George Washington to Charles Lee anticipating a prisoner exchange - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC07491
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1776
Title	George Washington to Charles Lee anticipating a prisoner exchange
Date	14 November 1776
Author	Washington, George (1732-1799)
Recipient	Lee, Charles
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Anticipates a prisoner exchange. Worries the British will try to exchange men who are not really continental soldiers, therefore requests Lee to order all officers to make lists of those in their units who are missing or dead. Encloses "a recommendation of the officers for the State of Rhode Island." Postscript states British forces suspected to be moving to South Carolina. Saw small number of British troops near Mount Washington, and speculates as to their possible movements. Written from "General Green's Quarters." Two days later the British would drive Washington and his forces from around New York and take Fort Washington.
Subjects	President Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Death Continental Army Prisoner of War
People	Washington, George (1732-1799) Lee, Charles (1732-1782)
Place written	Fort Lee, New Jersey
Theme	The American Revolution; Foreign Affairs
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Signer of the U.S. Constitution. Charles Lee was a Major General in the Continental Army
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Genl. Green's Quarters Nov. 14.th 1776. Dear Sir. As an Exchange of Prisoners, is likely to take effect, as soon as the circumstance of the case will admit, and as, in the course of the transaction, it may possibly happen; that an attempt may be made by the Enemy to redeem their prisoners by men in their possession, who were never ingag'd in our service, I must request you, to direct the Colonels, or Commanders of Regiments under your command, immediately to make out an exact list of the particular officers & Privates who have been killed, taken prisoners or are missing in the respective Regiments and companies to which they belong'd; specifying the names of the whole, and the time when each officer and Soldier was killed, taken Prisoner, or was missing. The List (as soon as it is completed) you will transmit to Head Quarters I now inclose you, a Copy of the recommendation of the Officers for the State of Rhode Island, which was furnished by General Green, and transmitted by me to Governor Cooke sometime since; if [2] the Commissioners have not yet arrived from thence, you will be pleased to direct the officers therein nominated who chuse to serve, to recruit as fast as possible out of their own regiments, & agreeable to the general orders issued at the White Plains before my departure I am Sir PS. We have well attested Yr. Most Obedt. Servt. Accts. of the Enemy's Go: Washington having Imbarkd a number of Men - & it is said for So. Carolina, but they have not yet left the Harbour. - I was this day at Mount Washington and perceived some Incampment of the Emeny at, and near the Bridge (Kings) but not very large, & it is suspected they are removing towards Morrissania in order to Imbark, but I think they cannot pass that Fort without Investing it. - G:W-- Genl. Lee [Docket] copied General Washington Novemr. 14th. 1776 No.4 [Address leaf] To The Honble Majr. Genl. Lee. at the White Plains Express

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