1General Orders, 13 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Colonel Angell[,] Major Thayer[,] Brigade Major 2d pennsylvania brigade A man acquainted with the management of hides from the pennsylvania Line, also one from Stark’s brigade to be sent to the Deputy commissary of hides at Morristown tomorrow they are to remain with him ’till the Brigade to which they belong move from this place. Varick transcript , DLC:GW ....
2To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Brodhead, 13 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have put off the assembling of the Militia untill the 4th of next Month to endeavour to procure a sufficient quantity of Provisions for them; But I fear it will not be in my power as Genl Gates, who presides at the Board of Inspection, has ordered the Commissaries to Stop purchasing; And the Mingoes in sundry parties have been discovered on their march towards the Inhabitants. several...
3From George Washington to James Duane, 13 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 4th & 9th came safe to hand. I thank you very sincerely for the several articles of intelligence contained in them; and shall be happy, at all times, to hear from you when any thing occurs worthy of the moments which must be spent in the communication. My hearty wishes attend your endeavours to accomplish the confederation. It is certainly a most desirable event for us—and a...
4To George Washington from Hugh Fraser, 13 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the beginning of last April was a Twelvemonth, I had the misfortune to be taken Prisoner on my Passage from New York to Savannah, to be carried to Boston; and from thence ordered to this place. Till now I flattered myself, time after time, with the pleasing prospect of being released from my present disagreeable Situation, but all in vain. The vast distance ’twixt [here] and Georgia, the...
5To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 13 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letters marked Private, I have this day received, and immediately sent Major Sargent to Hartford to execute their contents the importance of which I am so sensible of —I conceive the Escort of Horse now ordered annihilates the necessity of the Sergeant and Twelve, ordered in Colo. Meads favor of the 11th received last night, as the marquis’s Baggage is as I hear with Monsieur...
6From George Washington to Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 13 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
General Maxwell with the Brigade under his command comes to relieve You, to whom You will be pleased to give a Copy of the Instructions you have received and such information with respect to Guards &c. as You may deem material. When You are relieved You will march with Your Troops to Camp and either occupy their own Huts or those which the Maryland Troops have left as may be most agreable. It...
7From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis de la Fayette will have the honor to deliver you this. I am perswaded Congress will participate in the joy I feel at the return of a Gentleman who has distinguished himself in the service of this Country so signally—who has given so many & so decisive proofs of his attachments to its interests—and who ought to be dear to it by every motive —The warm friendship I have for him...
8From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 13 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 9th instant. I yesterday received the inclosed intelligence, which corresponds with other accounts from different quarters. Whether their fears in New York are well grounded a little time must discover. I have the honor to be with great Respect Sir Yr Excellency’s most obt and humble Servt LS , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC , item...
9General Orders, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
To command the manœvring battalions tomorr.[:] Colonels Johnson and Livingston[,] Majors Reid and J. Moore [Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow[:] Brigadier General Clinton[,] Colonel Stewart[,] Brigade Major Clinton’s brigade A Detachment for a fortnight to parade tomorrow morning at Guard mounting with their Arms Packs and three days provisions and forty rounds ⅌ man. Major T. Moore to command....
10From George Washington to the Board of Treasury, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Sometime last spring, or early in the Summer, Congress were pleased to authorise me to draw upon the Board of Treasury for a sum in specie not exceeding two thousand Guineas. As it was not my wish to call for more than the exigencies of the particular Service (for which it was intended) required; & as I happened at that time to have part of a former sum by me, I asked for 500 Gs. only with...
11From George Washington to James Duane, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The arrival of the Marquis De La Fayette opens a prospect which offers the most important advantages to these states if proper measures are adopted to improve it. He announces an intention of his Court to send a fleet and army to cooperate effectually with us. In the present state of our finances, and in the total emptiness of our magazines, a plan must be concerted to bring out the resources...
12To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
If it is convenient I should be glad to have a part of the Corps of Executioners attached to this Department, those finishers of the Law having become immediately & absolutely necessary to us, If your Excellency thinks it proper please hasten to us some of these People without delay. The Enemy have several times lately been acting against Colo. Millen, with both Horse and Infantry, and he has...
13From George Washington to Joseph Jones, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
(Private) I received the acct of your delegation with much satisfaction & was greatly pleased to hear of your arrival in Philadelphia —as I have ever placed you among the number of my friends I mean to take this early oppertunity of giving you a mark of my confidence in an interesting moment. The arrival of the Marquis de la Fayette opens a prospect wch offers the most important advantages to...
14From George Washington to La Luzerne, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have had the honor to receive the detail of His most Christian Majestys Fleet in the West Indies, which your Excellency has had the goodness to send me. I congratulate you very sincerely, Sir, on this very respectable armament, which I found to surpass my expectations and I would willingly hope that an occasion will be afforded the Count De Guichen to strike some important blow...
15From George Washington to John Mitchell, 14 May 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to John Mitchell, 14 May 1780. On 19 May, Mitchell wrote GW: “Your Excellencys favour of the 14th Instant, was handed me by Mr Washington.”
16To George Washington from Major William Perkins, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favour’d with your Excellency’s order of April 10th —have exerted myself ever since in procuring Teams, and with some difficulty have procured about Twelve continental Teams that will go foward to morrow loaded with Powder which is all I can muster at Present in this State. The inclos’d is a Copy of a Resolve of the Council of War of April 8. & as Genl Gates left me with order to...
17To George Washington from Major Lemuel Trescott, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment receved Intelliegence from Captn Ward (at Hackingsack) by Express that the Enemies Shipping are Comning up the North River, they were he Says at Fort Lee or oposite this afternoon I thought it my Duty to Give Your Excellency the Earleyest Intelligence of a matter of So much Consequence. I am Your Excellencies most Obedient & very Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The letter is...
18General Orders, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
[Officers] Of the Day Tomorrow—Colonel Craig[,] Major Talbot[,] Brigade Major Stark’s Brigade The General court martial whereof Brigadier General Hand is President to assemble at the hut lately occupied by Major Winder in the Maryland line; Major Eustace is appointed a member vice Major Grier indisposed. Lieutenant James Fairlie of the 2nd New York regiment is appointed Aid de Camp to Major...
19From George Washington to James Bowdoin, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit to your care a Letter for Major General Heath under a flying Seal. From an apprehension that he might have left Boston before it arrived and the importance of the objects to which it extends I am induced to use this freedom. If the General has not returned to the Army, I would request the favor of You to have the Letter sealed after perusing it, and delivered to...
20To George Washington from Colonel Zebulon Butler, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your order of the 7th April Came safe to hand I shall wait your excellencys further Orders, Nothing Matirael has happend since my last, only the men Mentioned in my last Being taken at fishing Creek &c. Came in with The Indian guns Tomhocks &c. as the first party Did, and Actually Brought in Two Indian Scalps, I have Heared of Late Mischiefs being done one the West brance of Susqh. and on...
21To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
By intelligence I have just received it appears, that the fleet which has been laying at Sandy hook for some days past, sailed last Thursday, That the enemy have a great number of Vessels loaded with Stone to be sunk in such parts of the channel as may best answer their purpose. Flour it is said is becoming scarce in New york and that the Inhabitants are much distressed on account of the...
22From George Washington to Colonel Christopher Greene, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Be pleased immediately upon the Rect hereof to set your Regiment to work in making Fascines. They are to be from 12 to 18 feet in length and 10 inches thick, well bound and cut square at both ends—of these kinds they may make as many as they can till further orders, and a few hundreds 6 feet long and 15 inches thick—a number of split stakes of hard wood will also be necessary to fix the...
23From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Udny Hay, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Upon looking to a General Return of Qr Masters Stores I find there were 1200 lb. of Oakum and 164 Barrels of Tar at Albany the 7th January last —As the repair of the Boats upon the north River was delayed for want of the above Articles you will be pleased to order them down, and set every hand who understands the Business to work upon the Boats —I am exceedingly anxious to have them put in...
24From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform You in strict confidence, that we have authentic advices of his Most Christian Majesty’s determination to send a respectable armament of Sea & Land forces, to operate on the Continent—and that the period is not remote when we may expect their arrival. Having informed You of this, I am now to add, that the destruction of Hallifax—of the Naval arsenals & Garrison...
25From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 11th and 13th. the intelligence contained in the first is interesting and is confirmed, so far as it respects the preparations of the enemy for defence, by accounts from other Quarters—The late demonstration, of a movement in New York, seems to have resolved itself into a Forage in Bergen County, as several small Vessels have gone up Hackensack River—some...
26To George Washington from Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Officer on Command at Newark informs me that four Square rigd Vessels & 14 others went up Hackinsack River last Evening—three of the Vessels appeared to have Some Troops on board & they had a Number of flat Boats. Our Guards could not be all relieved before this day—I expect to march to morrow —and am, your Excellency most obedient Servant ALS , DLC:GW . For similar intelligence, see Elias...
27From George Washington to Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Notwithstanding the Jersey Brigade has moved down in order to relieve your command, I wish you to remain where you are until you hear further from me. I am &. P.s. As I have recd intelligence of a movement of the Enemy, I beg you will keep the Troops in the most compact order & readiness to march on the shortest notice should circumstances require it. You will be prepared on the score of...
28From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Your Excellency confidentially that a French Fleet may in the course of a few Weeks be expected upon this Coast, and as it is uncertain what part of the land they may first make, Gentlemen are to be stationed at different points to give them Signals and to make them some necessary communications immediately upon their arrival. Major Galvan who will have the honor...
29From George Washington to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 9th of last Month, containing an account of the Enemy’s movements till that period. Since the receipt of this I have seen a Copy of a Letter from the Honble Mr Gervais, one of the Council, as low down as the 15th—and was happy to find by it that their Batteries, though they had been opened some days, had done You but very little damage; and I was made...
30To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 15 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Troops of my Brigad arived here yesterday Coll Dayton with his Regiment has taken the command of Elizth Town and it’s Vicinity The remaindr of the Brigade after furnishing the guard at Raway, Woodbridge, and New Ark will remain here till I have Your Excellencys Instructions. I had the pleasure Yesterday in the afternoon to go in company with Lord Stirling & the Field Officers to Elizth...