New Windsor Letters for the years 1777 thru 1781

New Windsor, NY - 9 October 1777

My guards fell in with, and took two spies from General Clinton, going to Burgoyne. One of them confessed, that his orders were to make all possible despatch, and inform General Burgoyne that he had got Fort Montgomery

New Windsor, NY - 9 November 1777

I cannot forbear confessing, that I am astonished and alarmed beyond measure, to find that all his Excellency's views have been hitherto frustrated, and that no single step of those I mentioned to you has been taken

New Windsor, NY - 10 November 1777

I am pained, beyond expression, to inform your Excellency that, on my arrival here, I find every thing has been neglected and deranged by General Putnam

New Windsor, NY - 12 November 1777

The enemy appear to have stripped New York very bare. The people there (that is, the Tories) are in a very great fright.

New Windsor, NY - 7 February 1781

I proceeded to the States of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and delivered the despatches, with which I was charged, to the Governors and to the President, to whom they were addressed.

New Windsor, NY - 18 February 1781

Since I had the pleasure of writing you last, an unexpected change has taken place in my situation. I am no longer a member of the General's family.

New Windsor, NY - 27 March 1781

There being no established principles to govern the appointments to the vacancies of officers in the artillery, some doubts have arisen since the last regulation of the army, whether the right of appointment is in Congress

New Windsor, NY - 8 April 1781

The success of the proposed enterprise, must depend on the absence of the British fleet, the secrecy of the attempt, and a knowledge of the exact situation of the enemy.

New Windsor, NY - 9 April 1781

several interesting events have happened ; some favorable, others adverse. Among the former may be reckoned Morgan's brilliant action with Tarleton ; among the latter, the advantages gained by Lord Cornwallis over General Greene.

New Windsor, NY - 10 April 1781

We are greatly indebted to the Chevalier Destouches for the disposition he shows to undertake the expedition to Penobscot, and to you for your readiness to furnish a detachment of troops

New Windsor, NY - 11 April 1781

While I give you credit for the manoeuvre by which you removed the British ships from before Annapolis, I am sorry, as matters are circumstanced, that you have put yourself so much further from the point

New Windsor, NY - 14 April 1781

The contingencies appeared to me so remote, in the conversations I had with Count De Rochambeau, that I could not justify myself in withdrawing a detachment already so far advanced

New Windsor, NY - 16 April 1781

Colonel Harrison, who has acted as my secretary since the beginning of 1776, has accepted an honorable and profitable civil appointment in the State of Maryland, and is gone to enjoy it.

New Windsor, NY - 18 April 1781

Your private letter of the 18th ultimo came safe to hand. Although the honors of the field did not fall to your lot, I am convinced you deserved them.

New Windsor, NY - 21 April 1781

Though the situation of southern affairs would not permit me to recall your corps to this army, yet it was with great reluctance I could resolve upon seeing you separated from head-quarters.

New Windsor, NY - 22 April 1781

I have received your several letters, and am extremely concerned at the temper of your detachment, and the desertions that are taking place.

New Windsor, NY - 25 April 1781

At the request of Governor Jefferson, I have already given orders to the commandant at Fort Pitt to afford you every assistance in his power, in the prosecution of your intended expedition.

New Windsor, NY - 27 April 1781

The officers of the line contend, without having reference to particular persons, that it is a hardship and reflection upon them to introduce brevet officers into commands, of some permanence

New Windsor, NY - 30 April 1781

I assure your Excellency, that I feel extreme pain at the occasion of that part of your letter of the 26th instant, which relates to an intercepted letter of mine published by the enemy.

New Windsor, NY - 30 April 1781

Besides these, you are also sensible there are many things upon a smaller scale, which are necessary to be reported, and that whatever intelligence is communicated ought to be, not in general terms, but in detail, and with the greatest precision.

New Windsor, NY - 30 April 1781

I am very sorry to hear of your loss. I am a little sorry to hear of my own ; but that which gives me most concern is, that you should go on board the enemy's vessels, and furnish them with refreshments.

New Windsor, NY - 4 May 1781

A false idea, arising from the consideration of his being my steward, and in that character more the trustee and guardian of my property than the representative of my honor, has misled his judgment and plunged him into error

New Windsor, NY - 5 May 1781

and am extremely rejoiced to learn, that the spirit of discontent had so entirely subsided, and that the parade of desertion would probably be totally stopped among the troops under your command.

New Windsor, NY - 10 May 1781

From the post of Saratoga to that of Dobbs's Ferry inclusive, I believe there is not (by the returns and reports I have received) at this moment one day's supply of meat for the army on hand.

New Windsor, NY - 11 May 1781

This, and a recent instance in the Pennsylvania regiment of artillery in proof of the absolute necessity of adopting some mode, by which the whole army may be bound, and a stop thereby be put to those disputes, which keep it in a continual state of d

New Windsor, NY - 11 May 1781

so great are my apprehensions, on the score of provisions, that I am sending General Heath purposely to the eastern States to represent our distresses, and to endeavour to fix a plan for our regular supply in future.

New Windsor, NY - 14 May 1781

Give me leave to congratulate you on your safe arrival, and your appointment to the command of his Most Christian Majesty's fleet and sea forces upon these coasts.

New Windsor, NY - 15 May 1781

My partial acquaintance with either our naval or commercial affairs makes it altogether impossible for me to account for the unfortunate delay of those articles of military stores and clothing

New Windsor, NY - 15 May 1781

For the honor conferred on me by the President and Fellows of the University of Yale College, by the degree of Doctor of Laws, my warmest thanks are offered

New Windsor, NY - 17 May 1781

I have received intelligence, that a party of the enemy are establishing themselves at or near Fort Lee, and building a blockhouse, or some kind of work.

New Windsor, NY - 28 May 1781

I have only to request, therefore, that you will be pleased to make the estimates of the articles in your department necessary for the operation

New Windsor, NY - 28 May 1781

The late accounts from New York are mysterious and perplexing, but they at any rate demand that we should be in readiness to move.

New Windsor, NY - 29 May 1781

No arguments were necessary to convince me of the very great public utility, which would result from the success of the plan you proposed laying before Congress.

New Windsor, NY - 31 May 1781

Your conduct upon every occasion meets my approbation, but in none more than in your refusing to hold a correspondence with Arnold.

New Windsor, NY - 1 June 1781

The difficulties, which you daily encounter and surmount with your small force, add not a little to your reputation

New Windsor, NY - 4 June 1781

I had last evening the honor of receiving your favor of the 31st of May by the Duke De Lauzun, who informs me, that he is authorized by your Excellency and Count de Barras to enter into a free communication with me upon the subject of the council of

New Windsor, NY - 4 June 1781

I felt a most sensible pleasure when I heard of your acceptance of the late appointment of Congress to regulate the finances of this country.

New Windsor, NY - 5 June 1781

The six companies of Van Schaick's regiment have since sailed. Hazen's will follow to-morrow.

New Windsor, NY - 7 June 1781

I am very sorry for the disagreeable situation of our suffering soldiery at Charleston, and wish they could be relieved without adding to the pressure under which we at present given.

New Windsor, NY - 8 June 1781

The progress, which the enemy are making in Virginia, is very alarming, not only to the State immediately invaded, but to all the rest

New Windsor, NY - 13 June 1781

I flatter myself, that the whole convoy will arrive in safety in some of the eastern ports, as I believe the British ships are all cruising off the Hook.

New Windsor, NY - 13 June 1781

Having been made acquainted by the Count De Rochambeau, with the design of the Count de Grasse to come to this coast with his fleet, I cannot forbear expressing my ardent wishes, that a body of land forces might also attend this naval armament

New Windsor, NY - 21 June 1781

I have just received a letter from Brigadier-General Clinton, enclosing the examination of two prisoners who were taken lately by one of his scouts ; from whence it appears the enemy in Canada have not made any movements in force

New Windsor, NY - 23 June 1781

I can easily conceive the disappointment and mortification you have suffered, upon finding the flattering prospects of filling your line so unexpectedly blasted

New Windsor, NY - 24 June 1781

I have the pleasure to observe the progress you make in the march of the troops under your command, and your intentions to come to my camp in person from Hartford.

New Windsor, NY - 25 June 1781

Upon finding it necessary, for the operations of the campaign, to recall the Continental troops from the northward, I have ordered six hundred militia from the counties of Berkshire and Hampshire to that quarter