91From 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....
92To George Washington from James Wilson, 11 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from James Wilson, 11 Jan. 1778. GW wrote Wilson on 23 Jan. : “I have received your favor of the 11th Instant.”
93To 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,...
94Proclamation on Cattle, 18 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
To the Inhabitants of New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland & Virginia. Friends, Countrymen and Fellow Citizens! After three Campaigns, during which, the brave Subjects of these States have contended, not unsuccessfully, with one of the most powerful Kingdoms upon Earth, we now find ourselves, at least, upon a level with our opponents; and there is the best reason to believe, that...
95To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 18 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday that I was afraid we had lost one of our small parties, but they came in a few minutes after I sent the Letter off—Has there been any great desertions from Camp, or any report of prisoners made on the other side of the Schuylkill—I am perswaded, there was some of our prisoners paraded for some purpose—If there has been no report of any being lately taken they...
96To 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...
97To George Washington from General William Howe, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you an Extract of a Letter from Mr Boudinot to Mr Fergusson the Commissary of Prisoners at this Place, signifying to him that it is expected, that after the 1st Day of February next, we supply all Prisoners with you, West of New Jersey, with every Kind of Provisions sent out from our Lines. and that he has it positively in Charge not to suffer our Agents to purchase any Provisions...
98To George Washington from Colonel Henry Beekman Livingston, 10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Day after I saw you last I was so unfortunate as to be taken exceedingly ill which has since untill now Incapacitated me from doing any Kind of Business—For the advantage of a Change of Diet and the attendance of my Surgeon who is also Sick in this Neighbourhood I was desirous of retiring here and applied to General Poor for leave who returned me for answer “That he had no Objection to my...
99To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I went Yesterday morning to Head Quarters with an intention of Speaking to Your Excellency But You were too Busy and I shall lay down in this letter what I wished to Say. I don’t Need telling You How I am Sorry for all what Happens Since Some time it is a necessary dependence of my most tender and Respectful friendship for You, which affection is as true and Candid as the other Sentiments of...
100To George Washington from the Rhode Island Council of War, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since we had the Honor of addressing your Excellency by Mr Thompson, we received your favor of the 2d instant enclosing a proposition of Genl Varnum’s for raising a Battalion of Negroes. We in our Letter of the 15th current, of wh. we send a Duplicate, have fully represented our present circumstances and the many difficulties we Labor under in respect to our filling up the Continental...
101To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged by your favor received last Evening, and shall take every necessary precaution to obviate any design formed against this Post—but I am induced to think the Information was groundless, as we have now seve⟨n⟩ Prisoners taken on the Evening of the 7th, part of them taken by the mouth of Derby Creek going up with Provision, & the others above that, coming down from Philadelphia...
102From George Washington to Lund Washington, 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
If you should happen to draw a prize in the militia , I must provide a man, either there or here, in your room; as nothing but your having the charge of my business, and the entire confidence I repose in you, could make me tolerable easy from home for such a length of time as I have been, and am likely to be. This therefore leads me to say, that I hope no motive, however powerful, will induce...
103From 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...
104To George Washington from Benjamin Rush, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I should think myself inexcusable in leaving the army by resigning my commission without informing your Excellency that I was compelled to that measure by the prevalence of an opinion among some people that the distresses and mismanagement of the hospitals arose from a “want of harmony” between Dr Shippen, and myself. next to the conviction of my own mind that this was not the case, I wish to...
105From 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...
106To George Washington from Major Peter Scull, 7 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had this day the honor of receiving your Excellency’s Letter of the 5th Instant. Imprest with the warmest sentiments of Gratitude & attachment, I return you thanks for the polite & obliging manner in which you are pleased to answer my late application. At the time I made the Request I was conscious, Sir, that there was some impropriety in doing it, but that or inevitable distress was the...
107To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 26 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I hope your Excellency will excuse the Delay in not answering your favors of the 12th & 13th Inst. before. I have been so pester’d this 10 Days past, that I need not tell, for you will readily perceive I am scarce yet in my proper Senses, nor do I believe I shall ever get clear of the Echo of Rank in the Line , of the Staff, Furlough, Recruiting, Resignation, Desertion, disaffection, pass into...
108From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel James Innes, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Continental Forces from Virginia being at present in a situation, that requires the exertion of some officer in that state to collect together the reinlisted Soldiers of the old Regiments—as well as the recruits & Draughts intended to compleat those & the six additional Battalions—you are while in Virginia, in aid to any superior officer who may be there with Instructions to pay particular...
109To George Washington from Colonel John Hoskins Stone, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Having no field officer to my Regiment who can do duty myself & the Lt Colo. (Forrest) being wounded and the Major having resigned it will be some time before either of us will be fit to take command, and being very anxious to compleat and put my Regiment in the best order against the ensueing Campaign—by the consent and desire of Lt Colo. Smith I take the liberty to beg of your Excellency to...
110General Orders, 15 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the public teams are now employed and the troops are in immediate want of straw, the Commander in Chief anxious to have them furnished with every necessary to make them comfortable, desires the Brigadiers and officers commanding Brigades each to send out a party properly officered to procure straw and impress waggons to haul it to camp where they will deliver it to their respective Brigade...
111From George Washington to William Gordon, 23 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I HAVE attended to your information and remark, on the supposed intention of placing General L——, at the head of the army: whether a serious design of that kind had ever entered into the head of a member of C—— or not, I never was at the trouble of enquiring. I am told a scheme of that kind is now on foot by some, in behalf of another gentleman —but whether true or false, whether serious, or...
112To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 15 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
We are in want of some of the Deputy Q. M. Generals to conduct the business of that department—please to send us one—I receivd two Letters from Col. Biddle—he has got but few Waggons—The Inhabitants conceal them the Col. complains bitterly of the disaffection of the people—I sent out a great number of small parties to collect the Cattle Horses &c. &c. yesterday but the collection was...
113From 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...
114To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Ellis, 15 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As I was appointed by Governor Livingston, to the Command of General Newcomb’s Brigade, I thought it my duty to acquaint Your Exellency with the State of the Militia under my Command—There is about five hundred at this time out in Service, wch has in general proved a sufficient force to prevent any trade or Intercourse between this country & the city of Philada—But we have not in other...
115To 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...
116To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
By return of a Party of Dragoons who I had detatched for that purpose, I have just received Intelligence of some of the Enemys Movements, & have inclosed the Ltrs for your perusal & satisfaction, from which it will appear (tho these Views are not absolutely demonstrated) they have intended to intercept General Wayne, & his collected supplies, and that they have had & may still have a design...
117To George Washington from Brigadier General James Potter, 11 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
yesterday morning the enemy cam out with about 50 hors and 200 of there Greens, and took four men prisnirs at the Goley post —the last week I have Spent in Visiting the difrent posts I find there is a smart Tread Carrided on Between the Cuntry and the City Som officers have given general passes too there faverits to send there sarvant with what Nessecereys they please in to the City in...
118From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 31 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this morning received your favor of the 27th Ulto. I cannot sufficiently express the obligation I feel to you for your friendship and politeness upon an occasion in which I am so deeply interested. I was not unapprized that a malignant faction had been for sometime forming to my prejudice; which, conscious as I am of having ever done all in my power to answer the important purposes of the...
119From 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...
120To George Washington from William Gordon, 12 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was a stranger to the subjects of the present letter when I wrote last week, or should have mentioned them considering their importance. Mr Hancock reports that your Excellency designs quitting the command of the army. I hope he has no good foundation for what he says. I should dread your doing it, did I believe it probable, for I apprehend the cause would suffer amazingly by it, & that the...