{"id":37343,"date":"2018-05-21T16:07:11","date_gmt":"2018-05-21T16:07:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/academics.umw.edu\/jamesmonroepapers\/?page_id=37343"},"modified":"2018-11-26T18:56:34","modified_gmt":"2018-11-26T18:56:34","slug":"published-letters-volume-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/academics.umw.edu\/jamesmonroepapers\/publications\/publishedcorrespondence\/volume-2-table-of-contents\/published-letters-volume-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Published letters Volume 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>To John Thornton1<\/sup><\/h1>\n

\u00a0Fredrickburg\u00a0 July 3d<\/sup><\/span> [1777]<\/p>\n

Dear Sir<\/p>\n

Whither to impute my not meeting with you since I have been in the state to mere chance or some unlucky Genius wh<\/sup><\/span> seems to prevail; not only in this instance but also in every step I have taken since I left the 3d<\/sup><\/span> Regt<\/sup><\/span>, I must confess I am totally at a loss to determine.\u00a0 I have been repeatedly at Fredricksburg, once at Colo<\/sup><\/span> Champ\u2019s,2<\/sup> and twice made a circuit of the back Country; in the course of wh<\/sup><\/span> time fortune has neither thrown me in your way, or more than six men, who are willing to enter in the army, in mine.\u00a0 I am very unhappy in finding myself incapable of raising a sufficient proportion of men to take the field, for altho I am not fonder of the inconveniences that attend the acting part of the army than most people, I wod<\/sup><\/span> still prefer that mode of life attended with its usual fatigue and danger to the one in wh<\/sup><\/span> I at present act.\u00a0 Independent of the labor, the fatigue and extravigant expense to wh<\/sup><\/span> a recruiting Officer is subject, there seems to be too generally annext to the character, the Idea of Insignificancy and indolence, to make it an agreeable service.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Officers of my Company & myself have in all, I believe about 15 men; and I am thoroughly convincd we shall not get another man without using those arts wh<\/sup><\/span> I wod<\/sup><\/span> avoid and which no man of honor should use.\u00a0 I shall however still exert myself for a month longer, at the expiration of which time if I neither have nor can get a sufficient number to command, I shall desire yours & Colo<\/sup><\/span> Thruston\u2019s permission to go to the northward with Mr<\/sup><\/span> Jones,3<\/sup> leaving the other officers of my company still recruiting (or rather still endeavouring to recruit) as you will direct.\u00a0 I am Dear Sir with the greatest respect your very affecte<\/sup><\/span> humble Servt<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Jas<\/sup><\/span> Monroe<\/p>\n

RC, Vi-Ar: Rejected Claims: John Thornton<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>To John Thornton<\/h1>\n

\u00a0De[rb]y August 25 [1777]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dear Colo<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

As nothing of material importance either publickly or individually in the course of the meneuvers of ours or the Brittish army, has happen\u2019d since my arrival at camp1<\/sup> till of late, I have designedly pospon\u2019d giving you information of my station at Camp till I cod<\/sup><\/span> convey something to you that wod<\/sup><\/span> make it more agreeable.\u00a0 The good fortune which has smil\u2019d on an enterprise of Genl<\/sup><\/span> Stark\u2019s2<\/sup> against a party of the enimy at Bennington will I hope shew the effect happy and acceptable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just as Genl<\/sup><\/span> Burgoyne\u2019s3<\/sup> progress toward Albany became really serious and somewhat formidable, he has I believe recd<\/sup><\/span> a fatal check.\u00a0 Great in numbers, invincible in Proclamation, havoc and desolation in his mouth and Indians who delight in ruin at his side, he advanc\u2019d on and for a while bore down all opposition.\u00a0 To make head against him he sd<\/sup><\/span> wod<\/sup><\/span> be unavailing, to give him battle certain ruin and infallible death.\u00a0 The next time he appears in print since the overthrow a part of his army have recd<\/sup><\/span>, the pompous Genl<\/sup><\/span> will perhaps be less presuming and declamitory:\u00a0 To give you the justest Idea of the action and also to fix certainty to the report I will transcribe you G[eneral] Orders.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Commander in Chief has the happiness to inform the army of a signal victory obtain\u2019d to the Northward.\u00a0 A part of Genl<\/sup><\/span> Burgoyne\u2019s army about 1500 in number were detatched toward New Hampshire and advanc\u2019d with a design to possess themselves of Bennington; Brigr<\/sup><\/span> Genl<\/sup><\/span> Stark of State of New Hampshire with about two thousand troops (mostly militia) attacked them.\u00a0 Our troops behavd in a very brave and heroic manner.\u00a0 They push\u2019d the enimy from one work to another thrown up on advantageous ground and from different posts with spirit and fortitude untill they gain\u2019d a compleat victory over them.\u00a0 The following is a list of the prisoners, kill\u2019d and wounded.\u00a0 One Lt<\/sup><\/span> Colo<\/sup><\/span>, one Major, five Capns<\/sup><\/span>, 12 Lieut<\/sup><\/span>, 4 ensigns, 2 Cornets, one Judge Advocate, one Baron, 2 Canadian Officers, and 3 sergeons.\u00a0 37 Brittish soldiers, 398 Hessians, 38 Canadians & 150 Tories taken prisoners.\u00a0 The number of wouned fallen into our hands exclusive of the above are about 80.\u00a0 The number of the enemy who were slain has not been ascertain\u2019d but suppos\u2019d to be about 200.\u00a0 Their [Artillery] consisting of 2 Brass field pieces with a considerable quantity of baggage likewise fell into our hands.\u00a0 Our is 20 or 30 kill\u2019d and perhaps 50 wounded.\u201d\u00a0 This is literally a copy of G. Ors<\/sup><\/span>.\u00a0 It is believ\u2019d it will be to B[urgoy]ne, as Trenton was to Howe.4<\/sup><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yesterday the Genl<\/sup><\/span> march\u2019d his army thro\u2019 Phila<\/sup><\/span> in all the Pomp of military parade.\u00a0 The line extended six or seven miles.\u00a0 The Tories it has intirely silenc\u2019d the timid Whigs confirmd.\u00a0 I shod<\/sup><\/span> be very glad to hear from you\u2014pray how the old Regt<\/sup><\/span> of ours.\u00a0 I live very agreeably with Lord Stirling.\u00a0 He unfortunately fell from his horse yesterday and hurt himself exceedingly.\u00a0 A report prevaild yesterday that Fort Stanwix was not longer invested.5 <\/sup>\u00a0Another also wh<\/sup><\/span> was positively affirm\u2019d by a gentleman of reputed honor that one Colo<\/sup><\/span> Morgan of militia, had made a descent on Statten Island, kill\u2019d several, taken about 70 together with one Allen,6<\/sup> a noted Trenton Tory likewise several Field officers.\u00a0 I shod<\/sup> inform you of the certainty of it only we are all confind, because of the above mention\u2019d misfortune.\u00a0 The returning to our former stations is impossible; The Genl<\/sup><\/span> says he might with equal propriety, give us that rank in any other Regt<\/sup><\/span>.\u00a0 He sd<\/sup><\/span> I might continue here acting with Lord Stirling till the Congress determin\u2019d something about those Regts<\/sup><\/span>.\u00a0 If you wod<\/sup><\/span> come on to camp I doubt not you wod<\/sup><\/span> have an immediate command equal to your rank.\u00a0 The Genl<\/sup><\/span> has however but few posts in his hands wh<\/sup><\/span> he can dispose of.\u00a0 I am Dear Colo<\/sup><\/span> with great respect yours affecy<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

Jas<\/sup><\/span> Monroe<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

RC, NHi: Gilder Lehrman Collection<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To John Thornton<\/h1>\n

Novr<\/sup><\/span> 21. 1777.<\/p>\n

Dear Colo<\/sup><\/p>\n

The late inactivity of the army, the enimy quietly possess\u2019d of Phila<\/sup><\/span> and we determin\u2019d not to attack them, has render\u2019d it unnecessary for me to write you.\u00a0 Their repeated efforts to clear the river, their several attempts to possess themselves of Fort Mifflin, and more particularly their endeavour to storm Fort Mercer, altho\u2019 they are not without importance have however prov\u2019d ineffectual but in the loss of the prior Post.\u00a0 That while we possess the latter will not be eminently prejudicial.\u00a0 From an intire conviction of this, their maneuvres of late have principally tended to act against it.\u00a0 Lord Cornwallis1 <\/sup>a few days ago crossd the Delaware below the City with, as the best information we have says, about 3000 men to invest it.\u00a0 Every step we take is to counteract some maneuvre of theirs; we have not force to act decisively.\u00a0 The whole army was order\u2019d under arms at 9 this morning intending to march at ten.\u00a0 The order was countermanded and only Genl<\/sup><\/span> Greene\u2019s2<\/sup> division march\u2019d with a view (as Lord Stirling tells me) of crossing the Delaware with such orders as the obvious circumstance of things points out.\u00a0 The Remainder of the army moves on towards the River in the morning early.\u00a0 It is expected they will exert their collected force to possess themselves of that post.\u00a0 We must of course collectively oppose them.\u00a0 They say themselves, (we are informd) if they do not command the River they cannot continue in the City.\u00a0 If they do not take fort Mercer they cannot command the River; and they are determin\u2019d to stay in the City if possible.\u00a0 So of course the fort is a capital object.\u00a0 39 transports wh<\/sup><\/span> sail\u2019d from New York the beginning of this month have arrivd and join\u2019d the rest of the fleet.\u00a0 It is also said they are landing men on the Jersey Shore, we suppose to act under Cornwallis.3<\/sup><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The army under Gates4<\/sup> have not arriv\u2019d yet.\u00a0 It is sd<\/sup><\/span> they are on their way and that shortly they will be down: when a report first prevail\u2019d that Clinton5<\/sup> intended sending a part of his army from York the Genl<\/sup><\/span> in order to divert them order\u2019d two Brigades down to the White Plains; this tho\u2019 the view prov\u2019d abortive retarded their march. Genl<\/sup><\/span> Burgoyne\u2019s army we are told diminishes fast; they desert in numbers, to such an excess that out of several companies not one man remains.\u00a0 This information seems tollerably well authenticated.\u00a0 We often receive papers from the City wh<\/sup><\/span> are replete with falsity and codswill.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Lately the attention of our Genl<\/sup><\/span> Officers has been much taken up with trying each other.\u00a0 Sullivan,6<\/sup> Wayne,7<\/sup> Maxwell8<\/sup> and Stevens9<\/sup> have been severally call\u2019d on to vindicate their Conduct.\u00a0 To[day] the Commander in Chief approv\u2019d the Sentence of a Genl<\/sup><\/span> Court Martial, by which major Genl<\/sup><\/span> Stevens was discharg\u2019d the army.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Campaign to me has been a very expensive one.\u00a0 If you find it requisite tho\u2019 a journey to Virginia will be (in point of expense) almost ruinous I will come immediately and settle with the Regiment.\u00a0 The army is to me infinitely more disagreeable than ever.\u00a0 I most sincerely wish that Officers of reputation wod<\/sup><\/span> continue in the service.\u00a0 The principles on which the war is carried on now is intirely different from what it was at first.\u00a0 Patriotism, publick spirit and disinterestedness have almost vanis\u2019d; and honor and virtue are emty names.\u00a0 Every table thro\u2019 the line is the Theatre of calumny, and praise & approbation without some of their own favorites is the subject, is banish\u2019d from the scene.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I hope to hear from you soon and believe me Dear Sir your very affectionate humble Servant.<\/p>\n

Jas<\/sup><\/span> Monroe<\/p>\n

RC, Vi:Ar: Rejected Claims: John Thornton<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To John Thornton1 \u00a0Fredrickburg\u00a0 July 3d [1777] Dear Sir Whither to impute my not meeting with you since I have been in the state to mere chance or some unlucky Genius wh seems to prevail; not only in this instance but also in every step I have taken since I left the 3d Regt, I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5811,"featured_media":0,"parent":36934,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_advisory_expires_time":"","_advisory_meta_include":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-37343","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"yoast_head":"\nPublished letters Volume 2 - Papers of James Monroe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/academics.umw.edu\/jamesmonroepapers\/publications\/publishedcorrespondence\/volume-2-table-of-contents\/published-letters-volume-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Published letters Volume 2\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"To John Thornton1 \u00a0Fredrickburg\u00a0 July 3d [1777] Dear Sir Whither to impute my not meeting with you since I have been in the state to mere chance or some unlucky Genius wh seems to prevail; 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