1From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 8 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am happy to find that a late resolve of Congress of the 2nd instant, has restored you to the continental army. The importance of the Post at Peeks Kill and its appendages has become so great that it is now necessary, to have a Major General appointed to the command of it, you will therefore immediately repair to that Post and take charge of it, till a general arrangement of the army can be...
2From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was this day favd with yours of the 26th last Month and a few days ago with that of the 11th. It is needless for me to say much upon a subject, which must undoubtedly give you a good deal of uneasiness. I confess I was surprized when I did not see your Name in the list of Major Generals, and was so fully of opinion that there was some mistake in the matter, that I (as you may recollect)...
3From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I imagine that since Genl Schuylers departure from Philada you command there. I therefore inclose you the Evidence of a person very lately from N. York, from which as well as from other information it appears that a Fleet is upon the point of sailing from New York —If Philada should be the place of destination they will make their appearance in Delaware Bay soon after they leave the Hook. I...
4From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Barber, 1 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I dont know what particular instructions you recd from Genl Green, but I must inform you that you are not only stationed at your present post to keep small parties of the Enemy from making excursions, but also to send out parties yourself to lay between Millstone and Brunswic and endeavour to make discovery of any Motions of the Enemy. If you find them move in such a manner as to induce you to...
5From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 23 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
By this day’s post, I received your favor of the 13th Instant. I am sorry to find you have to combat so many difficulties in raising your Regiment; These However, I flatter myself, in a little time will all be surmounted by your persevering activity. A Chaplain is part of the Establishment of a Corps of Cavalry, and I see no Objection to your having One, Unless you suppose yours will be too...
6From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 25 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 14th is this day come to hand, & for the Instructions you require respecting your Cloathing, I refer you to mine of 28th Ulto the receipt of which you now acknowledge. The Mode of exchange you speak of (large Men for small of other Regiments) I have no sort of Objection to, provided, the Men receiv’d & given in exchange are made fully acquainted with the Particulars...
7From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 28 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to discover by your favour of the 26th Ulto that You have a prospect of getting your Horses. We want them much—Inclosed is a Letter to Mr Finnie the Depy Quart. Mast. Genl directing him to supply you with the Continental Rations for Horse. Mr James Mease of Philada, the Clothier General, will furnish you with Cloathing whenever You call upon him & send for them—I presume the Men will...
8From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 17 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Resolve of Congress, & Extract from the Presidents Letter, founded upon it, will discover to you, their desire of your being furnished with a Good Horse, properly caparisoned, at the Expence of the States. Tho, it has been my wish, to comply with their Resolve in your favor, Yet, for want of Opportunity, and by reason of the Multiplicity of business, which constantly...
9From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Bicker, 2 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d Information that the Regiment under your command have refused to do duty, or come to Camp for that purpose giving as their reason that they were set at Liberty on Parole & are therefore afraid of falling a second time into the Enemy’s hands—This I would willingly disbelieve—as I cannot be of opinion that any Officer would suffer Men to Act or speak in that manner—as they must...
10From George Washington to Owen Biddle, 2 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Proctor did me the honour to deliver your favour of the 31st Ulto. I have to lament that the Expressions intended to thank the late Council of Safety for easing me of a part of the heavy load I bear in forming our new Army, could be so misunderstood by your Board. I rejoiced at hearing that they had not only appointed their Officers in the first instance; but had arranged them likewise;...
11From George Washington to Owen Biddle, 18 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have lately recd the two following peices of Intelligence, which I think it my duty to give you, for if such practices are followed without detection our Enemies will be well supplied. Bowne and Hartshorne, near Shrewsbury in Monmouth County, purchase Continental Money in N. York at a great discount, carry this Money to Philada and there buy Flour &ca under pretence of Shipping it to the...
12From George Washington to Owen Biddle, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of the 19th and congratulate you upon the late discoveries you have made of some of the plans of our internal Enemies, and I hope the Clue you have got, will lead to something more important. I never before heard of Mr Hughes, but upon enquiry, I am informed that he has ever been closely connected with Galloway, that alone is enough to excite suspicion at this time. I shall...
13From 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...
14From George Washington to Owen Biddle, 10 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Chambers, who has been omitted in the appointments lately made by your State, expresses a good deal of uneasiness on account of it, and considers it as an implied reflection on his conduct. He thinks himself intitled to some explanation of the reasons for which he has been neglected, and wishes to know on what particular charge or imputation, his exclusion is founded. As I could give him...
15From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 1 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am authorizd by Congress to appoint a Commissary of Prisoners —The pay will, I expect, be about Sixty Dollars pr Month. The Duty, except as to confinement, not hard; at least after the business is once put into a proper train. Close attendance on the Army will be requisite, in order to receive and distribute the Prisoners to places assign’d for their confinement; at each of which some person...
16From George Washington to Elisha Boudinot, 29 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of this day and am much obliged to you for the pains you have been at to obtain intelligence. I highly approve of your plan to gain more, and enclose you a Sketch of such Matters as it will be proper for your Spy to report to deceive the Enemy. If he can do us no harm by reporting what is intrusted to him—You may add what you please, only taking care to keep a Copy and send it to...
17From George Washington to Colonels Alexander Spotswood, Alexander McClanachan, and Abraham Bowman and Lieutenant Colonel … (Washington Papers)
I want to form a Company for my Guard—In doing this I wish to be extremely cautious; because it is more than probable that in the Course of the Campaign, my Baggage, Papers, & other Matters of great public Import may be committed to the sole Care of these Men—This being premised, in order to impress you with proper Attention in the Choice, I have to request That you will immediately furnish me...
18From George Washington to Col. Philip Burr Bradley, 29 March 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Col. Philip Burr Bradley, 29 Mar. 1777. Robert Hanson Harrison docketed Bradley’s letter to GW of 24 Mar. in part: “Ansd 29th within.”
19Circular to the Brigade Commanders, 20 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are desired, immediately upon the receipt hereof, to draw together the men of the Regiments assigned to your Brigade. As soon as they are assembled; you are to call for exact returns from the Colonels or commanding officers, obliging them to render a particular account of the officers and Men who are absent. If they are well, let them specify where they are and upon what service. If they...
20Circular Instructions to the Brigade Commanders, 26 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
You are to enquire minutely into the State & Condition of your Brigade & Order every Officer & Soldier belonging to it, not usefully employed in recruiting, or in the execution of any command (by proper Authority) or Sick in Hospitals, to Join their respective Corps immediately & see that it is done. Make strict enquiry what measures the commanding Officers of each Regiment in your Brigade is...
21From George Washington to Jonathan Bryan, 2 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 24th of Feby last by Colo. White who arrived here two days ago. Your Request to me to grant permission to Colo. White to recruit in the Northern States is what I have not the least right to comply with. If a liberty of that kind is allowed it must be by the particular indulgence of the States, for they have already had their full Quota of Men assessed by...
22From 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...
23From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 31 March 1777 (Washington Papers)
A Captain who escaped from New York on Saturday Evening and who arrived here this morning, informs, that about Three Thousand Troops (British & Hessians) were embarked from the City & Staten Island when he came away. It was generally said, they had in contemplation an expedition to Chesepeak Bay and to make a descent on the Eastern Shore. There were some who conjectured, they mean to go up the...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 8 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of 4th Inst. I receiv’d this Morning —As the Movement of the Enemy & their Designs are as yet uncertain, I have to request that you will keep as large a Body of the Militia as you can collect, & have them in as good order as Circumstances will permit, in case Genl Howe should Incline up North River[.] I have no doubt but you have form’d such a Plan with General Heard as will best...
25From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 26 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you on the 23d Inst. communicating Intelligence lately received respecting the Enemy’s designs up the North River—A letter from Genl McDougall this moment received, places their Intentions beyond the power of misconception —Several Transports have anchored at Dob’s ferry—& mean, in my Opinion, to divert our Attention, if possible, from their Movements towards the Delaware—At any rate...
26From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 5 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 1st instant by Capt: Lush, with Copies of the proceedings of the Courts Martial upon the case of Capt: Martin and those of Several persons accused of treasonable practices. As the proceedings against the latter, can be only sent for my opinion, I having no right to interfere in the matter, I would recommend the execution only of the most notorious, and such,...
27From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 23 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
By a person sent into Brunswic I am informed that “Genl Skinners Force consists of about 1000 to be joined by some regular Troops and to proceed from Bergen thro’ Sussex and the back parts of the Jerseys when the Troops march for Philada.” I think this Move so probable, as it will give them access to a part of the Country most notoriously disaffectd, that I desire you will post a Body of...
28From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 20 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 18th instant has just now come to hand. Two days ago, I wrote to general McDougall urging it upon him to apply to the Convention of your state in my name to call out the Militia, in order to have as respectable a force as possible, in the quarter where you are to act according to contingencies. I am glad to find that the powers vested in you, have enabled you to anticipate...
29From George Washington to Brigadier Generals George Clinton and Alexander McDougall, 2 May 1777 (Washington Papers)
The necessity of having regular Magazines of Provision for subsisting the Army, wheresoever It may act, and the late destruction of the Stores at Danbury, have induced Congress to take the matter into consideration & to come into the Resolves which accompany this. By these you will perceive, that One object of their deliberation was, to have immediate measures taken for the removal of the...
30From 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,...