121To George Washington from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 9 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr., 9 June. GW wrote Lee on this date: “Yr Letter of this date is just come to hand.”
122From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 9 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I recd yr favor of yesterdays date & am happy to find you are in the neighbourhood of the enemy & make no doubt but you will fully answer the purposes of yr being placed there. The Stores you mention to have been at Kekiat were there without my knowledge—& I much approve the removal of them—As to the live Stock being driven off as you mention within a certain distance—though a desireable...
123To George Washington from George Measam, 9 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from George Measam, 9 June 1779. GW wrote Measam on 13 June: “Your favour of the 9th instant came to hand yesterday.”
124From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 9 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have only time to thank you for your several favours of the 16th 21st & 30th of May first and 5th of June, the last in behalf of the Board of Commissioners, and for the pains you have taken to acquire information of the Country between Fort Shuyler and Oswegatchie, Lt Harbenbergh has fully communicated to me his plan and the observations he has made, I have requested him to make a second...
125From George Washington to Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 9 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Lieut. Harbenbergh, who has promised me to make another excursion with a view to explore the grounds well between the Mahawk & grand river —I have therefore to request you will furnish him with a party of men for that purpose, and afford him such other aid as may be necessary to carry him through with it—He will make his report to you & I beg it may be transmitted...
126From George Washington to Colonel Otho Holland Williams, 9 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The detachment you command is intended to relieve Colo. Stewart—& will be relieved in turn three days hence—You will proceed with it to the furnace of Dean, where you will make your head Quarters and from thence you are to send Picquets on the roads leading to Fort Montgomery—Kings Ferry &ca—and to use every precaution which your force will permit and the utmost vigilance requires, to prevent...
127General Orders, 10 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The rum and whisky in the Magazine to be divided among the brigade commissaries and a gill pr man issued to the whole Army this day. Four days flour to be issued to the troops so that the whole army may be served with flour up to sunday next inclusive—Two days fresh beef to be issued to day, and cattle equal to two days supply to be with each brigade commissary, ready to be slaughtered when...
128To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 10 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Goslin is arrived with the Party Sent with him To Canada with two other Canadians one from below Quebeck the other from Saint Nicolate and four American Prisners which Place he left the 26th of may. his account is that no English Vessels had arrived at Quebeck that it was reported that a French Fleet had arived in St Laurance, that two Frigates had been at St Pauls and got Cattle for the...
129From George Washington to George Clinton, 10 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favour of yesterday by Colo. Malcolm, who has communicated to me the particulars with which you charged him —I beg leave to refer you to my letter of yesterday which I hope you have received. In that, sensible of the inconvenience of keeping out the militia at this season of the year, I anticipated your wish for their discharge, with my warmest...
130From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 10 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your two favours of the 28th of May and 6th of June —I hope before this you will have received instructions from General Sullivan, respecting the precise line of conduct you are to observe. Whether your destination shall be up the Mohock River or to form a junction in the first instance with the main body at the Head of Susquehannah, is a point I have left to him to decide and...
131To George Washington from Col. Moses Hazen, 10 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Col. Moses Hazen, 10 June 1779. GW wrote Hazen on 20 July: “I have duly received Your favors of the 10th Ult. & 10 Inst.”
132To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 10 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am Just from Petersburg where We have Colected about thirteen Hundred men Old soldiers included. we wait the arival of the Arms &c. which is hourly expected, when they Come to hand one Battallion will be instantly Put in motion. the remainder of the troops I am Fearfull will be detaind Some time for want of their Clothing Such as Shirts Shoes & Stockings all of which we are very short of. I...
133From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 10 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I send you extracts of two letters one from Colonel Van Schaick of the 22d & another from General Clinton of the 28th of May —I rely intirely upon you for giving General Clinton the directions necessary for his cooperation; as I could not undertake to do it without hazarding an interference with your views. I am with great regard Dr Sir Yr most Obedt serv. P.S. The enemy remain much...
134To George Washington from Thomas West, 10 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Thomas West, 10 June 1779. GW wrote West on 5 July: “Your letter of the 10th Ulto by the Post did not reach my hands till yesterday.”
135General Orders, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Quarter Master General will order four good guides to each division, who are to remain at or near the quarters of the Major Generals or officers commanding divisions, that they may be ready for any sudden call: These men must have a competent knowledge of all the roads, paths and cloves laying between this encampment and the river, about the Forest of Deane and towards Haverstraw &c. The...
136To George Washington from the Board of War, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Early in the Spring Mr Garanger shewed to the board a letter from Colo. Hamilton signifying your Excellency’s wish that he would proceed to camp to exhibit the requisite proofs of skill in his profession as an officer of Bombardiers to intitle him to employment in the United States. On that occasion we advanced him five hundred dollars. In May he returned hither, without having made any...
137From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two letters of the 25th and 30th of May which the situation of affairs in this quarter prevented my acknowledging sooner. I can only lament that your prospects of reinforcement are so unfavorable—The appearances are not better for the main army. It would almost seem as if the States were determined to let our security depend intirely on a want of enterprise in the...
138To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
As every Artificer is wanted to repair Waggons and other necessary service I should be glad they may not be employed in laying floors to Markees—especially as boards is scarse. There is another reason why I wish there may be a stop put to this business which is It is more than probable the floors will increase the baggage of the Army; For the officers will be loth to leave them behind after...
139From George Washington to Major Henry Harnage, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Want of leisure prevented my acknowledging sooner the receipt of your letter of the 28th of May —I shall be always happy to show you every attention, which circumstances will permit during your residence among us; and I sincerely wish you the speediest relief from your present difficulties. You may depend on having the earliest notice of your exchange, when it takes place; but I am sorry to...
140From George Washington to Michael Hillegas, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Some time since His Excellency the president of Congress did me the Honor to inform me, that Congress had passed an Act authorising the public Treasurer to pay to my order any sum of hard money not exceeding 2000 Guineas for the purposes of secret services. This I think was the substance of his Letter as well as I can recollect it, for I have not my papers with me. As I have now occasion for...
141From George Washington to John Jay, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favours of the 4th & 5th, to which due attention shall be paid. The enemy’s situation remains much the same as mentioned in mine of the 6th—One body of about 5000 Men is on Verplanks point and another of about 1000 on stoney point—They continue fortifying & no doubt mean to keep possession of those posts—The natural strength of the ground with very little...
142To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have considered the Subject on which you were pleased to ask my opinion. It is indeed a very Complex one. The movements of the Enemy may be So various, that its imposible to provide against them. The Post he has now taken is So near West Point, that while we consider it as a first object, we cannot with Safety move from it should the Enemy make excurtions East or West, unless we should be...
143To George Washington from Brig. Gen. John Neilson, 11 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. John Neilson, 11 June 1779. GW wrote Neilson on 13 June: “I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 11th and to return you my thanks for the news Papers which it inclosed.”
144From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since mine to you of yesterday, I wrote to General Clinton giving him some general directions which you will find in the inclosed extract —I, of course, depend on you for giving him more particular ones and am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt serv. Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Hamilton indicated at the bottom of the draft manuscript that this enclosure was...
145To George Washington from Colonel Otho Holland Williams, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellencys instructions I have taken post at the Furnace of Deane, And in order to relieve & Support the Picketts at Fort Montgomery & on the Road to Doodle Town with the greater facility, have advanced Majr Webb, about two Miles, to the post occupied by Coll Stewart, with One hundred and sixty Men compleatly Officer’d; With this Detachment I have a constant communication....
146From George Washington to Colonel Otho Holland Williams, 11 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received your favor of this date, and for the reasons you offer for continuing the detachment a longer time than was intended I shall readily consent to it—but instead of its drawing provision from the Fort, I shall direct the Commissay here, to afford the necessary supply; and you may depend on having it with you in proper time —I inclose you a letter written yesterday, which you...
147General Orders, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The following formation of the three divisions of the Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania troops is immediately to take place for the present campaign. The 2nd R[ank] & F[ile] 5th 11th } Virginia regiments to form one battn & furnish one & an half companies of L. Infantry } 62. 7th 8th } to form one battalion & furnish one company of Light-Infantry } 41 103 3rd 4th
148To George Washington from the Board of War, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter from General Thompson is transmitted to your Excellency to correct a mistake he made of the name of a captain in the 21st British regt proposed to be exchanged on parole, the board being informed that the determination of the matter is by Congress referred to your Excellency. We are, with great respect, your very obedt servants ALS , DLC:GW ; copy, MHi : Pickering Papers....
149To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 12–13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Here is at lenght a Safe occasion of writing to you, here I May tell you What Sincere Concern I feel at our Separation—There was never a friend, my dear general, So much, so tenderly Belov’d, as I do love and Respect you—happy in our union, in the pleasure of living with you, in that So Charming Satisfaction of partaking any Sentiment of your heart, any event of Your life, I had taken Such an...
150To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
General Patterson joind his Brigade last Evening and is now on the Point; when the public Service will admit I shall be happy to join my Brigade at such Place as will most conduce to the general Welfare. Your Excellency was pleasd to desire my Opinion of the Disposition to be made of the Army. Under all Circumstances I think 3000 Men should be assignd for garrisoning this Post, by which, I...
151To George Washington from Major Joseph Pettingill, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
That whereas I was absent at the Time the Board of Officers Assembled which were appointed for the Settlement of the rank of the Field officers and eldest Captains of the Massachusetts Line My p⟨r⟩etensions were not properly Exhibited, by which means I am informed I stand arrainged the ninth Captain in said State and as there are some difficulty arrises in Consequence of the Majority of Colo....
152To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a letter from Genl Sullivan Dated at Easton June 12th 1779. I should have moved from this post before now but the stores not having got up the Susquehannah I thought it imprudent to throw the whole army on to consume the provisions before we were in readiness to move on. I expect an Officer to return from Wyoming this day who was sent on to examine into the state of affairs and hope...
153To George Washington from Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, 12 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge, 12 June 1779. GW wrote Tallmadge on 13 June: “Your letter of yesterday with the inclosures from C—r came duly to hand.”
154General Orders, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The officers commanding divisions will take the most effectual means to call in all the absent officers of their respective divisions not on essential public business to join their Corps immediately—This order must not be dispensed with or delayed on any account though the execution should be attended with expence: The good of the service and the honor of the officers where they are not absent...
155Circular to the General Officers, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In case the enemy should march against West point, the inclosed is a general disposition for the army. which is to be varied according to circumstances and the particular movements of the enemy. I am Sir Yr Most Obet servant LS , in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, MIU-C: Greene Papers; LS , addressed to Henry Knox, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, NNGL ; Df , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript ,...
156Enclosure: Contingency Orders, 12 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The alarm Guns or other Signals for calling in the Militia suddenly, are to be fired, or given the instant the enemys designs are discoverd. The Garrison is to attend principally to the defence of the Post—at the same time they are to spare all the Men they can with safety to that object to harrass & dispute with the enemy; every inch of ground leading to the Works; or to the heights above...
157From George Washington to George Clinton, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 7th. The high respect I bear to the State would make me silent upon a subject of such delicacy as that you have been pleased to communicate, did I not view the event which you suppose probable as pregnant with very unhappy consequences. I should regard it as one of the most unfortunate that could happen in our present circumstances—I...
158From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Honourable the Congress have decided the affair of rank between Colonels Van Courtlandt—Gansevoort & Dubois upon their respective Memorials, against Colonel Dubois, as you will perceive by the inclosed Extract from General Orders, which contains their Resolution upon the occasion. You will be pleased to publish the Extract in your Brigade Orders—or communicate it to the parties in any way...
159From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday received your letter of the 8th. Mine to you of the 11th will accompany this to which I refer you. No opportunity having offered, it has been delayed. I have directed General Knox to send you a reinforcement of Artillery men. One company he informs me is all that the general exigencies of the service will permit him to spare. By the establishment of the ordnance department, when...
160To George Washington from Officers of the Massachusetts Line, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Remonstrance & Petition of the Subscribers, Officers in the Massachusetts line Humbly Sheweth. That to our great Satisfaction, Congress have Established a Rule for Promotion in the line of the Army; and we are eaquelly well pleased That Your Excellency was Authorized to Settle the Arrangement & fill the Vacancies. But We find Notwithstanding the Celebrated Rule which Congress have laid...
161From George Washington to George Measam, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of the 9th instant came to hand yesterday—Three of the 6th 11th of May & 2d of June have been also received and through hurry of business lain by. The shoes overalls and shirts which were coming on to Fish Kill and stopped in consequence of the enemy’s approach, I have directed Col. Hay to have forwarded to the army. I am sorry to discover among a quantity of shoes delivered out...
162From George Washington to Brigadier General John Neilson, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 11th and to return you my thanks for the news Papers which it inclosed. I am sorry you have not had it in your power to make any diversion in that quarter, so as to alarm or attract the attention of the enemy, nor indeed do I know the means that can be used at present to produce such an effect; unless the preperation of the flat bottomed...
163From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received last night your favour of the 8th Instant. I hope General Clinton is now moving by the Routes and according to the Orders he has received from General Sullivan, under whose command he has been entirely placed for some time past—and of which I advised him by Two different conveyances, besides writing to him through the hands of General Sullivan: As it was conceived best, that the...
164To George Washington from Lieutenant William Scudder, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I Wrote Genl Clinton a few Days after the New Arangement of Coln. Van Schaick’s Regt, from Fort Schuyler, that I was Superceded by Lieutenant Abraham Hardenbergh, the letter was by some means intercepted, which I did not know of till yesterday, by mentioning to the Genl relating My rank, who inform’d Me He feard it was too late, but advis’d Me to write to the Board of War imediately—In the...
165From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 13 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of yesterday with the inclosures from C——r came duly to hand —Should suspicions of him rise so high as to render it unsafe to continue in N—— Y—— I would by all means wish him to employ some person of whose attachment and abilities he entertains the best opinion, to act in his place, with a request to be critical in his observations rather than a mere retailer of Vulgar reports. To...
166General Orders, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
As the Commander in Chief sets out this day for West Point and may be absent for two or three days, Major General Putnam will take the command of the troops in this camp ’till his return. Major General Putnam will assemble the General Officers and have the suspected persons lately taken up in the vicinity of this camp, brought before them and will examine into the circumstances of their case,...
167To George Washington from the Board of War, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed is a copy of a letter we have just dispatched to Lt Colo. White. We thought if these suspicions were well founded that it was of consequence your Excellency should be made acquainted with the facts; & they might coincide with other circumstances which may fall within your immediate knowledge. If any satisfactory intelligence should be recd it shall be forwarded without delay. We...
168To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
This Day I had the honour to receive your favour of the 10th instant: as also one from Genl Sullivan of the 11th containing Intructions for me to move up to Connojoharie & transport my Boats &c. across to Lake Otsego there to wait farther orders to join him. I have ordered one hundred Batteaux loaded with Stores to be transported up the River to Connojoharie by the 3d N.Y. Regt & the...
169From George Washington to Simeon DeWitt, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed letter and the map which accompanies it came to Head Quarters the day before yesterday—I wish them safe to your hands. I could wish you as soon as possible to furnish each of the Genl Officers with a draft of the Country in this neighbourhood, rough ones will answer the purpose fully. I thank you for the draft sent last—the one for the Engineers, was delivered to them. I am Sir Yr...
170From George Washington to Jean Holker, 14 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of the 7th Instant, inclosing a Letter for Mr Pintard, which I shall take pleasure in transmitting to him by an early and I hope a safe opportunity. It has been rumoured here that His Excellency Count D’Estaing and Admiral Byron—both, had put to Sea; but the report probably exists more in imagination—than in any well grounded authority—as you do not mention...