The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts, Volume 4Ferdinand Andrews, 1839 - United States |
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appointed arms army Arnold arrived artillery attack attempt attended battalions beg leave body brigade BRIGADIER-GENERAL British Brunswic camp campaign circumstances Colonel Colonel Paterson command conduct consequences considerable Continental Crown Point DEAR SIR defence Delaware detachment effect enclosed enemy enemy's engaged enlistments exchange exertions expect favor force Fort Washington gentlemen George Clinton give Governor Trumbull Head-Quarters Heath Hessian honor hope Howe's hundred immediately instance Jersey Kingsbridge land late letter liberty Lieutenant-Colonel Long Island Lord Stirling MAJOR-GENERAL matter measure ment militia morning Morristown necessary North River obliged officers opinion party passes Peekskill persons Philadelphia possession present PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS prisoners proper rank received regiments reinforcement request resolve respect retreat Rhode Island Schuyler sent ships situation soldiers soon Staten Island taken thing thousand Ticonderoga tion Trenton troops Washington White Plains whole wish yesterday York
Popular passages
Page 74 - Till of late, I had no doubt in my own mind of defending this place; nor should I have VOL. IV. 10 G yet, if the men would do their duty ; but this I despair of. It is painful, and extremely grating to me, to give such unfavorable accounts ; but it would be criminal to conceal the truth at so critical a juncture.
Page 493 - Our situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new exertions, and proportion our efforts to the exigency of the times.
Page 536 - Americanos" which is a tolerable step towards declaring himself our ally in positive terms. The substance is, that he is sensible of the vast advantages, which must result from the separation to his master and nation ; that he cannot positively enter into a regular system of commerce without consulting his master; but, in the mean time, he will render us all the service in his power. I only wait myself for this business I mention of Rogers and Company being over.
Page 235 - It may be thought that I am going a good deal out of the line of my duty, to adopt these measures, or to advise thus freely. A character to lose, an estate to forfeit, the inestimable blessings of liberty at stake, and a life devoted, must be my excuse.
Page 231 - No man I believe ever had a greater choice of evils and less means to extricate himself from them. However, under a full persuasion of the justice of our cause, I cannot entertain an idea that it will finally sink, though it may remain for some time under a cloud.
Page 503 - From your accounts he appears to be pursuing that line of conduct, which of all others is most favorable to us ; I mean acting in detachment. This conduct will certainly give room for enterprise on our part, and expose his parties to great hazard. Could we be so happy, as to cut one of them off, supposing it should not exceed four, five, or six hundred men, it would inspirit the...
Page 61 - Be cool, but determined ; do not fire at a distance, but wait for orders from your officers. It is the General's express orders, that if any man attempt to skulk, lie down, or retreat without orders, he be instantly shot down as an example. He hopes no such will be found in this army ; but, on the contrary, that every one for himself resolving to conquer or die, and trusting in the smiles of Heaven upon so just a cause, will behave with bravery and resolution.
Page 114 - To place any dependence upon militia, is assuredly resting upon a broken staff. Men just dragged from the tender scenes of domestic life ; unaccustomed to the din of arms ; totally unacquainted with every kind of military skill ; which...
Page 532 - The day after to-morrow," added he, " we shall pass the river, when I should be glad to receive your instructions ; but I could wish you would bind me as little as possible ; not from any opinion, I do assure you, of my own parts, but from a persuasion that detached generals cannot have too great latitude, unless they are very incompetent indeed.
Page 298 - ... and take the oath of allegiance to the United States of America; nevertheless, hereby granting full liberty to all such as prefer the interest and protection of Great Britain to the freedom and happiness of their country, forthwith to withdraw themselves and families within the enemy's lines. And I do hereby declare, that all and every person who may neglect or refuse to comply with this order, within thirty days from the date hereof, will be deemed adherents to the King of Great Britain, and...