STEUBEN, BARON: 1780.-November 23. Richmond. His letter of the 19th to Gen. Greene, arriving too late, was delivered to him (Steuben). Desires to see Gen. Weedon and have his advice and assistance in arranging the military department. No. 60. 1781. March 21. Suffolk.-Instructions to march with the troops under his command to York, to cover the battery at that place. Troops at Halfway House to remain there. All boats collected in College Creek to go immediately into Chickahominy river. Vessels to go as high up James river as possible. No. 62. 1781-April 1. Chesterfield. Rejection of his proposals by the Government. Prospect of accelerating departure of new levies by no means flattering. Gen. Greene very pressing to have cavalry completed; at a loss how it's to be done. Had enemy chosen to disembark all their forces, and make a descent on north side of river, very little resistance could have been made. Believes however that the enemy intend rather to carry most of their force round to the support of Cornwallis. Fears for Gen. Greene, and also for French troops in the fleet. Recommends him to keep up correspondence with Gen. Muhlenberg. Desires immediate information of whatever passes. No. 66. 1781. April 11. Richmond.--Acknowledging letter of 10th inst. Gives his reasons for not ordering back the militia. Gen. Weedon's presence, however, needed there at once. News of the arrival at Fredericksburg of four field pieces and ammunition, conveyed by a detachment of Maryland troops under Col. Stewart. These together with Gen. Weedon's forces should prevent any considerable damage. Desires some word as to his movements and those of the enemy. No. 84. THORNTON, (Col.): 1781.-June 3.-Enemy began their retreat at 4 o'clock this morning from Stells. Left two of their men hanging on a tree and several negroes with the small pox. Desires this intelligence to be sent to the Marquis. Wishes to know where Wayne is. No. 102. WALKER, JOHN : Ioth inst. 1780.-October 24. Philadelphia.-Acknowledging favor of the Defeat of Ferguson encouraging. In a few days Col's Meade and Harrison will arrive in Virginia with all the news. Hopes to write him from Fredericksburg about the middle of November. Gen. Greene to take command of southern department. P.S.-News just received of the capture of about 50 of the WASHINGTON, GEORGE, (General): 1777. March 27. Morristown.-Acknowledging letter of 10th inst. Question of the promotion of Captains Washington and Thornton. Hopes Thornton will exert himself to the utmost to facilitate the recruiting of Thruston's regiment, as the latter's wound keeps him quiet. No sign of the recovered soldiers of the 3d regiment. Negligence and disobedience of officers must be remedied by strong measures. Indignant at the idea of a leave of absence for himself or his officers at such an important point in the campaign. Cannot consent to Gen. Weedon's being longer from the army than May 10th. Orders all officers of the Virginia troops, with certain exceptions, to join the army at once. P.S.-Vessels with war stores arrived at Boston from France. 1777.-May 26. Morristown.-Obligatory instructions concerning the army. Every soldier, with certain exceptions, to join his corps immediately. Each regiment in his (Weedon's) brigade to be completed to the establishment. Return of the brigade to be rendered every Monday. Find out cause of frequent desertions; call rolls regularly; no furloughs to be granted except in cases of extreme necessity. Careful super vision of the men's accoutrements, food, etc. Accept no resignation of a commissioned officer. What to do in case of a vacancy. Make up and deposit pay rolls in the hands of the Paymaster-General. Avoid heavy baggage on the march. Unless soldiers are sick or lame do not let them throw their arms or packs into wagons. Discourage vice and immorality WASHINGTON, GENERAL (continued): and gambling. amusements. Encourage attendance at Divine worship and No. 5. 1777.- October 26. Headquarters.-Council of war to be shortly called. Desires Gen. Weedon to state his sentiments on the eight questions which follow concerning the plans and welfare of the army. No. 6. 1777-December 3. Headquarters. Wishes to know by the morning his sentiments on the advisability of a winter's campaign and the practicability of an attack upon Philadelphia with the aid of a considerable body of militia. No. 9. 1783.- October 24. Rocky Hill.-Concerning the establishment of the Society of the Cincinnati in each of the southern States. The choice of President-General falling on himself and his duty being to name the place for the general meeting, he must know in which States the Society is established. Desires to know if it has taken place in Gen. Weedon's State. No. 149. WASHINGTON, JOHN A.: 1781. June 9. Major Nelson's, near Price's Ordinary.-Ship sighted off Blackstone is supposed to be a flag-ship with necessaries for the convention prisoners. Has heard that a considerable fleet of the enemy's ships were at Gwynne's Island; no official account. If able to leave will wait upon him (Weedon) at his headquarters. Number of 1st division. 1781.-June 18. Mont Clear, Westmoreland Co.-Reasons for his not visiting him (Gen. Weedon). While at Leeds heard that Major Mercer's horse with some infantry had captured some of the enemy's horse, but lost 12 men. Anxious to know the details of the affair, as his son Bushrod was one of the Major's volunteers. Col. Nelson holding a court-martial on several tories; sentence not published when he left Leeds. Believes enemy's vessels to be at mouth of river. Glad militia of certain counties are discharged, as his overseer, who is among them, is sorely needed on his estate. N.B. Apologizes for troubling him with enclosures for con- veyance. UNKNOWN CORRESPONDENT: No date. Giving intelligence of the enemy's forces. Their crossing from Portsmouth to Norfolk 2500 or 3000 strong. Rumored that they are making a push to join Cornwallis. LETTERS FROM GENERAL WEEDON. BLACKBURN, (Col.) : No. 153. 1781. June 8. Camp, Hunter's Heights.-Situation of the Marquis LaFayette calls for the aid of every available horse. Lord Cornwallis pointing towards stores in the Southern Communication and the Marquis intending to hang on his rear until reinforced by cavalry and infantry. No. 113. COMMANDING Officer in Berkley : 1780.-January 21. Falmouth.-Has been necessary to reinforce the lower counties with 500 of his (Weedon's) best men. Enemy marching in force to Smithfield. Requests him to send two companies of good men by the shortest route. No. 31. COOKE, (Major): 1780.—October 31. Richmond.-An order to guard small fleet of boats at Hoods, stationed there to transport troops. Utmost care wanted to keep boats in constant readiness. Large smoke on shore, the signal for them to come over. COUNCIL OF VIRGINIA : No. 23. 1781.—April 6. Williamsburg. Has sent a detachment to cooperate with militia for the protection of Virginia's defenceless counties. Does not wish to draw the farmers and planters into the field in force, but merely to prepare them to act on the shortest notice. Alarm posts and signals to be arranged and arms and ammunition to be ready for immediate service. No. 76. DAVENPORT, (Capt.): 1781.-April 8. Williamsburg.—Acknowledging letter received that day. Sorry for fate of the Patriot, the result of the disobedience of Capt. Chandler, who was positively forbidden to risk an action. Unless his request to the county-lieutenant DAVENPORT, CAPT. (continued): for Warwick and Elizabeth City, to detach a body to join Captains Kelly and Davenport, is obeyed, will remove the troops and leave defence of the country to more able officers. Directing him (Davenport) to command the horse and Capt. Kelly the infantry, and both to act in conjunction as his executive officers, regardless of nice punctilios; also, to act on the defensive and keep him fully informed of every transaction. No. 81. DAVIS, WILLIAM (Col.): 1780.-November 23.-Begging him to forward tents to Gen. Muhlenberg, who is sadly in need of them. Has given militia at Cabbin's Point an order on the Commissary of military stores at Chesterfield for arms. Requesting him (Davis) to send forward such of his militia as are arranged; arms and tents to be given them at Chesterfield, if not provided at Richmond. Hoping to join Gen. Muhlenberg before night. No. 61. FEBIGER (Col.): 1780. August 31. Fredericksburg.-Orders to him and Capt. Lovely to meet and make a survey of provisions and stores; reporting the quantity fit for use. The report, signed by six gentlemen. No. 38. GATES (Gen.): 1780.-September 16. Fredericksburg.-Will forward shortly the 1000 camp-kettles ordered from Mr. James Hunter. Regrets exceedingly the misfortune near Camden. Second division of the fleet not yet arrived; said to be blocked up at Brest by a British fleet of thirty-two sail. No. 41. 1780.-November 2.-Arrangements being made to repel invading foe, who now occupy ground from Portsmouth to Suffolk. Encloses intelligence, gained from a prisoner, respecting enemy's strength, which, though small, cannot be attacked. until militia is assembled, officered and armed. Gen. Muhlenberg, with 800 new levies and 80 old soldiers, has passed down James river; hopes he will stop enemy's depredations. Gen. Nelson forming militia at Williamsburg. Three hundred Marylanders to reinforce Gen. Gates' army. Intention of English to cover Lord Cornwallis's operations through North. Carolina. No. 26. |