21 July 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Stephen Moylan

Written by Brigadier General Wayne to Colonel Moylan of the 4th Dragoons. Signed twice by Wayne. Discusses operations around New York during the summer of 1780. Written in the heat of the movement while planning actions against the British in New Jersey. Wants Moylan to drive off cattle and to "Oblige the Inhabitants to serve as Guides - letting them know the Consequence of a Deception." Postscript not in Wayne's hand. Noted as a copy on page 3.

GLC02681

21 July 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: [Minutes of field council held during attack on Bull's Ferry blockhouse]

Co-signed by six field officers, including Brigadier General William Irvine of the 2nd Brigade of the Pennsylvania Line. The minutes of a council of war held during an attack on Bull's Ferry blockhouse. It appears that Knox wrote this on the verso of a letter he received from Captain Zebulon Pike while in the field. Says ammunition was nearly expended and even though artillery had made it within 60 or 70 yards of the blockhouse, it could not be captured and a withdraw was ordered. The attack at Bull's Ferry was a lopsided defeat, as Wayne's force of 2000 troops could not dislodge the 70…

GLC04898

25 December 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Washington

Expresses frustration with contradictory accounts from New York. Updates Washington on the movements of the British fleet and states that Benedict Arnold boarded one of the vessels. Reports that he does not know if they have sailed yet. Gives information on Arnold's activities and says he was definitely in New York on Saturday 23 December because he was seen by someone. Remarks that he is attempting to form an intelligence network, "I am endeavouring to form a Chain of Intelligence & will succeed if practicable - should any thing material turn up you may be assured of being Informed…

GLC04863

October 21, 1944

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Header Record

Title: [Twenty-two orders of the day including pardon of all who were under sentence of death].

Written as general in command of the United States Army in Greeneville, Ohio.

GLC04864

27 May 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Francis Vigo

Asks Major Vigo to use his connections to arrange for the British to be spied on. Wayne wants "either Frenchmen or Indians to go as far as Roche de Bout...to discover the number and designs of the enemy," the number of British troops and whether or not they have constructed a fort. Indicates he is willing to pay a large sum and would also like to arrange for regular dispatches of intelligence.

GLC06479.01

22 September 1781

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Nathanael Greene

Major General Wayne writing shortly before the siege of Yorktown, looks forward to the arrival of Admiral François de Grasse and praises the French forces. Predicts victory over Lord Cornwallis. Expects that the arrival of George Washington "will enable us to complete the investiture immediately." Comments on the Marquis de Lafayette's illness and his own wound. Describes the British fortifications at Yorktown and Gloucester and expresses his "fervent hope to see the American Colours...displayed upon the British lines."

GLC06691

04 June 1792 - 10 June 1796

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: [General Anthony Wayne's report of expenditures from June 1792-May 1794]

Records various expenditures incurred during Indian treaty negotiations. A certification of the expenses along with a comment that "the United States will acquire at least Three Millions of Dollars, from the extra cession of territory obtained by that treaty is signed ant dated 2 June 1796. Another note date 10 June 1796 attests to the receipt of some of the monies and discusses other expenses.

GLC05468

circa 1763-1783

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Written by Wayne, a general in the Continental Army who fought in many of the major battles with Washington and was later sent to the Southern Theatre when activity shifted to there. This document is undated and could be a retained draft or a copy of a letter. Says the situation of the enemy could not discovered. Says they appear to be planning for a bold strike because the last scouting parties were driven in from Gillalands Creek (this waterway could not be found in any reference guide) by a superior force. Says he laid the recipients letter of "20th Instant" before a general council of…

GLC00307.02

December 18, 1792

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elliot & Williams

Wayne pleads for supplies (particularly flour), decrying with great urgency having "been frequently without provisions" and claiming that "There must have been some fatal neglect or error somewhere." Elliot & Williams were suppliers for the army. Legionville was a camp in western Pennsylvania used by General Wayne during the Indian Wars of the Old Northwest.

GLC01141

October 14, 1776

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Abraham Robinson

Wayne writes just as the British are approaching Fort Ticonderoga for an attack. "I have just time to inform you that the Enemy are approaching - the shattered remains of our fleet arrived last night." Eleven of the sixteen ships were lost, as well as two hundred men. "The whole body of the Enemy are now within two hours march of us - and we expect to see them every moment." He promises that "the contest will be warn and bloody - they out number us - but if we are too die - we are enough - and if to conquer the few men the greater than of Honor." Says he is sending Robinson's brother away,…

GLC01154

September 22, 1784

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Gibbons, Jr.

Letter written by General Wayne as a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly concerning his Georgia plantation "Richmond." The state of Georgia gave Wayne a tract of land for his military service during the Revolution. Instructs Gibbons to hire an overseer to watch the property and any enslaved people that Major Fishbourne shall purchase. Trusts he will superintend and give the necessary directions for "the repair of the banks" so the fields can be prepared for a crop in the spring. Declares he will be there in November and will stay until the next summer, but that it will depend on climate and…

GLC01633

12 July 1781

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Morris

Major General Wayne discusses the campaign that led up to the Battle of Yorktown. Discusses forcing Lord Cornwallis to retreat, justifies his unorthodox tactics, and describes an amazing escape at the battle of Green Spring.

GLC02620

circa 1780

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [Notes from the Pennsylvania Executive Council regarding pardons, appointments, and appropriations of funds].

Wayne notes that on 6 January 1780, the Executive Council pardoned William Cassidy and Peter Swope, both of whom were "convicted of high treason--on condition that he serve as a soldier during the present war in one of the regiments of this State..." Wayne terms the declaration of the Council "A dangerous president [sic--precedent]...of fatal consequences." Also notes the appointment of a judge who took office while failing to resign as a member of the House of Representatives. Mentions disparagingly the appropriations of scalping rewards and other questionable payments. Concludes with entry…

GLC08497

16 July 1779

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document signed

Title: General orders after action at Battle of Stony Point

This document is written in the third person and is signed in text. A hastily written draft conveying General Anthony Wayne's general orders lauding his troops directly after the Battle of Stony Point. Cites Colonel [Christian] Febiger as the field officer of the day. Says their perfect execution of orders reflects the highest honor on the troops engaged. Wants all captured military stores to collected, reported, and placed in charge of proper guards. Commends soldiers for confidence and bravery during battle. Instructs troops and generals on guard duty and moving supplies. The Battle of…

GLC00496.108

25 October 1789

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes the situation in western Georgia concerning negotiations with the Creeks. The Commission has not succeeded as of yet in negotiating a treaty with the Creeks. Mentions violence along the frontier between Native Americans and white settlers, including incidents in which Native Americans attacked forts and burned them. Reports that the Spanish have concluded a treaty with the Creek Nation, and that Creek leader Alexander McGillivray was involved. Describes the Creeks as "numerous & insolent, until they were made to experience our superiority in the Field..." Suggests a…

GLC02437.04397

20 March 1790

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Answers Knox's question regarding the number of muskets "received from the Spaniards by the Creeks," stating that the number is 6,000. Reports that "our Mr. McGilvery," a Georgia planter, has told him that "the Spaniards had not when first demanded, a sufficient number of that kind of smooth bore arms, that suited the Indians, that a vessel was dispatched to the Bahamias [Bahamas] in in [sic] order to procure as many as were deficient, & that the[y] had all actually arrived whilst he remained with his namesake the Indian McGilvery..." (Creek leader Alexander McGillivray). Discusses the…

GLC02437.04556

12 May 1790

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Thanks Knox for sending three more companies of men to him, as he believes this will help deter the Indians from hostilities. Provides the opinion of Creek leader "McGilvery" (referring to Alexander McGillivray), who believes that it is likely some Creeks will reinitiate hostilities because they feel the truce between the government and the Creeks has expired. McGillivray requested to the Governor that a government agent be sent to meet with the Creeks. Therefore, a group of commissioners will be sent in an attempt to sue for peace. Also remarks, "It's also said that Mr. McGilvery is to…

GLC02437.04604

25 December 1789

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

General Wayne acknowledges a letter from Knox of 28 November and talks about information on a possible treaty between the Creeks and the Spanish government. Wayne gives his opinion of rifles "when a professional gentleman who had been in the British services, asked my Opinion of the efficiacy of rifles, to the fire of which the British attributed in great degree the loss of that Army - I gave my sentiments very candidly, that I thought them a very improper arm for an Army, that a few of them in the hands of expert marksmen might occasionally be servicable for small desultory parties, when…

GLC02437.04808

1 April 1792

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Has read and considered Knox's recent letter and is proud that he and the President think highly of his abilities. However, must decline Knox's offer of an appointment, apparently because he feels he would find "committing [his] military character" to events "which [he] can not direct" exceedingly difficult. Plans to obtain a civilian post instead. Thanks Knox and the President profusely.

GLC02437.05392

22 March 1793

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private Personal & Confidential." References Knox's letters of 5 and 9 March. Claims some of the officers are drunks who lack military skills. Expresses sarcastic anger over orders given by Knox about ensigns in the army. Wayne does not have enough ensigns to follow Knox's orders from the letter of 5 March and is frustrated that he cannot use the provisional ensigns as ordered in the 9 March letter. The provisional ensigns need to be confirmed by the Senate. Says he does not want to put the men or his own personal honor on the line with some of these officers. Suggests the…

GLC02437.05856

15 November 1793

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Marked "Private." Makes reference to the "baneful leaven," the radical democratic principles of the French Revolution, influencing troops in his army. Mentions that Thomas Paine's "The rights of man, has been held up as a Criterion, even of Military Government. Attempts have frequently been made to evade & disobey Orders, under various & unworthy pretexts & idle quibles [sic], unknown at any period before that time, in the Legion." Reports that the most visible actor is Major Cushing "who is a very artful & seditious man." Also mentions a Captain Gunn. Goes into some of…

GLC02437.05975

11 June 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Informs Knox the people of Kentucky have been opposing the general government. Mentions he enclosed an extract of a letter from a witness to an incident that took place in Kentucky. Notes the letter shows the present temper of the people. Reports the incident took place in Lexington, Kentucky and involved men overtaking the rostrum and addressing the people "in the most inflammatory & invective language." Comments two men gave elaborate speeches for two hours and ended the speech declaring they were pro Britain occupying the N.W. Banks of the Ohio. Also notes an earlier incident…

GLC02437.06117

7 July 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Copy of a letter describing the build up to the Battle of Fallen Timbers. States Major [William] McMahon was attacked at Fort Recovery by a large band of Indians early in the morning. Reports the attacks lasted all day and night, and throughout the next day before the Indians were finally forced to retreat. Eight to ten bodies were found dead. Comments the real goal of the "savages" was to take the fort by a "coup de main." Notes the camp was left short on supplies and it appears the soldiers killed and ate a number of the pack horses. Reports three small parties of Chickasaw and…

GLC02437.06137

16 July 1794

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Manuscript letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Clerical copy in the hand of War Dept. clerk Samuel Lewis. Discusses the Indians retreat from Fort Recovery and the routes they took. Believes the Wabash Indians and Patawatimes Indians, ranging from 250 to 300 each, broke off from the main body that was heading for Grand Glaize and took different trails. Informs Knox he has several parties collecting information on the British and the "Savages" at Grand Glaize and Roche de Bout, Ohio. Mentions he will be leaving in four to five days, heading towards Grand Glaize, Ohio. Provides details on the route and plan he will take once he arrives…

GLC02437.06147

9 May 1795

Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796

Autograph document

Title: [General Orders No. 5].

Notifies non-commissioned officers and privates that they may reenlist, and informs paymasters to pay them at the full bounty enacted by Congress on 3 March 1795. Wayne was the general in command of the United States Army in Greeneville, Ohio.

GLC04864.01