Adams Papers Digital Edition

Adams Family Correspondence, volume 2

John Adams to Abigail Adams

John Adams to Abigail Adams
John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 January 1777 JA AA John Adams to Abigail Adams, 13 January 1777 Adams, John Adams, Abigail
John Adams to Abigail Adams
Hartford Jan. 13. 1777

The Riding has been so hard and rough, and the Weather so cold that We have not been able to push farther than this Place. My little Colt has performed very well hitherto, and I think will carry me through the Journey, very pleasantly.

Our Spirits have been cheered, by two or three Pieces of good News, which Commissary Trumble1 who is now with me, tells us, he saw Yesterday in a Letter from General Washington, who has gained another considerable Advantage of the Enemy at Stonny Brook in the Jersies, as General Putnam has gained another at Burlington, and the Jersy Militia a third.2 The Particulars, you will have before this reaches you in the public Prints.

The Communication of Intelligence begins to be more open, and We have no Apprehensions of Danger in the Rout We shall take.

How Howe has Reason to repent of his Rashness, and will have more.

My Love to my dear little ones. They are all very good Children and I have no doubt will continue so. I will drop a Line as often as I can. Adieu.

RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “Mrs. John Adams Braintree”; franked: “Free John Adams”; docketed in pencil by AA.

1.

Joseph Trumbull (1737–1778), Harvard 1756 ( DAB ).

 2.

These were actions in Washington's daring and highly successful winter campaign to drive in the British and Hessian advanced posts in New Jersey, resulting in American victories at Trenton and Princeton. See his letters to Pres. Hancock, 27 Dec. 1776 and 5 Jan. 1777 (Washington, Writings, ed. Fitzpatrick, 6:441–444, 467–471).