1From George Washington to James Mease, 21 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this day recd yours of the 18th by Lieutenant Gamble who has brought down 463 Coat ready cut out. I could have wished that had not been done, as I intended to have had them made up in a new fashion which I think will save Cloth—be made up quicker and cheaper and yet be more warm and convenient to the Soldier. I desire that all the remainder of the Virginia Goods may be immediately sent on in...
2General Orders, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Artist Charles Willson Peale wrote in his diary that he dined with GW on this date after arriving in camp at noon ( Miller, Peale Papers Lillian B. Miller, ed. The Selected Papers of Charles Willson Peale and His Family . 5 vols. New Haven, 1983–2000. , 1:266).
3From George Washington to Lund Washington, 9 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 9 Jan. 1778. Lund Washington wrote GW on 28 Jan. : “Yours of the 9th Inst. came to hand yesterday.”
4From George Washington to James Nourse and Alexander White, 30 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter from Genl Lee of the 30th Ulto, which came to hand the 26th Instant, he seems to be anxious about the state of his Farm & Affairs and requests me “to recommend the care of them to you & Mr White.” I have taken the earliest Opportunity to inform you of his desires on these subjects, and have no doubt but you will render him every service in your power. I am happy to acquaint you,...
5General Orders, 17 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a division Court Martial (Feby 13th 1778.) whereof Lieutt Coll Sprout was president, Lieutt Austin Alden of Coll Brewer’s Regiment, tried for behaving in many instances unbecoming the Character of an officer and gentleman, 1st in taking Jack Brown’s allowance of Whisky and drinking it and then refusing to pay for it—2nd In messing, frequently drinking & sleeping with the soldiers—3rdly—For...
6From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 17 February 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene, 17 Feb. 1778. John Laurens docketed Greene’s letter to GW of 16 Feb. “Answd 17th.”
7General Orders, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Great numbers of prisoners are now in the Provost, suffering extremely from the severity of the season. Brigade General Courts Martial are to be appointed for to morrow, and to sit daily, ’till all the prisoners belonging to the respective brigades are tried. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Brig. Gen. George Weedon’s orderly book adds the following passage to the general orders for this date: “a...
8From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 9–12 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The good People of the State of Pennsa Living in the Vicinity of Philadelphia and near the Delaware River—having suffered much by the Enemy Carrying off their Property without allowing them any Compensation —thereby Destressing the Inhabitants—Supplying their own Army and Enabling them to protract the Cruel and unjust War that they are now Wageing against these States. And Whereas by Recent...
9General Orders, 5 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
In Congress June 10th Resolved, That for the future the Quarter Master or other Person drawing provision for any Regiment Corps or Detachment shall on the last day of every month make out an abstract of the number of retain’d rations due to each officer respectively and also the number of each part of a ration due to each regiment corps or detachment and deliver the same to the respective...
10From George Washington to Thomas Wharton, Jr., 23 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of yours of the 17th inst: The Militia from the Westward, who had been detained by the badness of the weather, have arrived at Genl Laceys Camp, and those from Northampton have, I hope, come in by this time. Their presence had become exceedingly necessary, as the insolence of the disaffected in Philadelphia and Bucks Counties had arisen to a very alarming Height. They have...
11From George Washington to Major Peter Scull, 5 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
A few days ago I recieved your Favor of the 27th Ulto. I wish it had been on any other subject than that of your resignation, and am extremely sorry the situation of your Affairs should have made such an application necessary. I must request, Sir, if it can be done, that you will not entertain an idea of it. It is no time for Officers of merit in which class I consider you, to leave the Army....
12From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your several favors of the 23d 24th and 25th ulto with the enclosures to which they allude. In my letters of the 22d and 23d of last month, I mentioned the difficulties which the Service laboured under for want of a Qr Masr Genl and as I am induced to beleive that a new nomination has not been made since Genl Mifflins resignation, because Congress could not fix...
13General Orders, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief, to prevent unnecessary Applications for Furloughs informs the Officers that none will be granted by him unless the Officers who apply for the same produce Certificates from the Major Generals of the Divisions to which they belong, that the state of their Regiments will admit of their absence from Camp. And it is expected that the Major-Generals previous to their giving...
14General Orders, 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
A return of the drums, drum-heads, Snares cords &c.—and Fifes wanting in the several Brigades to be made immediately. At a General Court Martial whereof Coll Cortland was President (Feby 25th) Thomas Booth of 4th North-Carolina Regiment tried for desertion found guilty and sentenced to receive one hundred lashes on his bare back. The Commander in Chief approves the sentence and orders it to be...
15From 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...
16From George Washington to General William Howe, 30 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your Letter of the 19th Ulto. It is unnecessary to enter minutely into its contents; since the inclosed Resolutions of Congress will shew you, that the matter is now put upon a footing different from that mentioned by Mr Boudinot, which, at the same time you will be pleased to consider as final and decisive, and to regulate your measures accordingly. I shall be glad as...
17From 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...
18From 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...
19From George Washington to Lieutenant William Patterson, 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Knyphaussen having obtained a passport for Quarter Master Major Kitz to go to Fredericksburg in Virginia with a Serjeant & Servant and a Waggon with Cloathing and Necessaries for the Hessian Officers at that place, In order that the same may be safely conveyed, and that no irregularities may attend the execution of this Business, you are to proceed with all convenient expedition with...
20From 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...
21General Orders, 6 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court Martial whereof Coll Clark was President January 27th Lieutt William Williams of 13th Virginia Regiment tried for repeatedly behaving unbecoming the Character of an officer and a Gentleman, 1st in buying a pair of Continental shoes from a soldier and thereby rendering the soldier unfit for service—2ndly for messing and frequently sleeping with the soldiers, taking their...
22General Orders, 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Brigadiers General & officers commanding Brigades in pursuance of yesterdays orders have made a distribution of Cloathing—The Commanding officers of Regiments & Corps may receive their respective proportions accordingly by applying to the Commissary of Cloathing. At a General Court Martial whereof Coll Cortlandt was President February 16th 78, Lieutt Tipton of 12th Virginia Regiment tried...
23From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favor’d with your Letter of 13th Instant inclosing a return of those taken from Colo. Webbs & Ellis’s Regiments. I begin to be very apprehensive that the Season will entirely pass away, before any thing material will be done for the defence of Hudsons river—You are well acquainted with the great necessity there is for having the Works there finished as soon as possible, & I...
24From George Washington to an Unknown Person, 6 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of the 20th decemr inclosing a letter from Colo. Marbury’s Freind to Majr Molleson. It was immediately forwarded and I hope will have the desired effect. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, PHi : Etting Papers. The letter may have been intended for Maryland governor Thomas Johnson. Luke Marbury of Prince Georges County, Md. served in 1776 as a captain of...
25From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 22 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favor of the 6th and 8th Instants. I particularly alluded to Henley’s, Lees, and Jacksons Regiments when I expressed my surprize, that they had not been innoculated, as they had lain so long in Boston. I hope that very strict attention will be paid to that matter against the next Campaign: We find upon a scrutiny there are upwards of Two thousand Men to be innoculated in Camp at...
26From 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...
27From George Washington to William Livingston, 14 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor of transmitting you a Letter from the Committee of Congress, now here. These Gentlemen have represented the distress of the Army for want of provision so fully and in so just a light, that I shall forbear to trouble you with further observations upon the subject. I shall only observe, that if the picture they have drawn is imperfect, it is because the colourings are not...
28From George Washington to Colonel Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As we have more than probably taken a position for the Winter, and every exertion in the different departments should be made to prepare for the next Campaign: I take this early oppertunity to remind you of the necessity of providing Common Tents—Bell Tents for Arms—Ammunition Waggons—& such other essentials in your Line as you know will be wanted for the use of the Troops next Campaign. A...
29From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Lordships Letter of yesterday arrived late last night —with respect to the proposed Attack upon the detached body of the Enemy, it appears from Major Clarks account of their Situation whom I sent for to consult upon the Subject—that they can be so easily and readily reinforced from the main body as to render any attempt upon them abortive —The business of your inclosed Letter has been in...
30From George Washington to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, 14 Jan. 1778. John Laurens docketed Tallmadge’s letter to GW of 12 Jan. : “answd 14th Ref. for particulars to C[olone]l Pulaski.”