1From George Washington to George Read, 26 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Lee and several Officers who are sent to apprehend Deserters inform me that there are numbers of disaffected Persons in your State, who make a practice of harbouring those people. They are encouraged to do this, knowing there is at present no law to punish this crime, which is most pernicious to the Service. I have for this Reason taken the liberty to address the Legislature of your...
2From George Washington to Captain George Lewis, 11 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to find by your Letter to Mr Harrison that you still continue indisposed. If the state of your health requires leave of absence, I shall not object to your visiting your friends in Virginia to recover it. You will take this in your way as I shall want to see you before you go. I wish you to have every part, & parcel of my Baggage removed from New Town to this place. I do not know in...
3From George Washington to Brigadier General George Weedon, 10 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is matter of no small grief to me, to find such an unconquerable desire in the Officers of this Army to be absent from Camp, as every day exhibits; and my feelings upon the occasion are not a little wounded by perceiving that this passion is more prevalent among my country men, than in any other Troops in the whole Army—Mulenberg is now gone—you think it the hardest case imaginable that you...
4From George Washington to George Read, 22 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 5th inst., inclosing a copy of a Letter from you to General Smallwood dated the 26th Ulto and the substance of his answer, did not reach me ’till the day before yesterday —it gives me great concern to find that the Legislature of your State has not taken timely and effectual means for completing the Battalion belonging to it—however desirable the mode of voluntary enlistments...
5From 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.”
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.”
7From 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.”
8From 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.”
9From 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...
10From 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.”
11From George Washington to James Mease, 10 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to James Mease, 10 Jan. 1778. Mease wrote GW on 18 Jan. 1778 : “I had the honor of your Excellency’s favor of the 10 Inst. respecting the materials sent by the state of Virginia for the use of the troops.”
12From 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.”
13From George Washington to George Read, 19 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am in hopes that the legislature of your State have fallen upon some mode to fill up the Battalion allotted to it, against the ensuing Campaign. If they have not, I beg leave to remind you how short the time is from hence, to that, in which we ought to be in the Feild. The Advantages, that will arise from our being able to begin our operations before the Enemy are reinforced, are too obvious...
14From George Washington to Captain Lieutenant Jonas Simonds, 28 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
As the thaw has, in all likelihood, destroyed the ice in the Delaware, the plan of annoying the shipping near the city will probably be frustrated. I have written to General Wayne on the subject, who will direct you what to do; You are therefore to act agreeable to his orders. I am Sir Your most Obed. servt LS , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, PHi : Wayne Papers. See GW to Joseph Ellis, 24...
15From 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....
16From George Washington to Lund Washington, 16 January 1778 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Lund Washington, 16 Jan. 1778. In a letter to GW of 18 Feb., Lund Washington refers to “your Letter of the 16th of jany.”
17From 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,...
18From 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....
19From 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...
20From 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...
21From 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...
22From 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...
23From 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...
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 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...
26From 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...
27From 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...
28From 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...
29From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I must take the liberty of addressing you on a subject, which, though out of your sphere, I am fully persuaded, will have every possible attention in your power to give—It is the alarming situation of the Army on account of provision—Shall not undertake minutely to investigate the Causes of this, but there is the strongest reason to believe, that its existence cannot be of long duration,...
30From George Washington to Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 25 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have your favors of the 21st and 22d from Dover and am much obliged for the Steps you have took and are taking for procuring Supplies for the Army. All the Cattle that are tolerably fit for slaughter must be immediately consumed on account of our present necessity, and therefore should be drove towards Camp as fast as they can be collected. I do not think that Kent in Maryland or any part of...