TICONDEROGA, December 18, 1775. SIR:-The batteaux are detained for the purpose of carrying the prisoners across Lake George, agreeable to your request; and other important business is omitted, which I have the General's express commands to prosecute, if you intend to tread the path the General has chalked out. Please to make all dispatch possible, otherwise I cannot detain the boats, as I shall be answerable for disobeying the General's orders not only so, the boats will be frozen in. Your answer is earnestly requested. I am, sir, your very humble servant, JAMES HOLMES, Col. TIMOTHY BEDEL, at Crown Point. (By John Row, a sergeant.) Col. commanding at this point. } TICONDEROGA, Dec. 20, 1775. SIR-Yours of the 18th instant I received yesterday afternoon. The person who brought it tired his horse, is the reason why it came so late to hand. Three horse-sleds are all that are in my power. The roads are so bad that it is impossible for them to come till the lake is frozen over, that they can come on the ice. I am, sir, your humble servant, Col. BEDEL, at Crown Point. JAMES HOLMES. WAR OFFICE, BALTIMORE, Feb. 24, 1777. SIR-Congress having received intelligence of the enemy's being reinforced in New Jersey very considerably, it becomes absolutely necessary, both for the preservation of the army under General Washington, and to check the progress of our cruel and remorseless invaders, that he be joined immediately by all the forces which can possibly be procured. You have the resolve of Congress on that head, inclosed by direction of the Board of War, with which they request you will instantly comply, by sending all the men raised in your regiment. Let them bring what arms, blankets, and clothes they have or can by any means obtain, and the deficiency will be supplied at Philadelphia or Head-quarters. Let nothing delay your immediate march, either by companies or parts of companies, as you can get them together, as the safety of our country much depends on the exertions of its army at this trying period; and it is hoped no care or pains of yours will be wanting, when all we hold dear and valuable demand them. I have the honor to be your very humble servant, Lieut. Col. ANTILL. BOSTON, April 27, 1777. SIR-I received your letter dated the 6th, which came to hand on the 20th, requesting a return of the company under my command, to which, sir, I send the same inclosed. I have enlisted ten men at Boston, which you will see in the return, who have gone to Peekskill and received their States' bounty. Colonel Crane says he will exchange them for men his officers enlisted at Gorsey and York, as soon as his arrival at camp. I think it likely I can enlist a considerable number more of men if I am furnished with money. I have received but six hundred dollars, and have borrowed one hundred and thirty since. My officers have received no money for recruiting. I let Captain-lieutenant Freeman have two hundred dollars of my recruiting money at Morristown, which makes me two hundred and twenty dollars out of my own money for recruiting. I have sent Mr. Jagur, one of my sergeants, with this return, and if you think proper I should tarry any longer on the recruiting business, send me your orders and four or five hundred dollars by him, and his receipt shall make me answerable for the money. I have not known of any appointment of one first-lieutenant and one second-lieutenant. Your appointment of them will satisfy me. Captain Mansfield sends his compliments to you, and has not time to write, as the bearer is waiting. The clothing is almost ready, and he expects to march on Friday. If you can purchase any flannel for waistcoats it would be better, for we can't get but one hundred. Sir, I am your humble servant, JOTHAM DRURY, Capt. of Artillery. Col. JOHN LAMB, N. Y. Artillery. STANFORD, August 25, 1777. GENTLEMEN :-It may be remembered that I sent the expense of my raising a regiment of men to go to Long Island to disarm the tories by order of Congress, and at the same time I desired you, gentlemen, to let me know if there would be any wages allowed to the men that were raised for that purpose after engaged, until discharged by Congress; and Mr. Davenport told me it was your minds for me to send the pay bounty in, and you would consider the same as you should find it right. I have collected the pay-rolls in as good order as I could from the several captains, and have made out a regimental pay-roll from the same, and send both for your consideration. The time was but short they stood engaged; but the temper of soldiers is to not lose any time, and they are often troubling me about their pay for that service, so I should like it as a favor if you would let me know, as soon as you conveniently can, whether you allow any thing or not. I thought it would not be worth while for me to come to Hartford, as you, gentlemen, could consider it as well without me as with me; and it would be some expense and trouble to come to Hartford; and as for my own part, I want nothing for my time nor trouble while I was engaged. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, Continental Commissioners at Hartford, Conn. } DAVID WATERBURY, Je ALBANY, Feb. 23, 1778 DEAR COLONEL :-The Marquis de La Fayette, who is appointed to command an expedition into Canada, has something of importance to communicate to you, which he cannot do without seeing you. I am therefore in his name to request you would repair to Albany with all expedition, that the public business may not suffer by any delay. I am, dear colonel, your humble servant, Col. BEDEL, commanding at Coos. (By express.) ROBERT TROUP, Aid-de-Camp to Major-general Gates. } CAMP, VALLEY FORGE, April 15, 1778. SIR-Having had a personal interview with Capt. Lenox, you may depend on his being among the first of those who are hereafter exchanged. I ought to have announced your exchange to you long ago, as it has taken place ever since January last, but my attention has been so taken up with the greater distresses of our unhappy prisoners, that it slipped my memory, except putting it in general orders. The inclosed will be the most convincing evidence of the transaction, on which I heartily congratulate you. I am, sir, your very humble servant, ELIAS BOUDINOT, Com. Gen. Prisoners. Capt. ALEXANDER GRAYDON,} 3d Pa. Reg't. WAR OFFICE, November 9, 1778. GENTLEMEN :-Capt. Baldesqui, Paymaster to Pulaski's Legion, is very necessary to the General in carrying on the detail of his corps. He has written very pressingly for Capt. Baldesqui's joining him; but this cannot be done, as he is waiting for the settlement of his accounts, which have been presented to you for that purpose. You will see by the resolves of Congress for raising this corps, what articles Gen. Pulaski was to find at a stipulated price. His Legion was received by order of Congress, and in general these articles had been provided. If there are any papers in our possession which will be necessary for your information, they shall be sent to you; and I am to request that, if not inconsistent with your other engagements, you will be pleased to dispatch Capt. Baldesqui, who now makes a demand for another advance, which the Board do not think it right to recommend until they are satisfied by your certificate of the expenditure of the sums already received. Gen. Pu laski says it was impossible for him, from the rapid rise of prices, to comply with his engagements to Congress; and therefore provided the articles enumerated at the current prices, and agreeably to this the accounts are made out. You will judge of the propri ety of this. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, Commissioners of Accounts. ELIZABETHTOWN, Dec. 20, 1778. SIR:-Mr. Lewis Johnston Costigin, of the city of New Brunswick, N. J., was appointed a first-lieutenant in the first regiment of Jersey, in the year 1775, and served in said regiment until the new arrangement for the eighty-eight battalions, when he was again continued as first-lieutenant, and taken prisoner and remained so for upwards of two years, in which time he was left out in the new arrangement of the army. And I likewise certify that he has not drawn either pay or rations in the first Jersey regiment from his last appointment, from the 13th day of November, 1776, to the 18th day of December, 1778, inclusive; as witness, MATHIAS OGDEN, Col. 1st N. J. Reg't. [No address.] PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 31, 1779. SIR-You will receive, herewith inclosed, a copy of an act of Congress of the 30th inst., directing the Paymaster of the Board of War to transmit to you a certain sum of money for the current expenses of the army. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, Col. WM. PALFREY. JOHN JAY, President. YORKTOWN, March 27, 1779. GENTLEMEN:-By a resolve of Congress, I am ordered to South Carolina with my Legion, and to leave Capt. Baldesqui, Paymaster of the Corps, to settle my accounts with you concerning said corps. Some receipts were lost in the hands of Lieutenant-colonel Boze, who has been killed at Egg Harbor; but I hope that will make no great difficulties, being persuaded you do depend enough on my honor to pass over such matter. I hope also you will be kind enough to dispatch Capt. Baldesqui as soon as you possibly can, and I will remain, with much gratitude and esteem, Your most obedient and very humble servant, To the Gentlemen Auditors of the Army, Esquires, at Camp. } |