a number of them destitute of Common necessaries—their Circumstances must soon be extreamly disagreeable & even...
76To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 6 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Letters of the 6th 12th 20th & 29th of March. The first Detachment of the Troops from this State will march from Danbury on Tuesday Morning, under the Command of Lt Colo. Butler of Wyllys’s Regt, Nothing has been or shall be wanting on my Part to forward to Camp every Person who is able to March, from my Soul I ardently wish & desire your Excellency may receive every necessary...
77General Orders, 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
John Burke of Capt. Christy’s Company of the 3rd Pennsyl: Battalion, tried by a General Court Martial of which Major Harmar was President, is found guilty of being drunk on his post , and is sentenced to receive one hundred lashes for said offence. The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be executed forthwith. Lieut: Carnes of Capt: Wade’s Company, in Col. Martin’s Regt tried by...
78From George Washington to Brigadier Generals Nathaniel Heard and William Winds, 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I transmit you a copy of a late resolve of Congress, by which you will perceive that in bringing the militia into the field, strict regard is to be had to the number of men, and only a due proportion of officers, both with respect to rank and number, is to be called out to command them. More than these will not be paid, as it would impose an unreasonable burthen on the public. There...
79To George Washington from Colonel John Patton, 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed is as particular a State of my Regiment as I can at present obtain. I have Several parties now on their March for this place from the Country, and am provideing Cloths, Arms &c. for them, in about ten days I Shall have one full Compy ready to March. The Recruiting Service goes on very slowly. My Officers are gone to all parts of the Country where I thought there might be a...
80From George Washington to Joseph Reed or Colonel John Cox, 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed, there is a certain Mr Smith, who has been lately taken up by General Lincoln as a spy & sent to Philadelphia under that character. I believe for several reasons that he is the man who was imployed by you to act for Us, in that capacity, and that the apprehending him is a mistake, which may be attended with ill-consequences. Lest he should be precipitately tried and punished, I...
81To George Washington from Nathaniel Sackett, 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Emediately upon my appointment I Repaired to the State of New york where I entred on the Bussines⟨s⟩ assigned me but as it was of a Secret nature and knowing that either the Bussiness or any Circumstances attending it that would have a Tendency to Give a Clue to the Enemy would Render the whole abortive made the Execution of it exceeding Difficult and found my self und⟨er⟩ a Necessity of...
82To George Washington from Col. Alexander Spotswood, 7 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Alexander Spotswood, 7 April 1777. In GW’s letter to Spotswood of 8 April , he refers to “your Letter of yesterdays date.”
83To George Washington from Major John Thornton, 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of 20th March and am truly sensable of the Honour intended Me & shall with pleasure serve to the best of My knowledge in any Post you[r] Excellency pleaseth to appoint Me The publick good & not promotion has & I hope ever will regulate My conduct if the Officers are appointed in proper places which I doubt not the Men may still [be] raisd the Orders or instructions its...
84From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The pay Abstract of the 10th Regiment of Connecticut Militia from October to January last, was this day presented to me for payment. The very unreasonable disproportion of Officers induced me to decline giving Orders for the payment. I must beg the favour of You to have some Mode adopted by which the Public Treasury may be eased of such extraordinary Demands—Impositions of this nature are...
85Circular to the Commanding Officers of Several Virginia Regiments, 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed, and indeed I have observed, that the men of your Regiment are so exceedingly bare of necessaries that it not only contributes to their unhealthiness, but renders them absolutely unfit to take the feild. Inattention to the Wants of Soldiers marks the bad officer—it does more, it reasonably removes that Confidence on which the officer’s Honour & Reputation must depend—As there is...
86From George Washington to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 7 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Verstilee delivered me your favour of the 1st Inst.—The account it contains of the Strength of your Batn falls very short of the Condition I had reason to believe it was in, from what Colo. Wm Livingston told me immediately on his return from you—I cannot give the Order you have applied for; but have sent you one for 300 stand on the Commissary of Military stores at Springfield, The...
87General Orders, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
88To George Washington from Brigadier General John Armstrong, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Mr Saml Kersley is One under the Nomination of a Captain in the minute I left yr Excely an assiduous & every way well disposed Young man—who after laying out what money he had of his Own in recruiting & coming to this City to be replenished (for which I thought my Certificate expressly grounded on your Authority wou’d have been Sufficient) Congress will not grant nor admit a...
89To George Washington from Colonel William Grayson, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you by the two last posts respectively, and hope that my letters have safely got to Head Quarters. Since the date of my last, Dr Alexander has applied to me, to know, whether I would purchase his medicines; He has assured me, the principal part of them, have been imported within these two years; the assortment consists in general of useful medicines, & with the assistance of a proper...
90From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you have Copy of a Letter which I have this Moment received from Mr Boudinot. You will please to send a Copy of it to General Putnam ⅌ Express. Genl Green suspects that the Woman mentioned in the inclosed Letter is the same that applied to you for a pass to come up to Basken Ridge to look for her Son. You will therefore keep a strict watch for her, or upon any other Woman that applies...
91To George Washington from Joshua Loring, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote You last his Excellency Sir William Howe has had a further Examination respecting the Rank of the Canadian Gentlemen, and it is determin’d that the four persons You mention are the only Gentlemen that [are] entitled to any Rank viz. Captain Duchesnay, Lieut. Hertel, Lieutenant Schmit, Lieutenant La Magdaleine, and even those at that time were serving as Volunteers, This...
92To George Washington from John McKinly, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
The General Assembly of this State having adjourned to a distant day some time before your favour of the 4th Ult., I could not have their assistance in the nomination of the Officers wanting in the Battalion of this state, which you were pleased to refer to me. I therefore called upon my Council with whose concurrence I made the appointment[s] specified in the enclosed list. My ardent wish to...
93To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency on the 22nd of December last wrote a Letter recommending that Measures should be taken to Effect an Exchange of Prisoners, as soon as possible and as far as Circumstances will admit of advising that all the Prisoners in this State should be sent to the Commanding Officer of the British Troops on the Island of Rhode Island, This Business has been hitherto delayed as the...
94From George Washington to Col. Stephen Moylan, 8 April 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Stephen Moylan, 8 April 1777. Moylan referred in his letter to GW of 14 April to the “receipt of your Kind favour of the 8th instant.”
95To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Since mine of the 21st of March I have receivd your Excellency’s Letters of the 6th 12th 20th & 29th of March that of the 6th came to Hand not till the 28th; by the Length of Time between the Date & my receiving it; The Seal not being such as I had ever before seen from Head Quarters; The Direction on the Cover very different from the handwriting of the Letter writer, and the omission of the...
96From George Washington to Nathaniel Sackett, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
As your Letter of yesterdays date is rather a narative of what you have done, than any thing else, scarce any answer is necessary, except to that part respecting the H[essia]n: who I think had better go to B[runswic]k as his Influence with his C[ountryme]n, if he has any at all, can be more usefully exerted there than elsewhere—If any should be sent out with Intelligence of Importance, or of a...
97From George Washington to Colonel Alexander Spotswood, 8 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find by your Letter of yesterdays date that your Regiment is so much reduced —Let me beseech you to use every possible means to collect your Men together, & not suffer some to be in one place, some in another &ca—and let me also entreat you, to charge your Recruiting Officers in explicit, and positive terms to be exceedingly attentive to that duty, as idleness and dissipation...
98General Orders, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Dunn being obliged to attend Major General St Clair to Philadelphia, to which place he is called by Congress—Lt Col. Conner will be obliging enough to discharge the duty of Adjutant General pro tempore. The Commander in Chief begs that Genl St Clair will accept his most sincere thanks, for superintending the duties of that office, of Adjutant General; and that Major Dunn will also accept...
99From George Washington to John Hancock, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 4th inclosing sundry Resolves of Congress from the 29th March to the 5th instant. I am extremely glad to see the Resolve for the immediate removal of Military Stores from Baltimore and Annapolis, for altho’ I do not imagine that the Enemy intend an expedition of any great Consequence in Chesapeak Bay, yet while the Stores lay at the above places, they were...
100To George Washington from John Hancock, 9 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday Evening the Congress compleated the Business of the Medical Department, and on so large and liberal an Establishment that we may rationally expect the most beneficial Effects will flow from it. Every Encouragement is given to Gentlemen of Skill and Reputation in that Art to enter into our Army, and a Variety of Regulations adopted to carry the Plan more effectually into Execution. As...