511To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 19 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is with the greatest reluctance that I think myself obliged to add to the many things that I know perplex your Excellency at this time. But the claim I made of being reinstated in my Rank in the line of my own State, appears to be as far from being settled as ever —I have waited with patience these three Months, & done duty in the Line under Genls Muhlenberg & Weedon, contrary to my...
512General Orders, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a board of General Officers held Feby 19th 1778—to take into Consideration the promotion of Majr Michael Ryan and after having heard the reasons for and against it, are of opinion that his promotion to the Rank of Major in 10th Pennsylvania Regimt is irregular. The Commander in Chief is therefore obliged to suspend the appointment of Major Ryan in the said Regiment. The same board likewise...
513To 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...
514To 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...
515To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Wayne wrote me last Evening that all his troops had crost over the River Delaware into the Jerseys—He intends to collect all the Stock and burn all the Hay along the River that will be within the reach of the Enemy—If he executes the business effectually the only chance the Enemy will have of forageing will be between Schuylkill and the Delaware—I am told there is considerable Hay upon...
516To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by the receipt of yours of the 22d Ulto. Having received the Resolve of Congress for delaying the embarkation of General Burgoyne & his Army ’till the Convention is ratified by the Court of Great Britain. I am carefully observing the conduct of these Troops; have inculcated vigilence & alertness on the Guards & Sentinels, and have augmented their numbers; have been...
517To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
you will no Doubt be surprized at seeing the inclosed Letter, in which the Encomiums bestowed on me are as undeserved, as the Censures aimed at you are unjust. I am sorry there should be one man who counts himself my Friend, who is not yours. Perhaps I give you needless Trouble in handing you this paper. The Writer of it may be too insignificant to deserve any Notice. If I knew this to be the...
518To George Washington from Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr., 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
My people have taken Several persons going to Market Some of which is now Confind in my provo. three Young Fellows in perticulal, who were going to the Enemy with an entent to Stay with them, they had Meal on their Backs, which they Confess was for Market, they were flying to escape their fines in the Militia. if your Excellency would Direct I would be glad, to try and punnish them here, as it...
519To George Washington from Jonathan Mifflin, Jr., 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the other Side is a Copy of a Letter I received Yesterday from the President of the Board of War on my Way to Potts Grove to establish a Magazine at that Place which I think proper to transmit to you Excellency. Your Excellencys Letter of 15th Int was received a few Minutes before Col. Hooper & Capt. Falconer left this Town—The Cattle in this County have been chiefly collected by Mr Patton...
520To George Washington from Joseph Nourse, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform your Excellency that in Consequence of the Resolution of Congress giving The Revd Mr Batwell of Yorktown, the alternative of taking the Oath of Allegiance to the state of Pennsilva. or going into the City of Philada in order to embark with his Family for Europe, that agreable to his choice the Board have given him, a Passport for himself, his Wife, two Children, his...
521From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am glad to be informed by your Letter of the 9th Inst. that you are established in quarters, where you are likely to have means of putting your men and horses into good Condition; As you have been so successful in contracting for boots and Leather Breeches, I would not have you confine your views in these articles, to the precise number that may be wanted by your Regiment; but wish that you...
522To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Temple, 20 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am at this place waiting for a Cargo of Goods purchas’d by Colo. Finne, to compleat the cloathing of the first Regt of Dragoons, except Boots & leather Breeches, I have only been able to engage one hundred pair of each, by the first of April, and them at an exorbitant price, Six pounds ten Shillings ⅌ pair, I have got the cloathes amaking and shall do every thing in my power to expedite the...
523General Orders, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
524From 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.”
525From 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....
526From 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...
527From 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...
528From 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....
529From George Washington to Colonel Henry Hollingsworth, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 18th gives me pleasure by informing me that you have employed two active persons for the purpose of collecting Cattle and other articles of provision for the use of this Army, and that your brother whose zeal and knowledge of the Country will render him exceedingly useful is likewise exerting himself in this business; I am persuaded he will need no spur to his activity, if...
530To George Washington from General William Howe, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Although my Letter of the 5th Instant has in great measure anticipated the Answer requisite to your’s of the 20th and 30th of January, I shall make no Apology for troubling you with a few observations, in consequence of the papers you referred to me, which I hope will preclude any farther declamatory Complaints on your part, and well founded Remonstrances on mine, upon the Subject of the...
531From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your favour of the 18th of January, which hurry of business has prevented my answering sooner. As transportation, at this season, would be ⟨difficult tedious⟩ and expensive, I approve of the plan you adopted ⟨with respect to⟩ the cannon at albany; but that no risk may be run, and in order to have them as early as possible, so near the scene of action, as that we may be able to...
532From George Washington to Brigadier General John Lacey, Jr., 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favors of the 19th & 20th Instant. With respect to the three Men you mention to have taken, when going to Philadelphia, I wish you to examine them & the Witnesses on the subject and to punish ’em in such manner, as they may deserve. If there is any of them, who appear to be great Offenders, & to be proper Objects for Capital punishment, you will send them to Head Quarters with...
533To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honour of writing to your Excellency the 19th by Barry —Under the present Cover Your Excellency will be pleased to receive—An Act of Congress of the 19th for seperating the Troops included in the Convention of Saratoga & for other purposes. of the present date for appointing by Your Excellency’s Order a Major Genl to releive Major Genl Spencer in the Comand of the Troops at Rhode...
534From George Washington to Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 19th inst. informing me of the measures which you have taken for supplying our wants, and the prospects which you have of success—Your application to the Assessors of the several hundreds, was extremely judicious, and I have no doubt that by your activity and prudent management you will avail yourself of all the resources of the Country without giving...
535To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
This country does not answer our excpectation with respect to waggons. Consequently the conveyance of the salt provision &c. collected at this place will not be so expidetious as could be wished. A drove of cattle from seventy to an hundred head, will set out tomorrow from Middletown. We do business very regularly visiting in our route each & every farm, & taking with us every article...
536From George Washington to Colonel Southy Simpson, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I rec’d your favour by Major Sneed. Your request to suffer the drafts in that part of the Country to remain there, is an indulgence I am sorry to say I cannot with the least propriety consent to; & am perswaded when you have weighed the matter in your own mind, you will be of opinion with me. Many parts of this continent as to their situation & circumstances resemble yours, and fixing the...
537From 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...
538To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Favor of the 16th Inst. by Capt. Lee, who came here on the Evening of the 17th; I dispatch’d him very early the next Morning, with four very active officers, well acquainted with the Country, and best adapted to aid him in the Execution of the design , I also wrote to the President, General Rodney, The Purchasing Commissary, & Capt. McLane, all now at Dover, requesting that...
539To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have The Honor to Inclose yr Excellencey a pitiful Letter from My Man of The Intelligent Countenance by which appellation he was well known Last Campaign & gave us the best Intelligence we Ever had. I beg your Excellencey to Let me know what answer I am to give him & whether any Thing is to be Done for him. I have heard from various Quarters that the Enemy are about Embarking & Say they are...
540From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me pain that a Dispute of so delicate a nature as that which makes the subject of your favor of the 19th inst. should be left undetermined and continue the source of uneasinesses in Officers who deserve well of their Country—This matter will not as you seem to apprehend be returned for the consideration of Congress, they have already refered it to their Committee in this Camp, the...