Title: From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 25 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Putnam, Israel

Dear Sir
Camp above Trenton Falls Decr 25th 1776

I am glad to hear by Your Son that you are getting better again If I had not been well convinced before of the Enemies Intention of possessing themselves of Philadelphia, so soon as the Frost will form Ice hard enough to transport them, and their Artillery across the Delaware, I have an Intercepted Letter which puts the matter beyond a doubt.
If therefore the Citizens of Philadelphia have any regard for the Town, not a moments time is to be lost in putting it in the best posture of defence possible. but least this should not be done, I would have the public Stores of every kind that can, be removed except such as may be necessary for immediate use, and except Provisions.
I think the Stores should go towards Lancaster instead of Christeen Bridge, unless they can be Water borne (at this time to the Bridge) and readily transported from thence into the Country—Should not this be

the Case may they not easily be seized at Christeen. I think they may, but this matter should be enquired into.
I am sorry Colo. Griffin has left the Jerseys—some active Officer of Influence ought in my opinion, to repair there, to Inspirit the People, & keep the Militia from disbanding & if posible to encourage them to assemble.
Let me know the exact State and Strength of the Militia with You, that I may know how to govern myself also of the expectation you have of more coming in. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obdt

Go: Washington

P.S. If a party of militia from Philadelphia could be sent over to support the Jersey Militia about Mount Holly, would it not serve to prevent them from Submission; I wish you could get Colo. Forman, and endeavour in my name to prevail upon him to exert himself in this business. I want to see him myself much on this Acct.
Pray send the Letter to Mr Hancock by Express, if the Post does not set out immediately for Baltimore.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 26 December 1776
From: Cadwalader, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Bristol [Pa.] 2[6]th Decr 1776

The River was so full of Ice that it was impossible to pass above Bristol, where I intend[ed]—and therefore concluded to make an attempt at Dunks’s Ferry—as soon as it was dark I sent down all the Boats I could muster, & mar[c]hed down about 8 O’Clock—I embarked a few men to line the River & prevent any person escaping to give Intelligence to the Enemy; and these were followed by a part of the first Battalion of Militia, then two Field Pieces, with which I went over to see if it was practicable to land them, & upon examination found it was impossible—the Ice being very thick—Upon reporting this to the Field officers they were all of opinion that it would not be proper to proceed without Cannon—During this time the third Batt. was landed—We concluded to with draw the Troops that had passed but could not effect it till near 4 O’Clock this Morng—The whole then were ordered to march for Bristol—I imagine the badness of the night must have prevented you from passing as you intended—our men turned out chearfully—We had about 1800 rank & file, including Artillery

—It will be impossible for the Enemy to pass the River, till the Ice will bear—Would it not be proper to attempt to cross below & join General Putnam, who was to go over from Philada to day with 500 men, which number added to the 400 Jersey Militia which Col: Griffin left there would make a formidable Body—This would cause a Diversion that would favour any Attempt you may design in future, & would expose their Baggage & Stores, if they attempt to cross—It is impossible, in our present Situation, to co-operate with Genl Putnam—The Militia will be easier kept together by being in motion & we shall have some Service from Col. Hitchcock’s Brigade, whose time of Enlistment will be up in a few Days. We have procured a considerable number of Shoes Stockgs & Breeches for them—They are in good Spirits & enlist very fast. I am, Sir, with great Respect your most obt hble Servant &ca

John Cadwalader


Title: To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 26 December 1776
From: Cadwalader, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Bristol [Pa.] 26th Decr 1776 9 O’Clock

We are now perfectly prepared, & would cross immediately, but the Troops lost their Rest last Night—We have determined to pass over to the Neck of Land a little above Bristol at six in the Morning, proceed to Bussel Town, the Square, & from thence to Bordenton—I imagine, if a part of your Army was to take possession of the other side of Crosswix Bridge, which is a pass easily defended, and the main Body march round by Crosswix we might perfectly surround the Troops at Bordenton so as to prevent one man from escaping—There are about 200 men posted at White-hill which Post may be easily seized, & will be a commanding one for us.

If possible I should be glad to hear from you before we set off.
General Putnam was to cross at Philada to day, if the weather permitted, with 1000 men; 300 went over yesterday & 500 Jersey Militia are now there, as Col: Griffin informs me to day—These Corps compose a formidable Force—The Plan would be more compleat if General Putnam was one days march advanced. I am, Sir, with great respect your most obt very hble Servt

John Cadwalader


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 26 December 1776
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Peeks-Kill [N.Y.] Decr 26th 1776

yesterday General Wadsworths Brigade went Home leaving the Stores without a Guard Untill I sent one Down.
The Militia of this State are Coming in—None have as yet arrived from the Eastward, Brigadier General Warner was at Danbury the Last night with 4 Companies Only—more are Hourly Expected—General Lincoln is on the Road, I have Sent your Excellency’s Letter by Express to meet him.
I have Received ⅌ Colonel Sheldon 156750 Dollars and shall apply them to the Purposes Directed by your Excellency.
The Case of the Regiments of General Lee & Sullivans Divisions which are Divided Partly at your Excellency Camp & Partly Here will be very Difficult The Naked, Convaliscents, and Sick were Left Here, they Constitute the Greater Part of the Regiments and Cannot get Home without their wages being destitute of money, and unless the Colonels who are with your Excellency, Send the mens wages to them they will Suffer—Colonel Read & Colo. Little are Here with Such of their Regiments as were Left behind.
I shall Endeavour to Secure all the arms accoutrements ammunition &c. which are in the Hands of the Troops belonging to the States, before they leave the Camp if Possible.
I find by your Excellencys orders of the 21st of January last that such Recruits as should find “their own arms Provided they were Good, should be allowed one Dollar for the use of them” I should be glad to be Informed if there was another order that Such as had arms found them should Pay the like Sum for the Use of them—Such an

order I thought there was but Cannot find it as yet, and therefore request a Determination from your Excellency untill which I shall Delay the payment of the December Abstracts.
The State of the Regiment of artillery, a Corps most Essential to an Army, is Such that I cannot omit makeing mention of it to your Excellency, many of those who are here would have Enlisted, but no attempts have been made towards it—They will all go Home in a few Days, and we shall not have men to Discharge a Cannon, Unless I can Prevail upon Some of them to Continue Untill I hear from your Excellency.
The Convention of this State for about a fortnight have been meditating a Secret Expedition, it is Still a Profound Secret (But talked of every where) this or Some other Intention of the Enemy has Induced them as I am Just Informed to Send a Brigade of Hessians up to Kings Bridge—The moment I am able I shall Pay attention to West Chester County, I have ordered a Regiment Down to morrow, and Hope ere long not only to Curb the disaffected and Pick up Some of the Enemy But also avail my self of Quantities of Forage from that Quarter.
It is reported here that your Excellency has Lately Given orders respecting Such Plunder as may be taken from the Enemy, or those who take up arms against us, If any New orders have been Given in this respect I should beg to be acquainted with them.
As Soon as the Tents, arms, Tools, &c. are Collected and Stored, a Return of all the Stores shall be made to your Excellency I should be glad to Know if your Excellency would have the Artificers again Engaged, or any Part of them, and whether in a distinct Corps, or Taken from the Regiments, as has been Practised Heretofore. I have the Honor to be most respectfully your Excellencys most Hbble Servt

W. Heath


Title: General Orders, 27 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters: Newton [Pa.], Dec. 27, 1776.

The General, with the utmost sincerity and affection, thanks the Officers and soldiers for their spirited and gallant behavior at Trenton yesterday. It is with inexpressible pleasure that he can declare, that he did not see a single instance of bad behavior in either officers or privates; and that if any fault could be found, it proceeded from a too great eagerness to push forward upon the Enemy. Much! very much, indeed, is it to be lamented that when Men are brought to play the part of Soldiers thus well, that any of them, for the sake of a little temporary ease, should think of abandoning the cause of Liberty and their Country at so important a crisis.—As a reward to the officers and soldiers for their spirited behavior in such inclement weather, the General will (in behalf of the Continent) have all the Field pieces, the Arms, Accoutrements, Horses and everything else which was taken yesterday, valued and a proportionate distribution of the Amount

made among the Officers (if they choose to partake) and the Men who crossed the River.
The Commissary is strictly ordered to provide Rum for the Troops that it may be served out as Occasion shall require.
Col. Bradley’s Reg’t or such part of them as have overstayed the time for which they were engaged, and are still in Camp, have the General’s thanks for so doing, and may be dismissed if they choose it; But as we have begun the glorious work of driving the Enemy, he hopes they will not now turn their backs upon them, and leave the business half finished at this important Crisis, a Crisis, which may, more than probably determine the fate of America. The General therefore not only invites them to a longer continuance, but earnestly exhorts the Officers and Soldiers of all those Regiments whose term of service expires in a few days, to remain.
The Col’s and Commanding Officers of each Regiment are, without delay, to have the Plunder of every kind (taken by his Reg’t) collected and given in to the Quar. Master Gen’l that the men may receive the value of it.


Title: From George Washington to Colonel John Cadwalader, 27 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Cadwalader, John

Dear Sir
Head Qrs Newton [Pa.] Decr 27th 1776

I was just now favoured with your Two Letters of the 25th and 26th Instant and regret much the cause that prevented your passing the River. had it not been for this accident, I am persuaded our Plans would have been accomplished to our utmost wishes. The same Obstacle

hindered Genl Ewin from giving his aid and cooperating in the attack on Trenton. could we have had his force to have secured the Pass over the Bridge, The whole of the Enemy must have fallen into our hands; But availing themselves of this circumstance, all that could, retreated with the greatest precipitation without making the least opposition. Those that remained drew up but in such confusion & disorder that they were incapable of making a successfull resistance. You have the number of Officers &c. below. the Damage we sustained was very inconsiderable, not more than a private or two killed, One or two wounded & Captn Washington of the third Virginia Regiment. I should have most certainly pursued those that retreated had it not been for the distressed situation of my Troops (about Three or four & twenty hundred in number) who had experienced the greatest fatigue in breaking a passage through the ice and all the Severities of rain, & Storm. This with the apprehension that we could receive no Succours, and that the difficulty of passing & repassing the River might become greater, led us to conclude our return eligible. The Officers & Men who were engaged in the Enterprize behaved with great firmness, perseverance & bravery and such as did them the highest honour.
I shall be extremely ready, and it is my most earnest wish, to pursue every means that shall seem probable to distress the Enemy and to promise success on our part. If we could happily beat up the rest of their Quarters bordering on & near the River, it would be attended with the most valuable consequences. I have called a meeting of the General Officers to consult of what measures shall be next pursued & would recommend that you & Genl Putnam should defer your intended Operations till you hear from me. Perhaps it may be Judged prudent for us to pass here with the force we have if it is practicable or if it is not, that I may come down to you & afford every assistance in my power. We will try to concert a Plan & upon such principles as shall appear to promise success. Please to give me frequent information of the State of the River & Whether it is to be passed in Boats or whether the Ice will admit of a passage. I am in haste Dr Sir with much esteem Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 27 December 1776
From: Cadwalader, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Burlington [N.J.] 27th Decr 1776 10 o’Clock

As I did not hear from you this Morning, & being prepared to embark, I concluded you was still on this Side & therefore embarked & landed about 1500 men, about two miles above Bristol—After a considerable number were landed I had information, from the Paymaster of Col: Hichcocks Brigade, that you had crossed over from Trenton—This defeated the Scheme of joining your Army—We were much embarrassed which way to proceed—I thought it most prudent to retreat; but Col: Reed was of opinion that we might safely proceed to Burlington—and recommended it warmly least it should have a bad Effect on the militia who were twice disappointed—The Landing in open daylight, must have alarmed the Enemy & we might have been cut off by all their Force collected to this place—We had intelligence, immediatly afterwards, that the Enemy had left the Black Horse & Mt Holley—Upon this we determined to proceed to Burlington—Col:

Reed & two other officers went on from one post to another, till they came to Bordenton, where they found the Coast clear—Col: Reed & Col: Cox are now there, & we shall march at four to morrow Morng for that place. This information has enduced me to proceed, tho not quite conformable to your orders which I recd on the march this Afternoon—If you should think proper to cross over, it may be easily effected at the place where we passed—A pursuit would keep up the Panic—They went off with great precipitation, & press’d all the Waggons in their reach—I am told many of them are gone to South Amboy—If we can drive them from West Jersey, the Success will raise an Army by next Spring, & establish the Credit of the Continental Money, to support it—I shall write you tomorrow, I hope from Trenton. I am Sir, your most obt very hble Servant

John Cadwalder

I have 2 six pounders, brass; & two three pounders, iron.


Title: To George Washington from Major William De Hart, 27 December 1776
From: De Hart, William
To: Washington, George

sr
Morris town [N.J.] Decr 27th 1776

In Consequence of your Excellencys Orders And Request by Genl Maxwell I have this Day begun the Recruiting Service of the first Jersey Regt And Shall Expedite it with All Possible Speed, Had I been Determin’d to Remain longer in the Jersey Service I Should long before have done it, And Nothing but your Excellencys Request & this Critical Period of time Should have Induced Me to have done it Now.
I find it Necessary that the Old Troops of this Regt Should be paid off their Arrears Many of them Demand A settlement before they Will Reinlist—I am Now Collecting the pay Rolls of the Captains who Are Much scatterd in Different Parts of this Province And Pensylvania as [and] shall as soon as Possible Make A settlement of the Regim[enta]I Accounts—Recruiting Money is likewise Necessary As the Officers Cannot do Without it—If your Excellency should think Proper to give your Order for 5000 or 6000 Dollars on the paymaster for that Purpose, Leut. Morrison Will be the Bearer thereof to Me—Many of Our Officers for the Want of Any fixt Place of Head Quarters for the Regiment Are at this time Not Easy to be found I beleive great Part of them Are at your Camp, Leut. Morrison Will take your Excellencys Directions in what way to Collect them I have Ordered them All to this Place if not Countermanded by Your Excellency.
the Enemy have About 500 or 600 Highlanders at Newark & About as many Waldeckers at Elizabeth Town they have Withdrawn their Out Posts from Bound Brook & that Way into Brunswick they have as yet Made No Attempts on this Place Altho We find its the Daily Conversation of their Army—Our Three Months Recruiting service goes on Well & I Am this Day Informed that the Three Regiments of Greatons Bonds & Porters here, have Mostly Agreed to stay till the 15th of Janry—A Part[y] of Malitia of About 300 Men are at Pluckamin—And We have About the same Number Here—the spirit Of Our People begins Much to Revive I have the Greatest Confidence that With Care & Attention We shall be Able to Maintain this Part of the Province. I Am sr your Most Obt Hum. servt

Wm De Hart Major of the first Jer[se]y Regt


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 27 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Head Quarters Newtown [Pa.] 27th Decemr 1776.

I have the pleasure of congratulating you upon the Success of an Enterprize, which I had formed against a Detatchment of the Enemy lying in Trenton, and which was executed yesterday Morning.
The Evening of the 25th I ordered the Troops intended for this Service to parade back of McKonkey’s Ferry, that they might begin to pass as soon as it grew dark, imagining we should be able to throw them all over, with the necessary Artillery, by 12 OClock, and that we might easily arrive at Trenton by five in the Morning, the distance being about nine Miles. But the quantity of Ice, made that Night, impeded the passage of Boats so much, that it was three OClock before the Artillery could all be got over, and near four, before the Troops took up their line of march.
This made me despair of surprizing the Town, as I well knew we could not reach it before the day was fairly broke, but as I was certain there was no making a Retreat without being discovered, and harassed on repassing the River, I determined to push on at all Events. I formed my Detatchment into two divisions one to march by the lower or River road, the other, by the upper or Pennington Road. As the Divisions had nearly the same distance to march, I ordered each of them, immediately upon forcing the out Guards, to push directly into the Town, that they might charge the Enemy before they had time to form. The upper division arrived at the Enemys advanced post, exactly at eight OClock, and in three Minutes after, I found from the fire on the lower Road that, that Division had also got up. The Out Guards made but small Opposition, tho’, for their Numbers, they behaved very well, keeping up a constant retreating fire from behind Houses.
We presently saw their main Body formed, but from their Motions, they seem’d undetermined how to act.
Being hard pressed by our Troops, who had already got possession of part of their Artillery, they attempted to file off by a road on their right leading to Princetown, but perceiving their Intention, I threw a Body of Troops in their Way which immediately checked them. Finding from our disposition, that they were surrounded, and that they must inevitably be cut to peices if they made any further Resistance, they agreed to lay down their Arms. The Number, that submitted in this manner, was 23 Officers and 886 Men. Colo. Rall the commanding Officer and seven others were found wounded in the Town. I dont exactly know how many they had killed, but I fancy not above twenty or thirty, as they never made any regular Stand. Our Loss is very trifling indeed, only two Officers and one or two privates wounded.

I find, that the Detatchment of the Enemy consisted of the three Hessian Regiments of Lanspatch, Kniphausen and Rohl amounting to about 1500 Men, and a Troop of British Light Horse; but immediately, upon the beginning of the Attack, all those, who were not killed or taken, pushed directly down the Road towards Bordentown. These would likewise have fallen into our hands, could my plan have been compleatly carried into Execution. Genl Ewing was to have crossed before day at Trenton Ferry, and taken possession of the Bridge leading out of Town, but the Quantity of Ice was so great, that tho’ he did every thing in his power to effect it, he could not get over. This difficulty also hindered Genl Cadwallader from crossing, with the Pennsylvania Militia, from Bristol, he got part of his Foot over, but finding it impossible to embark his Artillery, he was obliged to desist. I am fully confident, that could the Troops, under Generals Ewing and Cadwallader, have passed the River, I should have been able, with their Assistance, to have driven the Enemy from all their posts below Trenton. But the Numbers I had with me, being inferior to theirs below me, and a strong Battalion of Light Infantry being at Princetown above me, I thought it most prudent to return the same Evening, with the prisoners and the Artillery we had taken. We found no Stores of any Consequence in the Town.
In justice to the Officers and Men, I must add, that their Behaviour upon this Occasion, reflects the highest honor upon them. The difficulty of passing the River in a very severe Night, and their March thro’ a violent Storm of Snow and Hail, did not in the least abate their Ardour. But when they came to the Charge, each seemed to vie with the other in pressing forward, and were I to give a preferance to any particular Corps, I should do great injustice to the others.
Colo. Baylor, my first Aid de Camp, will have the honor of delivering this to you, and from him you may be made acquainted with many other particulars; his spirited Behaviour upon every Occasion, requires me to recommend him to your particular Notice. I have the Honor to be with great Respect Sir Your most obt Servt

Go: Washington

Inclosed you have a particular List of the Prisoners, Artillery and other Stores.


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 27 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

Dear Sir
Camp at Newton [Pa.] Decr 27: 1776

I this minute received the honor of your favor of the 26th, and you may be assured that I shall with great pleasure transmit all my dispatches to Congress through your hands and unsealed. The inclosed to them will give you a full account of the attack on Trenton and to which I beg leave to refer you. I regret much, that the Ice prevented Col. Cadwalader from passing. could he have got over with his Troops I am persuaded we should have been crowned with much success. The same Cause hindered Genl Ewing. with his aid to have seized the bridge leading from Trenton, not a Hessian would have escaped from thence. The situation of our Troops & the apprehension that the means of obtaing Succour would become more difficult, made it necessary that we should return in the Opinion of the Genl Officers with the Prisoners we had taken. I am in haste with great esteem Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Sert

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Joseph Reed?, 27 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Reed, Joseph

Dear Sir
Newtown [Pa.] Decr 27th 1776

I was this morning favoured with yours & thank you much for your kind congratulations & wishes. I regret much the Accident that prevented the passage of our Troops. had it not been for that cause and the Several attacks intended, had been made, I am persuaded our Plans would have succeedd to our warmest wishes. I have several Letters to write & therefore must refer you to Colo. Cadwalader who will inform you that I am about to consult my Officers what future Operations may be necessary &c. and of the number of Prisoners &c. that was taken at Trenton. I am Dr Sir with much esteem Yr Most Obedt Sert

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Joseph Reed, 27 December 1776 [letter not found]
From: Reed, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Col. Joseph Reed, 27 Dec. 1776. Reed says in his narrative of events that after his arrival at Trenton late on this date: “I wrote to Gen. Wash’g by Express informing him of the State of Things of the Progress of Gen. Cadwallader’s Division & the Retreat of the Enemy & urging him to cross the River again & pursue the Advantages which Providence had presented, representing also that there was a great Prospect of overtaking Donop before he could reach Princetown or Brunswick where the Enemy were yet in Force” (“Reed’s Narrative, 1776–77,”“General Joseph Reed’s Narrative of the Movements of the American Army in the Neighborhood of Trenton in the Winter of 1776–77.” Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 8 (1884): 391–402. 397).


Title: General Orders, 28 December 1776 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To:

Document not found: General Orders, 28 Dec. 1776. GW wrote Brig. Gen. William Maxwell on this date: “I have issued some orders to day for the encouragement of the troops, whose terms are near expiring.”


Title: To George Washington from Colonel John Cadwalader, 28 December 1776
From: Cadwalader, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
Bordenton [N.J.] 28th Decr 1776

We arrived here about 1 o’Clock—the advanced party about ten—I have sent Horse-men to reconnoitre & from every Information the Enemy left Allen Town about 8 o’Clock this Morng—If I had been happy enough to have cross’d at Dunks’s Ferry we should have compleatly destroyed the Army in this Quarter—I am informed that the Hessians went off in the utmost confusion—I am sorry some of the Troops have marched up to Kirkbridge ⟨mutilated⟩ as it is impossible to get over ⟨mutilated⟩ the Comg Officer at Bristol to ⟨mutilated⟩ I have about 1800 men, & Col: Penrose informs me that he is advancing with about 500 men.
We shall pursue with my Troops to-morrow before day—about 500 go this Evg to Cross-wix—The Enemy are much encumbered with

Baggage & Cattle—I hope to fall on their Rear. I am, Sir, your most obt Sert

John Cadwalader


Title: To George Washington from the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 28 December 1776
From: Executive Committee of the Continental Congress
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philada Decemr 28th 1776

We have the pleasure to own receipt of your acceptable favour of yesterday by Colo. Bayler & most sincerely do we rejoice in your Excellencys success at Trentown as we conceive it will have the most important publick consequences and because we think it will do justice in some degree to a Character we admire & which we have long wished to appear in the World with that Brilliancy that success always obtains & which the Members of Congress know you deserve, permit us to Congratulate you on this success & to suppose it is only the beginning of more important advantages, You will excuse us for taking up so much of your time as will be necessary to read this letter which is not intended as an official letter of business but meerly to gratify our present feelings & to offer you such thoughts as occur on the present state of affairs, without intending you the trouble of any reply as we know you have too much writing necessarily. It appears to us that your attack on Trentown was totally unexpected, the Surprize compleat, & the Success beyond expectation, could Generals Ewing & Cadwallader have executed their parts, no doubt but more good consequences must have followed instantly, However we apprehend it is not yet too late, as it appears by Genl Cadwalladers letter to Genl Putnam that the Enemy have abandoned all their Posts from Bordentown downward &

fled with precipitation towards South Amboy, its probable they are Seized with a panic whilst your Forces are flushed with success and such precious moments shou’d not be lost, We apprehend if your Victory is immediately pursued & no time allowed the Enemy to recover from their surprize, you will have little difficulty in clearing the Jerseys of them, It is probable that those Troops whose times of enlistment are now expiring will follow their successfull General altho’ they wou’d have left him whilst Acting a defensive part, be that as it may, we have the pleasure to know that considerable bodies of associators are marching from every part of this State to your assistance, these have been put in motion when our affairs were at the Worst, but you have now given a Spring to the tardy Spirits & we think their Numbers will be greatly augmented, in short it is our opinion that you may from this time form a reasonable dependance on daily additions to your Force. Common Fame will double the Numbers of those that Actually do turn out & if such reports reach our Enemies it will probably have great effect on their fears and assist wonderfully in causing them to evacuate their lately acquired territory in New Jersey, We have recd a letter from Colo. Fleming of the 9th Virginia Regiment which is on its march from the Eastern Shoar & we have orderd them a Supply of Money at the Head of Elk and the necessary Cloathing to be got in readiness against they come here, We also expect the Pensylvania Regulars that have been lately raised in the back Counties of this State & we understand Militia & other reinforcements are coming from Maryland & Virginia, You may depend we will give every assistance in our power to forward these reinforcements to you & that we shall assist & advise far as we are able in every Publick department here—We have considered that part of your Excellencys letter of the 25th Instt to Mr Morris that relates to the Seamen in the Two New England Battalions whose times expire with this Year, and shoud any of them obstinately persist in being discharged from your Service on New Years day We think it adviseable to prevail on them to come down here & assist in getting the Frigates out, when they come we will make the best bargain we can with them & if nothing else will do, We will engage to send them home in one or two of those Ships—If they come on these terms we think Capt. Read & his officers shou’d come with them that we may if possible get away the Washington as well as the Delaware, Congress are very anxious to have these Ships out & will be pleased if this measure is persued. We cannot avoid mentioning that we dont think it adviseable to exchange your Hessian Prisoners at this time, we think their Capture affords a favourable opportunity of making them acquainted with the situation & Circumstances of many of their Country Men who came here without a farthing of property & have by care & industry

acquired plentifull Fortunes which they have enjoyd in perfect Peace & tranquility untill these Invaders have thought proper to disturb & destroy those possessions, it will be proper to seperate the Officers from the Men & to Canton the latter in the back Counties which may be done by the Council of Safety untill the Congress are Consulted thereon. Your Excellency will excuse us for troubling you with our Sentiments on these matters & we think it necessary to appologize for doing so as its probable the whole has occurred to yourself. We remain with perfect regard & Esteem, Your Excellencys most Obedt & most hble servants

Robt Morris
Geo. Clymer
Geo. Walton


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 28 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Head Quarters, New Town [Pa.] 28 December 1776. Acknowledges receipt of “Your favor of the 21st Instant” and encloses a duplicate of his letter to Heath of that date “least that should have miscarried.” GW then repeats almost verbatim the text of his letter to Hancock of 27 Dec. concerning the Battle of Trenton.
“I some time ago, mentioned to you the importance, of attacking the Enemy’s detach’d posts, when it can be done with a good prospect of success; the best of consequences must result from their being harass’d on every occasion on that quarter.

“With respect to the stores you have taken, you must use your own discretion[.] you can certainly judge with greater propriety what is to be done, than I can who am so far distant. . . .

“P.S. I must request you will forward the Militia with all possible expedition. The Prisoners we have taken amount in number to 918 of which thirty are officers. We have also got about one thousand Stand of Arms, four Standards & six brass pieces of Artillery.”


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 28 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Maxwell, William

Sir.
Head Qrs [Newtown, Pa.] December 28th 1776.

As I am about to enter the Jerseys with a considerable force immediately for the purpose of attempting a recovery of that Country from the Enemy, and as a diversion on your quarter may greatly facilitate this event by distracting & dividing their troops, I must request you will collect all the force in your power together, and annoy and distress them, by every means which Prudence can suggest. It will be exceedingly

proper for you, to use every argument to inspirit and encourage the Militia, as also to prevail on the troops commanded by Col. Vose, to continue longer in service; you may assure the Militia that every effort shall be made to rescue their country from the hands of the Enemy, & that with their concurrence I hope & expect to effect it: It may be urg’d to the Eastern troops with great truth that if a successful opposition is not made to the Enemy in the Jerseys that their Country will not remain long free from the ravages of War.
I have the pleasure to inform you of the success of an enterprise which took effect the 26th Instant, at Trenton; On the night of the preceeding day, I cross’d the Delaware with a detachment of the army under my command, amounting to about 2400: the difficulties arising in the passage of the river, prevented my arriving at the Town so soon as I expected, by which means the attack did not commence till eight OClock when our troops pressed forward with so much ardor, and spirit as never to suffer them to form completely, about seven hundred ran away in the beginning of the action; the rest amounting to 1000 including 31 Officers, after making a feeble opposition, laid down their arms and surrendered themselves prisoners of War; We have taken about one thousand stand of arms, four standards & six pieces of brass artillery with some other stores; I have issued some orders to day for the encouragement of the troops, whose terms are near expiring, which I shall be glad you will immediately communicate to them in your orders. I am Sir Yr Most Obed. Servt.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 28 December 1776
From: Mifflin, Thomas
To: Washington, George

My dear general
Bristol [Pa.] Saturday Evening[28 December 1776] 8 OClock.

The enclosd I have this Minute reced from an Express sent by my Order to Genl Cadwalader—The General not knowing that I was here did not write to me—& as I supposd the Contents of Importance in my Movements I took the Liberty to open the Letter for which I must plead only the Occasion in Excuse.

I came here at 4 OClock this Afternoon. 500 Men sent from Philad. Yesterday crossd to Burlington this Morning. this Evening I sent over near 300 more—To Morrow 7 or 800 shall follow—I will cross in the Morning and will endeavour to form them into Regiments & a Brigade—they consist of many different Corps & want much Regulation. If your Excellency has any Orders for me, other than to join General Cadwalader as soon as possible, please to favor me with such as are necessary and I will punctually obey them. Pennsylvania is at length rousd & coming in great Numbers to your Excellencys Aid—Mr Hall will return with your Orders—I am informd that we cannot cross at Bordentown nor at any Place between that Place & this. I have no Doubt of effecting it here having sent from Philad. in the Morning several fine Boats which are now here.
I most heartily congratulate your Excellency on your late capital Stroke & wish most ardently a Repetition. I am with great Affection & Attacht Your Excy Obt St

Thomas Mifflin


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 28 December 1776
From: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Middletown [Conn.] Decemr 28th 1776

The General Assembly of this State at their last session in novemr last ordered four Battalions to be raised in this State, to march and be stationed as part of the Continental Army and to serve untill the 15th of march while our Quota of sd army is filling up. Considerable progress is made therein, but fearing there would not a sufficient number of them arrive in season and before the term of our Troops in the service should expire, and hearing of the situation of our affairs and the efforts of General Howe to penetrate to the Capital of Pensylvania—The sd General Assembly now sitting here zealously disposed to promote the Common Cause of America and lend all the aid in their power having issued out pressing recommendations to all denominations of men in the western parts of this State, immediately to exert themselves and chearfully engage as volunteers, and march with all possible speed for the assistance of General Washington’s Army for the term of two months and not longer, without their own free consent, in consequence of which, several Companies (I am not yet ascertained how many) of able substantial Freeholders, many of them not belonging to the Militia, have engaged with a generous ardour, to serve as above—They were allowed to have chosen their own Officers—In som instances which I have heard of already, Field Officers at home have accepted the command of Companies (a laudable condescension and zeal). I thought it therefore my duty, and justice to their spirit and Patriotism, to inform you of their character and the circumstances of their undertaking, and to request you to consider them in a favorable light, to support and to afford them all the necessaries of tents, Camp Utensils, and every proper convenience in your power. It is not possible for us to supply them with those articles, as we are extremely exhausted. The disposition and spirit of the inhabitants of this State is unaltered, but we are weakened by the constant demand of men and every kind of cloathing &c. Our whole Militia have had their turns of duty, and have suffered greatly by hardships and sickness and many deaths of valuable and substantial Officers and men, and a larger number now at Providence and on our Sea Coasts, so that they cannot but feel a good deal of discouragement, but I hope will soon recruit their

health and Spirits—From your knowledge of human nature sense of the importance of our Common Cause and your own honor and humanity, I have not the least doubt of your treating these volunteers, and all under your command with all the favor, generosity and goodness in your power. I am with great respect and Esteem your most obedient and very humble Servant.


Title: General Orders, 29 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters New Town [Pa.]—29th Decr 1776.

The Abstracts for Payment of the Troops to be made out, and lodged with the Generals Secretary for the Months of November and December.
The unnecessary Baggage of the Army to be deposited for the present, at New Town, as the Sick also are till they can be removed to Philadelphia agreeable to the directions of Doctr Shippin or Doctr Cockran—But Small Guards to be left with the Baggage & those to consist of Men not able to March or undergo much fatiegue.
General Fermoys Brigade is to join Genl Greenes division—as the one under the Comd of Colo. Hitchcock is to do Genl Sullivans at a convenient time, but to wait further orders.
General Greene’s division is, with their Artillery Baggage &ca—to cross the River at Yardleys Ferry, & General Sullivans at McConkey’s.
Colo. Knox is to Assign the Artillery with such spare Ammunition as he shall judge proper to carry to the two Divisions.
The Boats between Easton & Coryells, & Coryells & McConkey’s to be drawn up—a Guard of Militia consisting of an Officer and twenty Men to be kept over the Boats at Easton, Coryells, McConkeys[,] Yardleys, & Trenton Ferries.


Title: To George Washington from Hugh Hughes, 29 December 1776
From: Hughes, Hugh
To: Washington, George

Sir
Peekskill [N.Y.] 29th Decr 1776

I have endeavour’d to comply with your Excellency’s Instructions, relative to the Department, as far as Time and Circumstances would permit.

The Tents, to the Amount of about eight Hundred, good and bad, have been forwarded to Fishkill, as well as the entrenching Tools, Pots and Camp-kettles, unless it be those rec’d within three or four Days. I have order’d an exact Return to be made from the Fishkill; which, with the like, of what is here, shall be forwarded as soon as possible. It was tho’t most adviseable to detain those deliver’d in last, on Account of the expected Militia.
The Tents are in very bad Plight, the most of them; to remedy which, I have sent for a Tentmaker, to Newhaven, and order’d up all the old Sails I could collect here, with others taken by General Heath at Hackinsack.
As to the Tools, I am [at] a Loss till I receive further Instructions how to get them repair’d; the Artificers Times being expired, and no Orders relative to them being come to Hand, makes it difficult how to act; especially as I have no Cash to discharge their Abstracts, having paid the Last Yesterday. I borrow’d 3250 Dollars in Hopes that it would enable me to answer the most pressing Demands, but that also is expended. I have written six Letters, at different Times, to General Mifflin, on this Subject, but am apprehensive some of them have miscarried, or, perhaps, his Absence from Headquarters may have prevented an Answer, as I rec’d none till Yesterday, and no Mention of Cash in that.
This is such a necessary Article, at present, especially, that I hope your Excellency has order’d some Provision to be made for the Department, at this Post, before this arrives; as I find, by Col. Biddle’s Letter that the last, but one, of mine got safe to Headquarters, in which, I had repeated my Apprehensions of being out of Cash, before any could arrive.
As Col. Biddle was directed to advise me of your Excellency’s Order concerning the Clothing, I beg Leave to refer your Excellency to a Letter on that Subject, which goes by the same Conveyance as this, to him.
I have employ’d several Hands to repair the different Kind of Boats belonging to the Army, and purpose, if Plank & Boards can be had, to have more of every Sort built, unless countermanded.
It appears to me that the enlisting of Teamsters and Waggoners independent of the Army, and that for a Year, at least, would be productive of Advantage to the Service.
As long as they know that they can go to their Regiments when they chuse, they are regardless of their Teams, whereas, if they are entirely attach’d to them, there will be a great Inducement to keep them in Order, as well as the Carriages. As the Service has, and does now suffer, for Want of some further Regulation of this Sort, I could not be silent on an Affair which so nearly affects the Army. My Reason for mentioning

the Affair is, that it cannot be done, I conceive, without your Excellency’s Approbation.
The late Conduct of the Artificers seems to make it necessary that they should undergo a Reform, of Men, or Measures. Bacon’s Abstract, which is just come in, amounts to a Thousand Pounds lawfull, and it is tho’t, by all, that they have not earn’d three Hundred of it. Neither is that the only Evil, but when every Thing is at Stake, they cant be prevail’d on to drive a Nail, or set a Shoe. I dont care who has the Management, if the Work is but done Sir.
Any further Instructions that may be necessary, I shall gladly endeavour to execute with Fidelity. I am, with Regard & Respect, your Excellency’s most obedt and very Humble Servant

Hugh Hughes


Title: From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 29 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Charles

Dear Sir
Newtown [Pa.] 29th decemr 1776

I have the pleasure of enclosing you a Letter from your Freind Robt Morris Esqr. with a draft on Major Small for £116.9.3. S⟨tg⟩.
It will afford me the highest satisfaction to receive a Line from you, informing me of the State of your Health and your Situation, in both of which I hope you are as happy as a person under your Circumstances can possibly be.
Such further Supplies as you may have occasion for shall be from time to time remitted to you.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 29 December 1776
From: Maxwell, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Morristown [N.J.] 29. Decemr 1776

I arrived here the 24th past 11, ocloack at night found things not in so good a state as I could wish. General McDougal Commanded and as he seemed to be well aquainted with the state of the Troops and where the different necessarys was most likely to be found to support

them I was not anctious to take much of the Command upon me for some days but assisted all I could He says I must take it all tomorrow I endeavoured to rouse out the Militia to the Westward but I met a good many of them going home some whose month was out some not, they promised to be out again in 8 or 10 days I hope they will keep their words. Before I came here they had begun the Recruiting under Coll Ford to the first of April and seemed to go on rapidly I suppose many of the men with a design to take the two Bounty[s] but that we must put up with the Capts. has let most of their men go a Recruiting by which means there is scarcely any of the Militia here but those out on the different passes. I have ordered them all in the first of Jany. Coll Ford makes no doubt of making up a full Regiment out of them with a few others for three years or during the War shortly after he has the Regiment formed if you⟨r⟩ Excellency will give him assurance that he sha⟨ll⟩ Have the Command of them when so engaged. I think it is the most likely place to raise the Regit you spoke of and from the small accquaintance I have had with Coll Ford he appears very zealous for the service and I believe will command them with a good dale of reputation. General McDougall has been trying with the New England Troops before & since I came to stay first for a month and then for a fortnight (I have done and said what I could) the latter proposal the majority or as they say mostly all have agreed to but have not been able to get a definitive answer from them yet.
You see the condition I am in at present and not very likely to get provisions & Forrage for the few I have I am determind to suspend the Quarter-Master till your pleasure is known for he does nothing, he is a Son of Genl Williamsons who has resigned. There has been Troops of Horse in these parts before Genl McDougall has been trying to assemble them some of them is absolutely necessary the General thinks 40 there is such a chain of Garrisons round us like a half Moon that I think the above will not be too many there was some engaged part of this Summer they were promised 12s. per day and find every thing themselves they have The same promise now till your Excellencys pleasure is known and then they are to put up with the pay and allowance of the Army. If the Q[u]arter Master and Commisary Generals will send me the prices & Forrage with the Army I will insist on having them articles at the same rate here let me know if you want a large quantity of either laid in here. There is some few Hilanders and Helassians taking daily what shall I do with them, a great many Torys amongst whom is Benjamin Morgan Esqr. from Boundbrook for administring the Oath of aleigeance to the countrey people what shall I do with them.
Capt. Kenedy is here on his Parole a very unfit pl⟨ace⟩ for him as it

is impossible to prevent inteligen⟨ce⟩ passing to the Enemy. I find lead is very scarce here. There is two pieces of Artillery here but neither Officiers nor men to work them, nor matches; I wish to have some sent. The Commanding Officiers of the New England Troops told me to night they made no doubt of their men declaring to Stay to Morrow. I congratulate your Excellency heartily on your late Success it raises the drooping spirits of the people, and will much forward the recruiting. I am your Excellencys Most Obedt & Very Humble Servant

Wm Maxwell


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 29 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

Dear Sir
Newtown [Pa.] Decr 29th 1776

The inclosed Letter to Congress will shew you my intention of passing the River again & the Plans I have in view. After you have perused it, I beg your care of it & that it may be closed & transmitted ’em by the earliest Opportunity. I am Dear Sir with sentiments of great regard Yr Most Obed. St

Go: Washington

P.S. I shall be particularly obliged ⟨for⟩ your care of the Two other ⟨L⟩etters inclosed. That for Mrs Washington you will have put in the Post Office.


Title: General Orders, 30 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To:

Trentown, December 30th. 1776.

All the Attillory to be Drawn up on the high Ground over the Bridge two pieces to be posted to Command the pass at the Bridge Upon an alarm, the Troopps are to form on the Ground in the rear of the Artilery to form in three Lines. Stevens & Mercers Brigades in the front Line, Lord Sterling & Formoys Brigades form the Second Line, there to be under Command of General Green, Sergeants, Glovers & St. Clairs Brigades to form the third Line, to be under the Commant of Major General Sullivan the Distance of two Hundred & fifty yards to be left between each Line a Gard to be Posted on each of the Roads leading to the Town from the Country of a Capt and forty Men who are to Keep patroles advanced two Milles with horse for each party General Mercer & Collonel Glovers is Desired to post the Guards. The Asst. QM: General to provide the horses The Officers are desired to Quarter ther Troops as much to gether as possible all the officers to march out the Ground to Dran up in Regular order The General expects to march verry Soon he Desires that officers and soldiers to hold themselves in compleat readiness to advance at a moments warning. The Troop to be Supplyed with ammunition if they are in Want.

General Washington.

The Baggage Waggons to be drawn up in the rear of the artillery and the Distance of 500 Yards.


Title: From George Washington to Major Theodorick Bland or the Officer Commanding the Virginia Light Horse, 30 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Bland, Theodorick,Officer Commanding the Virginia Light Horse

Sir
Head Quarters Trenton 30th December 1776

I am informed that you are on your march from Virginia, to join the Army under my Command and that you have the Charge of the prisoners who were ordered up to be exchanged. As this must delay your march very much, and as I do not think it expedient for the prisoners to come on just at this time, I desire you will leave them at the most convenient Place; there to remain till further orders from me, and advance with the Horse, as quick as you possibly can. If a guard should be wanted to remain with the prisoners, apply for Militia, for I would not have a Horse Man left behind. When You arrive at Philadelphia apply to Genl Putnam who will inform You of the most proper place to cross the Delaware. I am Sir Yr most Obt Servant

G.W.


Title: From George Washington to Col. John Cadwalader, 30 December 1776 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Cadwalader, John

Letter not found: to Col. John Cadwalader, 30 Dec. 1776. Cadwalader wrote GW on 31 Dec.: “I recd your Letter last Night, by Express.”


Title: From George Washington to Robert Morris, 30 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To: Morris, Robert

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Trenton 30th Decemr 1776.

We have the greatest Occasion at present for hard Money, to pay a certain set of People who are of particular use to us. If you could possibly collect a Sum, if it were but One hundred or one hundred and fifty Pounds it would be of great Service. Silver would be most convenient.
I am taking every Measure to improve our late lucky Blow, and hope to be successful; the greatest impediment to our Motion is, the want of provisions, if it lays in your way to give the Commissary any advice or Assistance in that Way I am sure you will do it. Some of the Troops are yet on the other Side of the River, only waiting for provisions. Jersey has been swept so clean that there is no dependance upon any thing there. I am Dear Sir Your most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Robert Morris, 30 December 1776
From: Morris, Robert
To: Washington, George

sir
Philada Decr 30th 1776

I have recd your favour of Yesterday & will duely forward your dispatches to Congress & the other letters by Post. I am desired to put the enclosed letters in the way of being Sent into Newyork and make no doubt your Excellency will readily forward them by the first Flag after they reach your hands. I am impatiently waiting for further News from Genl Cadwallader & with constant wishes for Success remain sir Your Obedt Servt

Robt Morris


Title: To George Washington from Robert Morris, 30 December 1776
From: Morris, Robert
To: Washington, George

sir
Philada Decr 30th 1776

I have just recd your favour of this day & sent to Genl Putnam to detain the Express untill I collect the hard Money You want which you may depend shall be sent in one specie or other with this letter & a list thereof shall be enclosed herein.

I had long since parted with very Considerable Sums of hard money to Congress, therefore must Collect from others & as matters now Stand it is no easy matter, I mean to borrow Silver & promise payment in Gold & will then Collect the Gold in the best manner I can. whilst on this Subject let me inform You that there is upwards of 20,000 Dollars in Silver at Tyconderoga they have no particular use for it & I think You might as well send a party to bring it away & lodge it in a Safe place Convenient for any purposes for which it may hereafter be wanted.
I gave Mr Commissary Wharton an Order for 40 thousand Dollars this morning & pressed him to attend most dilligently to your supplys I will Send for him again [to] know what is done & add Springs to his Movements if I can, I wish he was more silent, prudent &c. but I fancy he is active. Whatever I can do shall be done for the good of the Service. I ever am Dr sir Your Excellencys Obedt hble servant

Robt Morris

P.S. Hearing that you are in Want of a Qr Cask of Wine I have procured a good one which Mr Commissary Wharton will send up.


Title: To George Washington from the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 31 December 1776
From: Executive Committee of the Continental Congress
To: Washington, George

sir
Philada Decembr 31st 1776

We have the honor to enclose herein sundry resolves of Congress just received from Baltimore by express, we have barely taken time to read them over and finding them so important we wou’d not delay the express one moment, we find by these resolves your Excellencys hands will be Strengthened with very ample Powers & a new reformation of the army seems to have its origin therein, happy it is for this Country that the General of their Forces can safely be entrusted with the most unlimited Power & neither personal security, liberty or Property be in the least degree endangered thereby, We shall loose no Time in executing the matters assigned us by these resolves & are most truly Your Excellencys obt Servts

Robt Morris
Geo. Clymer
Geo. Walton


Title: To George Washington from Robert Morris, 31 December 1776 [letter not found]
From: Morris, Robert
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Robert Morris, 31 Dec. 1776. GW wrote the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress on 1 Jan. 1777: “I have the honor and pleasure of acknowledging your favors of the 28th and 31st Decr and Mr Morris’s of the 30th and 31st.”


Title: Proclamation to the Friends of America in the State of New Jersey, 31 December 1776
From: Washington, George
To:

Trentown 31 Decr 1776

The Army of the American States, under my Command being lately greatly reinforced, and having again Enter’d the State of New Jersey, I most warmly request the Militia of Said State at this Important Crisis to Evince their love to their Country, by boldly stepping forth and defending the Cause of Freedom, The Inhabitants may be Assured that by a Manly & Spirited Conduct they may now releive their Distressed State from the Depredations of our Enemies—I have therefore dispatched Coll Neilson Majors Taylor, Van Emburgh & Frelinghuysen, together with Some other Gentlemen of your State to call together

and Embody your Militia, not doubting but Success will attend their Endeavours.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Lt. Col. George Baylor, 1 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Baylor, George
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Lt. Col. George Baylor, 1 Jan. 1777. On 9 Jan. GW wrote to Baylor: “Your Letter of the 1st from Baltimore came to my hands this day.


Title: From George Washington to Major William De Hart, 1 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: De Hart, William

Sir
Head Quarters, Trenton January 1, 1777

I have yours of the 27th last Month from Morris Town and am glad to find that you determine to remain in the Service at my Request. I am told that there has been a great deal of uneasiness in your Regiment on Account of the Appointment of Colo. Newcomb to the command of it. I beg you and the other Gentlemen will make yourselves easy upon that head, as by late powers vested in me by Congress, I have full Authority to enquire into all Appointments, and supersede such as appear upon good Grounds to be improper. I have repeatedly called upon the colonels of Regiments to make up their Abstracts, and receive their money, as I very well know the many Inconveniences that attend Arrearage of Pay, and if from the particular Circumstances of your Regiment, an Abstract cannot be made out just now, let me know what Sum will answer the immediate wants of the Men and it shall be paid to your Order. I have given Lieut. Morrison a Warrant for 5000 Dollars for the recruiting Service; several Captains of your Regiment have already appeared and got Money upon that Account. I will fall upon some Means to give Notice to all your Officers about the Camp and let them know that they are to repair to Morris Town for Orders. If you can see or send a Message to Lieut. Colonel Ogden, beg of him to exert himself in recruiting the Regiment with the utmost Expedition, and assure him from me, that I will fall upon means to remove his Objections against continuing in the Service. I am etc.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Denison, 1 January 1777
From: Denison, Nathan
To: Washington, George

Please your Excelency
Westmoreland January 1st 1777

After Orders came to hand that the two Companies raised here Should march & Join your Excelency: it was Conjectured by many here that your army were much Weak’ned by Reason of the monthly mens Times being up. I was therefore desired by a Number of Respectable Neighbours to Inform your Excelency that if they Should be needed, they Would Turn out two months as a Company of Volunteers (provided I would be their leader) & ⅌haps in that time the Several Stat’s may have their Companies or Quota’s of the Eighty Eight Battalions full. The Reason they Chuse to be Confined no longer than Two months to the Service is, that they may have it in their power to return in the Spring to Raise provision for their families.
If your Excelency Sees meet to Send for us; Please Inform us how we Shall Draw money for the Subsistance of the Company and an Express shall be Sent after the Same; if it Should not be convenient to Send the money With your Excelencys Orders: By whome Col: Butler will Direct.
The Two Companies that have marched from hence, have Collected all the Arms that were any way Valuable here & have Caried them away: We Cannot therefore be of any Service, unless Supplied With arms from the Continental Stores during the above Term. The form of the Subscription to which the Volunteers Subscribe are as follows Viz.
Annimated by every feeling that Rouses the Hero to Revenge the Cause of Bleeding Innocence & under God Assist in Redeeming our Devouted Country from threatned Slavery: We, the Subscribers would Willingly march from hence to any Quarter his Excelency General Washington Shall Direct; led by Lieut: Col: Nathan Dennison as our Capt. having the Glorious Prize Liberty in Vew, are Willing to bare with patience the fetigues of a Winters Campain: And do hereby promise & engage to Serve as Volunteers Untill the last day of march next, in the American Armie; provided we be Supplied With Arms & Amunition &c. from the Continental Stores during our Service And will hold our Selves in Readiness to march at the Shortest notice: if his Excelency Should need us.
The People wait your Excelency’s Orders With Impatience & none more Impatient than Your Excelenies most Obedient Humble Servt

Nathan Dennison


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 1 January 1777
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Baltimore Jany 1t 1777.

I am to acknowledge the Recieipt of your several Favours to the 27th Ulto. Your Letter of that Date, containing the very agreeable Intelligence of the Success of the Continental Arms under your Command, was last Night delivered to me by your Aid de Camp Colo. Baylor, together with the Hessian Standard. I entertain the most pleasing Expectation that our Affairs will henceforth assume a better Complexion. Your Account of the Behaviour and Spirit of the Troops, gave the highest Satisfaction to Congress; and manifests a Disposition which may prove the Forerunner of future Success. Considering the unfavourable Temper of the Men, broken by Fatigue & ill-Fortune, the happy Event of the Expedition appears the more extraordinary. But Troops properly inspired, and animated by a just Confidence in their Leader will often exceed Expectation, or the Limits of Probability. As it is entirely to your Wisdom and Conduct, the United States are indebted for the late Success of their Arms, the Pleasure you must naturally feel on the

Occasion will be pure and unmixt. May you still proceed in the same Manner to acquire that Glory, which by your disinterested and magnanimous Behaviour, you so highly merit.
I enclose to you a Copy of Resolves transmitted to Genl Schuyler relative to the Northern Department, and also sundry other Resolves relative to your own immediate Department, which are all the Congress have come into since I wrote you last. I have forwarded to all the States Copies of the Resolves vesting you with the Powers, which I had the Pleasure of transmitting in my last, accompanied with Letters explaining the Reasons on which Congress acted in that particular.
From the enclosed Resolve you will percieve Congress have determined, that a Horse, properly caparisoned, be presented to your Aid de Camp Colo. Baylor, and to recommend it to you to promote him to be a Colonel of a Regiment of Light Horse. As the Congress have been pleased to entrust me with the Execution of this Resolve, I must beg you will do me the Favour to give Directions to the Quarter Master, or other proper Person, to purchase as handsome a Horse for this Purpose, as can be found. The Reason of my making this Application, is an Information I had recieved that some Light Horse were taken at Trenton, and are to be publickly sold for the Benefit of the Soldiery. Should this be the Case, I must further ask the Favour of you to give Directions at the same Time, to purchase one or two for my own Use. The Money shall be immediately remitted whatever it may be. I should be glad to know what Kind of Horse Furniture you think the most proper, as I would by all Means wish to procure the best, but without your Advice & Assistance, am apprehensive I shall not succeed. If the Horses are to be had, be pleased to order them to be sent to me and every Expence shall be paid arising thereon.
This Recommendation of Colo. Baylor I doubt not will meet with your Approbation, and that on his Return from Virginia, you will give him a Commission with such Pay as you shall think suitable and adequate. Wishing you very sincerely the Compliments of the Season, I have the Honour to be, with every Sentiment of Esteem & Regard, Sir your most obed. & very hble Servt

John Hancock Presidt

I shall Send you the Letter Books by the first safe hand.
By this Oppory I Send you four Bundles containg Two hundred Commissions, the rest shall immediately follow.


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 1 January 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: McDougall, Alexander

Letter not found: to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 1 Jan. 1777. The Paul C. Richards catalog no. 19, item 455, 1968, quoted the following from the LS: “I have the pleasure to inform you that your sons parole has been sent out to me, amongst others, who are exchanged for officers I have sent in to General Howe. General Maxwell has the proper orders for encouraging the Militia, to come in, and I hope he will be able to prevail on Colonel Vose’s men to continue a month or six weeks longer, as he will give them a bounty of ten dollars besides their pay . . . The great painstaking to prevent any communication with the people of the packets confirms the accounts we have from other quarters that there is every appearance of a War in Europe. . . .”


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 2 January 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Peeks-Kill [N.Y.] Janry 2nd 1777

The Day before yesterday I received the Honor of yours of the 27th Decr and most Heartily Congratulate your Excellency on your Signal victory over the Enemy at Trenton, This will be Productive of the Best Consequences, and has already given New Life to Our affairs.
The last night I had the Honor of yours of the 28th Containing the agreable News of the Retreat of Count Donnop—I am Extremely Sorry to acquaint your Excellency that none of the Militia from Massachusetts Bay have arrived Except Colo. Sparhawks Regiment Consisting of about 500 men Three Companies of which I have been obliged to Send to the Forts on the River and One to Croten Bridge, so that only five Companies out of the nine are at this Post on whom we must now Depend for Guards & Defence—I have Prevailed upon a few of the Old Regiments to Stay Ten Days longer the Rest are gone Home notwithstanding the most pressing Perswasions.
I am Informed that more of the militia are on their march on this Side of Danbury for this Place, I have Sent an Express this morning in addition to Several Sent before to Quicken their march—as the State of New york are Drawing in their Militia, and your Excellency thinks that there is not the least Danger of the Enemy’s making a move towards this Place, I shall Exert my utmost Endeavours to Push the Militia, and as Soon as I can Collect 1500 of them will march as Rapidly as Possible, I Imagine your Excellency will not think a less number Sufficient to answer much Purpose.
By the return of the Flag which Carried Down mr Inglis’s Family I am Informed that General How is in the City preparing his Dispatches for Great Britain, with so much application that He attends to Little other Business.
The 156750 Dollars which your Excellency was Pleased to order to this Place is not much more than Half Sufficient for the Present Emergencys The Seven Regiments of Genl Wadsworths Brigade to Which five months Pay is Due amounts to more than 160000 Dollars Besides these there are five Regiments of General Parsons’s Brigade, five of General Geo. Clintons & one of Genl James Clintons, with Some one, others Two, Three, and four months Pay Due—add to this the Pressing Demands for the Recruiting Service This must be Speedily attended to or the Service will be greatly Injured—In ordering the paying of the money already Sent I have Endeavour’d to Do Equal Justice to all the Regiments—The Deputy Pay master Pro-Tempore has wrote to Colo. Palfrey on the Subject.
The Convention of the State of New York have requested the Loan

of a number of Small arms for Some of their Unarmed Militia Intended for their Expedition, with reluctance I have Spared them about Sixty to be return’d when Called for, The Committee alledged that the last Spring the State had furnished many arms for the army, and that now without this assistance they Could not Attempt their Design with a prospect of Success—the Committee have Engaged to be accountable for them.
I shall Do all in my Power to answer your Excellency’s Expectations, and nothing but the Delay of the Militia will prevent it. I have the Honor to be with great respect & Esteem your Excellency’s most Humble Servt

W. Heath


Title: To George Washington from Thomas Wharton, Jr., 3 January 1777
From: Wharton, Thomas Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
In Council of Safety Philadelphia January 3d 1777

The Council of Safety understanding that our Army is in want of Liquor have sent forward twenty Hogsheads of Rum as a present Supply. It is to be forwarded to Bristol and delivered to the Commanding Officer at Burlington, if there be any at that place—Your Excellency will take the proper measures to have it brought to your Camp. It goes by Captain Watkins of our Armed Boats who is directed to take especial care to have it Safely delivered. I have the Honor to be With much respect Sir Your very Hume Servant

Tho. Wharton junr Prest


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 January 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Peeks-Kill [N.Y.] Jany 4th 1777

I have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency, that Major General Lincoln has just arrived at this Post, but his Troops have not as yet got in, except about Two Regiments.
That no time should be lost I have been sending over a Quantity of provisions to Haverstraw, and as soon as the Militia arrive in sufficient numbers shall pass over with them—A Body of the Militia belonging to this State, have Rendezvous’d at North Castle, & Col. Thomas’s Regiment below white plains—A Number of the Disaffected have been taken, & the night before last 37 Recruits who were going to join Rodgers—They were all armed with Pistols, & had Two Musquets in the Company—About 300 it is said are engaged with the Enemy, and are to march down from the upper parts of Dutche’s County in small parties, lying concealed in the day time—We have found out some of their Stages on the Roads, and have a number of parties out to intercept them—We have just taken one Strang, with his Warrant from Rodgers to enlist men, secreted in the inside of his Breeches; we also suppose him to be a Spy—I have ordered a General Court Martial to sit this day, for his Tryal.
I learn from some of the Deserters that Rodgers is alarmed at our Motions on this Side, which are making towards him, and am this moment told that they have drawn in all their parties, that were without Fort Independence & it is said have moved their Cannon from the Fort—The Expedition to that Quarter which has been long meditating by the Convention, is now in a fair way to be attempted; this is to secure Rodgers and Collect Forage—Upon the Request of the Committee I have ordered General Parsons to take the Command, and we are determined to keep the Enemy within narrow Limits.
I have lately been informed that Your Excellency is impowered to raise 12 New Regiments & to appoint the Officers—I beg leave to recommend to your Excellency’s notice Colonel Wm Malcom, late Commander of one of the New York Battalions, whose Conduct I have observed to be such as I think makes it my duty to recommend him.
Some doubts have arisen here with respect to the Arms, that are lost or missing, there are a number ought to be paid for, the Question arises what Sum is to be stopped for them, & where it is to be stopped,

in the Hands of the Deputy paymaster or with the paymaster of the Regt. I should be happy to know your Excellency’s Opinion and Direction in this matter and as soon as agreable to your Excellency. I have the honor to be with great respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s Most humble Servt

W. Heath


Title: To George Washington from Major General Benjamin Lincoln, 4 January 1777
From: Lincoln, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Peeks Kill [N.Y.] Janry 4th 1777

I just arrived here—Find only part of two Regiments of the militia, from the Massachusetts—The badness of the roads hath much retarded the troops—I have left some of our best Officers, at different posts to forward them, and provide every necessary to facilitate their march. I flatter myself, from the provisions, that hath been made, and is now making, that the time will not be long, nor the period distant, when they shall rendezvous at your Excellencies Head Quarters “wherever they may be”; or at such other place, to which they may be ordered; nothing shall be neglected, in my power, this speedily to effect.
Soon after advice was forwarded to your Excellency by Mr Bowdoin, that the State of Massachusetts Bay had ordered out about six thousand of their militia, to reinforce the Continental army, the General Court were informed by General Schuyler, that the time, for which the men, doing duty at Ticonderoga, engaged to serve, was near expiring; & that the forts there would, in all probability be left, in a short time, too defenceless unless they could be reinforced by the Militia; the consequence of which might be extremely injurious to the cause of America. He therefore urged the Massachusetts to send to him at Albany, some of their militia, in the most pressing and energetic terms, in order that he might succour those forts, if he should find it necessary—The Court thereon ordered two of their most Western Regiments to march directly for Albany.

In consequence of an application from the Commissioners, assembled at Providence from the New-England States appointed, among other things to adopt measures for the immediate defence of the State of Rhode Island, and the neighbouring States the Court of Massachusetts Bay have halted, in that State, the men raised to reinforce the Continental army, in the Counties of Plymouth, Barnstable & Bristol, which will amount to ten or eleven Hundred. The remainder from the best returns I can obtain will a little exceed four thousand officers included.
I left Providence last monday in the forenoon—There were no late accounts from the Island of Rhode-Island—A few days before some ships, to the number of ten or twelve, had left it and gone up the Sound. Whether they had troops on board or not, we could not learn. The accounts with regard to the number of troops on the Island are so various, that no good judgment can be formed. Some positively affirm, that there are not more than three thousand, five hundred, others, with as much assurance, declare that there are nine thousand. From the best information I could obtain at Bristol & Howlands Ferry their number do not much exceed, if any, five thousand men, indeed I have some times doubted, from their manœvres, whether they amount to that number. I am with the most perfect regard & Esteem Sir your most Obedient & Humble Servant

Benjamin Lincoln


Title: To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 4 January 1777
From: Massachusetts Council
To: Washington, George

Sir
State of Massachusetts Bay Council Chamber Boston Jany 4th 1777.

Your favor of the 18th Decr last is come to hand which eased us in some Degree of the Anxiety we were in from an Ignorance of your Situation & at the same time gave us great Concern to find you had been so illy supported by the States in your Vicinity at a Period when every Effort might have been expected; but we hope an opportunity

for Recollection will awaken a Sense of Injury, that will prompt them to Exertions correspondent to the Importance of the Contest.
Having learned that the addition we had made to the monthly pay of the Men, who should inlist in the Battalions raising by this State, had been disapproved by Congress, and by your Excellency, we immediately put a stop to all such Inlistments, and in lieu of the monthly pay gave an additional Bounty payable out of the Treasury of this State; thinking this a necessary step to raise our Men; and directed all such as had inlisted upon our first encouragement, who should refuse to reinlist upon the last Terms, to be discharged the Service, upon their restoring the Bounty Money, or other Things they might have received in consequence of their inlistment.
But being informed by our Committee from the Northern Army, that they with the Consent of General Gates, had before our Battalions marched from Ticonderoga inlisted a Considerable Number of Men, upon the first mentiond Terms (and that probably more had since inlisted on the same Terms) a considerable proportion of which Men, they had reason to think woud decline to inlist on any other Terms by which means the little Army then under your Excellencys immediate Command might have been considerably weakened at a time which required every possible addition to its strength, we thought it absolutely necessary to take away that Election and retain such of them in the service upon the terms of their inlistment, as should decline accepting of the other until they should be duely discharged.
We trust this measure, instead of being disagreeable to the Congress, or your self, will meet with their, and your approbation, seeing unhappily we have before us but the choice of Evils.
As we thought it would be difficult, if not impossible, for General Lincoln to obtain your orders in time for the Disposition of the Militia under his Command we directed him to act in Concert with such General Officers as were left in the vicinity of New York in such manner as the situation of Affairs might require; subject to such Orders, as he might receive from the Commander in Chief, and we are happy to find our Directions to him coincide with yours—Our Officers are recruiting in the Country & with Success, but least the Success should not be equal to the present Exigencies we have in contemplation some other measures to Expedite this Business.
We heartily condole with you on the Loss of a brave Officer, and a Worthy Citizen in the Captivity of General Lee; and We feel the most tender Concern that your own Situation has been of late so embarrassed, but we hope that long before this time a spirit of Patriotism has roused the Friends of America, and prompted them to render you effectual Support.

You may depend on every Thing in our power for the general Safety, and we should be happy to know as often as may be, the situation of the Army under your immediate Command. I am Sir In the Name & by Order of the General Court of this State with very great Respect, & Esteem Your most obedt & humble servt

James Bowdoin Presidt of Council


Title: To George Washington from the Executive Committee of the Continental Congress, 5 January 1777
From: Executive Committee of the Continental Congress
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philada Jany 5th 1777

We embrace the opportunity of Mr Leman & Mr Penrose two Gentn of the Light Horse to forward Seven Packets that came to our hands from Congress last Night, these Packets contain sundry resolves of Congress & a Number of blank Commissions.
The uncertain rumours of your Excellency’s success between Trenton & Prince Town and at the latter place, leave us in a most anxious State of suspence, hoping every moment to be relieved therefrom by an express with dispatches from you.
We informed Congress of your situation on Thursday Evening at Trenton & prepared them to expect some important event consequently they will have an anxious interval of Suspence as we now have.
The Continental Brige Lexington Cap. Hallock was taken by the

British Frigate Pearle Cap. Wilkinson, but the Wind blowing hard & the Sea running high they cou’d only take out Capt. Hallock, his Lieutt & other principal Officers & in lieu of them they put onboard an Officer & 8 Men with orders to keep Company untill Morning, before that came Our People onboard the Brige rose upon the British bore away & have carried her Safe into Baltimore, by which means further supplys of Military Stores & Cloathing are Secured as there is onbd Powder, Lead, Muskets[,] Blankets, Cloths &c. The Andrew Dorias Prize is also arrived Safe here, we suppose her late Commander Capt. Jones must be given up for Cap. Hallock who is come up from the Pearle under Parole.
Waiting impatiently for important News from you & with the best wishes for a Continuancy of success We remain Your Excellencys Obed. Servants

Geo. Walton
Geo. Clymer
Robt Morris


Title: From George Washington to John Hancock, 5 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Hancock, John

Sir
Pluckamin [N.J.] January 5th 1777

I have the honor to inform you, that since the date of my last from Trenton, I have removed with the Army under my command to this place. The difficulty of crossing the Delaware on account of the ice made our passage over it tedious, and gave the Enemy an opportunity of drawing in their several cantonments and assembling their whole Force at Princeton. Their large Picquets advanced towards Trenton, their great preparations & some intelligence I had received, added to their knowledge, that the first of January brought on a dissolution of the best part of our Army, gave me the strongest reasons to conclude, that an attack upon us was meditating.
Our situation was most critical and our force small. to remove immediately

was again destroying every dawn of hope which had begun to revive in the breasts of the Jersey Militia, and to bring those Troops which had first crossed the Delaware, and were laying at Croswix’s under Genl Cadwalader & those under Genl Mifflin at Bordenton (amounting in the whole to about 3600) to Trenton, was to bring them to an exposed place; One or the other however was unavoidable, the latter was preferred & they were ordered to join us at Trenton, which they did by a Night march on the 1st Instt.
On the 2d according to my expectation the Enemy began to advance upon us, and after some skirmishing the Head of their Column reached Trenton about 4 OClock, whilst their rear was as far back as Maidenhead. They attempted to pass Sanpink Creek, which runs through Trenton at different places, but finding the Fords guarded, halted & kindled their Fires—We were drawn up on the other side of the Creek. In this situation we remained till dark, cannonading the Enemy & receiving the fire of their Field peices which did us but little damage.
Having by this time discovered that the Enemy were greatly superior in number and that their design was to surround us, I ordered all our Baggage to be removed silently to Burlington soon after dark, and at twelve OClock after renewing our fires & leaving Guards at the Bridge in Trenton and other passes on the same stream above, marched by a roundabout Road to Princeton, where I knew they could not have much force left and might have Stores. One thing I was certain of, that it would avoid the appearance of a retreat, (which was of course or to run the hazard of the whole Army being cut off) whilst we might by a fortunate stroke withdraw Genl Howe from Trenton and give some reputation to our Arms. happily we succeeded. We found Princeton about Sunrise with only three Regiments and three Troops of light Horse in it, two of which were on their march to Trenton—These three Regiments, especially the Two first, made a gallant resistance and in killed wounded and Prisoners must have lost 500 Men, upwards of One hundred of them were left dead in the Feild, and with what I have with me & what were taken in the pursuit & carried across the Delaware, there are near 300 prisoners 14 of which are Officers—all British.
This peice of good fortune is counterballanced by the loss of the brave and worthy Genl Mercer, Cols. Hazlet and Potter, Captn Neal of the Artillery, Captn Fleming who commanded the first Virginia Regiment and four or five other valuable Officers who with about twenty five or thirty privates were slain in the feild—Our whole loss cannot be ascertained, as many who were in pursuit of the Enemy, who were chaced three or four Miles, are not yet come in.

The rear of the Enemy’s Army laying at Maidenhead (not more than five or Six miles from Princeton) was up with us before our pursuit was over, but as I had the precaution to destroy the Bridge over Stoney Brooke (about half a mile from the Feild of action) they were so long retarded there as to give us time to move off in good order for this place. We took Two Brass Feild peices but for want of Horses could not bring them away. We also took some Blankets—Shoes—and a few other trifling Articles—burnt the Hay & destroyed such other things as the shortness of the time would admit of.
My Original plan when I set out from Trenton was to have pushed on to Brunswic, but the harrassed State of our own Troops (many of them having had no rest for two nights & a day) and the danger of loosing the advantage we had gained by aiming at too much induced me by the advice of my Officers to relinquish the attempt, but in my Judgement Six or Eight hundred fresh Troops upon a forced march would have destroyed all their Stores and Magazines—taken as we have since learnt their Military Chest containing 70,000£ and put an end to the War. The Enemy from the best intelligence I have been able to get were so much alarmed at the apprehension of this, that they marched immediately to Brunswick without halting except at the Bridges, (for I also took up those on Millstone on the different routs to Brunswick) and got there before day.
From the best information I have received, Genl Howe has left no men either at Trenton or Princeton. The truth of this I am endeavouring to ascertain that I may regulate my movements accordingly—The Militia are taking spirit and I am told, are coming in fast from this State, but I fear those from Philadelphia will scarcely submit to the hardships of a winter Campaign much longer, especially as they very unluckily sent their Blankets with their Baggage to Burlington—I must do them justice however to add, that they have undergone more fatigue and hardship than I expected Militia (especially Citizens) would have done at this inclement Season. I am just moving to Morris town where I shall endeavour to put them under the best cover I can. hitherto we have been without any and many of our poor Soldiers quite bear foot & ill clad in other respects. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Yr Most Obedt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to the New York Committee of Safety, 5 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: New York Committee of Safety

Pluckemin [N.J.] January [5]th, 1777.

Gentlemen—I was this evening honoured with your letter of the first instant, and beg leave to assure you that the situation of your State has and ever will claim much of my attention. I am sensible of its importance in the grand contest in which we are engaged, and of the unhappy defection of too great a part of it. However, when General Howe had drawn a part of his army into Jersey, and from the movements used, from a variety of intelligence through different channels, had determined to invade Pennsylvania and seize Philadelphia, I thought it expedient to call upon General Heath for such succour as he could give, after leaving what appeared a sufficient guard for the security of the Highlands, as things were circumstanced at that time. I am happy that no accident has yet happened, and I trust none will, as the late change in our affairs in this quarter has justified some alteration in my orders to him. In every instance I must attempt to direct such forces as we have to the general security and as exigencies may require, and only hope my exertions may be answered with success. I am persuaded that you will think that there was much occasion for the aid I called for at the time the application was made.

I return you my sincere thanks for your kind congratulations, and have the pleasure to inform you that our armies have been attended with further success in a late attack upon the enemy. On Thursday evening they marched to Trenton with their collected forces, to give us battle, and to possess themselves of the town and the posts on the Delaware. After some skirmishing upon the approach, and a small firing from artilleries on each side while it was light, I had our baggage removed as silently as possible, and about 12 o’clock at night began to march with our troops from Princeton, where I expected to find a considerable force and probably a good many stores; we arrived about 8 o’clock, and a part of our troops had a small engagement with the British regiments that passed them and their troops of horse; the enemy’s loss was about 100 slain; the number wounded is not yet ascertained. We have two hundred prisoners here, and from the information I have obtained, I have much reason to believe that near a hundred men were taken in their confused and precipitate retreat, and which are conducted toward Pennsylvania. Upon the whole, I think their loss in killed, wounded and taken prisoners, cannot be less than five hundred. This piece of good fortune is counterbalanced by the fall of General Mercer, a brave and good officer, and seven or eight more, with about thirty privates. The enemy have returned and are now at Brunswick and Bound Brook, from the reports of all our parties of intelligence. We designed to have proceeded to the former; but before we could get the least refreshment, the army that had gone to Trenton returned to Princeton, which obliged us to decline the enterprise.
½ after 8 o’clock, P.M.
I have this minute received a letter from General Maxwell, advising that a party of militia attacked sixty Waldeckers this morning; killed ten, and took the rest prisoners.
I shall take an opportunity [to consider the case of] Sir John Johnson, if his situation is such as to bring him under my cognizance; and if I should think his being out will not be attended with more bad than good consequences. I have the honour to be, With great esteem, Gentn. your obedt. servant,

GEO. WASHINGTON.


Title: To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 5 January 1777
From: Pennsylvania Council of Safety
To: Washington, George

Sir
In Council of Safety Philadelphia January 5th 1777

The Council being Apprehensive that your Excellency might Possibly be in want of Fixt amunition and knowing that your Attention must be engrossed with objects of the greatest importance, and being desirous of relieving your Excellency as much as our department will admit of, we have therefore sent several Waggons Loads to Bristol, there to wait the orders of your Excellency or General Putnam.
The Public is impatient to be informed of the event of your Excellencys late Manœuvres as nothing but vague rumors have reached us, we should be much obliged therefore if you could gratify us with some intelligence by this Express. I am with the greatest respect Your Excellencies Most obedient Humble servant

Tho. Wharton junr Prest

P.S. According to Astronomical Calculations, on thursday next between the hours of 9 and 11 in the forenoon, a great Eclipse of the Sun will be visible here, perhaps it may not be amiss on this occasion to guard against a superstitious fear in the Army which might take place should the Men be unnexpectedly surprised with this appearance.


Title: To George Washington from John Hancock, 6–7 January 1777
From: Hancock, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Baltimore Jany 6[-7]th 1777.

The enclosed Resolves, which I have the Honour of transmitting, call for your immediate Attention; and I am to request, you will take Measures in Pursuance thereof, as soon as possible. Genl Lee’s Situation seems to be extremely dangerous and critical; and from Genl Howe’s Behaviour to him, it is highly probable, he will be brought to a Trial for Desertion. Genl Lee, it is said, by Mr Eustace his Aid de Camp, having addressed two Letters to Genl Howe, recieved them both back again unopened, and enclosed under a Cover directed to Lieutenant Colo. Lee. I hope the Flag which Congress ordered to be sent to make Enquiry into the Manner in which he is treated, has been dispatched, and a Remonstrance in Consequence of it, should the Information you have recieved of his Treatment, have rendered that Step necessary.
You will please to propose an Exchange of the six Hessian Field officers for him, & at the same Time, make Enquiry whether the Report which Congress have heard of Mr Stockton’s being confined in a Common Jail by the Enemy, has any Truth in it, or not.
By a Letter which Congress yesterday recieved from Mr Morris we are informed, that Genl Cadwallader, with the Troops under him, had joined your Army—that the Enemy were at Trenton—that the two Armies were divided only by a Creek, and that a General Engagement was hourly expected. In the mean Time, Congress are infinitely anxious to hear the Event; and humbly hope, that Victory has declared in Favour of those, whose sacred Cause should inspire them with Ardour, on every solemn Appeal to that Being, who hateth all Injustice, Tyranny, and Oppression. I have the Honour to be, with every Sentiment of Esteem & Respect, Sir, your most obed. & very hble Servt

John Hancock Presidt

P.S. If the Desire of Congress to procure Genl Lee’s Exchange cannot be effected, and the Enemy, preferring the Gratification of Revenge to the Civility they owe their Hessian Auxiliaries, determine to keep or to abuse him, it will be very agreeable to Congress that their Determination, with the enclosed Resolve be made known to the Hessians as fully as possible. To secure Genl Lee as effectually as may be from personal Insult & Injury, Congress have come to the present Resolution; which you, Sir, are desired to convey to Genl Howe with all convenient Dispatch. It will be very agreeable to Congress that the Hessian Field Officer intended to be exchanged for Colo. Ethan Allen be sent to notify it to Genl Howe, taking his Parole to return in a fixt Time, if Colo.

Allen is not returned in his Place. It will fall within the Wish of Congress of Colo. Rohl, or one of the Hessian Officers, should be also sent with the Flag proposing the Exchange of Genl Lee; but the Propriety of it is submitted to you.
Jany 7[t]h. We have had an imperfect Acct of the Engagement at Trenton, and anxiously wait for further Particulars. It was in Hopes of recieving them that I detained the Express till this Morning.


Title: To George Washington from James Mease, 6 January 1777
From: Mease, James
To: Washington, George

sir
Philada 6 Jany 1777

Among the important powers with which The Honble Congress have so wisely invested your Excellency, I understand there is that of appointing a Cloathier Genl for the Army.
As I have already had some experience in the clothing business, &

think myself not totally unfit for such an employment: I take the liberty with all possible deference & respect, humbly to solicit the favor of that appointment should I be so happy as to find this request not inconsistent with the arrangement & veiws of your Excellency I shall always make it my study to discharge the duties of the office diligently & honestly, & at same time consider it as an additional honor to have received it from the hand of your Excellency.
I should have had the pleasure of prefering this request in person to your Excellency had it been possible for me with any propriety to have gone from home. but the dayly calls for supplies of clothing & nec[e]ssaries for the new levy’s & the difficulty of procuring them in the absence of the tradesmen renders it impossible for me to have that honor at present.
This City is at present in the greatest possible anxiety, no Authentick information being yet come to hand since the movement from Trenton. we are certain there has been a hot engagement & all the reports & accounts yet come, give us the most flattering expectations of your success. God grant it may correspond with the warmth of our desires & that your future success may on all occasions be equal to your merit & then I am sure it will be great as your Excellency’s desires—pardon good sir the trouble of this & beleive me to be always with infinite esteem & respect Your Excellency’s most obliged most obedt & Hbly Servt

James Mease


Title: From George Washington to the Continental Congress Executive Committee, 7 January 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Continental Congress Executive Committee

Gentlemen
Morris Town January 7th 1777

I have understood that the Foundery for casting brass Cannon which was begun at Philadelphia with good prospect of success has for sometime past been neglected—The importance of having a large number of feild peices against the Spring Campaign is so very evident

that I most earnestly beg every spring may be set in motion to procure them.
If the Founder is unskilful in his business I will send a Mr Byers who is experienced in it he having cast a number of very good ones in N: York I have forwarded Captain Cr[a]in to Philadelphia in order to prepare fix’d Ammunition of all kinds, you will please to give him every Assistance in your power—The Cannon to be cast must be generally six pounders, some three pounders and a few twelves—The fix’d ammunition must be for these Calibres.
The persons who have been employed in making the Carriages must be very industriously kept to work for mounting the Cannon that may be cast. I am Gent. Your most Obedt hble servt

Go: Washington

P.S. The Letter from Mr Morris of the 1st Instt with 50,000 Dollars came duly to hand.