George Washington S Papers

George Washington’s papers

The two Passwater references (put on Passwater page) are of interest. And the onlty other one that is of clear interest is the 1758 poll sheet for Winchester. – Houseman, Jacob Gibson, Frost, Madden….

Britton

General Orders

Document: Rev04d64
Author: Washington, George
Date: 1776-04-19

Head Quarters, New York, April 19th 1776

Parole: Lexington. / Countersign: Gardner.

The Colonels, and commanding Officers of Corps, are without delay to make up their Pay Abstracts, agreeable to the Order of the 14th Instant, and present the same for an Order for payment—Necessary Cloathing &c. must be immediately provided, for every Regiment, and Company, and the whole to be in readiness for service here, or elsewhere, as occasion shall require, as no excuses will be admitted to retard, or prevent a march, or embarkation whenever necessary to be commanded. The Muster Rolls must be immediately prepar’d, and the Muster Master General is to muster the whole, as soon as possible.

The Colonels who have received Money for the purchase of Arms, and Blanketts, are to make out their accounts of disbursments, and lodge them with the Abstracts, that a final Settlement may be made.

All Persons serving in the Continental Army without Commissions from Congress, are desired to give in their Names and Employments in writing, that the propriety of their appointments, and the nature of their duty may be judged of.

Major Crane to take command of the Continental Artillery at New York—All Reports, and Returns, of that Corps to be made to him.1

One Sub., one Serjt, two Corporals, one Drum, and eighteen Privates from Genl Heath’s Brigade, to be sent as soon as possible to Montresor’s Island, as a Guard for the small pox Hospital—The Officer, non-commission’d Officers and soldiers, to be men that have had the small-pox. The Qr Mr General to supply a Boat and the Commissary, Provisions, for the above guard.2

James Britton of Capt. Draper’s Company, in Col. Bonds Regiment,3 tried at a late General Court Martial, whereof Col. Baldwin was President, for quitting his post when sentry, is found guilty by the Court, and adjudged to receive twenty Lashes—The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be executed at such time and place as Colonel Bond shall direct.

Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

Maj. John Crane commanded the artillery until Col. Henry Knox arrived at New York on 30 April.

Montresor’s Island (now called Randall’s Island) is at the mouth of the Harlem River. John Montresor (1736–1799), a veteran of the Braddock campaign who became the British army’s chief engineer in America in March 1774, bought the island in 1772 and lived there with his family throughout the war except for the period from 1775 to 1776 when he was with the army in Boston and Halifax. For objections to establishing a smallpox hospital on Montresor’s Island, see Gouverneur Morris to GW, 20 April 1776. British forces occupied the island on 10 Sept. 1776.

Moses Draper became a captain in Col. Thomas Gardner’s Massachusetts regiment in May 1775 and continued in that capacity under Col. William Bond who assumed command of the regiment after Gardner died from wounds suffered in the Battle of Bunker Hill. At this time the regiment was designated the 25th Continental Infantry.

Cite as:The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From Brigadier General Hugh Mercer

Document: Rev06d65
Author: Mercer, Hugh
Recipient: Washington, George
Date: 1776-08-19

New Ark [N.J.] 19 Augt 1776

Sir,

This will be delivered at Head Quarters by Mr Ludwick; whom I sent for to Amboy in consequence of your Excellencys Letter of yesterday1—Inclosd is some Intelligence that may be of Consequence2—I am pushing on Troops to Bergen to the Amount of one Thousand—I hear the 3rd Virga Regt is on the March to join the Army—please to signify your Intentions as to the Disposition of such Virga Troops as may arrive—whether they are to proceed on to N. York or remain in the Flying Camp. I have the honour to be Sir Your excellencys Most obed. Sert

H. Mercer

ALS,DLC:GW.

This letter has not been found. Christopher Ludwick (Ludwig; 1720–1801), a native German who had served in the Austrian and Prussian armies before establishing himself as a gingerbread baker at Philadelphia in 1754, was a volunteer in the flying camp. When Ludwick arrived at headquarters later 79 this day, GW engaged him to distribute copies of Congress’s resolution of 14 Aug. offering inducements to German deserters (see GW to Hancock, this date). “Mr. Ludwig the bearer of this,” Joseph Reed wrote William Livingston on this date, “puts his Life in his Hand on this Occasion in order to serve the Interests of America. We cannot doubt your kind Advice & Assistance as to Mode but must beg it may not be communicated farther least a Discovery may be made which must prove fatal to Mr. Ludwig” (Prince, Livingston Papers, 1:119–20). In a brief letter to Livingston of 22 Aug., GW writes: “The Inclosed is left open for your perusal in hopes that you will be able to facilitate the design” (ALS, MHi: Livingston Papers). Although that enclosure has not been identified, it probably concerned Ludwick’s mission. Ludwick crossed to Staten Island on the night of 22 Aug. but “returned disappointed” to Elizabeth the next day (Livingston to Mercer, 23 Aug., ibid., 124). Ludwick may have been more successful a few days later (see GW to Hancock, 26 Aug.).

During the following fall and spring, Ludwick attempted to persuade Hessian prisoners of war to defect to the American cause (see Hancock to GW, 16 Nov. 1776, DLC:GW, and Ludwick to Congress, 8 Mar. 1777, DNA:PCC, item 41). On 3 May 1777 Congress appointed Ludwick superintendent of bakers and director of baking for the Continental army, and he served as such until 1782 (see JCC, 7:323–34; 19:159; Ludwick to Congress, March 1785, DNA:PCC, item 41; and GW’s certificate for Ludwick, 12 April 1787, DLC:GW).

Mercer enclosed the 18 Aug. examination of a Captain Britton, whose brig had carried 400 light horsemen from Halifax to Staten Island, and the undated examination of Jonathan Woodman, Isaac Osborne, and Robert Peas, seamen who had been captured by the British warship Cerberus in June and recently had escaped from a transport in New York Harbor (both are in DLC:GW).

Britton says: “From the best intelligence that he could collect, there are about Seven Hundred Light Horse on Staten Island, it is thought there are about twenty five Thousand Effective Men Eleven Thousand of which are Hessians—The General report was that they intended to attact Long Island first and if possible to Storm the Fort opposite the City in Order to prevent their Shippin[g] being Anoy’d when the Attack is made on New York.

“The Hessians were Landing on Staten Island as fast as possible when he left it—and from a conversation he had with several Hessian Officers he has no doubt from Proper encouragement & opportunity they would Join the Americans. That Capt. Talbot of the Niger with two other Frigates had received Orders to go round the East end of Long Island into the Sound in Order to cut off the communication between Long Island & the Main. That it is generally thought They mean to Attack Long Island with their Grenadiers and Light Infantry, and at the same time to send the remainder of their Army up the North River and Land above the Town by which means they expect to secure General Washington & the Army without firing a Shot. That Capt. Britton beleives the Attack is only delay’d untill a favourable Wind and Tide offers as they intended it on Saturday Morning last [17 Aug.], that they are certain of Success as they are of Opinion our Men will not Stand more than one Fire, 80 that the mode of Attack is to give one Fire and then rush on with Fix’d Bayonets. That a number of Boats from Long Island came over with fresh Provisions and intelligence during his confinement, and that a Negro from Statend Island goes over to the Jersey shore every night to receive Letters lodged in some Private Place, and that he beleives they have daily intelligence of all our Movements.

“A Negro escaped from Statend Island this morning who says that all the Troops from this Quarter, were to march on Wednesday next [21 Aug.], and to be replaced by Hessians” (DLC:GW).

The three seamen say in their examination “that the Phenix man of War was grappled by one of Our Fire Ships & Narrowly escaped being burnt—That the Ships in their passage down received some Shots & the Phenix had One Man killed. That on Thursday night last a Boat came from the Phenix down to the Fleet, a Lieutt in which received a Cannon Ball through his thigh from One of Our Batteries—The Accounts as to the Number of the Enemies Troops are Various—That the Army is sickly especially Ld Dunmore’s who brought but 106 Black & White with him—That Genl Clinton’s Conduct at Charles Town is much blamed—he is accused of Cowardice & some say he will be hanged. That before 9 OClock Boats are suffered to pass through the Fleet without Interruption—That they have built about 20 New flat Bottom Boats—Every Ship besides having One. That last Week several Troops were embarked—some Yesterday & the Ships that received them all unmoored. That the Hessian Troops appear old & Indifferent. That the Highlanders seem very desirous of deserting, Three of whom have been lately taken in the Attempt & hanged & one Shot” (DLC:GW).

Cite as:The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

To John Hancock

Document: Rev06d73
Author: Washington, George
Recipient: Hancock, John
Date: 1776-08-20

New York Augt 20th 1776

Sir

I was yesterday Morning favoured with yours of the 17th, accompanied by Several Resolutions of Congress, and Commissions for Officers appointed to the late Vacancies in this Army.

I wrote some days ago to Genl Schuyler, to propose to Genls Carleton & Burgoyne an Exchange of prisoners in consequence of a former Resolve of Congress authorizing their Commanders in each Department to negociate One.1 That of Major Meigs for Major French, and Captain Dearborn for any Officer of equal 92 rank, I submitted to Genl How’s consideration by Letter on the 17th, understanding their paroles had been sent him by Genl Carleton, but have not yet received his Answer upon the Subject.

In respect to the Exchange of the prisoners in Canada, If a proposition on that head has not been already made, and I believe It has not, the Inclosed Copy of Genl Carleton’s Orders transmitted me under Seal by Major Bigelow, who was sent with a Flag to Genl Burgoyne from Tyconderoga with the proceedings of Congress on the breach of Capitulation at the Cedars & the Inhuman treatment of our people afterwards, will shew It is unnecessary, as he has determined to send them to their own provinces there to remain as prisoners, Interdicting at the same time All kind of Intercourse between us & his Army, except such as may be for the purpose of Imploring the Kings Mercy. The Assassination he mentions of Brigadr Genl Gordon is a fact entirely new to me, and what I never heard of before. I shall not trouble Congress with my Strictures upon this Indecent, Illiberal and Scurrilous performance so highly unbecoming the Character of a Soldier and a Gentleman, Only observing that Its design is somewhat artfull, and that each Boatman with Major Bigelow was furnished with a Copy.2

I have also transmitted Congress a Copy of the Majors Journal, to which I beg leave to refer them for the Intelligence reported by him on his return from the Truce.3

By a Letter from Genl Greene Yesterday Evening he informed me, he had received an Express from Hog Island Inlet advising that 5 of the Enemy’s Small Vessells had appeared at the Mouth of the Creek with some Troops on board—also That he had heard Two pettiaugers were off Oister Bay, the whole supposed to be after live Stock and to prevent their getting It, he had detached a party of Horse & Two Hundred & Twenty men among them, Twenty Rifle men.4 I have not received further Intelligence upon the Subject.

I am also advised by the Examination of Captn Britton, Master of a Vessel that had been taken, transmitted me by Genl Mercer, that the Genl Report among the Enemy’s Troops was when he came off, that they were to Attack Long Island and to secure Our Works there If possible at the same time that Another part 93 of their Army was to land above this City5—This Information is corroborated by many other Accounts and is probably true—Nor will It be possible to prevent them landing on the Island, As Its great Extent affords a variety of places favourable for that purpose, and the Whole of our Works on It are at the end opposite to the City. However we shall attempt to harrass them as much as possible which will be all that we can do. I have the Honor to be with Sentiments of the greatest esteem Sir Yr Most Obed. Servt

Go: Washington

LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing,DNA:PCC, item 152;LB,DLC:GW;copy,DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 22 Aug. and referred it to the Board of War (JCC, 5:695).

See GW to Schuyler, 7 August.

For Guy Carleton’s order of 7 Aug., see Schuyler to GW, 16 Aug., n.1. The copy of the order enclosed with this letter is incorrectly dated 4 Aug. (DNA:PCC, item 152). Patrick Gordon, lieutenant colonel of the 29th Regiment, was appointed an acting brigadier general in Canada by Carleton in June 1776. On 25 July Gordon was ambushed and fatally wounded near Chambly by Lt. Benjamin Whitcomb’s scouting party (see Whitcomb’s journal, 14 July—6 Aug. 1776, DLC:GW). Carleton’s order, Matthias Ogden wrote Aaron Burr on 11 Aug., is “truly ridiculous. . . . But there is one part of it in which I think they in some measure accuse us justly: I mean that of assassinating, as they term it with too much truth, Brigadier-General Gordon. He was shot by the Whitcomb I mentioned in my last, who had been sent there as a spy. The act, though villa[i]nous, was brave, and a peculiar kind of bravery that I believe Whitcomb alone is possessed of. He shot Gordon near by their advanced sentinel; and, notwithstanding a most diligent search was made, he avoided them by mere dint of skulking” (Force, American Archives, 5th ser., 1:901; see also extract of a letter from Albany, 12 Aug. 1776, ibid., 923).

John Bigelow (1739–1780) of the Connecticut independent artillery company was at the British outpost on Île aux Noix from 28 July to 8 August. “I observed during my Stay there,” he says in his journal, “that they paraded, at different times, their officers in an ostentatious Manner, and with the manifest Intent to lead me into the Belief of their being very numerous, but I do not think that I saw above forty of them during the whole time, and more than sixteen together. They displayed the very same Pageantry, respecting five or six Batteaus, appearing exceedingly busy in carrying some Timber to the Isle, merely to shew themselves, and give their preparations a formidable Appearance. They have been employed about building a very large Bake House & perhaps for the same Reason. All the new Batteau’s I cou’d see about the Island amounted to no more than Twelve. They talk much of Hessians and Hanoverians, but I saw none” (Bigelow’s Journal, 23 July—10 Aug. 1776, DNA:PCC, item 152; see also the copy in DLC:GW).

Bigelow, who was a native of Hartford, Conn., served as a volunteer under Arnold at Ticonderoga in May 1775, and in January 1776 he raised his independent artillery company in Connecticut. During the fall of 1776 Bigelow commanded the artillery on Mount Independence near Ticonderoga (see Gates’s general orders, 15 Oct. 1776, in Force, American Archives, 5th ser., 3:528). Bigelow declined appointment as major of Col. Samuel Wyllys’s 3d Connecticut Regiment in February 1777 (see Hinman, Historical Collection, 408), and during the ensuing months he apparently served in the militia. In March 1778 Governor Trumbull appointed Bigelow to superintend the making of clothing for Continental troops, and the council of safety directed him to procure clothing for the state’s Continental officers (ibid., 527–28, 533).

This letter has not been found. Hog Island (now called Centre Island) is at the mouth of Oyster Bay on the north side of Long Island.

For Captain Britton’s intelligence of 18 Aug., see Hugh Mercer to GW, 19 Aug., n.2.

Cite as:The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition, ed. Theodore J. Crackel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2007.

From Edmund Richards

Document: Con02d212
Author: Richards, Edmund
Recipient: Washington, George
Date: 1785-02-01

Plymo[uth]. Dock [England] Febry 1st/85

Honoured Sir

I most humbly presume to take on me the freedom of acquainting your Noble Excellency that Richard Richards of Guynepe parish in the County of Cornwall lately posses’d of Severall plantations in Virginia and died there about 37 years Agone and left a Will in the possesion of your Excellency’s hands Concerning the plantations with fourteen thousand pounds in Cash And by proof the will being produced the whole was left to Edmund Richards being my father and I being call’d Edmund after my Father’s own Name but Richard Richards the Younger Brother of my fathers, after My father’s death posses’d the plantations for Severall Years and died about 18 or 19 Years ago and he being Very Intimately acquainted with your Excellency left the Will in Your Hands with all the 316 Cash and Lands belonging to Richard Richards As your Excellency offer’d to be a Trustee for the same and whereas your Excellency was pleas’d to appoint Lawyer Haines of Virginia to draw out a Copy of the will and to Send itt to Lawyer Britton of Collumpton To have the Copy advertiz’d in the public papers So as to find out the Nearest Relation and I Edmund Richards hearing of the Same Can with every circumstance of truth prove that Richard Richards Was my Only Uncle Brother to My father Edmund Richards as no Other person can with fidelity and truth prove any other and now With advice from my Lawyer and Severall Responsible Gentlemen As Every thing being Settled Amicably between Great Brittain and the United States of America took this opportunity of Sending to your Excellency To Enquire into every particular Circumstance So as I might have itt from Under Your hand Whatt is my true and lawfull right as Me and no other Can Claim a Just and proper right to it.