1To George Washington from Col. Israel Angell, 31 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Col. Israel Angell, 31 Jan. 1778. On 1 Feb., GW wrote Angell : “I am favoured with yours of yesterday.”
2To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I lately wrote yr Excely of four prisoners confined in this Guard for Carrying Provisions on different roads toward the Philada Market, and that I wou’d Send them to you for tryal —Upon Examining the prisoners & farther reflexion, I thought it unnecessary to trouble you with them, especially as in my Opinion none of them stood in the Shoes of a proper Victim—I have therefore I believe...
3To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
My last letter to the Council of this State was wrote in consequence of yr Excellencys desire, that the militia shou’d be maintain’d thro’ this winter in the same numbers & succession as they have been in the cource of the Campaign; which requisition I urged with some Argument drawn from the exposed Situation of this Side the Scuylkill & the inexpedience of dividing the Continental Army. On...
4To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 5 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
My unacquaintance at coming to this place, with the Complexion of Congress & exertions of that body for the approaching Campaign has prevented me the pleasure of writing you sooner; and the little I yet know far short as it must be of your better intelligence, can only serve as a farther expression of that line of duty I have long determined to pursue. My apprehensions are Still painful with...
5To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I cannot yet learn whether the Enemy are return’d to Philada—a person from thence, tells me the Citizens were extreamly alarm’d at the little Noise of the evening before last & it was thought the Ravagers wou’d return as of yesterday —As to persons passing in & out of Town, I see that may be done in oppo[si]tion to all we can do to prevent it, nor can every degree of Marketing be fully Stoped,...
6To George Washington from Henry Babcock, 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have lately been informed from indisputable Authority that Your Excellency tho’t proper to severely reprimand my Worthy Friend Genl Putnam for recommending Me to your Notice, and that he ought to know Me better than so warmly to have mentioned Me as a Person in his Esteem deserving the Rank of a Brigr Genl in the Continental Army. How your Excellency should have presumed thus unwarrantably...
7To George Washington from Captain John Barry, 26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
According to the Orders of General Wayne I have Destroyed the Forage from Mantua Creek to this Place the Quantity Destroyed is about four Hundred Tons & Should have Proceeded farther had not a Number of the Enemies Boats appeared in Sight & Lining the Jersey Shore Deprived Us of the Opportunity of Proceeding Farther on the Same purpose, Shall Remit to Your Excellency the Names of the Persons...
8To George Washington from Colonel Clement Biddle, 25 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
On a Review of the Waggon horses belonging to the united States and those impressed or on hire in service with the Army, such numbers have been found unfit for Service that the Army will not only suffer for want of an immediate Supply of Provision, & forage but those horses belonging to the States now will be unfit for Service on the Opening of the Campaign—A number of private Teams have been...
9To George Washington from Timothy Bigelow, 28 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Timothy Bigelow, 28 Feb. 1778. On 1 Mar., Richard Kidder Meade wrote Bigelow: “I am commanded by his Excellency to answer your favor of yesterday.”
10To George Washington from Ephraim Blaine, 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
On my Arrival at the Head of Elke, thought it prudent to look out if a place more remote, and secure from the Enemy, could not be found upon the Head of Chesepeak Bay to store what Provision might come from the Eastern shore & the Southward, I proceeded from thence to Johnstons Ferry, at the Head of the Tide on this side the River Susquehannah, no conveniency of Wharfe or Store Houses,...
11To George Washington from Ephraim Blaine, 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Upon my return from the south Branch of Potomack where I made Contracts for a Considerable Quantity of pork, I received orders from the Board of War to seize every Kind of provisions and spiritous liquors necessary for the Army, have been in this County and Berks this ten days & hope to procure six hundred head of Fatt cattle and a Considerable Quantity of Whisky, but Forestallers are giving...
12To George Washington from Ephraim Blaine, 4 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Few Queries for the Consideration of His Excellency General Washington, & the Honorable the Committee of Congress now sitting at Moore Hall. 1st As this is the Season for procuring the Stall’d Beef, and a time we shall be Necessiated to Issue Pork, would allowing the Soldiery 1½ lb. Bread or Flour & ¾ lb. Beef or Pork be a sufficient ration untill there is an appearence of a more Plentiful...
13To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, 1 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
As My Regt was destitute of a Paymaster when I quitted Camp, from the Resignation of Mr Joseph Egglestone who Resigned with Yr Excellencys Permission, I have taken the Liberty, to propose Mr Duncan Rose, who is now on his way to Camp & has promised me that he will make what haste he can to arrive there soon, to fill that post; he is a Gentn whose firm attachment to the American Interest, whose...
14To George Washington from Colonel Theodorick Bland, December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Original Establishment of my Regt was one feild Officer a Captain Leiutt Cornet three Corporals, one Drummer one trumpeter & thirty Rank and file ⅌ troop; a Quartermaster to each Squadron; a Chaplain and Surgeon & adjutant to the Regt, and a Rough Rider to each troop. Their Pay as follows Majr Commt 10s. Adjutant 7.6 Capt. 7.6 Quar. Mastrs 5.0 Leiut. 6 Rough Ridr 5.0 Cornet 5 Drummer...
15To George Washington from the Board of War, 27 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 27 Dec. 1777. GW wrote the Board of War on 2–3 Jan . 1778 that “Your several Letters of the 23d, 24th & 27th Ulto have been recieved.”
16To George Washington from the Board of War, 28 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 28 Dec. 1777. On 2–3 Jan. 1778 GW wrote the Board of War : “Your Favors of the 28th & 30 Ulto came to hand this Morning.”
17To George Washington from the Board of War, 30 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the Board of War, 30 Dec. 1777. In his letter to the Board of War of 2–3 Jan. 1778 , GW wrote: “Your Favors of the 28th & 30 Ulto came to hand this Morning.”
18To George Washington from Thomas Bond, 2 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Thomas Bond, Jr., 2 Feb. 1778. On 3 Feb., GW wrote Bond : “In answer to your letter of yesterday.”
19Colonel Daniel Brodhead to Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
At the Request of his Excellency the Commander in chief I take the Liberty of addressing you with a few Remarks, which have occured to me, relative to the Minutiæ of our Army: and some which in my Opinion may, by able Hands be improved, into Usefull Regulations. I have had the Mortification to see that the different Staff Departments, have been for the greater part filled, with Men of low...
20To George Washington from Gen. John Burgoyne, 11 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Gen. John Burgoyne, 11 Feb. 1778. In his letter to Burgoyne of 11 Mar. 1778 , GW referred to “your very obliging Letter of the 11th of February.”
21To George Washington from Brigadier General John Cadwalader, January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The establishing a continental Army at the beginning of the american War was found impracticable—Those Reasons which induced Congress to object to such establishment at that time, I imagine, still appear equally powerful, if not strengthened by many circumstances that have since happened—But if Congress was now convinced that the Establishment was a bad one; so great a change, as is proposed,...
22To George Washington from Cambray-Digny, 27 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I announce myself to your Excellency as a French man whose greatest desire is that of bearing his part in the just and noble cause of which you are the Protector—I am bearer of a Letter from Doctor Franklin, which I shall have the honor of delivering you when I shall have that of paying you my Court. I arrived four days ago at Cape Look out, where the Ship Ferdinand is at Anchor—The Ship is...
23To George Washington from Captain Thomas Cartwright, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
By order of The Honble B. General Wayne of 27th ultimo, A general court martial was held in this Place for the Trial of Lt McMichael of the Pennsylvania State Regt and Henry Dickenson Lt of the 5th Virginia Regiment accused of “Infamous and ungentlemanly behavior:” The proceedings & Sentence of the Court on the crime of Lt McMichael were deliver’d by the President to The Honorable The Marquis...
24To George Washington from Richard Caswell, 15 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your Excellencys Favors of the 25th & 29. December last, the former advising of the recet of A Resolve of the General Assembly of this State respecting resignations of Officers of the Troops raised here, the latter inclosing a Return of the No. Carolina Regiments in the Grand Army. I am really much concerned to find those Regiments so exceedingly short of their...
25To George Washington from Certain General Officers, 31 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As General Officers of the American Army we beg liberty to represent that, at a period when the affairs of our country called for the utmost exertion of every friend, we cheerfully embarked in the contest with Great Britain, and accepted such commissions in the army as Congress thought proper to confer upon us—Previous to our appointments we had considered ourselves, as Citizens of America,...
26To George Washington from Henry Champion, Sr., 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I Receivd yours of the 17th Instant informing of the Melancholy & Alarming situation of the Army for want of Provisions of the Flesh kind. I have forwarded (since my appointment) to head Quarters about 160 good heavy Oxen ⅌r week, for four Weeks past besides keeping up the supplies for our Troops & Genl Burgoins Army at the Eastward, which amounts to about 190 ⅌r Week More—I have exerted...
27To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bearer Christian Bittinger with whom I am nearly connected has been in the service near three Years, during which time he has found himself in Cloathes for the most part—he has been with Colonel Morgan to the Northward, & is desirous of going home on furlough the Col. has this morning wrote me that his conduct merits one, but he was fearful if he granted it that others wou’d expect the...
28To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Early this morning, a Spy came to me from Philadelphia, which place he left late last Evening, at that time, Sr Wm Howe had just arrived, & the Van of his Army had got over Schuylkill, a great many Troops were marching from this side the ferry towards the City, so that e’er this, I immagine they’ve all returned from Derby, ’twas the common talk in the City, that the Army was returning—I shall...
29To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 13 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your kind letter of recommendation, I had the honor to deliver to His Excellency the President, who laid it before congress in my absence. since which, they have appointed me an Auditor with Mr Clarkson to settle & adjust the accounts of the main Army—whether I am equal to the task assigned me, or not, I cannot presume to say; but shou’d I accept The appointment, I flatter myself under your...
30To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you yesterday at one o Clock P.M. , informing you the Enemy had moved towards Chester, after which, I took a circuit round them, their design appeared only to disperse our light parties, to make room for their Waggons to hall the remainder of the Hay from Tinicum Island, & the Hook, My Spy from the City has just arrived, & informs me General Knyphausen commands in Philada, & has but a...
31To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Spy mentioned in my Letter of Day before Yesterday, returned last Night, and informs me the Enemy are all over the Schuylkill except a Guard at the middle Ferry, they have taken up their Bridge at Grays, & say, that so soon as they’ve haul’d their Wood from this side, they will take up that at middle Ferry also, & continue Boats for the benefit of the Market People, I must now inform you...
32To George Washington from George Clinton, 16 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was Honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 29th December inclosing a Return of Colonels Livingston & Cortlandt’s Regiments some Days since—The Contents whereof I have communicated to the Legislature of this State now sitting at this Place & have most earnestly recommended them to their immediate Consideration. I have the Honor to be with the most perfect Regard & Esteem Your...
33To George Washington from Major Thomas Cogswell, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
in my travels through the different States i found that the recruitting officers from your armey where Enlisting Deserters from Generall Hows and Burgones Armeys and allso Receiveing them as Subtitutes in roome of the inhabitantes for your armey. i have Discovered that there has many Deserted from Mr Burgoyne Armey Sin[c]e he arived at Boston and the Committyes of the Differents Town and...
34To George Washington from Peter Colt, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Favour of the 7th Instant came duly to hand. the Contents are truly distressing to every thinking Man—or well wisher to this Country. It is painfull to recount the Causes that have prevented our Supplies from this Quarter’s being more adequate to your wants than they have been. But as my Character, I hear Suffers on that account—& as it is necessary that your Excellency should know the...
35To George Washington from Continental Artillery Officers, 10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Memorial of the Officers of Artillery now in Service at the Park of Artillery Humbly Sheweth—That it is with pain we address your Excellency upon the disagreeable Subject before us; Your Excellency’s Ears have been so often wounded of late With Complaints that we wou’d rather sooth & Suppress our present Uneasiness than to trouble you with them at this time: But to remain silent We...
36To George Washington from a Continental Congress Camp Committee, 11 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The travelling is so bad that we wish you wou’d not attempt to meet us, while it continues. We shall employ ourselves in that part of our business which can be done without your personal attendance. We have been considering General Howe’s letter which you was pleased to lay before us yesterday, and seem agreed and confirmed in the opinion that he hath some latent meaning in those parts of it...
37To George Washington from the Continental Congress Evacuation Committee, 7 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Committee appointed on the 27th of August 1777 to collect evidence of the State of the Army in the Northern department & also the State of the Troops Military Stores & provisions at the Posts of Tyconderoga & Mount Independence before & at the time when the evacuation was determined upon—In obedience to an order of Congress of the 5th Inst. Copy of which will be transmitted by the...
38To George Washington from the Continental Navy Board, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
We have sent by the Bearer a few Fish which we take the Liberty of presenting to your Excellency’s Table requesting you will do us the Honour of accepting them, & hope they will prove a seasonable Refreshment. Had we opportunity equal to our Zeal we should be happy in exerting our best Abilities to shew the Affection & Respect we have for your Excellency. Sincerely wishing you all Manner of...
39To George Washington from Major General Thomas Conway, 10 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I remain in a state of inaction untill such time as your Excellency Will think fitt to employ me. I understand that your aversion to me is owing to the Letter I Wrote to general Gates. I have made you a candid answer upon that subject, and such an answer as must satisfy you and every man of a Liberal Disposition. there is not a subaltern in europe but What will Write to his friends and...
40To George Washington from Major General Thomas Conway, 31 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was Directed By the Board of war to furnish a sett of instructions according to which the troops are to be Manœuvred. I propos’d to you sir, (in order to Lose no time) to Beginn immediately with officers and non commission’d officers. I meant to work with them the whole Day, and in the evening and Night to write the Regulations concerning camp Duty and the instructions for the Manœuvres...
41To George Washington from Major General Thomas Conway, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Coll fitzgerald mentionn’d to me yesterday that your excellency Wish’d to Know the method I intended to proceed upon in the new office to Which I was appointed. the first stepp, is to take your orders concerning the instruction of the troops the returns of Which Models, are to be sent to the Different Regiments concerning the Cloathing, arms, rations, Regimental pay Books, &c. &c. are not yet...
42To George Washington from Major General Thomas Conway, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Gates Deliver’d to me the Letter which I had Directed to him Last october, and of Which I had Kept no Copy. I find With great satisfaction that the paragraph so much spoke of Does not exist in said Letter nor anything Like it. The Letter was communicated before my arrival to several members of congress, and as soon as I receiv’d it, I Deliver’d it to three other members who have...
43To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 23 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the 3d instant inclosing a Proposal made to you by General Varnum for recruiting the two Continental Battalions raised by this State. I laid the Letter before the General Assembly at their Sessions on the Second Monday in this Month, who considering the pressing Necessity of filling up the Continental Army, and the peculiarly difficult...
44To George Washington from Denis-Nicolas Cottineau de Kerloguen, 26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Deign to accept the humble respects of a Stranger, who has taken every method to land near your Camp—in order to offer you the more readily such succours as his Cargo may afford—the inclosed contains a list of the articles which compose it and I shall wait for your orders before I begin to sell any thing. I dare flatter myself that you will be pleased to accept my respectful Compliments of...
45To George Washington from Captain Charles Craig, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have thought it my duty to forward to Head Quarters a Certain Hofman Lowrey—that has under the character of beeing one of my horseman robd a number of Poor people—Takes provisions from the poor and Sel’s it for hard money to others. This man and two others have kept up this trade for some time past. I have Delay’d sendg him in expectation of takeing the others It is not in my power to...
46To George Washington from James Craik, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding your unwearied diligence And the unparalleled Sacrifice of Domestic happyness and ease of mind which you have made for the good of your Country yet you are not wanting in Secret enemies who would Rob you of the great and truely deserved esteem your Country has for you—Base and Villainous men thro’ Chagrin, Envy, or Ambition, are endeavouring to lessen you in the minds of the...
47To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 12 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
In my Last I informed you, of Mr Henry’s Purchase of my Estate in King & Queen; He is very anxious as well as Myself, to have the proper Titles made to Him, in order to his Payment of the Purchase Money. I directed Mr Hill to call upon Mr Wythe to draw the proper Conveyance between you and Me, according to your Directions to Me, conveyed in a Letter of yours some time last Fall. Mr Hill has...
48To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 17 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The bad Weather has detain’d Me at this Place untill this Day. I shall now begin my Journey as the Weather appears more favourable. I did Myself the Pleasure to write you on the 12th inst. and inclosed you our Draught, Law, and every Article of News worth communicateing. I should not have troubled you so soon again, if the Post had carried my Letter, but through some Accident neither Post has...
49To George Washington from John Parke Custis, 14 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am really ashamed of my long Silence: which has been owing altogether to the Want of Meterials worthy of communicating to you, the same Cause still subsists; but the Fear of your imputing my Silence to the Want of regard & respect; compels Me at present, to intrude a few Lines upon that short Moment, you are allowed by the Multiplicity of your Business, to devote to Freindship, and Society....
50To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Confiding in your known and admired candor I beg leave to address you on a subject of great delicacy and to me very interesting & important. Sensible that your Excelency has been frequently interrupted with resignations from the Officers under your command ’tis not without reluctance that I pray your attention to a subject of this nature. With the greatest sincerity I say it—I could never be...