Washington, George (1732-1799) At a council of war held at Frederickburgh Octr 16th 1778
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.00731 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Fredericksburgh, New York Type: Manuscript document Date: 16 October 1778 Pagination: 4 p. ; 30.6 x 18.4 cm. Order a Copy
Knox's handwritten copy of Washington's queries to his Council of War. Washington informs the Council that the British force consists of two divisions (one at New York and one at Rhode Island). A detachment from New York were recently "employed in a Forage" in New Jersey. Notes that the New York fleet was still in the harbor on 9 October, and was rumored to be planning to sail for Boston. A Continental officer, recently a prisoner of the enemy, reported that a large body of British troops embarked "destin'd for the Southward." Notes that General John Sullivan has command of troops surrounding Providence, Rhode Island. Writes, "From this State of Facts and under these Circumstances, the Commander in chief requests the Opinion of the Council, whether it will be prudent and adviseable to make a detachment of the main Army towards Boston, & of what Force." Also asks the Council's advice on location and organization of troops in winter quarters.
Creator was determined through handwriting comparison.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
[draft]
At a Council of War held at Fredericksburgh Octr. 16th 1778 -
The Commander in chief informs the Council that the Enemy's whole Force in these States, still continue in to principal Divisions, one at New-York and its Dependencies, consisting of about thirteen Thousand, the other at Rhode Island consisting of about five thousand.
That a considerable Detachment from the former, sent three or four Weeks into Bergen County in the Jerseys have hitherto been employed in a Forage, part are said to have lately returned and the Remainder, it is given out intend to cut a quantity of wood, before they leave the Jerseys.
That their Fleet was still in the Harbour of New York the 9th Instant remoured to intend shortly sailing for Boston.
That the general Current [2] of Intelligence from New York indicates preparations to be in Readiness to leave that Post, and more particularly a Design of making a considerable Detachment, generally supposed for the West Indies. The Number mentioned from ten to fifteen Regiments, which are reported to have been fill'd up by the Reduction of some other Regiments.
That an officer of our's prisoner with the Enemy just exchanged, brings an account fot he actual Embarkation of a large Body of Troops on Saturday Night & Sunday last, said to be destin'd for the Southward, of which however no Confirmation has been received from any Quarter.
That our whole Force in this Quarter is about [there is a blank space left in the manuscript] Rank & File fit for Duty, including the two Brigades in the Jersey and the Garrison of Westpoint, a considerable part of which have completed and will soon complete the Term of [2] of Service for which they are engaged.
That General Sullivan has under his Command at Providence & it's Dependencies about [there is a blank space left in the manuscript] Continental and State Troops - From this state of Facts and under these Circumstances, The Commander in chief requests the Opinion of the Council, whether it will be prudent and adviseable to make a Detachment of the main Army towards Boston, & of what Force. He further informs the Council that he has been impatiently waiting for the Movements of the Enemy, to ascertain their Intentions for the Winter, in order to enable him the better to judge, of a proper Disposition of the Army in winter quarters, but the Uncertainty in which their Designs still continue involved, and the advanced Season of the Year, will no longer admit of Delay in fixing upon a plan for this important purpose. He therefore requests the advice of the Council on the following Points. [4] Whether the Army shall be held in a collected State, during the Winter & where. whether it shall be distributed into Contonments, & in what particular manner? What Precautions shall be adopted in either Case, to shelter the Troops and procure Subsistance both of provision & Forage. He observes that in determining these questions, the Considerations principally to be attended to, are the Actual Strength & situation & the probable Designs of the Enemy, the Security, good Government and Discipline of the Army, the Difficulties of Subsistance & Accommodation the Protection of the Country, the Support of our important Posts, the Relation proper to be preserved with the French [illegible] considering the Degree of probability of its remaining where it now is, & of a winters Operation against it, & the occasional Succour it may derive from the Troops under Genl. Sullivan & the Militia of the Country He finally informs the Council that some time since he directed the QMGenl. to endeavour to provide Materials for Barracks, the Result of his measures will appear in a Letter from Mr. Pettit then unto annexed -
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