61General Orders, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . No words were given for parole or countersigns on this date. For a payment of $1,000 on this date to John Wallace for GW’s use of his house during the winter encampment at Middlebrook, see the source note for the general orders of 6 February. For Wallace’s desire for additional compensation, and GW’s belief that he had been “hansomly paid already,” see Nathanael...
62To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Blackden, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry that necessity obliges me to inform you, that the affairs of Colonel Sheldons Regiment are in such a situation, that I cannot make it consistant with my Ideas of a Military character, to continue any longer under his command. The Reasons that occur are Numerous, but not to intrude upon your Excellencys leisure I Shall mention but one, which I hope will be considerd as sufficient for...
63From George Washington to Henry Champion, Sr., 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Our affairs are now at a most interesting crisis—The enemy appear to be bending their whole force in a vigorous operation against the Highland posts. We must take such positions as will render it impracticable to subsist the army, unless the most strenuous exertions are at once used to throw a very considerable quantity of Cattle on this side the river. You will instantly take every possible...
64Instructions to Captain James Chrystie, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
To proceed immediately to West Point To inform the Garrison where we are—two divisions at Pompton—one near Mr Lot’s about ten miles in the rear of the others—the whole to move this night at moon rising—by way of Ringwood & to press forward with all possible diligence. To assure them that I am determined at the utmost hazard to support the fort and that I expect it will hold out to the last...
65From George Washington to Colonel Ann Hawkes Hay, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 2d met me at this place this Morning. Your exertions and those of the Militia in opposing the Enemy claim my thanks—and I am persuaded that they will be continued, as long as it shall be practicable. This Army is moving towards the North river as fast as possible—and I shall give you every support in my power, that circumstances will admit of. The operations of the Enemy must...
66From George Washington to Lt. Col. Udny Hay, 4 June 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Lt. Col. Udny Hay, 4 June 1779. Hay wrote GW on 5 June: “Yours of yesterday I recd two hours agoe. It gives me infinite pleasure to find that I have anticipated your wishes by having every thing done ordered in your Letter.”
67To George Washington from John Jay, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of transmitting herewith enclosed a Copy of an act of Congress of the 3d Inst. authorizing your Excellency to make such and so many parole Exchanges as you may judge expedient. various Reports respecting the Enemy’s movements in West Chester County have lately reached us, but we know not what Degree of Credit is due to them. The Report of a victory near Charlstown still...
68To George Washington from Samuel Kearsley, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
having in some small degree regulated the necessituous Circumstances of my family which have accrued by the loss of my house & Effects by fire in my absence in the service of my Country, and having maturely Considered those principles suggested in your Excellencys last letter to me on the Subject of my Resignation I have decided in favor of the service as I have ever been Anxious to promote...
69From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 2d instant a part of the enemy possessed themselves of the fort on Ver-planks point, by capitulation—they are now throwing up some works on the point on this side. It would appear from a number of circumstances that they mean to press their operations against the posts on the highlands. The militia are calling out for amunition, and the supply for the army, as you know, is far from...
70From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
By a letter this moment arrived from General McDougall dated two OClock yesterday, the enemy were advancing in force towards The Continental Village. The other part of their army on the West side were to move the same day to invest the Fort. On reconsideration, as some heavy cannon in our future operations may become essential, if you can possibly procure a sufficiency of horses to carry those...
71To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy having as I have informed your Excellency landed at Tallar’s Point on the 31st Ultimo; the Troops under my Command took a Position in the Highlands with their Van at the Village. The principal Stores being removed from thence and the Enemy having my Flanks open on the North River, on which he could move undiscovered at Night, I judged it expedient to retire to this Place to keep open...
72From George Washington to Brigadier General John Neilson, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your two favors of yesterdays date; and am obliged to you for the intelligence they contain. The fort which Armstruther alluded to, was a small detached work on the East side of Kings ferry with about 50 men. It surrendered on the 2d instant. It is not yet perfectly evident, what are the enemy’s real intention in this movement. We however are in motion towards the North...
73To George Washington from Brigadier General John Neilson, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Last Evening I was honoured with your Excellency’s Letter of the third Inst. I have not yet been able to ascertain a more exact disposition of the Enemy on Staten Island, every means in my Power shall be made use of for the purpose, I have given directions to have the Boats wanting repairs to be put in order I have found a number of Oars belonging to them—By a person who appears very...
74To George Washington from Major General Arthur St. Clair, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received the inclosed Letter from Colonell Malcom, which has occasioned me some regret that I did not March last Night as I had purposed. I have no Accounts from the River to Day, but there is nothing extraordinary or I should have heard from the Parties, and I have seen a Person from the Neighbourhood of Kings Ferry, who says things are in the same Situation as when I wrote...
75To George Washington from Peter Scull, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Board beg leave to return the arrangement of the New-Hampshire line as from several matters in it that require explanation the commissions cannot be issued without committing errors —A few instances will serve to show the inaccuracy of it. In the list of Lieutenants of the 1st regt—No. 4 and 5. are said to have been entituled to their present ranks from 20 Sep. 1777 and 5. Mar. 1778; but...
76From George Washington to Colonel Charles Stewart, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The enemy seem more and more to be in earnest in their operations against the Highlands. This will oblige us to take such positions with the army as will make its subsistence infinitely difficult, without the greatest possible care and exertion. I am to press your particular attention to the forwarding the supplies in your department as fast as may be necessary. If the ordinary means in your...
77From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 2d, with its inclosure, last night—I am glad to find that your affairs seem now to be in good train. In answer to the question you make on the paragraph you recite from my instructions, I shall observe that it is not to be supposed the events you suggest can take place without a good deal of previous negotiation and delay and after all would be precarious as to...
78From George Washington to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 4 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you the copy of a letter which I have this moment written to Mr Champion, that you may know what is done and make correspondent arrangements. Necessity seems to demand this measure. If your presence at this time is not essential at Philadelphia it will be infinitely useful with the Army. We have much to apprehend on the score of supplies—The crisis requires your utmost influence and...
79General Orders, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . GW’s aide-de-camp Richard Kidder Meade received money from Maj. Caleb Gibbs on 6 June and paid $10 to servants at “Mr [Robert] Erskines,” whose home at Ringwood was situated near the road about one mile from the New Jersey—New York border (Revolutionary War Accounts, Vouchers, and Receipted Accounts 1, 1776–1780, DLC:GW , Ser. 5).
80To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your favours of the 10th and 21st of last Month. on the 26th of last month I threw in a small Supply of Provisions to Fort Lawrens with orders to Major Vernon to throw up inner Works of earth Sufficient to resist light Artillery. this Supply will last the Garrison Consisting of 75 Rank and file untill the 19th of this month, by which time I hope to be able to throw in Another...
81To George Washington from the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Letter of the 28th covering the Acts of Congress of the 17th & 22d we had the Honor to receive Yesterday. The Line of Conduct which your Excellency points out as necessary to be observed with the Indians meets our entire Approbation. We shall immediately try to engage the Onondagas to bring off Brandt and Butler. If any Exchange of prisoners should take place your Directions...
82From George Washington to Colonel Frederick Frelinghuysen, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been informed that you are out with a party of Militia. I request that you will let me know where they are stationed—what their number is—and whether they would join the Continental troops in case their aid s⟨hould be⟩ found material, to act against the Enemy who appear to be meditating an attack with their whole force upon the Highland posts. Besides the Militia, which are now with...
83To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yours of yesterday I recd two hours agoe. It gives me infinite pleasure to find that I have anticipated your wishes by having every thing done ordered in your Letter. All the valuable stores are sixteen miles to the N: E. of this—I have requested in the most pressing terms to have twenty Batteaux and two Scows from Albany, sensible that the communication between the two sides of the river must...
84To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The last Evening I was honor’d with the Receipt of yours of the 26th Ulto; am preparing to leave this Place with all possible Dispatch, which will be in the Course of a few days, & hope soon to have the Honor of paying my respects to your Excellency in Person. I have the Honor to be wth the greatest Respect Your Excellency’s most Obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW ; ADfS , MHi : Heath Papers. GW had...
85To George Washington from John Jay, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 3d Inst. enclosing three York Papers was this moment delivered to me. The one written on the Morning of that Day is not yet arrived. As it contains Intelligence probably important, I am anxious to recieve it. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellencys obedt Servant LS , DLC:GW . The enclosed New York newspapers have not been...
86From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
The army is now crossing the Mountain to take post on the upper communication. It will be unsafe for you to move on through the clove. You will therefore be pleased to file off by the road from Morris town toward Sussex so as to proceed on by the upper route from Sussex to New Windsor, till you join the army. This is meant as a general direction. You will inform yourself more particularly of...
87To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Being disappointed in not meeting with your Excellencys instructions which by a letter from Col. Meade was to have been lodged at General Green’s I have moved forward to this place, & intend to prosecute the route towards Paramus. I am happy to advise your Excellency, that the horses are in true order for service, but must lament, that no measures have been taken by the Commissary General of...
88To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your favr brought to this State by Colonel Laurens but have not had the pleasure of seeing him, nor an opportunity of showing him those civilities, to which your recommendation so justly entitles him, he being wounded in the flesh part of his arm almost immediately upon his arrival here which occasioned his removal to Charlestown. I wish I had it in my power to...
89To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment seen Capt. Christie who has communicated his business, and I am thereby induced to Send a Gentleman Major Hughs a Volunteer wt. me on to your Excellency with information — The enemys fleet consisting of about 70 Sail—many of them very Small, are at Kings ferry—a body of their Troops are on the East Side the river, extending from the ferry upwards. a very few on Stoney...
90From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 5 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your intelligence by Major Hughes. I think with you, the passes leading to the fort of consequence. The infantry corps not being yet drawn out from the regiments, I have not made a detachment of this kind —But would refer you to Major Hughs for the measures which are taken to give you immediate succour, and to obviate an investiture of the Fort. The enemy seem to be hesitating...