1From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I enclose you copies of my two Letters of the 30th and 31st, lest any accident should have happened to the originals. Col. Clarke has informed me that he had received intelligence of the enemy being at Tallar’s point with 42 sail and a number of flat-bottomed boats—that they had landed a party of men on the other side the North River and a party at the Slote —That he had called in his out...
2From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 2 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have just received information from Col. Clarke that the enemy have landed at Kings ferry in considerable force—This day The Virginia division marched towards Pompton where General St Clair expected to arrive this evening. Tomorrow if possible, the Maryland division will move and we shall press forward & with all expedition. This will be delivered you by Brigadier General Du Portail, Chief...
3From 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...
4From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 19 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am just setting out for Head Quarters; but expect to return on monday and to remain at or near this post for a few days. I have not determined what troops shall be stationary in the Garrison for the present campaign—it will depend partly on future contingencies—at this juncture a change would be inconvenient as it would be attended with a loss of time, and delay the progress of the works. My...
5From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 23 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
Half an hour ago I received your Note at eight P.M. In consequence of the intelligence Col. Butler communicates I have directed General Putnam to advance a brigade early in the morning to the Forest of Deane. If you receive any further advice, you will be pleased instantly to give me notice of it; and at the same time, send a messenger to General Putnam, that he may be the more certain of...
6From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 24 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I shall be obliged by your informing me by the return of the Bearer, whether you have received any further accounts respecting the party of the Enemy, mentioned by Colonel Butler in his Letter of Yesterday —or whether you have heard of any other movements. I am Dr sir with great esteem & regard Yr Most Obedt servt P.S. I shall set out for West point about 12 oClock and am desirous of hearing...
7From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 25 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Letter of the 19th I request that you will send me All the proceedings of Court Martials in your hands in Capital cases, where the sentences have not been executed. If there are any sentences which have been approved by you; but yet remain unexecuted, you will be pleased to particularize them. I fully agree in sentiment with you, as to the impolicy of too frequent...
8From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 28 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your favour of this day I inclose you a Copy of a General order of the 23d of March regulating the component parts of a ration agreable to which our present issues are made at the main Army. The necessity of the strictest œconomy in the article of flour—makes me unwilling to increase the quantity especially as I should apprehend it might raise the expectation of the troops in...
9From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 3 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I intend in the orders of tomorrow to publish and approve the sentences of De Peu[,] King, and Bettis; but as we have had frequent examples latterly in the main army, I feel a reluctance at present to add to the number—I therefore propose as it is the aniversary of our independence to proclaim a general pardon to all the prisoners now under sentence of death in the army. I shall pass over the...
10From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 4 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
To day being the anniversary of independence you will be pleased to have it taken notice of by discharging thirteen peices of cannon at one oClock. I wish we had it in our power to distribute a portion of rum to the Soldiers, to exhilerate their spirits upon the occasion; but unfortunately our stock is too scanty to permit. I am Dear Sir Your most Obedt servt P.S. Major Beauman told me...
11From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 14 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
The arrangement you have made with respect to the detachment from Nixon’s brigade is agreeable to me. But I would have Major Hulls light infantry to join General Wayne, at all events, this evening or tomorrow morning early—Orders have been given for the execution of the enterprise tomorrow night; and though the want of tents is an objection to those with you going down, I have several reasons...
12From George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 16 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you that Major Fishbourn has just arrived from Genl Wayne with the agreable account of our having possessed ourselves of Stoney point and the whole Garrison with very little loss. You will throw the Troops across the River, which I mentioned yesterday, with all possible expedition. I am Dr sir Yr Most Obedt st P.S. You will order Nixon’s Brigade to move...
13From George Washington to Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 17 July 1779 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Maj. Gen. Alexander McDougall, 17 July 1779. McDougall wrote GW on this date: “Your Excellencys Favor of this Day is this Moment received.”
14From 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...