Title: From George Washington to the Brigadier Generals of Militia of Western Massachusetts and New Hampshire, 18 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Brigadier Generals of Militia of Western Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Gentlemen
Head Quarters at the Clove [N.Y.] 18th July 1777

The evacuation of Ticonderoga has opened a door for the Enemy, unless speedily and vigorously opposed, to penetrate the Northern part of the State of New York and the Western parts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts Bay. It is also to be feared that they will form a junction by the way of the North River with General Howe and thereby cut off the communication between the Eastern and Southern States. I need not represent to you how fatal such a measure would prove to the interests & Liberties of the united States. It cannot be supposed that the small number of Continental Troops at present assembled at Fort Edward are alone sufficient to check the progress of the Enemy, to the Militia therefore we must look for support in this time of Tryal; and I trust that you will immediately upon the Rect of this, if you have not done it already, march with at least a third part of the Militia under your command and rendezvous at Saratogha unless directed to some

other place by Genl Schuyler or Arnold. I would recommend it to you to engage your men to remain in service for a limited time to be regularly releived by others at the expiration of that time. We shall then know what force we have to depend upon, and it will be also more convenient for the Men, part of whom may be gathering their Harvests while the others are bravely defending their Country.
Genl Arnold who is so well known to you all, goes up at my request to take the command of the Militia in particular, and I have no doubt but you will, under his Conduct and direction, repel an Enemy from your Borders who not content with hiring Mercenaries to lay waste your Country, have now brought Savages with the avowed & express intent of adding murder to desolation. I am &c.

G. W——n

P.S. This to be forwarded by express from one Brigadier to the other.


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Mordecai Gist, 18 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Gist, Mordecai

Sir
Head Quarters at the Clove [N.Y.] 18 July 1777.

I recd both your favs of the 2d and 8th instants. The State of Maryland hath not been particular in refusing to suffer the Officers of the Sixteen Battalions to recruit before they have compleated their own

Quotas, several others have done the same thing. As the Officers of Colo. Nat. Gists Regiment were precluded from going on with recruiting, you were right to send them where they have a chance of raising Men.
As most of the Troops raised to the Southward are forwarded on, I think you would render more Service by being with your Regiment than remaining at Baltimore. If therefore the State do not demand your further attendance, you are to join the Army as soon as possible. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 18 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Camp at the Clove [N.Y.] July 18th 1777.

I just now received a Letter from Genl Schuyler of the 14th Inst. inclosing the Proceedings of the Council of War, which he alludes to, a Copy of which and of his Letter, I herewith transmit. He represents matters in a distressing point of view. I beleive they are bad—but, I hope, they are not so alarming as they are painted by him.
My Letter of the 12th would advise Congress, how far his demand of Necessaries had or would be complied with. In addition to the supplies then ordered, I directed, a day or Two after, Six Tons of Musquet Ball to be forwarded to him from peeks Kill with all possible expedition, which, I doubt, not, have arrived at Albany. As to sending him more Troops, than those mentioned in my Letter above referred to, It is not in my power; And I am persuaded, the force he now has with such Succour, as may be had from the Militia, if well conducted, would greatly, if not effectually stop Genl Burgoyne’s progress. Genl Arnold arrived here last Night and will set out this Evening for Albany. From his activity and disposition for Enterprize, I flatter myself, his presence and assistance in that Quarter, will be attended with happy consequences. I am well assured his utmost exertions will be employed to baffle the Enemy’s views, and wishing that they may succeed, I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Yr Most Obedt sert

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 18 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Livingston, Robert R.

Dr sir
Camp at the Clove [N.Y.] July 18th 1777.

Your Letter of the 16th Inst., I received to day. Tho I am & shall always be happy in your Favors, I feel with you but too sensibly, the cause giving rise to our present intercourse. But we must look forward to more fortunate events—The Evacuation of our posts on the Lake has taken place, and cannot be recalled.
Agreable to the Idea you have so obligingly hinted to me, I have written to the Brigrs in the Western parts of Massachusets & New Hampshire States, urging them by every motive of prudence and a regard to their own security, to step forth at this critical & interesting conjuncture with such aids as may be in their power to give for repelling our common Enemy. I should hope from the apparent necessity there is for succour at this time, that they will not be backward in affording all the means they possess for checking Mr Burgoyn’s progress. The General interest of America requires their exertions and their own preservation demands them in a peculiar manner. Knowing Genl Arnold to be an Officer of Judgement—bravery & Enterprize, (at the same time well acquainted with the Country), I have prevailed on him to repair to the Northern Department to assist in the Opposition. Under his more immediate command, I trust, the Militia who come out, will render important services.
The Letter for the Brigadrs, I have taken the liberty to trouble you with and must request that after sealing, you will direct and forward it to the One most contiguous with a requisition, that it may be sent to the nearest in the Other State from whence the aid is sollicited. I would not have imposed this difficulty upon you, had I known where and to whom to transmit the Letter. This, I am persuaded, & the urgency of the occasion, will be considered a sufficient apology. I am Dr Sir with great esteem & respect Yr Most Obedt servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to James Mease, 18 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Mease, James

Sir
Head Quarters at the Clove [N.Y.] 18 July 1777.

I am favd with yours of the 8th inst. I am sorry to find that you are likely to fall short in the supply of so material an Article as that of Shoes. Few of the 5000 pair that came on to peekskill will reach this Army, and even those that will, I am informed are in a manner good for nothing, they are thin french pumps that tear to peices when ever they get wet. I therefore beg you will forward on, the second parcel, that you mention, as quick as possible, for a number of our Soldiers are barefooted. You must lay out for Shoes from every quarter, and without waiting for orders keep sending them on as fast as they are made, if we had 50,000 pair it would not be too many. There are great complaints of the size of the shoes, which are generally too small, the same complaint lies agt most of your Cloathing, which do not do half the service that they would if they were larger. It may look like oeconomy but it is of a false kind, as the Cloaths do not wear out fairly but tear to peices.
Next to shoes, shirts are in most demand, by having a supply of them, the soldier is kept clean and of course healthy. If you can send any of them with the shoes, they will be most acceptable to the Army. I am &c.


Title: To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, 18 July 1777
From: Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council
To: Washington, George

Sr
In Council Philad. July 18. 1777

The Council had the Honor yesterday & not before to receive your Excellency’s Letter, dated the 9th Inst. to which you may depend the utmost attention will be paid—they are looking out for proper surveyors & when procured they shall be sett to Work as soon as possible, and the business shall be conducted with as much expedition & secrecy as the nature of it will admit.
Gen. Du Coudray by order of Congress has produced a plan of a Fortification to be erected at Billings port for the defence of the Chevaux De Frize Sunk at the bottom of the Delaware opposite to this Bank, to retard the progress of the Enemy Ships which place is smaller than the one already begun but perhaps yet too Extensive—however, Congress, rather than delay that Work any longer, has adopted it and this Council who is charged by Congress to see it carryed into execution

gave orders for the Militia to be employd & we expect they began this Day—and we hope it will be completed in three or four Weeks—opposite to this Fortification is a small bar Island on which Gen. Du Coudray has also orderd a small Battery to be erected—Our preparations by Water in Gallies Floating Batteries—Fire Ships & Fire Rafts together with the Armed Vessels in our River belonging to the United states may be so conducted as to do the Enemy considerable Injury should they bring their Fleet as high up the Delaware as Chester provided our people act with prudence & resolution—If the Enemy should attempt to Invade this state the Militia we flatter ourselves will turn out with a spirit becoming Freemen & afford you such assistance as may enable you to oppose them with success. with much respect I have the Honor to subscribe myself Sir your Obedient hum. servant.


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 18 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Smallwood, William

Sir,
Head Quarters Camp at Clove [N.Y.] July 18th 1777

A long time since, you wrote to me, asking my directions whether you should come on to join the army, with second division of the troops of your state; or should stay behind to forward the remaining recruits—in answer to which I recommended to you to accompany the second division. I expected ere this to have had the pleasure of seeing you at Camp, and I am intirely at a loss to conceive what can have been the cause of your detention to so late a period. Your presence at the head of your brigade in this interesting season cannot be dispensed with, and I therefore request, that if you should not be on your way before, you will immediately on the receipt of this hasten to the army with all the dispatch you possibly can make. I am Sir Your most Obedient servant

Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 19 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Clove [N.Y.] July 19th 1777.

A Board of General Officers, consisting of all the General Officers not on duty, to sit to morrow at ten o’clock in the forenoon, at General Greene’s quarters, for the purpose of settling the rank of all the Pennsylvania Field Officers.

The Commander in Chief is pleased to approve the following sentences of a general Court Martial, held the 17th instant, whereof Col. Shreve was president; and orders their immediate execution—vizt:
John Jay of Col. Hazen’s regt charged with “Desertion”—The Court having no evidence against him, ordered him to be released from confinement.
Christian Gasner of Col. Armand’s regiment charged with “Desertion”—The Court having no evidence against him, ordered him to be released from confinement.
Matthew Myers of the 3rd Pennsylvania regt charged with “Desertion”—found guilty, and sentenced to receive fifty lashes on his bare back.
Adam Haskey and Fredrick Leonard, both of Col. Stewart’s regiment from Pennsylvania, charged with “Desertion” found guilty, and sentenced each to receive fifty lashes.
Frederick Miller of Col. Stewarts regiment from Pennsylvania, charged with “Desertion”; found guilty and sentenced to receive fifteen lashes on his bare back: But the Commander in Chief, on account of the prisoner’s extreme youth, and at the Court’s request, is pleased to remit his punishment.
Robert Fassett of the 4th Pennsylvania regiment charged with “Desertion”—The Court having no evidence against the prisoner, ordered him to be released from confinement.
Robert Burns of the 3rd Virginia regiment, charged with “Desertion from the 3rd Virg: regt and inlisting into the 2nd Pennsylvania regt”—found guilty, and sentenced to receive fifty lashes.
Corporal Miller, Serjt McClure, Serjt Johnson and John Donnegan a private, all the 4th New-Jersey regiment, charged with “Mutiny, endeavouring to excite Sedition, and disobedience of orders respecting the marching of the army”—The three former found guilty of Mutiny, in joining with a body of men, and going to Head-Quarters to make complaint, and not guilty of endeavouring to excite Sedition and disobedience of orders, respecting the marching of the army; and sentenced to be reduced to the ranks, and reprimanded at the head of the regiment, by the commanding officer; And John Donnegan found guilty of the charges against him, and sentenced to receive one hundred lashes on his bare back.
James Divinney of the 5th Pennsylv: regiment, charged with “Desertion from the 5th Pennsylvania regiment, and inlisting into the 3rd Pennsylv: regiment”—found guilty, and sentenced to receive fifty lashes on his bare back, and to be sent to the 5th Pennsylvania regiment, and the bounty he received from Capt. Reese (of the 3rd Penn: regt) to be stopped out of the prisoners wages, and paid Capt: Reese.
It seems that vacancies of officers have happened in regiments and

corps; the commanding officers have in several instances undertaken to fill them up, and draw pay for the persons by them appointed—A practice altogether unjustifiable; and the continuance of it is absolutely forbidden: And henceforward no person so appointed shall be considered as having any authority, or intitled to a commission, or pay, by virtue thereof.
Such regiments as lately made returns for cloathing, and have not received their quotas, are to apply to the Deputy Cloathier General therefor.
After Orders.
The whole army is to be ready to march to morrow morning at five o’clock, when the march is to begin—Each brigade is to march off by files from the left; followed by its baggage—General Maxwell’s leading, and forming the van-guard, and General Muhlenberg’s bringing up the rear, and forming the rear guard; in the same manner as when the army marched to this place; The tents are to be struck at Gun firing, and every thing packed up with the greatest dispatch—Genl Greene will call in the guards mounted from his division.


Title: From George Washington to the Continental Congress Committee to Inquire into the State of the Army, 19 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Continental Congress Committee to Inquire into the State of the Army

Gentn
Camp at the Clove [N.Y.] July 19th 1777.

The little notice I had of your coming to the Army, and the shortness of your stay in Camp, will, more than probably, occasion the omission

of many matters which of right, ought to be laid before you—and the interruption which my thoughts constantly meet by a variety of occurrences must apologize for the crude and indigested manner in which they are offered.
The completion of the Continental Regiments is a matter of such Infinite importance, that I think no means should be left unessayed to accomplish it—Drafting, where the powers of Government are adequate, would be the speediest and most effectual, but if it should be thought unadviseable to attempt this mode, next to it, I would recommend, that the business of recruiting should be taken entirely out of the hands of the Officers of the Army, and, that, each State should appoint some person of known activity (one for instance who has been a good under sheriff) in each County or Township not only to recruit but to apprehend Deserters—these persons to be liberally rewarded for each recruit, and Deserter whom they shall deliver at stated Periods, and places, to Officers appointed to receive—discipline and March them to the Army—none of these recruiters to have the smallest power to act out of their own districts but to be absolutely fixed to them. A mode of this kind would, in my humble opinion, be less burthensome to the Public than the present—prevent the Idle habits which recruiting Officers contract, not only injurious to themselves but others the most effectual means, which can be devised, for the recovery of Deserters, the surest way of keeping your regiments of equal strength and of making the duty more equal in the detail of it—In a word, many valuable advantages would result from it, whilst I can suggest but one reason against it (and that, fully satisfied I am, when weighed in the scale of Interest will not operate) I mean the keeping so many Officers in Camp who might be spared from the duties of the Field till the regiments are stronger than at present—The sixteen additional regiments labour under such disadvantages in some States as to render the interposition of Congress (in some shape or other) indispensably necessary.
With respect to Food, considering we are in such an extensive and abundant Country, no Army was ever worse supplied than ours with many essential articles of it—our Soldiers, the greatest part of last Campaign, and the whole of this, have scarcely tasted any kind of Vegetables—had but little Salt and Vinegar, which would have been a tolerable substitute for Vegetables, have been in a great measure strangers to—neither have they been provided with proper drink—Beer or Cyder seldom comes within the verge of the Camp, and Rum in much too small quantities. Thus, to devouring large quantities of animal-food, untemper’d by vegetables, or vinegar, or by any kind of Drink but water, and eating indifferent Bread (but for this last a remedy is providing)

are to be ascribed the many putrid diseases incident to the Army, and the lamentable mortality that attended us last Campaign—If these evils can be remedied the expence and trouble ought not to be obstacles. though some kind of Vegetables are not to be had, others are; which, together with sour Crout and vinegar might easily be had, if proper persons acquainted with the business, were employed therein.
Soap is another article in great demand—the Continental allowance is too small, and, dear as every necessary of life is now got, a Soldiers pay will not enable him to purchase; by which means his consequent dirtiness adds not a little to the disease of the Army.
I have no reason to accuse the Clothier Genl of Inattention to his department, and therefore, as his supplies are incompetent to the wants of the Army, I am to suppose his resources are unequal—Aught not each State then to be called upon to draw such supplies from the Country Manufactories as can be afforded? particularly of Shoes, Stockings, Shirts, and Blankets; articles indispensably necessary, and of which scarce too many can be provided—In the meanwhile every provision to be making for Clothing the Troops uniformly, and warm in the Winter. It is a maxim, which needs no illustration, that nothing can be of more importance in an Army than the Clothing and feeding it well—on these the health, comfort, and spirits of the Soldiers essentially depend—and it is a melancholy fact, that the American Army are miserably defective in both these respects—The distress most of them are in, for want of Clothing, is painful to humanity, dispiriting to themselves, and discouraging to every Officer—It makes every pretension to the preservation of cleanliness impossible—exposes them to a variety of disorders—and abates, or destroys that Military pride without which nothing can be expected from any Army.
The consequence of giving rank indiscriminately, is much to be dreaded—great dissatisfaction has already arisen on account of bestowing this on Officers in the Civil departments of the Army—on the inferior staff—Waggon Master &c.—who by custom—propriety—and every other motive are excluded from it in all well regulated Armies. The too great liberality, practiced in this respect, will destroy the pride of rank where it ought to exist, and will not only render it cheap but contemptible. It is the policy of all Armies to make it valued and respected, as stimulous to emulation and an incitement to bold and gallant undertakings—it must be very unadviseable therefore, in our infant State of War, to adopt novel customs to bring it into discredit, which must and will be the consequence of making it too common, besides the disgust it creates in others.
An auditor of accounts to be constantly with the Army is absolutely requisite—It is impossible for me, crouded, as I am, with other business,

to examine and adjust the numerous complex accounts of the Army with that correctness the Public have a right to expect before warrants pass for payment and without doing it, great impositions may follow—The provision, for making regimental Paymasters regulate all regimental accounts is altogether incompetent to the end proposed from it; for these Men being appointed generally, agreable to the recommendation of the Field Officers of the regiments they belong to—associating constantly with the Officers of their Corps—and in a great measure under their controul, cannot be considered as sufficiently uninfluenced. Nor are Auditors at a distance from the Army of much use, as it would require a delay not admissible to send Accts to them to audit before they were passed, and paid in consequence of Warrants from the Commander in Chief of the Army.
A good Geographer to Survey the roads and take sketches of the Country where the Army is to Act would be extremely useful and might be attended with exceeding valuable consequences—He might with propriety have the chief direction of the Guides who must have a head to procure, govern, and pay them. If such a person should be approved of I would beg leave to recommend Mr Robt Erskine who is thoroughly skilled in this business—has already assisted us in making maps of the Country—and has (as I am informed) uniformly supported the Character of a fast friend to America.
A small travelling Press to follow Head Quarters would be productive of many eminent advantages—It would enable us to give speedy and exact information of any Military transactions that take place with proper comments upon them; and thereby frustrate the pernicious tendency of falshood and misrepresentation, which, in my opinion of whatever complexion they may be, are in the main detrimental to our cause. If the People had a channel of intelligence, that from its usual authenticity they could look up to with confidence, they might often be preserved from that despondency, which they are apt to fall into from the exaggerated pictures our Enemies and their Emissaries among us commonly draw of any misfortunes we meet with, and from that diffidence of truths favorable to us which they must naturally feel from the frequent deception they are exposed to, by the extravagant colourings our friends often give to our successes. It would also be very useful to dispatch business in Camp, being the most expeditious means of taking Copies of any orders or other matters that require to be dispersed and would save a good deal in returns and other Papers we are often obliged to get Printed in Philadelphia. An ingenious Man to accompany this Press and be employed wholly in writing for it might render it singularly beneficial.
I am exceedingly embarrassed how to dispose of the French Officers

in General, but more especially the Artillery Officers, who are come out under the sanction of a compact. I can think of no other way than that of forming a seperate Corps of them and draughting Men from the whole Line to compose that Corps; but even this will be attended with many disagreable effects—among others, this is not the least, that officers will think them selves much injured to have the Men they have had the trouble of raiseing taken from them and given to others. there is something in this which is discouraging and breaks the Spirit of a good Officer who prides himself in having a full and compleat Corps.
A doubt has arisen whether a Person who belongs to any of the United states of America, and who owed allegiance to any of the said states that went to the Enemy some time past, and since that time has been lurking about any of the Fortifications or about any of the Encampments of the Armies of the United states, plundering and driving off Cattle to the Enemy, recruiting for them or committing any other attrocious Crime or who is appointed an Officer in the Enemies Army, can be tried by a General Court Martial under the resolution of Congress of the 21st of August 1776 and punished as a Spye. I have the honor to be Gentn with great respect Your most Obedt hum. Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Elias Dayton, 19 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Dayton, Elias

Sir
Head Quarters Clove [N.Y.] 19th July 1777 9 oClock

Yours of this morning has just reached me. In consequence of Advice recd this day of the Enemy’s having sent a Number of Vessels up the Sound and that others are moving up the North River, I shall march with the Army to morrow Morning towards New Windsor. You are to follow immediately with your own and Colo. Ogdens Regiments thro’ the Clove. I have given Colo. Morgan his directions and what Rout he is to take. Be pleased to forward the inclosed to Colo. Moylan by Express, as it contains his order of march. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 19 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Dear Sir
Head Quarters at the Clove [N.Y.] 19th July 1777

I have your favs. of the 7th and 10th instants. I am pleased to find from the Copy of the letter from Bordeaux that matters wore so good a face in France, it is more than probable that they will push an advantagious Trade with us before a formal declaration of War, indeed if they were to strike a Blow before the declaration, they would only repay England, for playing a Game of the same kind in the Year 1755.
There is a very material difference between the Returns you transmit me, and Genl Sinclairs account of the Garrison of Ticonderoga. By a Copy of the Council of War, before the Evacuation, it appears, that they had only 2089 effectives and 900 Militia, your Return of Massachusets Troops that had marched amounts to 2830, there were besides these either three or four Regiments of New Hampshire Troops. These are mysteries which a proper enquiry must clear up. I have sent Genl Arnold

up to join Genl Schuyler, who is collecting a force near Fort Edward, by the latest accounts, the Enemy had not advanced in force from Skeensborough, I therefore hope that with Genl Arnolds Assistance, (in whom the Army and Militia in particular place great confidence) matters will be put in a more favourable train.
Since the Congress passed the Resolve that there should be but one Chaplain to three Regiments, nothing has been done towards reducing them, and I have my doubts whether the Resolve will ever be carried into execution. The appointment you mention had therefore better be suspended for a while.
Genl Howe still lays intirely quiet on Board the Fleet at Staten Island, very few Troops remain on shore, and the destination a profound secret. Whatever were his intentions before this unlucky Blow to the Northward, he certainly ought now, in good policy, to endeavour to cooperate with Genl Burgoine. I am so fully of opinion that this will be his plan, that I have advanced the Army thus far to support our party at peekskill, should the Enemy move up the River.
I mentioned in my last the necessity of pushing on the remainder of the Levies, and I must now repeat that from every thing that has since turned up, the occasion for them especially to the Northward is more pressing. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Inclosed is a letter which is one of many I have recd upon the same subject from the Revd Mr Allen. I refer the Matter to you, and if you find that he has the least shadow of right to his Claim pray pay him his demand, or he will write me and travel himself to death.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Daniel Morgan, 19 July 1777
From: Morgan, Daniel
To: Washington, George

sir
Camp at Crain Town [N.J.] 19th July 1777

Col. Dayton told me your excellency wanted a Country man, that Could be depended upon, to Carry letters from this to Camp, the bearer Alexander Anderson is well Recommended to me, And I belive a friend to his Country, and is willing to undertake it, this morning

about seven oClock, the enemies fleet ware all in Motion, thay fired several guns which I looked upon to be signarals, thay saild about for the span of two hours, and Come to at the watering place, except a few that fell down towards the hook and seemd to go round statan island toward Princes bay, we found secreted in the Corner of a field Covered with straw and brush eight iron swivels two small brass Howatz, fourteen Blunderbuses 16 speers 6 old swords 3 worms 22 spunges 6 lint stocks I will take Care of them till I hear from your excellency. I am sir your most obedient Servt

Danl Morgan


Title: To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 19 July 1777
From: Putnam, Israel
To: Washington, George

Dear Genl;
Head Qurs Peeks kills [N.Y.] July 1 [9]th 1777

I herewith Send you a Copy of a letter Just received from Col. Mead containing some intelligence respecting the Enemy’s fleet.
I have taken One Edmund Palmer, who went to the Enemy Some time past, who belonged at Crumpond, has ever Since been lurking about here plundering & driving off cattle to the Enemy, breaking up & robbing houses—he broke Open a house in the Night belonging to an Officer in our Army presented his Pistol to his wife’s breast as She Sat in bed, Strip’d the rings from her fingers, then fell upon the father an old Gentleman, abused, beat, & left him, to appearance dead, he took an Express as he was Coming from Connecticut to me, he has been about recruiting for the Enemy & Spying our Army—he was taken in arms with a Villian who escaped from the Guard house, under Sentence of death, Sometime past. Palmers brother that was with him is Supposed to be killed—he Says he is a Leiut: in Hows Army appointed by Genl Orders, but has no Commission I have ordered him in Irons & directed his Trial to be next Tuesday.
A Question is made, wheither he may be Tried by a Genl Court martial by the articles of war—because he belonged to this State & Owed Allegiance to it, I think, the Speedy Execution of Spie’s is agreable to the laws of Nature & nations & absolutely necessary to the preservation of the Army & without Such power in the Army, it must be incompetent for its own Safety—Should be glad of your Excellency’s Advice & direction in the premises.
I have ordered a board of Officers to Set next Monday to enquire into the claims of the Candidates for the two vacant Cols. in Genl Parson’s Brigade agreable to your Orders. With the highest esteem & affection I am your Excellency’s Obedt humble Servt

Israel Putnam


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Trumbull, 19 July 1777
From: Trumbull, Joseph
To: Washington, George

My Dear General
Camp at the Clove [N.Y.] 19th July 1777

I consider it my Duty to notice you, that I have returned my late Commission, as Comissary General of Purchases, to Congress, by the Honble Committee from that Body now here, accompanied with the following Letter.

Sir—
Camp at the Clove 19th July 1777

Inclosed, I send you, the Commission, which Congress have honored me with lately, as Commissary General of Purchases, & must beg leave, to decline accepting the same, or Acting under the Authority, or rather want of Authority, of it—My Reasons for declining, I have given to The Honble Committee of Congress now here, at large, The Principal of which is—That in my Humble Opinion, the Head of every Department ought to have the Comptroul of it—In this Establishment an Imperium in Imperio is established—If I accept to Act, I must be at Continual Variance with the whole Department, & of Course in Continual Hot Water, turn Accuser, & be continually applying to Congress & Attending with Witnesses to support Charges &c.—Or I must sit down in Ease & Quiet, let the Deputies do as they like,

& enjoy a Sine Cure, the one Situation, I can’t think of, The last I never will accept, It never Shall be said, I was the first American Pensioner—I am willing to do & to suffer, for my Country & it’s Cause—but I cannot Sacrifice my Honor & Principles—I must beg Congress to Appoint some Person, in my place, as Soon as may be, ’till then, I will Continue to supply the Army as heretofore.
I can by no means consent to Act under a regulation, which in my Opinion will never answer the purpose intended by Congress, or supply the Army as it should be.
I also Inclose the Commission sent to Jeremiah Wadsworth Esqr. who begs me to Inform Congress he declines accepting the same, & takes this Method to do it, as he had no other notice of the Appointment but thro’ me. I am, with the Greatest Respect Sir Your most Humble Servt

Jos: Trumbull
Hone John Hancock Esqr. President of Congress Copy

I most Devoutly wish Congress may appoint some Person to my place, of greater Abilities than myself, & who may serve to better Satisfaction, & Your Excellency & the Army under your Command, be better supplied—One who will serve with honester Intentions, than I have done, they never will find. I am, with the greatest Esteem & Respect Your Excellency’s most humble servt

Jos: Trumbull


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Burr, 20 July 1777
From: Burr, Aaron
To: Washington, George

Honored Sir
Peekskill [N.Y.] 20th July 1777

I was this Morning favoured with your Excellency’s Letter of 29th Ulto and my Appointment in Col. Malcolms Reg. I am truly sensible of the Honour done me, and shall be studious that my Deportment in that Station be such as will ensure your future Esteem—I am nevertheless Sir, constrained to observe that the late Date of my Appointment subjects me to the Command of many who are younger in the Service and junior Officers the last Campaign—With Submission, and if there is no Impropriety in requesting what so nearly concerns me, I would beg to know, whether it was any Misconduct in me or extraordinary Merit or Services in them, which entituled the Gentlemen lately put over me, to that Preference; or if an uniform Diligence and Attention to Duty has marked my Conduct, since the Formation of an Army,

whether I may not expect to be restored to that Rank of which I have been deprived, rather, I flatter myself, through Accident than Design: I would wish equally to avoid the Character of turbulent or passive, & am unhappy to have troubled your Excellency with a Matter which concerns only myself, but as a decent Attention to Rank is both proper & necessary, I hope it will be excused in one who regards his Honour, next to the Welfare of his Country.
I am not yet acquainted with the State of the Regimt or the Prospect of filling it; but shall immediately repair to their Rendevouz, and receive Col. Malcom’s Directions. I have the Honour to be, with the greatest Respect, Your Excellencys very hum. Servt

A. Burr


Title: To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 20 July 1777 [letter not found]
From: Putnam, Israel
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 20 July 1777. When writing to Putnam on 22 July, GW says that “I have received your two favours of the 20th and 21st with their inclosures.”


Title: General Orders, 21 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, at Galloways, Smith’s Clove [N.Y.] July 21st 1777.

The waggon Masters are to see that the horses under their direction feed as much as possible on grass this day, and save what grain and dry forage they have—The Waggoners are to stay by their horses, to prevent their doing damage to corn, flax &c.—for if such things are damaged thro’ their negligence, they will be severely punished.
The Q.M. Genl is immediately to inspect the boats, observe what injuries they have sustained in the carriage, and take the most effectual measures to prevent their receiving any further damage.
Every thing is to be in readiness to move to morrow morning.
The General is informed, that some of the troops are without provisions; They are immediately to supply themselves with provisions for this day and to morrow.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 21 July 1777
From: Moylan, Stephen
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Elizth town [N.J.]21 July 1777 Seven ô Clock P.M.

I received Mr Tilghmans Letter of the 19th Yesterday at five ô clock P.M. ordering me to march to New Windsor, takeing my rout by the Clove, which I understand is near ten miles round, however I will obey it except I meet Contrary orders, I shoud have been further on the March, had not an unluckly thought taken hold, last night, of nineteen, of Craigs Troops who sett off from hence towards Philadelphia at twelve ô clock, Col. White and the Major with two troops brought them back, after a very Severe Chace of upwds of forty Miles I believe they have not been well used in regard to pay, which they give as the reason of their proceeding towards Philadelphia, in order to get a Settlement, I shall not however trust them on horseback again, and when an oppertunity of a Court Martial offers, they shall be brought to triall, the horses they rode, and the horses rode by their pursuers are So Stiff that I cannot pretend to move them this day I hope it will not be attended with any ill Consequence as I am informd the enemys fleet are falling down to the Hook, inclosed is the report of Yesterday, just now Come to My hand. I am Most assuredly Dear sir Your affect. & ob. Sert

Stephen Moylan

I shall proceed early in the morning.


Title: From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 21 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Putnam, Israel

Dr Sir
11 Miles in the Clove [N.Y.] July 21st 1777

The Intelligence, which occasioned us to advance from the Entrance of the Clove yesterday Morning I find to have been premature, and mean to remain here till I have your Answer. What I wish to be particularly and certainly informed of, is, Whether you have received any further Accounts from Genl Silliman or Other persons contiguous to the Water respecting the Ships that were seen going up the Sound—Whether they have come to Anchor and where—Whether they have Troops on board or have landed any and what Number of Ships in the whole have appeared. You will, I say, give me the most particular information you have obtained in these several instances immediately by Express. I shall anxiously wait for your Answer and have no doubt of receiving it tonight. Our situation here is distressing & the conduct of Genl Howe extremely embarrassing. I am

G. W——n


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 21 July 1777
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Fort Edward [N.Y.] July 21st 1777.

On the 19th Instant the Enemy sent a Drum with Colonel Cilley’s Son and a Servant of General Poor, who were taken prisoners at Skenesborough on the Retreat from Tyonderoga, the former was charged with a Letter from Colonel Skene to me, dated (I suppose by Mistake) on the 20th Instant, Copy whereof No. 1 I do myself the Honor to enclose, with Copy of mine in Answer No. 2.
The Intelligence brought by General Poor’s Servant and which was confirmed by Colonel Cilley’s Son, as also that of two prisoners taken on the 19h Instant is contained in No. 3.
The Militia being extremely uneasy at being detained here in the very Time of Harvest began to leave us in great Numbers, and their Officers entreating that at least a part might be sent Home. In Order to prevent the whole from going, I called a Council of War on the Occasion, Copy of their proceedings No. 4 is herewith transmitted. Altho’ one half of the Militia have promised to remain three Weeks, I have not the least Hope that we shall keep above a Quarter of them, if so many—But supposing half of what are now on the Ground from the County of Berkshire in the Massachusetts State, and from the County of Albany in this, your Excellency will percieve by the inclosed Return No. 5. that we are greatly inferior to the Enemy supposing them the least they have been made by the Information received. In this Situation it is a natural Wish to be reinforced and if your Excellency affords it me, I wish it to be expedited the soonest possible.
From their being so steadily employed in cutting a Road towards us, I believe they mean to visit us soon, and from the Number of Horses they are said to have and to expect, I conjecture they will attempt to bring on their provisions on Horseback, if so, they will be able to move with Expedition.
Not one of the New Hampshire Militia had joined Colonel Warner on the 18th and very few from any other Quarter—I believe if a Body of Men were speedily collected in that Quarter, that General Burgoyne might be apprehensive, should he march this Way, that they would either

fall in his Rear or make an Attempt on Mount Independance and probably prevent him from making the Attempt. I am Dear Sir most sincerely Your Excellency’s obedient humble Servant

Ph: Schuyler


Title: General Orders, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, at Galloway’s, Smith’s Clove [N.J.]July 22nd 1777.

After Orders.
The army is to march early to morrow morning, if it should not rain; and at five o’clock the march is to begin. General Lincoln’s and General

Stephen’s divisions to proceed up the Clove, and march to Chester, and there wait for further orders. General Greene’s division, and the park of artillery to march back to Suffern’s, whither also the baggage of Lord Stirling’s division is to return.


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General David Forman, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Forman, David

Sir
Head Quarters Clove [N.Y.] 22d July 1777

All our accounts agree that the greatest part of the Fleet have gone from the Narrows down to the Hook, but whether they have gone out to Sea we cannot discover. You will therefore please to send me word whether they yet lay at the Hook or have gone out. If you send your dispatches across by South Amboy to Colo. Moylan he will forward them to me. If the fleet have sailed & their Course discovered be pleased to be very particular in mentioning of it. I am Sir Your most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Franklin, 22 July 1777
From: Franklin, William
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Litchfield Gaol [Conn.] July 22, 1777

I am sensible that you must now have so much Employ for your Time & Attention, in the great Business you are engaged in, that you can have very little of either to spare for an Individual. But as the peculiarly distressing Circumstances & Urgency of my Case will admit of no Delay, I have such Confidence in the Generosity & Humanity of your Disposition, that I cannot but flatter myself you will take it into Consideration, and grant me such Relief as may be in your Power.
I have receiv’d a Note from Mr Jos. Webb of Wethersfield, inclosing an open Letter from Mr Hick, which Genl Huntington receiv’d from Capt. Dawson of the 38th Regt who came in a Flag from New York. In this Letter, which I enclose, you will see Mr Hick writes that “Mrs Franklin is in such a poor State of Health as to be unable to hold a Pen.” This Intelligence, added to what Mr Webb says, that when he was lately at N. York, he heard that the Doctors at Amboy had given her over, as past Recovery, has almost distracted me. I can scarcely either sleep or eat, and am, in short, one of the most miserable Wretches breathing. She is naturally of an exceeding weak Constitution, and for several Years past has needed my constant Care & Tenderness to keep

her in tolerable Health. Her Distresses, which have been exceedingly great on Account of my long Absence, must be much heighten’d by her being hurried away in her present Condition to N. York. She has no Relations or Connections there either of hers or mine to attend on her, and do those kind Offices she so much stands in need of, and which cannot be expected from a common Friend or Acquaintance. And, indeed, it is in no one’s Power to be of near the Service to her as myself, I having studied her Constitution, and from Experience know best how to treat her, and to prevail on her to take those Medicines, & follow those Directions which the Physicians think necessary. But it must be needless to trouble you with Particulars of this Nature. Your own Heart will suggest the Necessity she must be under of my Assistance, & the Advantages that my Presence may be productive of to her in her present most distressful Situation. I do therefore most earnestly intreat your immediate Permission to visit her; and, for this Purpose, I am willing to to enter into the most solemn Engagements, even that of an Oath, if required, that I will neither directly nor indirectly say or do any thing in Opposition to or in Prejudice of the Measures or Proceedings of the Congress during the present War, unless duly discharged therefrom by them or you. I mention an Oath, to obviate any Objection which may be made to taking my Parole, on Account of my being charg’d with the Breach of that I formerly gave to Govr Trumbull. But however strong Appearances & Circumstances may be in favour of the Charge, I have no Doubt but I shall be able to explain & justify my Conduct in that respect to the Satisfaction of you and the Congress, and indeed of every Man of Candour; which I should have done before this Time had I been permitted the Use of Pen, Ink & Paper. I must therefore request both you & them to do me the Justice to suspend your Judgment on the Subject till you hear what I have to offer upon it, and I now pledge myself that you shall hear from me on that Head the first Opportunity I may have.
Perhaps you may think you cannot with Propriety comply with my Request, as I am confined here by Order of Congress, without first having their Sentiments on the Matter. But as the obtaining this, will necessarily occasion a great Delay, and may put it out of my Power, by being too late, to be of any Service to Mrs Franklin, I beg leave to propose, if you should be under any Difficulty on that Head, that it may be made a Condition of the Engagement I enter into, that, if the Congress should happen to disapprove any Part of it, I shall either consent to such Alteration as they shall direct, or return immediately. A Form of such Obligation as you may think necessary to require of me on this Occasion may be sent to Lynd Lord, Esqre, High Sheriff, in whose Custody I am; and can safely trust to your Sense of Honour that you will not ask any

Terms of me but what are reasonable & proper. I cannot think that there will be found a Gentleman in the Congress who will blame you for such an Act of Humanity as I now sollicit, especially when they consider that two of their Generals have been long permitted by Genl Carleton to reside with their Wives & Families, and that all I request is to be allowed to visit my poor dying Wife, and to endeavour to recover her, or, if that should not be possible, to at least contribute all in my Power to comfort her in her last Moments. She is certainly intitled to some Respect & Consideration from the People of America, having, as Hundreds can testify, always treated all Ranks of them, who came in her Way, with the utmost Politeness & Attention, ever shewing a Readiness to oblige them all in her Power. In the last Letter I received from her, which was dated so long ago as the 20th of December, as well as in several former Ones, she expressed great Acknowledgments of the Respect & Tenderness with which she had been treated by General Mercer, during the Time he had the Command in New Jersey. I hope both she and I may have it in our Power to make similar Acknowledgments to General Washington, and I am sure he cannot oblige two more grateful Hearts, or those who will be more ready on every proper Occasion to manifest, by Actions as well as Words, their Sense of any Favour they may receive. I am likewise certain that an Indulgence in my present Request will be thankfully acknowledged by my Father both to you and the Congress; for he has a great Esteem for my Wife, who has ever shewn a dutiful & respectful Regard to him; and I trust and believe that tho’ we differ in our political Sentiments, yet it has not lessened his natural Affection for me, any more than it has mine for him, which I can truely say is as great as ever.
On the whole, I cannot but hope that you will immediately grant my Request, if you possibly can; or, if you should think yourself under a Necessity of first applying to Congress, that you will be so as to back my Application with your Interest. The Bearer will wait your Answer, which, if favourable, will lay a lasting Obligation on him who is, with great Respect, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant

Wm Franklin

P.S. I am concerned to see by the late Letters which have passed between you & General Howe, the Difficulties which have occurred in the Execution of the Cartel for the Exchange of Prisoners. I think were I to see the General, I should be able to point out a Plan to him that would obviate his principal Objection, and be likewise to your Satisfaction. However, at any Rate, you may rely that should I be permitted to return, it shall be my Study & Endeavour to have the Treatment of the Prisoners put on such a Footing as to prevent any reasonable Cause of

Complaint in future. The Inconveniences and Miseries I have suffered from my long Confinement, & particularly in this Gaol, will ever induce me to sympathize with Persons in their Situation.


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Camp 11 Miles in the Clove [N.Y.] July the 22d 1777.

We have been under great embarrasments respecting the intended Operations of Genl Howe, and still are, Notwithstanding the utmost pains to obtain intelligence of the same. At present it would appear, that he is going out to Sea. By Authentic information there are only Forty Ships at New York. The rest are gone elsewhere & have fallen down between the Narrows & the Hook. Between these Two places, the Number, from the most accurate observation was about One hundred & Twenty on Yesterday.
As I observed before, their destination is uncertain and unknown, But I have thought it my duty to inform Congress of these Facts, that they may give Orders to the militia to hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice in case Philadelphia should be their Object. At the same time, I am to request, that they will have a sufficient number of proper Lookouts fixed at the Capes of Delaware, to whose accounts implicit confidence may be given, to make the earliest reports of the arrival of any Fleet, which Congress will transmit me by the

speediest conveyance. As the Enemy will probably make many Feints, and have it unhappily but too much in their power from their Shipping, I would advise, that the Look Outs should be cautioned to be extremely accurate in their Observations and reports, mentioning with as much precision as possible, the Number of Ships that may appear. Our situation is already critical and may be rendered still more so, by inaccurate and ill grounded intelligence.
From the advices received on Saturday of the movements of part of the Enemy’s Ships and the strong reasons there were to suppose Genl Howe would push up the North River to cooperate with Genl Burgoyne, I detached Lord Stirling with his Division to peeks Kill on Sunday Morning. they crossed the River that Evening and the next morning. This movement will prove unnecessary should his destination be to the Southward. I have also ordered Genl Nixons Brigade from peeks Kill to reinforce Genl Schuyler from his representations of the inadequacy of his force to oppose Genl Burgoyne and of the seeming backwardness of the people in that Quarter to afford him aid. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. I think the Works at Billings port well worthy of attention and it expedient to effect their completion as soon as possible.


Title: To George Washington from James Mease, 22 July 1777
From: Mease, James
To: Washington, George

sir
Philadelphia July 22 1777

I had the honor of your Excellencys favor of 18 yesterday—Am sorry to find the French shoes turn out so ordinary & that so few have reach’d head Quarters, I have sent to Lancaster for a parcel, to which place all that were not likely to be soon wanted were sent during the Alarms we have had, I have taken great pains to get the sizes of the shoes encreased & am sorry to say I do not succeed so well as I could wish with respect to the clothing I am sure there is little if any cause of complaint I have directed them to be made of three different sizes: but

in general so little pains is taken by the officers to fit the Men that I have often seen a large coat hanging like a sack on a little fellow, whilst you see at same time a lusty fellow squeezed into a small one When ever the Clothes are distributed with proper attention the men are unexceptionably fitted. Mr Young by post informs me all the packages coming from Fishkill to Head Quarters were stoped on the road & opened (at the instigation of Col. Antill) by Genll sullivan who has taken from thence what ever he thought proper & Amongst other Articles 4 ps. blue broad Cloth & 30 ps. nankeens with butts. thread & what trimings he could find, These packages of peice goods were before opened at Fish kill by Genll Putnams order & the officers directed to be supplied with what ever they required & Mr Young has been detained by him several weeks after he had distributed all the clothing that was there suitable for the troops, This detention was in my opinion injurious to the service, my directions to Mr Young were to be governed in all things by the orders of your Excellency, where they failed my desire was that he should with all possible speed Issue the clothing as far as was suitable for the troops there & bring returns of what was deficient that no time might be unnecessarily lost in forwardg such supplies as the state of our finances would admit I submit it to the judgment of Your Excellency whether tis possible to conduct any business of this kind with order or propriety, if every commanding officer at every post on so extensive a Communication is at liberty to stop when he pleases & take what ever he thinks proper out of any goods that may be transporting from one post to another. I own it appears to me that it would been better for General sullivan to have been at the trouble of sending a person or writing for what he wanted to the next storekeeper or Assistant into Whose hands the goods would be put than expose them to damage as well as plunder by opening the packages on the road—Inclosed is a copy of a letter I lately received by which your Excellency will perceive how difficult tis to get any commodity to head Quarters which happens to be in demand on the road I fear we shall have little success by the application for the 4000 Blankets wh. were taken into Massachusetts as yet I have no particular information from the Agents—The peice of Suprfine blue cloth wh. I had ordered to be purchased for the use of your Excellency & familey has I fear been shared on the road so that if I cannot soon supply the Gentlemen with another they will not blame me too Much—I have urged the Agents in Massachusetts & Else where very particularly on the subject of Shoes & I have hopes in a little time to draw a parcel from thence in the mean time I could wish some of the officers were a little more careful to prevent waste of so great a Necessary. I Am with infinite Respect your Excellencies most obedient & most Hble servt

James Mease


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Stephen Moylan, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Moylan, Stephen

Sir
Head Quarters Clove [N.Y.] 22d July 1777.

I have your favr of Yesterday. The enclosed for Genl Forman is to desire him to send me word whether the Fleet have really gone out to Sea; he will send his despatches to you, and you are to forward them to me by Express. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 22 July 1777
From: Moylan, Stephen
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Elizabethtown [N.J.] July 22d 1777

I received your favor of yesterday a little after midnight, and agreeable to your orders, shall return to my old Station, which I assure your Excellency is a very exposed one for horse alone to be at, if there were one hundred Infantry Stationd at Amboy & the proper places near it, and fifty men to be Stationd at the ferrys it woud not only be a Security to the horse, and the Inhabitants but prevent an unlawful intercourse between the Island and the main which it is impossible for horse totally to put a Stop to, you have assignd a greater lenght of Coast for me to Guard, than Colonel Dayton has, with his own and Col. Ogdens Regiments, if your Excellency woud be pleasd to order one hundred & fifty men to be Sent up to me, I think it woud be for the public Service.
I just recd the inclosed report of yesterday and General Forman’s Letter, to their Contents I beg leave to reffer You. I am Dear Sir your most obliged H. St

Stephen Moylan


Title: From George Washington to the New York Council of Safety, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: New York Council of Safety

⟨Gentn
⟨Head Quarters, in the Clove [N.Y.]⟩22d July 1777⟩

I am informed by G⟨enl George Clinton that you⟩ have vested him with powers to call out ⟨the Militia of⟩ the Counties of Ulster, Orange, Dutches and ⟨West Chester⟩ untill the 1st of August, at which time the new ⟨Legislature of the State⟩ is summoned to meet.
As it will probably be some time before ⟨the Wheels⟩ of the New Government can be put in Motion, I ⟨am fearfull⟩ that, unless this Power is extended to a further ⟨time, there⟩ will be a vacancy between Genl Clintons presen⟨t Commission,⟩ and the enacting new laws by the Legislature⟨. A circum⟩stance, which, at this time, may prove most fa⟨tal in its⟩ Consequences, because, from the present appeara⟨nce of⟩ Matters, the Enemy are upon the point of mak⟨ing some⟩ capital move.
I could therefore wish, if it can be done w⟨ith pro⟩priety, that before your Board is dissolved, you ⟨would⟩ extend this power of calling out the Militia to G⟨enl⟩ Clinton or some other person, till such time as y⟨ou⟩ may reasonably expect the new Legislature will have ⟨met⟩ and proceeded regularly to Business.
I mention ‘Genl Clinton or some other person⟨’ because,⟩ as he will enter into his Office of Governor of the St⟨ate upon t⟩he 1st of August, he cannot probably attend to the Bu⟨siness of calling t⟩he Militia. If you are of opinion that he can, I ⟨would prefer⟩ him to any other. I have the Honor to ⟨be⟩ Gentlem⟨en

Go: Washington⟩


Title: From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Putnam, Israel

Head Quarters Galloways in Smith’s Clove [N.Y.] July 22d 1777
Dear Sir

I have received your two favours of the 20th and 21st with their inclosures.
With respect to the intelligence you have had of so large a number of ships being in the sound it is too vague to place any confidence in it; but it is of so much importance should it be true, that the most effectual means ought to be taken immediately to ascertain the real state of the fact, by sending trusty persons down to some place, where they may be seen, if they are in the river. We have such contradictory accounts from different quarters, that I find it impossible to form any satisfactory judgment of the real motions and intentions of the enemy. By information last night received, I have reason to think the fleet have all quitted Staten Island and even that they have gone out of the Hook. I wish you to Endeavour as speedily as possible to find outt if there are any, and what number of ships there may be in the Sound—that I may be able to determine with more precision what is doing, and what part we have to act in consequence of it.
The necessity of drafting so many soldiers from the army to make waggoners of them is a very disagreeable circumstance. But if the Quarter Masters cannot procure them, there is no way of avoiding it. And as it respects the Artillery, it will never answer to convert Artillery-men who are so much wanted with their pieces into waggoners. Unless therefore your Quarter Master General can furnish persons for the purpose you mention it will be necessary for you to draft a sufficient number of soldiers, qualified for the business of Waggoners to be attached to the Artillery.
I should be glad you would endeavour to inform yourself exactly of the number of troops at the several posts about Kings Bridge; Fort Washington &c.; of their situation—that of their guards together with the strength of them—and of any thing that will enable us to form a judgment of the expediency and practicability of an attack upon them; and communicate the same to me. A great deal of circumspection will be requisite in doing this that we may not give an alarm and advertise

the enemy that we have a design of this nature in view. I am Sir Yr most Obdt servt.


Title: From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Putnam, Israel

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Clove [N.Y.] 22d July 1777

It being judged necessary to reinforce the Army to the Northward with another Brigade, you are desired to dispatch Glovers as speedily as possible by Water to Albany. As Genl Schuyler has lately had ten peices of Artillery sent up to him, Genl Glover need not carry his with him. The remainder of Nixon’s Brigade are to follow as fast as they arrive. Every Tent that can possibly be spared from Peekskill is to be sent up to Genl Schuyler, for as all those that were at Ticenderoga are lost, the Army is without covering. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 22 July 1777
From: Putnam, Israel
To: Washington, George

Dear Genl
Peekskill [N.Y.] July 22. 1777 8 OClock P.M.

Inclosed you have the Examination of Capt. Atwood of Cape Cod—Mr Mead who is the post that passes from hence to the East River, Arrivd here this morning, brings no letters, nor nothing new, Only that since the 25. Sails of transports past Fairfield, their is not the least Appearance of the Enemy in the sound, Our provost guard is full of Robbers tories &c. and more Continually Coming in, four has just made their Apperance taken near Croton River, so that I Expect to be under the necessity of sending to Philedephia for a Reinforcement of Halters. I am Dear Sir Your Hume Sert

Israel Putnam


Title: From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Schuyler, Philip

Dr Sir
11 Miles in the Clove [N.Y.] July 22d 1777.

I Yesterday Evening received the Favor of your Letters of the 17th & 18th Instant, with the Inclosures.
I am heartily glad you have found two such advantageous Spots to take post at, and I hope, the progress of the Enemy will not be so rapid as to prevent your throwing up such Lines as you may esteem necessary for their Defence.
Tho’ our Affairs for some Days past have worn a dark and gloomy Aspect, I yet look forward to a fortunate and happy Change. I trust General Burgoyne’s Army will meet, sooner or later an effectual Check, and as I suggested before, that the Success he has had will precipitate his Ruin. From your Account he Appears to be pursuing that Line of Conduct which of all others is most favorable to us. I mean, acting in Detachment. This Conduct will certainly give Room for Enterprize on our part & expose his parties to great Hazard. Could we be so happy as to cut one of them off supposing it should not exceed four, five or six hundred Men it would inspirit the people and do away much of their present Anxiety. In such an Event, they would lose Sight of past Misfortunes, & urged at the same Time by a Regard to their own Security, they would fly to Arms and afford every Aid in their power.
Your Exertions to bring the people to view Things in their proper Light: to impress them with a just Sense of the fatal Consequences that will result to themselves; their Wives; their Children & their Country from their taking a wrong part & for preventing Toryism cannot be too great. General Burgoyne, I have no Doubt, will practice every Art

his Invention shall point out to turn their Minds and seduce them from their Allegiance. He should be counteracted as much as possible as it is of the last Importance to keep them firm and steady in their Attachments.
You have already given your Attention to this Matter, and I am persuaded you will omit Nothing in your power to effect these great & essential points. Stoping the Roads & ordering the Cattle to be removed were certainly right and judicious—If they are well accomplished the Enemy must be greatly retarded & distressed.
I hope, before this, you have received the Supplies of Ammunition mentioned in my late Letters—I fully expected too, that the Camp Kettles which I ordered from hence on your first Application had reached you, till Yesterday, when I found on Enquiry that the Quarter Master, by some Accident, did not send them before three or four Days ago.
There will be no Occasion to transmit to Congress a Copy of your Observations shewing the Necessity of evacuating Fort George. The Gentlemen who mentioned the holding that post, had taken up an Idea that it was defensible, with the Assistance of the Vessels on the Lake, which were supposed to be better equipped, and what gave Countenance to the Idea was, that the Bastion was erected under the Direction (and Superintendance[)] of the British Engineers and was intended as part of a very large strong and extensive Work. I thought it expedient to submit the Matter to your farther Consideration, wishing you at the same Time to pursue such Measures respecting it, as your own Judgment should advise and direct.
I could heartily wish Harmony and a good Understanding to prevail thro’ the whole Army, and between the Army and the people. The Times are critical—big with important Events—They demand our most vigorous Efforts and unless a happy Agreement subsists they will be feeble and weak. The Enemy’s of America have cultivated Nothing with greater or with so much Industry as sowing Divisions and Jealousy amongst us.
I cannot give you any certain Account of Genl Howe’s intended Operations—His Conduct is embarrassing beyond Measure—so are the Informations which I get—At one Time the Ships are standing up towards the North River—In a little while they are going up the Sound and in an Hour after they are going out of the Hook. I think, in a Day or two, we must know something about his Intentions. I am Dr Sir with great Esteem Your most obedt Servt

Go. Washington.

P.S. I think it will not be advisable to repose too much Confidence in the Works you are about to erect, and from thence to collect a large

Quantity of Stores. I begin to consider Lines as a Kind of Trap and not to answer the valuable purposes expected from them unless they are on passes which cannot be avoided by an Enemy.


Title: From George Washington to Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Schuyler, Philip

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Clove [N.Y.] July 22d 1777.

Since mine of this Date, in order the more effectually to enable you to give the Enemy a seasonable Check, I have come to a Resolution to send a further Reinforcement and have accordingly directed Genl Putnam immediately to forward General Glover’s Brigade to you.
I have been informed of a fresh Arrival of Tents at Peek’s Kill, and have desired that every one which can possibly be spared from the Troops at that post may be dispatched to you. This, I hope, will be some Relief to your Necessities and you may depend upon having every aid it is, or may be in my power to give. I am Dear Sir Your most obedt Servant

Go. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 22 July 1777
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Fort Edward [N.Y.] July 22d 1777.

Your Excellency’s Favor of the 18th Instant I had the Honor to receive about two O’Clock this Morning.
I shall take the Liberty, to shew General St Clair that part of your Letter which relates to him but, I believe, before this, you will have received a Letter of his of the 17th Instant, probably on the Subject of the Evacuation of Tyonderoga—Mine of the 18th in Answer to your Excellency’s of the 15th will shew you that my Information of the Number of our Troops at Tyonderoga was founded on erronious Information. I wrote your Excellency Yesterday that one half of the Militia were going off: on that Supposition I made a Calculation and noted at the Bottom of the Return, which I inclosed, that we had about 1600 of them. But many more than Half have left us, so that I do not suppose their Number exceeds one thousand, nor do I expect to keep half of these above three or four Days, and as the Continental Troops in this Quarter are so few, I leave your Excellency to reflect on what will be the Consequences, if a superior Body of Troops; well disciplined, flushed with Victory: daily augmenting with Tories, with plenty of Military Stores, attacks the few

naked, dispirited, ill provided Troops under my Command, without Cannon: for if even the ten pieces of Artillery should arrive in Time they will be of little Use to us without Artillerists, for altho’ Drafts from the Regiments when they have had some Time to exercise may do instead of better, yet that will not be the Case. The Enemy will be with us in a few Days. The Information I enclosed in mine of Yesterday is confirmed by Inhabitants who have been with them.
I do not know what the Remainder of General Nixon’s Brigade may amount to—I cannot suppose it to be many, but admitting that it would compleat him to two thousand, it will be far indeed from a sufficient Reinforcement, and if no more can be spared me I foresee that as much of this part of the Country will be lost as General Burgoyne chuses to take into his possession, and if he marches to Albany, he will be joined by that part of his Army, which is certainly at Oswego, with the whole of the Indians in the six Nations, with all the real Tories in Tryon County and with a Number of people who will, at least put on the Appearances of being so, in Order to make their peace.
I am much obliged by General Arnold’s being ordered to join me—I have more than once had the pleasure of doing Justice to that Gentleman’s Military Abilities, and his Arrival will afford me great Satisfaction.
8 O’Clock A.M. Last Night I received the inclosed from General Nixon, whose Brigade and about four hundred Militia are stationed five Miles West from this on the Road to Fort Ann—I was in Hopes to have received farther Information before this; but one of my Aids de Camp, whom I sent with Orders, is just returned, and informs me that General Nixon had not from the Time of receiving the Intelligence until my Aid left him sent out any person for farther Information—I doubt not that the Enemy are advancing. I dispatch this by Express, that if it is possible to afford a Reinforcement, we may have it the soonest possible. I am Dr Sir very sincerely & respectfully Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant

Ph: Schuyler


Title: From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Stirling, Lord (né William Alexander)

My Lord
Head Quarters Clove [N.Y.] 22d July 1777

I am favd with yours by Major Howell. I would have forwarded your Baggage immediately to you, but I think the chance of your returning is at least equal to your staying where you now are. The greatest part of the fleet have fallen down from the narrows towards the Hook, but whether they have gone out to sea we cannot discover. If they should have gone out, and have stood to the Southward, you will return directly. You will therefore hold your division ready to move at a Moments Warning. I shall send your Baggage down to Sufferin’s, if you move down again it will meet you there, but if it appears that you are to remain, it shall be sent to you. As this is a matter that a very few Hours must determine, I hope you will be able to make yourself and your Officers & Men comfortable a little Time longer. If you should return, I shall be sorry that you had so much needless fatigue, but when you went off, circumstances seemed to require it. I am my Lord Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 22 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Sullivan, John

Dear sr
Clove at Galloways [N.Y.] July 22d 1777

I have just received Major Morris’s letter covering the proceedings of a General Court Martial which I approve off and direct that one of the Criminals the greatest Offender may be executed pursuant thereto.

This should be done in the most public manner your Situation will admit as it may serve to convince the rest of the Division that Crimes of this dye will meet the most rigorous punishment.
The fellow to be pardond should be kept in Ignorance of any such intention untill he receives it at the place of Execution.
I am concern’d to hear of your bad state of Health but expect it will be of short Duration & that you will soon be so far recover’d as to Join your Division. I am &c.

G.W.


Title: General Orders, 23 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Ramapough [N.J.] July 23rd 1777.
Chester.Morris.Pompton.

The march of the army, whenever it begins, will be made with the utmost dispatch: This renders it indispensibly necessary to divest it of as much baggage as possible—Each Brigadier is therefore immediately to cause certain waggons to be prepared for the tents of his brigade; And when orders are given to march, they are to suffer nothing to be put into those waggons but the tents; and see that they are not heavy loaded even with them. And the more to facilitate the march of the army, the Commissaries are to leave no means untried to procure a supply of hard bread, to be reserved for the march; and when the army moves, they are to go forward before it, and get the provisions ready to be delivered the moment the army halts. The Quarter Master General will have ready, a proper number of empty waggons, to follow each brigade, to take up the sick and lame; the rest of the baggage is to be left under the care of small guards, to follow on after the army, accompanied by the women, none of whom are to be suffered to go with the troops—The army is to be put and kept in readiness to march, on the shortest notice.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Du Coudray, 23 July 1777
From: Du Coudray, Philippe-Charles-Jean-Baptiste Tronson
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia 23. July. 1777.

I have received last week the answer, with which your Excellency has honoured the respectful representations which I addressed to you, by Mons. de Goy, on the information which you were pleased to give me by your favour of the 30 June, concerning the resolution you had taken to leave at Springfield t[h]e 21 pieces of long construction, which came by the Amphitrite, and to cast them again into pieces of a leighter model; as well as to leave at Litchfield the 31 Swedish pieces, which came also by the same ship, untill those pieces were furnished with ammunition wagons and Gunners.
This answer of your Excellency informed me, that notwithstanding those representations, which I took the liberty to address to you, you still persist in the same resolution on both those objects.
Now, that the Congress has decided, that the ratification of my treaties with Mr Deane, their lawful representative, is inconsistent with the honour and safety of the United-States, I can no more consider those canon, as important means, by which I might have been useful to their service, and of which I should have been deprived, with an extreme regret; some, for ever; and the rest, for a considerable part of a campaign, already far advanced.
In order to support the representations, which I have offered to your Excellency on those two objects, I have now then, no more personal interest in them except that, which every man, who possesses an art, in which he has acquired some reputation, ought naturally to take in the support of the opinion, which he has advanced to the Chiefs of a great Nation, on reasons which he thought, and still thinks well grounded.
I cannot hope that this interest, merely relative to a private man, now without any rank in this country, can be sufficient to render the new observations, which I have now the honour to present to you, worthy of your consideration. but the objects which are treated in it, are so important, that they deserve, of themselves, that attention.
In that letter, which your Excellency favours by his actual answer, I have used several arguments, and many experiments, drawn from the Prussian, Austrian and French service, in the last war, to prove that the 21 pieces of long model, which you propose to leave at Springfield, in order to cast over again, are not of so difficult a transportation, as to deprive yourself voluntarily of them, in so urgent an occasion, as a campaign already begun; and especialy, to condemn them to be melted again, in a place where there is no foundery yet; and in a country where the only two men, who have taken in their heads to be founders, have, as yet, only given testimonies of their absolute ignorance.
To these arguments, and these experiments of the greatest Generals,

of Europe, such as the King of Prussia, and the Marechal Daun, have some times drawn no less than 400 pieces of canon, of which a large number were from 12 to 18, and even of 24 pounders, your Excellency opposes your own experience, and that of the British Generals in the country, where your army and theirs are operating. but I can with confidence continue to assure you, that, by the Knowledge which I have acquired of this country, by travelling thro’ the most mountainous and woody parts, I have seen nothing, in it, more difficult than in Westphalia, Hessia and Hanover, where I have already had the honour to tell your Excellency, that we drew with four, and even three horses, those same pieces, which you still think so heavy, as to impede your operations; and which, nevertheless, are not so heavy, nor so embarassing as ordinary bagage wagons of your army.
Your Excellency will perhaps think, that in warranting this transportation, I run no risk, since it is now decided, that I shall not command this Artillery. but before this decision, I took all risks on myself, not being able to presume that the Congress would annull a treaty made by their lawful representative at the principal Court of Europe, and by the assistance of one of the most respectable men of french nation.
As to the authority of the British Generals, which your Excellency thinks fit to join to your own, you will permit me to represent, that the Britain have not in this country the same ressources, which you can draw from it, for transportation; and moreover, having given all their application, and their Government all its attention, towards the Navy, all the distinguished Officers of this Nation, who were born with talents, applied themselves to that branch of the military art, encouraged by the favours of Government, and by the genius of the Nation; from whence it must follow that the British, by becoming models in all things relative to the naval affairs, have remained, in regard to the land service, inferior to Nations which this service was, either the sole, or the most important. this inferiority is so well proved, that in all wars of this kind, their pride has been humbled always by the choice of Generals in chief, Engeneers, and Artillery men from their allies.
Marlborough seems to be the only exception, for two centuries past; but he was the pupil of William, who was a Hollander, and the collegue of Eugene a frenchman.
Amongst the considerations, which I have alleged, as a compensation for the excessive weight which I have myself acknowleged in those pieces, your Excellency percives only two, which seem worthy of consideration; the one, a more exactness in firing; the other a projection of the ball to a greater distance; advantages, which you think too inconsiderable, to be prefered to that trouble, which would be occasioned by the over quantity of matter in those canon.

To this, I shall have the honour to answer to your Excellency, with respect to the more exactness in firing, I was very far from taking any notice of it; as I think, and I have demonstrated, in all that I have published concerning Artillery; which, on this subject, is reduced to prove, that the rectitude of whatever line depending only on two points, the shortest canon furnishes its shot with these two points, as well as the longest.
As to the second advantage, that of projecting the ball to a greater distance, I confess that I acknowledged it, in the longest canon; but I always regarded it, less a compensation, than as a consolation for the excess of the weight.
Besides the hipothesis from whence I always parted, is the possibility of choosing between long and short canon, of the same bore. with this possibility I shall always incline for the short pieces, proportioned agreeable to what I have mentioned in my preceeding letter to your Excellency; mobility in field Artillery being a very important quality, to which great sacrifices are to be made. but this hipothesis cannot be your Excellency’s; for, if you reject those 21 long pieces, you will not have 21 short ones, to replace them, at least, for this campaign.
Your Excellency still proposes to cast them a new on a leighter model, for the next campaign, without doubt. but perhaps you forget that the foundery at Springfield, where you intend to Keep them for this purpose, is not yet begun; and that the two only men, who have taken it in their heads, as I have already mentioned, to stile themselves founders in America, have only given compleat proofs of their ignorance in this art.
You take no notice of this defect in the funderies, nor on my observations on the true character of the funders, which I have had the honour to mention to you.
Neither do your Excellency answer me in what I mention that, with more Knowledge of Artillery, and particularly more means of execution, Mr du Plessis, or any other, might have proposed to you, viz. to reduce those 21 pieces to the weight of swedish pieces, without risking the loss of the metal, which is a consequence of melting over again, even when executed by the ablest artist; and that in a country, in which this metal, once lost, cannot possibly be replaced.
This proposal, as well as the preceeding observations, appeared to me however to merit your Excellency’s consideration.
I shall now mention what concerns the 31 Swedish pieces, which your Excellency still proposes to have at your camp; considering them as of a weight suitable to the mouvements of the army.
By the first letter you did me the honour of writing to me, you mentioned expressly, that you had determined they should remain at Litchfield,

untill they could be furnished with ammunition wagons, and a proper proportion of men.
The Amphitrite, in which I had shipped those 31 pieces and 21 others, having brought a great deal more powder and shot, than was necessary for the use of those 52 pieces, during two, and even three campaigns, supposing them continually in action, I represented to your Excellency that in order to supply ammunition-wagons, which I had not been able to obtain from the french Government, and not to render, by this defect, such a number of canon uselss, in so a critical a moment, as that of a campaign begun, it was only necessary to place ammunition-boxes, such as they are in this country, on common carriages, and to cover them with green hides, which are never scarce in an army.
As to the want of men for the service of those cannon, I represented to your Excellency in the same letter, that men might be formed in a wek’s time, and would have been so, long ago, had about 155 Germans and frenchmen belonging to the Boston’s troops, been put under the tuition of the commissioned and non commissioned officers, who came over in the Amphitrite, and who have been since three months in that town and on the roads, without employment, without being avowed, and without assistance; altho’ engaged in the service of the United states, by a formal treaty; and altho’ necessarily avowed by the Power, which had joined their destiny to that of the ammunition, which they accompanied.
To all which, your Excellency has answered that I had not understood your Ideas, in imagining, that you propose to detain those 31 pieces at Litchfield, untill the ammunition-wagons necessary for their service, should be made, and the Gunners raised; which, in effect, would have required much time; that you understood only to gather the whole; which in deed would have required much less time.
To this your Excellency’s answer I beg leave to observe.
1th by word furnished which you used in your preceding Letter, as I have above quoted, and which equaly applied both to the men and the wagons, I was not able to distinguish, whether your meaning was that the men should be raised, or drawn from the troops actualy existing; or whether the wagons were to be newly constructed, or only supplied.
2ly that by the letter which I had the honour to write you, it was not required to raise Gunners on purpose, for those canon; but only to take soldiers already raised, and dress them to this service. this is so particularly expressed in my letter, that I designed expressly, as I have just now related of, the Infantery’s or Artillery’s troops of Boston, to fournish the 155 men, which I reported to be necessary for this service.
3ly as to the ammunition-wagons, it is certain that I supposed that it

was necessary new ones to be made. but besides your indefinite expression, that I have just related, I was authorised to think so, as I have not seen, neither at Boston, at Springfield, nor in the park of your camp, any thing prepared for this purpose; and if they had been only to collect together, it appeared to me that the three months, that this canon have been on the road, would have been more than sufficient to have executed it.
On this article, and on the preceding, it is not then for want of attention, if, as your Excellency mentions, I have misunderstood your Ideas, in the first letter you did me the honour to write to me, the explanations which I now have presented you, will, I hope, convince you of my good intentions on this subject; and at same time, place in a proper light the important objects it contains.
In informing your Excellency the determination the Congress have taken in respect to my treaties, I have prevented, from the begining of this answer, the observations you might still make that, as I have no official capacity, which attaches me to the service of the United states, I cannot expect that the representations that I have now to offer you, can with propriety interfere with any arrangements Gal Knoex has made. I shall only take the liberty to add here, that your Excellency would probably have spared me this observation, if you had been pleased to consider, that in addressing you those representations, I alledged no other title to render them agreeable, than my zeal for your glory, and that of your army; nor, no other advantages to merit your confidence in this respect, than that of having seen above sixteen years of experience, more than any person in this country, in the Artillery service, three of which in the field; a constant employment in arsenals of all Kinds; and above all, lessons of the greatest master in Europe, who has vouchsafed, in a public manner, to acknowledge me as his particular pupil, and in this quality has procured me employment, by our successive Ministers, in the management of the succours that that governement has sent to the United-states.
As to Mons. Duplessis, on whom I have fixed the mistakes, which I thought, and still think, have been insinuated to your Excellency on the objects above mentioned, which never can directly concern but a commander of Artillery, and not a General of an army, necessarily occuped with more important objects, I dare think that you could not have realy imagined that I could have thought you would suffer yourself to be governed, by one of a so little experience and theory in the Knowledge of Artillery, as this young man. I beg that you will think that those objects, being of a nature regarding, at least, in a direct manner, persons only professing the art of Artillery, that was by a respectable conduct towards General Knoex, to whom I would spare the reproach of those errors, if

I made them fall on Mr Duplessis, whom I thought filled the place of his Aide de camp.
Your Excellency informs me that he is not of that rank. however every one assured me that he lived with Gal Knoex, and wore the green ribbon, which is the distinguished mark of such an officer; and I thought that I was the better founded in rendering him the object of an accusation, which decency prevented me from pointing at Gal Knox, as Mons. Duplessis is the only french officer of Artillery, which has supported himself agreeably in the army; and that the Ideas which have been given to your Excellency correspond perfectly with the little experience and intelligence that I know mons. du Plessis posseses in the art of Artillery. I have the honour to be with respect sir of your Excellency’s Most humble and obedient servant

Du Coudray


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 23 July 1777
From: Forman, David
To: Washington, George

Sir
Shrewsbury [N.J.] the 23rd of July 1777

On Sunday the 20th of this Instt I had the Honr of Informing your Excely that 160 Sail of the Enemy Fleet had come from the Watering Plase, and lay in Sandy hook Bay—On Monday Morning, fifteen Transports and Men of War Join’d them, and about 10 OClock, 80 Small Briggs., Schooners, & Sloops, came out of the Narrowes & Join’d the Grand Fleet—Tuesday they lay still—This Morning at Half past Six the Signal Guns for Sailing ware fired—the Wind North West—at Seven they begon to get under sail, & stood to Sea; after they got clear of the Hook they steared a South East Course under very easy Sail in Three Devisions.
I Attended their motion untill Sundown, and perceived very little differance in their Course, sometimes Appearing to stear a little to the East Ward, at other times somewat to the Southward—by a Deserter

from on board the Transport Ship America, I am this morning Inform’d, that some part of Genl Hows Army that crossed from this State to Statin Island, have been sent to New York, he cannot say what Number, but thinks not Exceeding 500; he also Informs that the Remainder Except Two Hessians Regmt that are left as a guard on Statin Island Imbarked on bord of this fleet; from Sir Your Most Obedient and Very Homble Servent

David Forman


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 23 July 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Head Quarters Boston July 23, 1777

I have just received the honor of yours of the 13th Instant. I have made it an established Rule heretofore to furnish each man marching to join the Army with Ten rounds of Cartredge. In future I shall pay obedience to your Excellency’s orders as expressed in your last.
The late evacuation of Ticonderoga has greatly agitated the Minds of the People, and we cannot as yet hear any satisfactory reasons assigned therefor, perhaps some as yet unknown will be given.

The Night before last we were alarmed by an Express from providence, informing that forty Sail of square rigged vessels were seen from Westerly, coming through the Sound supposed to be bound for Rhode Island with Troops and that they would soon attempt a landing on the Main, and requesting that aid might be immediately sent. The Council immediately issued orders for one half of the Brigades of the Militia in the Counties of Plymouth & Bristol and the one half of a number of Regiments in the uper parts of the Counties of Suffolk and Middlesex and lower part of Worcester to march to providence and its vicinity. We have had no certain intelligence since, but it is said there were a number of Invalids only on board the Fleet who were to be left at Rhode-Island, and that effective Troops were to be taken from thence, How far this may be true I cannot say. One Capt. Cartwright who has lately been exchanged and arrived from New York informs us that the Enemy are very sickly, That Great numbers suffered exceedingly by the heat and the drinking too freely of cold water on their late retreat from the Jerseys by which hundreds were taken sick.
I hope the number of desertions from the Northern Army at and since the Retreat from Ticonderoga will not be so great as was at first feared that they would be, about Ten or a dozen only have as yet been apprehended & sent back under guard, eight of them in Irons which was the Sentence of a General Court Martial. The utmost endeavours are used to apprehend any others who may have been guilty of the same scandalous conduct; but I hope the immediate and spirited measures that have been taken in this respect will prevent any thing of the kind in future.
This moment are brought to my Quarters John Perry, late 1st Lieutenant of the Fox Frigate, William Budsworth 2d ditto, Peter Burns Master, Two Mates and two Midshipmen, The Capt. whose name is patrick Fothingham was left on Board Capt. Manly, They say Capt. Manly fought with great Bravery within a Bisquets throw of them, and altho’ we have the misfortune to loose the Fox, it is a Satisfaction to find that our Frigates can fight and take them.
Major Dawes has just informed me that in a few days he shall begin the building of a large Magazine Laboratory, Stores &c., at Springfield agreeable to a Resolve of the Honl. Congress. The expence of the Materials and workmen he suppose will be paid by this State and refunded by the States in general. But as there is a Continental provision store at Springfield he is desireous that his artificers may draw there as the other Artificers do, as it will save trouble & expence I would beg your Excellency’s Opinion whether this indulgence may be granted, or whether in every respect the whole is first to be done by this State.
I should be glad to be informed whether the prisoners taken at Quebec

when General Montgomery was killed are exchanged since they came home on parole, as some of them are desireous again to enter the Service if that be the case. I have the Honor to be with great respect Your Excellencys Most obt Servt

W. Heath


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Daniel Morgan, 23 July 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Morgan, Daniel

Sir
Head Quarters Clove [N.Y.] 23d July 1777

While you are lying at Hackinsack you may be subject to a surprize by a party of the Enemy from Fort Washington except you keep your Guard advanced to Hackinsack Ferry and the Bridge above. Patrolling Parties may safely lay by day at Fort Lee, from whence they may observe what is doing at Fort Washington, or down the River toward New York. When you move it will probably be at a very short warning, you are therefore to hold your Corps in readiness to march in an Hour after you receive Notice either by Night or day. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Whenever you receive any material intelligence transmit it immediately to me by Express.


Title: From George Washington to Col. Stephen Moylan, 23 July 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Moylan, Stephen

Letter not found: to Col. Stephen Moylan, 23 July 1777. The dealer’s catalog says that a letter written by GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman and signed by GW “sends thanks for, ‘... the intelligence from your Spye. When you were sent down to line the Sound from Raway [sic] to Amboy, I never expected that you could make any opposition, as your force was so much divided. Your people were meant ... only to give an Alarm should the Enemy make any preparations to cross. But if you think you will be more secure with the assistance of 150 footmen, I desire you may apply to Colo. Dayton and try whether he can spare you so many without weakening his Guards too much. Endeavour by all means to obtain exact intelligence of the force left upon Staten Island, of what Corps they consist, their Numbers, and where they are Stationed. Whenever you

 move it will be at a Moments warning. I therefore hope you will always be ready ...’ In a postscript, Washington adds, ‘The Moment you hear that the fleet have left the Hook, let me know it, and which way they steer if it can be discovered”’ (Charles Hamilton Galleries, Auction no. 94, 29 Jan. 1976, item no. 18).


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 23 July 1777
From: Moylan, Stephen
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
South Amboy [N.J.] 23d July 1777three ô clock P.M.

I Came over this Morning early, to this place to observe the Motions of the fleet they Sat Sail about five ô clock in the morning and Stood out to Sea with the Wind at N. N. West they made So many tacks backwards & forwards that until now I Coud not determine whether they realy meant to go out, of the Hook or not they hawled their wind, after they got out as if going to the Northwd but that may be to Weather the Cape, eleven Sail of Ships Came thoro’ the Narrows and went to Sea with the fleet as Soon as I get to my Qrs Shall Send this to Col. Dayton to forward to Your Excellency, I have been delayed upwards of two hours for a boat, which is at the other Side I beg Leave Sir to recommend to your notice those nineteen prisoners, of my Regiment, will it not be as well to give Col. Dayton or myself a power to order a General Court Martial for their trial, or if You woud take the Trouble to order one, out of the two Regiments of Infantry & mine, they are under guard at Elizabethtown, if you will please to determine on this matter, I shall be very thankfull. I am Dr Sir Your Most affecte & Ob. St

Stephen Moylan


Title: From George Washington to Col. Matthias Ogden, 23 July 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Ogden, Matthias

Letter not found: to Col. Matthias Ogden, 23 July 1777. In his letter to GW of 23 July, Ogden writes: “Your letter came to hand at four OClock this afternoon.”