Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 10
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   GEORGE WASHINGTON
BICENTENNIAL EDITION
THE WRITINGS OF
GEORGE WASHINGTON



A Sevres porcelain copy of the Houdon bust. Original in the Fredericksburg (Va.) Lodge No. 4, F. A. M.



THE WRITINGS OF
George
Washington

from the
Original Manuscript Sources
1745 -- 1799

Prepared under the direction of the United States
George Washington Bicentennial Commission
and published by authority of Congress
John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor
Volume 10
November 4, 1777 -- February 28, 1778

United States
Government Printing Office

Washington
PRINTED
OCTOBER, 1933

Library of Congress
May 9 1934
Division of Documents


UNITED STATES GEORGE WASHINGTON
BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION

    President of the United States
Chairman

    Vice President of the United States
Speaker of the House of Representatives

    United States Senate

    Simeon D. Fess, Vice Chairman
Ohio

    Arthur Capper
Kansas

    Carter Glass
Virginia

    Millard E. Tydings
Maryland

    House of Representatives

    Willis C. Hawley
Oregon

    John Q. Tilson
Connecticut

    Joseph W. Byrns
Tennessee

    R. Walton Moore
Virginia

    Presidential Commissioners

    Mrs. Anthony Wayne Cook
Pennsylvania

    Mrs. John Dickinson Sherman
Colorado

    Henry Ford
Michigan

    George Eastman *
New York

[Note:Deceased. ]

    C. Bascom Slemp
Virginia

    Wallace McCamant
Oregon

    Albert Bushnell Hart
Massachusetts

    Joseph Scott
California

    Executive Committee

    The Senate and House
Commissioners

    C. Bascom Slemp

    Mrs. Anthony Wayne Cook

    Joseph Scott

    Historian

    Prof. Albert Bushnell Hart

    Associate Directors

    Representative Sol Bloom

    Executive Secretary

    William Tyler Page

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ON THE WRITINGS

    Dr. J. Franklin Jameson, Chairman
Chair of American History and Chief of Manuscripts Division
Library of Congress

    Dr. Randolph G. Adams
Librarian William L. Clements Library
University of Michigan

    President J. A. C. Chandler
William and Mary College

    Dr. Tyler Dennett
Editor, United States Department of State

    Dr. Charles Moore
Chairman United States Commission of Fine Arts

    George W. Ochs-Oakes, Esq .*
Editor, New York Times

[Note:Deceased. ]

    Brigader General John M. Palmer
United States Army, Retired

    Victor H. Paltsits
Chief of Manuscript Department
New York Public Library

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  •    Page


  •    To Sir William Howe, November 4
    A general exchange suggested -- No exact equivalent of Continental colonels. 1


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, November 4
    Concentration of troops -- False reports to distract enemy -- Feint toward Kings Bridge -- Need of cattle. 2


  •    General Orders, November 4. 3


  •    To Major General Philemon Dickinson, November 4
    Disapproves militia enterprise -- Feint against New York City. 4


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 4
    Hopes bickerings among officers will cease -- British at Billingsport. 5


  •    To Colonel Christopher Greene, November 4
    Defenses of Fort Mercer -- Bombproofs. 6


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel Persifor Frazer, November 4
    British treatment of prisoners -- Exchange negotiations. 7


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, November 4
    Clothing -- Major Fleury. 7


  •    To Major John Clark, Junior, November 4
    Secret intelligence -- Intended attack on Philadelphia to be reported to British. 8


  •    To Commodore John Hazelwood, November 4
    Prevention of supplies going to Philadelphia from British Fleet. 9


  •    To Major General William Heath, November 5
    Supplying Convention troops -- Disabled soldiers -- State of the Commissary Department -- The Rhode Island expedition. 10


  •    To Brigadier General James Potter, November 5
    Arrest of an officer -- Cutting of banks -- Vigilance necessary. 11


  •    To the Massachusetts Council, November 5
    Embarkation of Convention troops at Boston -- Precautions necessary. 12


  •    General Orders, November 5 13


  •    General Orders, November 6 14


  •    To Governor Thomas Johnson, November 6
    Clothing needed by Maryland troops. 14


  •    To William Buchanan, November 6
    Laxity in laying up salt meat in New England. 16


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 7
    Reenforcement of Fort Mifflin -- Defense of Forts Mifflin and Mercer. 16


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel Peter Adams, November 7
    To go to Maryland to collect clothing for Maryland troops. 17


  •    General Orders, November 7 18


  •    General Orders, November 8 19


  •    To the President of Delaware, November 8
    Need of clothing of Delaware troops. 20


  •    To Governor William Livingston, November 8
    Need of New Jersey troops -- Clothing. 21


  •    To the President of Congress, November 8
    British reenforcements from New York -- Damage done to British ships in the Delaware -- Need of money -- Failure to put up salt provisions to eastward. 22


  •    Council of War, November 8
    On attacking Philadelphia. 23


  •    To Major General Philemon Dickinson, November 8
    Importance of Red Bank. 24


  •    To Brigadier General lames Mitchell Varnum, November 8
    Success of his bombardment -- British intended attack on Fort Mifflin. 25


  •    To Colonel Theodorick Bland, November 8
    Request to retire -- Critical situation of affairs. 26


  •    To Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, November 8
    Regrets that he declined his services -- Burgoyne's capture changes plan of campaign -- Howe to be distressed in Philadelphia -- Manner of recruiting -- Vain to regret disappointment at Germantown. 27


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, November 9
    Need of money -- Spyglass -- Massachusetts Militia -- Need of reenforcements to embarrass Howe. 28


  •    To Brigadier General Thomas Conway, November 9
    Quotation from his letter to Gates. 29


  •    To Brigadier General Jonathan Warner, November 9
    His militia to remain with Putnam. 30


  •    To the Continental Navy Board, November 9
    Frigates in the Delaware to be scuttled. 30


  •    General Orders, November 9 31


  •    To Governor William Livingston, November 10
    The call for New Jersey Militia. 32


  •    To the President of Congress, November 10
    Congratulations on his election -- Scuttling the frigates -- Disposition of the Northern army -- Adjustment of rank -- Engineers -- Kosciuszko -- Want of money. 33


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 10
    Readiness at Forts Mifflin and Mercer. 36


  •    To the President of Congress, November 11
    Need of clothing -- Congress should address the States on the subject -- An immediate assessment recommended -- Fortifications on the North River -- Ration regulation. 36


  •    To the Board of War, November 11
    Inconvenience caused by substitutes -- Impress of clothing. 39


  •    To Daniel Clymer, November 11
    His false intelligence. 40


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, November 11
    Fortifications for the Highlands -- Need of reenforcements -- Delay in pay of Poors brigade -- Reenforcement of Howe from New York. 40


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, November 11
    Putnam's stoppage of clothing intended for the main army. 41


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 11
    Hopes for a favorable outcome in defense of the Delaware -- Ammunition sent. 42


  •    To Ephraim Blaine, November 11
    Wine and spirits for the army. 43


  •    General Orders, November 11 43


  •    To James Mease, November 12
    The clothing situation -- Virginia troops scarcity -- Monopolizing Hides -- Necessity of exertions to secure clothing. 45


  •    General Orders, November 12 46


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 12
    Damage done Fort Mifflin -- Method of continuing the defense. 48


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith, November 12
    Defense of Fort Mifflin -- Efforts to relieve him. 49


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 12
    Orders to abandon Fort Mifflin -- Cannon and stores to be removed and the works destroyed. 50


  •    To the Continental Navy Board, November 12
    Sinking of the frigates and securing of shipping. 51


  •    To Governor Patrick Henry, November 13
    Army never equal to Howe's -- Lukewarmness of Pennsylvania -- Strength at Brandywine and Germantown -- Difference in efforts of New York and Pennsylvania -- Army weakened by troops sent to Northern Department. 51


  •    To Governor Patrick Henry, November 13
    The military situation -- Defeat of Count Donop -- Coming evacuation of Fort Mifflin -- Recruiting -- Substitutes -- Drafting suggested -- State of clothing -- Furloughs of Virginia troops to induce reenlisting. 53


  •    To Major General William Heath, November 13
    Inexpedient to hasten embarkation of Convention troops. 56


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 13
    Discretionary orders to abandon Fort Mifflin -- A show of defense to be continued as long as possible. 58


  •    To Commodore John Hazelwood, November 13
    Protection of the withdrawal from Fort Mifflin -- Prevention of British passing the chevaux de frise. 59


  •    To John Parke Custis, November 14
    Renting Claiborne's plantation -- Depreciation of the currency -- Privateer shares -- Intelligence. 60


  •    To Major General Horatio Gates, November 14
    Change of embarkation port for Convention troops to be guarded against. 61


  •    To Colonel David Mason, November 14
    Pardon of a soldier. 63


  •    To Robert Erskine, November 14
    Portable ovens -- Surveyor duties. 63


  •    To Sir William Howe, November 14
    Exchange of prisoners -- Mr. Boudinot -- Ironing of prisoners -- Shocking treatment of American prisoners -- Maltreatment and confinement of officers. 64


  •    General Orders, November 14 66


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, November 15
    Approval of steps taken -- Situation of affairs on the Delaware. 67


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 15
    Attempt to continue the defense of Fort Mifflin -- Withdrawal of the cannon -- Obstruction of Hog Island Channel -- Attempt on Province Island. 68


  •    To Brigadier General William Woodford, November 15
    Readiness to move across the Schuylkill. 70


  •    General Orders, November 15 70


  •    General Orders, November 16 71


  •    To Brigadier General Thomas Conway, November 16
    Congress alone can accept his resignation -- He will not object to it. 71


  •    To Brigadier General James Potter, November 16
    Manufacture of fascines. 72


  •    To Brigadier General James Potter, November 17
    Evacuation of Fort Mifflin -- Fascines may yet be wanted. 72


  •    To the President of Congress, November 17
    Evacuation of Fort Mifflin -- Condition of the works -- Efforts to give relief -- Only method was by dislodging enemy from Province Island -- Difficulty of such an attempt -- Reasons against moving the whole army to the west side of Schuylkill -- Reenforcements needed -- Defense of Red Bank -- Report of the situation -- Criticism of the army -- Problem of clothing the troops. 73


  •    To Major General Arthur St. Clair, Baron de Kalb, and Brigadier General Henry Knox, November 17
    Instructions to report on defense of the Delaware. 77


  •    General Orders, November 17 78


  •    General Orders, November 18 79


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 18
    British move toward Chester -- Caution to keep a lookout. 79


  •    To Richard Henry Lee, November 18
    Uncertainty of Pickering's accepting office -- Other candidates -- The Quartermaster Generalcy -- Jeremiah Wadsworth's ability -- Delay in storing up salt provision to the eastward. 80


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, November 19
    Urgent need for reenforecements -- Orders in future to be complied with. 83


  •    To Brigadier General John Glover or Officer Commanding His Brigade, November 19
    Orders to join the army with his troops. 83


  •    To the Officer Commanding either Poor's or Paterson's Brigade, November 19
    To move to Trenton. 84


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 19
    Reenforcement for Varnum. 84


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 19
    Reenforcements -- Fort Mercer to be defended -- Galleys to aid. 85


  •    To Colonel John Bailey, November 19
    His troops to join the army. 86


  •    To Commodore John Hazelwood, November 19
    Report of general officers on holding Fort Mercer. 86


  •    General Orders, November 19 87


  •    General Orders, November 20 88


  •    To the Officers and Soldiers of the Hunterdon, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland Counties Militia, November 20
    Calling upon them to rise as one man and rid their country of its cruel invaders. 89


  •    To Brigadier General Enoch Poor, November 20
    Orders to join the army with his troops. 90


  •    To Brigadier General John Paterson, November 20
    Orders to loin the army with his troops. 91


  •    To Colonel Ephraim Blaine, November 21
    Authority to seize provisions. 91


  •    To Francis Hopkinson, November 21
    Rev. Mr. Duche's surprising letter -- Reason for forwarding it to Congress. 92


  •    General Orders, November 21 93


  •    General Orders, November 22 94


  •    To Major General Nathanael Greene, November 22
    Leaves attack on enemy to his judgment -- Reenforcements. 95


  •    To Major General Nathanael Greene, November 22
    Thinks he should attack Cornwallis's detachment -- Junction with Glover's brigade. 96


  •    To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, November 22
    Greene's movement -- Powder strewn over the fort at Red Bank. 96


  •    To Captain Allen McLane, November 22
    Offer of inhabitants to serve. 97


  •    To Sir William Howe, November 23
    British treatment of prisoners. 97


  •    To the President of Congress, November 23
    Deficiency of supplies -- Flimsy artifice of the enemy -- Message through Mr. Willing -- Negotiations for an exchange of prisoners -- Sufferings of those in British hands -- Trial of officers for misconduct -- Exoneration of General Wayne -- Enemy in possession of all the water defenses of Philadelphia -- Stores and vessels -- Cornwallis's move Reenforcements and their condition. 98


  •    General Orders, November 23 101


  •    General Orders, November 24 102


  •    To Governor William Livingston, November 24
    Thanks for legislature's undertaking to procure blankets and clothing. 102


  •    To Major General Nathanael Greene, November 24
    Message by Colonel Meade. 103


  •    To Major John Clark, Junior, November 25
    Questions for his spies to answer -- Report of Cornwallis's capture untrue. 103


  •    To Major General Nathanael Greene, November 25
    Reconnoiter of British lines -- Probable attack on Washington's army -- Requests Greene to join him with his troops -- Protection of hospitals. 104


  •    General Orders, November 25 105


  •    General Orders, November 26 105


  •    To Major General Nathanael Greene, November 26
    Impossible to meet the expectations of the world -- Effect of with drawing troops from New Jersey -- An expected attack by Howe -- Measures to be adopted. 106


  •    To the President of Congress, November 26 -- 27
    Suppressing Indian disturbances in the Western Department -- Attitude of France -- The Virginia regiments -- Case of Lafayette -- Is opposed to allowing convention troops to embark elsewhere than at Boston -- Commissions -- Howe's letter on treatment of prisoners. 108


  •    To John Augustine Washington, November 26
    Delay in letters -- Stockings from his sister -- The present situation -- British losses. 112


  •    To Major John Clark, Junior, November 27
    Particular intelligence desired. 115


  •    To the Board of War, November 27
    Inattention of officers to dress of men -- Rag roll -- Officers leaving the service -- Clothing. 115


  •    General Orders, November 27 116


  •    General Orders, November 28 117


  •    To Captain Allen McLane, November 28
    Intended British attack. 118


  •    To Sir William Howe, November 28
    Release of British officers, prisoners of war -- Paroles and passports Major Stockdon's case. 118


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, November 28
    Seizure of property by Putnam's troops -- Removal of property from neighborhood of enemy's lines. 119


  •    To Major General Nathanael Greene or Brigadier Generals James Mitchell Varnum or Jedidiah Huntington, November 28
    Enemy about to move from Philadelphia -- Measures to be taken. 120


  •    To the Continental Navy Board, November 29
    Sinking of the frigates.


  •    General Orders, November 29 122


  •    General Orders, November 30 123


  •    To James Mease, November 30
    Desires him to join the army immediately. 124


  •    Powers to Officers, November
    To collect clothing. 124


  •    Remarks on Plan of Field Officers for Remodeling the Army, November 125


  •    To the President of Congress, December 1
    Wants of the officers and men -- Depreciation of the money -- lrregular promotions -- Failure of British to attack.126


  •    General Orders, December 1 127


  •    General Orders, December 2 128


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, December 2
    Importance of the North River -- Directed to complete works. 129


  •    To Major General Horatio Gates, December 2
    Embarkation of convention troops -- Defenses on the North River -- British evacuation of Ticonderoga -- Garrison at Fort Schuyler -- Positions of the armies. 130


  •    To Joseph Reed, December 2
    Winter cantonments of the army -- Places suggested. 133


  •    To Major General Philemon Dickinson, December 2
    Failure of the Staten Island raid -- Approval of his move toward the Delaware -- Troops withdrawn from New Jersey. 134


  •    Circular to General Officers, December 3
    Advisability of a winter campaign. 135


  •    To Governor George Clinton, December 3
    Importance of North River -- Defenses. 135


  •    General Orders, December 3 136


  •    General Orders, December 4 138


  •    Order of Battle, December 4 -- 5 138


  •    General Orders, December 6 139


  •    General Orders, December 8 140


  •    General Orders, December 9 140


  •    To Major John Clark, Junior, December 9
    British skirmish with Morgan's corps. 142


  •    To the President of Congress, December 10
    British move against the army -- Maneuvers of the enemy -- Morgan's and Gist's attack upon them -- Losses. 142


  •    To Governor Patrick Henry December 10
    British maneuvers -- Attack upon them -- Clothing from Virginia -- Wants of the Director General of Hospitals. 145


  •    To Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Junior, December 10
    Maneuvers of the British -- Filling Virginia's regiments -- Strength of army exaggerated -- Bravery at Red Bank and Fort Mifflin. 147


  •    General Orders, December 10 148


  •    To Governor William Livingston, December 11
    Trial of captured loyalists for treason -- Risk of retaliation -- Regulation of prices by law. 149


  •    To Doctor William Shippen, Junior, December 12
    Danger to hospital at Princeton -- Removal of sick. 150


  •    General Orders, December 12 150


  •    General Orders, December 13 151


  •    To the Board of War, December 14
    Collection of clothing by officers -- Leather tanning -- The Invalids Can not spare the Maryland battalion -- Time expired New England troops Courts-martial -- Arms and stores carried off by militia Remedy. 152


  •    To Sir William Howe, December 14
    Passports for vessels carrying wood and provisions for the convention troops. 154


  •    General Orders, December 14 154


  •    To the President of Congress, December 14 -- 15
    Release of Baron St. Ouary impracticable -- Practice as to volunteers captured -- Inquiries into the loss of the forts in the Highlands and of Fort Mifflin -- Maneuvers of the enemy -- Burgoyne's request to embark his troops at Rhode Island -- Burgoyne's changed opinion of America -- Payment for supplies to convention troops -- Forage and flour from the neighborhood of Philadelphia -- Exercise of military powers -- Civil authority should act. 155


  •    To Governor Jonathan Trumbull, December 15
    The Rhode Island expedition -- Clothing -- Drafting to fill regiments. 160


  •    To the Officers Ordered to Remove Provisions from the Country Near the Enemy, December 15
    All provision supplies, stock, etc., to be removed from around Philadelphia -- Record to be kept. 162


  •    General Orders, December 15 163


  •    General Orders, December 16 164


  •    To Major John Clark, Junior, December 16
    Persons permitted to go into Philadelphia. 164


  •    To Lieutenant General John Burgoyne, December 17
    Has referred his requests to Congress. 165


  •    To Major General William Heath, December 17
    Inoculation of troops for smallpox -- Burgoyne's request to go to England -- Ill regulation of commissary department -- Artillery, etc., from France -- Filling up the Massachusetts regiments -- Congress the final authority in all convention troops matters. 165


  •    General Orders, December 17 167


  •    General Orders, December 18 169


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, December 19
    To take post at Wilmington, Del. -- Defenses and supplies. 171


  •    To Governor Patrick Henry, December 19
    Clothing and other articles from Virginia -- Desertions -- Arrival of a store ship from France. 172


  •    To President George Read, December 19
    British intention to establish a post at Wilmington -- Smallwood sent to prevent it -- Exchange of Governor McKinly. 174


  •    Proclamation Ordering Grain Threshed, December 20 175


  •    To Reverend Nathaniel Whitaker, December 20
    Publication of his sermon. 175


  •    To Joseph Galloway, December 20
    Disposal of loyalist property -- Will grant passport to Mrs. Galloway. 176


  •    To John Potts, December 20 176


  •    To Lieutenant General John Burgoyne, December 20
    Resolve of Congress on his request. 176


  •    To Major General William Heath, December 20
    Arrival of artillery from France -- State of commissary department -- Salt sent Colt -- Exchange of general officers. 177


  •    To Colonel Henry E. Lutterloh, December 20
    Seizure of horses for the army. 179


  •    General Orders, December 20 180


  •    General Orders, December 21 181


  •    To Brigadier General James Potter, December 21
    Release of provisions seized from a spy -- Destruction of hay. 182


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, December 22
    Movement of enemy. 182


  •    To the President of Congress, December 22
    State of Commissary's department -- Filling the offices of Quarter-master and Adjutant General -- Rank dispute -- Resolution of Congress on protecting the continent -- Winter quarters of the army -- Post at Delaware -- Protection of New Jersey. 183


  •    To the Board of War, December 22
    Exchange of General Thompson. 189


  •    General Orders, December 22 189


  •    To the President of Congress, December 23
    The Commissary department -- Desperate condition of the army from want of provisions -- Four days of bad weather would destroy army -- Urgency of the case -- The Quartermaster General at fault -- Lack of clothing and shoes -- Size of army -- Criticism of army going into winter quarters -- Failure of critics to supply their own troops -- What is expected of Washington -- Knowledge of the committee from Congress -- Need of officers -- Arrangements necessary -- Correction of abuses -- Filling of regiments -- Need of magazines of provisions. 192


  •    General Orders, December 23 198


  •    To Major John Jameson, December 24
    To guard all roads on east side of Schuylkill -- Seizure of provisions, horses, etc., going into Philadelphia. 199


  •    General Orders, December 24 200


  •    To Elbridge Gerry, December 25
    Gerry's suggestion of sending a committee to camp -- Powers necessary for such committe -- Need of more aides -- Half-pay establishment. 200


  •    To Governor Richard Caswell, December 25
    Resignations of officers -- Arrival of supplies from France. 201


  •    Orders for a Move That Was Intended Against Philadelphia by Way of Surprise, December 25 202


  •    General Orders, December 25 205


  •    General Orders, December 26 206


  •    To the President of Congress, December 26
    General Woodford's claim of rank. 208


  •    To Governor Patrick Henry, December 27
    State of the Virginia troops -- General Stephen's exertions to enlist troops-Suffering of the troops. 208


  •    To Robert R. Livingston, December 27
    His brother's disgust at promotions -- Formation of a light infantry corps and command of same. 210


  •    To Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, December 27
    Misconduct of Commissary and Quartermaster General deputies -- Wishes Wayne to remain in camp -- Objections to Woodford's claim to rank. 211


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, December 27
    Protection of people -- Failure of a small expedition -- Putnam's leave of absence. 212


  •    To Lord Stirling, December 27
    Disapproves an attempt upon enemy's detachment -- Station of a commissary. 213


  •    To Colonel Henry E. Lutterloh, December 27
    Tents, ammunition wagons, etc., for next campaign.213


  •    General Orders, December 27 214


  •    General Orders, December 28 215


  •    To Major General John Armstrong, December 28
    Interruption of supplies going into Philadelphia -- Proclamation to thresh wheat -- Position of British -- Failure to injure the enemy. 215


  •    To William Buchanan, December 28
    Forming of magazines -- Deficiency of wagons. 217


  •    To Major General William Heath, December 29
    Clothing and accouterments for dragoons -- Prices -- Advantages of cavalry. 218


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, December 29
    Ships going down the Delaware -- British hay forage -- Party of light horse to reenforce him -- Militia horse and foot -- Salt and liquor -- Collection of stragglers -- Removal of Delaware cattle -- British vessels at Reedy Island. 218


  •    To Colonel John Gibson, December 29
    Clothing for garrison of Fort Pitt. 221


  •    To the Board of War, December 29 221


  •    Circular to the States, December 29
    Deficiency in State regiments -- A remedy should be immediately -- applied -- Foreign assistance not to be counted upon -- Need of exertions to clothe the troops -- Their nakedness -- Winter quarter -- Inoculation. 221


  •    General Orders, December 29 225


  •    General Orders, December 30 225


  •    To the Board of War, December 30
    Horses for Captain Jones's troop. 226


  •    To Major General Thomas Conway, December 30
    Instructions for maneuvers to be received from the Board of War before orders can be issued for their execution -- Appointment has caused no uneasiness -- Will always accord due respect to every appointment of Congress. 226


  •    To Lord Stirling, December 30
    Exchange of horses. 228


  •    To Major Samuel Blagden, December 30
    Orders to go to Boston to obtain clothing and accouterments for dragoons -- Prices. 229


  •    Instructions to the Officers of Light Dragoons, December 30
    To obtain accouterments, etc., in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia -- Recruits. 230


  •    To Colonel Benjamin Flower, December 30
    Repair of arms -- Arm chests -- Cartridge supply. 231


  •    To Governor William Livingston, December 31
    Removal of forage and stock -- To be done by the civil authority -- Light horse to be sent to Trenton -- Distress in hospitals. 231


  •    To Governor Nicholas Cooke, December 31
    Lieutenant Colonel Barton's capture of General Prescott. 234


  •    Instructions to Count Pulaski, December 31
    His winter quarters at Trenton -- Drilling the cavalry -- Care of arms -- Lencer troop. 234


  •    To Marquis de Lafayette, December 31
    Friendship -- Ambition of a certain gentleman -- His antagonism to Washington -- Disunion tendency -- Conway's promotion -- Ultimate triumph of the cause. 236


  •    To Colonel Theodorick Bland, December 238
    Supplies -- Captain Lee's force. 238


  •    General Instructions for the Colonels and Commanding Officers of Regiments in the Continental Service, 1777 238


  •    General Orders, January 1 242


  •    To the President of Congress, January 1
    Difficulties caused by delay in appointment of a Quartermaster General -- Colonels Hay and Pickering as possibilities -- Pickering's retirement as Adjutant General -- Colonels Lee and Scammell, and Major Scull as successors -- The military situation -- Rank dispute over General Woodford. 243


  •    To the Officer Commanding at Albany, New York, January 1
    Swords and cavalry accouterments. 246


  •    To President Thomas Wharton, Junior, January 1
    Militia needed on north side of Schuylkill -- Need of militia light horse. 246


  •    General Orders, January 2 247


  •    To the President of Congress, January 2
    Correspondence with General Conway -- His treatment of Conway -- The Adjutant Generalcy. 249


  •    To the President of Congress, January 2
    Introducing Maj. John Clark. 250


  •    To the Board of War, January 2 -- 3
    Retaliation for British treatment of prisoners -- Clothing needs of troops -- Cattle to be driven to marshes -- Flour and bread at Elk -- Can not spare tailors -- Weak state of army -- Army can not subsist by seizures of supplies -- Results of such attempts. 250


  •    To Colonel James Innis, January 2
    To aid in recruiting in Virginia -- Draft regulations -- Apprehension of deserters. 254


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel William Brent, January 2
    Apprehension of Virginia deserters -- Sick of his regiment. 255


  •    To Captain David Hopkins, January 2
    Clothing and accouterments for dragoons to be purchased at Boston. 256


  •    To Governor Nicholas Cooke, January 2
    Filling the Rhode Island regiments. 257


  •    To Major General William Heath, January 2
    Assistance to Captain Hopkins and Major Blagden in purchase of dragoon accouterments. 257


  •    General Orders, January 3 258


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, January 3
    British prize ship -- Hides for leather -- Court-martial of persons carrying supplies to enemy -- Liquor from prize -- Neglect of pay rolls. 260


  •    To Governor Patrick Henry, January 3
    Virginia troops. 261


  •    General Orders, January 4 262


  •    To Major General Horatio Gates, January 4
    Sending his letter through Congress -- How he obtained the sentence from Conway's letter -- Desirous of concealing the matter -- Conway characterized -- Safety of States not involved. 263


  •    To the President of Congress, January 4
    Letter to Gates. 265


  •    General Orders, January 5 265


  •    To the President of Congress, January 5
    Difficulties in commissary must be removed if army is to exist -- Effects of seizing clothing and provision -- Extra pay -- State of supplies. 267


  •    To Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, January 5
    Plan of field officers of North Carolina brigade to reorganize the regiments -- Deserters and stragglers. 268


  •    To Major Peter Scull, January 5
    Hopes he will not resign. 269


  •    To Colonel William Malcom, January 6
    His application for a furlough -- Resignation. 269


  •    To William Clayton, Benjamin Yard, Rensselaer
    Williams, and Benjamin Van Cleave, January 6
    Their objection to having the Light Horse quartered in Trenton. 270


  •    General Orders, January 6 271


  •    General Orders, January 7 273


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, January 7
    Desire to purchase certain supplies from the prize brig. 274


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, January 7
    Clothing of Maryland troops -- Claim of officers in camp to share in cargo of prize brig -- Disposal of goods -- Need of blocks and falls. 274


  •    General Orders, January 8 276


  •    Instructions to Brigadier General Henry Knox, January 8
    Instructions for the ordnance department. 277


  •    To Brigadier General Henry Knox, January 8
    Gun screws, traveling forges. 280


  •    To Brigadier General John Glover, January 8
    Requests him to join the army and bring in all detachments from his brigade. 280


  •    To Brigadier General Jedidiah Huntington, January 8
    Orders to bring in all his detachments. 281


  •    To Colonel Samuel Blatchley Webb, January 8
    His exchange -- Difficulties in the way. 281


  •    To Sir William Howe, January 8
    Retaliation for imprisonment of officers in England -- Firing on a flag. 283


  •    General Orders, January 9 283


  •    To Major General William Heath, January 9
    Correspondence -- Purchase of clothing. 284


  •    To Baron Steuben, January 9
    His arrival -- Congress only can appoint him. 285


  •    To the President of Congress, January 9
    Appointment of aides -- Detention of Burgoyne and army -- The grant of extra month's pay to troops -- Difficulties in making it. 286


  •    To James Lovell, January 9
    Finding of the Journals of Congress -- Printing types still missing. 288


  •    General Orders, January 10 289


  •    General Orders, January 11 289


  •    To Captain George Lewis, January 11
    Leave of absence -- Personal property at Newtown. 290


  •    General Orders, January 12 290


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, January 12
    British officers' baggage -- Protest of officers against sharing prize -- Dispute referred to Congress -- Directions for baggage and stores -- Goods taken in vessel at Reedy Island. 291


  •    To the President of Congress, January 12
    Resolves of Congress as to disposition of prizes -- Protest of General Smallwood's officers against claim of officers at camp -- Vessel taken at Reedy Island. 294


  •    To Brigadier General James Potter, January 12
    Breaking up of trade with Philadelphia -- Purchases of beef and pork. 295


  •    To Doctor Benjamin Rush, January 12
    Inadequacy of the medical department -- Is ready to contribute all in his power to a proper regulation. 296


  •    General Orders, January 13 297


  •    To Major General Robert Howe, January 13
    Cultivation of friendship with southern Indians -- Recruiting -- Howe's promotion -- Winter quarters. 300


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, January 13
    Claim of medical officers to share in prize -- Sale of goods to be delayed. 302


  •    To the President of Congress, January 13
    Introducing Mauduit du Piessis -- His exploits. 303


  •    General Orders, January 14 304


  •    To Count Pulaski, January 14
    Winter quarters for cavalry at Trenton -- Kowatz as drillmaster -- Foreign officers -- Horses. 304


  •    General Orders, January 15 305


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, January 15
    Repair of boats in North River -- Work on the Highlands defenses. 307


  •    To Brigadier General Henry Knox, January 15
    Available arms. 308


  •    To Colonel Henry E. Lutterloh, January 15
    Wagoners not to be taken from the line. 309


  •    General Orders, January 16 309


  •    To Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, January 16
    Colonel Webb's misfortune -- Parsons's intention to resign -- Discontents -- Begs him to help in filling the Connecticut quota of troops. 309


  •    General Orders, January 17 310


  •    To Major General John Sullivan, January 17
    Apology of the field officers at Wilmington. 311


  •    To Bartram Galbreth, January 17
    Remission of militia fines of Continental wagoners. 311


  •    General Orders, January 18 312


  •    To Brigadier General George Weedon, January 18
    Discharges in the Virginia line. 315


  •    To Brigadier General Joseph Ellis, January 18
    His appointment to command -- Ammunition and cannon -- Removal of stock from Burlington, Gloucester, and Salem. 315


  •    To Lieutenant William Patterson, January 18
    To escort a Hessian quartermaster with clothing for prisoners. 317


  •    To President Thomas Wharton, Junior, January 18
    Completion of the Pennsylvania line -- Clothing -- Pennsylvania's ability to manufacture clothing. 317


  •    To Vice President George Read, January 18
    Filling up the Delaware battalion -- The draft -- Clothing. 319


  •    General Orders, January 19 320


  •    General Orders, January 20 321


  •    To Captain Henry Lee, January 20
    His victory over British. 322


  •    To Sir William Howe, January 20
    Treatment of Lieutenant Eyre -- His escape and status -- Mr. Bayard to be considered as a citizen. 323


  •    To Captain Archibald Kennedy, January 20
    His application. 324


  •    To Major General Benedict Arnold, January 20
    His restoration by Congress to rank claimed -- State of his wound -- Wishes him to join the army -- The military situation. 324


  •    To Major General Benjamin Lincoln, January 20
    Arnold's rank -- Lincoln's wound. 325


  •    To Brigadier General David Forman, January 20
    Guard for salt works. 326


  •    To Colonel Elias Dayton, January 20
    Prosecution of American spies. 327


  •    To Governor William Livingston, January 20
    Profiteering farmers -- Mills working -- Captain Kennedy's case -- Escape of Troup -- Plot against Livingston. 327


  •    To Governor William Livingston, January 20
    Vouches for John and Baker Hendricks and John Meeker -- Asks that their prosecution be stopped. 329


  •    To Brigadier General Henry Knox, January 21
    Supply of arms -- Destruction caused by militia -- Traveling forges. 330


  •    To James Mease, January 21
    Shape of uniform coats -- Clothing left at Fishkill -- Pay for tailors -- Need of shoes. 330


  •    General Orders, January 21 332


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, January 22
    Need of the clothing stopped at Fishkill. 334


  •    To Major General William Heath, January 22
    Delay in inoculation of troops -- Returns of deficiencies of Massachusetts troops for the Council -- Orders of Congress to delay embarkation of the convention troops -- British not likely to act against New England -- British reenforcement was merely to guard New York City. 334


  •    To Colonel Walter Stewart, January 22
    Commissary inefficiency -- Quantity of provision going into Philadelphia -- Seizures. 336


  •    To the President of Congress, January 23
    Introducing La Neuville and other French officers. 337


  •    To Reverend William Gordon, January 23
    Scheme to put General Lee at head of army -- Washington indifferent to such a scheme -- Willingness to retire. 337


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, January 23
    Disposal of prize brig's cargo -- Difficulties of case -- Filling the Delaware regiment -- Failure of British to surprise Captain Lee -- Return of medical books to the British. 338


  •    To Brigadier General John Lacey, Junior, January 23 Protection of inhabitants and preventing supplies going into Philadelphia -- Making an example. 340


  •    To James Wilson, January 23
    Permission for Captain Smith to assist Wilson. 341


  •    General Orders, January 23 341


  •    To the Board of War, January 24
    Tanning of leather -- Boats on the Susquehanna -- Exchange of New York civilians. 343


  •    To Governor Jonathan Trumbull, January 24
    Clothing for Connecticut troops -- Style of coat -- Transports sent to Rhode Island -- Exchange of prisoners. 344


  •    To Major General Joseph Spencer, January 24
    British transports -- High prices and avarice. 346


  •    To Major John Clark, Junior, January 24
    His appointment as auditor. 346


  •    General Orders, January 24 347


  •    General Orders, January 25 347


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, January 25
    Delay in building defenses of the Hudson River -- Returns of militia -- Wrong practice in exchange of prisoners. 348


  •    To Colonel Lewis La Radiere, January 25
    Works at West Point. 349


  •    General Orders, January 26 350


  •    To the Board of War, January 26
    Mistaken arrest of Hessian officers -- Differences with Sir William Howe. 351


  •    To Count Pulaski, January 26
    Forage for cavalry -- Scarcity of rum -- Need of rest for dragoons. 352


  •    General Orders, January 27 353


  •    To Major General Charles Lee, January 27
    Every exertion will be made to effect his exchange -- Prescott soon to be sent in. 354


  •    To the Board of War, January 27
    Unfortunate seizure of Hessian officers and the clothing going to prisoners -- Can not express an opinion on the Canadian expedition. 355


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel William Stephens Smith, January 27
    Hessian officers and clothing to be released -- His detachment to march to army as soon as fit. 356


  •    To Francis Hopkinson, January 27
    Artillery ordered to interrupt passage of British ships in the Delaware -- Returns his letter to Rev. Jacob Ducheé. 357


  •    To Major Jacob Morris, January 27
    Passport for Mrs. Battier -- Requests of General Lee. 357


  •    To James Mease, January 27
    Accident to Virginia clothing. 358


  •    General Orders, January 28 358


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, January 28
    Maryland recruiting law -- Draft -- Hazen's regiment ordered north. 360


  •    To Major John Taylor, January 28
    Marching orders for Hazen's regiment. 361


  •    To Major Thomas Smyth, January 28
    Pay rolls. 361


  •    To the Committee of Congress With the Army, January 29
    Important changes must be made in the military establishment -- Half pay and pensions -- Public virtue not sufficient to maintain an army -- Position of the officers -- Life and fortune risked without recompense -- Will not benefit himself from the proposed establishment -- Question of expense -- Completing the regiments -- Voluntary enlistments out of the question -- Drafts should be made from the militia -- Draft should be annual -- Bounties and substitutes -- Battalions should be commanded by a lieutenant colonel -- Composition of a battalion -- Advantages of cavalry -- Composition and equipment of cavalry regiments -- Allotment of battalions among the States -- Actual condition of the regiments -- The German, Hazen's, and Additional regiments -- Officers for brigades and divisions -- Inspector general -- Provost marshal -- Duties of his corps -- Provision for reduced officers -- Lavish distribution of rank -- Proposal for taking staff officers from line -- Aides to the Commander in Chief -- Other officers -- Rank a spur to enterprise -- Irregular promotions and their evils -- Need of a settled rule -- Granting of commissions should be under the control of Congress -- Clothing the army -- Divided responsibility -- Contracts with the court of France suggested -- Advantages over commercial ventures -- Distribution of clothing -- Quartermaster general -- Forage department -- Wagonmaster general -- Estimating damages caused by army -- The Commissary department -- Establishment of magazines -- Vinegar, vegetables, and soap -- Ration to be more precisely defined -- The Hospital department -- Paymaster general -- Commissary of musters -- Commissary of prisoners -- Auditors of accounts -- The artillery -- Engineering department -- Foreign officers -- Indians -- Morgan's corps -- Negro teamsters -- Allowances to officers, prisoners with the enemy -- Promotion of such -- The articles of war -- Capital punishment. 362


  •    General Orders, January 29 403


  •    General Orders, January 30 404


  •    To the Officers Visiting Hospitals, January 30
    Inspection of hospitals -- Arms and clothing -- Recoveries -- Lists. 405


  •    To James Nourse, January 30
    General Lee's farm in Virginia. 408


  •    To Sir William Howe, January 30
    Settlement of an exchange point -- Personal politeness unacceptable when accompanied by reflections on Congress -- Clothing for British prisoners. 408


  •    To Henry Laurens, January 31
    A malignant faction forming to Washington's prejudice -- Charges in the anonymous paper -- Enemies take an unfair advantage of his position. 410


  •    To the President of Congress, January 31
    Packet for Governor Livingston -- Requested guard for salt works. 411


  •    To Colonel Israel Angell, February 1
    Necessity of making an example of people taking supplies into Philadelphia. 412


  •    To Major John Jameson, February 1
    Orders to cut off the supplies going into Philadelphia. 412


  •    To John Parke Custis, February 1
    Purchase of land -- Mrs. Washington's coming to camp. 413


  •    General Orders, February 1 414


  •    General Orders, February 2 415


  •    To Governor William Livingston, February 2
    Congratulations on discovery of a plot against him. 415


  •    General Orders, February 3 416


  •    To Elias Boudinot, February 3
    American prisoners of war to be fed by America -- Matter to be attended to carefully. 417


  •    To Doctor Thomas Bond, February 3
    Refusal of a request. 417


  •    To the President of Congress, February 3
    Victualing of American prisoners -- Need of money -- Pay of troops. 418


  •    To Count Pulaski, February 4
    Forage at Trenton -- Mr. Zielinski's case -- Recruiting the cavalry -- Saddle pattern. 419


  •    To Governor William Livingston, February 4
    New Jersey dragoons -- Bribery of patrols. 420


  •    General Orders, February 4 420


  •    General Orders, February 5 421


  •    General Orders, February 6 422


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, February 6
    Starving condition of army -- No provisions to be stopped on their way to it. 423


  •    To Governor Jonathan Trumbull, February 6
    Alarming state of army -- Begs vigorous exertion in forwarding provisions. 423


  •    General Orders, February 7 424


  •    To Henry Champion, February 7
    Distress of army for meat -- Transportation difficulties -- Army may disband -- All cattle must be hurried to camp -- Measures taken. 425


  •    To William Buchanan, February 7
    Dissolution of army -- Want of provisions -- Desertions. 427


  •    To the President of Congress, February 8 -- 14
    De Kalb going to Canada -- Exchange of prisoners -- Inquiry into losses of Forts Montgomery, Clinton, and Mifflin -- Oaths of officers. 428


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, February 8
    Connecticut troops under his command. 430


  •    To Colonel John Hawkins Stone, February 8
    Lieutenant Colonel Smith's command. 430


  •    To Philip Van Rensselaer, February 8
    Repair of arms, etc. 431


  •    To Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Junior, February 8
    Drafting for 12 months the only wise measure -- Crushing of main body of enemy the important thing -- Virginia may fail by attempting too much -- Inoculation -- Faction and the foolish Canada expedition. 431


  •    General Orders, February 8 433


  •    To Major General Horatio Gates, February 9
    Reply not conclusive -- Conway presumably was Gates's informant -- Excuse of forgery -- Reality of extracts allowed -- Letter itself should have been produced -- Effect of its suppression -- Conway as a military adviser -- His character as shown by experience. 437


  •    To Major General Benjamin Lincoln, February 9
    Wishes him to join the army. 441


  •    General Orders, February 9 442


  •    General Orders, February 10 442


  •    To the Board of War, February 10
    Return of an artillery detachment -- Conduct of British officers conducting clothing to British prisoners -- Clothing for Pennsylvania troops. 443


  •    To Sir William Howe, February 10
    Affairs of convention troops wholly under the control of Congress -- Treatment of prisoners -- Differences as to an exchange -- Commissioners to meet -- Settlement of accounts. 444


  •    To Robert Morris, February 10
    Opinion of Colonel Armand. 446


  •    To President Thomas Wharton, Junior, February 10
    Completing the Pennsylvania troops' quota -- Clothing matters. 447


  •    To Brigadier General George Weedon, February 10
    Absence of officers -- Virginia officers -- Foresees difficulties next campaign. 448


  •    General Orders, February 11 450


  •    General Orders, February 12 450


  •    To Major General Alexander McDougall, February 12
    Reasons for wishing him to conduct inquiry on loss of the Highland forts. 451


  •    To President Thomas Wharton, Junior, February 12
    Failure of General Lacey to protect country east of Schuylkill -- Requests that militia be ordered out. 452


  •    To Major General Nathanael Greene, February 12
    Impress and removal of all stock between the Schuylkill and Brandywine. 454


  •    General Orders, February 13 455


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel Henry Haskell, February 13
    Orders his return to his regiment. 455


  •    To Colonel Morgan Lewis, February 13
    Pack saddles. 455


  •    To Major General Gates, February 14
    General court-martial authority. 456


  •    To Count Pulaski, February 14
    Cost of cavalry equipment -- Recruiting -- Extravagant charges. 457


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hubley, February 14
    Authority to convene general courts-martial. 458


  •    To Governor William Livingston, February 14
    Distresses of army not to be exaggerated -- Urgent need of supplies. 459


  •    To Major General John Sullivan, February 14
    His application for leave of absence -- Reasons why it can not be granted. 460


  •    General Orders, February 15 461


  •    To Reverend William Gordon, February 15
    Denial of intention to resign. 462


  •    To Robert Lettis Hooper, Nathaniel Falconer, and
    Jonathan Mifflin, February 15
    Critical state of army -- Want of provisions -- Need of immediate supplies. 463


  •    To Richard Henry Lee, February 15
    Forged letters by the enemy -- Cornwallis gone to England -- Draft necessary in Virginia -- Reforms in army necessary. 464


  •    To Major General Nathanael Greene, February 16
    Orders for wagons. 466


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, February 16
    Distress of army for provisions -- Wagons to be impressed to bring provisions from magazines at Dover and Head of Elk. 467


  •    To Captain Henry Lee, February 16
    To help hasten provisions from Dover and Head of Elk -- Consult with General Smallwood. 467


  •    To Henry Hollingsworth, February 16 Needs his aid in forwarding provisions. 468


  •    To Governor George Clinton, February 16
    Famine in camp -- Army naked and starving -- Symptoms of discontent appearing -- Poor prospects for future supplies -- Every assistance needed. 469


  •    To Governor William Livingston, February 16
    Sends Tilghman to describe distress of army for provisions -- Begs Livingston to assist. 471


  •    To Governor Thomas Johnson, February 16
    Incloses letter from Committee of Congress at camp on the distress of army -- Meat stores at Head of Elk -- Begs his assistance. 471


  •    General Orders, February 17 473


  •    To Henry Champion, February 17
    Army's need of meat -- No prospects from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Maryland -- Transportation difficulties -- Supplies from Eastward only hope -- Urges him to push forward all cattle to camp. 474


  •    General Orders, February 18 475


  •    To Major General Nathanael Greene, February 18
    Parade of prisoners in Philadelphia -- Approves continuing his foraging expedition -- Branding of horses. 476


  •    To Brigadier General John Glover, February 18
    His joining the army -- Disapproves Glover's proposed resignation. 477


  •    To Brigadier General John Lacey, Junior, February 18
    Stopping the communication between country and city -- Horses seized -- Suggests moving nearer the city. 478


  •    To Major General Horatio Gates, February 18
    Exchange of German officers of the convention troops. 479


  •    Address to Inhabitants of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, February 18
    Need of cattle for army. 480


  •    General Orders, February 19 481


  •    To the President of Congress, February 19 481


  •    To James Mease, February 19
    Clothing of Pennsylvania troops. 482


  •    To Governor William Livingston, February 19
    Publication of address of February 18. 482


  •    To Governor Patrick Henry, February 19
    Deplorable state of commissary department -- Responsibility -- Effect on army -- Begs assistance -- Virginia's bounty. 483


  •    General Orders, February 20 485


  •    To Major Benjamin Tallmadge, February 20
    His quarters -- Success in obtaining boots and breeches -- Remounts. 486


  •    To the Board of War, February 21
    Artillery from Albany -- Cannon sent to Farmington by the board. 486


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, February 21
    Contract for shoes -- Punishment for desertion. 487


  •    To Brigadier General Henry Knox, February 21
    Retention of cannon at Albany -- Small arms -- Wastage. 489


  •    To Brigadier General William Woodford, February 21
    His claim to rank. 490


  •    To Captain Henry Lee, February 21
    Approval of his measures to obtain provisions for army. 491


  •    To Brigadier General John Lacey, Junior, February 21
    Capture of men going into Philadelphia -- Suggests destruction of British hay. 492


  •    To Captain Thomas Cartwright, February 21
    Authority to convene general courts-martial. 493


  •    To Henry Hollingsworth, February 21
    His activity -- Money for his purchases. 494


  •    To Colonel George Gibson, February 21
    General courts-martial authority -- Approves his action as to rations -- Sick -- Clothing -- Need of horses for dragoons. 494


  •    To Vice President George Read, February 21
    Completion of the Delaware Regiment -- Necessity of drafting -- Military interference with an election. 496


  •    To William Duer, February 21
    British project to besiege Valley Forge -- Reasons why the attempt will not be made. 497


  •    To Southy Simpson, February 21
    Inability to allow the drafts to remain in his county. 498


  •    General Orders, February 22 499


  •    To Governor William Livingston, February 22
    Zeal of New Jersey in common cause -- Efforts to call forth united energy of the States -- Change of system needed. 500


  •    General Orders, February 23 501


  •    To Captains Edward Scull, Alexander Patterson, and
    William Wilson, February 23
    Recruiting allowance. 503


  •    To President Thomas Wharton, Junior, February 23
    Arrival of Pennsylvania Militia -- Tory activities -- Trouble between Continentals and militia -- Complaint of recruiting officers. 503


  •    To the Board of War, February 23
    Heister's case -- Ordnance supplies for next campaign. 505


  •    General Orders, February 24 507


  •    To Major General Horatio Gates, February 24
    Willingness to bury the past as far as future events will permit. 508


  •    To the Officer Commanding the Militia at Haddonfield, February 24
    Militia needed to support artillery. 509


  •    Instructions to Captain-Lieutenant Jonas Symonds, February 24
    To bombard British shipping near Philadelphia. 509


  •    General Orders, February 25 510


  •    To Brigadier General William Smallwood, February 25
    Personal articles sent -- Lack of provisions -- Conduct of Huggins -- British officers' wives captured on a prize. 511


  •    To Captain Henry Lee, February 25
    Cattle to be sent to camp -- Eastern Shore not a safe place to keep lean cattle -- Harboring deserters. 513


  •    General Orders, February 26 514


  •    To Major General Israel Putnam, February 26
    Defenses of North River -- Scarcity of money -- Clothing -- Force needed to defend the river. 515


  •    To Major General John Sullivan, February 26
    Officers to escort clothing -- Route. 516


  •    To Vice President George Read, February 26
    Law needed to prevent harboring deserters. 517


  •    To the President of Congress, February 27
    Charges against officers about to be tried for loss of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence -- General Schuyler's case -- Steuben's arrival -- Money for Putnam -- Claim of Thirteenth Virginia Regiment as to its location -- A major general sent to Rhode Island. 518


  •    To the Board of War, February 27
    Scarcity of writing paper. 520


  •    To Major General William Heath, February 27
    Exchange of officers -- General Learned's resignation. 521


  •    Instructions to Captain Stephen Chambers, February 27
    Cutting off communication between Philadelphia and the country -- Rewards to captors. 522


  •    To James Mease, February 27
    Need of clothing by Putnam's troops. 523


  •    General Orders, February 28 524


  •    To Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, February 28
    Protection of cattle coming to camp -- Information wanted of General Lacey's men -- Cannon at Bordentown. 524


  •    Instructions to Officers Sent to the Hospitals, February 28
    Inspection method. 526


  •    To Thomas Montgomerie, February 28
    Permission to go to Philadelphia or New York. 527


  •    To Lieutenant Colonel John Fitzgerald, February 28
    Conway's letter -- The cabal. 528


  •    To Captain-Lieutenant Jonas Symonds, February 28
    To take orders from General Wayne. 529


  •    To the Committee of Congress, February 28
    Bad state of the armorer's department. 530


  •    To Lund Washington, February 28
    Substitute for him in the militia -- His management of Mount Vernon. 530


  • LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

  •    A Sevres porcelain copy of the Houdon bust.
    Original in the Fredericksburg (Va.)
    Lodge No. 4, F. A. M. Frontispiece


  •    Washington's draft of his note to Conway,
    November 9, 1777, which started the disintegration
    of the Conway Cabal Facing page 30


  •    Line of battle at Whitemarsh, December
    4 -- 5, 1777 Facing page 138


  •    Proclamation ordering farmers to thresh
    grain, December 20, 1777 Facing page 176


  •    Arrangement of the army for the campaign
    of 1778, January 1, 1778 Facing page 246


  •    Report of guards at Valley Forge, February
    12, 1778 Facing page 482


  • TABLE OF SYMBOLS

        The following symbols have been used to denote the place of deposit of Washington letters not found in draft or letter-book form in the Washington Papers in the Library of Congress:

  •    Indicating that the letter is in Washington's own handwriting *


  •    Chicago Historical Society [CH.H.S.]


  •    Clements Library, University of Michigan [C.L.]


  •    Connecticut Historical Society [C.H.S.]


  •    Harvard College Library [HV.L.]


  •    Historical Society of Pennsylvania [H.S.P.]


  •    Haverford College [HD.C.]


  •    Huntington Library [H.L.]


  •    John Carter Brown Library, Rhode Island [J.C.B.]


  •    Maine Historical Society [M.H.S.]


  •    Maryland Historical Society [MD.H.S.]


  •    Massachusetts Historical Society [MS.H.S.]


  •    J.P. Morgan Library [M.L]


  •    New Hampshire Historical Society [N.H.H.S.]


  •    New York Historical Society [N.Y.H.S.]


  •    New York Public Library [N.Y.P.L.]


  •    New York State Library [N.Y.S.L.]


  •    Rhode Island Historical Society [R.I.H.S.]


  •    Rhode Island Society of the Cincinnati [R.I.S.C.]


  •    Society of the Cincinnati [S.C.]


  •    University of Chicago Library [U.C.L.]


  •    University of Pennsylvania Library [U.P.]


  •    Virginia Historical Society [V.H.S.]


  •    Virginia State Library [V.S.L.]