121To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I herewith send to be disposed of as your Excellency may direct, three Prisoners of War and two Deserters from the Brittish Army. It appears, notwithstanding the reports of Last Evening, that no ships, or Vessells except a Galley, were above Verplanks point the last night. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Your Excellencys Most obedient Servant LS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , MHi : Heath...
122To George Washington from Captain Lieutenant John Henderson, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
With the greatest deference and Respect I would beg leave to lay before your Excellency my Claims to Rank as a Captain in the Third Pennsylvania Regiment, from the ninth Day of March 1778. When the Twelfth Pennsylvania Regiment was Ordered to be raised and the Officers appointed to it, I was Commissioned a First Lieutenant on the first day of October 1776, and upon Captain Brady’s Resignation,...
123From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning I received your favor of yesterdays date —I did not think it necessary to change your position or, the kind of duty I had alloted to you—therefore only repeated to you, that it was my wish you should keep a good watch down the river—This I have now to request you will do in the most effectual manner—I am happy to hear of the fate of the Marauding party your letter mentions—The 24...
124To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Four deserters from the army encampped opposite Dobbs ferry, who left camp yesterday noon, & arrived here this moment, mention the embarkation of the British forces. They belonged to Lord Rodans [Rawdon’s] Corps, the orders for embarkation were not general, as that Corps was not included. They say it was rumoured among the troops that Baltimore is the place of destination. They report that...
125From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Palfrey, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 13th Inst. I am fully persuaded it will be a difficult task to collect, & properly arrange all the accounts of the army at this late Period. but I have no doubt but that your Industry & care will surmount every obstacle, & place the Business on the footing congress desire. It is an important & necessary work. I am exceedingly obliged by your tender of Services, &...
126From George Washington to John Penn, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favor of the 12th Instant. I was exceedingly sorry for Major Taylor’s resignation—and used my interest to dissuade him from it, as I deemed him a valuable Officer—capable of rendering his Count⟨ry⟩ good Service. But The Major having resigned, I do not see how he can be reintroduced, more especially after so long an absence. Attempts of this sort when they have succeeded,...
127To George Washington from Colonel Oliver Spencer, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
the Bearer Cap: Combs, late of Forman’s Corps, waits on your Excellency to inform you that their Situation at present, is not So agreable as they could wish, Originating in Some degree from a want of their Commissions, and not knowing whether they are annexed, or incorporated with the Regt which I have the Honor to Command; which last circumstance, renders it also Somewhat inconvenient to the...
128From George Washington to Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received Your favors of the 9th and 15th Instant, the latter inclosing Lieut. Hardenburg’s Map. I am exceedingly obliged to him for it—and I request that you will return him my thanks. You will herewith receive Commissions for the Officers in the 1st York Regiment, except for Captain Copp, who resigned the 14th of this Month. Commissions for the Officers in the Other Regiments have also...
129From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 22 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received your letter dated yesterday. Col. Nevils regiment will be ordered up to join you—no relief will be required. The inclosed letter I must beg the favor of you to have forwarded to Mr Skinner. I am Sir Yrs &c. P.s. Major Lee will shortly send a small number of Prisoners lately taken to Junes —His Lordship will be pleased to relieve the escort that conveys them there,...
130General Orders, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . A transcript of another orderly book from GW’s headquarters includes a general order for this date that reads: “Four hundred men properly officered from the Maryland line for fatigue to-morrow at West Point. They are to be at the garrison at sunrise” ( NN : Bancroft Collection). John Moore (d. 1749) had built a three-story house with four chimneys at West Point on...
131To George Washington from Brigadier General John Glover, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honor’d with your Excellency’s Letter of the 17th last Evening 9 OClock. The Troops having march’d from New Haven in two days, are much Fatigued; shall halt them at this place to day. I shall march 2 OClock to morrow morning for Ridgefield, where I shall wait your Excellency’s Orders. Give me Leave to Congratulate you Sir on the success of the American Arms against Stony point, & thank...
132To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Major General Howe is this moment return’d from the Village and informs me that just before he came away the officer of the Guard acquainted him that five Topsail Vessells had come up to Pecks kill & that he (the General) Saw one himself. the others were behind a Hill. General Nixon had gone out to reconnoitre them. A report has not yet transpired. I have order’d the Troops to lay on their...
133From George Washington to John Jay, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 16th instant, I had the honor to inform Congress of a successful attack upon the enemy’s post at Stoney Point, on the preceding night, by Brigadier General Wayne and the corps of light infantry under his command —The ulterior operations in which we have been engaged, have hitherto put it out of my power to transmit the particulars of this interesting event. They will now be found in the...
134To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Having received no late instructions from your Excelly, I have employed myself as usual. On the 19th a body of the British landed in the evening on Stony-point, they reimbarked early in the night taking with them the brass twenty four left by us. Yesterday another body landed on Verplanks: during the day baggage was put on shore in great quantitys. The Major part of the army from intelligence...
135To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy again landed this morning on Stoney-point. I conjecture this debarkation to be serious: as their baggage tents &c. are also on shore. General Stirling’s brigade compose the present garrison; the General commands. The few wounded men left behind the other day, I have taken the liberty to send on board ship. They are received on the same terms & are to be conside[red] in the same point...
136To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am again detached from the Left wing of the Army, having Left 40 horse at Peeks Kill and its neighborhood under the Command of Capt. Hopkins, in order to watch the enemies motions, and procure inteligence from that Quarter, as I am without Infantry, I cannot venture Lower down, with the horse, indeed the marching and Countermarching we have had Since I Left Norwalk, has Left but few fit for...
137To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was duly favour’d with Your Excellency’s Commands of the 19th and 20th Inst.; the former came to hand in the night, and as soon as it was day I dispatched a Dragoon with orders for Generals Woodford and Muhlenberg to take post with their Brigades, according to the directions contained in it; but the Horseman return’d last evening, without being able to find either of them, I have this...
138From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
From the intelligence I have just received, it would seem that the Enemy mean to evacuate their posts at Stoney and Verplanks points. If you have not removed the baggage of the two Brigades from Sufferans—You will let it remain till further Orders. The body of the Enemy that was coming up—has fallen down again. I am Dr sir Yr Most Obed. servt LS , in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, sold by...
139To George Washington from Brigadier General William Woodford, 21 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yours ⅌ express was this moment deliver’d me —the Baggage & Artilery of the Virginia division return’d here last evening, by who’s orders I am not inform’d, as I did not think myself warrented to order their removal till I had directions. the three peices of heavy Artilery brought from the point is allso here, waiting Lord Stirlings return to know how they are to be disposed of. I find by...
140General Orders, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
If the troops wanting Arms have not been supplied they are to be furnished out of those brought from Stony-Point and not a moment’s time is to be lost in doing of it. If the state of the Magazines will afford it the brigade Commissaries are always to keep by them (ready to issue at a moment’s warning) two days salt provisions & a larger quantity of bread or flour. The troops are always to have...
141From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favour of the 13th Instant. The situation of affairs would not permit a Court Martial to sit since you were at Middle Brook. You may be assured it is not my wish to delay your trial a single moment; At the same time you must be sensible, that I cannot fix with precision on any day, during the more active part of the Campaign for it to come on. The movements of the Enemy...
142From George Washington to Colonel Moses Hazen, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received Your favors of the 10th Ult. & 10 Inst. I am obliged to you for the Intelligence from Canada and should be happy if circumstances would authorize an implicit credit to be given to the whole of it. The persons who gave it to Major Whitcomb and Captain paulant, I fear, have taken it up in several parts upon slender grounds. The pressing situation of Affairs will not permit...
143To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed intelligence was Sent me a few minutes Since by General Nixon. The Dragoon who brought it, informs me that he went on the ground where the Enemy encamped, that from the appearance of Bush hutts &. the Enemys force was considerable. Where their next manœuvre will be time must discover. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Your Excellencys Most obedt Servt ⟨I ha⟩ve...
144From George Washington to John Jay, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your Excellency’s letter of the 13th, with the copies of the letters to which it refers. The British Cabinet may have planned the expedition which Messrs Lee & Johnson mention, but I cannot think that it will ever be executed. Perhaps the orders upon the occasion, were not so pointed as not to be dispensed with; and that the late expedition up the Sound was adopted...
145To George Washington from John Jay, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favors of the 30th Ulto by Coll Morgan, and of the 13th & 16th Inst: with the several papers to which they refer. General Waynes Coup de main occasions as much Joy, as the barbarous conflagrations of the Enemy excite Indignation—The former I hope will lead to further successes, the latter to retaliation and Resentments favorable to our Independence. A...
146From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our advices agree that the enemy have their whole force up the river, & by a letter dated last evening from Col. Butler I am informed they had made a debarkation at stoney point. Sir Harry may wish to retaliate for the loss of that post. I am therefore extremely anxious that we should be prepared to receive them, and of course that the arrangements pointed out in Yesterdays orders should be...
147To George Washington from John Morgan, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I first charged Doctr Shippen with Malpractices and Misconduct in Office, and pledged myself to Congress to appear as his Prosecutor in a Court having Jurisdiction, it was upon an Idea, that his trial would speedily take place, & that he would not have the Advantage of a long Interval in which he might tamper with and awe Witnesses; But the Operations of the Campaign, as your Excellency...
148To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosd is a Report of the Number of Houses Stores &c. burnt at Norwalk the 11th Inst. the Enemy were so necessarily attentive to their own Safety whilst they remaind in Town and retird with so much Precipitation when they began their Retreat, as left them no Time to perpetrate those Acts of Cruelty & Brutal Savageness they were guilty of in other Places. they had however Opportunity to...
149From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
As we do not know what may be the next object of the enemy, and it is our Duty to be well prepared at the most important point, I am to request you will immediately consult the principal officers with you in conjunction with the commanding Officer of the light infantry, and form a disposition for opposing the enemy in concert, as well in the first instance at landing, as during their progress...
150From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 20 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to examine critically the long hill in front of Fort Putnam, at the extremities of which The Engineer is commencing some works. Colo. Gouvion or Mr Rochefontaine will be able more particularly to designate the Hill I mean. The possession of this Hill appears to me essential to the preservation of the whole post and our main effort ought to be directed to keeping the enemy...