1From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 27th as I was with those of the 22d and 25th: I imagine the Ships you saw going down were only empty transports and Victuallers for which having no use, they think it safer to send them aw⟨ay tha⟩n let them lay crouded in the docks of Phila⟨da⟩ where a single Vessel taking fire might prove destructive of the whole. The Enemy, who were only out upon a...
2From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been regularly favd with yours of the 28th and 30th of December and of the 1st instant. I congratulate you upon the prize that has fallen into your hands, and the more so as she turns out more valuable than you at first expected. That her Cargo may be removed and secured with all possible expedition, I have sent Colo. Biddle to assist you, he will take down with him all the Waggons that...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Learning that the Captured Brig contains a great quantity and variety, of officers baggage; and necessaries proper for them; many articles of which from the length of time I have been in the service and difficulty of procuring them at first, I stand much in need of, I shall be obliged to you for sending me, if to be had, the things contained in the Inclosed memm. I will pay the appraised...
4From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed to Govr Johnston, on the subject of compleating and Cloathing the Troops of Maryland, is left open for your inspection. After reading, be pleased to seal and transmit it to the Governor with the Returns for which I have referred him to you. The Officers in this Camp are anxious to come in for a share of the Baggage taken in the prize Brig. That justice may be done to all, I...
5From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 10th: My order to you to have the Baggage removed to this place was founded upon information that there was a much greater quantity than there turns out, but as it proves otherwise you were right in detaining it, till you represented the matter to me—I wish the Gentlemen who drew up and signed the representation had attended more closely to my letter. They would...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to you this morning on the subject of the prize Brig Symetry, the Regulations of the Feild Officers of the division for conducting the Sale and disposing of the Cargo was laid before me with a letter from the Regimental Surgeons and Mates to Docr Cochran. These Gentlemen feel themselves so much hurt by the discrimination made by these Regulations between them and the Officers of...
7From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 23 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As I have not recd any answer to mine of the 13th instant, I am at a loss how to give you further directions respecting the Sale or distribution of the Symetry’s Cargo. My reason for putting a stop to it was upon seeing what was certainly a very inequitable mode, upon several accounts, of conducting the Business as appeared by a plan drawn up by the Feild Officers. In the first place, the...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd your favr of the 26th ⅌ Express, inclosing Returns of the Maryland Companies of Artillery and the law of that State for recruiting their Battalions. Their Bounties are generous but I very much fear that nothing short of drafting will have the desired effect—The Congress having ordered Hazens Regt to the Northward for a particular purpose I have directed Major Taylor to march...
9From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 16 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The distress of this army for want of provisions is perhaps beyond any thing you can conceive; and unless we strain every nerve to procure immediate relief, a general mutiny and dispersion is to be dreaded. Our nearest Magazines are at Dover and the Hd of Elk; and it is absolutely necessary, by a vigorous effort, to push on all the provisions at those places, for the present subsistence of the...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with yours of the 10th instant. You intirely misconceived my intention, with respect to the mode proposed of furnishing your division with shoes. I did not mean, that a shoe manufactory should be established for the purpose; but only, that you should contract with private persons, in the way of barter, to furnish you with such a number of shoes, and to be paid for...
11From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your Two favors of the 15th and 21st Instant. I thank you much for the trouble you took in procuring the several Articles, which came by Serjeant Sprigg. The Caledonian pistols and both Swords I return—The latter are too small. I wish to be informed by the earliest opportunity of the prices of the other Articles, that I may transmit you the Money. I will order the...