Title: To George Washington from Colonel Hugh Hughes, 3 February 1777
From: Hughes, Hugh
To: Washington, George

Sir
Peekskill [N.Y.] Feby 3rd 1777

Sometime in December General Mifflin order’d me, after arranging Affairs well here, to wait on your Excellency. In answer to which I acquainted him that a proper Disposition could not, suddenly, be made, on Account of disbanding the greatest Part of the Army then here, together with some other Obstructions which occurr’d at that Time, but added that I was ready to obey his Commands as soon as he should be pleas’d to signify them to me, since when I have not heard from him on the Subject.
The strictest Attention has been had to your Excelency’s Orders relative to the Tents and entrenching Tools, both of which are in as proper a Train as the Impediments alludeded to would permit. A proper Boatbuilder is engag’d with as many Hands as could be collected, to prepare Timber for Scows, flatbottom’d Boats, and Whaleboats, which is as much as can be done at present, for Want of Boards.
It is purpos’d to have 40, or 50 flatbottom’d Boats more, 6 Scows, and 20 or 30 Whaleboats, if approv’d.
The Sadler’s Shop at Danbury, is open’d, but not much Progress made, for Want of Leather, which is laid out for in every Quarter.
The Waggons that Col. Biddle desir’d might be made, by your Excelency’s Order, are not all dispos’d of yet. Fifty are to be made at Pomfret in Connecticut, of the four hors’d Kind; and the Fifty two hors’d, are undertaken by a Col. Brinkerhoff, at the Fishkill; Whole to be done by the first of April, at farthest. Those to be made at Pomfret are to be forwarded as fast as built, to this Post.
Sixty-five, of Course, remain to be contracted for unless a suitable Company of Wheelwrights can be rais’d here, for the Purpose. In the mean Time there is a Prospect of getting 20 or 30 built at Providence.

As these Waggons will require considerable of Iron, and the Under takers, every where, look to the Department for it, I have order’d about 30 Tons, that lay at Hackensack newbridge, up; and it is now on the Way.
Four or five Hundred Axes are contracted for, but it was tho’t best to wait for further Instructions on that Head, least a large Number might have been engag’d elsewhere.
Many of the Axes, provided by Congress, last Fall, have no Steel. This my Duty requires me to acquaint you of Sir, that they may know of the Imposition.
A Hundred Thousand Feet of wooden hollow-ware have been engag’d at Suffield, and are to be deliver’d, & stor’d at Poughkepsey. The same Number of Canteens, and twenty Thousand Pails, have been sent for to the Eastwards. Sadlery is every where laid out for, when there has been any Prospect of succeeding.
The State of Kingsferry, since Col. Tupper left it, has been much worse than it was before, and, on consulting General M[c]Dougall, it was tho’t most eligible to raise a Company of Watermen for that Purpose. In Consequence of which, one William Sloe, of New York, has had a Warrant from this Department to raise one Lieut. & forty two privates, who are to be equally divided between himself & Lieut. on each Side the River.
The Capt. & Lieutenant to have the same Pay and Rations as like Ranks in the Army, and the Men six Pounds ⅌ Callender Month.
They are all to engage for a Year, unless sooner discharg’d, in which Cases they are to receive the customary allowance.
All the Clothing is not yet arriv’d from Fairfield and there are two Boxes stopped at Stamford, by order of Governor Trumbull, on hearing that the Convention of this State had taken on them to stop what is now gone to Headquarters.
Mr Burr has repeatedly been solicited to forward all in his Care, but the Roads and Weather have prevented its coming forward. It is now hourly expected, and shall be sent on, as soon as it arrives.
My not hearing from General Mifflin, on what I mention’d in the first of this Letter, and being inform’d that he was not at Headquarters, induc’d me to trouble your Excellency with this tedious, dull Scrawl, for which I ask Pardon.
If it be most agreeable to your Excellency that I attend at Headquarters please to order it signified to me, and I shall set out with Pleasure, at a Moment’s Notice; otherwise continue promoting the Service where I am till further Orders.
Since I receiv’d ten thousand Dollars from Major Huntington, I have been oblig’d to borrow near 7,000 Dollars more, all which fall far

short of retrieving the Credit of the Department in this Quarter, paying for what is engag’d.
This last, and what I mention’d in a Former, makes 10,000 that I have borrow’d, so that I think Nothing less than a 100,000 Dollars will keep the Service in a proper State, at present. I must repeat my Concern at being so tedious, but could not be silent where so much is at Stake.
With the greatest Regard for your Excellency’s Health and Success I am, Sir, your most Obedient & very Humble Servt

Hugh Hughes

P.S. I have the Honor to inclose your Excellency a Letter from Genl Heath and am, as before, your Excellency’s most Obedient

H. Hs


Title: From George Washington to William Livingston, 3 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Livingston, William

Sir
Morris Town Feby 3d 1777

I am favor’d with yours of 1st Inst., & shall be happy to hear that your House will adopt the Measures you propose recommding to them.
Our Army is in much the same situation as when I had the pleasure of seeing you here, we have lately had two Skirmishes with large Bodies of the Enemy, in which they have little to boast of, & would have had Less, had not a Colonel of ours behav’d Ill in each, for which I hope they will be justly rewarded—In the first, two ⟨of⟩ their Regimts were oppos’d by our advanced Squad of ⟨160⟩ Men, who behav’d well, & if support’d by the main Body, of abot 260, under command of Colo. Buckner, would have done great damage, we lost but two & from the Best accots we have the Enemy must have lost from 30 to 40 Kill’d, & a proportion wound’d, Amongst the Kill’d, we are Inform’d was their Colo. Comadant, & the Lieut. Colo. wounded, mortally it is said—The last party that came out was headed by Sir William Erskine & consist’d of from two to three Thousand, with 8 field Pieces, they came

for some Hay, which some of our Troops intended taking off same day—they met near the Ground Where the Hay was when a Smart Engagement ensued, when our Troops vastly inferior in number were oblig’d to give way, however they again rallied & Attack’d, when it became a sort of drawn battle, & the Enemy after suffering considerably went off with so much precipitation, that the Hay &C. which they had on their Waggons was in great part, strow’d along the Road.
In this Affair it is said that Colo. Ward has not behav’d well, for which have order’d him under Arrest, Genl Heath after approaching Fort Independance, has thought prudent to retire towards the White Plains—It is confidently said that Genl Howe, has order’d in all or the greatest part of the Rhode Island Troops, & I am Inform’d that Lord Piercy has arriv’d near Frogs Neck with ⟨part of⟩ them. I am with respect & Esteem Dr Sir Yr mo: Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Stephen Moylan, 3 February 1777
From: Moylan, Stephen
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
the 3d February

Your favor of the 31st is this moment Come to hand, I am Sorry the wire did not prove good I will endeavour to get better & Send it by first Conveyance, I will Call at Hiltzemers this morning and enquire of him, indeed See myself the State of the horses, an acct of their Condition I will do myself the pleasure of informing your Excellency in my next. I am most Cordialy Dr Sir Your Most Ob. H. St

S. Moylan


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 February 1777
From: Parsons, Samuel Holden
To: Washington, George

dear General
Fairfield [Conn.] 3d Feby 1777

According to your Excellency’s Permission I came into this State the 22nd of Jany to give what Assistance I could to the Recruiting Service & to forming & regulating the Troops; the 25th I receivd Genl Heath’s Order to return to the Camp near Kingsbridge, which I obeyed with some Degree of Reluctance, as I could not see the Necessity of my Presence there; I found Genl Heath at White Plains last Fryday when he again consented I should return to this State: the Reasons which induc’d Genl Heath to remove from the Neighbourhood of Fort Independance as he ought best to know, he will doubtless inform you of them which I wish may be Satisfactory. our little Army consisted of about Three or four Thousand as good Men, I think, as I ever Saw collected together; & some exceeding good Officers to command them, I have no Doubt the Men would attempt any Thing their Officers would lead them to, & with as much Success as could be expected from Troops not throughly disciplind.

The little Time I was in the State made it impossible for me to become acquainted with any Degree of Certainty of the Number of Recruits raisd in this State; I have orderd Returns from every Regiment which I shall forward to your Excellency as I receive them: I imagine our Whole Numbers do not exceed 1000 or 1500, inlisted; the Soldiers have scarely returnd Home & receivd their Monies; the Officers which I have seen, seem to be incouragd they shall fill their Companies & Regiments without much Difficulty, I have orderd the Places of Rendezvous of every Regiment & shall pay my Attention to forming & regulating the Levies, & give every necessary Information of the Number & Conditions of the Recruits.
As we are Situated on the Sea Coast near Long Island, perhaps some Excursions might be made there with Success & the Enemy harrasd & distresd by destroying the Forage, Waggons &c. which will retard their taking the Field so early in the Spring as they otherwise might; Recruits for our Service may perhaps be raisd at the East End of the Island if these or any other good Purposes can be effected by landing a Body of Troops there, I should glad receive your Excellency’s Permission to make the Attempt: in which Case I should Wish to know in what Light the Inhabitants who have taken the Oath of Allegiance to the King of Great Britain are to be considerd, & whether the Estates of those who have taken an Active Part against the Country are to considerd as Enemy’s Property; Arming the Recruits is, I suppose, a Subject which has been attended to & sufficient Provision made, I should be glad to be informd where they can be armd & furnishd with the Promisd Clothing. I am yr Excellency’s Obedt he Servt

Saml H. Parsons


Title: From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 3 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Sullivan, John

Sir,
Head quarts Morris Town. Feby 3d 1777.

Upon considering the best Mode of distressing the Enemy and rendering their situation still more disagreeable, as well as retarding their early Operations in the Field; I have determined to remove out of their reach all the Horses Waggons & fat Cattle, for which purpose I have appointed Thursday Morning next early for you, Genls Putnam, Warner, & Dickinson to do it. In the mean time you will, in the best & most private manner, collect the necessary Information where these

Articles are. I mean that you shd take a sufficient party to remove them from the whole Country lying between Quibble Town & the Sound, eastward; approaching as near the Enemy as you can in safety; I would by no means have you grasp at too much, lest the Attempt may be entirely frustrated; undertake to remove no more of them than You can with the greatest Certainty & Success accomplish—The forage in the Circle above described I shall let remain till another time. I have dispatched Orders similar to these to the Above mention’d Genls, and have assigned to each of them such parts of the Country as lie most convenient—On the Success of this business, very much depends, let me therefore call yr utmost Attention to it—Doctr Caldwell will be the best person you can apply to, he will give you every possible Assistance—As the Success of this Enterprize depends totally on the Secresy with wch it is conducted I expect you will settle matters so that the Enemy cannot Possibly get a Hint of it, The Horses & Waggons are to be given to the Quarter Master of the Brigade & the fat Cattle to be sent to the Comissary here, except what you want with you.
The Officer of the Party who brings things off must Value & take an Accot of them, the Parties sent need not be large, but see that they are well cover’d.


Title: From George Washington to Jeremiah Wadsworth, 3 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Wadsworth, Jeremiah

Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 3d Feby 1777

The present unsettled State of the Commissary’s department in this quarter, makes me fearful, that unless some Measures are fallen upon to reconcile the jarring Interests of these who act, or pretend to act, under the Appointments of Colo. Trumbull, that the Army will in a little while want Supplies of every kind.
When I ordered the Army to pass into Jersey, the last time, they were delayed two days for want of provisions, and when they got a small Supply, and arrived at Trenton, I could neither find Commissary nor issuing Officer, the Soldiers were obliged to kill the Cattle which they accidentally found there and to serve out some salt provisions which had been left in the Town by the Enemy. Mr Ogden and Mr Dunham had prior to this, acted as Commissaries.

In this distressed Situation I was advised by several Gentlemen to apply to Mr Thomas Lowrey as the most likely person, to throw an immediate Supply of provisions, I did apply, and the provisions were immediately sent in. Soon after my Arrival at this place, Mr Carpenter Wharton came here, and informed me, that he was so busily employed in laying up the great Magazines in pennsylvania and to the Southward, that he could not possibly attend to the Supply of the Army in Jersey, but that I might depend upon Mr Lowrey for every thing. Mr Lowrey undertook this, and Mr Matthew Irwin was fixed as issuing Commissary. Matters being thus arranged, I expected all things would go on smoothly in future and that I should hear no more Complaints.
Mr Ogden and Mr Dunham came to me and talked much of their being ill used, in being displaced, and the preference given to Lowrey, but I told them very shortly, that I was determined to have those in Office who were most likely to serve me best. But I foresaw an inconvenience, which I am apt to think has happened, and that is, that Ogden and Dunham would throw every obstacle in Lowrey’s Way.
A day or two ago Mr Irwin, the issuing Commy came to me and informed me that neither Mr Lowrey nor Mr Wharton took care to keep him supplied, and that had he not purchased many Articles himself, the Army would have been intirely destitute. He likewise shewed me a letter from his Brother in philada who was ordered to purchase Rum, Soap Candles &ca for the Army. Wharton went to him and charged him to desist, as he had no right to purchase any thing for the Army. By this Means the Supply was stopped, as Wharton never sent up the Articles. Thus you see Sir to what a Situation I am likely to be reduced. As Colo. Trumbull has sent you to look into the Business of his department in this quarter, I must beg you to take the trouble to see Lowrey and know what is the Reason of his Conduct, and if there should be a Necessity, that you would likewise endeavour to go on to Wharton at Philada and endeavour to settle Matters some how or other, till Mr Trumbull can come and regulate the Department thoroughly. If you should go to Philada I desire you to shew this Letter to Mr Morris and the Committee of Congress and take their Advice upon the Matter. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from James Warren, 3 February 1777 [letter not found]
From: Warren, James
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from James Warren, 3 Feb. 1777. In his letter to Warren on 15 Mar., GW says that “I was some time since honoured with your Letter of the 3d Ulto.”


Title: General Orders, 4 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Feb: 4th 1777
Stanton.Pittsburgh.

The Honorable The Governor and Assembly of New-Jersey, having directed Thursday the 6th day of this Month, to be observed as a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, by the Inhabitants of the State—The General desires the same may be observed by the Army.
The Quarter Master General will, in future, deliver the following Rations of Provender for the horses employed in the service—viz:
For Light Horse, 16 lb. of Hay, and 10 Quarts of Oats, or 6½ q’ts of Indian Corn, or other Grain in lieu thereof.
For Officer’s Horses belonging to the Foot, who are authorised to draw provender—14 lb. Hay and 6 quarts of Oats, or 4 Q’ts of Indian Corn, or other Grain in lieu thereof.


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 4 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Dr Sir
Morris Town Feby 4th 1777.

This Letter is in addition to my public one of this date—It is to hint to you, and I do it with concern, that your conduct is censured (and by Men of sense and Judgment who have been with you on the Expedition to Fort Independance) as being fraught with too much caution, by which the Army has been disappointed, and in some degree disgraced.

Your Summons, as you did not attempt to fulfil your threats, was not only Idle but farcical; and will not fail of turning the laugh exceedingly upon us—these things I mention to you as a friend (for you will perceive that they have composed no part of my public Letter)—Why you should be so apprehensive of being surrounded, even if Lord Piercy had Landed, I cannot conceive—You know that Landing Men—procuring Horses—&ca is not the work of an hour—a day—or even a Week.
Upon the whole; it appears to me from Information, that if you had pushed vigorously upon your going first to Fort Independance that that Post would have been carried—And query, may it not yet be taken by Surprize? It is nothing for a party of light Troops to March twelve or Fourteen Miles in the course of five or Six hours—an expedition therefore undertaken with precaution, and conducted with Secrecy in a dark Night, may be attended with fortunate consequences—I drop this hint—you may improve, or reject it, as Circumstances will justifie—too large a body for such an Enterprize might be unwieldy, & expose the measure to discovery. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

G. Washington


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Mifflin, 4 February 1777
From: Mifflin, Thomas
To: Washington, George

My dear General
Philadelphia 4th February 1777

The several Points mentioned in your Last Letter have been attended to. I gave to Col. Knox an Order to procure in New England Two thousand Tents. I have purchased Russia Duck and every other kind of Canvas that I could find in this Town fit for Tents—The Sail Makers are at Work repairing & making Tents. The Ammunition Wagons are on hand—Five are finished—The Tomhawks will be compleated—One thousand are brought in. But those Contracts and the Magazines of Forage cannot be prosecuted with the Dispatch requird. I have no Cash nor can I procure any from Congress. I sent Mr Butler to Baltimore for that Purpose—He returned Yesterday with an Order in my Favor on the Loan Office here for 450,000 Dollrs—I applied for payment and recevd in Answer that he (Mr Smith Commissioner of the Loan) had not One Farthing; but was 12000 Dlrs in Debt. I mention this Circumstance that I may not be responsible for Neglects not my own.
The flat bottom Boats & Artillery Flats go on well—the Workmen are to be paid weekly—my last Dollar has been paid this Morning to Major Ayres to prevent a Delay in his Contract.

I was prepared to set off this day for Lancaster Reading & Easton but am now prevented by the protesting of Congress’s Draft—I will do as much as possible without Cash; how long our Credit will hold cannot be ascertaind—in many Places it begins to fail already.
The Saddle cannot be finish’d agreeable to your Excellencys Wish—I will therefore equip it in a plain Habit for the present and keep a Look out for the necessary Materials to suit your Orders. I am with great Attachment Your Exy Obt sert

Thomas Mifflin

My dear General

Since I writ the above the enclosed papers were given to me with a Request to forward them to your Excellency—I do not pretend to censure the proceedings of the Gentlemen who imprisond but I think it bad policy to confine persons who will act the part of Martyrs and who cannot consistantly with their own principles take an active part against us. If your Excellency thinks proper to order a Release it will gratify many of your Friends and prevent some who wish to injure our Cause from charging us with Cruelty and an Imitation of the Enemy. Your Exy

T.M.


Title: To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 4 February 1777 [letter not found]
From: Putnam, Israel
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Israel Putnam, 4 Feb. 1777. When writing to Putnam on 5 Feb., GW says that “Your favor of Yesterday . . . I have received.”


Title: Orders to Nathaniel Sackett, 4 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Sackett, Nathaniel

Sir,
[Head Quarters, Morristown, 4 February 1777]

The advantage of obtaining the earliest and best Intelligence of the designs of the Enemy—The good character given of you by Colo. Duer—and your capacity for an undertaking of this kind, have induced

me to entrust the Management of this business to your care till further orders on this head.
For your own trouble in this business I agree, on behalf of the Public, to allow you Fifty Dollars pr Kallender Month—and here with give you a Warrant upon the Paymaster Genl for the Sum of Five hundred Dollars to pay those whom you may find necessary to Imploy in the transaction of this business—An Acct of the disbursements of which you are to render to me. Given at Head Quarters at Morristown this 4th day of Feby 1777.

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Henry Sherburne, 4 February 1777
From: Sherburne, Henry
To: Washington, George

Sr
Hartford Feby 4th 1777

I am this Day informed that Mr Oswald whom your Excellency had appointed Lt Colonel of my Regiment, had prefered a Majority in the Artillery to that of a Lt Col. in a Marching Regt—as that is the Case of Course there is a Vacancy, which I should be extreamly happy might be fill’d by Major Meggs (If agreeable to Your Excellency) this Gentleman

from his Universal Good Character I make no doubt would do honor to himself and service to his Country.
The four New England States have lately Resolved to give an additional Bounty of Ten pounds S. M[one]y to each Man that shall inlist, into the Regiments which they are to Raise; this unexpected step has put a total stop to the Recruiting of the sixteen additional Regiments, and as we are Confined to the Resolve of the Continental Congress, which only allows us to give Twenty Dollars Bounty, I am at loss what to do, but hope your Excellency will give such Directions, upon that head as will enable us to Recruit our Regiments with as much Dispatch as the Eighty Eight. I am with great Respect Your Excellencys most obedt humble servt

Hy Sherburne


Title: Orders to Major General Stirling, 4 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Stirling, Lord (né William Alexander)

My Lord,
[Head Quarters, Morristown, 4 February 1777]

You are to repair to Baskenridge and take upon you the command of the Troops now there, & such as may be sent to your care.
You are to endeavour, as much as possible, to harrass and annoy the Enemy by keeping Scouting parties constantly (or as frequently as possible) around their Quarters.
As you will be in the Neighbourhood of Genls Dickenson and Warner I recommend it to you to keep up a corrispondance with them, and endeavour to regulate your Parties by theirs, so as to have some contantly out.
Use every means in your power to obtain Intelligence from the Enemy wch may, possibly, be better effected by engaging some of those People who have obtaind Protections, to go in under pretence of asking advice than by any other means.
You will also use every means in your power to obtain, & communicate, the earliest accts of the Enemy’s Movements, and to Assemble in the speediest manner possible your Troops either for offence or defence. Given at Hd qr the 4th February 1777.


Title: From George Washington to Carpenter Wharton, 4 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Wharton, Carpenter

Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 4th Feby 1777

I have your favr of the 29th last Month. The Beef and Spirit came safe to hand, for which I am obliged to you.
I am glad to find that you go on so well in the establishment of the great Magazines, and I beg you will constantly keep removing your Salt provisions Flour and Liquors into them as you collect them, never keeping more in and about Philada than are absolutely necessary for the Troops that will be upon their march from the Southward. I am likewise pleased with your having appointed Commissaries on the Roads to the southward of Philada for the accommodation of the Troops on their way.
I do not think there will be any Necessity for a Magazine at Winchester, the Country is very plentiful and the Body of Troops in that quarter can never be large, besides the Congress have already directed that a Magazine should be established at Pittsburgh in case any Indian disturbances should happen, which is the only event that can draw a force that way.
I wish matters in the Commissary’s department were, or could be, put upon a proper footing here. When Mr Lowrey undertook the victualling and supplying the Army in Jersey, I thought I should have no more trouble. But Mr Irwin, the issuing Commissary, informed me a few days ago, that Mr Lowrey had scarcely supplied him with any one Article, and that if he had not purchased himself, the Army must have been destitute.
I have directed Capt. Wadsworth (who is sent by Colo. Trumbull to look into the State of the Commissary’s department) to go to Lowrey and enquire into this strange conduct, and he is then to proceed on to you, and endeavour to put Matters in some train till Colo. Trumbull comes down himself. For I am determined to have a thorough enquiry into the Causes of the disorders in the Commissary line, and whoever appears to have been in fault shall answer for it. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Chase, 5 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Chase, Samuel

Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 5th Feby 1777

I have yours of the 23d January inclosing a Resolution of Congress, whereby you are appointed one of seven Gentlemen to enquire into the Conduct of the British and Hessian Officers towards the Officers and Soldiers in the Service of the States and towards the Inhabitants of the States of New Jersey and New York.
To take a particular account of all the Ravages and devastations would be endless, I shall therefore employ some proper person to take the Depositions of people in different parts of the province of New Jersey who have been plundered after having taken protection and subscribed the Declaration.
One thing I must remark in favor of the Hessians, and that is, that our people who have been prisoners generally agree that they recd much kinder treatment from them than from the British Officers and Soldiers. The Barbarities at princetown were all committed by the British, there being no Hessians there. I sent Genl Howe a deposition taken from Lieut. Yates who afterwards died of the wounds he recd after he surrendered, but you will see by Copy of a letter transmitted to Congress that Genl Howe disavows and reprobates all such proceedings. There has been another Instance of Barbarity in a Skirmish on the 1st of this Month. Lieut. Kelly of the 5th Virginia Regt was slightly wounded in the Thigh, but before he could get off the Feild he was overtaken and cruelly murthered. Genl Stephen sent in a flag to Sr William Erskine complaining of this savage Manner of carrying on war, but I do not know his answer. I have heard that orders were given at Trenton to make no prisoners, but kill all that fell into their Hands, but of this there is no proof.


Title: From George Washington to Brig. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 5 February 1777 [letter not found]
From: Washington, George
To: Dickinson, Philemon

Letter not found: to Brig. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 5 Feb. 1777. In his letter to GW of 9 Feb., Dickinson says that “your Excellency’s of the 5th Inst. did not come to hand till last Evening.”


Title: From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 5–6 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Gates, Horatio

Dear Sir,
Head quarters. Morris Town. Feby 5[-6]th 1777

The slowness and irregularity with which the Militia leave Philada renders the presence of some Genl Officer in that City indispensably necessary; And as You have been there & no doubt are better acquainted with the best Mode of equiping & dispatching them than any new one, I request your Continuance there ’till You hear farther from me. In the mean time I must call your utmost Attention to this business, as of the last Consequence perhaps to Us.
I have already been deceived with respect to the Numbers said to have left Philada to join me, and shall continue to be so (without the least fault in the Commg Officer there) if they are permitted to march from thence in small Bodies with but few Officers; too many of them return to their homes making plunder of every thing furnished them by the Public to enable them to take the Field. Nor can this scandalous practice be checked & punished, as no Acct is taken of the Officers names who command them—I would therefore have You send me with every detachment an Acct of the names of the Officers commanding and number of Men that leave you to join me, as also of the several Articles furnished them by the Public, that when discharged they may have their Accts settled here.
I am much at a loss what Step to take to prevent the spreading of the smallpox; should We innoculate generally, the Enemy, knowing it, will certainly take Advantage of our Situation; ’Till some good Mode can be adopted, I know of no better than to alter the Route of the Troops marching from the South; You will therefore command all such to pass by the way of Newtown, and not to touch at Philada under the most certain and severe Penalty—To accomodate them whilst at Newtown, I would have an Issuing Store instantly established there; and likewise an Officer of some distinction quartered there, whose business shall be to receive & forward them. If it can be made convenient to Colo. Dehaas, I wish he could be appointed to this duty.
I am informed that a most infamous practice prevails among the Soldiery in Philada of inlisting into several Corps; it must not be suffered. For which purpose I have inclosed you a Genl Order agst it—

Make it public, and have it most rigorously executed, as I am resolved to extend not the smallest degree of Mercy to such Offenders. I am Dear Sir Yr most Obdt Hble Sevt

Go: Washington

6th P.S. Since writing the above, I have come to the Resoluto. of Innoculatg the Troops, and have given Orders to that purpose as well at Philada as here. This is the only effectual Method of putting a Period to the Disorder.


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

Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 5th Feby 1777

I am honored with yours of the 24 January with sundry Resolves of Congress and a petition of Monsr Pellisiers inclosed. I am not the proper [person] to refer the Petition to as I am no judge of his merit as an Engineer, having never had an opportunity of seeing any of his performances. At any rate I do not see the necessity of appointing him or any other person principal Engineer at Ticonderoga, for that would exclude any other, tho’ of superior Abilities from being sent there. Besides as a Corps of Engineers will in all probability be soon established, Monsr Pellisier’s Rank can then be settled with more propriety.
I forgot to mention in any of my former Letters that I had appointed Capt. Nathaniel Guest of Virginia to the command of a Regiment to be raised upon the Frontiers of Virginia & Carolina, and I have directed him if possible to bring a Company or two of Cherokee Indians. If they can be procured, they will answer two valuable purposes, one as excellent Scouts, the other, that they will be in fact Hostages, and will secure the good behaviour of their Nation.
Major Bland, commandant of the Virginia Horse, has desired to know whether there is not a necessity of giving a Bounty and reinlisting his Regiment as continental Troops. They were inlisted to serve in the Colony, and the Men were with some difficulty prevailed upon to march hither, but the Major thinks they would be intirely reconciled upon receiving the Bounty.
I recd a letter from Mr Chase desiring I would appoint proper persons to make enquiry into and take depositions concerning the Behaviour

of the British and Foreign Troops in Jersey. This would be an endless task, as their line of march is marked with devastation, and is a thing of such public notoriety, that it demands no further proof. I remonstrated with Genl Howe upon the treatment of our wounded at princetown, you will see by the inclosed letter from him, that he disavows and detests the proceeding. But I fear that too much encouragement is given to such barbarous Behaviour by the British Officers, for in a late Skirmish in which Sr William Erskine commanded, Lieut. Kelly of the 5th Virginia Regiment was slightly wounded in the thigh, but before he could get off the feild, he was overtaken and murthered in a most cruel manner. General Stephen informed me that he would write to Sir William and inform him, that unless such practices were put a stop to, our Soldiers would not be restrained from making Retaliation.
By a letter from Genl Heath of the 30th last month, I find that he had decamped from the Neighbourhood of Kingsbridge and removed back towards the white plains. His reasons, for so doing, were that the Troops could not stand the inclemency of the Weather, and that he feared the Troops expected from Rhode Island would land upon his Back. I have however directed him to leave a Body of light Troops under an active Officer in order to harrass their foraging Parties and to cover our own, who are to remove as much of the forage from West Chester County as they can. And after leaving as many men as will secure the passes in the Highlands, the remainder are to be sent over here to join me, for I am apprehensive that the Enemy are reinforcing themselves at Brunswic.
I shall tomorrow send out parties from every quarter to remove all the Waggons, Horses, Cattle and Sheep, or as many as possible, from the neighbourhood of the Enemy’s lines. They are to attend particularly to the Horses, for if we can reduce those that they at present have, and can hinder them from getting fresh ones from the adjacent Country, it will be impossible for them to move their Artillery and Waggons forward, should they incline to make another push towards Philada.
I observe by your last Resolves that the Militia of Baltimore Harford and Cecil Counties in Maryland are ordered out and to march this way. Let me intreat you to suffer none to go forward to Philada but what are equipped with Arms Accoutrements & Blankets, they hurt the service much by taking those things, only for a short time, from the continental Troops, many of whom would otherwise be enabled to take the Feild.
The Secretary of the Board of War has transmitted me extracts of Genl Schuyler’s letters, in which he calls pressingly for some General

Officers to be sent to his Assistance. This will shew you the necessity of immediately making the promotions recommended in mine of the 22d January. For at present, I cannot spare a General Officer from this quarter without injuring the Service.
Nothing of consequence has happened since I wrote to you last, except a Skirmish on the 1st of this month five or six miles from Brunswic landing, between our advanced parties about seven hundred in the whole, and upwards of two thousand of the Enemy under Sir William Erskine. The Heat of the engagement was between Colo. Scott of the 5th Virginia Regiment, who with about one hundred Men, beat back two hundred of the British Grenadiers. Several other Officers behaved with great spirit, but there is some reason to suspect that Colo. Andrew Ward who commanded our main Body, did not behave altogether as he ought.
I have ordered a Court upon him, that the Matter may be fairly canvassed, and that he may stand condemned or acquitted by the Evidence of those who were present. Colo. Buckner of the 6th Virginia Regiment who was under Arrest upon a charge of cowardice, broke his parole, and went over to Bucks County, I suppose with an intent to make his Escape, but I dispatched a Troop of light Horse after him, who brought him back yesterday, and he is to take his tryal on Friday.
The small pox has made such Head in every Quarter that I find it impossible to keep it from spreading thro’ the whole Army in the natural way. I have therefore determined, not only to innoculate all the Troops now here, that have not had it, but shall order Docr Shippen to innoculate the Recuits as fast as they come in to Philadelphia. They will lose no time, because they will go thro’ the disorder while their cloathing Arms and accoutrements are getting ready.
From the first institution of civil Government, it has been the national policy of every precedent State to endeavour to engage its Members to the discharge of their public duty by the obligation of some Oath; its force and happy influence has been felt in too many instances to need any Arguments to support the Policy, or prove its utility—I have often thought the States have been too negligent in this particular and am more fully convinced of it from the Effect Genl Howe’s excursion has produced in New Jersey. An oath is the only substitute that can be adopted to supply the defect of principle. By our inattention to this Article we lose a considerable Cement to our own Force, and give the Enemy an opportunity to make the first tender of the oath of allegiance to the King. Its baneful influence is but too severely felt at this time. The People generally confess they were compelled to take protection and subscribe the declaration, yet it furnishes many with Arguments to refuse taking any active part; and further they alledge themselves

bound to a neutrality at least. Many conscientious People who were well wishers to the Cause had they been bound to the States by an Oath, would have suffered any Punishment rather than have taken the Oath of Allegiance to the King, and are now lost to our Interest, for want of this necessary tie. Notwithstanding the Obligation of the Association, they do not conceive it to have the same effect of an Oath. The more united the Inhabitants appear, the greater Difficulty Howe will have in reconciling them to regal Government, and consequently the less hope of conquering them. For these Reasons and many more that might be urged, I should strongly recommend every State to fix upon some Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance to be tendered to all the Inhabitants without exception, and to out law those that refuse it. I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect Sir Your most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 5 February 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
White Plains [N.Y.] Feby 5th 1777

I have just received the Honor of your’s of the 2nd Instant.
Nothing material hath happened since my last—We have been busily engaged in foraging, and have collected considerable Quantities—To morrow morning we are to make a grand forage in N. Rochell and East Chester—Our Chain of Troops for covering the foragers, is to form a little East of Williams’s Tavern—The Loss of the forage to the Enemy must greatly distress them, as they were daily carrying of it off, before our Arrival; and I am just informed that they are actually killing numbers of their most indifferent Horses on account of the scarcity of Forage.
We have found Seven Hogsheads of Rum at one place; and at another upwards of Twenty Barrels of Beef and Pork; Thirty odd Hams &c.—A small Boat lately put off into the Sound, and brought in a Sloop loaden with Seventeen Cords of Firewood, & Sixteen Barrels of very fine Sider—I shall transmit to your Excellency every Occurence that transpires worthy of notice—I am informed by a Deserter from the Enemy yesterday that the Soldiers say they have now got their hands full—And that their Force is much altered of late—that their principal Hopes are now fixed upon the Russians 24000 of whom they say will arrive in the Spring.

As soon as I can secure the Forage that is near the Enemy, I shall remove the Magazines much further back than they are at present—I shall also get Intelligence if possible of the Magazines of the Enemy on Long Island—And if practicable attempt to destroy them. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most humble Servt

W. Heath


Title: To George Washington from the Pennsylvania General Assembly, 5 February 1777
From: Pennsylvania General Assembly
To: Washington, George

May it please Your Excellency
Philadelphia Feby 5. 1777.

The receipt of Your Excellencys letter of the 31st ult. respecting the desertion of the army and the encouragement given thereto, is hereby acknowledged.
With deep concern we have observed the prevalence and growth of the evils Your Excellency complains of, and the protection afforded to those who are the Subjects thereof, by persons in the neighbourhoods from whence they originally came: And so sensible was this house of the dangerous consequences which may arise to this, and the United States, from the evils before mentioned, that we had it in contemplation to provide (if possible) an adequate remedy for preventing the same, before we received Your Excellencys favour—and, as the measure is now entered upon, we shall, with the utmost dispatch, endeavour to carry it into execution.
We assure Your Excellency, that this house hath no object more in View, than with unshaken firmness to adopt, and pursue, every salutary and prudent measure which may have a tendency to secure the enjoyment, and continuance, of that Freedom, which, by the Laws of God and Nature, we are entitled to and will, on all occasions, within our sphere, exert the utmost of our abilities to enable Your Excellency to carry on with proper Vigour, the measures necessary for establishing and maintaining the Freedom of this, and the United States of America—And particularly to discountenance, discourage and punish every person within this State, who shall shew, by their conduct that they are inimical to, and who shall act in opposition to its welfare.

By order of the House of Assemblyof the State of Pennsylvania
John Jacobs Speaker


Title: General Orders, 6 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Feby 6th 1777.

The General is informed, that many frauds and abuses have been committed of late, by sundry Soldiers, who after inlisting in one regiment, and receiving the Bounty allowed by Congress, have deserted, inlisted in others, and received new Bounties, for prevention of such unjust, and infamous practices, commands & strictly enjoins all officers of the Continental Army, to use their utmost endeavours to detect those who shall be guilty of such offences, and them having apprehended, they cause to be forthwith tried by a General Court Martial, that they may be dealt with according to their crimes.
The General thinks proper to declare that this offence is of the most enormous and flagrant nature, and not admitting of the least palliation

or excuse; whosoever are convicted thereof, and sentenced to die, may consider their execution certain and inevitable.
That such impositions may be less practicable every Officer engaged in the recruiting Service, is required to have a peice of blue, red or yellow Ribband or Tape, fixed in the Hat of each soldier recruited, at the time of enlistment; which he shall constantly wear, under pain of receiving 39 Lashes, ’till the Regiment, or Corps to which he belongs is assembled and joins the army.


Title: Circular to the New England States, 6–7 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: New England States

Gentlemen,
Head quarters. Morris Town. Febry [6-]7th 1777

As the Arrival of a sufficient quantity of small Arms from Europe in time to arm the Continental Troops is a matter of great uncertainty, proper steps should be taken immediately in yr State to collect all that can be purchased from private People.
The Custom of hiring them for the Campain is attended with many bad Consequences; The owners take little Care of them & carry them away, or sell & change them when they please.
Particular Attention should be paid to the quality of the Firelock; no trash or light Arms should on any Acct be received in the Public Store: If they are not substantial both in Stock, Lock & Barrell they should be thrown upon the hands of Commissary who purchased them. I am with the greatest Esteem & Regard Yr most Obedient Humble Servant

Go: Washington

P.S. Letters from Genl: Schulyer inform me that the Post of Tyconderogo is left almost entirely naked, that it is in no situation of resistance: You will therefore be pleased to hurry on your Regiments and order them immediately to that place.


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 6 February 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General,
West Chester [N.Y.] Feby 6th 1777

The last evening I received the honor of yours of the 3d & 4th Instant, which has given me great Pain—Perhaps I may venture to say that no Officer is more attentive to Orders or more anxious to carry them into Execution than I am—When I received your Excellency’s Orders to march towards Kingsbridge, nothing could be more agreable than the Manoeuvre; but I cannot say the taking the Command of a Body of Troops intirely Militia was so—it was indeed far otherwise—Before I received your Excellency’s Orders to move myself towards Kingsbridge, upon the Application of the Committee of the State of New York, I appointed General Parsons to take the Command of the Troops destined for their Secret Expedition—He gave me his answer in writing, accepting the Command in Obedience to Orders, but at the same time desiring that his Answer might remain in writing, that it might appear that altho’ he chearfully obeyed Orders, yet that he considered the taking the Command of a Body of Militia for such an attempt, to use his own Words, as a Sacrafice of his Character—By your Excellency’s Orders to me his has escaped, but it seems mine is to receive the fatal Stab—As I feel myself much interested in this matter, your Excellency will bear with me to be a little explicit, and to recapitulate the whole Expedition.
Upon my Arrival before the Fort I Summoned the Garrison to surrender, as your Excellency is sensible is the practice on the first Investing of a Place—and this in particular I did at the motion of a Gentleman before I left Peeks-kill, as it was supposed the Garrison consisted of Hessian Troops, and from some preceding Circumstances, it might answer a very good purpose—And altho’ some of the Enemy may laugh at a Fort being summoned and not taken, I believe they will scarcely publish the Summons—After this I called a Council of War as I did in every Instance of Importance during our Continuance before the Fort, and in every of them the Council were unanimous—I have taken the Liberty to enclose one of them to wit, that preceding our Remove, by which your Excellency will perceive, that the Landing of Lord Piercy to surround us, was not so much as mention’d—The facts were briefly these—the Troops were scattered in a Circle of more than Eight miles—we had tried to Hut them, but the Rain preceding our Remove, had driven four of General Lincoln’s Regiments from their Huts, with the Loss of nearly all their Ammunition—The Enemy had sallied early one morning and Surprised one of our out Guards the Regiment nearest the place were struck with a panic, & had quitted their Quarters leaving their Baggage—the Troops were so scattered as

not to be collected in less than two or three hours—In which case those who were quartered within Cannon Shot of the Fort, as was the Case would be entirely cut to pieces, before they could be supported—A diffidence & uneasiness were discovered in even the bravest Officers, in such a Situation, and a universal desire to get more advantageously quartered—Every Officer objected to a Storm, as they apprehended the Militia inadequate to such an Enterprize—Every purpose it was supposed would, and has been answered by the Troops in their present Cantonment, except that of Reducing the Fort—No Officer could be more anxious to effect something to purpose than I have been during the Expedition here, or more harrassed, perplexed, and fatigued with an undisciplined Militia, and if after all this & having taken every Step, agreable to the Result of Councils of War, I am to be censured, it is truly discouraging—However if there has been Error in Judgment, we have all been in the dark, except some who may be distinguished for their Sense & Judgment—but if I am not mistaken in them, their Military propositions in some Instances, have been as laughable as my Summons may be—It is not uncommon for those unacquainted with Military Operations, to expect as much from undisciplin’d as Disciplined Troops, if their numbers are considerable—but in our present Case, the Officers of Artillery One and all, informed me that they could not be accountable for the Artillery if they were to be covered with Militia—and every Officer acquainted with Service was wishing for a few Continental Troops, when our conquest would have been easy—I thank your Excellency for your Secret Admonition, but must entreat that you would be pleased to let me know who were your Excellency’s Informers, as you are pleased to mention that they were some who have been with me.
I think what your Excellency is pleased to mention with respect to the Forage we are pursuing—I am a little at loss for your final determination as to my Conduct here In your letter of the 3d Inst. you are pleased to direct, that after fixing a number of Troops in this Quarter, & at Peeks-kill, the Remainder should immediately march forward & join you; & in your Letter of the 4th you are pleased to advise some further attempts on the Fort—The last night I ordered a large Scouting party to march at One O’Clock this morning from S. Ward’s to surprize the Out Guards near Fort Independence—and attempt whatever might appear practicable—I have not as yet heard from them—I had yesterday ordered some of the Troops lower down, & to take Quarters below Ward’s—I shall immediately endeavour to make the necessary Arrangment directed by your Excellency, & shall, in Obedience to your Orders, consult Colo. Duer, otherwise I should not do it, in Military matters, altho’ I much esteem him for his good Sense, &

Judgment in other affairs—It will most probably be several days before the Troops can move in which time I hope to hear again from you, and in the mean time I can assure your Excellency, they shall not be idle.
I thank your Excellency for the Leave you have been pleased to grant me, to ride to N. England nothing but necessity could have induced me to sollicit the favor—I shall endeavour to return in about four weeks from the time that I leave Peekskill, which will give me about Two Weeks at Home. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s Most humbl. Sert

W. Heath


Title: To George Washington from William Livingston, 6 February 1777
From: Livingston, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Haddonfield [N.J.] 6 Febry 1777

I am requested by Congress to procure one or more Affidavits on the following Subjects. 1 The Enemy’s Treatment of Prisoners. 2 Their abusing and mangling Persons upon the Field or elsewhere after Surrender. 3 Their Depredations of Property. & 4 Their ill treatment of Women.
With respect to the 2d Point, if I remember right, I understood from Collo. Flower when I was at Morris Town, that he was a Spectator of their Barbarity towards Capt. Neal of the Artillery. If his Affidavit on that Subject or that of any other Gentleman who can prove the Charge

could be ordered to be taken, & transmitted to me, I should esteem it as a particular Favour. Perhaps some Gentlemen about your Excellency’s Person are able to direct me to Witnesses in support of the other Accusations against the Enemy; for my being in this remote Corner of the State where I can have no personal Intercourse with the Gentlemen of the Army renders it extremely difficult for me to execute the Directions of Congress with the Accuracy I could wish, without some such Assistance—This Consideration, will, I hope, apologize for my thus intruding on your time, which I know must be wholly ingrossed by your Attention to our military operations.


Title: From George Washington to Joshua Loring, 6 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Loring, Joshua

Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 6th Feby 1777

This will be delivered to you by Major Edmenston who was sent down by Genl Schuyler to go into NYork upon parole, to return, or send out an Officer of equal Rank.
If Major Williams of Colo. Rawlins’s Battalion has not been already sent out, I desire he may be the Officer sent in Exchange. If he should have been sent out, I shall be glad that either Major Brown or Major Wells of Connecticut may be released. I am &c.


Title: From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Council of Safety, 6 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Pennsylvania Council of Safety

Gentn
Head Qrs Morristown Feby 6th 1777.

This will be delivered you by Colo. Cooke who commands a Regiment from your State, and whom I beg leave to refer to your Honorable body to settle accounts for such Sums of Money and other Articles as may have been furnished him for raising the same; Also to receive such further advances as he may have occasion for to fill his Regiment. Colo. Cooke having received all disbursements respecting his Regiment, from you, made it improper for me to grant him Money till he had settled with you, and I am to request that I may be favoured with the amount of your advances to him that I may know how to conduct on future applicatn. I have the Honor to be &c.


Title: From George Washington to William Shippen, Jr., 6 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Shippen, William Jr.

Dear Sir
Head Qurs Morristown February 6th 1777.

Finding the Small pox to be spreading much and fearing that no precaution can prevent it from running through the whole of our Army, I have determined that the troops shall be inoculated. This Expedient may be attended with some inconveniences and some disadvantages, but yet I trust in its consequences will have the most happy effects. Necessity not only authorizes but seems to require the measure, for should the disorder infect the Army in the natural way and rage with its usual virulence we should have more to dread from it than from the Sword of the Enemy. Under these circumstances I have directed Doctr Bond to prepare immediately for inoculating in this Quarter, keeping the matter as secret as possible, and request that you will without delay inoculate All the Continental Troops that are in philadelphia and those that shall come in as fast as they arrive. You will spare no pains to carry them through the disorder with the utmost expedition, and to have them cleansed from the infection when recovered, that they may proceed to Camp with as little injury as possible to the Country through which they pass. If the business is immediately begun and favoured with the common success, I would fain hope they will be soon fit for duty, and that in a short space of time we shall have an Army not subject to this the greatest of all calamities that can befall it when taken in the natural way.


Title: From George Washington to Major General Joseph Spencer, 6 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Spencer, Joseph

Dr Sir
Head Qrs Morristown Feby 6th 1777.

I was this Evening favoured with your Letter of the 30th Ulto and approve of your conduct respecting Colo. Ely’s Regiment. Goverr Trumbull in a Letter he was pleased to honour me with, represented the matter & obtained my Answer to the above effect.

The propriety of attacking the Enemy on Rhode Island, I cannot determine. If it can be done with a good prospect & certainty of success, It is much to be wished. A favourable issue to the Enterprize would be attended with the most valuable & important consequences, I shall therefore consent to your calling in the Aid of Four or five Continental Regiments if after mature consideration had of all circumstances, It shall appear to you and your Officers that the scheme can be executed—On the Other Hand, if it shall not seem probable, I would not chuse that they should, as it would be the means of retarding their inlistments and materially injure the service which strongly claims every possible exertion to compleat the Levies. There are two things I would have you to remember that passing a River to attack an Enemy and securing a good retreat in case of a repulse, are attended with many difficulties and proper measures should always be digested for both events.
In respect to a Deputy Q.M. Genl, One I am certain must be necessary and therefore have no objection to Mr Jas Lovells acting in that department upon your recommendation & that of the Gentlemen of providence. I shall be glad to be advised of every material occurrence & such as are worthy of mention.
Nothing of moment has happened of late in the Military line. The Enemy still remain in Brunswick and our force is at the several Neighbouring posts to prevent their foraging as much as possible and obtaining Supplies of provision. I am Sir &c. &c.


Title: From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 6 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.

Sir
Head Quarters Morris Town 6th Feby 1777

I am this evening honored with yours of the 1st inst. and am to thank you for your promise of forwarding the New Levies, which I am sure you will perform to the utmost of your abilities.
I have, as I wrote you in my last, pressed Congress to send you forward a supply of money and the proper Books to open your Loan Office.
As Mr Mease the Clothier General is now here I shewed him that part of your letter respecting Cloathing, and I refer you to him for a letter which he will write to you upon that head.
Instead of hiring Arms, as has been the custom heretofore, I would have them purchased of the Owners on account of the Continent—They will by these means be kept in better repair, for a man looks upon himself at liberty to use his own Firelock as he pleases. But in

the purchase of the Arms I would have special Care taken as to quality, for our Stores are already cumbered with useless ones. I have the Honor to be with sincere Regard Sir your most obedt Servant

Go. Washington


Title: General Orders, 7 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Feby 7th 1777
WilliamsburghYork.


Title: To George Washington from an Anonymous New Jersey Farmer, 7 February 1777
From: Anonymous
To: Washington, George

Pleas Your Excellency
Morris town Febr. 7th 1777

As I have past your Quarters Several times Lately I saw With Concern A number of Peirsons Great Enemies to Your Excellency (as A general) and their Country Pleas therefore to take Great Care of the Name of Ogden, (Particularly that family) and their Connection Peter McKee &c. Depend on What I write here to be fact I know them Well. Abought 5 Days Ago one Wm Stewart an assistant of these fals harted Smooth tong’d fellows Went of to the Enemy, (as I am Well inform’d) I am affraid of the Conciquence. thes fellows With two tory Prisoners at McKees the Night after Long Island Was given Up Was All Drunk in token of their Joy Capt. Canedy & one Doctor Laurance Was the Prisoners—this Club of trators Has been riding all times of Night Just Before Some Expedition of the Enemy from Morristown to Prinstown or Some Where Near their Where Was a member of Convention A friend of theirs another of them at the Sametime Going Down to Newark, to their freinds their Every one of them Most active in their Several Departments I have many Other Reasons for My Present oppinion of these fellows Which Would make them Blush to hear of. However these fellows & their Influence is falling & Will Continew to fall With all the rest of that Abandoned Crew of trators to their Country is the Harty Desire of A farmer Near Your Excellencies Quarters @ Morris town.


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 7 February 1777
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General
West Chester [N.Y.] Feby 7th 1777.

Inclosed is the Opinion of Mr Duer & other Gentlemen of the Committee of Convention of the State of New York—Since I wrote mine of Yesterday, I have seen General Lincoln & Mr Duer, both of whom are in sentiment with me that there is but little prospect of Advantage

from an attempt to surprise Fort Independence, as the Enemy appear very alert—I have ordered the Troops to be in readiness to effect what the Committee propose as to burning the forage, the day after tomorrow—And on the next day one of General Lincoln’s Regiments will march to join your Excellency, & will be followed sucessively by Three others—General Lincoln is to leave 600 men of his Division at Peekskill, which with Col. Gilman’s Regiment from the State of New Hampshire, will I think be a Sufficient Guard, for the Passes of the Highlands and Forts, at present—The Connecticut Militia are to remain to cover the Foragers &c. until your Excellency shall think fit to give further Orders.
Major General Lincoln will set out for your Quarters the day after to morrow, & hopes to be with you by monday Evening.
The Scheme mentioned to be proposed by Quimby, was to supply us with Salt in large Quantities, and to receive provisions, or hard money Therefore I rejected his proposal & have since confined him—he proposed that the Salt should be delivered at some port on the Sound. I have the Honor to be very respectfully your Excellencys most Humble Servt

W. Heath

P.S. I expect to be at Peeks Kill on monday next, If your Excellency should have any orders for the Recruiting Officers of the Regiments in Massachusetts Bay, I shall Carefully Issue them, I shall at Peeks Kill wait your Orders.


Title: To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 7 February 1777
From: Trumbull, Jonathan Sr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Lebanon [Conn.] Feby 7th 1777

I inclose You a Copy of a Letter from Majr Genll Schuyler just recd expressing his strong apprehentions of an attack on Tyconderoga, & pressing me to send forward Troops &c. He has doubtless informed your Excellency of the situation of Affairs in that quarter. were the Quota of this State raised I shod not consider my Self properly authorized to order their march but according to your mind & direction, but unhappily that is far from the Case, many difficulties intervene to retard the recruiting Service, many of our Officers declining, & many embarrasments about appointing & arranging others, a number yet in Captivity, sufficient money not received to pay the premiums nor any Cloathing sent to be delivered out, nor advice how or where it is to be had, which is an essential disadvantage, the very sight of it wod be a great stimulus to our fatigued & almost naked Soldiers.
I understand there is now lodged in this State Cloathg for two Battalions, of scarlet Cloth turn’d up with blue & with buff, part of a Capture brot into Dartmouth in Massachusets, it is said peculiarly thick, strong & lined with Flannel, being designed for Canada. Col. S. Webb lately appointed by You I hear has orders for enough to cloath his Regiment & that He has taken or means to take it of these, they are esteemed more valuable than any others that are expected to be obtained, & fear it will be a ground of Contention. I wish to know whether any methords will be taken to make an equality in value of Cloaths among Them, & how the rest are to be supplyd. We have & are collecting all the Cloth we can in this State for the Army, & hope We shall have enough for two Battalions, & shod wish for your directions, whether & how I shall dispose of them, & that a sufficient quantity for the Troops expected from this State, may be sent & properly lodged within it, & necessary Directions about them, & also the premium money without both which the Service will, as it has already greatly suffered.
I have not certain Evidence but hope, four Battalions viz. Huntingtons, Wyllys, Douglass & Bradleys are at least 200 each, the others less, but cannot say very nearly, the small Pox is spreading in many Towns

comunicated by our cruel Enemies to the Prisoners They have lately sent out & by them thro the Country, which is an additional delay to the recruiting Service. We are constantly doing every thing in our power to promote the Service & hope the Difficulties will be surmounted.
It does not seem in my power to send any relief to Genll Schuyler, the few Continental Troops raised are scattered, unpaid & uncloathed. I shod therefore have no way but to send Militia, & so many of Them are now Voluntiers near New York, at Providence & New London, & every Man of Them in their turns having been drafted, & very many have suffered extreemly by Sickness &C. the last Season, & many died, that it wod be like the Sentence of Death to order any more, & at this extreem season to the north, & Militia are at best but a poor Relief. besides that the frequent Calls upon Them & the great fatigue They have suffered has much tended to give Them a Distaste to the Service, & is one great & principal means of retarding the present Inlistments, & wo’d be so more & more I hope your Excellency will be able to send seasonable Succours that way, or that kind Providence will prevent the need of Them, it wod be the highest possible Satisfaction to be able to comply with every reasonable Requisition for the public Good. I see by Your Instructions for recruiting that the 100 acres of Land is mentioned as an Encouragement, I am at a loss whether that is to be given to those who engage for three years only, as by the last Resolve of Congress which I have seen respecting it, the land was granted to those only who shod engage during the War.
By a Letter from Maj. Genll Green, Copy of which I also inclose, am lead to suggest that the Prisoners lately sent to this State by your Excellency are divided & scaetered into several Towns, & placed in Familys, where some are willing to labour, & to be treated in the same manner as those who are lately gone from Us, some of whom behaved well & some ill, but all claimed their allowance for support over & above their actual Maintenance & wages where They served. I understand they have been confined in Barracks & Goals, in the southern States, We had not such barracks to contain Them, if it wod have been best to keep them in that manner. the Officers have been heretofore very troublesome by pretending to exercise Command over the Men. I wish Your Excellencys direction as to the most proper mode of treating Them, & whether it may be expedient for Us to erect such Buildings if their Behavior shod render it necessary.
I observe the Contents of Your Letters of the 24th ulto & the great Necessity you have of a regular Body of Troops, on whom alone (under God) any Reliance for permanent Security & Defence, can be placed, & am doing every thing possible to promote the raising Them,

but for reasons before mentioned, it has been impossible to forward Them more. I hope however They will be ready early in the Spring. It is a misfortune that cannot be enough lamented that we are so unready to improve so happy an oppertunity as now presents to strike a decicive Blow this Winter.
I observe also by your Letters that You are doing every thing in your Power to forward Cloathing & Money for the new Levys, but as We feel the want of Them so sensibly, I cod not forbear to repeat it.
if Your Excellency shod not think it improper to give me discretionary power to use for the Recruits in this State any Continental Cloathing which may be had in these parts unappriated, I shod hope & believe the Service wod be promoted by it.
Could not a Body of Men on the Grants, or of the green mountain Boys so called be very expeditiously raised for the Relief of Tyonderoga if proper Encouragement was offered, unless Their having before exerted Themselves, & being denyd any Pay, shod have given Them an incurable Aversion to the Service. I am Sir with the greatest Esteem & Regard, Your Excellencys most obedt Humble Servant

Jonth; Trumbull


Title: To George Washington from Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Warner, 7 February 1777 [letter not found]
From: Warner, Nathaniel
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Warner, 7 Feb. 1777. GW informed Warner on 8 Feb. that “Yr favr of yesterday was brought me.”


Title: General Orders, 8 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Feby 8th 1777
Alexandria.Allentown.

The Horses belonging to the Artillery are not to be used under any pretence whatsoever, but the purpose for which they are designed; but are to be held in such readiness, as to move in fifteen Minutes if required. Any officer or soldier, using them contrary to this order will be severely punished—The commanding Officer of Artillery is to take care that their horses Shoes are kept in good order, and fit for use—The Waggon Masters are to pay particular attention in seeing that their horses are always shod and fit for use.

The commanding Officers of regiments and Corps are to see that their Men’s Arms and Ammunition are in good order, and that they are properly supplied with the latter, which is not to be used, but against the enemy; under the severest penalty.
All the duties, except the General’s Guard, to go by detail from the regiments and corps stationed in and near the town. The different Guards to parade together every morning at 9 o’clock, near the Liberty Pole—The officers of the day, with an Orderly Serjeant, to attend Guard Mounting; see them properly divided, and march for their different stations.


Title: From George Washington to James Livingston, 8 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Livingston, James

Sir
Hd qrs Morris Town. Feby 8th 1777.

Yesterday honored me with yr two favs. of the 22d & 25th Ult.—Had the Success that was reasonably expected from the Expedition undertaken by Genl Heath attended our Arms, I had flattering hopes of congratulating my Country on the happy Event of circumscribg her unnatural Foe within very narrow limits, and fair prospect of retardg their early Operations in the next Campain ’till We were completely ready to meet & effectually oppose them—I beg that You wd do me the Justice to believe that I had no other View in mentioning the detention of some of the Contl Cloathing by yr State, than a sincere Wish to deprive the others of the smallest right to charge me with a Predilection in yr favr; tho’ my Inclination might have led to devote an unusual share of Attention to yr Circumstances, yet ’tis necessary for me to endeavour in every instance at impartial Justice—M. Hughes was mistaken when he mentioned to one of yr Members that a part of those Goods were to be left at Peekskill: From the first I intended that they shd be delivered into the hands of Mr Mease the Cloathier Genl who has my Orders to distribute them among the States, having just regard to their numbers, Situation & Circumstances—He is now at this place on that business, & will, when made up, deliver them to the Regimts as they want them.
I should be unhappy in the belief that any part of my Letter to you cd be construed into the slightest hint that you want to interfere in the Military Line—Heaven knows that I greatly want the Aid of every good Man, & that there are not such enviable Pleasures attend’g my Situation as to make me too Jealous of its Prerogatives. Rather than complain of yr late Efforts in the Military way, You deserve the thanks

of Us all, & I feel myself happy in this Oppy of returning You mine in the greatest Truth & Sincerity.
I am not without my Apprehensions for the safety of the Fortress of Tyconderoga & have therefore wrote to N. Hampshire & the Bay, to forward their new Troops to that place with all possible dispatch—From the Acots I receive of the success that attends the recruitg Service in those States, I have reason to expect that Garrison will in a short time be in a respectable state of defence—I am sorry that Experience has too fully proved that Genl Howe has every species of Intelligence he can wish for; I can not therefore suppress my just Indignation at the Extraordinary Requisition made by Mr Loring his Commissary Prisoners that the Canada Gentn should have a safe pass thro’ our Country: Our assistance in returning home I hope they wd not doubt, could Prudence justify Us in indulging them with an oppy of making every discovery they cd wish relating to our Situation—You were therefore perfectly right in refusing him—Every thing in the Cloathg Way passes thro’ the hands of Mr Mease, with him You will please to correspond on that Subject—Nothing material has happend lately. The Enemy’s want of Forage compells them to send out very large Parties to secure it, those are always beat in with some Loss. Their draft & Artillery horses die fast; & now that I have brought all the usefull ones from their Neighbourhood, I think they will meet with much difficulty in advancing. I am Sir Yr mo. Obdt Hb. Servt


Title: From George Washington to the Massachusetts General Court and the New Hampshire Convention, 8 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Massachusetts General Court and the New Hampshire Convention

Gentlemen
Head Quarters Morris town 8th Feby 1777

I have lately recd several letters from Genl Schuyler, calling upon me in the most pressing manner to send up a proper Reinforcement to secure the important pass of Ticonderoga, as he is very apprehensive, that the Enemy will take the advantage and opportunity of crossing the Lake upon the Ice, and making themselves Masters of that valuable Fortress, when the Troops, whose times are nearly expired, come away.

Van Schaicks Regiment, consisting of four hundred Men, from the State of New York, has already marched, and I beg that such Number of Men (belonging to the Quota you are to raise of the 88 Battalions) as are recruited, may be equipped with the greatest expedition and forwarded on to Ticonderoga. If the Regiments are not full, a proper number of Officers should be left behind to compleat them, and march them up, when they are so.
As I have mentioned this matter in one of my former Letters, it may perhaps look like a doubt of your Exertions to press it again, but when you consider of how much importance it is to prevent the Enemy from passing the Lakes and a forming a junction with their force below, I hope you will excuse my m⟨aking this Reque⟩st the Subject of a separate Letter.

⟨Go: Washington⟩


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 8 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Parsons, Samuel Holden

Sir,
Hd qrs Morris Town. Feby 8th 1777.

Yesterday I recd yrs of the 3d Inst. Since Genl Heath, by his retreat to White plains, has given the Enemy time to recover themselves, I do not know at this Time what can be better done in that quart. than adopting the Plan you propose of crossing over to the East end of Long Island & destroying the forage. I am so fully convinced of the Good Effects of this Enterprize, that I have ordered it to be done generally in the Neighbourhood of the Enemy here, in which success has attended Us to our utmost Wish: You will endeavour at the same time to bring off all the draft Horses fit for Service—Colo. Hy Livingstone of the N. York State was lately with me & has my Orders to this purport; with him You will please to concert a good Plan—From the inclosd Proclamatn You will be enabled to regulate yr Conduct with regard to the Tories; No form of an Oath of Allegiance is yet drawn up, but You can easily strike off one that will answer the End designed—They have permission to carry in with them their necessary wearing Apparel, but nothing that can possibly be usefull to the Enemy—their Estates must be secured ’till the Civil power determines what shall be done—I have written to the N. Engld States on the subject

of arming the Troops they are to raise: You will get their Ansr. You will please to publish the inclosed G. Ordr. I am &Ca.

P.S. Genl Schuyler seems to be under great apprehension about Tyconderoga; he has too much Cause. I intend that the Garrison at that place shall come from the Eastern Troops, Yr Attack therefore upon Long Island must not take up time, lest while engaged there the Service may suffer more considerably elswhere.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 8 February 1777
From: Putnam, Israel
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Princeton Febry 8th 1777

I receiv’d your Letter of 3rd Inst: by Express & of 6th by Mr Burr—agreeable to your orders I went yesterday with about 400 men, below the six mile Runn, but with little expectation of finding any thing of importance to bring off—Since I have taken post at this place, the troops have been fed altogether, with what was collected from within the enemy’s reach, & have at present large quantities of Flour; and some Pork collected from the same quarter to Newton—of meat I found none good, and but little eatible, but brought away all that was tolerable, and the few waggons that remained. I shall employ in bringing off Grain of different Kinds and Hay if there are still large quantities, particularly Corn, within 4 or 5 miles of Brunswick—The Waggons if taken are of but little consequence, the forage of much Importance—The Inhabitants of that quarter are much distressed for their Waggons, as they have but little wood, nor any other way of drawing. I shall detain them & continue to employ them as above ⟨until I receive⟩ your further Orders—I found at the 6 mile runn & brought off, a yoke of Oxen, a Cart, 2 Hhds of Sails & a Medicine Chest, left at one Johnsons in our retreat from Brunswick—The parties I sent out went within sight of the Enemy’s Centries—but not a man has been

seen without their Lines for some days past. Is this not the time for a general attack? to the greatest without advantage—I find a Correspondence has been carried on between Mr Cochran of this place, now Commisary at Brunswick & his wife—I had intelligence that she receiv’d a letter a few days past—& I obliged her to deliver it up—in this he instructs her to be saving of her Provisions, as there will be probably a scarcity in the Spring—desires her to minute down the names of all the Persons who had taken Hydes or Tallow, while he acted as Commissary here, he expects to be at home early in the spring is weary of a Military life, thinks he could content himself in a log Hutt, if blessed with peace, mentions other letters he had written which she says are burnt—I propose for the next offense to send her to Brunswick, will do it immediately if you think proper—several of the English Officers were previous to the manœuvre of the 6th Inst: so far recovered, that I proposed removing them, but it was currently reported & believed that a General Attack was to be made on Brunswick—at this they all Sickened—Lt Donop died & was buried yesterday—the others tho sensibly better since our return are still confined to their Beds—Capt. Gamble has received your Letter—I continue my scouts & Guards, as usual except that at the Dutch Church or 6 Mile Run which I have taken off—I detached 50 good Riflemen the 3rd Inst. to the round abouts, a point of woods on the Rarriton below Brunswick to annoy the Enemies Boats that are passing & repassing with Provisions & Stores—Col. Nielson furnishes a pilot & particular Directions—I have had no report from them—The Hessian Major at Trenton is died & buried agreeable to his last request, in true Hessian taste—Booted & spurred—with Hat, Whip, Sword & Pistols that he may rise accoutred to face the last & worst of Enemies. I am with the Utmost Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Hume Servt

Israel Putnam

N.B. Since writing the above, I receivd the enclosed Letter from the officers of the Riflemen at the Round abouts.


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 8 February 1777
From: Reed, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Burlington [N.J.] Feby 8 1777.

I beg Leave to remind you of an Application I made to your Excelly before I left Morris Town in Behalf of Mr Odell a Gentleman of this Place who acts in the double Capacity of a Clergyman & Physician. He was drove from his Home by the Violence of the Gondola Men who hunted him in such a Manner as in my Opinion made it necessary for him to retire to preserve his Life. At that time the Enemy surrounded the Town so that it was not possible for him to go out of Town without passing through them. While absent some from Ignorance & others perhaps through Design carried such alarming stories of his Danger & the Reward offered for apprehending him that he went on wi⟨th⟩ others after the Troops to Amboy where he is now an⟨d is⟩ waiting Permission to return to his Family & Pati⟨ents.⟩ If your Excellency has not altered your Sentiments sin⟨ce⟩ Mr Cox & myself laid this Matter before you I flatt⟨er⟩ myself you will be so good as to sign the inclosed Passport & return it by the Bearer.
Believe me, Sir, I would not urge this Request if I was not fully satisfied

not only that the Indulgence will not be detrimental to the Service, but that the poor Soldiers & Inhabitants from Mr Odell’s Attendance will make it a publick Benefit. An Officer died here a few Days ago from a Wound seeming slight & as is generally believed for Want of proper Assistance.
We have the most satisfactory Accounts that this Gentleman since he has been with the Enemy has been constantly employed in relieving, and assisting those Persons who were carried off from this Part of the Country getting some discharged & procuring Indulgences to others.
If any Engagements are thought necessary I am sure Mr Odell will enter into them not to correspond with or hold any kind of Connection with the Enemy & I will be responsible for his Fidelity in the Observance of them.
Your Excellencys Compliance will besides relieving the Distress of a very worthy Family add one more to the many Favours received by Dear Sir Your most obliged & Affect. Hbble Servt

Jos: Reed

I propose to be with your Excellency in the Course of 10 Days or a Fortnight—but if I can be of any particular Service I will obey your Commands on the shortest Notice.


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Nathaniel Warner, 8 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Warner, Nathaniel

Sir,
Morris Town Feby 8h 1777.

Yr favr of yesterday was brought me; in it I discover that you have succeeded entirely to my Wishes in removg the Waggons & Horses from out of the Enemies reach—As the Enterprize was calculated to distress the Enemy, the removal of every Article that might be usefull

to them, came within the Meaning of the Order—You will therefore direct all the fat Sheep & Hogs near them to be brought off, & dealt with agreeable to former Orders. I am Sir Yr &C.


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 8 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Webb, Samuel Blachley

Dear Sir
Head Qrs Morristown Feby 8th 1777.

I last night received your Letter of the 1st Instt, and am sorry to find that you meet with so many difficulties in raising your Regiment.
I cannot request Governor Trumbull to advance the Extra bounty; That would be approving a measure which I have always condemned as impolitick and injurious to the General interest, and would be promoting a proceeding, so far from being authorized by the Voice of the States in Congress, that it has been reprobated. I am glad you have set his Honor the Governor right in respect to the encouragement to the additional Batallions—there is no difference. Troops who engage for three Years, or during the War, receive the same. I wish as many to be inlisted for the latter Term as possible. I am persuaded no exertions on your part will be wanting, to make up your Regiment: perhaps industry & perseverance will get the better of the Obstacle you mention, tho I am not very sanguine in my expectation that they will. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 9 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Morristown, Feby 9th 1777.
Burlington.Bedford.

The General Court Martial held at Chatham, the 8th Inst: whereof Brigadier General St Clair was President, for the trial of Col. Mordecai Buckner, accused of “Shamefully Misbehaving before the Enemy, in thc Action of the 23rd of Jany last,” And of “Quitting his post and party in time of engagement”—have after mature consideration, sentenced the said Col. Mordecai Buckner, to be cashiered, and declared incapable of any military office, in the service of the United States.
The General & Commander in Chief, approves the sentence, and orders the said Col. Mordecai Buckner, forthwith to depart the American Army.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel David Chambers, 9 February 1777
From: Chambers, David
To: Washington, George

Sir
Rareton [N.J.] Feby 9th 1777

I Observ’d your Excellency’s letter of the 14th of last Month, where from some Malitious informant, I am made highly criminal or rather the Officers of my Batalion, for scandulously taking Goods out of the Stores at Princetown, and converting the same to their private uses, and that too through my connivance, I abhor the charge much more the fact—According to the direction of the above recited letter I appeared before Genl Putnam to whome I reported my conduct (a copy of which is inclosed) who approved of the same—As I am conscious of my own innocence I earnestly request your Excellency will appoint some Officer before whome it may be desided, and that the informer may support the charge or I be Acquited. I am Sir your most Obedient & very Hume Sert

David Chambers


Title: To George Washington from Nicholas Cooke, 9 February 1777
From: Cooke, Nicholas
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Providence February 9th 1777.

I have been favoured with your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th and 24th ultimo and have laid them before the General Assembly.
The Enemy having landed not less than 7,000 Troops upon Rhode Island, and being possess’d of the Bay with a large Fleet laid us under the Necessity of establishing a Body of Forces with all possible Expedition. In this Situation, when it was impracticable to fill the Continental Battalions, the Assembly set on Foot Two Regiments of 750 Men each, and One Regiment of Artillery of 300 Men to serve for Fifteen Months. The following is the Form of the Inlistment of the non-commissioned Officers and Privates “I the Subscriber do hereby solemnly engage and inlist myself as a Soldier, in the Pay of the State of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations for the Preservation of the Liberties of America and the Defence of the United States in general and of this State in particular from the Day of my Inlistment for and during the Term of Fifteen Months unless sooner discharged by the General Assembly and I hereby promise to submit myself to all the Orders and Regulations of the Army, and faithfully to observe and obey all such Orders as I shall receive from Time to Time from my Officers.” And the following is a Clause in the Commissions issued to the Officers “And in Case of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy to infest or disturb this or any other of the said States you are to alarm and gather together the  under your Command or any Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith to the utmost of your Skill and Ability you are to resist expel kill and destroy them, in Order to preserve the Lives Liberties and Properties of the good People of this and the other United States” Consequently those Regiments are as much held and designed to do Duty in every Part of the United States as the Continental Battalions, and to render them effectually so, they are by Act of Government put under the Command of General Spencer and the other Generals of the Continental Army: And when Congress shall have ordered them into their Service, there will be no other Difference between them, than that the former are inlisted for Fifteen Months and the latter for Three Years, or during the War. Early Information of the Footing upon which these Troops was raised were given to Our Delegate in Congress who tells us in a Letter of the 7th ulto that he had laid the same before Congress, and that the Measures we had taken gave him great Satisfaction. And I am extremely sorry it had not been also immediately transmitted to your Excellency. As I am perswaded in that Case you would have entertained a different Opinion of this Measure, and been convinced that it was adopted from Necessity alone, and not with the most distant Idea of our making a local or

separate Defence, or of obstructing the Inlistments into the Continental Battalions. It is true that it hath had a Tendency in some Degree to cause such Obstruction which was very early obviated by an Order permitting Inlistments from those Troops into the Continental Battalions. In Consequence of which Captain Thayer has in a short Time inlisted Forty Men out of one of those Regiments.
I will now inform your Excellency of the Measures taken by this State to fill up the Two Continental Battalions assigned by Congress as our Quota of the 88 Battalions first ordered to be raised.
We have filled up the greater Part of the Vacancies in them and inclose you a List of the Officers appointed, who are directed to exert themselves in recruiting. We have also given a Bounty of Sixteen Pounds in Addition to the Encouragement given by Congress, and engaged to furnish each Man in behalf of the Continent with Arms, Accoutrements, a Blanket and a Knapsack. The Assembly will make a short Adjournment to try the Effects of this great Encouragement, and in Case these Measures fail of the hoped for Success, will make still greater Efforts to fill those Battalions.
I am to request you to give me Information, whether there be a Probability of Colo. Greene’s being soon exchanged. As the Assembly have left a Vacancy for him in that Case; and have determined to appoint Colo. Crary to the Command of that Regiment if that Event be not likely soon to take Place.
Agreeable to your Excellency’s Recommendation I have sent to Newport all the Prisoners in the Land Service that were in the Care of this State, and inclose you One of Lord Percy’s Receipts for them. I am with great Esteem and Respect Sir, Your Excellency’s Most obedt hble Servt

Nichs Cooke


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 9 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Sir,
Head quartr. Morris Town Febry 9th 1777.

I have recd your several favors of the 5th 6th & 7th Inst. What I mentioned to you in a former letter about a second Attempt on Fort Independence was intended merely as a Hint, on which You might improve if Circumstances should favr. I did not desire that it might interfere with the Order to march some of yr Division this way, unless it should be found highly practicable.
When you arrive at home, You will order such of the Massachusett’s Continental Troops as are ready, to march immediately to Tyconderoga, sending with them all the Brigadrs, in Continental Service, residing in that State—Should their quota of the 88 Batallions not be complete, & I fear they are not, you will nevertheless forward all such as are recruited, under proper Officers; permitting as many to remain as are necessary for the recruiting service.
Proper places are pointed out already to Mr Hughes at Peekskill for the public Magazines; to them all Stores of every kind must be removed—the Forage & Provisions taken by any of yr parties in the Vicinity of the Enemy should be carried to them. I am Sir Yr most Obedient Servant

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Henry Knox, 9 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Knox, Henry

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Morris town 9th Feby 1777

A few days ago I recd a Letter from Genl Schuyler, in which he requests that Colo. Lamb may be immediately sent up to Ticonderoga to regulate the Ordnance department in that Quarter against the next Campaign.
As I do not know how far Colo. Lamb’s going up, may break in upon any arrangements that you may have made, I will not give you a positive order to send him, only wishing it may be done if convenient, as Genl Schuyler requests it particularly. If you do not send him, I beg you will immediately fix upon an Officer on whom you can depend, and dispatch him to Ticonderoga.
Inclosed you have Recommendations of two Gentlemen, Mr Rice

and Mr Talbert, for Commissions in the Artillery Service. The first requests a Company & the other I suppose would be content with a Lieutenancy, if you have Vacancies and can provide for them, I imagine (from their Recommendations) that they will make good Officers. I am &c.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 9 February 1777
From: Lee, Charles
To: Washington, George

My Dr Sir
N. York Febry the 9th 1777

As Lord and General Howe have given me permission to send the inclosd to the Congress, and as the contents are of the last importance to me and perhaps not less to the Community, I most earnestly entreat, My Dr General, that You will despatch it immediately and order the Express to be as expeditious as possible—They have likewise indulgd me with the permission of sending for one of my Aid de Camps—I must therefore, request that You will consent to either Bradford or Eustace returning with the flag of Truce—He will have leave to stay here for one day—and a safe conduct back—my reason for this request is that I have many things material with respect to my private affairs which can be settled better by conference than letter—I am likewise extremely desirous that My Dogs should be brought as I never stood in greater need of their Company than at present. God bless you, My Dr Sir, and send You long life and happiness. Yours Most affectionately

Charles Lee


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 9 February 1777
From: Washington, George
To: McDougall, Alexander

Dear Sir
Head Qrs Morristown February 9th 1777.

General Schuyler having wrote in a pressing and urgent manner for a General Officer to be sent to the Northern department, I inclose you open, a Letter for Brigadr James Clinton, which you will forward to him after sealing it, provided in your opinion his services can be dispensed with where he now is. This I immagine will in a great measure depend on the State of health you are in; If you are so far recovered as to be able to discharge the duties to which he was appointed, I should suppose he can well go, in which case you will succeed to his command and will order and direct every matter in such manner as your judgement and discretion shall suggest to be right and advancive of the General good. If his service cannot be dispensed with, the delivery of the Letter will be unnecessary and you may destroy it.
Nothing of importance has occurred of late in the military line that you have not heard of which leaves me only to add that I am with much esteem Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt St

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 9 February 1777
From: Maxwell, William
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Westfield [N.J.] 9th Febry 1777.

I am going to explain some querys I find in Your Excellency’s Letter of the 27th Jany pr favour of Mr Vanzant.
You desire to know by what authority Pearson and others took away a Quantity of Iron Rum and other Stores from Acquackonock Bridge. The next Morning after my arival at Springfield I found that the Enemy had evacuated Newark and gone to Elizh Town, the next night I had information that at 8 or 9 oclock the party from Acquackonock

was moved to Newark only about 12 or 15 Men left to guard some Baggage at Drummons; That party then in Newark I expected on the way to Elizh Town next Morning, I sent orders to my Troops to be ready to march at a Moments warning ordered 4 light horse to go off at 3 oclock and watch their Motions, and give intiligence but they Brought me an Acct that the Enemy had staid but about one hour in town & then March’d off for Eliz. Town, We never had one Honest Man from Newark Acquackonock or that tried to give us the least intiligence, at their Instigation they had the Country Man I sent in confined. I had Ordered an Officer & 25 Men to attend and Watch Newark when I came to Springfield but at that very time a Flag was sending up to Morriss Town with our people from New York and the Officer was so imprudent to go off with his 25 Men to conduct them to Morriss Town and never Informed me he had done so by which means I lost a glorious oppertunity but they were Militia & knew no better.
I then sent off to Acquackonock to take the Guard & Stores left there but they had been industerous impress’d some Waggons & followed the others the same night with What they could carry. Those Stores found at Drummons Store was looked upon to be the British Stores (the Iron excepted which was thought to be the Stores of the Continent or, Mr Hoskins) but all the others Drummon intended for the British Army & Mr Vicker one of the claimants of the Rum said he only wanted to know what quanty we had got as he would make Drummon pay for the rest.
These was the principals them Stores was taken upon. I have now a Letter by me to send to Lieut. Pierson to Deliver Mr Vanzant the wine as I think him Much more deserving than the others. I have a Letter from Coll Spencer of Elizh Town, that came with eight young Men that had taken protection four of them refused to take the oaths to the States I let them go back till I had your Orders, though I think the Proclamation is clear that those that is so near to the Enemy should go forthwith they all claim the 30 days Coll Spencer says those young fellows is talking verry impudent in the town and doing all they can to discourage those that turns out in the Militia.
I have other Complaints from near Bonam Town & Piscataway that some of the Inhabitants is gone & others going to take the Benefit of the Proclamation & go within the Enemys lines, are they to take their effects & Stock with them their forrage &c. or not; or has any one leave to take their effects with them. I should be glad to have an answer to the latter part of this Letter as soon as You conveniently can, I have applications from all sides to this purpose. I am Sir your Excellencys Most Obedt Humble Servant

Wm Maxwell