1From George Washington to Colonel Israel Angell, 1 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of yesterday. As it is my wish to cut off the intercourse with Phila. as effectually as possible, I desire that no passes may be granted by you to any persons upon any pretence whatsoever; and that you will do all in your power to apprehend those who attempt to go into the City with marketting. There is no way so likely to put a total stop to this practice as making an...
2From George Washington to Major General John Armstrong, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have this Morning receiv’d your Favor of 26th Inst. The Method you have adopted for preventing the Intercourse & Supply of Marketting from the Country, I think is a good One, & I expect will have the intended effect, though I fear it is impossible to put a total Stop to it even by the greatest exertions of the Officers, as there are many Avenues to Town which it will be found difficult to...
3From George Washington to Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, 21 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. John Armstrong, 21 Feb. 1778. Tench Tilghman wrote at the bottom of the last page of Armstrong’s letter to GW of 5 Feb. : “Ansd 21.”
4From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a Commission, by which you will find, that you are restored to the rank you claim in the line of the Army. This I transmit by direction of Congress and in pursuance of their Resolution of the 29th of November. The situation of my papers & the want of Blank Commissions prevented me doing it before. May I venture to ask whether you are upon your Legs again—and if you...
5From George Washington to Colonel Clement Biddle, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the Season advances when falling weather and the badness of Roads will be almost insurmountable obstacles to the transporting forage from any distance—you are without delay to form magazines for our winters Supply contiguous to the Rear of the Camp—and to take every favorable opportunity of keeping them amply furnished—so that even in case of a series of bad Weather there may be no...
6From George Washington to Major Samuel Blackden, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Being appointed by Colo. Sheldon to procure Cloathing and Accoutrements for the Regiment agt the ensuing Campaign, you are to repair immediately to Boston as the most probable place of furnishing yourself. Upon your arrival there, you are, thro’ General Heath, (to whom I have written) to apply to the persons purchasing Cloathing for continental use, for as much as will be sufficient, and as...
7From George Washington to Ephraim Blaine, 31 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
This Letter will accompany one from the Committee of Congress requiring your attendance at this Place. In addition, I shall Inform you that by a return from the Commissary of Issues we have only 90 head of Cattle in Camp, and the troops only served for this day; Moreover that he Knows not of any supplies Coming on. It also appears by the said return that there is only 560 Barrels of Flour this...
8From George Washington to the Board of War, 2–3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your several Letters of the 23d, 24th & 27th Ulto have been recieved. Agreable to your request I shall communicate to Genl Howe the information you have recieved respecting Captn Dick and the other American Officers, with your determination to retaliate on an equal number of their Officers, till Captain Dick &c. are relieved from their cruel & unjustifiable treatment. It would be a happy...
9From George Washington to the Board of War, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Sullivan who will deliver this was bearer of a Letter to me from Col. Gibson Commanding Officer at Fort Pitt, in which the Garrison is represented as exceedingly distressed for want of Cloathing and I am sollicited to give such directions as may facilitate the procuring a Supply —I have in consequence written to you on the subject, and have no doubt that every thing on your part will be...
10From George Washington to Thomas Bond, Jr., 3 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your letter of yesterday I am sorry to inform you that however willing to oblige your father and yourself, I do not think I can with propriety comply with your request. I cannot suppose your father would mean to make the least ill-use of the privilege he wishes for; but every indulgence of this kind becomes a precedent for others, and you will easily be sensible that it must be...
11From George Washington to Elias Boudinot, 3 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Letter from Congress will accompany this containing two resolutions relative to prisoners. You will perceive by them that Congress go upon the presumption of our furnishing our prisoners in the Enemy’s hands wholly and intirely with provisions. Their fixing no rule for liquidating and accounting for the rations heretofore supplied by the Enemy, is a proof that they do not intend them to...
12From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Brent, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are to proceed to Wms Burg as expeditiously as you possibly can. You will apply to His Excelly the Governor & the Honorable The Council & take their advice on the most speedy mode for apprehending the Deserters from the Regt to which you belong—A return of which You have with you. You will also apply for the residue of the men to Complete the Regt previous to It’s March from Willms...
13Circular to Brigadiers of the Virginia Line, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the time of service of part of the Virginia Troops has already expired, and many more will shortly petition for discharges upon the same claim; It will be necessary for the Brigadiers, and Commandants in that Line, to meet, and come to some determination with respect to the mode of doing it. I have therefore to request that you will take such steps, and precaution, as will put it out of the...
14From George Washington to William Buchanan, 7 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The occasional deficiences in the Article of provisions, which we have often severely felt, seem now on the point of resolving themselves into this fatal crisis—total want and a dissolution of the Army. Mr Blaine informs me, in the most decisive terms, that he has not the least prospect of answering the demands of the army, within his district, more than a month longer, at the extremity. the...
15From George Washington to William Buchanan, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As the Season advances in which bad weather and broken Roads will render the transporting provision from any distance, for the most part subject to considerable delay, and sometimes impracticable—it becomes indispensibly necessary to form with all possible expedition ample magazines for our Winters Supply contiguous to the Rear of the Camp—and to embrace every favorable opportunity of keeping...
16From George Washington to Captain Thomas Cartwright, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured last night with your Letter of the 14th Instant and with its inclosure. As no person under our present Military system can appoint a General Court Martial but the Commander in Chief or Commanding General in a particular state, I cannot determine on the proceedings transmitted. Those sent by major General, the Marquiss de la Fayette, he omitted to deliver. I have written to Colo....
17From George Washington to Captain Stephen Chambers, 27 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are aware, that the purposes of the party, under your command, are, as much as possible to cover the roads leading into Philadelphia—cut off the communication between the city and country, and prevent the depredations, dayly committing by the Enemys parties. Your own discretion also and knowledge of the country will point out the best means of accomplishing these ends. I shall only observe...
18Circular to the Chief Executives of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, 19 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
For reasons that will be obvious to you, it is thought the publication of the inclosed address may answer valuable ends; and I beg leave to submit to you, whether it may not serve to increase its effect, if it were ushered into the papers of your State with a recommendatory line from yourself. If you should suppose there will be any impropriety in this, you will be pleased notwithstanding to...
19From George Washington to John Clark, Jr., 24 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with yours of the 13 Inst. I hope you will determine without delay, whether you will accept the appointment of auditor, and if you do, that you will repair as soon as you possibly can to the Army to enter upon the duties of it. An office of this nature has been long thought expedient, and for want of it, I am persuaded the Public have suffered greatly as well as many...
20From George Washington to George Clinton, 16 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is with great reluctance, I trouble you on a subject, which does not properly fall within your province; but it is a subject that occasions me more distress, than I have felt, since the commencement of the war; and which loudly demands the most zealous exertions of every person of weight and authority, who is interested in the success of our affairs —I mean the present dreadful situation of...
21From George Washington to Peter Colt, 7 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The present situation of the army is the most melancholy that can be conceived. Our supplies in provisions of the flesh kind for some time past have been very deficient and irregular—a prospect now opens of absolute want, such as will make it impossible to keep the army much longer from dissolving, unless the most vigorous and effectual measures be persued to prevent it. Jersey Pensylvania and...
22From George Washington to the Commanding Officer at Albany, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been informed that a number of broad Swords and other horse accoutrements taken in the Course of the last Campaign are deposited at Albany if this be the case you are to deliver those Articles to Colonel Sheldon o[n] his order for the use of the Brigade of Light Dragoons. I am Sir Yours &c. Df , in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . The commanding officer at...
23From George Washington to a Continental Congress Camp Committee, 29 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The numerous defects, in our present military establishment, rendering many reformations and many new arrangements absolutely necessary, and Congress having been pleased to appoint you a Committee, in concert with me, to make and recommend such, as shall appear eligible, in persuance, of the various objects, expressed in their resolution for that purpose —I have in the following sheets briefly...
24From George Washington to Major General Thomas Conway, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favor’d with your Letter of yesterday, in which you propose (in order to loose no time) to begin with the instructions of the Troops. You will observe by the Resolution of Congress relative to your appointment, that the board of War is to furnish a Sett of Instructions, according to which the Troops are to be Manœuvred—As you have made no mention of having recd them, I suppose they are...
25From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed you will receive a Copy of a Letter from General Varnum to me, upon the means which might be adopted for completing the Rhode Island Troops to their full proportion in the Continental Army—I have nothing to say in addition to what I wrote the 29th of last month on this important subject, but to desire that you will give the Officers employed in this business all the assistance in your...
26From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 31 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
By Lieutt Colo. Barton I was honored with your Favor of the 5th Ulto with it’s Inclosure. The spirit and disposition of this Gentleman for enterprize and of the Officers concerned with him in capturing Genl Prescot, give them a ⟨hi⟩gh claim to the thanks and esteem of ⟨their⟩ Country. Congress, persuaded of this, ⟨promoted Mr Ba⟩rton on the 24th Instant to the ⟨Rank and pay of a⟩ Colonel in...
27From George Washington to John Parke Custis, 1 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I will just write you a few lines in acknowledgment of your Letter of the 14th Ulto; which was detaind by the Posts not being able to cross Susquehanna, till the Evening before last. I congratualte you upon the birth of another daughter, & Nelly’s good health; & heartily wish the last may continue, & the other be a blessing to you. The money received for your Land was, I think, well applied,...
28From George Washington to Bartholomew Dandridge, 15 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Bartholomew Dandridge, 15 Feb. 1778. In his letter to GW of 12 April 1778, Dandridge referred to “Your favor of the 15th of Feby.”
29From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 13th instant last Evening, and have immediately written to Govr Livingston upon the Subject. I make no doubt but the prosecution will be immediately stopped upon my representation of the matter in its true light, and of my pointing out the impossibility of getting persons to undertake this kind of Business in future if they are not protected by us. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s...
30From George Washington to William Duer, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 16th instant, communicating the intelligence you had received, respecting the scheme of investing this camp and cutting off its supplies. Your being unacquainted with our present position and the circumstance you mention of an intimation from General Sinclair, of the possibility of such an event, very naturally occasioned Biddles insinuation, to make the...
31From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Ellis, 24 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have sent over ⟨Captn Lieut. Symonds⟩ to take the charge of some peices of heavy Artillery; with which I have directed him, to give the Enemy’s shipping near the City all the annoyance in his power, while the rivers continues in its present situation. He will stand in need of a body of infantry to cover the Artillery in this opperation and to Aid in throwing up some little work that may be...
32From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Ellis, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to hear, by yours of the 15th instant, that you have been appointed to the Command of the Brigade late Newcombs. From the Character given of you by Genl Green, I have every reason to expect that nothing will be wanting on your part to excite a proper spirit among the people, and to give the most effectual opposition to any parties of the Enemy who may attempt to ravage your Coast. If...
33From George Washington to Robert Lettis Hooper, Jr., Nathaniel Falconer, and Jonathan Mifflin, Jr., 15 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this Minute received your Favor of the 14th Instant with its several Inclosures. I am constrained to inform you, that the situation of the Army is most critical and alarming for want of provision of the meat kind. Many of the Troops for four days and some longer have not drawn the smallest supplies of this Article. This being the case, it is needless to add to convince you of their distress....
34From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Fitzgerald, 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
This instant returning from the Comee & finding the Post here you must put up with a line or two in acknowledgement of your favr of the 16th Instt from York, instead of a long Letter, which it was my intention to have written you. I thank you sincerely for the part you acted at York respecting C—y’s Letter; & believe with you, that matters have, & will, turn out very different to what that...
35From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Flower, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for the Commissary of Military Stores— All the Continental Arms that are out of order are to be collected without delay, that they may be repaired and render’d fit for Service as speedily as possible. Every Workman that can possibly be engaged is to be employed for this purpose—and in proportion as the Repairs are completed the Arms are to be packe⟨d⟩ in proper Chests, which are...
36From George Washington to Colonel David Forman, 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have not yet received an Answer respecting the Guard for the Salt works sollicited in your memorial. Till you hear further from me upon the subject, you may detain a Captain two subalterns and Sixty men of the detachment of your Regiment now in Monmouth, for the purpose of Guarding the works the remainder be pleased to send forward to Camp with Captain Combes, with whom be pleased to send...
37From George Washington to Bartrem Galbraith, 17 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr William Smith, is employed in the Continental Service as Deputy Waggon Master—Josiah Kittara as Waggon Conductor—Wm Smith Junior as Sub Conductor—and Thomas Edwards and Amos Evans as Waggoners—the Certificates of their being attached to the Continental Army in these Capacities will be deliver’d to you by Mr Wm Smith who goes in behalf of the rest—and as it cannot be the intention of the...
38From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this Evening received a Letter from Lt Colo. Smith at Lancaster, advising me of the confinement of the British Officers who were going with Cloathing and medicine for the prisoners in our hands. This measure I consider as rather unfortunate, as they came out by my permission and in consequence of a Stipulation between myself and Genl Howe. The Officers are a Hessian & British Regimental...
39From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At General Knox’s departure from camp, I directed him to forward the artillery at albany, to some proper depository in this quarter, convenient for rendering them useful in the next campaign. My motives for this were, that in case of an augmentation of this army, we should stand in need of a much larger train than we now have in the field, and ought besides to have a reserve to answer the...
40From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Two Letters of the 24th Instant came to hand. Before The receipt of the first, I had written to you upon the subject contained in it, in consequence of your Letter to the commanding Officer at Lancaster, which had been transmitted to me. As that will inform you fully respecting the British Officers and Cloathing, I will not trouble you with a repetition of the matter. I must observe,...
41From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 27 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The frequent complaints of the Brigade Majors and Adjutants for want of writing Paper obliges me to call the attention of the Board to the procurement of that necessary article. Colo. Pickering can inform them how much the service suffers on that account, from his experience while in the Office of Adjutant General. I know it properly belongs to the Quarter Master Generals department to provide...
42From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 4 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 8th Ulto came to my hands a few days ago; and, to my great surprize informed me, that a copy of it had been sent to Congress—for what reason, I find myself unable to acct; but, as some end doubtless was intended to be answered by it, I am laid under the disagreeable necessity of returning my answer through the same channel, lest any member of that honble body, should harbour...
43From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 9 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favoured with your Letter of the 23d of last Month; to which I shd have replied sooner, had I not been delayed by business that required my more immediate attention. It is my wish to give implicit credit to the assurances of every Gentleman; but in the subject of our present corrispondence, I am sorry to confess, there happen to be some unlucky circumstances, which involuntarily...
44From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 23–26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your two favours of the 14th and 18th instant, with their inclosures. With respect to the subject of the former, to obtain redress in the case of Mr Heister, the mode suggested in the postcript appears to me the most eligible; and I shall take the first opportunity to transmit a copy of your letter to General Heath, with the directions required. I shall take the measures...
45From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favoured with yours of the 9th instant inclosing the proceedings of a general Court Martial held by your order. It is a defect in our martial law, from which we often find great inconvenience, that the power of appointing General Courts Martial is too limited. I do not find it can be legally exercised by any officer, except the Commander in chief or the commanding general in any...
46From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 18 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter of the 17th Ulto from Major General Riedesel after setting forth that a certain number of British Officers prisoners of War had been exchanged for an equal number of Officers in the Continental Army, at the request of Genl Burgoyne, he complains that upon application to you for the exchange of a proportionable number of German Officers likewise prisoners of War you answered no...
47From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 27th and 31st ulto —The Officers and Men, belonging to the Artillery under the command of Major Stevens, had been sent back previous to the Rect of yours of the 27th—I have always found great inconveniences in keeping small parties detatched from their Corps. You must have heard that the Officers who had the British Cloathing in charge would not proceed...
48From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 24 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your favor of the 19th Instt. I am as averse to controversy, as any Man, and had I not been forced into it, you never would have had occasion to impute to me, even the shadow of a disposition towards it. Your repeatedly & solemnly disclaiming any offensive views in those matters, which have been the subject of our past correspondence, makes me willing to close with the...
49From George Washington to Colonel George Gibson, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your Favor of the 17th Instant. The same reasons which prevented me determining on the sentences of the Court Martial, ordered by Major General the Marquiss de la Fayette, apply against the proceedings of the Court directed by General Wayne in the case of Lts McMichael & Dickinson. I make no doubt Colonel Hubley will have shewn you my Letter of the 14th on that subject....
50From George Washington to Colonel John Gibson, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Sullivan has deliverd me your Letter of the 5th Instant inclosing a Return of the Garrison at Fort pitt—and desiring me to give such directions to Capt. Sullivan as may facilitate the procuring a Supply of Cloathing for that part of the 13th Virginia Regimt which is with you—I am sorry that I can do no more in this business than represent the distress of the Garrison to the Board of War...