Title: To George Washington from Colonel Moses Hazen, 7 March 1779
From: Hazen, Moses
To: Washington, George

Sir
Camp Near Danbury [Conn.] the 7th of march 1779
The fore going is a Duplicate of my letter of the Date there in mentioned, and as I have not received your Excellencys answer to it, I am apprehensive that it has not reached Head Quarters. I beg your Excellency will please to observe that my Regiment has not received a Blankit to every two Men—and we have nothing Provided for Sumer Cloathing—I have applied to Genl Putnam for orders with respect there of, and he refers me to your Excellency. I must there fore beg your Excellencys Patronage, and that you will please to Devise Some method whereby this Regiment may be on an equal footing with the army at large.
Your Excellencys letter of the 22d Feby Covering the arrangment of the three New Hampshire Regiments is come to hand—and I have Communicated the Contents to the Several Commandg officers of Regiments here on the ground—They have reputiated Several Errors and the officers do in General Remonstrate against the present arrangment Taking place—I have recommended to them a little Patience for the arrival of Genl Poor who I presume parfectly understands the Nature of their Several and Respective claims and pretentions to Rank—and I have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that the officers of the three New Hampshire Regiments have Cherfully Consented to This measure which I hope will meet your approbation. I have the Honr to be Your Excellencys most Obedt and most Devoted Hume Servt
Moses Hazen


Title: From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Knobelauch, 7 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Knobelauch, Baron de

Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook March 7th 1779
I have received the letter which you did me the honor to write me of the 1st instant—I feel the hardships and embarrassments of your situation, and I should really be happy, did I see any method of rendering it more agreeable. But in the present state of our army—I do not—However well founded your claim may be to the rank you mean to apply for, from the considerations you mention—it is not in my power to second it as you request—The introduction of a number of foreign officers, especially in the higher posts of the army, is considered by our own officers, as such a breach of their privileges, and occasions so much dissatisfaction, that the practice cannot be continued without great injury to the service—And as upon this principle, I cannot with propriety recommend the appointment you now solicit, I am to add, though I think it a piece of candor which is due to you, that I do not perceive any other manner suitable to your expectations in which you can be employed. With great consideration I am Sir Your most Obedt servant.


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 7 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Maxwell, William

Sir
Head Quarters [Middlebrook] 7th March—79
Colonel Shrieve informs me that several persons who had been made prisoners by the Indians, have lately returned from Captivity—and that they are known to you—in this case, I request that you will inform me of their names characters and places of abode by the first opportunity.
be pleased likewise to let me know, whether you have thought of the boots mentioned in a late letter. I am &.


Title: From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Moses Rawlings, 7 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Rawlings, Moses

Sir
Head Quarters Middlebrook 7th March 1779.
Your letter of the 15th Ultimo was handed me by Capn Beall.
That you may not be embarrassed for want of money, in re-inlisting such of your men, whose times of service have expired or will soon terminate—I have given a warrant to Capn Beall for fifteen thousand dollars for this purpose, and that of filling up the corps by new recruits. You will proceed in re-inlisting, agreeable to the terms and principles established in the general orders which accompany this letter.
I make no doubt, but th⟨at⟩ you will appoint, such officers for the recruiting service, as may appear best calculated to answer the end, and to such places, as promise the greatest success. Every new recruit is to receive two hundred dollars, besides the usual bounties of land and clothing. The officers who go on this business, will be entitled to twenty dollars per head, for every new recruit; and to three dollars a day for extra expences. Under these encouragements, I hope you will be able to fill up the corps to the compliment assigned by Congress.
Captain Beall has mentioned to me a degree of dissatisfaction among the officers respecting their rank. They must be satisfied it is not in my power to make any alterations—In placing the corps in its present state, every thing has been done, that could be prudently effected. And I would suppose that the officers after weighing the circumstances under which your Regiment was first raised, and the disadvantages under which it has labored, will be of the same opinion. However, should any of them decline the service on this account, you will take such measures, with those who continue, as that the re-inlisting and recruiting may be kept up—and the corps retain its proper form, avoiding a new appointment of officers.
The terms in which you speak of the recruiting business is one reason why I have not sent you more money. But should it turn out better than you suppose you may soon have another sum—In the mean while, you should not loose a single recruit, but, if possible, borrow for this purpose, till you can receive a further supply.
When you send for money I shall expect a particular return of the expenditure of what is drawn, to include the new recruits—and the names and number of the reinlisted.
You will use such precautions, as that the recruits may be collected, from time to time, with the corps; and that the whole may be held in perfect readiness to march to Pittsburg at a moments warning. I am sir Your most obt humble servt
G. Washington
P.S. In case you find after tryal, that the officers on the recruiting service, meet with no success—you will recall them as a needless expence to the continent will be incurred by their continuance.


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 7 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Wayne, Anthony

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 7th March 1779
I was favd a few days ago with a letter from you by Mrs Yorke. I wish it had been in my power to have complied with your request, and that of several other Gentlemen, in her behalf, without infringing a Rule which I myself had just proposed to the executive powers of the several States, which was, not to permit any inhabitants of the States to go within the enemy’s lines without a recommendation from their respective Governors or Legislatures. Maj: Brittain, Brother in law to Mrs Yorke, returned to Philada to endeavour to procure such a recommendation, which he seemed to think he could obtain.
Yours of the 28th last month only reached me this day. When matters are in a proper train for organizing the Light Troops you shall hear from me. I am with great Regard Dear Sir Your most obt Servt
Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 8 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook monday March 8th 1779
Parole Cunningham—C. Signs Revenge—Mifflin.Treasury-Office February 11th 1779.

Ordered, That the regimental Pay-Masters be required on the settlement of their accounts to produce vouchers agreeable to the Acts of Congress which are on no account to be dispens’d with.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Christian Febiger, 8 March 1779
From: Febiger, Christian
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency
M[iddle] Brook March 8th 1779
At the Request of Captn Calmes who is desirous of leaving the Service.
I do certify that to the best of my Knowledge he has settled all his Accounts with the publick and is not indebted either to the united States or the State of Virginia except for some Articles, which he had from the State Store and for which he has deposited monney in the hands of Captn Taylor to settle.
pr Captn Calmes I send the pamphlet mention’d yesterday and enclos’d is the proceedings of a Board of Officers relative to some men, who without my Knowledge had troubled your Excellency with a petition I should be happy if your Excellency would approve them and send them back, as I foresee some Inconvenience might arise, unless this matter is determind. and Colo. Morgan had permitted both those and a Number of other men to swear of, who I have the greatest Reason to believe were actually inlisted for the War. I have the honor to be May it please your Excellen[c]y Your most obedient and most humble Servt
Christian Febiger Colo. Comdt 1st Va Brigade


Title: From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 8 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Greene, Nathanael

Dr Sir
[Middlebrook] March 8th 1779.
Early last Fall I wrote to Mr Mitchell for one dozn Table Cloths, and while I quartered at Fredericksburg received Seven (three at one time & four at another). About three Weeks ago—by Letter—I enquired why the others had not been sent, and received the following answer.
“I sent eleven Table cloths at different times, they went by three several persons, General Green had some each time, and it was particularly noted to the Quarter master at the Quarter master Generals store in Camp.”
I shall be obliged to you to cause enquiry to be made at your Stores for the four missing ones. At the same time, I desired Mitchell to send me a sett of Queens ware, consisting of the following Articles viz.
2 large Turenes
3 dozn dishes—sized
8 dozn Shallow plates
3 dozn Soup—Ditto
8 Table drinking Mugs
8 Ditto—Salts. &
Some pickle plates.
To which he gave the following answer in a letter of the 21st ulto.
“I have made enquiry for a Sett of Queens ware, but am affraid it will be difficult if not impossible to procure them. I will do all in my power.[”]
Since this nothing further has been said upon the subject, from whe⟨nce⟩ I conclude (and there being required immediately) that my chance of a supply from that Quarter is but indifferent—I therefore make application to you for these things, havg been told by Lady Stirling, that they are to be had at Brunswick—I am thus particular lest you may know that my dependance on Mitchell is better than I expect.
The bearer brings the Trunks, and the only two Key’s I have belonging to them—Mitchell sent them up without the others, which were not, upon application to him (from hence) to be found. I am. Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Ser.
Go: Washington

P.S. If Queens ware is not to be had at Brunswick—Elizabeth Town or New Ark may poss⟨ibly⟩ furnish it.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Moses Hazen, 8 March 1779
From: Hazen, Moses
To: Washington, George

Sir
Camp Near Danbury [Conn.] 8th march 1779
I have lately received a letter from Genl Bayley of Cohaas, by which I am Sorry to find he is apprehensive Some of his enemies will miss represent matters to your Excellency with respect to the Public business he underTook when at white plains the last Sumer, and I was Still more Surprised by a letter from a friend at albany who Says that he heard it Spoke off Publickly “That Genl Bayley at Cohaas had greatly Imposed on Genl Washington relating to the Quantity of forrage and Provisions he could provide That Genl Bayleys Character has been Represented in a very bad light as a bad man &ca:[”] Now Sir If Genl Bayley has Imposed upon your Excellency, or even indeavoured to Impose upon you, as has been reported, It will be naturel to Suppose, from the hand I have had in those matters that there has been a Combination betwen us, and Consequently my Character will Suffer by it—For as I was Sent by Genl Gates at the Public expence to Cohaas, to examine the Country, and amongst other things to find out what Quantity of forrage and provisions could be procured in that Quarter, It was my business to know, It was my Duty to be clear Distinct, and Particular in the Report, in which Genl Bayley and my Self Perfectly agreed—I must Say that I have known Genl Bayley for upwards of Twenty years, and I must do him the Justice to Declare that he was ever Esteemed a Consciensious upright good man, he was in the Course of, or otherwise in som⟨e⟩ part of Last war the Second in Command of all the New Hamps⟨hir⟩e Troops, His Character was then Inexceptionable as a Soldier as well as a Citizen—He has now the missfortune to be Situate as it ware, betwen Two fire in point of Political matters—New York on the one Side, and New Hampshire on the other and as I have Some reason to beleive even the pretended State of Vermount Diffident in giving him their full protection This being the Case, No wonder he has enemys—How far he h⟨as⟩ been able to Comply with his proposels and your Excellencys orders thereon, in Laying up the magazenes of forrage and provisions as also the other Public business he undertook I know not—I have always been apprehensive that the great Demand and Sudden rise of provisions to the Eastwar⟨d⟩ in Consequence of Count De Estengs fleet going that way w[oul]d affect and Impede his Success in that article—If Genl Bayley has neglected the business which he underTook or otherwise miss behaved, It is his own affair I have no Concern or Connectio⟨n⟩ with it, or him whatsoever—But If it Should be Represented to your Excellency, That the forrage and provisions Reported by me, ware not to be had in that part of the Country, Such a Representation would Contradict my Report, Which in regard to truth and in Justice to mySelf, I am in Honr bound to Sup⟨p⟩ort Therefore Should any Reflections Insinuation or Repres[en]tations Whatever be made to your Excellency, Contrary to the letter Spirit and Intentention of my Report, I must beg your Excellency will please to let me know it—and give m⟨e⟩ an opportunity of vindicating mySelf, in that wherin I h⟨ave⟩ Discharged my Duty with the greatest care and attention and fidelity to the Public The Dellicate Nature and Importance of this Subject will I hope atone for the Trouble I give your Excellency on this occasion.
The late rumer of forty gun Ships building at Saratoga, and the other formidable preparations at Albany for, as it has been Said a Northern Expedition I must Confess Surprised me not a little—It was However with an equal Degree of pleasure, that I have Since heard the building of those large Ships are laid aSide—aCross the Country from the uper part of Connecticut River is the only practicable easey Rout into Canada—If the Canadians are our friend, we have nothing to fear from the force now in that Country. If they are our enemys we have no business there The former I take for granted is now reduced to a Certainty not only by the Information we have had from Canada, But Corroborated and Supported by the Dictates of Humane Nature, and sollid Reason—as all man kind are fond of Liberty, That Instinct Implanted in Nature, was Discovered by the Conduct of the Canadians in 76—Those who the British Tyrents have Since Seduced to armes against america, in that Country are Small in Number, they are in Proportion to the Number of Inhabitance very inferior to those from Several other Stats Who have Joind the British flag.
The Alliance with France must be a matter of Consolation and Encouragement to our friends in Canada, The Proclamation of Count De Esteng was flattering and must have had a great Tendancy to keep up their Spirits—The Success of the american arms in a four years war will prove to them our Strength, and will Contribute to Inlighten the Ignorent in the Justice of our Cause The Clergy who ware our only enemys must now be our Staunch friends, they will See themselves Deeply Interested in a union with the Independt States both in point of Power and fortune. These and many other reasons are Sufficent to Induce me to beleive That Should we penetrate into Canada there would Scarcely a Canadian appear in arms against us, on the Contrary they would receive us with open Arms, feed, assist, and if required fight with us—The Canadians are a war like hardy people Inured to armes hardships and fatigue—Should the approaching favourable opportunity of uniting our friends in Canada with us in this Glorious Contest which I am Convinceed they place great Dependance on—we Shall have no right to expect they will be able to maintain the present mode of Conduct by observing a Neutrality, they may in time for aught we know be wrought upon by the force of money Threts or flattery in Such a manner as to Join the british flag in Canada that arsenel for all the Savages on our frontiers.
I have here put down a few Randum unconnected Thought of my own Should they be usefull, I Shall be Happy, Should they be Deemed Troublesome and Improper I hope your Excellency will Impute them to the real zeal and attachment, which I bear to the Rightious cause in which I have the Honr to Serve, and beleive me to be—Your Excellenceys most obedt and very Humle Servant
Moses Hazen


Title: From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 8–10 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

My dear Marquis
Camp at Middle brook March 8th[-10] 1779.
I am mortified exceedingly that my Letter from Philadelphi⟨a,⟩ with the several inclosures, did not reach Boston before your departure from that Port—It was written as soon as Congress had come to a decision upon the several matters which became the subject of the Presidents Letter to you, & was committed (for conveyance) to the Messenger who was charged with his dispatches to that place—how it happened (unless the passage of the North River was interrupted by Ice) that Letters dated in Philadelphia the 29th of Decr should be till the 15th of the following Month on their passage to Boston, is inconceivable—equally so is it, that I have not had the Letters returned to me by Majr Neville, who I am told (but this is no excuse) is indisposed at Fish-kill—His withholding these lette⟨rs⟩ renders it necessary for me to give you the trouble of duplicates by Captn McQueen, who will do me the favor of handing this to you; and whose merits are too well known to you, to stand in need of any recommendation from me.
Monsr la Colombe did me the honor of delivering your favor⟨s⟩ of the 5th, 8th, & 10th of Jany, and will probably, be the bearer of my thanks for the affectionate manner in which you have expressed your Sentiments in your last adieu—than which nothing can be more flattering and pleasing—nor is there any thing more wished for, by me, than oppertunities of giving substantial proofs of the sincerity of my attachment to, & affection for you.

Nothing of importance hath happened since you left us, except the Enemy’s invasion of Georgia, & possession of its capitol; which, tho it may add something to their Supplies on the score of Provisions, will contribute very little to the brilliancy of their arms; for like the defenceless Island of St Lucia, it only required the appearance of force to effect the conquest of it, as the whole Militia of the State did not exceed twelve hundred Men, and many of them disaffected. General Lincoln is assembling a force to dispossess them, & my only fear is, that he will precipitate the attempt before he is fully prepard for the execution.
In New York, and at Rhode Island, the Enemy continued quiet till the 25th Ulto, when an attempt was made by them to surprize the Post at Elizabeth Town, but failing therein, and finding them-selves close pressed, and in danger from detachments advancing towards them from this Army, they retreated precipitately through a Marsh waist deep in Mud, after abandoning all their plunder; but not before they had (according to their wonted custom) Set fire to two or three Houses.
The Regiment of Anspach, and some other Troops, are brought from Rhode Island to New York.
It would my dear Marquis have given me very great pleasure to have answered your expectations respecting Messrs la Colombe & Houden but Congress having experiencd so many unfortunate instances of disgust, and consequent resignations in the army, arising from irregular promotions, and brevet Commissions, that they found it absolutely necessary to discontinue the practice, & had done so before I received your Letters, to the no small disappointment, and loss, of many Gentlemen whom I found in Philadelphia.
We are happy in the repeated assurances, & proofs, of the friendship of our great & good Ally; whom we hope & trust, ere this, may be congratulated on the birth of a Prince; & on the Joy which the nation must derive from an instance of royal felicity—We also flatter ourselves that before this period the Kings of Spain & the two sicilies may be greeted as Allies of the United States—and we are not a little pleased to find from good authority, that the sollicitations, & offers of the Court of Great Britain to the Empress of Russia, have been rejected with disdain—nor are we to be displeased, that overtures from the City of Amsterdam for entering into a commercial Connexion with us have been made in such open & pointed terms—Such favorable sentiments in so many powerful Princes, & States, cannot but be considered in a very honorable, interesting, and pleasing point of view by all those who have struggled with difficulties & misfortune to maintain the rights, & secure the liberties of their Country—But notwithstanding these flattering appearances, the British King, & his Ministers, continue to threaten us with War and desolation. A few Months however must decide whether this, or Peace is to take place—for both we will prepare—& should the former be continued I shall not despair of sharing fresh toils & dangers with you, in the Plains of America; but if the latter succeeds, I can entertain little hopes that the rural amusemts of an infant world—or the contracted stage of an American theatre can withdraw your attention & Services from the gaieties of a Court, and the active part which you will more than probably be called upon to share in the Admn of government. The Soldier will then be transformed into the Statesman, & your employment in this new walk of life will afford you no time to revisit this Continent; or think of friends who lamt yr absence.
The American Troops are again in Hutts, but in a more agreeable, & fertile country, than they were last Winter at Valley forge; & are better clad and more healthy than they have ever been since the formation of the Army. Mrs Washington is now with me, and makes a cordial tender of her best regards to you—& if those of strangers can be offered with propriety & will be accepte we respectively wish to have them added to your amiable Lady. We hope, & trust, that your passage has been short, agreeable, and safe & that you are as happy as the Smiles of a gracious Prince—beloved wife—warm friends—and high expectations can make you. I have now I think, complied with your request in writing you a long letter, and shall only add that with the purest Sentiments of attachment, & the warmest friendship & regard, I am—My dear Marquis Yr most Affecte & obligd Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. Harrison and Mead are in Virga—all the other Gentn of My Suit join most cordially in tendering their best respects to you.
March 10th
I have this moment receivd the letters which were in the hands of Majr Neville; accompanied by yr favors of the 7th & 11th of Jany. the Majr himself is not yet arrived at head Qrs; being, as I am told, very sick—I have again to thank you my dear frd for the repeated Sentiments of friendship and Affection which breathed so conspicuously in your last farewell; & to assure you, that I shall always retain a warm & grateful remembrance of them. Major Neville shall have my consent to repair to you in France; if his health will permit, & the sanction of Congress can be obtained to whom all applications of Officers for leave to go out of the United States are referred.


Title: To George Washington from George Mason, 8 March 1779
From: Mason, George
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Virginia, Gunston Hall, March 8th 1779.
I shall make no other Apology for my long Silence, than candidly telling You the Cause of it. Sensible of the constant & great Load of public Business upon Your Hands, and knowing how little Time You had to spare, I thought it wrong to intrude upon it, by a Correspondence of mere private Friendship, or the Communication of Matters of little Importance: this, & this only, is the Reason I have not wrote to You frequently; for I can truly say there is not a Man in the World, who more cordially wishes You every Blessing, has a higher Sense of the important Services You have rendered our common Country, or who feels more Satisfaction in being inform’d of Your prosperity and Wellfare; and if any thing shou’d occur in Your Affairs here, in which I can be of any Manner of Service, You can’t confer a greater Obligation on me than in giving me the Occasion.
I have at this Time Sir, a particular Favour to beg of You. My Son George, who has been long afflicted with an obstinate rheumatic Complaint, for which He has used the Berkley & Augusta Springs in vain, has determined to try the Effect of some of the southern Climates of Europe, for a Year or two; and intends to go out in a Vessel which will sail soon from Alexandria. whether he will fix his Residence in France Spain or Italy, must depend upon the Advice of the physicians in paris; but most probably it will be at Montpelier, or somewhere in the South of France; and as I have no Acquaintance, & he will be an utter Stranger, in France, You will oblige me exceedingly by giving him Letters of Introduction, as the Son of a Friend of Yours, to the Marquis De la Fayette, & Doctr Franklin, at paris; whose Notice will be a great Satisfaction and Advantage to him.
I have also another Affair to trouble You with. There is one Mr Smith, from Loudoun County, who entered as a Lieutenant in the Regiment of Rifle men, first raised by Mr Stinson, & afterwards commanded by Colo. Rawlins: He was taken prisoner at Fort Washington, & has remained in the Enemie’s Hands ever since, under very harsh Treatment: his Wife, who is said to be a worthy Woman, & has a Number of small Children, is exceedingly distressed by her Husband’s long Captivity; She has heard from him lately, & upon his telling her that he had no prospect of being exchanged soon, She is apprehensive that by some Mistake, he has been overlooked in the Course of the Cartel, & not had his due Turn; and has therefore applied to me, to ask the Favour of You to cause an Enquiry to be made concerning him, and direct his being exchanged, so soon as it can regularly be done.
I beg You will pardon this Trouble, and believe me, with the greatest Sincerity, Dear Sir Your most affectionate & obdt Servt
G. Mason


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 8 March 1779
From: Maxwell, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Elizth Town [N.J.] 8th March [1779]
Your Excellencys Favour of yesterday I recd. The men that returned from the Indian country I was informed lives in Sussex County, I do not know their names. I had the account from a Mr Meeker Major of Milita living not far from the Court House.
I ask pardon for not mentioning the Boots befor; on the rect of your former letter I spoke to the man about them, and he informed me that it was the want of proper leather for them that they were not done. long ago, he hoped to have them finished in two weeks from that timee—but he has a faculty of giving soft answers Capt. Dayton will Deliver you two late papers I have nothing further now. and am Your Excellencys Most Obedt Humble Sert
Wm Maxwell


Title: To George Washington from the Officers of Colonel Henry Jackson’s Detachment, 8 March 1779
From: Officers of Colonel Henry Jackson’s Detachment
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency
Pawtuxet [R.I.] March 8th 1779
We the Officers of Colo. Henry Jackson’s Detachment, in behalf of Ourselves and Soldiers, beg leave to represent to your Excellency—
That the State of Massachusetts Bay have been pleased, by various Resolves, at different times, to grant Gratuities to the Officers and Soldiers belonging to the fifteen Battalions raised in that State; some of those Gratuities they have also been pleased to allow the Officers and Soldiers of this Detachment; but from the principal ones, vizt certain sums of money arising from a Lottery provided for the purpose and other sums granted to make good in part the depreciation of money since the time of the Establishment of our pay, we are entirely excluded: as also from the Benefit of a Resolve declaring, among other Things, that they will at the close of the War fully make good to said Officers and Soldiers their pay, taking for a Standard the price of certain Articles as set forth in the Resolve.
This Exclusion of us has caused great Uneasinesses among our Soldiers; more especially as in said Resolve it is also provided, that the Families of the Soldiers in the before mentioned fifteen Battalions should be furnished by the Towns to which they respectively belong with Provisions and other Necessaries of Life at a reasonable and stated price, so that while their Families are living at least with Comfort and Convenience, the Families of the Soldiers of this Detachment are enduring all the Hardships attendant on Poverty and Want.
These Considerations have induced us as deeply interested in and warmly concerned for the Welfare of our Soldiers, their Families and Ourselves, to apply to your Excellency as knowing our Appointment and Establishment and most capable of procuring us Assistance and Releif in Circumstances so disagreable.

We have applied to the State for an equal Allowance, setting forth the Evils we feared would ensue from this Exclusion, and tho’ all we fear’d has not taken place, yet it has produced so general an Uneasiness and discontent, that we imagine it would in our present Situation be but a bare Remove from an Impossibility to reinlist a single Soldier.
We have been inform’d that this Exclusion proceeds not from an Unwillingness in the State, to place us on an equal footing with the fifteen Battalions, or to grant us all the Privileges granted them; but from their having no Assurance that our Men will be reckoned as part of the Quota of Men allotted said State to raise. Could they be assured this would be the Case (which they not only are willing, but wish should) they will immediately adopt and grant to us all the privileges granted their other Troops.
After thus briefly and generally describing our Situation, we have to intreat of your Excellency, that you would use your Influence with the hon’ble the Congress, setting forth our Situation as now represented to your Excellency, that they may, either themselves grant us the like privileges with other Officers and Soldiers from the same State or cause the Assembly of said State to be inform’d that we shall be esteem’d as a part of the Quota allotted them to raise as above mentioned; that thus our Soldiers may experience the same Benefits enjoyed by those of the said fifteen Battalions and we be freed from the many solicitous & affecting Applications from Men in distress; deserving a better Fate.
We cannot at this time but mention our disagreable Situation as Officers and beg your Excellency’s Interposition in our Behalf; at present as three Regiments we have several Companies without a Commisioned Officer belonging to them; several with but one and not a Company with it’s Complement. This Situation your Excellency must know, to say the least, cannot be pleasing; We have been inform’d that the three Regiments were to be reduced to one, this Consideration has kept us contented; expecting e’er long to see an End to our present Situation, we mention this wishing your Excellency to procure the expediting the Arrangement if there is one, if none that there may be one or the Vacancies in the Regiments filled up.
Having thus concisely laid before your Excellency the Situation of ourselves & our Soldiers we have only to add our hearty desire for a speedy and full Completion of our Wishes for Releif and Assistance; & having full Confidence in your Excellency’s readiness to afford every Aid in your Power to the distress’d of every degree, we doubt not of receiving such an Answer to this as will be perfectly agreable and acceptable both to Ourselves and our Soldiers. We have the Honor to be (in Behalf of the Officers & Soldiers of said Detachment) with the greatest Respect and Esteem—Yr Excellency’s most Obedt & Humble Servts
Committee
H: JacksonLem. TrescottJ. HobbySaml CogswellThos Edwards


Title: To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 8 March 1779
From: Schuyler, Philip
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Albany March 8th 1779.
After having concluded my Letter of the 1st continued to the 7th Inst. I was honored with your Excellency’s of the 26th Ult.—I shall not lose a Moments Time in procuring the Intelligence your Excellency requests.
This Morning I have received an Application from Oneida for a Supply of provisions for the Indians, who have very little left to subsist on, and will in the Course of twenty Days have Nothing—The Onondagas who are come to reside with them have brought no provisions—This has added to their Distress and as they cannot venture to leave their Families to hunt for a Subsistence they must inevitably starve or remove to the interior parts of the inhabited Country, and if they do that the Frontiers will be still more exposed than they are at present—This I have communicated to Congress in a Letter by this Conveyance and entreated their Directions on the Subject—I shall however venture to order the commanding Officer at Fort Schuyler not to let these people suffer, as they are determined to join us in any Operations whatsoever.
I need not mention to your Excellency how very useful they will be on the intended Expedition—perhaps your Excellency may think proper to recommend to Congress to afford them a Supply of provisions until they shall be able to furnish themselves.
The Indians now with me have no Doubt, from every Account they have had, but that the Enemy intend very soon to attack the Frontiers with a very considerable Force—They think Necessity will oblige them to it to procure a Supply of provisions, which they are already in great Want of—Should they succeed in this they will not only distress us in the prosecution of the Military Operations against them, but be in a Situation to make a better Stand than they otherwise would be—If therefore it is possible to send up more Troops immediately for the protection of the Settlements on the Mohawks River, I think it would be prudent to do it. I am Dear Sir, with the most affectionate Regard and Esteem Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant.
Ph: Schuyler


Title: To George Washington from Alexander Spotswood, 8 March 1779
From: Spotswood, Alexander
To: Washington, George

Dr Sr
8th March 1779
Our last Assembly resolved that Ge[nera]l Nelson be directed to purchase four geldings to be sent on as a present from the State to yr Excellency—the g[enera]l being under the Necessity of going to Congress—desired me to undertake it—I have purchased you two Exceeding fine ones—and shall Attend the petersburg races which happens on the 1st day of April next, where I shall get two more, & will bring them out with me in April—shoud you think that mares will suit as well, by informing me by Letter, I shall, I beleive, be able to Obtain such as will please you. I am [yo]ur Excellencys mt oblidged hbe St
A. Spotswood


Title: From George Washington to George Bryan, 9 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Bryan, George

Sir
Hd Qrs Middlebrook 9 March 1779
I had the honor of your favor of the 5th Instant.
I am much obliged to you for that attention you discover to prevent any intercourse with the enemy, which might be attended with doubtful circumstances. I had taken my measures with the gentlemen which are the object of your information before I recieved your letter, and, restricted them to our own lines at Elizabeth Town point where they had liberty to see their friends if they could obtain leave to come over—This I imagined a sufficient security against any consequences which might be apprehended from a more liberal indulgence. I have the honor to be with great respect &c.


Title: To George Washington from Captain Jotham Horton, 9 March 1779
From: Horton, Jotham
To: Washington, George

Boston March 9th 1779
The Memoral of Jotham Horton of Boston, a Capt. in the Continental Train of Artillery, Humbly Shews, that your Memorialist, had the Misfortune to be taken a Prisoner in Fort Washington from whence he was Carried to New York and kept a Prisoner Nine Months, there & at Long Island, after having Obtaind a Parole he at the Latter part of the Time being Abused by a Fellow at Long Island, Struck him, whereupon he was sent for under Guard, to New York, where he was Committed again, and a Tryall had on him whereof he was Acquitted, & a pass was made out for him to Proceed to Long Island again, but soon after, he found that the Person, he Struck was dissatisfy’d with his Coming off there again, Applyd to the Generall for a New Tryall, whereupon your Memorialist, not likeing to go there a Prisoner again, (having had no New Parole, After being Committed) thought proper, as they had Broke the Perole, to Come off, which he Accordingly did, When Brigr Genll Knox was in Town Last Winter he waited on him, & told him the Affair, he for Answer told him, that ⟨mutilated⟩ Lookt upon it that he ought to be Exc⟨hanged⟩ before he Acted against the Enemy again that we had Officers Enough, to Exchange, & that if he should be taken again he would be used, the worse, unless that Exchange was done, Upon which Genll Heath, procur’d an Officer and sent for me, Genll Heath then told Colo. Crane that I was now Ready to proceed to Camp, Colo. Crane Accordingly, Order’d me to Proceed and in May last I sett of[f] from Boston, when I Arriv’d at Camp, I was forbid taking the Command of the Company that was Raise’d for me, Genll Knox, said that severall Officers did not Chuse to serve in the Regiment with me, As I had broke my Parole, Colo. Crane Order’d me to Tarry with Capt. Treadwells, Company till something was done about the Matter, after I had Tarried, two or Three Months, Gen: Knox Order’d a Court of Enquiry I Petitiond him to be Try’d by a Genll Court Martiall of the Line, But he refuse’d it, but said as a New Arrangement of Officers had taken place, he would not Recommend me and so should get Rid of me, he Also refused to sign a pay Abstract any Longer, then up to the 12th Sepr, but said he did not Look upon me as an Officer of the Artillery any Longer. So I Accordingly came Away after Tarrying about Six Months, Whereby I Look upon my self very Greatly Injur’d.
If Your Excellency will Vouchsafe to Enquire into my Carractor, from any of the New England Brigades, I believe you will find that I never Merritted such Treatment, As I Entre’d the service Immediately upon the Lexington Battle & Continued in it till now I trust with Honour & Reputation Inclos’d I Transmitt your Excellency Duplicates of the Court of Enquiry, for your Perusal, I waited upon Gen. Gates, who Advis’d me to write you, The foregoing Particulars Relating to this Affair, I am with Great Respect, Your Excellencys Most Obedient Humble Servant
Jotham Horton
P.S. I sent You the Origanal of the within Copy some time since haveing received no answer suppose it must have miscarried. therefore I now send you this hopeing it will come safe to hand.

J. H.


Title: From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 9 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Lee, Henry Jr.

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 9th March 1779
I recd yours respecting Mr Archer a few days ago, but I have been so exceedingly engaged that I have not had leisure to answer it before this time—It would give me great pleasure to make provision for a Gentleman of Mr Archers merit in a way that should be perfectly satisfactory to him, and could your request in his behalf be granted without infringing the establishmt of your Corps, I should not hesitate to comply with it instantly. I beg to be understood. I do not mean that the Rank which he asks is more than he has a right to expect, it is perhaps trifling when compared with the sacrifices he has made for his attachment to our Cause, but, in the mode which you propose, it would be an innovation, and I have so repeatedly, in my representations respecting the causes of dissatisfaction in the Army, pointed out that of irregular promotion as the principal one, that I cannot with any degree of consistency recommend it in the present instance. Besides I do not see why the Cornets of your Corps would not feel themselves as much hurt by Mr Archers being created an extra Lieutenant, as they would be by his being promoted in preference to them was a vacancy to happen.


Title: To George Washington from William Livingston, 9 March 1779
From: Livingston, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Raritan [N.J.] 9 March 1779
I am honoured with your Excellency’s favour of the 3d instant inclosing the depositions which I had the honour some time since to transmit you—As I cannot answer it, without seeing the parties, I must postpone it, till I have an opportunity to consult them on your Excellencys proposals which are equally just & honourable.
I am just now applyed to by Mr Van Nest a Son of one of our Council, & of a very respectable family—The causes of complaint are reduced to writing in the inclosed affidavits. General Waine & Major Fishurn I find are both absent from Camp—If they could be ordered here by the latter end of this month, so that the parties aggrieved could have an opportunity to issue process against them returnable the beginning of april, when the Court for this County sits, I suppose it would satisfy the Complainants—I intend that Mr Van Nest shall himself wait on your Excellency with this Letter, as he may be able to give you farther particulars than are contained in the Depositions—I have the honour to be with the greatest respect your Excellencys most humble St
Wil: Livingston


Title: From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 9 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Putnam, Israel

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 9th March 1779
I have your favs. of the 2d and 4th instants and am pleased to hear of Genl Tryons speedy retreat from Horseneck with the loss which he sustained in his march back.
I cannot see any right that I have to interfere in scudders Affair, more especially as he acted under a state commission and has libelled his prize in the Court of Admiralty. I have returned you the papers you sent with Docr Anthony’s representation respecting such part of the Goods as are claimed by him. I think it best to let the Court take the matter fully in to consideration and determine it according to the principles of law and equity. I cannot depart from the periods of inlistment pointed out in the General orders transmitted to you, as it would occasion endless confusion to make rules suited to the case of every individual.
You may distribute the Blankets which you have discovered at Danbury among the troops under your command in proportion to their wants, and should give Colo. Hazens Regt a full share as they do not reap the benefit of state supplies. The 7 Bales of Cloth and Cloathing intended for Colo. Chas Webbs Regt had better be forwarded to the Cloathier at Fishkill from whom you can draw what may be wanting, or, take out what is necessary before it is sent off. I am informed that 2714 pair of shoes and 244 setts of leather accoutrements are lodged at the House of Comfort Hoit jun. at Danbury. Should the troops under your command be in want of shoes you may supply them out of that parcel, sendg what are left to Fishkill. Should the Connecticut and New Hampshire Brigades have a state supply, you will in that case forward the whole except what Hazens may want—The accoutrements are to be sent forward to the Commy Military Stores at Fishkill—The regimental paymasters are to keep exact accounts of what Cloathing they receive not directly from the Cloathier and furnish him with a Copy.
I have desired the Board of War in making out Commissions for the Connecticut line to leave the dates of Colo. Johnston’s and Colo. Grosvenors blank, as I hope the dispu⟨te⟩ will be settled by the time the Commissions arrive. If you and the General Officers will, upon hearing the claims of both, determine it finally I will confirm it—I return you my letter of the 22d Feby which was put among the papers, I imagine by mistake.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 9 March 1779
From: Smallwood, William
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Camp Middle Brook March 9th 1779
Our Field Officers desire me to request your Opinion on the following Questions, as they judge the Resolve of Congress of the 24th November to be silent thereon.
Does a Title to Promotion, upon a vacancy previous to the 16 Sept.—76, give Rank from the Time such Vacancy happend, & ought to have been filled, whether the Party acted in it, under Brevet or otherwise?
If it does, are the Officers of the Flying Camp intitled in the same Degree as those of the Regular Corps?
I have confined a Country man fo⟨r mutilated⟩ng or purchasing from the Soldiery a Tent and some Axes (the Tent he has cut up) but will not discover how he came by them, If there is any Resolve of Congress which will subject him to a trial by Court Martial I will be much oblige[d] to you to transmit it, or direct what had best be done with him. I have the Honor to be with great Regard your very Obedt Hble Sert
W. Smallwood


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 9 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Smallwood, William

Dear Sir
Head Quarters [Middlebrook] 9 March 1779
I have recd yours of this morning. I do not conceive that the 4th Article of the Resolve of Congress for regulating Rank meant to extend the right of filling vacancies, at the time they happened, beyond the 16th day of Sepr 1776, because it would interfere with the arrangements made by the States for the formation of the new Army About that time the different States or Commissioners appointed by them were supposed to take a review of their Officers as they then stood and to promote some and let others remain as they were. Your second question is involved in the first and the same answer serves.
I do not know of any law of this State that makes provision for the case you mention—Govr Livingston is at Lord Stirlings quarters and if you consult him perhaps he can inform you of the proper steps to be pursued. I would have you keep the Man in confinement till we know whether the Civil law gives any redress. This state is very tenacious of the rights of its inhabitants, and I would not wish to put military law in execution but upon extremity. In a letter which I had occasion to write to the Governor a few days ago I took occasion to mention a case of the like kind and wished him if there was not a law to prohibit Inhabitants from dealing with soldiers to endeavour to procure one. I am &.


Title: To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 9 March 1779
From: Sullivan, John
To: Washington, George

Dear General,
Providence March 9th 1779,
I have the hono’r to inform your Excellency, that some time after Colo. Jacksons Corps arriv’d in this department, a number of his Officers presented a Memorial to me, setting forth, that, Colo. Jackson did not behave as He shoud have done in the Action of Monmouth, and expressing their dissatisfaction, in being commanded by an Officer, whose Courage and Conduct, they had powerful reasons to dispute; They likewise, requested, that a Court of Inquiry shou’d be immediately appointed, and they might be heard upon the occasion. As this Event took place but a few days before our March to Rhode Island, I in consequence, calld the General officers together, and they unanimously coincided with me in opinion that, however well founded the Charges alledg’d might prove on examination, the application at that time, was improper, and it wou’d (then) have been as improper in me, to have comply’d with their Prayer. My Answer to the Memorialists, was agreeable to this Sentiment; Since which, I have heard nothing on the Subject before this day; when, Colo. Jackson waited upon, and assurd me, that it was originally his intention, from the Moment he was appriz’d of the Report, to have demanded a Court of Inquiry, but delayd it, for reasons, which, He assignd me, and which, He proposes laying before the Court. As those Objections are now obviated, and his Accusers are Still under his immediate Command, or in the nieghbourhood, He has requested me, to beg your Excellency, to direct, that a Court be held, at a short date, in this department; or wherever, your Excellency may think proper. I have the hono’r to subscribe myself with all imaginable Esteem Yr Excellency’s, very hble Servt
Jno. Sullivan


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 9 March 1779
From: Varnum, James Mitchell
To: Washington, George

Sir
Providence 9th March 1779.
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favor of the 14th, Ulto. It gives me the greatest Pain to find that your Excellency should form the most remote Conjecture that any of the Officers of Colo. Angell’s or Webb’s Battalions had given the least Countenance to riotous Behavior. They have uniformly cultivated a Spirit of Discipline, ever since I had the Honor of being acquainted with them, equalled perhaps but by few. Their unalterable Attachment to the great Cause of American Freedom, their sacred Honor, their undaunted Magnanimity, their personal Affection for the Commander in Chief, all excite them, by irres[i]stable Motives, to seek your Approbation: And I am happy in assuring you, that nothing but the Frowns of Heaven could fill them with so much Inquietude as the Displeasure of Genl Washington. I am conscious that no Expressions in my Letter of the 29th of Janry last tended to their Disadvantage; but as I am unfortunately destitute of a Copy, your Excellency will add to the many Obligations allready confer’d, by causing one to be transmitted to me. I am, with perfect Respect, your Excellency’s most obdt & most humble Servt
J. M. Varnum.


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Weissenfels, 9 March 1779
From: Weissenfels, Frederick
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Rochester [Ulster County, N.Y.] March 9th 1779.
at a Request of Lt Colonel Regnier made to your Exellency at Valley Forge, to have a Board of General officers to Setle his Rank, Which Resolution your Exellency wass Pleased to Confirm—May 29th 1778; Whereby it appears that the Rank in the Line wass Setled in his favour, but the Rank of the Line in this State, against him.
I Presume from the above Circumstances and the Resolution of Congress May 28th 1778 (That Since a Lt Colonel Comanding a Regiment, is to all intents a Promotion from the Priviledges anexed to it, with the Next Promotion to a Brigadier) that I am Superceeded, by the appointment of Lt Colonel Regnier, to that Comand—and all the Gentelmen of the Same Rank with me in this State, byCause he is The Youngest.
I humble implore from your Exellency Known inclination to Strikt Justice Suc⟨h⟩ Redress, as my injured Cause may requi⟨re⟩.
The Delicate Sense of Militairy honor induces me to lay this Complai⟨nt⟩ before your Exellency, not Doubting but I Schall be Encouraged to Continue in the most Respectable and honorable Service of my Country. I am with the greatest Respect Your Exellencys Most obiedent most humble Servant—
Fred: Weissenfels


Title: General Orders, 10 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

        Head-Quarters Middle-Brook Wednesday March 10th 79
Parole Austria—C. Signs Bourbon—Turky.

Colonel C. Hall is appointed to superintend the Hospital at Brunswick and relieve Colonel Beauford—He will call at the Orderly-Office for his instructions.


Title: Proclamation to Deserters, 10 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

[Middlebrook, 10 March 1779]
By His Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq; General and Commander in Chief of the Forces of the United States of America.
WHEREAS it hath been represented, that many of those Soldiers, who have been induced, from divers Motives, to desert their Corps, and are now dispersed in different Parts of these States, having seen their Error, would be glad to return to their Duty, but are restrained by the Fear of Punishment: In order to quiet such Apprehensions, and give them an Opportunity to put in Practice these good Dispositions, I do hereby proclaim full PARDON to all those who shall rejoin their respective Corps by the first of May next;—at the same Time declaring to all such who shall neglect to avail themselves of the present Offer of Mercy, and who shall persist in their Delinquency, beyond the Period herein appointed for their Return, that the most effectual Measures shall be pursued to detect them, wheresoever concealed, and to bring them to the most rigorous and exemplary Punishment.
Given at Head-Quarters, Middle Brook, March 10, 1779.
G. WASHINGTON.
All Printers are desired to publish this in their respective Papers.


Title: To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Aaron Burr, 10 March 1779
From: Burr, Aaron
To: Washington, George

Sir
Phillipsburgh [N.Y.] 10th March 1779
The Recovery of my Health encouraged me to accept the Command of these Posts during the Winter Season, which, if any is with me a Season of Health—The Undertaking has again convinced me that my Constitution is no longer equal to the Severities of active Service—the reduced State of the Regiment and Abundance of Officers in that Line, were additional Inducements with me to leave the Army—I did myself the Honour to write your Excellency of this Intention, the 25th Ulto by Mr Webb—but as Col. Malcom informs me no such Letter had been received I conclude it has been unfortunate or that Mr Webb has taken some other Rout.
Agreeable to that Intimation I resigned my Rank and Command in the Army the third Inst.—I had given previous Notice to Genl McDougall, and an Officer is sent to relieve me. some unavoidable Delay of the Qr Mr in discharging the public Debts I had contracted, and particular Business of the General, will probably detain me in this Quarter till the 20th Inst.
My Attachment to the Service and to your Excellencys Person are unabated, and will direct my Conduct in every Exigence: the Extremity of the Times may perhaps demand a further Proof that these are not mere Words of Course—Be assured Sir, I shall with Alacrity obey every Summons to defend or secure, what I have hitherto contributed my Mite to obtain, and shall with Pleasure improve every Opportunity to convince your Excellency of the Respect and Esteem with which I am Your very Hum. ⟨Servt⟩
A. Burr


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 10 March 1779
From: Huntington, Jedediah
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Camp Reading [Redding, Conn.] 10 March 1779
When I gave Colonel Sherman an Order for the french Cloathing agreeable to your Excellencys Permission I hoped the rest of my Brigade might do without—but I find so many of them destitute & ragged that I have thought proper to give your Excellency a State of the Cloathing recd a considerable part of which was of very ordinary unsuitable Cloath & almost all without Lining & did but little service—the Reason Col. Starr has so many Coats is that the 140 last recd were the Remains of some English prize Cloathing that did not suit any other Regiment—If they could recieve complete Suits of french Cloathing by turning into store what they have lately had, which is all that is worth returning, without Injury to other Corps, I should be very glad, in mean Time remain with Respect & Esteem your Excellency’s obedt hble servt
J. Huntington


Title: From George Washington to John Jay, 10 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Jay, John

Sir
Head Quarters Middlebrook 10 March 1779
I had the honor of your Excellency’s letter of the 2d Inst. with its several inclosures.
I have only at present to request the attention of Congress to the inclosed letter from James Reed, signing himself Brigadier General. Congress will be pleased to inform me, if he holds the rank of Brigadier General, that some measures may be taken in his case. I have the honor to be your Excellency’s most obt and hble servt
Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 10 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

Sir
Head Qrs Middlebrook 10 March 1779
I had the honor of your letter of the 5th Inst. with its inclosures.
I have communicated the resolve of Congress respecting the pay of supernumerary officers to the Auditor of accounts for the goverment of his conduct.
In case there are any quantity of shoes, at the different manufactories under the direction of the board, I could wish them to be forwarded to camp as soon as possible. as also a number of Shirts & Linnen Overalls. I am with great respect &c.
G.W.


Title: General Orders, 11 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook Thursday March 11th 1779
Parole Minisink—C. Signs Munster. Moro.

That the returns of the Army may be similar in every respect and regularly transmitted, The Commander in Chief directs that the officers commanding regiments, corps and brigades observe the following regulations.
1st—In the columns under “Officers present fit for duty” are to be included all such as are able to go into Action on guards, detachments &c. &c.

2nd—The officers and non commissioned officers, “Sick present, Sick absent, On Furlough, Recruiting, Vacancies, on Command, in arrest, on the Staff, Prisoners of War &c. &c.[”]—are to be inserted in their proper columns under the body of the brigade returns numerically; but in regimental returns the absent officer’s names are to be inserted, with the places where, reasons for, and time of absence: The Sick-present and Vacancies to be noted numerically on the proper lines in such manner in both returns that the sick & absent officers together with the vacancies added to the Present fit for duty will exactly amount to the establishment.
3rd—Under Rank & File in the first column are to be inserted all men fit for duty, in which number are to be included all officers waiters belonging to the Army (who are ever to go on duty with their Masters, making part of the detail); All soldiers employed with their Corps as Artificers or Tradesmen, all guards in camp or its vicinity within alarming distance; in a word all the rank and file capable of doing any kind of duty within the aforesaid limits, are to be included.
4th—In the second—the sick in camp, judged so by the regimental Surgeons, or so near camp as to be attended by them.
5th—The third—to contain all sick absent in hospital or else where too far distant from camp to be attended by their regimental surgeons; and underneath are to be particularly noted the hospitals or places at which they are sick.
6th    The fourth—to include all such as are on detachments or on command too far distant from their respective regiments to join in case of an Alarm and underneath the places where and kind of duty they are upon to be exactly noted.
7th    In the fifth to be inserted such as are furloughed by Officers properly authorized.
8th    And the sixth to contain the Totals of the effective rank and file.
9th    Under “Wanting to complete” are to be inserted the number of serjeants, drums and fifes and rank & file deficient of the establishment.
10th—Under “Alterations since the last” are to be inserted such casualties as may have happened since last return; a discrimination to be noted underneath between such as have been discharged by the Muster-Masters or for bodily inability and those whose terms of service have expired.
11th—Besides the weekly alterations, in the monthly returns all the alterations in the rank and file of the month past are to be inserted regimentally and the whole return compared with the one immediately preceding, with which it must be made to correspond, so that if it exceeds or falls short of the preceding the augmentation or deficiency of officers or soldiers to be accurately accounted for in the proper casualties.
12th—On the back of each regimental and Brigade Return are to be inserted upon honor the number of officers, non-commissioned officers and rank and file fit for action; and from the column of rank & file fit for action none are to be excluded who are returned fit for duty but Waggoners, or such as are destitute of Arms or Cloathing who are to be inserted in separate columns (viz.) Waggoners Wanting Cloaths—Wanting Arms; the totals of which added to the [“]fit for action” will amount to the number “present fit for duty.”
13th—The regimental returns to be made out weekly signed by the commanding officers of regiments and delivered the commanding officers of brigades who are to have them digested into brigade returns which after they have carefully examined & signed they will transmit to the Adjutant General every saturday at orderly time: The monthly returns to be delivered in the last saturday of each month successively, except of such troops as are too far distant from Head-Quarters to have their returns forwarded weekly; The commanding officers of such troops are to have their returns made out and transmitted to the Adjutant General the last saturday save one of each month successively: These returns by no means to be made known to any persons whatever except such as are immediately concerned in making and signing them nor to be forwarded by any others, except under a sealed cover.
That the returns of an Army should be kept a profound secret is a matter of the highest importance, consequently they should be conveyed by very trusty persons, by none under the rank of a commissioned officer, if possible.
14th—The Officers commanding regiments are to keep books in which they are to have every return they make regularly recorded, also the regimental casualties (viz.)—The dates of the Deaths, Discharges, Desertions, Furloughs &c. &c. &c. that happen in a regiment.
The commanding officers of brigades are also to have their brigade returns recorded in books kept for that purpose, as also the general, division and brigade orders together with brigade casualties; These books to be constantly kept in the regiments or brigades and in case a brigade or regiment should be reduced, said books to be deposited in the orderly-office.
15th—Morning reports of companies are to be made every day signed by the oldest officer of each present to the commanding officer of the regiment, immediately after roll-call in the morning, which every monday and thursday are to be digested into field returns and delivered to the officer commanding the brigade.

16th—With the monthly returns are to be transmitted returns of clothing, arms, ammunition and accoutrements to the Adjutant General: All the forementioned returns to be made according to the blank printed forms which shall be delivered them.
17th—Size-rolls also according to the printed forms to be taken of companies, which are to be constantly kept by the commanding officer with the company.


Title: To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 11 March 1779
From: Clark, John Jr.
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency
[Middlebrook] March 11th 1779
I waited at your quarters yesterday evening in hopes of seeing you, but was informed you were engaged; upon this, I requested Doctor McHenry to inform you I wanted leave of absence to regulate several matters in my department, as the Board of Treasury have lately made a new arrangement therein.
They have by a Resolve of the “23rd Feby 1779 appointed three Audrs for the different Districts, Wm Bedlow Esqr. for the Eastern, Alexander Fowler Esqr. for the Western, and Felix Varley Esqr. for the Southern, & they are severally directed to correspond with, make returns to, and conform to the modes that are or may be adopted for settlement of Accts by John Clark & James Johnston Esqrs. Audrs of the main Army, who are directed from time to time, to furnish each of the Audrs first mentioned, with copies of such Resolves of Congress and other papers as are or may be necessary for conducting the business of the said Office.”
Mr Bedlow I have seen, & such papers & Instructions as I have in my Office, will send him to morrow—But there are many things wanting for him that I cannot get, unless, I go to Philada having wrote repeatedly for them, & cannot get any one to do the business—Shou’d I not go off, those different Offices cannot proceed to Business—for want of the necessary Papers &ca—I am sure you will readily see that the whole of this matter falls on the Audrs of the main Army: Mr Fowler is now waiting in Philada. I want to have him dispatched to Fort Pitt with all possible haste, that no delay may be in that department; & should he go without the necessary Articles &ca the public will be much injured; other Dispatches for Mr Varley are to be sent equally rapid, & if I had them ready should not know where to direct them.
By another Resolve of same Date, I a⟨m⟩ ordered to lay before the Board a form to settle Reg⟨imental⟩ paymaster Accts—this is a matter of immediate consequence, & either the Board cannot understand or we cannot understand them; it is necessary I shoul⟨d⟩ attend them, that it may be immediately complete⟨d &⟩ sent with the other Instructions to the different A⟨udrs⟩.
I could enumerate many other matters to convince your Excellency that it is requisite I shou⟨ld⟩ attend the Treasury, but what I have said I hope will convince you it is the public good I have in view. I shall only add, that I shall thank you for leave of absence to do the duty required of me, so soon as ’tis done, I will repair to Camp: and unless Congress should be disposed to make a proper allowance, for the trouble in transacting the business of this Office; I shall be obliged to resign my appointment as an Audr, I should not have continued in it so long (but was appointed through your obliging Letter) or indeed accepted it, as my Health was, & still is so delicate that I am much injured by so sedantary a life: I trust my Conduct has been agreeable, & I shall ever esteem the favor done me, & think it an honor to serve you—Should it be requisite for me to attend you, I will readily do it; making the dispatches alluded to, prevents me at this time. I could wish to go to morrow if agreeable, & wait your pleasure. I am with much esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Hble servt
Jno. Clark Junior Audr


Title: From George Washington to Captain William Galvan, 11 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Galvan, William

Sir,
Head Quarters Middle Brook March 11th 1779
While I was in Philadelphia, I received your letter accompanying a “scheme of instruction” which you propose for the Armerican infantry—I have since received your other letter of the 9th of last month on the same subject. I have attentively considered your work and find it to be a work of merit, framed on principles corresponding with those of the most approved systems of tactics—But I do not perceive any utility that could be derived from encouraging the competition you seem to desire between you and the Gentleman who has already been appointed to superintend the instruction of the army. The specimens he has given of his zeal and knowlege intitle him to my confidence; and he has just prepared a plan of regulations which have received my approbation, These appear also to be founded on the best principles simplified and accommodated to the particular situation of our service. ⟨You⟩r manuscript and letter to Congress are returned herewith. I am with great consideration Sir Your most Obed. serv.


Title: To George Washington from James Geary, 11 March 1779
From: Geary, James
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Commissary of Cloathing’s OfficeFish Kill [N.Y.] March 11th 1779
Your two orders are come to hand—Am very sorry ‘twas not in our power to send immediatly on the receipt of your first order an exact and accurate return of the Cloathing then remaining in this Store, as the chief or major part of all the Cloathg we have on hands was never opened by us ’till the receipt of your Excellency’s first order, when we thought it very necessary in order to make an exact return to open the whole of the packages on hands and count over the numbers, as we have repeatedly found by experience the numbers to differ very much from the Original Invoices at times when the packages have been opened and counted by us; And a day or two previous to the receipt of your Excellency’s first order, we recd a large parcel of Cloathing in very wet weather, some of the packages fractured and in bad condition, whereupon we thought it our indispensable duty to immedeatly open said packages and air and dry the contents to prevent further damage which has kept us very busy in opening, counting, examining and repacking these packages lately recd with those before on hands.
Agreeable to your Excellency’s orders I now send the inclosed Returns made as exact and minute as possible of all the Cloathing remaining in this Store at present, and those issued on Genl Putnam’s orders, hoping they may meet your Excellency’s approbation and apologize for so long a detention. I have the honor to be with the utmost respect Your Excellency’s most Obedient & most humble Servt In behalf of Geo: Measam C. Gl
James Gear⟨y⟩
N.B. Genl McDougall has (as yet) sent no orders to draw Cloathing in consequence of the powers given him from your Excellency.


Title: To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 March 1779
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

Dear General.
Roxbury [Mass.] March 11th 1779
It is now upwards of four months since I had the honor to receive yours of the 29th of Octr, inclosing a resolve of the Hon. Congress of the 22nd of the same month, directing that Major General Gates should forthwith repair to Boston to take Command of the Continental Forces that were or might be in the Eastern district. Your Excellency in that letter was pleased to observe, “I inclose you the Coppy of a resolve of Congress of the 22nd instant, which cam⟨e⟩ to hand yesterday.” and in your lett⟨er⟩ of the 6th of Novr you were pleased to observe, that the Command at Boston had by that time devolved on General Gates, without the least hint whether I was to remain here Untill further orders, or repair to some other post. From this indeterminate Silence of the resolve, and your Excellencys Letters, as to my future destination, or what line of Conduct it was my duty to pursue, I felt myself not a little embarrassed, which I took the liberty to express in a letter which I did myself the honor to address to your Excellency on the first of Decemr, which I committed to the care of the Hon. Mr Holker for safe delivery, A very considerable time has since elapsed, during which I have been most anxiously waiting an Answer, but to this moment am not honored with one, This circumstance, with the silence of the resolve, and your Excellencys letters before mentioned respecting me, I must confess are to me incomprehensible, I must therefore intreat that your Excellency would be pleased to signify to me the reasons of it, that I may without further delay be able to act agreable to your expectations by pursuing that mode of Conduct which the interest of my Country, and my own honor require. With the most perfect Attachment & respect I have the honor to be your Excellencys most Obedient humble Servant
W. Heath


Title: From George Washington to John Jay, 11 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Jay, John

sir.
Head Quarters [Middlebrook] 11th March 1779.
I am to acknowlege the honor of your Excellencys favors of the 4th and 5th, and shall apply the Inclosures to their several intentions.
The Baron Steuben transmitted me his proposed plan of regulations for the Infantry of the American army. I have returned it to the Baron, with such observations as occurred on different objects of the work, and my general approbation of the whole.
If the plan should appear agreeable to Congress, it will be necessary that they give it their public sanction, that the regulations may be carried into execution as soon as possible.
The inclosed extract of a letter from General Maxwell, is of the latest intelligence from New-York. I would rather presume that Gambier, is to re-inforce Byron, than the expedition to New-London. However, as an enterprise of this nature was apprehended; it is some time since, that 400 men have been detached from General Putnam’s command for the greater security of the vessels at New-London.
Your Excellency’s letter of the 2d instant covered printed resolves of february the 11th 1778, one of which I return. As they are of the same date; correspond exactly with the old establishment, and contain none of the proposed alterations, I would beg to know, if there has not been some mistake in their transmission. I have the honor to be with great respect Your Excellency’s most hble servt
Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Peter Scull, 11 March 1779
From: Scull, Peter
To: Washington, George

        Letter not found: from Peter Scull, 11 March 1779. GW wrote Scull on 13 March: “I am favd with yours of the 11th.”


Title: From George Washington to Major General Steuben, 11 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, baron von

Sir.
Head Quarters [Middlebrook] 11th March—79
I have received your favor of the 5th and now return you the Sequel of your work accompanied by a few notes. It gives me great pleasure to learn that the foregoing part is in such forwardness for the press—With respect to the Title I think “Regulations for the Infantry of the United States” will be sufficient—In a Letter to Congress I have signified my approbation of the work—it remains for them to give it a final Sanction and preface it with such order as they judge proper.
As the fine Season is advancing, you will I flatter myself shortly have the satisfaction, so rarely enjoy⟨ed⟩ by Authors, of seeing your precep⟨ts⟩ reduced to practice—and I hop⟨e⟩ your Success will be equal to the merit of your work. I am with great respect and esteem Sir Your most obed. ser.


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Edward Wigglesworth, 11 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Wigglesworth, Edward

Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 11th March 1779.
Congress have only answered your request for liberty to resign by a Resolve of which the inclosed is Copy—Should the determination of the Delegates of Massachusetts be transmitted to me, it shall be forwarded to you by Sir Your most obt Servt
Go: Washington


Title: General Orders, 12 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook friday March 12th 1779
Parole Agincourt—C. Signs Wight Bergen.

The Honorable the Congress have been pleased to come to a resolution of the 2nd instant appointing a commissioner to settle and pay all accounts of arrearages of clothing due to the troops of these states for the year 1777—the following parts of which are extracted for the government of all officers concerned and are to be carefully attended to: The General has the most perfect reliance that all officers will contribute to the execution of this resolve on principles of equal justice to the public and to the soldiers under their command.
The irregularity in which the distributions of cloathing have been hitherto involved will make the utmost circumspection necessary.
All officers of the Army who have received clothing for the troops either of any Continental or State Clothier or by purchase or impressment are directed to render the Commissioner aforesaid a return of the same and account with him for their due application.
That the Commander in Chief and officers commanding any separate posts do forthwith cause the captains and officers commanding companies in the troops under their immediate command to make out the accounts of their respective companies specifying the names of the claimants still in the service, where they are, what they have received, and what is still due: These points in cases of doubt to be ascertained by a particular inquiry of the officers, non-commissioned officers and privates of each company: The accounts thus formed and ascertained shall be delivered to the regimental Pay-Masters who shall draw them into a general one and settle the same with the Commissioner aforesaid; and the Commissioner shall certify the sums due on such accounts and to whom; whereupon warrants shall be issued for payment in like manner as for the monthly pay of the troops: That the said regimental Pay-Masters pay the arrearages aforesaid to the non commissioned officers and soldiers themselves or their representatives to whom they are due, and account with the Commissioner aforesaid for the monies they received for that use, producing the receipts of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers or their representatives as Vouchers. And if upon such accounting there shall appear to be monies in any Pay-Masters hands received for non commissioned officers and soldiers who afterwards died or deserted, the said Commissioner shall certify the same to the Pay-Master General or his deputy at the post where the regiment of such Pay-Master is stationed, to whom he shall pay over all such monies remaining in his hands.
That all the non commissioned officers and soldiers intitled to the continental bounty of clothing who served in the year 1777—but are not now in the service and their representatives in case of death shall also receive the arrearages due for such clothing, provided that they produce or transmit to the Commissioner aforesaid accounts thereof properly authenticated by the certificates of the officers under whom they immediately served or other sufficient evidence; and the said Commissioner being satisfied therewith shall certify the sums due on those accounts, whereupon warrants shall issue as aforesaid for payment.
That as in the course of this inquiry it may appear that the clothing issued to divers non commissioned officers and soldiers for the year 1777—exceeds the bounty allowed by Congress; The regimental Pay-Masters shall enter the names of such in two separate rolls for the inspection of the Commissioner aforesaid who shall transmit one of them to the Pay-Master General or his deputy at the post where the regiments may happen to be and the other to the commanding officers of the regiments to which such non commissioned officers and soldiers belong who shall thereupon be put under stoppages by order of such commanding officers to the amount of the surplusages of the allowed bounty, for which the regimental Pay-Masters shall account with the Pay-Master General or his deputy aforesaid upon every application for the regiments monthly pay.


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Thomas Clark, 12 March 1779
From: Clark, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Paramus [N.J.] March 12th 1779
By Lt Colonel Mebane, I send your Excellency a return of the Men of the 1st & 2d N. Carolina Regiments reinlisted during the war—opposite each man’s name is the expiration of his former inlistment, the Bounty paid him in dollars and the Officer who reinlisted him I have not had time to compare it with the Muster rolls but the officers assure me they have ben very careful, to comply with General Orders.

The 1st Regmt has reinlisted 81 men and expended
10410
dol.

remain in possession of the Officers
 3340
   do

The 2d Regmt has reinlisted 83 men and expended
    9430
   dol.

remain in possession of the Officers
    4320
   do

which four Sums makes
27500
   dol.

The 10 dol. allowed to the Officers for each man they reinlist has been generously given to the Soldiers by almost every Officer—a further Sum of 15000 dolls. will be necessary in the course of this month—if your Excellency thinks proper, Colonel Mebane will take charge of any Sum you may please to order.
The enemy remain quiet at Pawles Hook and Hobuck 5 deserters came in, a few days ago from Colonel Buskirks Corps Stationed at the latter place, from them I understand a general discontent prevails in the Corps—I have the honor to be Sir, Your Excellency’s Most Obt and most Humle Servt
T. Clark
My Soldiers are much distressed for want of Shirts and Shoes.


Title: From George Washington to George Clinton, 12 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Clinton, George

Sir.
Head Quarters [Middlebrook] 12th March—79
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 7th inst: with the depositions of Capt. Laurence and Thomas Minor—relative to Col. Holdridges seisure of the schooner General Howe.
As I am informed that a complaint on the same subject has been laid before Congress—and am ignorant what orders they may have given in consequence—I have given conditional directions to General Putnam, to have a Court of Inquiry or Court Martial held for the trial of Col. Holdridge—and in the mean time to have the Vessel and effects secured—unless Congress shall have ordered differently. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem Sir Your Excellencys most obedt Servt
Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Jay, 12 March 1779
From: Jay, John
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Philadelphia 12th March 1779
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the Receipt of your Excellency’s Favor enclosing an Extract of a Letter from Major General Putnam.

Herewith enclosed is a copy of an Act of Congress of the 5th Inst. for the Payment of certificates given to Inhabitants from whom Supplies have been irregularly obtained—Another of the 9th for recruiting the Army, & a third of the 10th Inst. for accepting Coll Wigglesworth’s Resignation together with a Letter which arrived this morning from South Carolina. I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect And Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Servant.


Title: To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 12 March 1779
From: Reed, Joseph
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Philada March 12. 1779.
Your Favour of the 3d Instt inclosed in one of the 4th came safely to Hand. At that Time & till this Day the Business to which they refer was transacted by a Committee of Assembly in Concert with one from Congress. Their Proceedings I only knew from common Report & were thought by some inadequate to the End. Yesterday Advice was received that the Indians had begun at a Place called Bushy Run about 20 Miles on this Side Fort Pitt & have killed & scalped four Families. This Morning the Assembly came to a Resolution to leave the whole Business to your Excelly, the Congress & the Executive Council and as the Intercourse by Letters on a Subject of this Kind will be very imperfect, I have concluded to wait on your Excelly at your Quarters with such Information & Intelligence as I can procure. In this Purpose I shall set out on Sunday Morning & if Weather or some other unforeseen Circumstance does not prevent I promise myself the Pleasure of seeing you on Monday Evening.
The Ladies of my Family join me in the most respectful Compliments to Mrs Washington. I need not make Professions how much or how sin[c]erely I am Dear Sir, most respectfully & Affectionately Yours
J. Reed


Title: General Orders, 13 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook saturday March 13th 1779.
Parole UtrechtC. Signs Colbert: Tuscany.

Captain Bebee of Coll Shearman’s Regiment; Lieutt Andrew Little 2nd Pennsylvania regiment: Lieutt Nathan Lawrence, late Patton’s Regiment; Lieutt William Murray 10th Pennsylvania Regiment; Mr Gilloland Director of Ordnance; Mr Richard Mount Volunteer in the 2nd North-Carolina or 1st N. York Regiment; Captain Du Val at Reading; Lieutt William Glenny 2nd New-York Regiment; Mr Welch Volunteer in General Huntington’s Brigade; Mr Mix of Coll Wyllys’s Regimt & Mr John Burnside, Coll Lamb’s regiment of Artillery being under nomination for appointments in the corps of Sappers and Miners are desired to attend forthwith at Head-Quarters.


Title: To George Washington from Captain William Galvan, 13 March 1779
From: Galvan, William
To: Washington, George

Sir
Philadelphia March 13th 1779.
I am this moment honoured with your Excellency’s letter of the 11th instant, and return my respectfull acknowledgments for the favour you have confered on me, by taking the trouble to bestow Some of your important hours on my manuscript. This honour, Sir, is So gratifying to my pride that no attempts Shall be made to procure to my work any further illustration.
I was far from contending with the respectable gentleman your Excellency mentions, on any other point but the priviledge of being usefull, and find my Self happy in the thought that, on a Subject which always ingrossed my most ardent Sollicitude, he has fully Satisfied your Excellency. heartily would I concurr in Spreading his principles, of which I entertain the highest opinion Since they have received your approbation. Should your army, which abounds with officers of the greatest merit, fall Short of one ready to devote himself to the instruction of the troops, my Services in that Capacity are humbly offered to the united states and to your Excellency. No other reward of three years Services could be more acceptable than Such an opportunity of Serving under your eyes, a circumstance which has ever been the object of my wishes, and in which are placed my hopes of securing your esteem. With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Sir your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
Galvan


Title: To George Washington from Patrick Henry, 13 March 1779
From: Henry, Patrick
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Wmsburgh [Va.] March 13th 1779
The Reasons hinted in your Excellencys last Favor, are certainly of such Weight, as to prevent the Flag of Truce Vessells coming with Stores &c. for the convention Troops, from proceeding further than Hampton Road. Orders are therefore issued to Day for Vessells of our own, to be ready at that place to convey the Stores upwards to their Destination, under the Superintendance of proper Commissarys.
My last Accounts from the South are unfavorable. Georgia is said to be in full possession of the Enemy, & South-Carolina in great Danger. The Number of disaffected there is said to be formidable, & the Creek Indians inclining against us. One thousand Militia are ordered thither from our southern Countys, but a Doubt is started whether they are by Law obliged to march. I’ve also proposed a Scheme to embody Volunteers for this Service, but I fear the Length of the March, & a general Scarcity of Bread which prevails in some parts of No. Carolina, & this State may impede this Service.
about five hundred Militia are ordered down the Tenassee River to chastise some new Settlements of Renegade Cherokees that infest our so. Western Fronteer & prevent our Navigation on that River, from which we began to hope for great Advantages. Our Militia have full possession of the Ilinois & the Posts on the Ouabache, & I am not without Hopes that the same party, may over awe the Indians as far as Detroit. They are independent of General McIntosh, whose Numbers, altho upwards of 2000 I think, could not make any great progress, on Account it is Said of the Route they took, & the lateness of the Season. The Conquest of Ilinois & Ouabache was effected with less than 200 men, who will soon be reinforced, & by holding Posts on the back of the Indians, it is hoped may intimidate them. Fort Natches & Monshac are again in the Enemys Hands, & from thence they infest & ruin our Trade on the Mississippi on which River the Spaniards wish to open a very interesting Commerce with us. I have requested Congress to authorize the Conquest of those two posts, as the possession of them will give a Colourable pretence to retain all West Florida when a Treaty may be opened, & in the mean Time ruin our Trade in that Quarter, which would otherwise be so beneficial. I can get no Answer to this Application altho’ it is interesting to our back Settlements, & not more than 400 men required for the Service.
I beg pardon for intruding these several Subjects upon you. If you find Leisure to make any observations upon them, they will be highly acceptable. With every Sentiment of Regard & Esteem I am Dear sir your most obedient Servant
P. Henry


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 13 March 1779
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

        Letter not found: from Timothy Pickering, 13 March 1779. GW wrote to Pickering on 20 March: “I have the honor of yours of the 13th instant inclosing a Copy of a letter from Colo. Brodhead with an estimate of the Stores necessary for an expedition against Detroit.”


Title: From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 13 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Putnam, Israel

Dear Sir.
Head Quarters [Middlebrook] 13th March—79
Inclosed are Copies of Affidavits transmitted me by Governor Clinton in consequence of a Complaint exhibited against Lt Col. Holdridge, by James Hallett of the State of New York.
A Representation of the same matter I am informed has been laid before Congress—if they have not ordered differently—You will order a Court Martial for the Trial of Col. Holdridge & in the mean time take proper measures for securing the Vessel and effects in question.
By the Report of the Officers appointed to revise the Connecticut Arrangement, it appears that Capt. James Beebe of the 2d Connecticut Batt. is advanced to a Vacancy which of right belonged to Lieut. Erastus Woolcot of the same Batt. (an Officer of acknowledged Merit now a prisoner with the Enemy[)]—If this Gentleman is intitled to a Company I cannot conceive how he came to be set down in the arrangement as only the 4th Lieut. I have therefore to desire that the Board of Officers will take the matter fully into consideration, and if it appears to them that Mr Woolcot is justly intitled to a Company that they arrange him as a Captain. If this is done it will of course reduce the present youngest Capt. to the Rank of Capt. Lieut., but that must be the case rather than violate the right of a person who is prisoner, and who from that consideration alone is intitled to every mark of attention and justice. I have desired the Board of War to suspend the Commissions of the 2d Regt untill the above point is adjusted. Be pleased therefore to have it settled as speedily as possible. I am &.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 March 1779
From: Putnam, Israel
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir,
Camp Reading [Redding, Conn.] March 13th 1779
I am honor’d with your Excellencys Letter of the 6th Inst., with Col: Hazens instructions, and shall get his Regiment upon the march as soon as possible.

I beg leave however to mention to your Excellency that the roads are so exceedingly bad at present, that it will be almost impractible to get on the Baggage & Artillery. When he arrives on the Connecticut River, he will probably find it so much flowed, as to detain him greatly—Yet one Regiment may be got on tolerably well, but the want of Forage & bad roads will make it difficult for any considerable force to proceed into that Country, (it being low and wet) before the last of May or first June, when the Grass will be grown and the roads setled.
A Letter from Col. Hazen will accompany this, which will give your Excellen[c]y his sentiments on the matter.
I inclose your Excellency some more papers respecting the Goods seized by Col: Gray, and must entreat your Answer on the matter. I have the honor to be Your Excellencys Most Obedient humble servant
Israel Putnam
That the Country might not have too many conjectures I have desired Col. Hazen to report that he is going to Springfield to Guard the Stores along on the Connecticut River.


Title: General Orders, 14 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters Middle-Brook sunday March 14th 1779.
Parole Delaware—C. Signs Sussex—Elgin.

Returns of the reinlisted men from the 23rd of February to this day to be forthwith made to the Adjutant General; the bounty to each recruit to be specified: where this has been omitted in the last returns it is to be included in the present.


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Clark, 14 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Clark, Thomas

Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 14 March 1779
The inclosed has been presented to me by Lieut. Varner of your Regt. If Mr Scull is, as the representation sets forth, a junior Officer to the three subscribers, I shall be glad to be informed how he comes to be ranked above them in the arrangemt.
Be pleased to order Colo. Patten’s Regt to hold themselves in readiness to march from their prest quarters which they may expect to do in a few days. I am Sir Yr most obt.


Title: From George Washington to General Henry Clinton, 14 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Clinton, Henry

Sir,
Head Quarters Middlebrook March 14th 1779.
It is much to be regretted that all the attempts which have been made to establish some general and adequate rule for the exchange of prisoners, have hitherto been ineffectual. In a matter of so great importance, too much pains cannot be taken to surmount the obstacles that lie in it’s way, and to bring it to a satisfactory issue. With an earnest desire to effect this—The Honorable The Congress have again authorized me to propose the settlement of a general Cartel, and to appoint Commissioners with full powers for that purpose. This proposal, in obedience to their order, I now make; and if it should meet with your concurrence—I shall be ready to send Commissioners to meet others on your part, at such time and place as shall be judged convenient.
That the present attempt may not prove as unsuccessful as former ones—it is to be hoped, if there is a meeting of Commissioners, that the Gentlemen on both sides, apprized of the difficulties which have occurred, and with a liberal attention to the circumstances of the parties, will come disposed to accommodate their negotiations to them, and to level all unnecessary obstructions to the completion of the treaty. I have the Honor to be with due respect, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servant
Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene and Jeremiah Wadsworth, 14 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Greene, Nathaniel,Wadsworth, Jeremiah

Sir
[Middlebrook, 14 March 1779]
As I shall be obliged to weaken the post at Paramus, to strengthen those of the Highlands—you will be pleased to give immediate orders that no stores of your department or provisions, passing on the communication between this and Kings ferry make any unnecessary hault—or delay so as to give opportunity to the enemy for insult or surprise.
And in case there should be any quantities of provision or stores at present on the communication you will have them forwarded to their destinations as soon as possible. I am Sir &
G. W——n


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Moses Hazen, 14 March 1779
From: Washington, George
To: Hazen, Moses

Sir
Head Quarters Middle Brook 14 March 1779
I have your favs. of the 7th and 8th instants with a Copy of a letter of the 24th Decemr last by Major Reid, which I recd in Philada and to which I gave him an answer—I imagined he had communicated it to you.
The distribution of Blankets last fall was made exactly in proportion to the Return sent in, and therefore if some Corps obtained more in proportion to their numbers than others, it must have been owing to the Officers sending in false returns of their wants, which (if they will do) it is impossible for me to detect—General Putnam lately discovered a parcel of Blankets at Danbury. I desired him to distribute them among the troops under his command, and give your Regiment a full share, as it does not reap the benefit of State supplies. There were a large parcel of Shoes also at Danbury, out of which you will have obtained a full supply. General Putnam has directions to draw such Articles from the Cloathier at Fishkill as the troops may want, and which he may be able to furnish. I have therefore no doubt but your Regiment will be well supplied in every other Article except Blankets, of which we have not a sufficiency to afford one to every Man. This is owing to the scandalous imposition the public sustained in those imported, many of which were so small that it took two and sometimes four to make one of proper size to cover a Man.
Whoever has reported that I ever mentioned any thing to the disadvantage of General Bailey has been guilty of a misrepresentation to give it no worse a name. I have only said that the quantity of provision on the upper part of Connecticut River did not answer Genl Bailey’s expectation and the estimate which he delivered at the White plains. But I never attributed this to a wilfull deception or any dishonest intent, as I very well know that estimates of this kind often fall short, owing to misinformation and from the peoples holding up their produce when they find large purchases making. That the quantity did fall short of the estimate is evident from General Baileys own letters.
I am obliged to you for your Sentiments upon and information respecting Canadian Affairs. In my orders to you of the 6th I have requested you to keep up a correspondence with some persons in Canada, and I am not without hopes that our Enemies will find so much employment in other quarters, that it will afford us an opportunity of turning part of our force to the Northward. I am Sir Your most obt Servt
Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from John Jay, 14 March 1779
From: Jay, John
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from John Jay, 14 March 1779. GW wrote Jay on 20 March: “I am honored by yours of the 12th and 14th insts. with their inclosures.”