YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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Historic Letters

COMPLIMENTS OF
G. M. PHILIPS,
Principal of- State Normal School,
WEST CHESTER, PA.

Copyiiylit, i8g6, uy C. S. braaiora. A Portrait of George Washington.
Painted at Valley Forge, 1778, by Charles Willson Peale. Presented
to the Chester County Cabinet by John Neagle in 1841. Now the
property of the West Chester State Normal School.

X
Historic Letters

FROM

THE COLLECTION

OF THE

West Chester
State Normal School
Compiled by GEO. MORRIS PHILIPS
PRINCIPAL

PHILADELPHIA
PRINTED BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY
Mdcccxcviii

[For Private Distribution]

Preface.

'"PRE following letters are selected from the
collection of autograph letters and docu
ments belonging to the State Normal School, at
West Chester, Pennsylvania. As will be noticed,
most of them are of the Revolutionary period.
These are a part of General Anthony Wayne's
letters, and were, with others, given by his son,
Isaac Wayne, to the Chester County Athenseum,
a literary association organized in West Chester
in 1827. Later they became a part of the col
lection of the Chester County Cabinet of Nat
ural Science. And when the West Chester State
Normal School was opened in 1871, together
with the other possessions of the Cabinet, they
became the property of the School. The others
are from a collection of the correspondence of
General Persifer F. Smith of the United States
Army, which was presented to the School by
Robert E. Monaghan, of West Chester.
These letters are now published in order to pre
vent the loss of their contents by any possible
accident to the originals, and also with the hope
that they may be of some interest, and possibly of
some value, to students of American history. It
may be of interest to add that the original copies
of these letters are all entirely in the handwriting
of the senders, with the exception of those from
3

PREFACE.

Zachary Taylor and Jefferson Davis, which are
merely signed by their authors. It is scarcely
necessary to add that as regards spelling, punctu
ation, capital letters, abbreviations, etc., the letters
have been reproduced exactly as written.
The compiler desires to acknowledge the aid
of Miss Alice Cochran, the efficient librarian
of the School, in preparing these letters for the
printer.
G. M. P.
State Normal School,
West Chester, Pennsylvania,
November i, 1897.

General Anthony Wayne's Telescope.
Presented by Isaac Wayne to the Chester County Cabinet of
Natural Science in 183 1. Now the property of the West
Chester State Normal School.

Historic Letters.

BENEDICT ARNOLD TO GENERAL WAYNE.
Albany Nov' 25* 1776.
Dear Colonel
I received yours of the 20''' Ins'- & am much
obliged to you for your Caution, which I assure
you, was needless, you are right to suppose I will
Act the Soldier, necessity obliges, — The Enemy
have taken Fort Washington, (after an obstinate
Defence), & made the Garrison, consisting of
Near Two Thousand Men Prisoners, the. Loss on
neither side is ascertained, the Enemies is supposed
to be very Considerable, as, our Troops disputed
their lines with them Two or three hours — The
Enemy have Crossed over, to the Jersey shore,
& a great Fireing has been heard. Near Bergen,
Rumor Says. Fort Lee is Also taken, this wants
Confirmation, Col° De Haas & Several Regi
ments are gone of this morning to Join Gen!
Washington on the Jersey side. Poor, is also
ordered, there, as probably will be all the Troops
who come from Tyonderoga 
Nothing can be determined, with Respect to a
Fleet untill, the determination of Congress is
known. The Captains who, have engaged for the
Warr, must be supplied with. Money to Rein-
list, their Men, & pay of those whose times are,
5

HISTORIC LETTERS.

expired — I could wish a Captain Retained for
each Vessell, to Inlist as many Men as possible,
one half of whom Officers & Men might go
home on Furloughs for one Month as soon as
the Ice [thickens ?] & the others in turn —
To'morrow I set of to Join Genl. Washington,
& shall be glad to hear from you from Time to
time 
I am with Comp? to the Gentlemen with you
Dear Colonel
Your obed Hble Serv'' B Arnold
PS. This minute an Express is Arived from
Gen! Washington who confirms the Ace' of Fort
Washingtons being taken, & says Fort Lee has
bin Abandoned by our People after takeing out
the Stores Cannon &c &c B A
(Outside address) On Publick Service
To
Colonel Antony Wayne
Commanding at Ticonderoga.
Albany \
B Arnold j

GENERAL GATES TO GENERAL WAYNE.
Philadelphia i8* March 1777.
Dear Wayne
I sincerely wish you Joy of being Appointed
a Brigadier General and of the Good News re
ceived Yesterday from Doctor Franklyn, who
writes from France the begining of December
6

HISTORIC LETTERS.

last, & Says a General War in Europe is upon
the Point of being Declared — I have been Labour
ing to procure You some Respite from the Toils
you have undergone, and once more a happy
meeting with M" Wayne, the Congress have
at length Resolved that One Major General be
immediately sent to Albany, Two Brigadiers
General to Tyonderoga, One to Benington &
Steensborough, and One to Number 4. when
those Arrive at Ty. I hope you will set out Im
mediately for Philadelphia —
Colonel Wood acquaints me, that Major, now
Lieut: Col: Hay, has not expended any of the
5000 Dollars I left in his Hands, in the necessary
Use, & Services of the Garrison, for which, it
was solely intended ; I desire you will in my
Name Demand, not only the reason why my
Orders were not complyed with, but an Accompt
how that Particular Sum was disposed of
The Enemy have hitherto made a miserable
hand of it in the Jerseys, by Killed, taken.
Desertion, & Death, they must have lost 3000
Men at least — This City seems Quieted from its
Fears, as it is Generaly believed, it is now im
practicable for British Army to make its way
here — Various are the Reports of the part to be
Acted upon both Sides the ensuing Campaign,
nay, it is even immagined by some, that the
whole British Force is going to Virginia, this, I
will only believe when I see it, why they should
depart from their Original plan I cannot con
ceive, depend upon it when they do, their Ruin
will only be the more speedy & Certain.
7

HISTORIC LETTERS.

You would Frequently have heard from me
had I been certain of a safe conveyance to your
Hands. This goes with the Congress Packet,
which the Messenger is Ordered to deliver him
self — Messengers of Congress are at length to be
establishd from this City to Tyonderoga, and
this is not the Only change you will see, that I
am satisfied you will not disapprove — believe me
ever with every Friendly Wish
Your Affectionate Humble Servant
Horatio Gates
I rejoice your Caissons, & bridge are in such
Forwardness, cannot a Boom at the Old place, be
constructed in that manner, or in one more Trim,
if possible : if so, lose no Time in doing it 
begin a Large Garden, as soon as the Ground
will admit —

(General Wayne.)

GENERAL PICKERING TO GENERAL WAYNE.
Head Quarters at Skippack Sept. 30. 1777.
Sir, His Excellency the Commander in Chief
directs that you march your division to-morrow
morning as early as possible to this Camp, to the
ground allotted for you in the rear.
I am. Sir, your h'ble Servant
Tim Pickering A. G.

HISTORIC LETTERS.

GENERAL MIFFLIN TO GENERAL WAYNE.
York Town 24 April 1778
My dear General Wayne
The Reverend M' M^Curdy, who has exerted
himself in the Defence of his Country in a very
Disinterested Manner, wishes to be establisd as
a Chaplain in a Brigade under your Command
and has applied to me for that purpose —
I have the best Opinion of his Zeal and good
& upright Intentions for our Salvation as a
people; free and independent we shall probably
be with Respect to the powers of Darkness on
this Globe and it will not I trust be his Fault if
we do not inherit Freedom & Independence of
all wicked powers in the Life to come.
In a few Words I beg your Interest & Atten
tion for M' M^Curdy and am with much Friend
ship. Your aff. Thomas Mifflin

GENERAL SULLIVAN TO GENERAL WAYNE.
Head Quarters Novem'' 8 1778
Dear General
I had the pleasure of your favor by Doct'' Til-
lotson & have waited in Expectation of answering
it by himself he now Sets out for your Quarter
& will Deliver this to you. I have found him
in Every Respect that agreeable Faithful & So
ciable Gentleman you described
one part of Your Letter gave me much pain
which Contained these words viz " we once were
9

HISTORIC LETTERS.

Friends" The implication in those words was
too Strong not to Strike my attention & I Soon
Guessd y° meaning but believe me my D' Sir
that the Little Sallies of passion which often occur
in human Life The Difference of Judgment which
often happens among men who Act themselves
or Even some few Instances of Indiscretions if I
had Ever Discovered Such in General Waine
(which I Confess I have not) could not have
occasioned my forgetting his Efforts to Serve his
Country and give Satisfaction to those who have
had the Honor to Command him. I have had
the pleasure of being Acquainted with your mili
tary Talents Since the Campaign in Canada &
cannot without being Guilty of Ingratitude forget
that you were once Deservedly my friend nor
could I pardon myself at this time if I neglected
to assure you by this opportunity That my friend
ship for & attachment to your person and Char
acter have been Regularly Increasing without the
Least Interruption. I have now the honor to
assure you that I am with the
highest Esteem, Dear Sir your most
assured friend & Humble Serv'
Jn° Sullivan
B Genl Waine

(Outside address)
{on publick Service)
Brigadier General Waine
Head garters
M G Sullivan

IO

HISTORIC LETTERS.

GENERAL WM. IRVINE TO GENERAL WAYNE.
Camp Smiths Clove July lo 1779 —
Dear General
I returned here last night late — & found in
General orders that Magonigle — who I had tryed
at the Furnace was to be hanged this morning
at ten oClock, I marched the whole Division to
the Execution (, that were off duty), I cant say
I ever felt pleased or happy before at the death or
suffering of any poor Wretch — but what added
to it was to see the head of a Corporal of the
1" Regt. who also left us at the furnace stuck up
on the Gallows He was taken two nights ago by
a party of Major Lees — who it seems were at
first determined to kill all but on consultation or
debate agreed to kill only one out of three —
it fell to the Corporals lott — whose Head was
Immediately carried to Camp on a pole by the
two who escaped instant Death — these two Vil
lains were of the same Regiment and have been
tryed here this day — presume they will meet the
same fate, —
I hope in future Death will be the punishment
for all such — I planly see less will not do — poor
Magonigle behaved well at his Death — Tho he
said no more than that he forgave all the World
— I hope this & few more examples will have a
good effect — indeed our fellows behaved as well
on the occasion as I could wish —
I have not only spoke to Doctor M^Kenzie but
advised him to wait on you — I know if he can
get an appointment as Director — or Chief Sur
geon to the Corps — he will gladly stay with you

HISTORIC LETTERS.

the Campaign — I also saw Doctor Skinner this
day, who told me he would go & stay with Butler
as his Surgeon — By order of His Excellency the
Officers will meet this morning to devise some
plan — or consult what will be best to do about
the disputed Inlistments — which is the pretended
cause of all this Mischief — General Smallwood
has now got a fellow Confined — who formerly
Deserted from us to the Enemy — came out lately
& claimed the benefit of His Excellencys Proc
lamation — was pardoned Went to the Maryland
line and there Inlisted several men for the King
of England — Six of Whom — all of one Reg',
actually went off — & others who detected him
were to meet him in the Mountains leading to
Haverstraw — where he said he had hard Money
hid — Notwithstanding all this has been plumply
proven by many Evidences — // is thought he wih
escape with a hunf lashes. Should this be the
case & a practice made of letting off such
atrocious offenders there is an end of Service — we
may as well drop the matter & discharge all at
once with some Grace — however this I scarce
think possible, and hope shold such a stupid
sentence have taken place — the General will not
think of Confirming it.
I am Dear Gen!
Yours Sincerely Wf Irvine
Gen^ Wayne
The Rascal who was Recruiting in the Mary
land line formerly belonged to the Congress Regt :
12

HISTORIC LETTERS.

— he promised several Commissions provided they
took off a certain number to Rank in proportion
(Outside address)
Brigadier General An^_ Wayne
fai/ by Doctor M^Kenzie
Fort Montgomery
W'" Irwine

GENERAL WAYNE TO GENERAL WASHING
TON.
Official Report of the Capture of Stony Point.
Stoney Point 17th July 1779
Sir I have now the honor of giving your Excel
lency a full & particular ace' of the Reduction
of this post by the Light troops under my Com
mand On the ij"" Instant at 12, OClock we took up
our line of March from Sandy Beach distant
about 14 Miles from this place — the roads being
exceeding bad & narrow & having to pass over
high Mountains & thro' such deep Morasses
and difficult defiles that we were Obliged the
greatest part of the way to move in single files, —
at 8, OClock in the evening the Van arrived at a
M' Springs teels within one Mile & a half of the
Enemy's lines & formed into Columns as fast as
they came up agreeable to the Order of Battle
herewith transmitted, (vide Order) — Col° Febiger's
& Col° Meigs's Regiments with Major Hull's
detatchment formed the Right Column — Col°
13

HISTORIC LETTERS.

Butler's Regiment and Major Murphy's two Com
panies the Left
The troops remained in this position until sev
eral of the Principal Officers with myself had
returned from Reconnoitring the Works, — at half
after Eleven (being the hour fixed on) the whole
moved forward — the Van of the Right was
Composed of One Hundred & fifty Volunteers
properly Officered with fixed Bayonets & Un
loaded Muskets, under the Command of Lieut
Col" Fleury preceded by twenty picked men
headed by a vigilant Officer to remove the Ab
batis & other Obstructions
The Van of the Left consisted of One Hun
dred Volunteers also with fixed Bayonets &
unloaded Muskets under the Conduct of Major
Steward these were likewise preceded by twenty
men under a Brave & Determined Officer
At 12 OClock the assault was to begin on
the Right & left flanks of the Enemy's Works, —
& Major Murphey to amuse them in front, —
but from the Obstructions thrown in our way &
a deep Morass surrounding their whole front and
overflowed by the tide rendering the Approaches
more difficult than at first apprehended, it was
about twenty minutes after twelve before the as
sault began — previous to which I placed myself at
the Head of Febiger's Regiment or Right Column
& gave the troops the most pointed Orders not
to Attempt to fire, but put their whole depend-
ance on the Bayonet — which was most faithfully
& Literally obeyed, — neither the deep morass,
the formidable & double rows of Abbatis or the
H

HISTORIC LETTERS.

high and strong works in front & flank could
damp the Ardor of the troops — who in the face
of a most tremendous & Incessant fire of Mus
ketry, & from Artillery loaded with shells &
Grape shot forced their way at the point of the
Bayonet thro' every Obsticle, — both Columns
meeting in the Centre of the Enemy's works
nearly at the same Instant
too much praise cannot be given to Lieut
Colonel Fleury (who struck the enemy's Standard
with his own hand) & to Major Steward who
Commanded the Advanced parties, for their brave
& prudent Conduct, Colonels Butler, Meigs,
& Febiger conducted themselves with that cool
ness, bravery & perseverance that ever will ensure
success ; Lieut. Col° Hay was wounded in the
thigh bravely fighting at the head of his Bat
talion : — I should take up too much of your
Excellency's time was I to particularise every
Individual who deserves it for his bravery on this
Occasion, however, I must acknowledge myself
Indebted to Major Lee for the frequent and useful
Intelligence he gave me & which Contributed
much to the Success of this enterprize, — &
it's with the greatest pleasure I acknowledge to
you that I was Supported in the attack by all
the Officers & Soldiers to the utmost of my
wishes, & Return my thanks to the Officers
& privates of Artillery for their alertness in
turning the Cannon against the Enemy's works
at Verplanks point & their Shiping which slipt
their cables and Immediately droped down the
River 15

HISTORIC LETTERS.

I should be wanting in gratitude was I to omit
mentioning Cap' Fishbourn & M' Archer my
two aids De Camp, who on every Occasion shewed
the greatest Intripidity & Supported me into the
Works after I had rec"? my wound in passing the
last Abbatis —
Enclosed are Returns of the killed & wounded
belonging to the Light Corps, as also that of the
enemy together with the number of prisoners
taken, Likewise of the Ordnance & Stores found
in the Garrison
I had forgot to Inform your Excellency that
previous to the assault I had ordered Genl Much-
lingburg into my rear who with three hundred
men of his Brigade took post on the Opposite
side of the Marsh, so as to be in readiness either
to Support us, or to cover a Retreat in case of
accident, & have not the least doubt of his faith
fully & Effectually executing, either had there
been an Occasion for it
the Humanity of our brave soldiery who
scorned to take the lives of vanquished foe's
calling for mercy reflects the highest Honor on
them & accounts for so few of the Enemy being
killed on the Occasion
I am not fully satisfied with the manner in
which I have mentioned Lieu' Gibbons of the
6th & Lieu! Knox of the 9th Penns^ Regi-
¦ ments, the two gentlemen who led the advanced
parties of each Column — the first had 17 men
killed & wounded out of twenty — the latter tho'
not quite so unfortunate in that Respect was
nevertheless equally exposed — they both behaved
16

HISTORIC LETTERS.

with an Intrepidity & address that would have
given Credit to the oldest Soldier,
I have the honor to be with Singular Re
spect Your Excellency's most Obt & very
Hum' Sev'
Ant"^ Wayne
His Excellency
Gen"- Washington

GENERAL PUTNAM TO GENERAL WAYNE.
Camp Butter Milk falls
July 22. 1779
Sir The General Officers are now assembled at my
Quarters, & only wait for you to proceed on the
business pointed out by his Excellency the Com
mander in Cheif — As you was notified of this
yesterday, I hoped they would not have been
delay'd on this account — Should be glad you
would attend immediately if possible as the
Gentlemen think they cannot transact the busi
ness without you, & some of them are far from
their Quarters, & consequently a delay will be
very inconvenient for them.
I am Sir
Your most Obed' &
very Hble Serv'
Israel Putnam M G
17

HISTORIC LETTERS.

P.S. If Gen! Wayne is not with the Light
Troops I desire the Senior Officer will attend —
(Outside address)
To Brig'^ Gen'- Wayne
or Commanding Officer
of the
Light Troops

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL
WAYNE. West-point July 30* 1779
Dear Sir ;
Your favor of this date came duly to hand — I
shall certainly not undertake anything (capital)
without your knowledge — I wish for your opinion
as a friend — not as a commanding officer of the
light Troops — whether another attempt upon
Stoney point, by way of surprize, is eligible — (In
any other manner under present appearances, and
information, no good, I am sure, can result from
Lord Cornwallis is undoubtedly arrived, and I
have information that bears all the marks of
authenticity, that Admiral Arbuthnot with the
grand fleet left Torbay the 26'^ of May, with (as
it is said) 7000 Troops, Hessians and British, for
America — A deserter who left the City of New
York on Tuesday last says, it was reported that a
number of Transports had arrived at Sandy Hook
— Firing he himself heard — I have not heard, nor

HISTORIC LETTERS.

is it my belief, that Lord Cornwallis supercedes
Sir Harry. I am very sincerely and
Affectionately — D' Sir
Y'^ G° Washington.
(Outside address)
Brig'^ Gen'- Wayne,
New-Windsor
G"- Washington

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WAYNE.
Saratoga July 30'.'' 1779
Dear Sir
Yesterday I was honored with a line from our
Amiable General advising me of the reduction of
Stoney point and dwelling on the propriety and
Bravery with which It was Executed. — It was not
the least part of my satisfaction to hear that You
Conducted It And I most Sincerely Congratu
late you on the Increase of honor you have Ac
quired, Such of the Enemy as have hitherto
held Erroneous Ideas of the Military prowess of
our troops must now be perfectly Convinced of
their mistake. —
Pray make not my Compliments only but my
Love to S' Clair and do you and he continue
Yours For that Great good man to whom we are
so much Indebted —
Remember me to Your family In which I In-
19 H<=f=

HISTORIC LETTERS.

elude those I have been happy with at Your
Quarters adieu I am Dear Sir
Most Sincerely Your
Obedient Servant P Schuyler
A Slight remains of an Indisposition prevents
me from a visit to the Army I hope however
soon to have the pleasure of seeing You
Br: Gen. Wayne.

CHARLES LEE TO GENERAL WAYNE.
Berkley County, August ye ii* 1779
Sir— You will do me the justice to acknowledge
that at the time I was taught to think (I am sure
without foundation) that you were one of the
most active in my prosecution I gave it as my
opinion that you were a brave Officer and honest
Man — You must likewise recollect that when you
sent me a certain Message at Elizabeth Town I
told you that if I was appointed to a command,
and had my choice of Brigadiers, you should be
one of my first election — I hope therefore that
what I am going to say you will not consider as
paying my court in this your hour of glory, for
as it is at least my present intention to leave this
Continent, where I have been so scurvily and un
gratefully treated, I can have no interest in pay
ing my court to any Individual — What I shall

HISTORIC LETTERS.

say therefore is dictated by the genuine feelings
of my heart — I do most sincerely declare that
your action on the assault of Stony Point is not
only the most brilliant, in my opinion, through
the whole course of this War on either side, but
that it is one of the most brilliant I am ac
quainted with in history — Upon my soul, the
assault of Sweidnitz by Marshal Laudon I think
inferior to it — I wish you therefore most sin
cerely joy of the laurels you have deservedly
acquird, and that you may long live to wear —
and if you have leisure (as I am curious in these
details) to inform me of the particular order of
your disposition you will much oblige one who
is without flattery with respect and no small
admiration Your most obedt humble Servt
Charles Lee.
(Outside address)
Brig'r General Wayne
Philadelphia

GENERAL WAYNE TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.
Light Infantry Camp near
Fort Mont'y Sep"^ 24"" 1779
Dear Sir
Among the many Congratulatory letters which
I have rec^ from different Quarters on the Re
duction of Stoney Point, I met with none which
gave me one half the pleasure I experienced from
yours of the 31" July — because I know it to be
the effects of friendship, as it's strongly marked
with that Character,

HISTORIC LETTERS.

If I have fought with some success the con
sciousness of having endeavoured to do my duty,
added to the Approbation of my friends — such
friends as you — is to me a rich reward
I must now beg your pardon for not acknowl
edging it sooner — but you are to blame yourself
for the Omission — & give me leave to Insist on
your Compliance with your promise of visiting
the Light Corps — it is a debt which of all Others
I can never agree to Compound for — I therefore
in the most serious manner call on you for In
stant payment.
Interim believe me with every
Sentiment of Esteem yours
Most Sincerely AntT Wayne
Major GenV Schuyler

GENERAL WAYNE TO GENERAL WASHING
TON.
Camp at Steenropia io* Sep' 1780
Sir When your Excellency was pleased to lay a
state of matters before the Council of War the
6''' of June, the prospects were extremely flatter
ing, — we had great expectations from the prom
ised succours by his most Christian Majesty —
as well as from the exertions of these States
upon this ground I did myself the honor of
giving an opinion to your Excellency in writing
of what I then thought the most feasible &
proper point of Co-operation, but the Interven-

HISTORIC LETTERS.

tion of a Superior fleet to that of our Allies in
these seas — the blockade of Brest — in which
port the second Division intended for America
is shut up — & the tedious delay of Operation in
the West Indies — together with the Defficiency
of promised aid & Supplies in the United States,
have materially altered the Complexion of Affairs
from a comparative view of the strength of
the Armies under the Immediate Command of
your Excellency — & that of S"" Henry Clinton,
I find the numbers rather in favor of the Enemy,
— the recent Military check we reed in South
Carolina has given Lord Cornwallis a decided
Superiority in that Quarter, — at Penobscut the
enemy appear well EstabUshed — & in Canada a
Combined Operation can not take place until
another season
could any Period be fixed for the Arrival of a
"fleet either from Europe or the West Indies so as
to give our Allies the Sovereignty of these Seas
— I should not be at a loss in giving an Opinion
on this Occasion — but as this is only Problem
atical or at most Eventual — I must acknowledge
that I see nothing but a choice of Difficulties left
to Determine upon — among others that of expe
riencing every extreme of Distress at this stage of
the Campaign for want of Provisions is of the
most Alarming Nature, & would of itself be
sufficient to defeat any the best plan in the power
of a General to Devise
In full confidence that Supplies of every kind
will be more regular in future — & in the pre
sumption that the french forces now at Rhode
23

HISTORIC LETTERS.

Island, are subject to your Excellency's Com
mand — I would advise you (in the absence of the
British fleet) to order the troops to form a Junc
tion with you the soonest possible, sending the
Shipping round to Boston Harbour — where if I
am rightly Informed they may ride secure and
without danger of being attacked, as the Enemy
dare not Detatch their fleet & Operating Land
force — to so great a Distance whilst your Excel
lency remains in the Vicinity of New York at the
Head of a Combined & puissant Army ready
to seize the first Opening to enter where the
Enemy may be deemed most Vulnerable
I also am lead to this Opinion on the eventual
arrival of a Naval & perhaps Land force — in
time to Operate with effect — against that place —
which will be much forwarded by these troops
being near the point of Action — a move of this
nature will at all events leave it in your Excel
lency's power to make a Detatchment towards
the Southward in some Degree adequate to the
Magnitude of the Object, — & yet be in a Con
dition to afford cover to the Country — until the
arrival of Re-enforcements from Europe or the
West Indies — which may give you an Oppor
tunity to Operate either in this Quarter or at
Charles town as Circumstances might then Offer,
— & if disappointed in this — you'l be able to main
tain your Ground free from Insult until the States
have time to recruit their Army for the War &
to bring them into the field Properly appointed
& duly rationed, which is the only measure that
can save this Country from Impending ruin,
24

HISTORIC LETTERS.

the Junction of these troops will also afford a
favorable opening for entering Canada by the
Lake Champlain during the Winter, should the
situation of Affairs render that an Adviseable
Object, nor will the troops of france experience
those Difficulties that we have been subject to, —
their hard Cash will always Command a Redun
dancy of eyery necessary in a Country, — not so
much exhausted with respect to Supplies, — as in
want of faith in our paper Currency
I am further stimulated to this advice by the ap
parent preparation for an Embarkation of troops
both horse & foot at New York — which may
give the wished for opening to Carry that City
whilst the attention of S'' Henry Clinton is drawn
to some other Quarter — on the presumption that
your force will not be adequate to enterprise any
thing against that post at this late season, — &
that the french will remain in their present posi
tion — nor shall I be disappointed if Adm' Ar-
bouthnot with the bulk of his Fleet should favor
the Operations of S^ Harry on the same ground,
in full expectation of returning in time to pre
vent any serious Consequences taking place during
a temporary Absence
Upon the whole I am fully of Opinion that
without a Change of Circumstances our present
force is not adequate to act in an Open Offensive
manner, — yet by one of these Delicate eventual
manoeuvres sometimes practiced — we might
cause the Enemy to Commit themselves in a
point of which Advantage may be taken, &
pushed with effect, but this is an Idea yet in
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HISTORIC LETTERS.

embryo — which when mature I shall do myself
the honor of Communicating Viva Voce
I also think that you can not make any consid
erable Detatchment — until the Junction already
mentioned takes place : or until the Enemy De
tatch on their part, which may very soon be the
case, & probably by that time — we may have it
in our power to proceed to Charles town, by
water — an event devoutly to be wished — as a
March by land must naturally reduce the troops
at least one third — occasioned by Desertion sick
ness and other Casualties incident to all Armies
during a tedious & Distant tour
I have the honor to be your Excellency's
Most Obt and very Hum Serv'
AntT Wayne
His Excellency Gen'' Washington

LAFAYETTE TO GENERAL WAYNE.
On Board the Sloop Dolphin at
the Mouth of Elk River March the
9th 1781
My Dear Sir
When your favor of the 'f Came to Hand
we were just embarked for our Voyage, and Before
I am launched into the Bay, I will answer to the
articles which your letter Contains
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HISTORIC LETTERS.

The place of debarkation, My dear friend, is as
I told you at Philadelphia, in some place about
Portsmouth which will Be determined on our
Arrival at Hampton Road — There I Hope to
Meet some of our Allies, and immediately to
Act Against the forces under Arnold
our little fleet under Convoy of Armed Vessels
is going to Annapolis where I Hope to be met
By a french frigat — But the general directs me
to keep this plan very secret.
By what you write to me. My dear Sir, you
Cannot Have a detachement Ready at Head of
Elk Before the 20''', and your presence May Be
wanting to put the others in Motion — But I
would Be very desirous of Availing Myself of
your Advices and exertions as soon as you Could
make up any detachement whatsoever — When on
the other Hand, in Case we make a Coup de main
of the attack at portsmouth I would not Have
you to take the trouble of going to the purpose
to much out of your Way
I will Be at portsmouth and a letter May Be
Back at the Head of Elk Before you Can pos
sibly move a body of 400 men — from my Con
versation with the Commanders of french forces
I may Be able to know if you Have Time to
join us, and the intelligence will Be immedi
ately forwarded — I think a good place for your
Rendezvous would be such a one as May Con
duct you to Virginia Both By Alexandria and
Head of Elk — But am to far from Hoping
that your Troops May Arrive in Time, that
I would Be sorry too much to divert your at-
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HISTORIC LETTERS.

tention from the first object of your destina
tion With the Most sincere affection and Regard
I Have the Honor to be Dear Sir
Yours Lafayette
Be pleased to let the quarter master at Head of
Elk know where He is to send my letter to you

GENERAL GREENE TO GENERAL WAYNE.
Headsuarters Charles town June 26th 1783
Dear Sir
I have had the pleasure of receiving two letters
from you since you left this place one from Au
gusta the other from Savannah. The grant of
the Cherokees I imagine will be of but little con
sequence if the Creeks continue to disclaim their
right of granting. An Indian war I expect will
be the consequence and if Georgia is not aided
by the neighboring states or the force of the State
greatly increased by new settlers the Indians will
contend upon no very unequal footing. I wish all
these matters were to be settled by Commissioners
from Congress Both parties perhaps would be
better satisfied. It is pretty certain there would
be less reason for disputes.
Congress have forwarded me a resolution for
furloughing the Army ; and orders are gone out
for the purpose. Major Habersham has a copy
of the orders and the resolution. Transport are
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HISTORIC LETTERS.

hourly expected to take the Northern Troops to
the respective States to which they belong where
both Men and Officers are to be furloughed until
the signing of the definitive treaty and then to be
discharged. What has become of the Virginia Infantry you
took with you ? Have they gone to Virginia on
the uper route or are they to join here again ?
Since you left us there has been great uneasi
ness among the Troops from an impatience to
get home The terrors of the climate and the
discontent natural to idleness has produced great
desertions ; and near one half the 3"* Regiment
of Cavalry went off in a body.
All our Waggons and public Stores in the
Quarter Masters department are sold. Our Mili
tary Stores are depositing in the Magazine of this
State and all our arrangements are drawing to a
close. I expect to leave this place in less than a
month for Philadelphia. What can Governor
Tonyn mean by his extraordinary conduct ? It
must be the effects of temper ; and not the result
of orders. However Congress have remonstrated
against the conduct of the british Generals in
withholding the property of the people of the
United States contrary to treaty.
Dueling thrives apace here. Cap Pendleton
and M! Waters have been out the latter got
wounded the former not. Col. Easton has been
out with a Mr": Rule; but the matter was accomo
dated on the ground. Disputes have run high
among a number more ; but the intervention of
friends prevented a serious appeal to heaven.
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HISTORIC LETTERS.

Mrs Greene sailed for Philadelphia about fort
night since and left her good wishes for you on
your return. How is Major Fishbourn ? We
hear he has been at deaths door and gave a soft
tap but was not admitted. Present me respect
fully to all friends in Georgia and believe me to
be with esteem and affection your
Most obedt
humble Servt
Nath Greene.
General Wayne.

GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT TO GENERAL
PERSIFER F. SMITH.
Augusta, Geo. May 27, 1836.
My dear Colonel or rather General:
I am bound to the Chatahoochee to take
upon myself the direction of the war against
the Creeks. Would to God that I had you &
your effective corps to assist in putting down
this new enemy. With him we shall certainly
have a fight. He cannot escape & lose himself
in hammocks. Savannahs, cypress swamps, ever
glades, etc.
I received your report & in sending it to the
War Department made an endorsement to this
effect :
The only objection to this report is the dis
paraging manner in which the gallant colonel
speaks of himself. He is a first rate officer, &
has gone as far in the expedition entrusted to him,
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HISTORIC LETTERS.

& covered as much ground as I had expected.
No doubt he was as much distressed at not find
ing an enemy as I am disappointed in that par
ticular. Do not miscontrue my letter to the Adjutant
General of the 30th ultimo that has been pub-
Hshed. See my reply to Capt. Robertson of this
place, dated yesterday, & which is published.
In great haste Very truly yr friend
WiNFiELD Scott.
I have just written to friend Lawson to join
me with all speed.
W. S.
Gen''- Persifer F. Smith
&c &c &c.
(Outside address)
To General P. F. Smith
Adjutant Gen'-
of Louisiana, New Orleans.

GENERAL GEORGE B. McCLELLAN TO GEN
ERAL P. F. SMITH.
West Point N. Y. Sept. 21=' 1848
My dear General,
It appears that an Engineer Officer is to be
detailed for duty in Oregon, to report to you &
accompany you on your march next Spring ; as
I am quite tired of civilization, and am very
anxious to go with you, I take the liberty of
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HISTORIC LETTERS.

asking you whether you would have any objec
tion to having me in that position — I take it for
granted that if there is any other Engr. Officer
whom you would prefer, that you will tell me at
once, & I'll have no more to say on the subject.
Gibbs tells me that you are going to Washington
as soon as the Sectry. of War returns, will I be
asking too much of you, if you are willing to
have me, in requesting you to apply to the Sectry
and to Gen. Totten for me. I do not suppose that
there will be very many applicants for Oregon, so
that I anticipate little or no difficulty in the mat
ter. I suppose that I shall have to go in that
direction anyhow at some period during the next
lo or 15 years, and I should prefer going now
whilst young & having the disposition to lead
an active life.
I can't say how much I'll be obliged to you,
General, if you will push the matter & take me
with you " for better & worse."
Your namesake, whose name you never could
remember, is still here, and well.
Everyone here says that you must come on to
see us, I know that you would be pleased to see
something of the Academy, & you will find
here some of the " Old Division."
Please give my best respects to Mrs. Smith
and believe me to be
your most obdt servant
Geo B McClellan
Lt of Engrs.

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HISTORIC LETTERS.

PRESIDENT TAYLOR TO GENERAL P. F. SMITH.
Washington, April 2/49
Dear General,
You will doubtless learn before this can reach
you, that Congress has adjourned without making
any adequate provision for the formation of a
Government or the establishment of our laws in
California. It is greatly deplored by moderate
men of all parties that nothing has been done to
meet the wants of that country, now filling rapidly
up with a hardy and enterprising population, and
among the most important duties presented to the
administration is that of facilitating and hastening
by all the legitimate means at its command, the
organization of a state government in California
with a view to the establishment of law and order
in that country and its early admission into the
Union. In the absence of a civil government, it will
doubtless be in your power as senior officer of the
troops quartered in California to do much in pro
moting an end so desirable, not only to the people
of that country, but for particular reasons, to all
well-wishers of the Union at home. The Govern
ment confidently relies upon your well-known
patriotism to exert in that behalf the influence
which your reputation, your abilities and high
character cannot fail to give you.
This letter will be handed you by the Hon.
T. Butler King, who has been employed by
the government to proceed to California for the
purpose of collecting statistical information to
the country and its population, and particularly
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HISTORIC LETTERS.

to encourage the speedy organization of a govern
ment and the adoption of necessary laws for the
protection of life and property. Mr. King is too
well and favorably known to render it necessary
for me to recommend him personally to your
kind attention. He will confer with you in regard
to the objects of his mission and I have to request
that you will furnish him and his party such escorts
and transportation as he may require in moving
from place to place, and afford him generally every
aid and facility in your power that may assist him
in carrying out the instructions of the Govern
ment. We are anxious to hear of the safe arrival of
Mrs. Smith and yourself in California and hope
you will find the climate & country ^agreeable.
We were gratified to see that you had reached
Acapulco and other Mexican ports without acci
dent. With my kind regards to your lady and best
wishes for yourself, I remain Yrs. very truly,
Z. Taylor.
Maj. Gen^ p. F. Smith, U. S. A.
Commanding in California,
San Francisco, Cal.

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HISTORIC LETTERS.

JEFFERSON DAVIS TO GENERAL P. F. SMITH.
War Department
Washington Sept. 3d. 1856
Sir,
Your dispatch of 22'? August and its enclo
sures sufficiently exhibit the inadequacy of the
force under your command to perform the duties
which have been devolved upon you in the
present unhappy condition of Kansas by the
orders and instructions heretofore communicated.
To meet this exigency the President has directed
the Governor of the Territory to complete the
enrolment and organization of the militia, as you
will find fully set forth in the enclosed copy of a
letter addressed to him by the Secretary of State ;
and the President has directed me to say to you
that you are authorized, from time to time, to
make requisitions upon the Governor for such
militia force as you may require to enable you
promptly and successfully to execute your orders
and suppress insurrection against the government
of the Territory of Kansas, and, under the cir
cumstances heretofore set forth in your instruc
tions, to give the requisite aid to the officers of
the civil government who may be obstructed in
the due execution of the law. Should you not
be able to derive from the militia of Kansas the
adequate force for these purposes, such additional
number of militia as may be necessary, will be
drawn from the States of Illinois and Kentucky,
as shown in the requisition, copy of which is
here enclosed. 35

HISTORIC LETTERS.

The views contained in your instructions to
the officers commanding the troops, under date
of August 19: are fully approved, and accord so
entirely with the purposes of the Executive as to
leave but little to add in relation to the course
which it is desired you should pursue. The posi
tion of the insurgents, as shown by your letter
and its enclosures, is that of open rebellion against
the laws and constitutional authorities, with such
manifestation of a purpose to spread devastation
over the land as no longer justifies further hesita
tion or indulgence. To you, as to every soldier,
whose habitual feeling is to protect the citizens of
his own country, and only to use his arms against
a public enemy, it cannot be otherwise than deeply
painful to be brought into conflict with any por
tion of his fellow countrymen. But, patriotism
and humanity alike require that rebellion should
be promptly crushed, and the perpetration of the
crimes which now disturb the peace and security
of the good people of the Territory of Kansas,
should be effectually checked. You will, there
fore, energetically employ all the means within
your reach to restore the supremacy of law,
always endeavoring to carry out your present
purpose to prevent the unnecessary effusion of
blood. In making your requisitions for militia force,
you will be governed by the existing organiza
tion of the Army and the laws made and pro
vided in such cases. When companies, regi
ments, brigades, or divisions, are presented to be
mustered into the Service of the United States,
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HISTORIC LETTERS.

you will cause them before they are received to
be minutely inspected by an officer of your com
mand, appointed for the purpose.
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt,
Jeffn. Davis
Secretary of War,
Major General Persifer F. Smith
Comdg. Dept of the West

Franklin's Clock.
Bought by Benjamin Price, of West Chester, at a sale of Ben
jamin Franlclin's effects. Now the property of the West Ches
ter State Normal School.

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