Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Rush, 26 December 1777
From: Rush, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

sir,
Princetown [N.J.] December 26. 1777.

I have delayed troubling your Excellency with the State of our hospitals, in hopes you would hear it from the Director General whose business it is to correspond with your Excellency upon this Subject. I beg leave therefore at last to look up to you, and through you to the congress as the only powers that can redress our greivances, or do us justice.
I need not inform your Excellency that we have now upwards of 5000 Sick in our hospitals. This number would cease to be alarming if our hospitals could afford such accommodations to the poor fellows as would ensure them a speedy recovery. But this is far from being the case. There cannot be greater calamity for a sick man than to come into our hospital at this season of the year. Old disorders are prolonged, and new Ones contracted among us. This last is so much the case that I am safe when I assert that a great majority of those who die under our hands perish with diseases caught in our hospitals. When I consider the present Army under your Excellency’s command as the last hope of America; I am more alarmed, and distressed, at these facts, than I have words to express. I can see nothing to prevent the same mortality this winter among our troops that prevailed last year. Every day deprives us of four or five patients out of 500 in the hospital under my care in this place. The same complaints are heard from every quarter. The Surgeons have been blamed for these things, but without reason. I shall briefly point out to your Excellency the real causes of them.
1. Too many sick are crouded together in One house. I have seen

20 sick men in One room ill with fevers & fluxes, large eno’ to contain only 6, or 8 well men without danger to their health. Six of our Surgeons have died since the 1st of last may, from Attending the sick under these circumstances, and almost every Surgeon in the department has been ill in a greater or lesser degree with fevers caught in our hospitals. It should be the business, (as it is certainly the interest) of the Surgeons to prevent the sick being thus crouded. But unfortunately the Congress have given the sole power of judging of these things to the Director general & his deputies who from the nature of thier business are never Obliged to go inside of a hospital.
2ly The hospitals are provided in the most scanty manner with the Stores necessary for sick people, and these are too often withheld from them from the want of checks upon the officers of the hospital whose business it is to provide & administer them. Beef and bread are by no means suitable diet for men in fevers.
3. There is a want of hospital Shirts—Sheets—& blankets to be worne by the sick. nothing but a miracle can save the life of a Soldier who lies in a Shirt and blanket which he has worne for four or five months before he came into the hospital.
4. There is a want of guards, and an officer to command at every hospital. It is foreign to my purpose to take notice of the inconveniences which attend a Soldier, living any time at a hospital without being Subject to military goverment. All the discipline and Sense of Subordination he acquires at camp are generally lost as soon he enters the door of our hospitals. But it is my business to mention other inconveniences which arise from our want of guards. The men by going out when they please catch colds—they sell their arms—blankets—& cloathes to buy rum, or provisions that are unsuitable for them—they plunder & insult the inhabitants, while within doors they quarrel and fight with each other—disobey their Surgeons—matrons & nurses—and thus defeat the most salutary plans that can be contrived for their recovery. An Officer with a suitable guard at every hospital I am sure would save many hundred lives, and many thousand pounds to the continent every year.
5. The medical establishment is a bad one. It gives the Director General the most incompatible Offices. The Offices held by him are held by no less than three physicians in the British hospitals who are all independant of each Other, and who by checking each Other, perfectly secure to the sick all the good Offices, and medicinal stores that are intended for them by goverment.
Before any material change can be made in our System it will be in your Excellency’s power to stop in some measure the ravages our hospitals are making upon the army by ordering the Surgeons immediately

to billet such of the sick as are able to help themselves in farm houses. The air and diet of a farmer’s kitchen are the best physic in the world for a Soldier worne down with the fatigues of a campaign. I have prescribed them with great Success in this neighbourhood, but my influence is not great eno’ to make the practice universal thro’ the department. I have found the farmers volunteer in taking the poor fellows into their houses especially when they were indulged with the Soldiers rations of Beef & bread, in exchange for the milk and vegetables they gave them. If this most necessary measure can be immediately carried into execution, I am sure it will add 3000 men to your army in the Spring who must otherwise perish in our hospitals. Perhaps the Authority of Congress may be necessary, or of the State of Pensylvania to facilitate the execution of the measure. If your Excellency will only recommend it, I am sure it will immediately take place. With the most perfect esteem I have the honor to be your Excellency’s most Obedient and devoted Servant

B: Rush


Title: To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 26 December 1777
From: Stirling, Lord (né William Alexander)
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
General Potters Qrs [Radnor, Pa.] Decemr 26 1777 Noon

I wrote your Excellency yesterday at Noon, the light horse Man whom I sent with it, is not yet returned. As most of our troops are Constantly out on Duty and two of Colonel Proctor’s men deserted to the Enemy the Night before last, and Cannon of no Use here, I thought it most prudent last night to send the four peices of my Division back to the Artillery park. I have this morning seen a Gentleman from Philadelph. who was all thro’ Sir William Howe’s Army. Yesterday Afternoon they are Spread from the Middle ferry to beyond Derby, the light Infantry and the 17th Regiment moved yesterday morning about three

below Derby on the Chester Road. they fell in with three of the Detachments of 50 each, who made shift to get off with the loss of two or three Men who were knocked down by their feild peices. however they brought off with them two of the Enemy’s light horse who are now here. Sir William Howe’s head Quarters at Phillip Price’s the Bulk of his Army is on this Side Schuylkill. they were reduced to the Necessity of makeing this Grand forage, the greatest of that they had in town being damaged; & a great part of it Burnt or Roted in the Mow by being put up too Moist. a Negro man Called Jacob Lewis and a White lad taken with him among the prisoners sent up yesterday, should be well Secured, the black has been Constantly used by the Enemy as a Spy, and he has been frequently as such in our Camp. I am your Excellency’s Most Humble Servant

Stirling,

There was a small Skirmish about half an hour ago but have not heard the particulars.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 26 December 1777
From: Stirling, Lord (né William Alexander)
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Genl Potters Qrs [Radnor, Pa.] Decemr 26: 1777 7 oClo. P.M.

I have Just received your Excellencys letter of this date by Lt Col. Davidson, I have sent the three feild down to Col: Morgan to take Command of the three divisions of the 15 detachments according to An Arangement I made of them this Morning & according to their Several States.
In answer to your Excellency’s Querie, I do not see, that any Attempt can be made with a proba[bi]lity of Success unless it be on those troops which are advanced to Knowles’s within a Mile of the White Horse on the Road from Derby to Chester. I think a body of fifteen Hundred fresh Chosen Men from Camp Might push in about a Mile below Derby (while the Troops we have here make an Attack on every other part of their line as a feint) and then turn to the Right & briskly Sweep all before them and retreat thro’ Ridley & Upper providence. I think the Experiment might be tried without danger to our Main Army. The Troops I have with me are now all except abt 100 Men Stationed from the five

Mile Stone on the Lancaster Road to Near the White Horse at 11 Mile Stone on the Chester Road, but the Enemy keep so Close to their lines, we have no Chance of Catching any of them. Before I received you[r] Excellency last lettr I had made a Memorandum as a draft of a letter but rather than detain the Bearer I will enclose the ruff Sketch, which I hope you will Excuse. & am your Excys Most Obt Humble Servt

Stirling

I wish Col: Harrison would send me some good paper, Wax & Quils by the be⟨arer⟩.


Title: To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 26 December 1777
From: Sullivan, John
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Camp [Valley Forge] Decemr 26th 1777

Agreable to your Excellenceys Directions I have Consulted Some of The General officers which I Thought most Capable of advising upon the proper Steps to take in our present Circumstances—They Say that they can by no means advise for or against an Attack they are fully Convinced that General Howe has his whole Force with him That if your Excellencey thinks your force Sufficient to Cope with his they are willing to Risque their Lives & Fortunes with you in the attempt—They Say further that General Howe is possessed of very Strong Grounds at present & Even if he was not he would have Sufficient time to post himself Strongly before you could reach him as your Army must have a march of two Days before they could come to Action, they think if an Attack is made on his Left with Success he can Retreat with Ease: if on his Right he must be Ruined; but Should you fail in the Latter Yr Army must be pushed into the Schulkill They upon the whole think that the attempt will be Exceeding Hazardeous & the Success Doubtful That if you fail the people who are now So fond of Censuring will Change their Clamor & Censure you for not Attacking him when he was within a mile of you & your Army more numerous & in better Condition than at present. they Say they are free for Attacking him if he by his advances this way Shows an intention of Attacking us but cannot advise to marching the Army to Attack him where he now is unless your Excy is fully Convinced of your Superiority in Numbers. These are the Sentiments of the Gentlemen which I have Consulted and Though I think they have much weight yet I am So weary of the Infernal Clamor of the Pensylvanians that I am for Satisfying them at all Events & Risquing Every Consequence in an Action: possibly we may be Successful if not they may be Satisfied & Even Congress itself may gain Experience & Learn to Censure with more Caution possibly a Defeat may have this good Effect & a victory will bring with it its own Reward I am therefore Clearly for Risquing Every Consequence in an Action & among others (most Cheerfully) the Life & Fortune of your Excellys most obedt Servt

Jno. Sullivan


Title: To George Washington from Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 26 December 1777
From: Tallmadge, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

May it please your Excellency,
Chestnut hill [Pa.] Decr 26–1777

Together herewith I send under G[uar]d two Prisoners, viz. Serjt Jos: Foster & James Carter of Colo. Proctor’s Artillery, who, as they say, left Ld Sterling’s Division near the sorrel horse, at 1 oClock the night before last. They were taken up in Germantown, intending to go into the Jerseys.
I am desired by Major Edwards (alias Doctr Edwards) to acquaint your Excellency that at the request of Genl Armstrong he has taken the Commd of the Militia on Frankfort road. He as well as the other Officers on this Commd wait for your Excellencys Directions as promised in your last.
Lieut. Lewis of Bland’s, has taken post on the Ridge road till within these two Days, since which he has continued with me, both our Detachments being somewhat reduced by fatigue & Sickness. However our Patroles are, as usual, on the ridge & Germantown Roads. I am, your Excellencys, most obdt Servt

Benja. Tallmadge


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 26 December 1777
From: Wayne, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Sir
[Valley Forge] 26th Decr 1777

The Inhabitants from being acquainted with me are perpetually lodging their Complaints against the proceedings of the Deputy Commissaries Quarter Masters & Soldiery—they say that all the provision & Provender which they had laid up for their family use and Stock during the Winter, has been taken and Carried off by force—that money will not Replace it, and that they must either Starve or remove into some distant part for Sustenance for themselves—as to their Horses and Other Stock, they say that they have not the most distant prospect of saving them.

many of these Complaints I believe to be but too well founded—whilst Others are Exaggerated—I wish that some Discrimination had taken place—I am sorry to find that many of the families of those Officers and Soldiers who are now out in the Militia, are almost entirely striped of every Sustenance of life for either man or Horse—and that in the most Insulting manner—the tempers of the people are much Sowered—the Militia are returning home with arms in their hands to protect their families from further Insult and Robberies.
I have endeavoured to Reconcile them as much as possible—by assuring them that it never was your Excellencies Intention to draw from the Inhabitants any more provision or forage than they could spare, for which a liberal price would be allowed—and that it was their Indispensible duty to Contribute as much as lay in their power to the Support of an army which was posted for the purpose of Covering the Country against the Depredations of the Enemy—who were they to come among them—they would not only take every thing they had without any Recompence—but probably burn their Houses over their heads—that such of them as had it not in their power to replace the provision taken from them—and without which their families could not be supported thro’ the Winter, I doubted not but upon Application to your Excellency they would be Order’d to receive as much from the Commy as was taken, or a proportion of it—and that they would receive Immediate pay for the Surplus.
this Sir perhaps was Assuming too much, but I trust that when your Excellency reflects upon the unhappy and Distressed situation that some of the Inhabitants are reduced to—you will see the necessity, as well as justice of Adopting this measure, and Ordering the Quarter Masters and Commissaries, to be more Circumspect in future and to Settle with and pay the Inhabitants for what has been taken from them—without these delays & Insults—which the people say they experience almost on every Occation—and which you may rest Assured is one great cause of the Unwillingness of the Inhabitants to supply this Army.
I would beg leave to Suggest the Immediate Necessity of Issuing standing Garrison Orders—which among other Regulations should fix Certain Bound, without which if any Soldier should be found (except on duty—or leave first Obtained in Writing from the Commanding Officer of his Regiment) he should be punished as a Deserter—if the Officers were also enjoined to Call the Rolls morning and Evening and at tattoo, which should beat at 8 OClock every Night—it would effectually prevent the Soldiers from maroding as well as from Desertion.
these Orders should be fixed upon the Door of each Hutt, there to Remain during the Winter and to be regularly read once every week at

the Head of each Regiment—to the end that neither Officer or Soldier would plead Ignorance of them.
I would also beg leave to Suggest to your Excellency the practicability as well as necessity of making a grand forage in the Vicinity of Chester and Derby as soon as the Hutts are perfected—by which time Its not Improb[ab]le that Shoe’s Stockings &ca may Arrive sufficient to supply those Soldiers that are in most want of them—which will enable you to Effect so necessary a buisness—my presence at this time is Indispensibly necessary at Lancaster to push the filling the Regiments of this State and the providing Clothing for them.
this is a buisness of the first Consequence and which I can undertake during my State of Convalescency—if your Excellency has no particular Objection I shall set off tomorrow or next day if I find myself able to ride—I will wait on you before I go—Interim I am your Excellencies Most Obt Hume Sert

Anty Wayne


Title: General Orders, 27 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head Quarters, Valley-Forge, Decr 27th 1777.
Castleton.Pittsburg. Stanwix.

Mr Berryman Greene at present Quarter Master is appointed Pay-Master, to the first regiment of Light Dragoons, and to be respected as such.
Mr John Hughes, Quarter Master Serjeant to the 6th troop, is appointed Quarter Master to the same regiment in the room of Quarter Master Greene, and to be respected as such.
All the troops are to draw and cook provisions for to morrow.
Notwithstanding the orders repeatedly given, for calling the absent officers to camp, the Commander in Chief is informed, that many are still scattered about the Country, mispending their time, to the prejudice of the service, and injury of those officers who remain and attend their duty in Camp—He therefore directs, that the Brigadiers and officers commanding brigades forthwith make a strict enquiry, concerning all the officers absent from their brigades; and such as are absent without leave from proper authority, or having had such leave remain unnecessarily absent, are to be immediately notified to return to camp without delay on pain of being suspended or cashiered.
Each brigade Quarter Master is to make a return, this afternoon, to the D. Q. M. General, of the number of officer’s huts necessary for their brigades, according to the regulation in General orders.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Jedediah Huntington, 27 December 1777
From: Huntington, Jedediah
To: Washington, George

Sir,
Camp Valley Forge 27 Decr 1777

Most or all the within Commands might be releived by the Troops near the North River without any Inconvenience that I can see, at present the Men are without any regular Payments of Money or Clothes, and being out of the Care & Inspection of their own Officers, I fear many of them will run away.
I wish, if it is agreeable to your Excellency, that a Field Officer from the Brigade with Your Express Orders, might go look them up & bring them on to their Regiments.
The Drafts in the Connecticut Battalions whose Terms of Service expire the first of January, will not be able to get Provisions on the Road without Difficulty and may, for that Reason, and perhaps without any, abuse & plunder the Inhabitants—will not your Excellency think it best, as soon as their Arms & Accoutrements can be received in, to let them go and some Officers with them, & that they draw provisions in Camp or on the Road to subsist them untill they reach the North River or the Borders of Connecticut. I am, Your Excellency’s most obedt servant

Jed. Huntington


Title: From George Washington to Robert R. Livingston, 27 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Livingston, Robert R.

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Valley Forge 27th Decr 1777

I was a few days ago favd with yours of the 8th instant. I am sorry that any undue promotions should have disgusted your Brother, but as I do not know the instances to which you allude, I can say nothing to the justice of his pretensions to rank in preference to them. The only dispute that has come to my knowledge, is that between him and Colo. Cortland, and in that, I must say, Colo. Cortland has in my opinion an undoubted right to the precedency, upon principles of strict Justice. And as I have heard nothing more of this matter for some time, I imagine Colo. Livingston has dropped his claim.
It is impossible to form such a Corps as you mention at this time. The Regiments, small in the beginning of the Campaign and much diminished by Service, will not bear a draft without reducing them to mere companies. I expect a Committee of Congress here, in a short time, to confer upon ways and Means of new modelling the Army, I shall among other things, strongly recommend the formation of Corps of Light Infantry, and as your Brother will be upon the spot, he will have an opportunity, if such are formed, of putting in his claim for a command. I have a high opinion of his merit, and therefore shall not be forgetful of him. I do not chuse to make an absolute promise at this time, because I know there will be many competitors for such posts, and I am determined to decide in favor of those who appear in every view best qualified, and who will give the most general satisfaction. Colo. Morgan Colo. Butler and Major Morris who have so eminently distinguished themselves in the Light Corps established this Campaign, will undoubtedly claim a preference should they incline to continue in that kind of service—I am Dear Sir with great Regard Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Colonel Henry Emanuel Lutterloh, 27 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Lutterloh, Henry Emanuel

Sir
Head Quarters Valley Forge Decr 27th 1777.

As we have more than probably taken a position for the Winter, and every exertion in the different departments should be made to prepare for the next Campaign: I take this early oppertunity to remind you of the necessity of providing Common Tents—Bell Tents for Arms—Ammunition Waggons—& such other essentials in your Line as you know will be wanted for the use of the Troops next Campaign. A Moments reflection must convince you that the Smallest delay will be injurious, as the Season for providing these things is fast advancing, and the difficulty in obtaining them may be great.
If you have not resources within your own Comd to furnish the two first Articles, you are to apply to the board of War for Instructions; particularly, to know whether the Sail Duck imported, or purchased for the Frigates may not be applied to these useful purposes.
To descend into the Minutiæ of our wants, is unnecessary; the experience of the last Campaign will be your best informer, and guide. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt

Go: Washington

P.S. You ought to know where your resources of Waggons and Drivers are to be had, & no longer depend upon Soldiers for this business.

G. W——n


Title: To George Washington from Major Peter Scull, 27 December 1777
From: Scull, Peter
To: Washington, George

Sir.
Reading [Pa.] December 27th 1777

I trouble your Excellency with extreme reluctance on a Subject so wholly personal as my present application, but indispensable necessity obliges me to do it. It is to inform you that my situation in life is such, that to remain longer in the Army would subject me to great inconvenience and distress, & on that account to request your Excellency’s permission to resign the appointment I now hold of Major to the Regiment lately commanded by Colonel Patton.
I most solemnly aver that it is not a desire of promotion induces me to take this Step: On the contrary I acknowledge with gratitude, that my Rank is much higher, & my advancement has been vastly more rapid than I had any reason to expect.
I likewise assure your Excellency that my attachment to your Person, and the cause you are engaged in, has not receiv’d any abatement & that I shall always chearfully afford my small assistance whenever my Country may require it. I am with the utmost respect Your Excellency’s Most obedient & Most Hbb. Servt

P. Scull


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Wayne, Anthony

Dear sir
Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 27th Decr 1777

I receiv’d your favor of Yesterday, & immediately sent one of my Aids to represent the Subject of it to the Commissary of Forage & Quartermaster Genl as far as it related to them—they declare that nothing of the Kind has happen’d within their knowledge, but say, they cannot be answerable for the conduct of many of their Deputies as they are not to be depended on, & it is out of their power to put better in their place—however, that they will have the matter inquir’d into, & correct any abuses ⟨as⟩ far as they can—the want of money for some time past has been an unavoidable Evill, which I hope will soon be remedied Mr Palfrey being orderd to Camp.
General Orders respecting the Camp Regulations you mention have been for the most part Issued—& as soon as the State of our Cloathing will permit I think the Mode of Foraging you mention to be highly desireable.
I wish you not to leave Camp or its Vicinity, untill the Hutts are compleated & some Regulation takes place—I have prevented General Woodford’s waiting on Congress, & advised that he & every officer who thinks himself injur’d by his pretensions, will State his Case in writing & transmit it to Congress, by which means, the advantages frequently resulting from personal interviews & applications will be entirely obviated, & a fair opportunity given to each to have his rank establish’d

according to the real merit of his Claim. I am Dear sir your mo. Obed. servt

Go: Washington

P.s. After Sealing this I have broke it, to mention to you that I think it best that the State of the pretensions of each should be sent to me in order that I ⟨may t⟩ransmit them together to Congress & as I have no ⟨curi⟩osity to see the Contents this may come Seal’d. Y⟨rs⟩ &C.


Title: From George Washington to Major General John Armstrong, 28 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Armstrong, John

Dear sir
Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 28th Decr 1777

I have this Morning receiv’d your Favor of 26th Inst. The Method you have adopted for preventing the Intercourse & Supply of Marketting from the Country, I think is a good One, & I expect will have the intended effect, though I fear it is impossible to put a total Stop to it

even by the greatest exertions of the Officers, as there are many Avenues to Town which it will be found difficult to Guard. Congress had Information that there was a great quantity of Flour near the British Lines which I suppose by what you mention to be groundless.
I have, by their desire, issued a Proclamation ordering the Farmers to Thresh out their Wheat & prepare it for Mill, & that in case of Noncompliance within certain Periods, it shall be seiz’d upon for the use of the Army & only paid for as Straw—A number of printed Copies are to be sent from Lancaster, when they arrive I shall forward a proportion to you—When the wheat is ready the Commissaries will go thro the Country & pay a generous price for it.
Our Want of the Article you mention has been reliev’d in a temporary manner, but not fix’d upon so good a foundation, as to prevent my apprehensions of similar & indeed greater inconveniencies happening in the Course of this Winter from the same cause.
By the last Accounts from below the British Army remain in the same situation—When they return & things are a little settled here, I shall readily agree to your request of having Genl Potter with you & will give him directions accordingly.
I have now to acknowledge your favor of 23d inst. by a return Express—The Troops which had March’d over the foot Bridge at Matsons ford had return’d before I came up—this was occasion’d by the Officers not knowing the Numbers or Situation of the Enemy, & the risque of passing thro so great a Defile as lies on this side the River, As soon as I was acquainted with the Circumstance of the Bridge, I order’d them to stop & repair what damage had been done—had we been acquaint’d with the strength of the Enemy upon this Occasion something very advantageous might have been effect’d, As the meeting I believe, was very unexpect’d on both Sides—however it is always much easier to see where advantages might have been taken, & what ought to be done, when the matter in agitation is pass’d beyond a possibility of being recall’d. I am &C.

G.W.


Title: To George Washington from the Board of War, 28 December 1777 [letter not found]
From: Board of War
To: Washington, George

Letter not found: from the Board of War, 28 Dec. 1777. On 2–3 Jan. 1778 GW wrote the Board of War: “Your Favors of the 28th & 30 Ulto came to hand this Morning.”


Title: From George Washington to William Buchanan, 28 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Buchanan, William

Sir
Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 28th December 1777.

As the Season advances in which bad weather and broken Roads will render the transporting provision from any distance, for the most part subject to considerable delay, and sometimes impracticable—it becomes indispensibly necessary to form with all possible expedition ample magazines for our Winters Supply contiguous to the Rear of the Camp—and to embrace every favorable opportunity of keeping them furnished—They ought never to have less than thirty days provision in them.
You will likewise extend your views to establishing the necessary magazines for the next Campaign—with respect to their Situation I

can only say in general Terms at present, that they are to be in the most convenient places consistent with Security for subsisting an Army in the neighborhood of Philadelphia.
The Deputies in your Department complain of a Deficiency of Waggons—the power which you have by virtue of your Office of impressing them, if exerted, will certainly remedy this Evil—I am &ca.

P.S. Such Articles of Provision as can be obtained nearest the Enemys Lines, ought to be first secured.


Title: To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 28 December 1777
From: Clark, John Jr.
To: Washington, George

Sir
Mr Lewis’s [Newtown, Pa.] 28th Decr 1777–8 o Clock A.M.

Early this morning, a Spy came to me from Philadelphia, which place he left late last Evening, at that time, Sr Wm Howe had just arrived, & the Van of his Army had got over Schuylkill, a great many Troops were marching from this side the ferry towards the City, so that e’er this, I immagine they’ve all returned from Derby, ’twas the common talk in the City, that the Army was returning—I shall instantly dispatch a person to Derby, & as soon as he returns, will give you further information, if they remain—if you dont hear from me this Evening, you may rely they have returned—I expect another Spy from the City, so soon as he arrives, if the Enemy are all got in to quarters, I will write you—& then, with your permission will embark for York—During my absence Yesterday my Boy ran away, I suspect he is lurking about Camp in hopes of getting over Schuylkill, & making his escape to Germantown—& from thence to Philada, where his Father lives; I must beg the favor to have the inclosed Advertisement put at the bottom of General Orders & perhaps I may get him taken. I am your Excellency’s Very Obedt

Jno: Clark Junr

P.S. The impossibility of putting an advertisemt in the papers at present I hope will plead my excuse.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General William Smallwood, 28 December 1777
From: Smallwood, William
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir,
Wilmington [Del.] Dec. 28th 1777.

The march of the troops down here through the frosty roads, has cut out their shoes, & by being barefoot they are rendered unfit for duty, to remedy which, I have contracted with a gentleman here, for 200 sides of sole, & 200 sides of upper leather, for which he is to receive raw hides in exchange at the same rate on which the commissary of hides exchanges raw hides for dressed leather. I have wrote for the terms the commissary exchanges on & should be glad of your approbation concerning the establishment of a Factory at Newark for the purpose of shoeing our soldiery at this post, & should be much obliged would you inclose an order for the delivery of such shoemakers & soldiers who are now at Bethlehem, Reading or elsewhere employed as guards, waiters, tradesmen or waggoners. I have detached officers to collect such stragglers, but many who have them refuse to deliver them to my order. If I had those in with what Shoemakers I have here, I could soon shoe this part of the Army, & unless some such measure is adopted, our soldiers will remain barefoot. The Ships to amount of 200 sail & upwards, weighed anchor & stood down the bay yesterday, soon after I wrote you one of our party’s last night intercepted several horse cart loads of provisions by Marcus Hook going to Phila. & took one boatman & 3 country men. I am your Excellency’s most obedient Servt

W. Smallwood.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 December 1777
From: Stirling, Lord (né William Alexander)
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Radnor [Pa.] Decemr 28th 1777. Noon

I received your Excellency letter of Yesterday’s date. the inclosed note I received about an hour ago from Colonel Barber the same Intelligence is Confirmed by another Come in to another Quarter, I have sent out what light [Horse] were here for further Confirmation of it, and have ordered the Troops in Case it be true immediately to Search every house within their late lines for Straglers of which I do not doubt they will find many who Shelter themselves from the Stormy weather. there are several Substantial people who have been dealing largely with the Enemy for provisions about Chester, Marcus Hook, &c., I propose getting them taken tomorrow, & can have the Witnesses here the same time, with your Excellency permission, I will have them tried on the Resolve of Congress regulating that Matter; which expire’s the first of January; an Example or two of these principals will have a better Effect, than the punishment of fifty of the small pedlars; these have dealt by whole Sale.
Our Men are almost worn out, but they bear it patiently & I wish I could Indulge them with some whisky but there is not a drop here. I am Your Excellency’s Most Obedient H. Servt

Stirling,

The enclosed from Capt. Smith of the light Horse is this Moment Come to hand. one oClock Colonel Morgan & Colonel Malcolm who with all the troops lay last night within four Miles of their flank must have been aprized of this Movement some hours ago; but I have not heard of either of them this morning.

Stirling,


Title: From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Stirling, Lord (né William Alexander)

My Lord—
Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 28th December 1777

I have received your Letter dated this day at noon and the pieces of Intelligence inclosed in it—your Lordship will act according to circumstances—I altogether approve of what you propose to be done with respect to those persons who have been detected in traiterously furnishing the Enemy with Provisions—the Punishment falling upon one or two Individuals of note will probably strike a Terror that may prevent this illicit Commerce for the future.
Orders have been given, in consequence of your request, to the Commissary to supply your men with whiskey if it is to be had. I am Your Lordships most obedt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Stirling, Lord (né William Alexander)

My Lord—
Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 28th December 1777. 5 OClock

When you shall have received certain intelligence of the Enemys retiring to Philadelphia—it will be expedient to march your Division and the different parties that were detached to join you with all convenient speed back to Camp—that they may as soon as possible be refreshed and provide for their Winter Shelter—this was intended to have been mentioned in this mornings Letter—but was omitted—I am—Your Lordships most obedt Servt

Go: Washington

The Parties mentd above are those from the difft Brigades.


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 28 December 1777
From: Wayne, Anthony
To: Washington, George

Sir
[Valley Forge] 28th Decr 1777

If I am rightly Instructed, Genl Woodfords pretentions to rank is founded on his Serving as a Colonel in the State of Virginia against Govr Du[n] more in the Year 1775.

I have no Idea of his being Entitled to rank in the Continental line from holding a Commission at that time in the State—especially if he Adverts to the Distinction which that State drew between the Rank of Militia, Minute men and Continental Troops, but admitting his Claim the full force he wishes—Certainly his Resignation—and an Other Officer being Appointed in his place—must Inevitably foreclose him from every Shaddow of Rank prior to his Appointment as Brigr General—this Appears to be the Idea of Congress when they passed a vote to Ascertain the Rank which he should hold—Annexing the same to his Commission.
I therefore shall not trouble your Excellency any further on an Affair which Admits of no Other Contruction but what is expressed by that Resolve. I am your Excellencies Most Obt and very Huml. Sert

Anty Wayne


Title: General Orders, 29 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Valley Forge, Decr 29th 1777.
Germantown.Concord. Charlestown.

The Commander in Chief earnestly exhorts the officers of every rank to use their utmost exertions to have the huts completed as soon as possible, that the troops may get comfortably lodged.
He also directs a gill of spirits to be served this afternoon to each non commissioned officer and soldier. And as officers may find it difficult and expensive to procure spirits for their own use in camp, he authorises those of each regiment, to depute and send one of their own corps into this, or the neighbouring State, to purchase such spirits, and other articles for their accomodation in camp, as they shall find convenient for their own use only.
The returns which were called for, on the 25th instant, were intended to pass thro’ the hands of the Commander in Chief, to be by him transmitted to the respective states, where the troops were raised—those who have failed making such returns, to the Adjutant General, are to do it immediately.


Title: Circular to the States, 29 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Sir.
Head Quarters Valley Forge Decr 29th 1777

I take the liberty of transmitting you the inclosed Return, which contains a State of such of the New York Regiments, as are in the Army immediately under my command. By this you will discover how deficient—how exceedingly short they are of the compliment of Men, which of right according to the establishment they ought to have. This information I have thought it my duty to lay before you, that it may have that attention which its importance demands; and in full hope, the most early and vigorous measures will be adopted not only to make the regiments more respectable but compleat. The expediency and necessity of this procedure are too obvious to need arguments. Should we have a respectable force to commence an early Campaign with, before the Enemy are reinforced, I trust we shall have an opportunity of striking a favorable and an happy stroke; But if we should be obliged to defer it, It will not be easy to describe with any degree of precision what disagreable consequences may result from It. We may rest assured, that Britain will strain every nerve to send from home and abroad, as early as possible, all the Troops it shall be in her Power to raise or procure. Her views and schemes for subjugating these States and bringing ’em under her despotic rule will be unceasing and unremitted. Nor should we in my opinion, turn our expectations to, or have the least dependance on the intervention of a Foreign War. Our wishes on this Head have been disappointed hitherto, and I do not know that we have a right to promise ourselves from any intelligence that has been received, bearing the marks of authority that there is any certain prospect of one. However, be this as it may, our reliance should be wholly on our own strength and exertions. If in addition to these, there should be aid derived from a War between the Enemy and any of the European Powers, our situation will be so much the better—If not our efforts and exertions will have been the more necessary and indispensable. For my own part I should be happy if the idea of a Foreign rupture should be thrown entirely out of our Scale of politics, and that it may have not the least weight in our Public measures. No bad effects could flow from it, but on the contrary many of a salutary nature. At the same time I do not mean that such an Idea ought to be discouraged among the people at large because the event is probable.
There is one thing more to which I would take the liberty of soliciting your most serious and constant attention, to wit, the cloathing of your Troops and the procuring of every possible supply in your Power for that end. If the several States exert themselves in future, in this Instance, and I trust they will, I hope that the supplies they will be able to

furnish in aid of those, which Congress may immediately import themselves, will be equal and competent to every demand. If they do not, I fear—I am satisfied the Troops will never be in a situation to answer the Public expectation and perform the duties required of them. No pains—no efforts on the part of the States can be too great for this purpose. It is not easy to give you a just and accurate Idea of the sufferings of the Army at large—of the loss of Men on this account. Were they to be minutely detailed, your feelings would be wounded, and the relation would probably be not received without a degree of doubt and discredit. We had in Camp on the 23d Inst. by a Field return then taken, not less than 2898 Men unfit for duty by reason of their being bare foot and otherwise naked. Besides this number sufficiently distressing of itself, there are many others detained in Hospitals and crouded in Farmers Houses for the same causes. In a most particular manner I flatter myself the care and attention of the States will be directed to the supply of Shoes—Stockings and Blankets, as their expenditure from the common operations and accidents of War is far greater than that of any other Articles. In a word the United and respective exertions of the States cannot be too great—too vigorous in this interesting work, and we shall never have a fair and just prospect for success till our Troops (Officers and Men) are better provided than they are or have been.
The return transmitted comprehends only such Troops of your State, as are at this Camp. I imagine all the regiments stand nearly upon the same footing in point of deficiency, and from it you will be able to form a pretty just estimate of the Men that will be necessary to fill the whole.
Before I conclude, I would also add, that it will be essential to inoculate the recruits or Levies as fast as they are raised, that their earliest services may be had. Should this be postponed, the work will be to do most probably at an interesting and critical period and when their aid may be very materially wanted. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir your most Obet Servt

Go: Washington

P.s. We have taken Post here as the most convenient place to restrain the ravages of the Enemy, and are busily employed in erecting Huts.


Title: To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 29 December 1777
From: Armstrong, John
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Camp near Bartholomews [Pa.] 29th Decr 1777

I lately wrote yr Excely of four prisoners confined in this Guard for Carrying Provisions on different roads toward the Philada Market, and that I wou’d Send them to you for tryal—Upon Examining the prisoners & farther reflexion, I thought it unnecessary to trouble you with them, especially as in my Opinion none of them stood in the Shoes of a proper Victim—I have therefore I believe Sufficiently trounced, & dismissed them they having first taken the Oaths to the State. Very little Marketing I’m persuaded can have been carried on, on this Side since the Seizure of the above.
In Some two or three days I have Seven Battalions free, and Six more being the residue, will remain Some ten or twelve days. All things considered One thousand Men habitually maintained on this Station may be as near the proper number as any I can yet think of—Mr Donaldson the Gentn I engaged to Sound the Jermantown Tanners, tells me that two of them have express’d their desire to deal for green Hydes—Tomorrow his business calling him there again, he is to apply to Others & know their terms &c. I am Yr Excellencys Most humbl. Servt

John Armstrong

P:S: I hope to See you in a few days—if Weather permit.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Thomas Conway, 29 December 1777
From: Conway, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Camp [Valley Forge] the 29th Xber 1777

Coll fitzgerald mentionn’d to me yesterday that your excellency Wish’d to Know the method I intended to proceed upon in the new office to Which I was appointed. the first stepp, is to take your orders concerning the instruction of the troops the returns of Which Models, are to be sent to the Different Regiments concerning the Cloathing, arms, rations, Regimental pay Books, &c. &c. are not yet printed, nay I Believe the form of these returns is not yet Determin’d by the Board of War, and some time may elapse before they are sent Down, and of consequence before I can commence the reviews. in order to Make use of every Moment I propose to your Excellency to Beginn Without Delay the instruction of the Troops. the Method I thought the Most efficacious is to assemble one or two officers and noncommission’d officers from each Regiment in pott’s grove or some other convenient place your excellency may Direct; there to instruct them in all Manœuvres necessary for a Battalion, a Brigade, a Division, this I think I can with some assiduity effect in a Month’s time. when the officers and non commission’d officers are thoroughly instructed, they are to repair to their respective Regiments in order to spread the instruction. I have seen this followed Both in the imperial and french armys, and more than two hundred thousand men train’d up in the space of three Months. no

army wants instruction more than this army, where no two Regiments Manœuvre alike, and where there are hardly two officers in each Regiment able to command the Manœuvres. it is impossible for a general to promise himself any solid success with Such troops Let the men be ever so Brave, and the generals plan ever so judicious and well form’d. it is also impossible that the commander in chief should personnally attend this instruction, as his whole time must be taken up in Watching the ennemy, in opposing the ennemy’s Designs, and in carrying his own into execution. having been employd constantly in training up troops, and having been concern’d in working on the Late instruction given to the french army I accepted of the office of inspector general with the view of being instrumental to the Welfare of the cause, and to the glory of the commander in chief in Making his troops fitt to execute his orders. the rank of Major General which was given me is absolutely requisite for this office in order to be vested with proper authority to superintend the instruction, and the internal administration. there is no inspector in the european army under a Major general. however sir if my appointment is productive of any inconvenience or any Ways Disagreeable to your excellency, as I neither apply’d nor sollicited for this place, I am very readdy to return to france where I have pressing Business; and this I will do with the More satisfaction that I expect even there to be usefull to the cause. I am With Respect Sir your obedt humble servant

Ts Conway


Title: To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 29 December 1777
From: Greene, Nathanael
To: Washington, George

Dr Sir
Monday [29 December 1777]

Col. Gibson of the Virgina State regiment sais there are a great number of his men left behind in Virgina and on the road—he wishes to send Lt Col. Brent and two Captains to collect the Straglers deserters and recruits that may be recruited for the Regiment. There will remain a sufficient number of Officers to command the men belonging to the Regiment after these Officers are gone. Col. Gibson thinks it necessary for the publick good and recommends the measure upon no other principles. I am with the greatest respect your Excellencies Obed. Servt

N. Greene


Title: From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 29 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Valley Forge 29th Decr 1777

Major Blacckden of Colo. Sheldons Light Dragoons goes to Boston to procure Cloathing and Accoutrements for the Regiment against the ensuing Campaign. As the prices of many articles have risen from there being too great a number of Bidders, I have directed the Major, if there are any persons purchasing for the Continent, not to interfere with them, but to apply to them for such Articles as he may want, and as he has the measures of the Men, he will have the Uniforms made up. There will be several things as Boots, sadlery &ca for which he must contract himself, to pay for which I desire you will furnish him with money.
If the Continental Agents should not have the Articles of Cloathing proper for Major Blackden, he is in that case to procure them on the best terms he can, and you will also be pleased to furnish him with Money for the Amount.

We have found so many advantages from Cavalry in the Course of this Campaign that I am determined to augment them as much as possible against the next, and enable them to take the Feild in a respectable manner. I therefore hope you will give Major Blackden your Countenance and every assistance in your power. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Henry Knox, 29 December 1777
From: Knox, Henry
To: Washington, George

[Valley Forge] Decr 29. 1777

Memorandum of sundry matters necesary to be done in the ordnance departments.
1. All the Artificers at Carlile and Springfield to be enlisted during the War or pleasure of Congress—The whole to be on the same establishment, as to pay, rations, &c.—and to form ten Companies—From these the Artillery of the Armies to be supplied with artificers for the field.
2. The laboratory Companies at Carlile and Springfield to be augmented to one hundred men each—there is one Company at each place consisting of 60.
3. Authority to procure & collect Stores, and form Magazines of fir’d ammunition, for the ensuing Campaign at such places as shall be pointed out—and to settle the ordnance department to the eastward.
4. To be directed how the battalions of Artillery are to be recruited and Cloathed.
5. To know whether it would be proper to augment the Companies of Artillery to one hundred men each—officers included they at present Consist of 60.
6. The stores to be remov’d to Lebanon and Carlile—musket Cartridges making to be carried on only at Lebanon.
7. What is to be done with the Artillery at Albany Portsmouth and Springfield?
8. how much Artillery shall we have in the field the next Campaign—and how much for a reserve.

H. Knox B. G. Artillery


Title: To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 29 December 1777
From: Parsons, Samuel Holden
To: Washington, George

Dear General
Lyme in Connectt 29th Decr 1777

Col. Webb’s falling into the Enemy’s Hands the 10th Inst. you have doubtless before this been made acquainted with.
The Descent on Long Island was designd to destroy the Timber & Boards prepard at the East End of the Island for Barracks in New York, to destroy the Fleet there from Rhode Island for Wood. Attack a Regt Stationd about Eight Miles Eastward of Jamaica & remove or destroy whatever Public Stores Should be found on the Island; for this Purpose Col. Meigs was to have landed at Hempstead Harbour to attack the Regiment near Jamaica, Col. Webb near Huntington to Sustain Meigs & aford such Aid to the Division Eastward as should be Wanted & destroy whatever was collected in that Part of the County of Suffolk for the Use of the Enemy; the Eastermost Division with which I was landed at a Place cald Hockaback about forty Miles from the East End of the Island with Design to destroy the Fleet, Timber Boards &c. Col. Meigs who was to have cros’d from Sawpitts through the Roughness of the Water was unable to pass over in his Boats; the other Two Divisions

Saild from Norwalk the Ev’ning of the 9th Inst. with fair Prospects but unfortunately the Armd Sloop in which Col. Webb was on the 10th in Morning fell in with the Falcon Sloop of War in her Passage from New York to Newport, & was forcd on Shore at so great Distance from the Beach as renderd their Escape so hazardous as most of them fell into the Hands of the Enemy.
Upon the Inquiry I have been able to make, I beleive they were more Unfortunate than guilty of any criminal Neglect, and the falling in with that Ship was perfectly accidental as None were Stationd within many Miles of that Place. The Eastern Division landed Safely. The Fleet (except the Swan & Harlem Sloops of War & four other Vessells) had Saild: One Sloop had taken in her Cargoe of Timber & Boards the other three had taken None but being light hald into the Bay under cover of the Armd Vessels, the loaded Sloop we took & we destroyd all the Timber & Boards prepard for New York & a large Quantity of Wood Cut for another Fleet expected from Newport. Cpt. Hart with about forty Men was so fortunate as find Capt. Ascough’s Boats within about Twenty Yards of the Shore; And On their Refusal to Surrender gave them several well directed Shots which did great Execution; Capt. Ascough, of the Swan, having his Thigh broken Two other Officers badly Wounded Eight kild & about the Same Number wounded whose Rank are unknown; this we have from One of the Inhabitants on Board the Swan when the Boats came along Side. The Ships kept a Constant Fire but without Execution immediately on this the Ships weighd Anchor & Saild for Newport.
The Troops except those taken with Col. Webb are Safely landed on the Main again with about Twenty prisoners taken there.
Col. Webb is now out on his Parole to endeavor an Exchange for Lt Col. Campbel of the 71st Regt, & to return in Two Months unless this is effected or he is otherwise exchangd. if there is no Special Reason to prevent the Exchange of Col. Campbell I would beg your Excellency’s Permission to send in Col. Campbell, but if any objection arises against his Exchange Col. Lawrence taken at Staten Island or any other of like Rank will I suppose Answer his Parole if Sent in Season.
If either of these Ways or any other can procure Colo. Webb’s Exchange he will be made happy & his Regt greatly benefitted as the Affairs of that Regiment are so circumstanced that no Man can do Justice to them if he is confind. He has always conducted as a good Officer & as such merits the Esteem of his Superior Officers.
I Should at this Time have requested your Excellency’s Permission to have left the Service of my Country in the Army; was I not apprehensive the Example would have too extensive an Influence amongst the Officers of my Brigade already so discontented as to have producd very many Applications for Dismissions. I have endeavourd with some Success

to give Satisfaction with Assurances Congress would pay that Attention to their Case as would do Justice: The general Sentiments & Practice of the Country are such as give too much Cause for their Complaints—When the Officers are calmd & have laid aside their Present Intentions, I hope I shall not be considerd in a Disagreable Light if my Application for a Dismission should be nearer the Opening another Campaign than the Close of This.
I am now by Genl Putnam’s Permission in the Country for a few Weeks with my Family—As our Assembly Sits next Week at Hartford & not again till May, I could wish Measures to be adopted this Session for filling the Quota of Troops from this State and as I know your Excellency’s Opinion is of great Weight, I am Satisfied an early Attention will be paid to the Subject if recommended by your Excellency.
I intend to spend some Days at Hartford where if I can contribute any Thing to furnishing an Army at the Opening of another Campaign I shall think myself happy in rendering some Service to the Cause of my Country tho^ I should quit the Field myself. I Am dear Genl with Esteem Yr Obedt hl. Servt

Saml H. Parsons


Title: From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 29 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Smallwood, William

Dear Sir
Head Quarters Valley Forge 29th Decemr 1777

I was yesterday favd with yours of the 27th as I was with those of the 22d and 25th: I imagine the Ships you saw going down were only empty transports and Victuallers for which having no use, they think it safer to send them aw⟨ay tha⟩n let them lay crouded in the docks of Phila⟨da⟩ where a single Vessel taking fire might prove destructive of the whole.
The Enemy, who were only out upon a great Hay Forage, have returned to Philada. I was apprehensive that they would have paid you a visit, and altho’ they were not in a position to make a general attack upon them to advantage, I kept large parties of light troops near them to watch their motions and prevent their straggling into the Country and plundering.
I shall send you down a party of Light Horse as much with a view of refreshing them as any thing else, for while the Enemy remain quiet in Philada you will not have occasion to keep out a single Vidette. If they at any ⟨time cro⟩ss the Schuylkill I shall give you notice by Express, and you may then advance a few Horse some towards Chester and others up the Brandywine to keep a look out at other times I wish they may lay intirely still and if you have occasion for Expresses hire them from the Country.
Or if you can take seven or eight of the Dover Horse into employ you may do it, they will serve for the purpose of bringing you intelligence from different parts of the Country and carrying dispatches when there is occasion.

I beg you will continue to urge the president of the Delawa⟨re Sta⟩te and Genl Rodney to turn out part of their Militia to your assistance.
I approve of your proposal of setting one of the Mills to work to supply you with Flour and Horse Feed, but you should keep it intirely under your own direction that no more may be ground than what you and the inhabitants may want.
I will order the Commissary to send you down some salt and liquor if he has any of the latter, and the Waggon shall make up a load with intrenching Tools. As our stock of liquor is very small, your Commissary had better purchase some, up the Country, for the use of the Men upon fatigue.
Officers, ⟨on w⟩hom you can depend, should now be sent off to coll⟨ect all⟩ the Stragglers of your division and those who may have recovered in the different Hospitals, and you should inform the State of Maryland where you are, that what Cloathing they collect for their Troops may be sent to you.
Inclosed you have a Resolve of Congress founded upon information that large quantities of Cattle have been driven down upon the Marshes of Kent upon Delaware which are exposed to the depredations of the Enemy or may be easily conveyed to them. I desire you will, in conjunction with the president of the State have the fac⟨t inq⟩uired into, and if ⟨it be found⟩ true, endeavour to have them removed to a place of Safety, from whence they may be taken by the Commissary and paid for as the Resolve directs.
If the Weather should continue as severe as it promises Vessels will not be able to go up to Philada on account of the Ice. perhaps they may be obliged to put into Reedy Island. If they should and you can procure intelligence of it quickly, you may, by sending down a party and a single feild peice make prize of them or oblige them to run down the Bay again. If they pass by you, they may probably not be able to get further up than Chester, where they must lay within the piers to avoid the Ice, and there they may be easily either destroy⟨ed or taken.⟩ I would have you endeavour to procure people who live at or near the places just mentioned to give you intelligence privately if any Vessels put in, that you may take measures to secure them. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt

Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 29 December 1777
From: Stirling, Lord (né William Alexander)
To: Washington, George

Dear Sir
Radnor [Pa.] Decemr 29th 1777.

I have received yours of Yesterday evening about an hour ago. have Orderd in all the parties that are out both of my division and of the fifteen detached parties; I expect they will be ready to march for Camp by Noon.
There is now a fine oppertunity for the Q.M.G. & Commissary Genl of provisions to employ their Waggons, at one place within Six miles of this place there is above 100 Tun of Bar Iron, at other places there are large Stores of Rum & Spirits & other Stores besides flower & forrage which may all be brot off without the least danger from the Enemy, who I belive are shut up for the Winter. we lost some Men Yesterday Afternoon by the Indiscretion of an officer of one of the N. England detachments, however we have abt a dozen of prisoners among which are four light Horse. I am your Excellencys Most Obt Humble Servt

Stirling,


Title: To George Washington from Colonel Samuel Blachley Webb, 29 December 1777
From: Webb, Samuel Blachley
To: Washington, George

Wethersfield in Connecticut Decr 29th 1777.

Before this, I suppose your Excellency must have heard of a late decent on Long-Island and the objects General Putnam had in view by ordering on the Troops The detachment under my command left Norwalk in four Transports the Evening after the 9th Instant, the weather proved very blustering by which means we parted Compy—on the morning of the 10th at dawn of day we found ourselves within two Miles of a British Ship, every effort was made to clear her, but was forced on shore near Satalkut, the surf runing high fill’d and sunk our Boat directly after we hoisted it out, the Ship came too very near Us and began a heavy fire, in this unhappy situation, no mode of escape left, nor any chance to defend ourselves we were obliged to submit Prisoners to Capt. Harmood of the Falcon Sloop of War, from this we were carried to Newport, where thro: the influence of some old acquaintance I obtained a Parole of which the enclosed is a Copy. I had with me One Captain, Adjutant, two Sub’s and about 20 Privates of my Regiment together with about 40 of the Militia. I should without loss of time waited in Person on your Excellency but am unable to ride.
The particulars relative to the Expedition General Parsons told me he would inform you, I have dispatched Mr Gibbs (a volunteer in my Regt) with this letter, by his return I hope to know whether Lt Colonel Campbell can be given in exchange for me. I confess from the Letters which passed between your Excellency and General Howe I have little reason to flatter myself of its takeing place, but knowing at the time they were wrote Colo. Campbell was one of the Officers highest in Rank of any in our possession, and since Major Genll Presscott being Captivated, I could not but flatter myself the objections were at an end. Should it be otherways I must beg your Excellency to get me from my present unhappy situation as early as possible, the State of my Regiment, my accounts with the Public (which thro: necessity have been neglected) demand my earliest attention, besides which my ardent wish, is, again to be in the Field in my Country’s cause. anxiously waiting

your answer I am with the warmest Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt & Very Humbl. servt

Saml B. Webb


Title: General Orders, 30 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To:

Head-Quarters, Valley Forge, Decr 30th 1777.

Great numbers of prisoners are now in the Provost, suffering extremely from the severity of the season. Brigade General Courts Martial are to be appointed for to morrow, and to sit daily, ’till all the prisoners belonging to the respective brigades are tried.


Title: To George Washington from Major General John Armstrong, 30 December 1777
From: Armstrong, John
To: Washington, George

	Camp near Bartholomews [Pa.] 30th Decer [1777]
Dear General

My last letter to the Council of this State was wrote in consequence of yr Excellencys desire, that the militia shou’d be maintain’d thro’ this winter in the same numbers & succession as they have been in the cource of the Campaign; which requisition I urged with some Argument drawn from the exposed Situation of this Side the Scuylkill & the inexpedience of dividing the Continental Army. On this Side, at first view I thought of the number of two thousand thro’ the Winter, but on farther observation, and taking into consideration a variety of things I’m now of Opinion that One thousand may answer all the purposes upon this Station that wou’d be derived from double that number, and the difference in point of convenience & expence will be very great, as well to the Militia themselves, as to the publick. From these motives, I have by this Express wrote the Council, the Same Sentiment, in order to prevent grumbling (not that I have heard of any) or the exertion of unnecessary measures; informing them at the same time, I shou’d write your Excelly whereby you shou’d have the earliest Opportunity of Correcting the error, shou’d you think it Such—acquainting them also,

that I did not certainly know whether you wou’d require any militia on the South Side of Scuylkill for the Winter, but immagin’d not. I have also recommended the provision of 20 or 30 Light Horse on this Station, adding only a peradventure, you might provide them. If this last is wrong it will be easily Corrected—I am Strickeing off what extra expence I can by ordering weak Teams to their Owners—and the Artillery men hired at the high expence of Substitutes when free to be discharged—The two Brass Field pieces & Ordnance Stores, not being able to See a probability of their real use this Winter, have Order’d to a Coll Gibbons’s considerably in the rear of your Encampment, and Shall employ the Artillery men untill free, as musquetry. General Potter came here this evening & tells me you had wrote me as of this morning or yesterday—which letter is not come to hand. I hope to wait on you before this week is quite out if not froze by the way—And am Dear Sir most respectfully Yours

John Armstrong

P.S: In a late dreaming exercise led on by the delusions of Sleep or perhaps by the Coldness of my limbs, I immagined my Self Authorized to grant you two Months leave of absence, or the Alternative of Sending for Mrs Washington, a generous glass of wine on yr Table & rideing more or less on horseback almost every dry day!

J:A.


Title: Colonel Daniel Brodhead to Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman, 30 December 1777
From: Brodhead, Daniel
To: Tilghman, Tench

Quarters [Valley Forge] Decr 30th 1777

At the Request of his Excellency the Commander in chief I take the Liberty of addressing you with a few Remarks, which have occured to me, relative to the Minutiæ of our Army: and some which in my Opinion may, by able Hands be improved, into Usefull Regulations.
I have had the Mortification to see that the different Staff Departments, have been for the greater part filled, with Men of low Ideas & indifferent Characters, owing perhaps to a Resolve of Congress which Declares, that, no Person in our Army should hold two Commissions—This Resolve, altho I do not understand that, a Staff Officer at present holds a Commission, seems to have prevented Commissioned Officers being appointed into the Staff Department; which I conceive to be injurious to the Service; For were those Departments filled with Officers from the Line, they would not suffer themselves to be insulted in doing their Duty, as too many of the Officers in those Departments at present do, and their Honour would urge them to every exertion, in

the way of their Duty: And upon this Plan, I am clear, that one half the Officers now employed in the Staff Departments, wou⟨ld⟩ be quite sufficient, for the Duty required of them. At present it is too obvious to escape the attention of a discerning Eye, that too many being employed for nearly the same Duty, their reliance on each other, and not being made of sufficient Consequence, occasions the greatest Supineness, Negligence & disorder.
I think it was also Resolved in Congress, that where Rations of Forage were not drawn for Horses, no back Rations should be paid for—This appears to me very unreasonable, with equal Justice might they refuse Paying back Rations for Men, when their Commissaries neglected to Furnish them—This Resolve has in my opinion been Productive of very great Evil in our Army, I will not undertake to say that the Commissaries of Forage have been the more negligent on this Acct. But whether they have or not I believe it will not be denyed that the Inhabitants have been great suffere⟨rs⟩ in having Forage taken from them, without receiving the least satisfaction for it—I am persuaded this wa⟨s⟩ the case for this Reason. Officers could not, out of their Pay, afford to pay the Prices demanded for Forage, unless some equivalent was allowed for the unsupplied Rations; and yet their Horses must be fed or rendered unfit for Service; besides this the Rations allowed for Horses are by no means sufficient at this season of the Year unless the Horses are well Sheltered from the inclemency of the Weather.
I am informed that great waste is suffered of that valuable Article Hides, but as I am not well informed, shall say nothing more than that it might not be amiss for the Commissary of Hides, to be ordered to settle with the Commissary Genl of Purchases and see whether he has done his Duty.
I conceive that if proper Persons were appointed to gather the dirty Tallow of the Beef Cattle slaughtered for our Army, which at present is carelessly thrown away, & of the Ashes which might be collected from the Hutts, and furnished with large Kettles for Boiling Soft Soap, that the noncommissioned Officers & Privates of the whole Army might, soon be supplied with a sufficient Quantity to wash their Linnen, and a great quantity of Salt which must be used, for making Hard Soap saved to the United States. And if proper persons were appointed to Boil out the oil which the feet of the Cattle would produce, that a sufficient Quantity might be procured for Oiling the Arms, Accoutrements & Harness belonging to this Army.
No Cause being greater or better than the Cause of America, her Officers ought to be put on as respectable a footing as any in the World—A Value ought to be set on their Commissions and their Commissions made transferable, the only mode to retain Gentlemen in the Army,

and induce others to enter the Service—All Officers ought to receive half Pay during Life and be liable to be called into Actual Service when required. And where an Officer falls in the Service, his widow if he leaves one, ought to receive half pay during the Term of her Natural Life, And the Male Children of the Officers, ought to be Educated & brought up, at the Expence of the United States, according to the Rank & Merit of their Fathers, and they should be subject to be called into the Service in a suitable manner, as soon as they arrived to a proper Age.
Noncommissioned Officers have not Sufficient respect shewn them, and their Authority over the Privates is not supported as it ought to be—Their Cloathing ought to be far Superiour in Quality to the Privates, and should have sufficient to enable them always, to appear clean before the Men. And as they are the active Officers, they ought, (especially the deserving among them) to be Carest. All Officers sent on Publick Business, ought to be allowed Forage for their Horses, & reasonable Expences.
It ought to be at the option of the Officers, either to draw Money for their retained Rations, or draw them in Bulk.
A Grand Sutler ought in my opinion to be appointed to each Division of the Army, & furnished with Liquor for the Officers at a reasonable rate, and the Officers to be allowed to draw, as many Jills of Spirits as they are entitled to Rations, but the Returns for Spirits ought to be made for all the Officers of the Regt at one Time, & signed by the Commanding officer of the Regt, & divided between the Messes by the Qr Master Sergeant, This Sutler should not be allowed to take any Profit on the Liquor, but be allowed Wages for his Trouble.
The Cloathing of the Army being generally too small, I apprehend it would be best to have the Patterns cut larger, and leave it to the Regimental Taylors (of whom there is commonly a sufficient number) to fit the Cloathing to the Men.
Colonels of Regiments, ought to be permitted to employ Agents, at such Towns or Places as they might Judge Proper, to Provide Cloathing for their own Regiments, especially as it appears that the Cloathier Genl & his Deputies fall greatly Short of Supplying the Army: and that Department, on the present Plan, has too great a Monopoly of Publick Contract for a few individuals, daily complained of, to Retain.
Regimental Paymasters paying individually the Privates of their Regts, I apprehend to be wrong. For at the same time that it saves the Captain’s some Trouble, it renders the Soldier too independent of his Officer, and puts it out of the Officers Power, without risk, to assist their Men with Money; altho they may be distrest for want of a small Sum, which is often the case in the Absence of the Regimental Paymasters; whereas if the Pay of the Companies was put into the Captns Hands,

they being the best Judges of the immediate Wants of their Men, could have the Monies laid out by the Consent of the Men, to their Advantage. And all the Casualty Monies remaining in the Captains Hands, after Paying their Companies, should be put into the Colonels Hands as a purse for the contingent Expences of the Regt, for the due expenditure of which, the Coll should render a fair account to his Brigadier, every six Months.
The sick in Regiments are by no means Provided for, as they ought to be; and the Trifle of small Comforts provided for the Men, it is said, are commonly used by the Surgeons, to the great injury of the Sick: Each Regt ought to be furnished with a Hutt in Winter, and a large Hospital Tent in Summer, and no more of the Sick sent to Hospitals than cannot be avoided, as their Distance from the Regiments, affords great oppertunity for unnecessary absence from Camp, & finally Desertion.
The Division or Brigade Quarter Masters ought, to take great care, that the Horses assigned their Divisions or Brigades, have proper care taken of them, by the Waggon Masters & Drivers; they being most essential to the necessary movement(s) of an Army, and at Present so much neglected & Abused, even when Forage is provided by the Forage Master, that I will venture to say, it is not now in our Power, to advance or retreat with our Baggage & artillery.
Notwithstanding the Genl Orders issued again⟨st⟩ Officers keeping Horses, in or near the Camp, who are not entitled to Forage, too little regard has been paid to those Orders, by many Corps, and much of the Officers attention is taken up in providing for them, besides which it affords means for many to be absent from Camp, to the great neglect of Duty.
I conceive that the different Articles proper to be brought to Market at Camp, ought to have stated Prices, and such of the Farmers as should refuse complying with the Terms, ought to be treated as Enemies—Nothing should be taken from the Farmer, but what considering his Circumstances, he could Spare without distressing him, except in Cases of the most Absolute necessity—All marauding should be severely Punisht, and where officers who have gone through the Country with their Horses, & under pretence of paying the Inhabitants for the Forage fed their Horses, have procured such Forage, and afterwards refused pay and given recipts, unless they are well entitled so to do, they ought to be made examples of.
As to the filling the Regiments, it appears to me, that no mode can be adapted, that will so speedily & effectually do it, as the drafting the Militia in the different States, and the sooner this can be done, the better, as it will require some time to discipline them, And if it was recommended by Congress, to the different States, that the Legislature of

each state, pass a Law for that purpose: I have not the least doubt but it would be readily complied with, and I am further ⟨of⟩ Opinion, that all singlemen should be first drafted And that Non associators should also be enrolled & drafted for Waggoners, Artificers, Hospital waiters, Pioneers, Butchers, &c. instead of Soldiers, which would add greatly to the Number of our Fighting Men.
I have wrote to Genl Green my Sentiments, on sundry Matters relative to our Army: I wrote to him because I understood he was to collect the Sentiments of the Genl Officers, & officers commanding Brigades, relative to Rank, Arrangement, Regulations, &c. which I doubt not his Excelly has seen.
I shall be happy if any thing I have offered may be of Service to my Country, as it is that I wish to serve, with the greatest disinterestedness. Sir I have the Honour to be, with Sentiments of Regard & Esteem, your obedt Humble Servt

Daniel Brodhead


Title: To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 30 December 1777
From: Clark, John Jr.
To: Washington, George

sir
Mr Lewis’s [Newtown, Pa.] 30th December 1777, 5 o Clock A.M.

The Spy mentioned in my Letter of Day before Yesterday, returned last Night, and informs me the Enemy are all over the Schuylkill except

a Guard at the middle Ferry, they have taken up their Bridge at Grays, & say, that so soon as they’ve haul’d their Wood from this side, they will take up that at middle Ferry also, & continue Boats for the benefit of the Market People, I must now inform you that there are a set of Gentry that infest the public Roads between this, & Schuylkill & call themselves “Volunteers” they are under no authority, & pay no respect to persons having passes or not, & indeed, are no better than as many highway Robbers, & unless they are speedily removed will make many Enemies of those, who are now our Friends, a Mr Saunders in particular has abused me, & prevented my Spies at different times from going in, when they have produced my passes, & told them I had no right to grant ’em, & spoke so disrespectfully of me, that had I cau’t him I shou’d have made an example of him, I am told he acts a Light Dragoon for Genl Potter, these people rob, steal, & plunder persons without distinction, & lay it on the Army, & ’tis believed they’ve Orders for so doing, nay they threaten the lives of the Inhabitants if they go to complain, in short it gives me pain to trouble your delicacy with this account, but ’tis my duty.
I herewith send you the last News-papers as there is nothing very material in them, will thank you to return them to me by the bearer.
I must now remind you of your last words to me, as the Armies are both gone into Winter quarters I presume nothing further will be wanting in my department—therefore beg your permission to visit Mrs Clark & prepare some necessaries for myself—which I am in great want off.
I will also be much obliged to you for a Letter to the President & Congress with such Character as you may think I deserve, I care not how short—& another of the same kind not endorsed, the bearer will bring them to me—so soon as he returns I shall set off—If your Excellency has any Commands to York or Lancaster I shall be happy to obey them—and beg leave to assure you that in whatever state of life I may be hereafter fixed ’twill allways ad to my felicity to serve you—I am with compliments & best wishes for your happiness here and hereafter—Your Excellency’s Most Obedt, and Most devoted Hble servt

Jno: Clark Junr


Title: To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 30 December 1777
From: Clark, John Jr.
To: Washington, George

sir
[Newtown, Pa.] 30th Decr 1777

The bearer Christian Bittinger with whom I am nearly connected has been in the service near three Years, during which time he has found himself in Cloathes for the most part—he has been with Colonel Morgan to the Northward, & is desirous of going home on furlough the Col. has this morning wrote me that his conduct merits one, but he was fearful if he granted it that others wou’d expect the like favor. As my Boy is Deserted & I’ve no one to take my Horse & Portmanteau home, & the bearer wants to go with me must beg your Excellency to grant him one, & he shall return as soon as ’tis expired—he has never been absent since his enlistment—as I shall bear his expences ’twill ease his pocket—& indeed walking wou’d wear out his Shoes which at present is a scarce article—your kind compliance with this request will not only lay him under many obligations but me also which as well as many other’s shou’d any thing ly in my line of life to make a proper return off, no person will be more grateful than your Excellency’s Obedt Hble servt

Jno: Clark Junr

P.S. I expect another Spy to Day shou’d he have any thing worth communicating it shall be forwarded The Enemy have a great deal of Wood cut on this side Schuylkill & may be easily burned.


Title: To George Washington from the Continental Navy Board, 30 December 1777
From: Continental Navy Board
To: Washington, George

Sir
Borden Town [N.J.] 30th Decr 1777

We have sent by the Bearer a few Fish which we take the Liberty of presenting to your Excellency’s Table requesting you will do us the Honour of accepting them, & hope they will prove a seasonable Refreshment. Had we opportunity equal to our Zeal we should be happy in exerting our best Abilities to shew the Affection & Respect we have for your Excellency. Sincerely wishing you all Manner of Felicity, & Success equal to the virtuous wishes of your Heart we have the Honour to be your Excellency’s most devoted & obedient humble servts

Fras Hopkinson
John Wharton

P:S: The Experiment recommended to our Notice by your Excellency, has been attempted but with what Success we know not—we apprehend the Season was unfavourable. We have advanced to Col: Worthington (besides bearing all Charges here) 200 Dollars to defray his Expences Home; this we did in Consequence of your Recommendation not doubting but it will be approved by those to whom we are accountable.


Title: From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Flower, 30 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Flower, Benjamin

[Head Quarters, Valley Forge, 30 December 1777]

Instructions for the Commissary of Military Stores—
All the Continental Arms that are out of order are to be collected without delay, that they may be repaired and render’d fit for Service as speedily as possible.
Every Workman that can possibly be engaged is to be employed for this purpose—and in proportion as the Repairs are completed the Arms are to be packe⟨d⟩ in proper Chests, which are to be deposited in places of Security.
A Sufficient number of Arm Chests are to be provided, in order that the transporting of Arms from place to place may be render’d convenient and safe.
It is scarcely necessary to add that the utmost diligence should be used in laying up an amp⟨le⟩ Store of Cartridges for the Service of the ensuing Campaign—and making every other necessary provision in your department. Given at Head Quarters this 30th Decem. 1777.


Title: To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 December 1777
From: Lee, Charles
To: Washington, George

Dr General—
New York Decr the 30th 1777

As I have the strongest reason to flatter myself that you interest yourself in whatever concerns my comfort and welfare I think it my duty to inform you that my condition is much better’d—it is now four or five days that I am on my parole, have the full liberty of the City and its limits, have horses at my command furnish’d by S’r Henry Clinton and General Robinson—am lodg’d with two of the oldest and warmest Freinds I have in the world—Colonel Butler and Major Disney of the 38th Regt—with the former I was bred up from the age of nine years at school—the latter is a Commilito from the time I enter’d the service in the 44th Regt in short my situation is render’d as easy comfortable and pleasant as possible for a Man who is in any sort a Prisoner—I have nothing left to wish for but that some circumstance may arise which may make it convenient for both Parties that a general exchange may take place, and I amongst the rest reap the advantage—I have or can have no request at present, My Dr General, to make but that you will commission some proper Person to recommend the care of my Farm and affairs to Mr Nourse and to Mr White of Winchester to give my love to all My Friends, particularly to Green Miflin Reed and Moyland and to be persuaded that I am most sincerely and devotedly yours

Charles Lee


Title: To George Washington from Major General Thomas Conway, 31 December 1777
From: Conway, Thomas
To: Washington, George

Sir
Camp [Valley Forge] the 31st Xber 1777

I was Directed By the Board of war to furnish a sett of instructions according to which the troops are to be Manœuvred. I propos’d to you sir, (in order to Lose no time) to Beginn immediately with officers and non commission’d officers. I meant to work with them the whole Day, and in the evening and Night to write the Regulations concerning camp Duty and the instructions for the Manœuvres which I intended to transmitt to the Board of war for the purpose of being examin’d, after which the Whole was to be printed in a small Book, to be Distributed to the officers of the army that every one Might Know what he had to Do. the Manœuvres are not Mine, they are such as are practis’d by the four principal Military powers in europe, and they are calculated for all the campaign operations, in all the Kinds of ground. I repeat to you sir, that you have not a Moments time to Lose. the ennemy will probably be early, and powerfully reinforc’d. your army is Melting by sickness, if you Do not Beginn immediately to give an uniform instruction to what men you have Left, So as to be able to train up your numerous recruits whenever they join your army; you will have to face old Disciplin’d troops, with a raw, confuse, unwieldy flock that no general Will be able to handle with success. this is my opinion, Sir, you Know Best what to Do. I wish you may not repent having neglected this advice.
you are pleas’d to Believe sir that my appointment of inspecter general has given no uneasiness to any Body in this army. I Begg Leave to observe to you, sir, that in our european armies all inspectors have ranks of Major general and some of Lt general. I have consulted sir, according to your Directions, my feelings upon the appointment of Baron De Kalb; I think even that I have made them Known to you, sir, and to several others. I have a regard for Baron De Kalb. he is a worthy officer and a good acquisition for this army. but as he is my inferior in france, his appointment over me in the Latter end of a campaign might create Disagreeable inferences in the french army, if I did not gett equally

promoted and endanger my rank. these were my feelings, what the sensations of the Brigadeers might be in regard of me I can not judge as the case is not the same. you are perfectly right, sir, in taking it for granted that the honourable congress has taken a Dispassionate view of the Matter before having appointed me. you may also take it for granted, and be very certain that I have made use of neither art, nor interest to extort or steal this appointment from congress.
What you are pleas’d to call an extraordinary promotion is a very plain one. there is nothing extraordinary in it, only that such a place was not thought of Sooner. the General and universal merit which you Wish every promoted officer might be endowed with, is a rare gift. we see but few men of Merit so generally acknowledged. we Know But the great frederick in europe, and the Great Washington in this continent. I certainly never was so rash as to pretend to such a prodigious height; neither Do I pretend to any superiority in personal qualitys over my Brother Brigadeers for Whom I have much regard. but you sir and the great frederick Know perfectly well that this trade is not Learn’d in a few Months. I have serv’d steadily thirty years. that is before some of my comrades Brigadeers Were Born. therefore I Do not think that it will be found Marvellous and incredible if I command here a number of men which falls much short of what I have command⟨ed⟩ those many years in an old army.
however, sir, By the complexion of your Letter, and by the two receptions you have honour’d me with since my arrival, I perceive that I have not the happiness of being agreeable to your excellency, and that I can expect no support in fulfilling the Laborious Duty of an inspector general. I Do not Mean to give you or any officer in the army the Least uneasiness therefore I am very readdy to return to france and to the army where I hope I will Meet with no frowns. I am Sir your excellencys Most obedt servant

Ths Conway

I Begg Leave to Wish your Excellency a happy New year and a Glorious Campaign.


Title: From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 31 December 1777
From: Washington, George
To: Cooke, Nicholas

Valley Forge Decr 31st 1777.

By Lieutt Colo. Barton I was honored with your Favor of the 5th Ulto with it’s Inclosure. The spirit and disposition of this Gentleman for enterprize and of the Officers concerned with him in capturing Genl Prescot, give them a ⟨hi⟩gh claim to the thanks and esteem of ⟨their⟩ Country. Congress, persuaded of this, ⟨promoted Mr Ba⟩rton on the 24th Instant to the ⟨Rank and pay of a⟩ Colonel in the service of the ⟨s⟩tates, and recommended him to me for employment. To their and your recommendations, I would willingly pay the utmost attention, But ⟨a⟩t present It is impossible for me to introduce ⟨Co⟩l. Barton into the Army without injuring Others and creating disgust, there being now a full and over proportion of Officers, of which he is convinced. Under these circumstances I would take the liberty to mention, if your State should raise & continue Troops for their own defence, that his past merit & that of the other Officers, affords favourable grounds to hope if they can be in command that their service would be attended with no small benefits. I have the Honor to be with great respect Sir Your Most ⟨mutilated⟩.


Title: To George Washington from Certain General Officers, 31 December 1777
From: Certain General Officers
To: Washington, George

Sir
Camp Valley Forge 31st Decr 1777

As General Officers of the American Army we beg liberty to represent that, at a period when the affairs of our country called for the utmost

exertion of every friend, we cheerfully embarked in the contest with Great Britain, and accepted such commissions in the army as Congress thought proper to confer upon us—Previous to our appointments we had considered ourselves, as Citizens of America, bound to espouse the common cause, and to make every sacrifice our country could require, to defend its Liberties—But after we were called to the field, not only the obligations of Citizens, but our duty as soldiers, bound us to risque our Lives and Fortunes to support the violated rights of America—This we have cheerfully and repeatedly done, during the present controversy; and expected in return, that while our conduct in the army gave no room for censure, we should be supported in our respective ranks, and receive those promotions which, in a regular Line, have ever taken place in well regulated armies—But we are exceeding sorry to say that in this army no regular Line of promotion has been observed. Promotions without any apparent reason have taken place, which reflect disgrace & dishonor upon us—And the same irregularities have taken place among officers of inferior rank, conferring undeserved honor upon some, and reflecting unmerited disgrace upon others—We were unwilling to be the first who complained of those irregular promotions, being fully sensible that officers of inferior rank were but too ready to leave the service, rather than continue to suffer such injuries and indignities daily heaped upon them—But we now find that the grievance has been intolerable, both to them and us—Unprecedented & surprizing promotions are frequently taking place in favour of persons who have never distinguished themselves as soldiers, and who have nothing more to boast of in the present contest, than that they have modestly trumpeted their own praise to Congress, have ventured to cross the Atlantic to seek that bread, in America, which they failed to obtain in their own country, or have been the lucky messengers of good news—We can assert with truth, that the officers of this army have ever expressed their satisfaction at the promotion of persons whose merits were conspicuous—As citizens we rejoiced at it, and as soldiers we considered ourselves bound in honor to acquiesce—We ever wish to see Congress vested with the power of rewarding merit—But as this, as well as all other powers, is liable to be misapplied, we must consider it our duty as freemen to take the liberty of complaining when such misapplication takes place—It is impossible that a person serving with us in the Army could have distinguished himself as a soldier, & this be unknown to us & the Commander in Chief, and continue a secret to all the world, except to the members of Congress—A person therefore receiving a rapid promotion over the heads of worthy officers, when his merit has never appeared to the officers who have served with him, must give disgust & dissatisfaction—This we are

exceeding sorry to say is the case in the army at present—Officers who have served with reputation from the commencement of the war are daily leaving their places to be supplied by persons whose inexperience promises but little, and whose want of firmness may be discovered at a time fatal to the Liberties of this country—Our duty as soldiers and citizens oblige us to inform Congress that we see signs of the dissolution of this Army, that fill us with horror—We therefore, as men who have embarked all in the cause of America, request Congress to appoint some persons to inquire into the grievances complained of; who may have power to regulate the rank of the Army, call in commissions which have been prematurely granted, to fix the rank of the officer upon a proper footing, and to settle a regular line of promotion, not to be departed from, but in cases of extraordinary merit, or upon great political principles—Under this exception we are happy to mention the Marquis LaFayette, whose sacrifices to our cause, and personal merit, highly deserve the honors bestowed upon him. We are, Sir, with great Respect, Your very Obedt, & Most Humble Servants

Jno. Sullivan M. Genl
Enoch Poor Brigr Genl


Title: To George Washington from Major John Jameson, 31 December 1777
From: Jameson, John
To: Washington, George

Sir
White Marsh [Pa.] December 31st 1777

I herewith send you a Return of the Detachments on this side the Skuylkill The Parties on the Germantown & Ridge Roads are too small if seperated as I do not think that less then fifteen Privates properly Officer’d will do for either of the Roads and about twenty four will do if they remain together. It will be necessary for the Officers on this side the River to be furnished with Money to pay the People for Provision &c. as the Commissary will not pay any Receipts that are given for that purpose so that the People after going to Camp return to the Officer for a new Receipt supposing that the Officer had given them one only to make them ride for nothg. I find that it will be very difficult to

prevent the Inhabitants of Philadelphia from carrying in Provisions as they mostly walk out and when they are going in enquire what time the Horse leave the lines and so remain at some House til they see them and then slip of[f] through the Plantations I believe there are not less than two hundred a day that come out with bags for a Quarter of Flower or Meal &c. I expect to find out some of the Market Gentry tomorrow and shall send the first that I think worthy of the G —— to Head Quarters. I have many applications made to me by the Inhabitants to go into the City for Salt &c. I should be glad of your Excellency’s Orders with regard to that matter. Capt. Tallmadge and Lieut. Lewis want much to be relieved. I am with respect Your Excellency’s Obedient Servant

John Jameson


Title: To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 31 December 1777
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

dear general
Walley Forge decr 31 1777

I schould have much more reproached myself the liberty I took of wraïting to your excellency, if I had believed it could engage you in the trouble of answering to that letter—but, now, as you have wrote it, I must tell you that I received this favor with the greatest satisfaction and pleasure—every assurance and proof of your affection fills my heart with joy because that sentiment of yours is extremely dear and precious to me—a tender and respectfull attachement for you, and an invariable frankness will be discovered in my mind ⟨the more⟩ as you will know me better—but after those merits I must tell you that very few are to be found—I never wish’d so heartily to be intrusted by nature by an immensity of talents, than on this occasion where my frienship could be then of some use to your glory and happiness as well as to mine own.
⟨What⟩ man do not mix the mere ambition of glory with the other ambitions of advancement rank and fortune—as an ardent lover of laurels I can not bear the idea that so noble a sentiment should be mixed with Any low one—in your preaching moderation to the brigadiers upon such an occasion, I am not surprised to find your virtous character—as I hope my warm interest is known to your excellency, I dare entertain the idea that you will be so indulgent as to let me know every thing concerning you when ever you will not be under the law of secrecy or particular circumstances. with the most tender and affectionate friendship with the most profound respect I have the honor to be dear general Your most humble and obedient servant

the mis de Lafayette