1General Orders, 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A General Court Martial is to sit at the House of Wiley Bodles, near the provost, at nine o’clock, this morning, for the trial of all prisoners which shall be brought before them —Colonel Scammell is appointed president of this court; and a Captain from Muhlenberg’s, 2nd Pennsylvania, Glover’s, Paterson’s, Huntington’s, & McIntosh’s brigades, and a subaltern from Weedon’s, Woodford’s, Scott’s,...
2From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The reason of my troubling you at this time is to request that Congress will defer their decision on Genl Woodfords claim of rank for the present. I find that the Gentlemen affected by it are much averst to it, and therefore shall direct the whole to state their Objections, which I shall transmit by the earliest Opportunity, that Congress may be fully possessed of the subject and apprized of...
3From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 26 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Major General Stirling, 26 Dec. 1777. In his second letter to GW of 26 Dec. , Stirling wrote that “I have Just received your Excellencys letter of this date.”
4General Orders, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Mr Berryman Greene at present Quarter Master is appointed Pay-Master, to the first regiment of Light Dragoons, and to be respected as such. Mr John Hughes, Quarter Master Serjeant to the 6th troop, is appointed Quarter Master to the same regiment in the room of Quarter Master Greene, and to be respected as such. All the troops are to draw and cook provisions for to morrow. Notwithstanding the...
5From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
On Wednesday I had the Honor to receive Your Letter of the 9th Instant. I have directed a Compleat state of the Virginia Troops to be made, which if done and I expect it will, I will transmit by the Next post. From it you will be able to discover the amount of the Whole—their deficiency—How many Men of the Old Regiments have reinlisted &c. I do not recollect ever to have heard, that Genl...
6From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was a few days ago favd with yours of the 8th instant. I am sorry that any undue promotions should have disgusted your Brother, but as I do not know the instances to which you allude, I can say nothing to the justice of his pretensions to rank in preference to them. The only dispute that has come to my knowledge, is that between him and Colo. Cortland, and in that, I must say, Colo. Cortland...
7From 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...
8From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 16th instant from the Sawpitts. I am glad to find that matters are not as represented in Colo. Drakes memorial, and my only wish is that the people may be protected as far as circumstances will permit without detriment to the public cause. I am exceedingly sorry to hear of the misfortune that has befallen Colo. Webb and Colo. Eli, and I can only hope that our loss...
9From 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...
10From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d your favor of Yesterday, & immediately sent one of my Aids to represent the Subject of it to the Commissary of Forage & Quartermaster Genl as far as it related to them—they declare that nothing of the Kind has happen’d within their knowledge, but say, they cannot be answerable for the conduct of many of their Deputies as they are not to be depended on, & it is out of their power to...
11General Orders, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
All the troops are to draw and cook provisions for to morrow. Two Captains of General Wayne’s division are to be detached to aid Lt Col. Bayard in the business committed to his charge —The Assistant Commissary General (Mr Chaloner) will inform the captains where Col. Bayard may be found. Varick transcript , DLC:GW . For GW’s orders to Lt. Col. Stephen Bayard to collect flour, grain, cattle,...
12From 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...
13From 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...
14From 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...
15From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter dated this day at noon and the pieces of Intelligence inclosed in it—your Lordship will act according to circumstances—I altogether approve of what you propose to be done with respect to those persons who have been detected in traiterously furnishing the Enemy with Provisions—the Punishment falling upon one or two Individuals of note will probably strike a Terror...
16From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
When you shall have received certain intelligence of the Enemys retiring to Philadelphia—it will be expedient to march your Division and the different parties that were detached to join you with all convenient speed back to Camp—that they may as soon as possible be refreshed and provide for their Winter Shelter—this was intended to have been mentioned in this mornings Letter—but was omitted —I...
17General Orders, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief earnestly exhorts the officers of every rank to use their utmost exertions to have the huts completed as soon as possible, that the troops may get comfortably lodged. He also directs a gill of spirits to be served this afternoon to each non commissioned officer and soldier. And as officers may find it difficult and expensive to procure spirits for their own use in camp,...
18Circular to the States, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting you the inclosed Return, which contains a State of such of the New York Regiments, as are in the Army immediately under my command. By this you will discover how deficient—how exceedingly short they are of the compliment of Men, which of right according to the establishment they ought to have. This information I have thought it my duty to lay before you, that...
19From 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...
20From 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...
21From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Major Blacckden of Colo. Sheldons Light Dragoons goes to Boston to procure Cloathing and Accoutrements for the Regiment against the ensuing Campaign. As the prices of many articles have risen from there being too great a number of Bidders, I have directed the Major, if there are any persons purchasing for the Continent, not to interfere with them, but to apply to them for such Articles as he...
22From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 29 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday favd with yours of the 27th as I was with those of the 22d and 25th: I imagine the Ships you saw going down were only empty transports and Victuallers for which having no use, they think it safer to send them aw⟨ay tha⟩n let them lay crouded in the docks of Phila⟨da⟩ where a single Vessel taking fire might prove destructive of the whole. The Enemy, who were only out upon a...
23General 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...
24From 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...
25From 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...
26From 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...
27Instructions to Officers of Light Dragoons, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As you are appointed to retire from the immediate duty of your Regiment in order to provide Accoutrements &ca to Equip it for the next Campaign—You are to observe that it will be necessary to enter into some agreement with the Officers of the other Regiments of Dragoons who go for the same purpose, that you may not interfere with each other in applications to Tradesmen, or the Purchase of any...
28From George Washington to Richard Peters, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Captain Jones of Coll Baylers Regt of Light dragoons has a troop of Men inlisted and accoutrements compleat, but not having been able to procure Horses at the limited price, the Men are as yet dismounted. I am informed that there are a number of horses at Lancaster and Carlisle which were purchased for the North Carolina light dragoons but tis said they have neither proper Arms or...
29From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The bearer presents the horse to you, which I offered in exchange for your black —In the Summer, when I first got him, he had the appearance of a fine, and handsome horse—at present (by neglect at Bethleham) his appearance is altered. He was purchased for me by Colo. Moylan as a horse of Six yrs old, & I believe him to be sound, knowing nothing to the contrary. he goes rough, equal I believe...
30General Orders, 31 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Brig. Gen. George Weedon’s orderly book includes the following general orders for this date: “DETAILS the Same as yesterday only Poors furnishes a Captain instead of Glovers. In order to procure a certain supply of shoes for the Troops The respective Brigadiers and Officers Commanding Brigades are as soon as possible to see Mr. Ewing Commissary Genl. of hides and...
31From 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...
32From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 31 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday conveyed to me fresh proof of that friendship and attachment which I have happily experienced since the first of our acquaintance, and for which I entertain sentiments of the purest affection. It will ever constitute part of my happiness to know that I stand well in your opinion, because I am satisfied that you can have no views to answer by throwing out false colours,...
33From George Washington to William Livingston, 31 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
It being of great importance to prevent the Enemy from Supplies of Forage and provisions I must take the liberty of requesting the interposition of your interest & authority for this purpose, and that the most speedy & suitable measures may be adopted & pursued either by your direction or that of the Legislature or Council for the removal of All that lies within the vicinity of the Jersey...
34From George Washington to Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, 31 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Instructions for Brigadr General Count Pulaski You are to march the body of the Cavalry into Winter Quarters at Trenton where you are to take the most effectual means for putting both men and horses in condition to act with vigour in the ensuing Campaign notwithstanding your distance from the Enemy and the apparent improbability of their forming any Enterprize against you—some degree of...
35General Orders, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
As this day begins the new year The General orders a gill of spirits to be served to each non-commission’d Officer & soldier; And to avoid the irregular and partial distribution of this Article (which has been a good deal complaind of) he expressly orders that no spirits shall issue to any part of the Troops in future but in Consequence of general or special orders from Head-Quarters—A...
36Arrangement of the Continental Army, 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Arrangement of the Army for the Campaign 1778—& present state of the Battalions this 1st day of Jany 1778. [Maj. Gen. Brig. Regt. Col. Statey Strength] [Regt. Brig. Div.] Marqs de la Fayette Mulenberg 1st Hendricks Virga 187 5. Jos. Parker Ditt. 318
37From 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...
38From 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...
39From George Washington to Thomas Wharton, Jr., 1 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
By this Express from General Armstrong he informs me he is of Opinion that 1000 Militia regularly reliev’d may be equal to effect the necessary duty on the North Side of Schuylkill—he also mentions that he writes you to this purpose, & requires my sentiments thereon. As it has been my constant desire & Study to conduct things in such manner as may be attended with the smallest expence &...
40General 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...
41From 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...
42From 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...
43From 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...
44From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Captain Hopkins of Colonel Moylans Light Dragoons goes to Boston to procure Cloathing & accoutrements for the Regiment against the ensuing Campaign. As the prices of many articles have risen from there being too great a number of Bidders, I have directed the Captain, if there are any Persons Purchasing for the Continent not to interfere with them, but, to apply to them for such articles as he...
45From George Washington to Captain David Hopkins, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Being appointed by Colo. Moylan to procure cloathing & accoutrements for the Regt against the ensuing Campaign, you are to repair immediately to Boston as the most probable place of furnishing yourself. Upon your arrival you will see Major Blackden, who has similar instructions with these, & with him you will determine on your manner of proceeding on this business, that you may not by any...
46From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing Major John Clark, the Bearer of this, to your notice. He entered the Service at the commencement of the War and has for some time past acted as Aid de Camp to Major Genl Greene. He is active, sensible and enterprising and has rendered me very great assistance since the army has been in Pennsylvania by procuring me constant and certain intelligence of the...
47From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 2 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting to you the Inclosed Copies of a Letter from me to Genl Conway since his return from York to Camp, and of Two Letters from him to me, which you will be pleased to lay before Congress. I shall not in this Letter animadvert upon them, but after making a single observation submit the whole to Congress. If General Conway means by cool receptions mentioned in the...
48General Orders, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
At a General Court-Martial held 28th ultimo whereof Coll Scammell was President, Captn Courtney of the Artillery appeared before the Court charg’d with “leaving his Howitz. in the Field in the Action of Brandywine in a cowardly and unofficerlike manner”—The Court having considered the Charge and Evidence are of Opinion that Captn Courtney is guilty of the charge exhibited against him and do...
49From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Innes having staid a few days longer than he expected, it affords me an opportunity of inclosing you the Returns of the Virginia Regiments which I promised in mine of the 27th December. I refer you to Colo. Innes for more full information, than I have given you by letter, of matters relating to the Virginia line. A valuable prize has fallen into General Smallwoods hands at Wilmington, I...
50From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 3 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been regularly favd with yours of the 28th and 30th of December and of the 1st instant. I congratulate you upon the prize that has fallen into your hands, and the more so as she turns out more valuable than you at first expected. That her Cargo may be removed and secured with all possible expedition, I have sent Colo. Biddle to assist you, he will take down with him all the Waggons that...