31From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I duly received your two letters of yesterday —I approve your reasons for taking the upper route. By the present institution of the Inspectorship neither Major Ryan nor Mr McCormick can in my opinion be appointed Inspectors. It is to be feared however we may be reduced to the necessity of altering it, from the reluctance with which the Majors undertake the office. But I could wish it might...
32To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, 2 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, 2 June 1779. GW wrote St. Clair in a second letter of this date: “I have received your letter of this date ½ past eight.” GW also wrote St. Clair on 3 June: “I received your favor of yesterday at 10 OClock last night.” For a likely extract from this unfound letter, see GW to John Jay, 3 June (first letter), and n.2 to that document.
33From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of this date ½ past eight. The Virginia division marched this day with orders to endeavour to reach Morris Town tomorrow and to communic⟨ate⟩ with you and proceed according to intelligence and circumstances —You will be pleased to open a correspondence with the commanding Officer for this purpose. Tomorrow if possible the Marylan[d] division will march also and by...
34To George Washington from Ezra Stiles, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In a general Course of Liberal Education, as well as in a particular and very curious Invention, Mr Bushnel has displayed such a singular Genius, and evinced such an Acquaintance with the Pyrotecnical Art, and the mathematical Theory of Projectiles, Artillery and Engineering and other mechanical Branches of Experimental Philosophy, as cannot fail to recommend him to Improvement in those...
35From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to march immediately with the division under your command towards Pompton by way of Morris Town endeavouring to regulate your march so as to arrive at the latter place tomorrow Evening. You will open a correspondence with General St Clair who is on his route from Springfield to Pompton, and has my directions to act afterwards according to circumstances and the information...
36To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Extract of a letter from General Sullivan dated June 2d 79 from Easton. “I enclose your Excellency copy of a letter from Major Clayborne to General Hand, by which Your Excellency will see the deficiency of the Quarter Master’s department in that quarter and what forwardness matter⟨s⟩ are now in by the exertions of Major Claybor⟨ne⟩. “I have the honor to obsere to Your Excellency that in my...
37General Orders, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW’s warrant book for this date indicates that $3,000 was supplied to Maj. Caleb Gibbs “for use of the Commander in Chief” (Revolutionary War Warrant Book 3, 1778–1779, DLC:GW , Ser. 5). Gibbs wrote a receipt at Middlebrook on the same date: “Received of the Pay Master General three thousand dollars for the use of defraying the Expence of His Excellency General...
38From George Washington to Army Auditors, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased upon receipt of this to remove with the papers of your Office to Germantown about eight or ten miles from Pluckimin. You are at all times to hold yourselves in readiness for a further removal to a place of safety—should the enemy make any attempt to penetrate that part of the country. Given at Head Quarters Middlebrook 3 June 1779. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ;...
39From George Washington to David Brooks, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased upon receipt of this to pack up the clothing in your charge, and have it removed as soon as possible to Germantown near Pluckimin. Upon application to the Quarter master he will order you the necessary assistance on the occasion. You are at all times to hold yourself in readiness for a further removal of the Stores, should the enemy make any attempt to penetrate that part...
40From George Washington to the Director of the Military Hospitals, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
You will be pleased to direct the removal of the sick from the hospitals at Sommerset to the huts of the Artillerists at Pluckimin. This is not intended to be executed immediately, as it would draw off from the Army the waggons which may be now employed —but as soon as proper assistance can be procured from the Quarter Master General for this purpose. Such sick of the Army as remain on the...
41From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wish you to dispatch a messinger to Philadelphia with orders to bring up to Trenton fifteen or twenty boats, with as much expedition as the nature of the business will admit. At Trenton you will have them put in a state of the greatest readiness to be transported by land at the shortest notice. Head Quarters will move to day if possible. I am Sr &. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ;...
42To George Washington from William Greene, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favrs of the 11th & 22d of May came Safe to Hand, this State in Consequence of a resolve of Congress Appointed a Sub Clothier the last Session of Assembly I Shall take the Earliest Opportunity to lay your Excelys Letters before the Genl Assembly. with the greatest Esteem & respect I have the Honor to be Sir Your Excellencys Most Obet servant Copy, signed by Greene, R-Ar . A...
43From George Washington to John Jay, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In the letter which I did myself the honor to write to Your Excellency the 25th of May, I mentioned the appearances which indicated that the enemy had some important enterprise in contemplation. These appearances have since increased ’till they seem to have arrived at a very interesting crisis. The inclosed extracts from the intelligence I have successively received will show their progress...
44From George Washington to John Jay, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor of transmitting to Your Excellency a Copy of a Report of a Board of General Officers in a dispute between the Captains in the pensilvania line and Captain prowell, who has been appointed to the majority in the 11th Regiment. If Congress approve the Report, they will be pleased to revoke Captain prowells Commission. They will see a Copy of the Memorial against his...
45From George Washington to John Jay, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing Your Excellency this morning, I received the inclosed papers, by which You will perceive that the Troops & fleet lately employed in Chesepeak bay have returned to New York. I have not received any advices respecting the Enemy since those transmitted in the morning. I have the Honor to be with sentiments of the most perfect respect & esteem Yr Excellency’s...
46From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb, 3 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Johann Kalb, 3 June 1779. GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote a note below the postscript on the draft manuscript of GW to Major General Stirling, 2 June 1779 : “The former instructions substantially to Baron DeKalb ‘directing him to advance & form a junction with the other troops—with all diligence’ dated the 3d” ( DLC:GW ).
47From George Washington to William Livingston, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy have been some time since in motion apparently with some capital design, and by my last intelligence had proceeded up the North River in force and had landed a considerable body in the vicinity of Kings ferry—These movements seem to look more immediately towards the Forts on the River; but the real object may very probably be to prevent the junction of our force and bend their whole...
48From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your three favours, One of May the 31st and two of June the 1st. I am happy to find your Affairs seem to be in good train. You mention the return of the Detachment from Virginia—This may have happened; but it has not been announced by my intelligence. Perhaps it is designedly given out by the Enemy. Their design is now apparently against the Forts and these certainly...
49To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 3 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 3 June. GW wrote Brig. Gen. Henry Knox on 4 June: “By a letter this moment arrived from General McDougall dated two OClock yesterday.”
50From George Washington to Brigadier General John Neilson, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
This morning I recd your favor of yesterdays date. The two large boats which you mention as wanting repairs I would wish you have put in order—and to keep your eye upon the whole so as to be able to collect them on the shortest notice. You will be pleased to continue your enquiries on Staten Island—to ascertain the works and number of men at Richmond town and the other places. I am Sr &. Df ,...
51To George Washington from Brigadier General John Neilson, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment Informed that the waggons & horses together with drivers were the day before yesterday sent over to New York, that some of the Troops the numbers not exactly assertain’d that were on Staten Island were Allso taken over to New York, that the Fleet from Virginia return’d to Sandy Hook on Monday, a few of them got up to New York, most of the Troops if not all on Board the said...
52To George Washington from Brig. Gen. John Neilson, 3 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Brig. Gen. John Neilson, 3 June 1779. GW wrote Neilson on 4 June: “I have duly received your two favors of yesterdays date.”
53From George Washington to David Rittenhouse, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to trouble you with a Theodolite which is a little out of repair and to request that you will be good enough to have it put in order. As I am not in a hurry about it, I wish you only to have what is necessary done at some moment of leisure. The Quarter Master at Philadelphia will receive and forward it to me. I am with great esteem Sir Yr Most Obedt servt. Df , in Alexander...
54From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of yesterday at 10 OClock last night and have written to Genl Knox to supply the Ammunition &c. which you want. As the Enemy notwithstanding their demonstrations of an Attack upon the Highland posts, may have it in contemplation to strike this Army (comprehending your division) in its divided & separted state, It will be expedient for you to act with the greatest...
55To George Washington from Major General Arthur St. Clair, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Burr arrived here about 3 oClock, from General McDougal, and brings Intelligence of the Surrender of the Fort on Ver Planks Point yesterday, about eleven oclock by Capitulation. The Garrison are Prisoners of War, and the Officers have Liberty to wear their side Arms. I have no Letter from General McDougal, but he is clearly of Opinion the Ennemy mean to attack the Posts (at least Fort...
56To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, 3 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, 3 June 1779. GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison wrote to St. Clair on this date, 11:30 P.M. : “General Woodford has transmitted His Excellency Your favor of this morning dated at ½ past ten A.M. ” ( DLC:GW ; see GW to St. Clair, this date, and the source note to that document).
57To George Washington from Major General Arthur St. Clair, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
This Moment Mr Smith the Bearer of this arrived at my Quarters with a Letter to your Excellency from Colonell Hay which I opened as I wanted exceedingly Intelligence from the River. I find nothing in it that should induce me to alter the Design I had formed to move from this Ground to Night towards New Windsor, leaving my Artillery and Baggage, and Tents standing, of which I should have...
58To George Washington from Major General Arthur St. Clair, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
On receiving your Excellencys Favour of this Day which came to hand about seven this Evening I thought it prudent to take the Advice of the Field Officers on the Movement I had proposed to make to-night, and they were unanimously against it—it is therefore laid aside; and the more readily that I am far from being satisfied with respect to the Ennemys Designs. The more I think upon it, an...
59To George Washington from Peter Scull, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am directed by the Board to sollicit your Excellency’s attention to a matter that must soon become interesting to the different States. They have been inform’d that most of the inlistments in the army are “for three years, or during the war ”; and from the ambiguity of the expression, different constructions have been put upon it; the Officer insisting that the latter clause extends, & the...
60From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 3 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy have landed at Kings-ferry—are in such force—and seem to have such capitol objects in view, that I must move my whole strength towards the No. River. I shall therefore dispense with your Lordships coming down on the business we talked of respecting St——n I——d as I wish you to be with your division as soon as possible. I expect to leave this place to day myself if there is a...