A few quotes from Our first President and Commander in Chief General George Washington, written in the field during the war of independence between our United States and Great Briton.
They're
heartbreaking and laser focused perceptions reveal the nature of our
American man in arms when called into combat for their Country. And
the disastrous consequence of independent, home schooled milita.
These insights IMHO call forth a tremendous warning to We the People living in the 21st Century. The real and present dangers of Assault Weapons in the hands of Citizens. Which can not continue without regard to the 2nd Amendments' WELL
REGULAT(ION) clause. Failure to enforce it will only prove to increase it's already fatal effect.
A standing Army is the only combat force to be
trusted with America's freedom. That is the conclusion of General
Washington. It is my conclusion.
History 101: These excerpts from letters written to Congress between July, 1776 and November,1776. (source: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N22518.0001.001/1:3?rgn=div1;view=fulltext )
Note: I have abbreviated some letters before November 15 in order to complete my efforts in a timely way. The full texts are available at the link provided. I have printed in bold italics those texts I thought pertained to troops. In Red General Washington's most urgent requests. And Purple the (IMHO) anguished pleas after his troops most valiant demise.
New-York,July 17, 1776.
SIR, I WAS this morning honoured with yours of the fifteenth instant, with sundry resolves.
I perceive the measures Congress have taken to expe|dite the raising of the flying camp, and providing it with articles of the greatest use. .....
The Connecticut light-horse, mentioned in my letter of the eleventh, notwithstanding their then promise to continue here for the defence of this place, are now dis|charged, and about to return home,—having peremptorily refused all kind of fatigue duty, or even to mount guard, claiming an exemption as troopers. Though their assist|ance is much needed, and might be of essential service in case of an attack, yet I judged it adviseable, on their ap|plication and claim of such indulgences, to discharge them; as granting them would set an example to others, and might produce many ill consequences. The number of men included in the last return, by this, is lessened about five hundred.
New-York,July 25, 1776.
SIR,
DISAGREEABLE as it is to me and unpleasing as it may be to Congress to multiply officers, I find myself under the unavoidable necessity of asking an increase of my aides-de-camp. The augmentation of my command,—the increase of my correspondence,—the orders to 〈◊〉,—the instructions to draw,—cut out more business than I am able to execute in time with propriety. The business of so many different departments centring with me, and by me to be handed on to Congress for their information,—added to the intercourse I am obliged to keep up with the adjacent States,—and incidental occurrences,—all of which require confidential and not hack writers to execute,—renders it impossible, in the present state of things, for my family to discharge the several duties expected of me, with that precision and dispatch that I could wish. What will it be then, when we come into a more active scene, and I am called upon from twenty different places perhaps at the same instant?
Congress will do me the justice to believe (I hope) that it is not my inclination or wish to run the continent to any unnecessary expense; and those who better know me will not suspect that shew and parade can have any influence on my mind in this instance. A conviction of the neces|sity of it, for the regular discharge of the trust reposed in|me, is the governing motive for the application; and, as such, is submitted to Congress by, Sir, your most obe|dient, &c.
G. W.
New-York,July7, 1776.
SIR,
I WAS yesterday morning honoured with your fa|vour of the twenty-fourth instant with its several inclos•res, to which I shall pay the 〈◊〉 attention. ....
I would wish to know whether the allowance given to officers, the seventeenth of January, of a dollar and one-third for every man they enlist, Congress mean to extend to the officers who enlist for the new army for three years. At first it may appear wrong, or rather exorbitant, suppos|ing that many will be recruited out of the regiments now in service, and under them: but the allowance will be of great use, as it will interest the officers, and call forth their exertions, which otherwise would be faint and languid. In|deed I am fearful, from the inquiries I have made, that their utmost exertions will be attended with but little success. It is objected that the bounty of ten dollars is too low; and argued,—"if the States, furnishing men for five or six months, allow considerably more, why should that be ac|cepted when the term of enlistment is to be for three years." I heartily wish a bounty in land had been or could be giv|en, as was proposed some time ago. I think it would be attended with salutary consequences. ......
New-York,August 5, 1776.
SIR, .....
Before I conclude, I would beg leave to remind Con|gress of the necessity there is of having some major-gener|als appointed for this army, the duties of which are great, extensive, and impossible to be discharged as they ought and the good of the service requires, without a competent number of officers of this rank. I mean to write more fully upon the subject: and, as things are drawing fast to an issue, and it is necessary to make every proper dis|position and arrangement that we possibly can, I pray that this matter may be taken into consideration, and claim their early attention. I well know what has prevented appointments of this sort for some time past: but the sit|uation of our affairs will not justify longer delays in this instance. By the first opportunity, I shall take the liber|ty of giving you my sentiments more at large upon the propriety and necessity of the measure.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
New-York,August 7, 1776.
SIR,
IN my letter of the fifth which I had the honour of addressing you, I begged leave to recal the attention of Congress to the absolute necessity there is for appointing more general officers,—promising at the same time, by the first opportunity, to give my sentiments more at large upon the subject.
Confident I am that the postponing this measure has not proceeded from motives of frugality: otherwise I should take the liberty of attempting to prove that we put too much to the hazard by such a saving. I am but too well apprised of the difficulties that occur in the choice. They are, I acknowledge, great; but at the same time it must be allowed they are of such a nature as to present themselves whenever the subject is thought of. Time on the one hand does not remove them; on the other, delay may be pro|ductive of fatal consequences.
This army, though far short as yet of the numbers in|tended by Congress, is by much too unwieldy for the com|mand of any one man, without several major-generals to assist. For it is to be observed that a brigadier-general at the head of his brigade is no more than a colonel at the head of a regiment, except that he acts upon a larger scale. Officers of more general command are at all times wanted for the good order and government of an army, especially when the army is composed chiefly of raw troops: but in an action they are indispensably necessary. At present there is but one major-general for this whole department and the flying camp; whereas, at this place alone, less than three cannot discharge the duties with that regularity they ought to be. ......
New-York,August 23, 1776.
SIR,
I BEG leave to inform Congress, that, yesterday morning and in the course of the preceding night, a con|siderable body of the enemy, amounting by report to eight or nine thousand, and these all British, landed from the transport-ships mentioned in my last, at Gravesend-bay on Long-Island, and have approached within three miles of our lines, having marched across the low cleared grounds near the woods at Flat-bush, where they are halt|ed, from my last intelligence.
I have detached from hence six battalions as a rein|forcement to our troops there, which are all that I can spare at this time, not knowing but the fleet may move up with the remainder of their army, and make an attack here, on the next flood-tide. If they do not, I shall send a further reinforcement, should it be necessary; and have ordered five battalions more to be in readiness for that purpose.
I have no doubt but a little time will produce some im|portant events. I hope they will be happy. The rein|forcement detached yesterday went off in high spirits; and I have the pleasure to inform you that the whole of the army, that are effective and capable of duty, discover the same, and great cheerfulness. I have been obliged to appoint major-general Sullivan to the command on the island, owing to general Greene's indisposition:—he has been extremely ill for several days, and still continues bad.
By Wednesday evening's post I received a letter from general Ward, inclosing a copy of the invoice of the ord|nance stores taken by captain Manly, with the appraisement of the same, (made in pursuance of my direction, founded on the order of Congress) which I do myself the honour of transmitting. You will also receive the treaty be|tween the commissioners and the Indians of the Six Na|tions, and others, at the German-Flats, which general Schuyler requested me to forward, by his letter of the eighteenth instant.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
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Long-Island,Aug. 29, 1776,half after 4. A. M.
SIR,
I WAS last night honoured with your favour of the twenty-seventh, accompanied by sundry resolutions of Congress. Those respecting the officers, &c. that may be wounded in the service of the States, are founded much in justice, and (I should hope) may be productive of ma|ny salutary consequences. As to the encouragement to the Hessian officers, I wish it may have the desired effect. Perhaps it might have been better had the offer been sooner made.
Before this, you will probably have received a letter from Mr. Harrison, of the twenty-seventh, advising of the engagement between a detachment of our men and the enemy on that day. I am sorry to inform Congress that I have not yet heard either of general Sullivan or lord Stirling, who (they would observe) were among the missing after the engagement: nor can I ascertain our loss. I am hopeful, part of our men will yet get in: several did yesterday morning. That of the enemy is also un|certain: the a••ounts are various. I incline to think they suffered a good deal. Some deserters say five hun|dred were killed and wounded.
There was some skirmishing, the greatest part of yes|terday, between parties from the enemy and our people: in the evening it was pretty smart. The event I have not yet learned.
The weather of late has been extremely wet. Yester|day it rained severely the whole afternoon, which dis|tressed our people much,—not having a sufficiency of tents to cover them, and what we have, not being got over yet. I am in hopes they will all be got to-day, and that they will be more comfortably provided, though the great scarcity of these articles distresses us beyond meas|ure, not having any thing like a sufficient number to pro|tect our people from the inclemency of the weather;—which has occasioned much sickness, and the men to be almost broken down.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
New-York,August 31, 1776.
SIR,
INCLINATION as well as duty would have in|duced me to give Congress the earliest information of my removal and that of the troops, from Long-Island and its dependencies, to this city, the night before last: but the extreme fatigue which myself and family have undergone, as much from the weather since as the engagement on the twenty-seventh, rendered me and them entirely unfit to take pen in hand. Since Monday, scarce any of us have been out of the lines till our passage across the East-river was effected yesterday morning; and, for forty-eight hours preceding that, I had hardly been off my horse, and never closed my eyes; so that I was quite unfit to write or dic|tate till this morning.
Our retreat was made without any loss of men or am|munition, and in better order than I expected from troops in the situation ours were. We brought off all our cannon and stores, except a few heavy pieces, which, in the condition the earth was by a long-continued rain, we found, upon trial, impracticable. The wheels of the car|riages sinking up to the hobs rendered it impossible for our whole force to drag them. We left but little provisions on the island, except some cattle which had been driven within our lines, and which, after many attempts to force across the water, we found impossible to effect, circum|stanced as we were.
I have inclosed a copy of the council of war held pre|vious to the retreat, to which I beg leave to refer Congress for the reasons, or many of them, that led to the adoption of that measure.
Yesterday evening and last night, a party of our men were employed in bringing our stores, cannon, tents, &c. from Governor's-Island, which they nearly completed. Some of the heavy cannon remain there still, but (I ex|pect) will be got away to-day.
In the engagement on the twenty-seventh, generals Sullivan and Stirling were made prisoners. The former has been permitted, on his parole, to return for a little time. From my lord Stirling I had a letter by general Sullivan (a copy of which I have the honour to transmit) that contains his information of the engagement with his brigade. It is not so full and certain as I could wish:—he was hurried most probably, as his letter was unfinished:—nor have I been yet able to obtain an exact account of our loss;—we suppose it from seven hundred to a thousand killed and taken.
General Sullivan says lord Howe is extremely desirous of seeing some of the members of Congress; for which purpose he was allowed to come out, and to communicate to them what has passed between him and his lordship. I have consented to his going to Philadelphia, as I do not mean, or conceive it right, to withhold, or prevent him from giving, such information as he possesses in this in|stance.
I am much hurried and engaged in arranging and mak|ing new dispositions of our forces; the movements of the enemy requiring them to be immediately had;—and there|fore have only time to add, that I am, with my best re|gards to Congress, their and your most obedient, &c.
G. W.
New-York,September 2, 1776.
SIR,
AS my intelligence of late has been rather unfavour|able, and would be received with anxiety and concern, pe|culiarly happy should I esteem myself, were it in my pow|er at this time to transmit such information to Congress, as would be more pleasing and agreeable to their wishes:—but, unfortunately for me,—unfortunately for them,—it is not.
Our situation is truly distressing. The check our de|tachment sustained on the twenty-seventh ultimo has dis|pirited too great a proportion of our troops, and filled their minds with apprehension and despair. The militia, instead of calling forth their utmost efforts to a brave and manly opposition in order to repair our losses, are dismayed, in|tractable, and impatient to return. Great numbers of them have gone off,—in some instances, almost by whole regiments, by half ones, and by companies at a time. This circumstance, of itself, independent of others, when fronted by a well-appointed enemy superior in number to our whole collected force, would be sufficiently disagreea|ble:—but, when their example has infected another part of the army,—when their want of discipline, and refusal of almost every kind of restraint and government, have pro|duced a like conduct but too common to the whole, and an entire disregard of that order and subordination necessa|ry to the well doing of an army, and which had been in|culcated before, as well as the nature of our military es|tablishment would admit of,—our condition is still more alarming: and with the deepest concern I am obliged to confess my want of confidence in the generality of the troops.
All these circumstances fully confirm the opinion I ev|er entertained, and which I more than once in my letters took the liberty of mentioning to Congress, that no depend|ence could be put in a militia, or other troops than those enlisted and embodied for a longer period than our regula|tions heretofore have prescribed. I am persuaded, and as fully convinced as I am of any one fact that has happened, that our liberties must of necessity be greatly hazarded if not entirely lost, if their defence is left to any but a per|manent standing army,—I mean, one •••xist during the war. Nor would the expense, incident to the support of such a body of troops as would be competent to almost every exigency, far exceed that which is daily incurred by calling in succour, and new enlistments, which, when ef|fected, are not attended with any good consequences. Men who have been free, and subject to no control, cannot be reduced to order in an instant; and the privileges and exemptions they claim and will have, influence the con|duct of others; and the aid derived from them is nearly counterbalanced by the disorder, irregularity, and confusion they occasion.
I cannot find that the bounty of ten dollars is likely to produce the desired effect. When men can get double that sum to engage for a month or two in the militia, and that militia frequently called out, it is hardly to be expect|ed. The addition of land might have a considerable in|fluence on a permanent enlistment.
Our number of men at present fit for duty is under twenty thousand; they were so by the last returns and best accounts I could get after the engagement on Long-Island; since which, numbers have deserted. I have or|dered general Mercer to send the men intended for the flying camp to this place, about a thousand in number, and to try with the militia, if practicable, to make a diversion upon Staten-Island.
Till of late, I had no doubt in my own mind, of de|fending this place: nor should I have yet, if the men would do their duty: but this I despair of. It is painful, and ex|tremely grating to me, to give such unfavourable accounts: but it would be criminal to conceal the truth at so critical a juncture. Every power I possess shall be exerted to serve the cause; and my first wish is, that, whatever may be the event, the Congress will do me the justice to think so.
If we should be obliged to abandon the town, ought it to stand as winter quarters for the enemy? They would derive great conveniences from it on the one hand; and much property would be destroyed on the other. It is an important question, but will admit of but little time for de|liberation. At present I dare say the enemy mean to pre|serve it if they can. If Congress therefore should resolve upon the destruction of it, the resolution should be a pro|found secret, as the knowledge of it will make a capital change in their plans.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
New-York,September 4, 1776.
SIR,
SINCE I had the honour of addressing you on the second, our affairs have not undergone a change for the better, nor assumed a more agreeable aspect than what they then wore. The militia, under various pretences, of sick|ness, &c. are daily diminishing; and in a little time, I am persuaded, their number will be very inconsiderable. ....
..... I have transmitted the copy of general Gates's letter as sent me by general Schuyler, from which Congress will discover all the information I have respecting general Bur|goyne's message, and my latest intelligence from Ticonde|roga, with the returns of the army there. Those of the army here it is, impossible to obtain, till the hurry and bus|tle we are now in are a little over.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
P. S. Congress will perceive, by general Gates's letter, his want of musket-cartridge-paper. It is impossible to supply him from hence. They will therefore be pleased to order what he wants (if it can be procured) to be im|mediately sent him from Philadelphia.
New-York,September 6, 1776.
SIR,
I WAS last night honoured with your favour of the third, with sundry resolutions of Congress; and perceiving it to be their opinion and determination that no damage• shall be done the city in case we are obliged to abandon it, I shall take every measure in my power to prevent it.
....... As the milltia regiments in all probability will be impa|tient to return, and become pressing for their pay, I shall be glad of the direction of Congress, whether they are to receive it here or from the conventions or assemblies of the respective States to which they belong. On the one hand, the settlement of their abstracts will be attended with trou|ble and difficulty: on the other, they will go away much better satisfied, and be more ready to give their aid in future, if they are paid before their departure.
Before I conclude, I must take the liberty of mentioning to Congress the great distress we are in for want of money. Two months' pay (and more to some battalions) is now due to the troops here, without any thing in the military chest to satisfy it. This occasions much dissatisfaction, and almost a general uneasiness. Not a day passes without complaints and the most importunate and urgent demands on this head. As it may injure the service greatly, and the want of a regular supply of cash produce consequences of the most fatal tendency, I entreat the attention of Congress to this subject, and that we may be provided as soon as can be with a sum equal to every present claim.
New-York, Head-Quarters,Sept. 8, 1776.
SIR,
SINCE I had the honour of addressing you on the sixth instant, I have called a council of the general officers, in order to take a full and comprehensive view of our situa|tion, and thereupon form such a plan of future defence as may be immediately pursued, and subject to no other alter|ation than a change of operations on the enemy's side may occasion. Before the landing of the enemy on Long-Island, the point of attack could not be known, or any satisfactory judgment formed of their intentions. It might be on Long-Island, or Bergen, or directly on the city.
......
The militia of Connecticut is reduced, from six thou|sand, to less than two thousand, and in a few days will be merely nominal. The arrival of some Maryland troops, &c. from the flying camp, has in a great degree supplied the loss of men: but the ammunition they have carried away will be a loss sensibly felt. The impulse for going home was so irresistible, it answered no purpose to oppose it. Though I would not discharge, I have been obliged to acquiesce; and it affords one more melancholy proof, how delusive such dependencies are.
New-York,September 14, 1776.
SIR,
I HAVE been duly honoured with your favour of the tenth, with the resolution of Congress which accompani|ed it, and thank them for the confidence they repose i• my judgment respecting the evacuation of the city. I could wish to maintain it, because I know it to be of im|portance: but I am fully convinced that it cannot be done, and that an attempt for that purpose, if persevered in, might and most certainly would be attended with conse|quences the most fatal and alarming in their nature.
Sensible of this, several of the general officers, since the determination of the council mentioned in my last, petitioned that a second council might be called to recon|sider the propositions which had been before them upon the subject. Accordingly I called one on the twelfth, when a large majority not only determined a removal of the army prudent, but absolutely necessary,—declaring they were entirely convinced from a full and minute inquiry into our situation, that it was extremely perilous; and, from every movement of the enemy, and the intelligence received, their plan of operations was to get in our rear, and, by cutting off the communication with the main, oblige us to force a passage through them on the terms they wish, or to become prisoners in some short time for want of necessary supplies of provision.. We are now taking every method in our power to re|move the stores, &c, in which we find almost insuperable difficulties. They are so great and so numerous, that I fear we shall not effect the whole before we meet with some interruption. I fully expected that an attack some|where would have been made last night. In that I was disappointed; and happy shall I be, if my apprehensions of one to-night, or in a day or two, are not confirmed by the event. If it is deferred a little while longer, I flatter myself all will be got away, and our force be more con|centred, and of course more likely to resist them with success.
Yesterday afternoon, four ships of war, two of forty and two of twenty-eight guns, went up the East-river, passing between Governor's and Long-Island, and anchored about a mile above the city, opposite Mr. Stivansent's, where the Rose man-of-war was lying before. The design of their going not being certainly known, gives rise to various con|jectures,—some supposing they are to cover the landing of a party of the enemy above the city,—others that they are to assist in destroying our battery at Horn's-hook, that they may have a free and uninterrupted navigation in the Sound. It is an object of great importance to them, and what they are industriously trying to effect by a pretty constant can|nonade and bombardment.
Before I conclude, I would beg leave to mention to Congress, that the pay now allowed to nurses for their at|tendance on the sick is by no means adequate to their ser|vices; the consequence of which is, that they are extremely difficult to procure: indeed they are not to be got; and we are under the necessity of substituting in their place a number of men from the respective regiments, whose service by that means is entirely lost in the proper line of their du|ty, and but little benefit rendered to the sick. The officers I have talked with upon the subject all agree that they should be allowed a dollar per week, and that for less they cannot be had.
Our sick are extremely numerous, and we find their re|moval attended with the greatest difficulty. It i•〈◊〉 matter that employs much of our time and care; and what makes it more distressing is the want of proper and convenient places for their reception. I fear their sufferings will be great and many. However, nothing on my part, that humanity or policy can require, shall be wanting to make them comfortable, so far as the state of things will ad|mit of.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters at Col. Ro••r 〈◊〉 House,Sept6, 1776.
SIR,
ON Saturday about sunset, •ix more of the enemy's ships, one or two of which were men-of-war, passed be|tween Governor's-island and Red hook, and went up the East-river to the station taken by those mentioned in my last. In half an hour I received two expresses,—one from colonel Serjeant at Horn's-hook [Hell-gate] giving an account that the enemy, to the amount of three or four thousand, had ma•ched to the river, and were embarking for Barns's or Montezore's-island, where numbers of them were then encamped;—the other from general Mifflin, that uncommon and formidable movements were discovered among the enemy; which being confirmed by the scouts I had sent out, I proceeded to Haerlem, where it was supposed (or at Morrisania opposite to it) the principal at|tempt to land would be made. However, nothing re|markable happened that night: but in the morning they began their operations. Three ships of war came up the North-river as high as Bloomingdale, which put a total stop to the removal, by water, of any more of our provi|sion, &c. and about eleven o'clock those in the East-river began a most severe and heavy cannonade, to scour the grounds, and cover the landing of their troops between Turtle-bay and the city, where breastworks had been thrown up to oppose them.
As soon as I heard the firing, I rode with all possible dispatch towards the place of landing, when, to my great surprise and mortification, I found the troops that had been posted in the lines retreating with the utmost precipitation, and those ordered to support them (Parsons's and Fellows's brigades) flying in every direction, and in the greatest con|fusion, notwithstanding the exertions of their generals to form them. I used every means in my power to rally and get them into some order: but my attempts were fruitless and ineffectual; and on the appearance of a small party of the enemy, not more than sixty or seventy, their disorder increased, and they ran away in the greatest confusion, without firing a single shot.
Finding that no confidence was to be placed in these brigades, and apprehending that another party of the ene|my might pass over to Haerlem plains and cut off the re|treat to this place, I sent orders to secure the heights in the best manner with the troops that were stationed on and near them; which being done, the retreat was effected with but little or no loss of men, though, of a considerable part of our baggage,—occasioned by this disgraceful and ••stardly conduct. Most of our heavy cannon, and a part of our stores and provisions which we were about removing, was unavoidably left in the city, though every means (after it had been determined in council to evacuate the post) had been used to prevent it.
We are now encamped with the main body of the army on the heights of Haerlem, where I should hope the ene|my would meet with a defeat in case of an attack, if the generality of our troops would behave with tolerable brave|ry. But experience to my extreme affliction has convinc|ed me, that this is rather to be wished for than expected. However, I trust that there are many who will act like men, and shew themselves worthy of the blessings of freedom.
I have sent out some reconnoitring parties to gain intel|ligence, if possible, of the disposition of the enemy, and shall inform Congress of every material event by the earliest opportunity.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters at Col. R. Morris's House,Sept. 18, 1776.
SIR,
AS my letter of the sixteenth contained intelligence of an important nature, and such as might lead Congress to expect that the evacuation of New-York and retreat to the heights of Haerlem, in the manner they were made, would be succeeded by some other interesting event, I beg leave to inform them that as yet nothing has been attempt|ed upon a large and general pla• of attack.
About the time of the post's departure with my letter, the enemy appeared in several large bodies upon the plains about two and a half miles from hence. I rode down to our advanced posts, to put matters in a proper situation if they should attempt to come on. When I arrived there I heard a firing, which, I was informed, was between a party of our rangers under the command of lieutenant-col|onel Knolton, and an advanced party of the enemy. Our men came in and told me that the body of the enemy, who kept themselves concealed, consisted of about three hundred as near as they could guess. I immediately ordered three companies of colonel Weeden's regiment from Virginia, under the command of major Leitch, and colonel Knolton with his rangers composed of volunteers from different New-England regiments to try to get in their rear, while a disposition was making as if to attack them in front, and thereby draw their whole attention that way.
This took effect as I wished on the part of the enemy. On the appearance of our party in front, they immediately ran down the hill, took possession of some fences and bush|es, and a smart firing began, but at too great a distance to do much execution on either side. The parties under col|onel Knolton and major Leitch unluckily began their at|tack too soon, as it was rather in flank than in rear. In a little time major Leitch was brought off wounded, having received three balls through his side; and in a short time after colonel Knolton got a wound which proved mortal. Their men however persevered, and continued the engage|ment with the greatest resolution. Finding that they wanted a support, I advanced part of colonel Griffith's and colonel Richardson's Maryland regi|ments, with some detachments from the eastern regiments who were nearest the place of action. These troops charg|ed the enemy with great intrepidity, and drove them from the wood into the plain, and were pushing them from thence (having silenced their fire in a great measure) when I judged it prudent to order a retreat, fearing the enemy (as I have since found was really the case) were sending a large body to support their party.
Major Leitch, I am in hopes, will recover: but colonel Knolton's fall is much to be regretted, as that of a brave and good officer. 〈◊〉•ad about forty wounded: the number of slain is not yet ascertained: but it is very in|considerable.
By a sergeant who deserted from the enemy and came in this morning, I find that their party was greater than I imagined. It consisted of the second battalion of light in|fantry, a battalion of the royal Highlanders, and three companies of Hessian riflemen, under the command of brigadier-general Leslie. The deserter reports that their loss in wounded and missing was eighty-nine, and eight killed. In the latter, his account is too small, as our peo|ple discovered and buried double that number. This af|fair, I am in hopes, will be attended with many salutary consequences, as it seems to have greatly inspirited the whole of our troops. The sergeant further adds that a considerable body of men are now encamped from the East to the North-river, between the seven and eight-mile stones, under the command of general Clinton. General Howe, he believes, has his quarters at Mr. Apthorp's house.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
P. S. I should have wrote to Congress by express be|fore now, had I not expected the post every minute; which, I flatter myself, will be a sufficient apology for my delaying it. The late losses we have sustained in our bag|gage and camp necessaries have added much to our distress which was very great before. I must therefore take the liberty of requesting Congress to have forwarded as soon as possible such a supply of tents, blankets, camp-kettles, and other articles, as can be collected. We cannot be overstocked.
Head-Quarters at Col. R. Morris's House,Sept. 19, 1776.
SIR,
SINCE I had the honour of addressing you yester|day, nothing material has occurred. However, it is prob|able in a little time the enemy will attempt to force us from hence, as we are informed they are bringing many of their heavy cannon towards the heights and the works we have thrown up. They have also eight or nine ships of war in the North-river, which (it is said) are to cannonade our right flank when they open their batteries against our front. Every disposition is making on our part for de|fence: and Congress may be assured that I shall do every thing in my power to maintain the post so long as it shall appear, practicable, and conducive to the general good.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters, Heights of Haerlem,Sept. 20, 1776.
SIR,
I HAVE been honoured with your favour of the six|teenth with its inclosures. To prevent the injury and abuses which would arise from the militia and other troops carrying away ammunition and continental property, I have published the substance of the resolves upon the subject in general orders.
Since my letter of yesterday, nothing of importance has cast up. The enemy are forming a large and extensive encampment in the plains mentioned in my last, and are busily employed in transporting their cannon and stores from Long-Island. As they advance them this way, we may reasonably expect their operations will not long be deferred.
Inclosed are sundry letters, &c. to which Congress will be pleased to pay such regard as they may think them de|serving of. The letter from monsieur . . . . . came open under cover of one to me. Those from colonel Hand and colonel Ward contain a list of vacancies in their regi|ments, and of the persons they esteem proper to fill them. The former, I believe, returned no li•t before: the latter says he never got any commissions. Generals Howe and Erskine's proclamations shew the measures that have been pursued, to force and seduce the inhabitants of Long-Island from their allegiance to the States, and to assist in their destruction.
As the period will soon arrive, when the troops com|posing the present army (a few excepted) will be disband|ed according to the tenor of their enlistments, and the most fatal consequences may ensue if a suitable and timely pro|vision is not made in this instance, I take the liberty of suggesting to Congress not only the expediency but the absolute necessity there is that their earliest attention should be had to this subject. In respect to the time that troops should be engaged for, I have frequently given my senti|ments; nor have I omitted to express my opinion of the difficulties that will attend raising them, nor of the imprac|ticability of effecting it without the allowance of a large and extraordinary bounty.
It is a melancholy and painful consideration to those who are concerned in the work and have the command, to be forming armies constantly, and to be left by troops just when they begin to deserve the name, or perhaps at a moment when an important blow is expected. This, I am informed, will be the case at Ticonderoga with part of the troops there, unless some system is immediately come into, by which they can be induced to stay. General Schuyler tells me in a letter received yesterday, that De Haas's, Maxwell's, and Wind's regiments stand engaged only till the beginning of next month, and that the men, he is fearful, will not remain longer than the time of their enlistment.
I would also beg leave to mention to Congress, that the season is fast approaching when clothes of every kind will be wanted for the army. Their distress is already great, and will be increased as the weather becomes more severe. Our situation is now bad, but is much better than that of the militia that are coming to join us from the States of Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut in consequence of the requisition of Congress. They, I am informed, have not a single tent or a necessary of any kind; nor can I conceive how it will be possible to support them. These circumstances are extremely alarming, and oblige me to wish Congress to have all the tents, clothing of every kind, and camp necessaries, provided and forwarded, that are to be procured. These eastern reinforcements have not a single necessary, not a pan or a kettle,—in which we are now greatly deficient. It is with reluctance that I trouble Congress with these matters: but to whom can I resort for relief unless to them? The necessity therefore, which urges the application, will excuse it, I am persuaded.
I have not been able to transmit Congress a general re|turn of the army this week, owing to the peculiar situation of our affairs, and the great shifting and changing among the troops. As soon as I can procure one, a copy shall be forwarded to Congress.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
P. S. September 21, 1776. Things with us remain in the situation they were yesterday.
Head-Quarters, Haerlem Heights,Sept. 22, 1776.
SIR,
I HAVE nothing in particular to communicate to Congress respecting the situation of our affairs: it is much the same as when I had the honour of addressing you last. On Friday night▪ about eleven or twelve o'clock, a fire broke out in the city of New-York, near the new or St. Paul's church, as it is said, which continued to burn pretty rapidly till after sunrise the next morning. I have not been informed how the accident happened, nor received any certain account of the damage. Report says many of the houses between the Broadway and the river were con|sumed.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters, Haerlem Heights,Sept. 24, 1776.
SIR,
THE post being about to depart, I have only time to add that so event of importance has taken place on this side Hudson's-river since my last of the twenty-second instant.
The inclosed letter, received last night from general Greene who now commands in the Jer•ie•▪ will give Con|gress all the information I have respecting the evacuation of Paulus-Hook and the landing of the enemy to possess it.
I this minute obtained a copy of the general return of our force, the first I have been able to procure for some time past, which I do myself the honour of transmitting for the satisfaction of Congress.
I am,
Sir,
with the greatest respect, &c.
G. W.
P. S. The thirteen militia regiments from Connecticut being reduced to a little more than seven hundred men rank and file fit for duty, I have thought proper to dis|charge the whole, to save the States the immense charge that would arise for officers' pay. There are many mi|litia too that have just come in, and on their way from that State, none of whom are provided with a tent, or a single camp utensil. This distresses me beyond measure.
Colonel Morris's on the Heights of Haerlem,Sept. 24, 1776.
SIR,
FROM the hours allotted to sleep I will borrow a few moments to convey my thoughts on sundry important matters to Congress. I shall offer them with the sincerity which ought to characterize a man of candour, and with the freedom which may be used in giving useful informa|tion without incurring the imputation of presumption.
We are now, as it were, upon the eve of another disso|lution of our army. The remembrance of the difficulties which happened upon the occasion last year, the conse|quences which might have followed the change if proper advantages had been taken by the enemy, added to a knowledge of the present temper and situation of the troops, reflect but a very gloomy prospect upon the appearances of things now, and satisfy me beyond the possibility of doubt, that, unless some speedy and effectual measures are adopted by Congress, our cause will be lost.
It is in vain to expect that any or more than a trifling part of this army will again engage in the service on the encour|agement offered by Congress. When men find that their townsmen and companions are receiving twenty, thirty, and more dollars, for a few months' service (which is truly the case,) it cannot be expected, without using compulsion; and to force them into the service would answer no valua|ble purpose. When men are irritated, and the passions in|flamed, they fly hastily and cheerfully to arms: but after the first emotions are over * * *, a soldier, reasoned with upon the goodness of the cause he is engaged in and the inestimable rights he is contending for, hears you with pa|tience, and acknowledges the truth of your observations, but adds that it is of no more importance to him than others. The officer makes you the same reply, with this further remark, that his pay will not support him, and he cannot ruin himself and family to serve his country, when every member of the community is equally interested and benefited by his labours. * * *
It becomes evidently clear then, that, as this contest is not likely to be the work of a day,—as the war must be carried on systematically,—and to do it you must have good officers,—there are, in my judgment, no other possible means to obtain them but by establishing your army upon a permanent footing, and giving your officers good pay. This will induce gentlemen and men of character to en|gage: and, till the bulk of your officers are composed of such persons as are actuated by principles of honour and a spirit of enterprise, you have little to expect from them. They ought to have such allowances as will enable them to live like and support the characters of gentlemen. * * * Besides, something is due to the man who puts his life in [your] hands, hazards his health, and forsakes the sweets of domestic enjoyment. Why a captain in the continen|tal service should receive no more than five shillings cur|rency per day for performing the same duties that an officer of the same rank in the British service receives ten shillings sterling for, I never could conceive, especially when the latter is provided with every necessary he requires upon the best terms, and the former can scarce procure them at any rate. There is nothing that gives a man consequence and renders him fit for command, like a support that renders him independent of every body but the State he serves.
With respect to the men, nothing but a good bounty can obtain them upon a permanent establishment: and for no shorter time than the continuance of the war, ought they to be engaged; as facts incontestibly prove that the diffi|culty and cost of enlistments increase with time. When the army was first raised at Cambridge, I am persuaded the men might have been got, without a bounty, for the war. After this, they began to see that the contest was not likely to end so speedily as was imagined, and to feel their consequence by remarking, that, to get in the militia in the course of the last year, many towns were induced to give them a bounty.
Foreseeing the evils resulting from this, and the de|structive consequences which unavoidably would follow short enlistments, I took the liberty in a long letter (date not now recollected, as my letter-book is not here) to rec|ommend the enlistments for and during the war, assigning such reasons for it as experience has since convinced me were well founded. At that time, twenty dollars would, I am persuaded, have engaged the men for this term. But it will not do to look back: and, if the present opportunity is slipped, I am persuaded that twelve months more will increase our difficulties four-fold. I shall therefore take the freedom of giving it as my opinion, that a good bounty be immediately offered, aided by the proffer of at least a hundred or a hundred and fifty acres of land, and a suit of clothes and blanket to each non-commissioned officer and soldier; as I have good authority for saying, that, however high the men's pay may appear, it is barely sufficient, in the present scarcity and dearness of all kinds of goods, to keep them in clothes, much less afford support to their families.
If this encouragement then is given to the men, and such pay allowed the officers as will induce gentlemen of character and liberal sentiments to engage, and proper care and precaution used in the nomination (having more re|gard to the characters of persons than the number of men they can enlist,) we should in a little time have an army able to cope with any that can be opposed to it, as there are excellent materials to form one out of. But while the only merit an officer possesses is his ability to raise men,—while those men consider and treat him as an equal, and (in the character of an officer) regard him no more than a broomstick, being mixed together as one common herd, no order nor discipline can prevail; nor will the officer ever meet with that respect which is essentially necessary to due subordination.
To place any dependence upon militia is assuredly rest|ing upon a broken staff,—men just dragged from the ten|der scenes of domestic life,—unaccustomed to the din of arms,—totally unacquainted with every kind of military skill; which being followed by a want of confidence in themselves, when opposed to troops regularly trained, dis|ciplined, and appointed, superior in knowledge and supe|rior in arms, makes them timid and ready to fly from their own shadows. Besides, the sudden change in their man|ner of living (particularly in the lodging) brings on sick|ness in many, impatience in all, and such an unconquera|ble desire of returning to their respective homes, that it not only produces shameful and scandalous desertions among themselves, but infuses the like spirit into others.
Again; men accustomed to unbounded freedom and no control, cannot brook the restraint which is indispensably necessary to the good order and government of an army; without which, licentiousness and every kind of disorder triumphantly reign. To bring men to a proper degree of subordination is not the work of a day, a month, or even a year: and, unhappily for us and the cause we are enga|ged in, the little discipline I have been labouring to estab|lish in the army under my immediate command is in a manner done away, by having such a mixture of troops as have been called together within these few months.
Relaxed and unfit as our rules and regulations of war are for the government of an army, the militia (those prop|erly so called; for of these we have two sorts, the six-months-men, and those sent in as a temporary aid) do not think themselves subject to them, and therefore take liber|ties which the soldier is punished for. This creates jeal|ousy: jealousy begets dissatisfactions; and these by de|grees ripen into mutiny, keeping the whole army in a con|fused and disordered state,—rendering the time of those who wish to see regularity and good order prevail, more un|happy than words can describe. Besides this, such repeated changes take place, that all arrangement is set at nought, and the constant fluctuation of things deranges every plan as fast as adopted.
These, Sir, Congress may be assured, are but a small part of the inconveniences which might be enumerated, and attributed to militia: but there is one that merits particular attention, and that is the expense. Certain I am, that it would be cheaper to keep fifty or a hundred thousand in constant pay, than to depend upon half the number and supply the other half occasionally by militia. The time the latter are in pay before and after they are in camp, assembling and marching,—the waste of ammu|nition, the consumption of stores, which, in spite of every resolution or requisition of Congress, they must be furnish|ed with, or sent home,—added to other incidental ex|penses consequent upon their coming and conduct in camp, surpasses all idea, and destroys every kind of regularity and economy which you could establish among fixed and set|tled troops, and will, in my opinion, prove (if the scheme is adhered 〈◊〉) the ruin of our cause.
The jealousies of a standing army, and the evils to be apprehended from one, are remote, and, in my judgment, situated and circumstanced as we are, not at all to be dreaded: but the consequences of wanting one, according to my ideas formed from the present view of things, is certain and inevitable ruin. For, if I was called upon to declare upon oath, whether the militia have been most serviceable or hurtful upon the whole, I should subscribe to the latter. I do not mean by this, however, to arraign the conduct of Congress: in so doing I should equally con|demn my own measures, if I did not my judgment: but experience, which is the best criterion to work by, so fully, clearly and decisively reprobates the practice of trusting to militia, that no man who regards order, regularity and economy, or who has any regard for his own honour, char|acter, or peace of mind, will risk them upon this issue. * * *
An army formed of good officers moves like clock|work: but there is no situation upon earth less enviable nor more distressing than that person's wh•••s at the head of troops who are regardless of order and discipline, and who are unprovided with almost every necessary. In a word, the difficulties which have forever surrounded me since I have been in the service, and kept my mind con|stantly upon the stretch,—the wounds which my feelings (as an officer) have received by a thousand things which have happened contrary to my expectation and wishes, * * *—added to a consciousness of my inability to gov|ern an army composed of such discordant parts, and under such a variety of intricate and perplexing circumstances,—induce not only a belief, but a thorough conviction in my mind, that it will be impossible (unless there is a thorough change in our military system) for me to conduct matters in such a manner as to give satisfaction to the public, which is all the recompense I aim at, or ever wished for.
Before I conclude, I must apologize for the liberties taken in this letter, and for the blots and scratchings there|in, not having time to give it more correctly. With truth I can add, that, with every sentiment of respect and esteem,
I am yours and the Congress's most obedient, &c.
G. W.
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Head-Quarters, Haerlem Heights,Sept. 25, 1776.
SIR,
HAVING wrote you fully on sundry important subjects this morning, as you will perceive by the letter which accompanies this, I mean principally now to inclose a copy of a letter received from general Howe on Sunday morning, with the lists of the prisoners in his hands,—of those in our possession belonging to the army immediately under his command,—and of my answer, which were omitted to be put in the other. His letter will discover to Congress his refusal to exchange lord Stirling for Mr. McDonald, considering the latter only as a major. They will be pleased to determine how he is to be ranked in future.
The number of prisoners according to these returns is greater than what we expected. However, I am inclined to believe, that, among those in the list from Long-Island, are several militia of general Woodhull's party, who were never arranged 〈◊〉 this army. As to those taken on the fifteenth, they greatly exceed the number that I supposed fell into their hands in the retreat from the city. At the time that I transmitted an account of that affair, I had not obtained returns, and took the matter upon the offi|cers' reports. They are difficult to get with certainty at any time. In the skirmish of Monday se'nnight, they could have taken but very few.
Before I conclude, I shall take occasion to mention that those returns made with such precision, and the difficulty that will attend the proposed exchange on account of the dispersed and scattered state of the prisoners in our hands, will clearly evince the necessity of appointing commissaries and proper persons to superintend and conduct in such in|stances. This I took the liberty of urging more than once, as well on account of the propriety of the measure and the saving that would have resulted from it, as that the prison|ers might be treated with humanity, and have their wants particularly attended to.
I would also observe (as I esteem it my duty) that this army is in want of almost every necessary,—tents, camp kettles, blankets, and clothes of all kinds. But what is to be done with respect to the two last articles, I know not, as the term of enlistment will be nearly expired by the time they can be provided. This may be exhibited as a further proof of the disadvantages attending the levy|ing of an army upon such a footing as never to know how to keep them without injuring the public or incommoding the men. I have directed the colonel or commanding officer of each corps to use his endeavours to procure such clothing as is absolutely necessary: but at the same time I confess, that I do not know how they are to be got.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters, Heights of Haerlem,September 27, 1776.
SIR,
I HAVE nothing in particular to communicate to Congress by this day's post, as our situation is the same as when I last wrote.
We are now sitting on the business the committee came upon, which, it is probable, will be finished this evening. The result they will duly report upon their return.
I received yesterday the inclosed declaration by a gen|tleman from Elizabethtown, who told me many copies were found in the possession of the soldiers from Canada, that were landed there a day or two ago by general Howe's permission. I shall not comment upon it. It seems to be founded on the plan that has been artfully pursued for some time past.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
P. S. The account of the troops, &c. in Canada, comes from a person who is among the prisoners sent from Cana|da. It was anonymous, nor do I know the intelligencer. According to him, the enemy in that quarter are stronger than we supposed, and their naval force much greater on the lakes than we had any idea of. I trust he has taken the matter up on the enemy's report.
Head-Quarters, Heights of Haerlem,Sept. 28, 1776.
SIR,
BEING about to cross the North-river this morning in order to view the post opposite, and the grounds be|tween that and Paulus-Hook, I shall not add much more than that I have been honoured with your favour of the twenty-fourth and its several inclosures; and that, since my letter of yesterday, no important event has taken place.
As colonel Hugh Stephenson, of the rifle regiment or|dered lately to be raised, is dead according to the infor|mation I have received, I would beg leave to recommend to the particular notice of Congress captain Daniel Morgan, just returned among the prisoners from Canada, as a fit and proper person to succeed to the vacancy occasioned by his death. The present field-officers of the regiment can|not claim any right in preference to him, because he ranked above them, and as a captain, when he first entered the service. His conduct as an officer, on the expedition with general Arnold last fall,—his intrepid behaviour in the assault upon Quebec, when the brave Montgomery fell,—the inflexible attachment he professed to our cause during his imprisonment, and which he perseveres in,—added to these, his residence in the place colonel Stephen|son came from, and his interest and influence in the same circle, and with such men as are to compose such a regi|ment,—all, in my opinion, entitle him to the favour of Congress, and lead me to believe that in his promotion the States will gain a good and valuable officer for the sort of troops he is particularly recommended to com|mand. * * *
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters, Heights of Haerlem,Sept. 30, 1776.
SIR,
SINCE I had the honour of addressing you last, nothing of importance has transpired: though, from some movements yesterday on the part of the enemy, it would seem as if something was intended.
The inclosed memorial, from lieutenant-colonel Shep|hard of the fourth regiment, I beg leave to submit to the consideration of Congress, and shall only add that I could wish they would promote him to the command of the regi|ment and send him a commission, being a good and valua|ble officer, and especially as the vacancy is of a pretty long standing, and I have not had (nor has he) any intelligence from colonel Learned himself, (who had the command, and who obtained a discharge on account of his indisposi|tion) of his design to return. I have also inclosed a letter from captain Ballard, which Congress will please to de|termine on, the subject being new and not within my au|thority.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
P. S. A commission was sent for colonel Learned, which is now in my hands, having received no application, or heard from him since it came.
Head-Quarters, Haerlem Heights,Oct. 2, 1776.
SIR,
I DO myself the honour of transmitting to you the inclosed letter from lieutenant-colonel Livingston, with sundry copies of general Delancey's orders, which discover the measures the enemy are pursuing on Long-Island for raising recruits and obtaining supplies of provisions. In con|sequence of the intelligence they contain, and authentic advices through other channels respecting th•se matters, I have sent brigadier-general George Clinton to meet gener|al Lincoln, who has got as far as Fairfield with part of the troops lately ordered by the Massachusetts assembly, to concert with him and others an expedition across the Sound with those troops, three companies under colonel Livingston, and such further aid as governor. Trumbull can afford, in order to prevent if possible their effecting those important objects, and to assist the inhabitants in the removal of their stock, grain, &c. or in destroying them, that the enemy may not derive any advantage or benefit from them.
The recruiting scheme they are prosecuting with un|common industry; nor is it confined to Long-Island alone. Having just now received a letter from the committee of West-Chester county, advising that there are several com|panies of men in that and Duchess county preparing to go off and join the king's army, I have given directions to our guard-boats and the centries at our works at Mount-Washington to keep a strict look-out in case they attempt to come down the North-river; also to general Heath at Kingsbridge, that the utmost vigilance may be observed by the regiments and troops stationed above there and down towards the East-river, that they may intercept them, should they take that route with a view of crossing to Long-Island. I will use every precaution in my power to pre|vent those parricides from accomplishing their designs: but I have but little hopes of success, as it will be no difficult matter for them to procure a passage over some part or other of the Sound.
I have been applied to lately by colonel Weedon of Vir|ginia, for permission to recruit the deficiency of men in his regiment out of the troops composing the flying camp,—informing me at the same time that some of those from Maryland had offered to engage. Colonel Hand of the rifle battalion made a similar application to-day. If the enlistments could be made, they would have this good consequence,—the securing of so many in the service. However, as the measure might occasion some uneasiness in their own corps, and be considered as a hardship by the States to which they belong, and the means of their fur|nishing more than the quota extracted from them in the general arrangement, and would make it more difficult for them to complete their own levies, I did not conceive myself at liberty to authorise it without submitting the pro|priety of it to the consideration of Congress, and obtain|ing their opinion whether it should be allowed or not.
I have inclosed a list of warrants granted from the sec|ond to the thirtieth ultimo inclusive, the only return of the sort that I have been able to make since the resolution for that purpose,—owing to the unsettled state of our affairs, and my having sent my papers away. You will also receive sundry letters, &c. from general Schuyler, which came under cover to me, and which I have the honour of for|warding.
By a letter just received from the committee of safety of the State of New-Hampshire, I find a thousand of their militia were about to march on the twenty-fourth ultimo to reinforce this army in consequence of the requisition of Congress. Previous to their march, general Ward writes me he was obliged to furnish them with five hundred pounds of powder and a thousand pounds of musket-ball; and I have little reason to expect that they are better pro|vided with other articles than they were with ammunition. In such case they will only add to our present distress which is already far too great, and become disgusted with the service, though the time they are engaged for is only till the first of December. This will injure their enlisting for a longer term, if not wholly prevent it.
By three deserters who came from the Galatea man-of-war about five days ago, we are informed that several trans|ports had sailed, before they left her, for England, as it was generally reported, in order to return with a supply of provisions, of which they say there is a want. General Mercer, in a letter, informed me that general Thompson said he had heard they were going to dismiss about a hun|dred of the ships from the service. I am also advised by a letter from Mr. Derby at Boston, of the twenty-sixth ultimo, that, the day before, a transport snow had been taken and sent into Piscataqua by a privateer, in her passage from New-York to the West-Indies. She sailed with five more under the convoy of a man-of-war, in order to bring from thence the troops that are there, to join general Howe. They were all victualled for four months. From this intelligence it would seem as if they did not apprehend any thing to be meditating against them by the court of France.
October 3. I have nothing in particular to commu|nicate respecting our situation, it being much the same as when I wrote last. We had an alarm this morning a lit|tle before four o'clock, from some of our out-centries, who reported that a large body of the enemy was advan|cing towards our lines. This put us in motion: however, it turned out entirely premature; or at least we saw noth|ing of them.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters, Haerlem Heights,Oct. 5, 1776.
SIR,
I WAS last night honoured with your favour of the second with sundry resolutions of Congress. * * *
In respect to the exchange of prisoners, I fear it will be a work of great difficulty, owing to their dispersed and scattered situation throughout the States. In order to ef|fect it, I have wrote to the eastern governments to have them collected, and to transmit me an account of their number, distinguishing the names and ranks of the field and commissioned officers, and the corps they belong to. I have also wrote to governor Livingston of the Jerseys up|on the subject, and must take the liberty of requesting Con|gress to give directions that a similar return may be made of those in Pennsylvania and Maryland, and for their be|ing brought to Brunswic, that they may be ready to be exchanged for an equal number of those of the same rank.
I observe, by the resolve of the twenty-sixth ultimo, that the exchange in particularly directed to be made of the of|ficers and soldiers taken on Long-Island. But should not that follow the exchange of those officers and men who have lately returned from Quebec, whose imprisonment has been much longer, and whose service has not been less severe, and, in many instances, conducted with great in|trepidity? I have had many applications since their arrival, by which they claim a kind of preference as far as their number and the circumstances of their rank will allow, and which I thought it my duty to mention, that I may obtain some direction upon the subject.
You will observe by a paragraph of a letter received yes|terday from general Howe, a copy of which you have at▪ length, that the non-performance of the agreement between captain Forster and general Arnold, by which the latter stipulated for the return of an equal number of officers and prisoners in our hands for those delivered him, is consider|ed in an unfavourable light, and entirely imputed to me, as having the chief command of the armies of the States, and a controlling power over general Arnold. The point|ed manner in which Mr. Howe is pleased to express him|self could not personally affect me, supposing there had been no good grounds for the treaty not being ratified, having been nothing more than an instrument of conveying to him the resolutions formed upon the subject. * * *
However, I would beg leave to observe, from the letters from the hostages,—from what has been reported by others respecting captain Forster's having used his endeavours to restrain the savages from exercising their wonted barbarities, though in some instances they did,—his purchasing some of the prisoners for a pretty considerable premium,—but, above all, from the delicate nature of such treaties, and be|cause the non-observance of them must damp the spirits of the officers who make them, and add affliction to the mis|fortunes of those whom necessity and the nature of the case force into captivity to give them a sanction by a long and irksome confinement,—for these reasons and many more that will readily occur, I could wish Congress to reconsid|er the matter, and to carry it into execution.
I am sensible the wrong was originally in their employ|ing savages, and that whatever cruelties were committed by them should be esteemed their own acts: yet perhaps, in point of policy, it may not be improper to overlook these infractions on their part, and to pursue that mode which will be the most likely to render the hardships in|cident to war most tolerable, and the greatest benefits to the State.
I have ventured to say thus much upon the subject from a regard to the service, and because such gentlemen of the army as I have heard mention it seem to wish the treaty had been ratified rather than disallowed.
Inclosed is a list of vacancies in the third regiment of Virginia troops, in part occasioned by the death of major Leitch who died of his wounds on Tuesday morning,—and of the gentlemen who stand next in regimental order, and who are recommended to succeed to them. You will observe that captain John Fitzgerald is said to be appoint|ed to the duty of major. This I have done in order, be|ing the oldest captain in the regiment, and, I believe, an offi|cer of unexceptionable merit, and as it was highly necessary at this time to have the corps as well and fully officered as possible. There is also a vacancy in the first continental battalion by the promotion of lieutenant Clarke to a major|ity in the flying camp, to which colonel Hand has recom|mended William Patten to succeed, as you will perceive by his letter inclosed.
I have taken the liberty to transmit a plan for establish|ing a corps of engineers, artificers, &c. sketched out by colonel Putnam, and which is proposed for the considera|tion of Congress. How far they may incline to adopt it, or whether they may choose to proceed upon such an ex|tensive scale, they will be pleased to determine. However, I conceive it a matter well worthy of their consideration, being convinced from experience, and from the reasons suggested by colonel Putnam who has acted with great dil|igence and reputation in the business, that some establishment of the sort is highly necessary, and will be productive of the most beneficial consequences.
If the proposition is approved by Congress, I am inform|ed by good authority that there is a gentleman in Virginia, in the colony service, John Stadler, esquire, a native of Germany, whose abilities in this way are by no means in|considerable. I am told he was an engineer in the army under general Stanwix, and is reputed to be of skill and ingenuity in the profession. In this capacity I do not know him myself, but am intimately acquainted with him in his private character, as a man of understanding and of good behaviour. I would submit his merit to the inquiry of Congress; and if he should answer the report I have had of him, I make no doubt but he will be suitably pro|vided for.
The convention of this State have lately seized and had appraised two new ships, valued at six thousand two hun|dred and twenty-nine pounds York currency, which they have sent down for the purpose of sinking, and obstructing the channel opposite Mount-Washington. The price being high, and the opinions various as to the necessity of the measure, some conceiving the obstruction nearly sufficient already, and others that they would render it secure, I would wish to have the direction of Congress upon the sub|ject by the earliest opportunity, thinking myself, that, if the enemy should attempt to come up, they should be used, sooner than to hazard their passing. I must be governed by circumstances, yet hope for their sentiments before any thing is necessary to be done.
Sundry disputes having arisen of late between officers of different regiments and of the same rank, respecting the right of succession to such vacancies as happen from death or other causes,—some suggesting that it should be in a co|lonial line and governed by the priority of their commissions; others, that it should be regimentally,—and there being an instance now before me, between the officers of the Vir|ginia regiments, occasioned by the death of major Leitch; it has become absolutely necessary that Congress should determine the mode by which promotions are to be regu|lated,—whether colonially and by priority of commissions, or regimentally, reserving a right out of the general rule they adopt, to reward for particular merit, or of withhold|ing from office such as may not be worthy to succeed.
I have only proposed two modes for their consideration, being satisfied that promotions through the line (as they are called) can never take place without producing discord, jealousy, distrust, and the most fatal consequences. In some of my letters upon the subject of promotions, and one which I had the honour of addressing to the board of war on the thirtieth ultimo, I advised that the mode should be rather practised than resolved on: but I am fully con|vinced now of the necessity there is of settling it in one of the two ways I have taken the liberty to point out, and under the restrictions I have mentioned; or the disputes and applications will be endless, and attended with great inconveniences.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Haerlem,October 4, 1776.
SIR,
BEFORE I knew of the late resolutions of Con|gress which you did me the honour to inclose in your let|ter of the twenty-fourth, and before I was favoured with the visit of your committee, I took the liberty of giving you my sentiments on several points which seemed to be of importance. I have no doubt but that the committee will make such report of the state and condition of the army, as will induce Congress to believe that nothing but the most vigorous exertions can put matters upon such a footing as to give this continent a fair prospect of success. Give me leave to say, Sir,—I say it with due deference and respect (and my knowledge of the facts, added to the importance of the cause, and the stake I hold in it, must justify the freedom,)—that your affairs are in a more unpromising way than you seem to apprehend.
Your army, as I mentioned in my last, is on the eve of its political dissolution. True it is, you have voted a larger one in lieu of it: but the season is late; and there is a material difference between voting of battalions and raising of men. In the latter there are more difficulties than Congress are aware of; which makes it my duty (as I have been informed of the prevailing sentiments of this army) to inform them, that, unless the pay of the of|ficers, especially that of the field-officers, is raised, the chief part of those that are worth retaining will leave the service at the expiration of the present term, as the soldiers will also, if some greater encouragement is not offered them than twenty dollars and a hundred acres of land.
Nothing less, in my opinion, than a suit of clothes an|nually given to each non-commissioned officer and soldier▪ in addition to the pay and bounty, will avail; and I ques|tion whether that will do, as the enemy (from the infor|mation of one John Mash, who, with six others, was ta|ken by our guards) are giving ten pounds bounty for re|cruits, and have got a battalion under major Rogers nearly completed upon Long-Island.
Nor will less pay, according to my judgment, than I have taken the liberty of mentioning in the inclosed esti|mate, retain such officers as we could wish to have contin|ued. The difference per month in each battalion will amount to better than a hundred pounds. To this may be added the pay of the staff-officers; for it is presumable they will also require an augmentation: but, being few in number, the sum will not be greatly increased by them, and consequently is a matter of no great moment: but it is a matter of no small importance to make the several of|fices
desirable. When the pay and establishment of an officer once become objects of interested attention, the sloth, negligence, and even disobedience of orders, which at this time but too generally prevail, will be purged off. But while the service is viewed with indifference,—while the officer conceives that he is rather conferring than receiving an obligation,—there will be a total relaxation of all order and discipline, and every thing will move heavily on, to the great detriment of the service, and inexpressible trouble and vexation of the general.
The critical situation of our affairs at this time will jus|tify my saying that no time is to be lost in making of fruit|less experiments. An unavailing trial of a month to get an army upon the terms proposed may render it impracti|cable to do it at all, and prove fatal to our cause; as I am not sure whether any rubs in the way of our enlist|ments, or unfavourable turn in our affairs, may not prove the means of the enemy recruiting men faster than we do. To this may be added the inextricable difficulty of form|ing one corps out of another, and arranging matters with any degree of order, in the face of an enemy who are watching for advantages.
At Cambridge, last year, where the officers (and more than a sufficiency of them) were all upon the spot, we found it a work of such extreme difficulty to know their sentiments (each having some terms to propose) that I despaired once of getting the arrangements completed: and I do suppose, that at least a hundred alterations took place before matters were finally adjusted. What must it be then under the present regulation, where the officer is to negociate this matter with the State he comes from, distant perhaps two or three hundred miles?—some of whom, without leave or license from me, set out to make personal application, the moment the resolve got to their hands. What kind of officers these are, I leave Congress to judge.
If an officer of reputation (for none other should be applied to) is asked to stay, what answer can he give, but in the first place, that he does not know whether it is at his option to do so, no provision being made in the resolu|tion of Congress, even recommendatory of this measure; consequently, that it rests with the State he comes from (surrounded perhaps with a variety of applications, and influenced probably by local attachments) to determine whether he can be provided for or not? In the next place, if he is an officer of merit, and knows that the State he comes from is to furnish more battalions than it at present has in the service, he will scarcely, after two years' faith|ful services, think of continuing in the rank he now bears, when new creations are to be made, and men appointed to offices (nowise superior in merit, and ignorant perhaps of service) over his head. A committee, sent to the army from each State, may upon the spot •ix things with a de|gree of propriety and certainty, and is the only method I can see of bringing matters to a decision with respect to the officers of the army. But what can be done in the meanwhile towards the arrangement in the country, I know not. In the one case you run the hazard of losing your officers; in the other, of encountering delay, unless some method could be devised of forwarding both at the same instant.
Upon the present plan, I plainly foresee an intervention of time between the old and new army, which must be fil•ed up with militia (if to be had) with whom no man who has any regard for his own reputation can undertake to be answerable for consequences. I shall also be mistaken in my conjectures, if we do not lose the most valuable offi|cers in this army, under the present mode of appointing them: consequently, if we have an army at all, it will be composed of materials not only entirely raw, but (if un|common pains are not taken) entirely unfit: and I see such a distrust and jealousy of military power, that the commander in chief has not an opportunity, even by rec|ommendation, to give the least assurances of reward for the most essential services. In a word, such a cloud of perplexing circumstances appear before me, without one flattering hope, that I am thoroughly convinced, unless the most vigorous and decisive exertions are immediately adopted to remedy these evils, that the certain and abso|lute loss of our liberties will be the inevitable consequence; as one unhappy stroke will throw a powerful weight into the scale against us, enabling general Howe to recruit his army as fast as we shall ours,—numbers being disposed [to join him] and many actually doing so already. Some of the most probable remedies, and such as experience has brought to my more intimate knowledge, I have taken the liberty to point out: the rest I beg leave to submit to the consideration of Congress.
I ask pardon for taking up so much of their time with my opinions. But I should betray that trust which they and my country have reposed in me, were I to be silent upon a matter so extremely interesting. With the most perfect esteem, I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters, Heights of Haerlem,Oct. 7, 1776.
SIR,
I DO myself the honour of transmitting to you a copy of a letter from the comte D'Emery, governor-gen|eral of the French part of St. Domingo, which I received yesterday, and also my answer, which I have inclosed and left open for the consideration of Congress, wishing that it may be sealed if they approve of the sieur De Chambea•'s releasement, which I think may be attended with many valuable consequences. If Congress concur in sentiment with me, they will be pleased to give direction for his passage by the first opportunity to the French islands: if they do not, I shall be obliged by your returning my letter.
I have also the pleasure of inclosing a copy of a letter from monsieur P. Pennel, which came to hand last night, and which contains intelligence of an agreeable and inter|esting nature, for which I beg leave to refer you to the copy. The polite manner in which monsieur Pennel has requested to be one of my aides-de-camp demands my acknowledgments. As the appointment will not be at|tended with any expense, and will shew a proper regard for his complaisance and the attachment he is pleased to express for the service of the American States, I shall take the liberty of complying with his requisition, and transmit him a brevet commission, provided the same shall be agree|able to Congress. Their sentiments upon this subject you will be kind enough to favour me with by the first opportunity. The inclosed letter for the sieur De Chambeau you will please to forward to him (if he is to be enlarged) after closing it.
Before I conclude, I must take the liberty to observe that I am under no small difficulties on account of the French gentlemen that are here in consequence of the commissions they have received,—having no means to employ them, or to afford them an opportunity of ren|dering that service they themselves wish to give, or which perhaps is expected by the public. Their want of our language is an objection to their being joined to any of the regiments here at this time, were there vacancies, and not other obstacles. These considerations induce me to wish that Congress would adopt and point out some par|ticular mode to be observed respecting them. What it should be, they will be best able to determine. But to me it appears that their being here now can be attended with no valuable consequences, and that, as the power of appointing officers for the new army is vested in the con|ventions, &c. of the several States, it will be necessary for Congress to direct them to be provided for in the regiments to be raised, according to the ranks they would wish them to bear—(or I am convinced they will never be taken in, let their merit be what it may;)—or to form them into a distinct corps which may be increased in time. They seem to be genteel, sensible men; and I have no doubt of their making good officers as soon as they can learn as much of our language as to make themselves well under|stood: but, unless Congress interfere by their particular direction to the States, they will never be incorporated in any of the regiments to be raised: and, without they are, they will be entirely at a loss, and in the most irksome situation, for something to do, as they now are.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters, Haerlem Heights,Oct. 8, 1776.
SIR,
SINCE I had the honour of writing you yester|day, I have been favoured with a letter from the honour|able council of Massachusetts-Bay, covering one from Richard Derby, esquire, a copy of which is herewith transmitted, as it contains intelligence of an important and interesting nature.
As an exchange of prisoners is about to take place, I am induced, from a question stated in a letter I received from governor Trumbull this morning, to ask the opinion of Congress, in what manner the States that have had the care of them are to be reimbursed the expenses incurred on their account. My want of information in this instance, or whether any account is to be sent in with the prisoners, would not allow me to give him an answer, as nothing that I recollect has ever been said upon the subject. He also mentions another matter, viz. whether such privates as are mechanics, and others who may desire to remain with us, should be obliged to return. In respect to the latter, I conceive there can be no doubt of our being under a necessity of returning the whole, a proposition having been made on our part for a general exchange, and that agreed to: besides, the balance of prisoners is greatly against us; and I am informed it was particularly stipulated by gen|eral Montgomery, that all those that were taken in Canada should be exchanged whenever a cartel was settled for the purpose.
Under these circumstances, I should suppose the several committees having the care of them should be instructed to make the most exact returns of the whole, however wil|ling a part should be to continue with us. At the same time I should think, it not improper to inform them of the reasons leading to the measure, and that they should be in|vited to escape afterwards, which, in all probability, they may effect without much difficulty if they are attached to us, extending their influence to many more, and bringing them away also.
The situation of our affairs and the present establishment of the army requiring our most vigorous exertions to en|gage a new one, I presume it will be necessary to furnish the pay-master-general as early as possible with money to pay the bounty, lately resolved on, to such men as will enlist. Prompt pay perhaps may have a happy effect, and induce the continuance of some who are here: but, with|out it, I am certain that nothing can be done; nor have we time to lose in making the experiment. But then it may be asked, who is to recruit? or who can consider themselves as officers for that purpose, till the conventions of the different States have made the appointments?
Yesterday afternoon the exchange between lord Stirling and governor Browne was carried into execution; and his lordship is now here. He confirms the intelligence men|tioned by captain Souther, about the transports he met, by the arrival of the Daphne man-of-war (a twenty-gun ship)
a few days ago, with twelve ships under her convoy, having light-horse on board. They sailed with about twenty in each, and lost about eighty in their passage, besides those in the vessel taken by captain Souther. He further adds that he had heard it acknowledged more than once, that, in the action of the sixteenth ultimo, the enemy had a hundred men killed,—about sixty Highlanders of the for|ty-second regiment, and forty of the light-infantry. This confession coming from themselves, we may reasonably conclude, did not exaggerate the number. * * *
October 9. About eight o'clock this morning, two ships, of forty-four guns each (supposed to be the Roebuck and Phenix,) and a frigate of twenty guns, with three or four tenders, got under way from about Bloomingdale where they had been lying some time, and stood with an •asy southerly breeze towards our chevaux-de-frise, which we hoped would have inter•epted their passage while our batteries played upon them: but, to our surprise and mor|tification, they ran through without the least difficulty, and without receiving any apparent damage from our forts, though they kept up a heavy fire from both sides of the river. Their destination or views cannot be known with certainty: but most probably they are sent to stop the navigation, and cut off the supplies of boards, &c. which we should have received, and of which we are in great need. They are standing up, and I have dispatched an express to the convention of this State, that notice may be immediately communicated to general Clinton at the Highland fortifications, to put him on his guard in case they should have any designs against them, and that pre|cautions may be taken to prevent the craft belonging to the river falling into their hands.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters, Haerlem Heights,Oct. 11, 1776.
SIR,
I BEG leave to inform you, that, since my letter of the eighth and ninth instant which I had the honour of addressing you, nothing of importance has occurred, except that the ships of war which I then mentioned, in their passage up the river, took a sloop that was at anchor off the mouth of Spitendevil, and two of our row-gallies which they out-sailed. The crews, finding that they could not prevent them falling into the enemy's hands, ran them near the shore, and effected their own escape. From the intel|ligence I have received, the ships are now lying at Tarry-town, without having landed any men (which seemed to be apprehended by some) or attempted any thing else. Their principal views, in all probability, are, to interrupt our navigation, and to receive such disaffected persons as incline to take part against us. The former they will ef|fect beyond all question; and I fear that their expectations respecting the latter will be but too fully answered.
October 12. The inclosed copy of a letter received last night from the convention of this State will shew you the apprehensions they are under on account of the disaf|fected among them. I have ordered up a part of the mi|litia from Massachusetts under general Lincoln, to pre|vent, if possible, the consequences which they suggest may happen, and which there is reason to believe the conspira|tors have in contemplation. I am persuaded that they are upon the eve of breaking out, and that they will leave nothing unessayed that will distress us and favour the designs of the enemy, as soon as their schemes are ripe for it.
October 13. Yesterday the enemy landed at Frog's-Point, about nine miles from hence, further up the Sound. Their number we cannot ascertain, as they have not ad|vanced from the point,—which is a kind of island,—but the water that surrounds it is fordable at low tide. I have ordered works to be thrown up at the passes from the point to the main. From the great number of sloops, schooners, and nine ships, that went up the Sound in the evening, full of men, and from the information of two deserters who came over last night, I have reason to believe that the greatest part of their army has moved upwards or is about to do it, pursuing their original plan of getting in our rear, and cutting off our communication with the country.
The grounds from Frog's-Point are strong and defensi|ble, being full of stone fences, both along the road and across the adjacent fields, which will render it difficult for artillery, or indeed a large body of foot, to advance in any regular order, except through the main road. Our men who are posted on the passes seemed to be in great spirit• when I left them last night.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Head-Quarters, Haerlem Heights,Oct. 14, 1776.
SIR,
HIS excellency having gone this morning to visit our posts beyond Kingsbridge and the several passes leading from Frog's-Point and the necks adjacent, I have the honour to inform you by his command, that no interesting event has taken place since his letter by yesterday's post.
Every day's intelligence from the convention of this State holds forth discoveries of new plots and of new conspira|cies. Some of the members seem to apprehend that insur|rections are upon the eve of breaking out, and have sug|gested the necessity of seizing and securing the passes through the Highlands, left the disaffected should do it. Their preservation being a matter of the greatest import|ance, his excellency, notwithstanding the situation we are in with respect to troops, has detached colonel Tash with his regiment, lately from New-Hampshire, in addition to the militia mentioned in his last, with directions to receive orders from the convention, as to the station and post he is to occupy.
There are now in our possession several persons, inhabit|ants of this State, who had engaged to join the enemy, and were intercepted in going to them. There are also two who confess they have been with them, and that they had actually engaged in their service; but, finding the terms (the bounty, pay, &c.) not so advantageous as they ex|pected from the information they had received, they were induced to return. As the affairs of this government are in a precarious situation, and such as, the convention them|selves seem to think, forbid their interposition farther than taking measures to apprehend them, his excellency would wish to obtain the sentiments of Congress, and their direc|tion upon a subject so extremely critical and delicate, and which, in the consideration of it, involves many important consequences.
Your favour of the ninth, with its several inclosures, his excellency received yesterday morning by the express, who proceeded immediately on his journey.
October 17. I am directed by his excellency to ac|quaint you that we are again obliged to change our dispo|sition, to counteract the operations of the enemy. Declin|ing an attack upon our front, they have drawn the main body of their army to Frog's-Point, with a design of hem|ming us in, and drawing a line in our rear. To prevent the consequences which would but too probably follow the execution of their scheme, the general officers determined yesterday that our forces must be taken from hence, and extended towards East and West-Chester, so as to out|flank them. General Lee, who arrived on Monday, has strongly urged the absolute necessity of the measure. It is proposed to leave a garrison at Fort-Washington, and to maintain it if possible, in order to preserve the communica|tion with the Jerseys. They are landing their artillery and waggons upon the Point; and there are now several boats passing up the Sound, full of men.
I have the honour to be, &c.
R. H. HARRISON.
P. S. The post having not come in since Sunday, till to-day, has been the occasion of not writing to you since that time. He was expected as usual; which prevented an express being sent.
Haerlem Heights,October 18, 1776.
SIR,
I WAS yesterday morning honoured with your fa|vour of the fifteenth, with the resolutions of the eleventh and fourteenth. The latter, by which Congress have au|thorised me 〈◊〉 appoint monsieur Pennel a brevet aide-de-camp, claims a return of my acknowledgments.
Last night I received a letter from Mr. Varick, secre|tary to general Schuyler, inclosing a copy of one from gen|eral Arnold to general Gates. The intelligence transmit|ted by general Arnold being of an extremely interesting and important nature, I thought it adviseable to forward the
same immediately by express. You have a copy herewith, which contains the particulars, and to which I beg leave to refer you.
The accounts transmitted yesterday by post will inform you of the movements of the enemy, and of the measures judged necessary to be pursued by us, to counteract their designs. I have nothing to add on this head, except that ten or eleven ships, which have been prevented passing Hell-gate for two or three days for want of wind, are now under way, and proceeding up the Sound. Amongst them there appear to be two frigates: the rest probably have in stores, &c.
Inclosed is a copy of the last general return I have been able to obtain. It only comes down to the fifth instant: the situation of our affairs, and the almost constant necessi|ty of sending detachments from one place to another to watch the enemy's motions, have prevented the officers from making them with regularity.
I have the honour to be, &c.
G. W.
Kingsbridge,October 20, 1776,half after one o'clock, P. M.
SIR,
I HAVE it in command from his excellency to trans|mit you the inclosed copies of dispatches which just now came to hand, and which contain intelligence of the most interesting and important nature respecting our affairs in the northern department. His excellency would have wrote himself, but was going to our several posts, when the express arrived.
The enemy are pursuing with great industry their plan of penetrating the country from the Sound, and of forming a line in our rear. They are now extended from Frog's-Point to New-Rochelle, from whence it is generally con|jectured they mean to take their route by way of the White-Plains, and from thence to draw a line to the North-river. We on our part have drawn our whole force, ex|cept the regiments intended to garrison Fort-Washington, from the island of New-York, and have possessed ourselves of the heights, passes, and advantageous grounds, between New-Rochelle where the van of their army now lies, and the North-river. They will in all probability attempt to effect their purpose by moving higher up. If they do, our forces will move accordingly, it being a principal object to prevent their outflanking us.
On Friday, one of their advanced parties, near East-Chester, fell in with part of colonel Glover's brigade, and a smart and close 〈◊〉 ensued, in which, I have the pleasure to inform you, our men behaved with great cool|ness and intrepidity, and drove the enemy back to their main body.
I have the honour to be, &c.
R. H. HARRISON.
Head-Quarters, Valentine's Hill,Oct. 21, 1776.
SIR,
HIS excellency being absent on a visit to the several posts on the left of our lines and at the White-Plains, I have the honour to inform you, by the favour of colonel Whipple, that, since my letter of yesterday, no event of importance has occurred.
I have the honour to be, &c.
R. H. HARRISON.
To the Board of War.
Camp on Valentine's Hill,Oct. 22, 1776.
GENTLEMEN,
I AM directed by his excellency, whose business has called him from hence, to acknowledge his receipt of your favours of the twelfth and fifteenth instant, and to inform you in answer to the first, that he will mention the case of the French gentlemen to general Lee, and obtain his opin|ion as to the best mode of providing for them in a useful way.
The horses belonging to the light dragoons who were taken, he thinks, will be very serviceable; and he will write to general Ward or one of the agents to pur|chase them.
In respect to your requisition for an immediate return of ordnance stores, his excellency says it cannot possibly be complied with in the present unsettled state of the army. In order to effect the good purposes you have in view, he would take the liberty to recommend the establishing of magazines of ammunition and other ordnance stores in prop|er places of security, from whence supplies could be oc|casionally drawn. As large quantities are constantly in demand in time of war, he does not conceive your provi|sion in these instances can be too great.
He will direct the regimental returns in future to include arms and accoutrements, and the commissary-general to transmit monthly lists of rations. He thinks the regulation extremely proper, though he apprehends the information to be premature respecting the over-quantity suggested to have been drawn, having heard no suspicion of the sort in this army of late.
I have the honour to be, &c.
R. H. HARRISON.
Head-Quarters, White-Plains,Oct. 25, 1776. SIR, THE whole of our army is now here and on the neighbouring heights, except the troops left at Mount-Wash|ington and Kingsbridge, (about fourteen hundred at the former, and six hundred at the latter) and general Lee's division which now forms the rear, and which is on their march. Our removal, and that of the stores, have been attended with a great deal of trouble, owing to the scarcity and difficulty of procuring waggons. However, they are nearly effected, and without any loss. The general officers are now reconnoitring the several passes leading from the enemy, that the most important may be immediately secur|ed. The situation of their army remains nearly the same as when I had the honour of addressing you on the twenty-first instant. It differs in nothing unless it is that their main body is more collected about New-Rochelle. A few of their troops are extended as far as Momarioneck. On Monday night a detachment of our men, under the command of colonel Hazlet, was sent out to surprise and cut off major Rogers, if possible, with his regiment which was posted there. By some accident or other the expedi|tion did not succeed so well as I could have wished. However, our advanced party, led on by major Greene of the first Virginia regiment, fell in with their out-guard, and brought off thirty-six prisoners, sixty muskets, and some blankets. The number killed is not certainly known: but it is reported by an officer who was there, that he counted about twenty-five. Our loss, two killed, and ten or twelve wounded; among the latter, major Greene, whose recov|ery is very doubtful. On Wednesday there was also a smart skirmish between a party of colonel Hand's riflemen,—about two hundred and forty,—and nearly the same number of Hessian chas|seurs, in which the latter were put to the route. Our men buried ten of them on the field, and took two prisoners, one badly wounded. We sustained no other loss than having one lad wounded, supposed mortally. The ships of war that are in the North-river fell down, yesterday morning or the evening before, to Dobbs's ferry, to prevent our bringing stores from below by water, and the removal of those that are landed there. As soon as the waggons, employed in bringing the baggage and stores of general Lee's division, are disengaged, they will be immediately sent to assist those already there to remove them. On Saturday night we had the misfortune to lose one of the new ships intended to be sunk for obstructing the chan|nel. She parted her cables in a severe squall, when prop|erly ballasted, and bilged as soon as she struck the shore. The other ship was sunk well; and yesterday morning two brigs, both ready, were sent down for the same pur|pose. About two o'clock this afternoon, intelligence was brought to Head-Quarters that three or four detachments of the enemy were on their march, and had advanced within about four miles of this place. It has been fully confirm|ed since by a variety of persons who have been out to rec|onnoitre. Their number cannot be ascertained: but it is generally conjectured that the detachments are or will be succeeded by as many columns composing their main body. Our drums have beat to arms, and the men are ordered to their several posts. Most probably some important event is upon the eve of taking place: I hope it will be victory in favour of our arms. General Lee, with his division, has not got up; but I hear he is on his march. Experiment having proved it difficult, if not impossible, to prevent the enemy from possessing the navigation of the North-river, and rendering the communication and inter|course between the States divided by it extremely hazard|ous and precarious by means of their ships of war, it has become a matter of important consideration how to remedy the evil, and to guard against the consequences which may result from it. I am charged by his excellency to men|tion it to Congress as a matter that has employed much of his thought, and that seems worthy of their most serious attention. He has communicated it to several of the gen|eral and other officers, and to many gentlemen of sense and discernment, who all agree with him, not only upon the propriety but the absolute necessity that two distinct armies should be formed,—one to act particularly in the States which lie on the east, the other in those that are on the south of the river;—the whole however to be raised on a general plan, and not to be confined to any particular place by the terms of enlistment. These matters,—the apparent difficulty and perhaps impracticability of succours being thrown across the river while the enemy can command it,—have induced his excellency to submit the measure to their consideration, not knowing how their operations may be directed, and foreseeing that innumerable evils may arise if a respectable force is not appointed to oppose their arms wheresoever they are carried. I have the honour to be, in great haste, &c. R. H. HARRISON. White-Plains,October 31, 1776. SIR, SINCE I had the honour of addressing you on the twenty-ninth instant, no event of importance has occurred. The enemy are throwing up some lines and redoubts in our front, with a view of cannonading as soon as they are ready; and at the same time are extending their wings far|ther by our right and left. It is supposed that one of their objects is to advance a part of their troops, and seize on the bridge over Cro•on river, that the communication may be cut off with the upper country. To prevent this, a part of our force is detached, with orders to proceed with the utmost expedition, and to secure the pass, if possible. We are trying to remove, to guard against their designs, but are greatly impeded by reason of the scarcity of wag|gons in proportion to our baggage and stores. Every ex|ertion has been employed to obtain a sufficiency; but they cannot be had in this part of the country. The quarter-master has sent to Connecticut to get a supply, if possible. Our army is decreasing fast. Several gentlemen, who have come to camp within a few days, have observed large numbers of militia returning home on the different roads: •or are any measures taken as yet to raise the new army, no commissions having come from the States to appoint or signify the nomination of their officers. If this was done, perhaps many who are now here might be induced to en|gage: but at present there are none authorised to recruit. His excellency would have wrote himself by the person who carries this (to the care of general Greene;) but his attention is totally engaged in ordering the affairs of the army, and the best mode for its removal. I have the honour to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON. White-Plains,November 1, 1776. SIR, I AM directed by his excellency to acknowledge his receipt of your favour of the twenty-eighth ultimo which came to hand yesterday evening, and to transmit you a copy of the letter. I had the honour of writing you by the Boston express by his command. Had the express been charged with no other letter, the loss would not have been attended with any material injury to us or advantage to the enemy, provided it should come to their hands: but there were others from his excellency, of a very interest|ing nature, the miscarriage of which gives him much con|cern. As the bundle was taken away in so sudden and secret a manner, I fear there is but little hope of recover|ing it,—being done most probably for the express purpose of furnishing the enemy with intelligence, and a state of our army. Besides his excellency's letters, the most ma|terial of which was to Mr. Rutledge, there were five or six more from the gentlemen of his family. My letters of the twenty-ninth and of yesterday, which I had the honour of addressing you, will give a pretty full account of our situation, and of every matter respecting this army antecedent to this date. I only omitted to mention that we have taken thirteen of the Waldeckers, and that, for several days past, our scouting parties have brought in one, two, or three prisoners. In addition to th•se, we have every day a deserter or two. About six o'clock this morning, a messenger arrived from lord Stirling (who is with •world• brigade between two and three miles from White-Plains, on our right, and rath|er nearer the North-river) with intelligence that the enemy were advancing towards him in two columns. This in|formation has carried his excellency and aides out. The result of their movement I have not heard: but most likely they are pursuing their original design of getting by our flanks and seizing the heights above us. Every precaution is taking to prevent them, and to hurry away our stores to a more interior part of the country. I have the honour to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON. P. S. His excellency has just returned, and says the alarm was premature. It arose from some of lord Stir|ling's advanced guards seeing a body of our men who had been ordered to reinforce him, who were supposed to be the enemy. His excellency is very apprehensive that the army will be greatly distressed for want of provision, par|ticularly in the article of flour, owing to the water conve••|ance, both in the North and East river, being in the enemy's possession. He has wrote to the convention of this State, and directed Mr. Trumbull, that their utmost exertions in this instance may be used. There is a good deal of flour on the Jersey side: but there is no other way to get it, but by carting and ferrying it over to Peekskill. This I have wrote to general Greene to have done, by his excel|lency's direction. White-Plains,November 3, 1776. SIR, BY command of his excellency, I have the honour to inform you that our situation is nearly the same as when I had the pleasure of writing you last. It is altered in no instance, unless in the number of our troops, which is every day decreasing by their most scandalous desertion and re|turn home. The inclosed letter from general Parsons, who is stationed near the Saw-pits, and which his excel|lency directed me to transmit, will inform you of the prev|alency of this disgraceful practice. I have the honour to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON. White-Plains,November 6, 1776. SIR, I HAVE the honour to inform you that on yester|day morning the enemy made a sudden and unexpected movement from the several posts they had taken in our front. They broke up their whole encampments the pre|ceding night, and have advanced towards Kingsbridge and the North-river. The design of this manoeuvre is a mat|ter of much conjecture and speculation, and cannot be ac|counted for with any degree of certainty. The grounds we had taken possession of were strong and advantageous, and such as they could not have gained without much loss of blood in case an attempt had been made. I had taken every possible precaution to prevent their outflanking us;—which may have led to the present measure. They may still have in view their original plan, and, by a sudden wheel, try to accomplish it. Detachments are constantly out to observe their motions, and to harass them as much as possible. In consequence of this movement I called a council of general officers to-day, to consult of such measures as should be adopted in case they pursued their retreat to New-York; the result of which is herewith transmitted. In respect to myself, I cannot indulge an idea that general Howe, sup|posing he is going to New-York, means to close the cam|paign, and to sit down without attempting something more. I think it highly probable, and almost certain, that he will make a descent with a part of his troops into Jersey: and, as soon as I am satisfied that the present manoeuvre is real and not a feint, I shall use every means in my power to forward a part of our force to counteract his designs: nor shall I be disappointed if he sends a detachment to the southward for the purpose of making a winter campaign. From the information I have received, there is now a number of transports at Red-Hook, with about three thousand troops on board. Their destination, as given out, is to Rhode-Island: but this seems altogether im|probable for various reasons; among others, the season is much against it. In the southern States they will find it milder, and much more favourable for their purposes. I shall take the liberty of mentioning that it may not be im|proper to suggest the probability of such a measure to the assemblies and conventions in those States, that they may be on their guard,—and the propriety of their establishing and laying up magazines of provisions and other necessa|ries in suitable places. This is a matter of exceeding im|portance, and what cannot be too much attended to. From the approaching dissolutión of the army, and the departure of the new levies which is on the eve of taking place, and the little prospect of levying a new one in time, I have wrote to the eastern States by the unanimous ad|vice of the general officers, to forward supplies of militia in the room of those that are now here, and who, it is fear|ed, will not be prevailed on to stay any longer than the time they are engaged for. The propriety of this appli|cation I trust will appear, when it is known that not a single officer is yet commissioned to recruit, and when it is considered how essential it is to keep up some shew of force and shadow of an army. I expect the enemy will bend their force against Fort-Washington, and invest it immediately. From some ad|vices, it is an object that will attract their earliest attention. I am happy to inform you, that, in the engagement on Monday fe'nnight, I have reason to believe our loss was by no means so considerable as was conjectured at first. By some deserters and prisoners we are told, that of the enemy was tolerably great: some accounts make it about four hundred in killed and wounded: all agree that among the former there was a colonel Carr of the thirty-fifth regi|ment. The force that will be sent to Jersey after I am satisfied of Mr. Howe's retreat, in addition to those now there, ac|cording to my present opinion, will make it necessary for me to go with them, to put things in a proper channel, and such a way of defence as shall seem most probable to check the progress of the enemy, in case they should at|tempt a descent there, or a move toward Philadelphia. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. To the Board of War. White-Plains,November 8, 1776. GENTLEMEN, I HAVE been favoured with yours of the thirty-first ultimo, by monsieur Laytaniac, and must take the liberty of referring you to my former letters upon the subject of providing for the French gentlemen who shall incline to enter the service of the States. To me it appears that one of two modes must be adopted: they must either be appointed to places in some of the regiments, or formed into a distinct corps. The former was advised as the most eligible in respect to the gentlemen who were here before. It requires time to form an accurate opinion of the merits of an officer; and the present situation of the army will not allow me to pay a particular attention to monsieur Laytaniac, or such notice as he may wish to receive, or I to give: nor is there any way of making his stay here agreeable. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. White-Plains,November 9, 1776. SIR, I HAVE the honour to transmit you a copy of a letter from general Gates to general Schuyler, and of an|other paper containing intelligence respecting the northern army and the situation of the enemy in that department. They this minute came to hand; and to them I beg leave to refer you for particulars. By every information I can obtain, and the accounts I had last night by two deserters who were very intelligent and particular, general Howe still has in view an expedi|tion to the Jerseys, and is preparing for it with the greatest industry. I have detached the first division of our troops which was thought necessary to be sent, and which I hope will cross the river at Peekskill to-day. The second, I expect, will all march this evening; and to-morrow morn|ing I propose to follow myself, in order to put things in the best train I can, and to give him every possible opposition. I hope (when the two divisions arrive, and are joined to such other force as I expect to collect) to check his prog|ress and prevent him from penetrating any distance from the river, if not to oblige him to return immediately with some loss. Whatever is in my power to effect, shall be done. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Peekskill,November 11, 1776. SIR, I HAVE only time to acknowledge the honour of your letter of the fifth instant, and its several inclosures, and to inform you, that, agreeable to the resolves of Con|gress, I shall use every measure in my power that the moving and present confused state of the army will admit of, to appoint officers for recruiting. You will have been advised, before this, of the arrival of commissioners from Massachusetts. Others have come from Connecticut: but, from the present appearance of things, we seem but little if any nearer to levying an army. I had anticipated the resolve respecting the militia, by writing to the eastern States and to the Jersey, by the advice of my general officers, and from a consciousness of the necessity of getting in a number of men if possible, to keep up the appearance of an army. How my applica|tions will succeed, the event must determine. I have little or no reason to expect that the militia now here will remain a day longer than the time they first engaged for. I have rec|ommended their stay, and requested it in general orders. General Lincoln and the Massachusetts commissioners are using their interest with those from that State: but, as far as I can judge, we cannot rely on their staying. I left White-Plains about eleven o'clock yesterday;—all peace then. The enemy appeared to be preparing for their expedition to Jersey according to every information. What their designs are, or whether their present conduct is not a feint, I cannot determine. The Maryland and Virginia troops under lord Stirling have crossed the river, as have part of those from the Jer|sey: the remainder are now embarking. The troops, judged necessary to secure the several posts through the Highlands, have also got up. I am going to examine the passes, and direct such works as may appear necessary; after which, and making the best disposition I can of things in this quarter, I intend to proceed to Jersey, which I expect to do to-morrow. The assemblies of Massachusetts and Connecticut, to induce their men more readily to engage in the service, have voted an advance pay of twenty shillings per month, in addition to that allowed by Congress to privates. It may perhaps be the means of their levying the quotas ex|acted from them sooner than they could otherwise have been raised: but I am of opinion, a more fatal and mis|taken policy could not have entered their councils, or one more detrimental to the general cause. The influence of the vote will become continental, and materially affect the other States in making up their levies. If they could do it, I am certain, when the troops come to act together, that jealousy, impatience and mutiny would necessarily arise. A different pay cannot exist in the same army. The reasons are obvious, and experience has proved their force in the case of the eastern and southern troops last spring. Sensible of this, and of the pernicious conse|quences that would inevitably result from the advance, I have prevented the commissioners from proceeding or pub|lishing their terms till they could obtain the sense of Con|gress upon the subject, and remonstrated against it in a let|ter to governor Trumbull. I am not singular in opinion: I have the concurrence of all the general officers, of its fatal tendency. I congratulate you and Congress upon the news from Ticonderoga, and that general Carleton and his army have been obliged to return to Canada without attempting any thing. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. General Greene's Quarters,Nov. 14, 1776. SIR, I HAVE the honour to inform you of my arrival here yesterday, and that the whole of the troops belonging to the States, which lay south of Hudson's-river, and which were in New-York government, have passed over to this side, except the regiment, lately colonel Small-wood's, which I expect is now on their march. That they may be ready to check any incursions the enemy may attempt in this neighbourhood, I intend to quarter them at Brunswic, Amboy, Elizabethtown, New|ark, and about this place, unless Congress should conceive it necessary for any of them to be stationed at or more con|tiguous to Philadelphia. In such case they will be pleas|ed to signify their pleasure. There will be very few of them after the departure of those who were engaged for the flying camp, which is fast approaching. The disposi|tion I have mentioned seems to me well calculated for the end proposed, and also for their accommodation. The movements and designs of the enemy are not yet understood. Various are the opinions and reports on this head. From every information, the whole have removed from Dobbs's ferry towards Kingsbridge; and it seems to be generally believed on all hands, that the investing of Fort-Washington is one object they have in view: but that can employ but a small part of their force. Whether they intend a southern expedition, must be determined by time: to me there appears a probability of it, which seems to be favoured by the advices we have that many transports are wooding and watering. General Greene's letter would give you the substance of the intelligence brought by Mr. Mer•erea• from Staten-Island in this instance, which he received before it came to me. Inclosed you have copies of two letters from general Howe, and of my answer to the first of them. The letter alluded to, and returned in his last, was one from myself to Mrs. Washington, of the twenty-fifth ultimo, from whence I conclude that all the letters which went by the Boston express have come to his possession. You will also perceive that general Howe has requested the return of Peter jack, a servant to major Stewart, to which I have consented, as he was not in the military line, and the re|quisition agreeable to the custom of war. This servant having been sent to Philadelphia with the Waldockers and other prisoners, I must request the favour of you to have him conveyed to general Greene by the earliest opportuni|ty, in order that he may be returned to his master. Before I conclude, I beg leave not only to suggest but to urge the necessity of increasing our field artillery very considerably. Experience has convinced me, as it has every gentleman of discernment in this army, that, while we remain so much inferior to the enemy in this instance, we must carry on the war under infinite disadvantages, and without the smallest probability of success. It has been peculiarly owing to the situation of the country where their operations have been conducted, and to the rough and strong grounds we possessed ourselves of, and over which they had to pass, that they have not carried their arms, by means of their artillery, to a much greater extent. When these difficulties cease by changing the scene of action to a level champaign country, the worst of consequences are to be apprehended. I would therefore, with the concurrence of all the officers whom I have spoken to upon the subject, submit to the consideration of Congress whether immediate measures ought not to be taken for procuring a respectable train. It is agreed on all hands that each battalion should be furnished at least with two pieces, and that a smaller num|ber than a hundred of three pounds, fifty of six pounds, and fifty of twelve pounds, should not be provided, in ad|dition to those we now have. Besides these, if some eigh|teen and twenty-four-pounders are ordered, the train will be more serviceable and complete. The whole should be of brass, for the most obvious reasons: they will be much more portable, not half so liable to burst: and, when they do, no damage is occasioned by it, and they may be cast over again. The sizes before described should be particu|larly attended to: if they are not, there will be great rea|son to expect mistakes and confusion in the charges in time of action, as it has frequently happened in the best regulated armies. The disparity between those I have mentioned and such as are of an intermediate size is diffi|cult to discern. It is also agreed that a regiment of artillerists, with ap|proved and experienced officers, should be obtained if pos|sible, and some engineers of known reputation and abilities. I am sorry to say, too ready an indulgence has been had to several appointments in the latter instance, and that men have been promoted, who seem to me to know but little if any thing of the business. Perhaps this train, &c. may be looked upon by some as large and expensive. True, it will be so: but when it is considered that the enemy, having effected but little in the course of the present campaign, will use their utmost efforts to subjugate us in the next, every consideration of that sort should be disregarded, and every possible preparation made to frustrate their * * * attempts. How they are to be procured, is to be inquired into. That we cannot provide them among ourselves, or more than a very small proportion, so trifling as not to deserve our notice, is evident. There|fore I would advise, with all imaginable deference, that, without any abatement of our own internal exertions, ap|plication should be immediately made to such powers as can and may be willing to supply them. They cannot be obtained too early, if soon enough: and I am told they may be easily had from France and Holland. Mr. Trumbull the commissary-general has frequently mentioned to me of late the inadequacy of his pay to his trouble and the great risk he is subject to on account of the large sums of money which pass through his hands. He has stated his case with a view of laying it before Congress and obtaining a more adequate compensation. My sentiments upon the subject are already known: but yet I shall take the liberty to add that I think his complaint to be well founded, and his pay, considering the important duties and risks of his office, by no means sufficient, and that the foot|ing he seems to think it should be upon, himself, appears just and reasonable. A proposition having been made long since to general Howe and agreed to by him, for an exchange of prisoners in consequence of the resolutions of Congress to that effect, I shall be extremely happy if you will give directions to the committees and those having the charge of prisoners in the several States south of Jersey, to transmit me proper lists of the names of all the commissioned officers, and of their ranks and the corps they belong to; also the number of non-commissioned and privates, and their respective regi|ments. You will perceive by his letter, he supposes me to have affected some delay, or to have been unmindful of the proposition I had made. I propose to stay in this neighbourhood a few days, in which time I expect the designs of the enemy will be more disclosed, and their incursions be made in this quarter, or their investiture of Fort-Washington, if they are intended. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. To the Board of War. General Greene's Quarters,November 15, 1776. GENTLEMEN, ON Wednesday evening I received the favour of your letter of the eighth instant, in consequence of which I stopped the flag that was going in with the ladies you mention, pointing out to them the necessity of the measure, and recommending them to write to their husbands and connexions to obtain general Howe's assurances for the release of Mrs. Lewis, and Mrs. Robinson and her chil|dren, with their baggage, as the condition on which they will be permitted to go in themselves. These terms I can only extend to Mrs. Barrow and Mrs. Kemp who had never obtained my leave: Mrs. Watts had, and my prom|ise that she should go in. The whole however were pre|pared to go, when the letter reached Newark. The mode I have adopted seems most likely, and the only proper one, to procure the enlargement of our ladies, which I wish for much. I am, gentlemen, with great respect, &c. G. W. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To the Board of War. Hackinsac,November 15, 1776. Home of ~ (Peter & Martyntje (Varick) Zabriskie Daughter's Margreitje Zabriskie Emeldorf (Grandson Peter Zabriskie-6months old) Annetje Zabriskie (age 25 married) and teenage son Abram(19) GENTLEMEN, HAVING given my promise to general Howe, on his application, that Peter Jack, a servant of major Stewart, who was sent to Philadelphia with the Waldeckers and other prisoners, and who has nothing to do in the military line, should be returned to his master agreeable to the usage of war in such cases,—I must take the liberty to request the favour of you to have him conveyed to general Greene by the earliest opportunity, that he may be forwarded to his master in compliance with my promise. I also wish that you would have all the British prisoners collected that you conveniently can, and sent to me as soon as possible with the Hessian prisoners, that I may ex|change them. The return of the latter I think will be attended with many salutary consequences: but, should it be made without that of a large proportion of other troops, it will carry the marks of design, and occasion precautions to be taken to prevent the ends we have in view. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. General Greene's Quarters,Nov. 16, 1776. SIR, SINCE I had the honour of addressing you last, an important event has taken place, of which I wish to give you the earliest intelligence. The preservation of the passage of the North-river was an object of so much consequence that I thought no pains o• expense too great for that purpose: and therefore, after sending off all the valuable stores except such as were necessary for its defence, I determined, agreeable to the ad|vice of most of the general officers, to risk something to defend the post on the east side, called Mount-Washington. When the army moved up in consequence of general Howe's landing at Frog-point, colonel Magaw was left on that command, with about twelve hundred men, and orders given to defend it to the last. Afterwards, reflect|ing upon the smallness of the garrison, and the difficulty of their holding it if general Howe should fall down upon it with his whole force, I wrote to general Greene who had the command on the Jersey shore, directing him to govern himself by circumstances, and to retain or evacuate the post as he should think best, and revoking the absolute order to colonel Magaw to defend the post to the last ex|tremity. General Greene, struck with the importance of the post, and the discouragement which our evacuation of posts must necessarily have given, reinforced colonel Magaw with detachments from several regiments of the flying camp, but chiefly of Pennsylvania, so as to make up the number about two thousand. In this situation things were yesterday, when general Howe demanded the surrendry of the garrison, to which colonel Magaw returned a spirited refusal. Immediately upon receiving an account of this transaction, I came from Hackinsac to this place, and had partly crossed the North-river when I met general Putnam and general Greene, who were just returning from thence, and informed me that the troops were in high spirits, and would make a good defence: and it being late at night, I returned. Early this morning colonel Magaw posted his troops partly in the lines thrown up by our army on our first com|ing thither from New-York, and partly on a commanding hill lying north of Mount-Washington,—the lines being all to the southward. In this position the attack began about ten o'clock, which our troops stood, and returned the fire in such a manner as gave me great hopes the enemy was entirely repulsed. But at this time a body of troops cross|ed Haerlem-river in boats, and landed inside of the second lines, our troops being then engaged in the first. Colonel Cadwallader, who commanded in the lines, sent off a detachment to oppose them: but they, being over-powered by numbers, gave way; upon which, colonel Cad|wallader ordered his troops to retreat in order to gain the sort It was done with much confusion; and the enemy crossing over came in upon them in such a manner, that a number of them surrendered. At this time the Hessians advanced on the north side of the fort in very large bodies. They were received by the troops posted there, with proper spirit, and kept back a considerable time; but at length they were also obliged to submit to a superiority of numbers, and retire under the cannon of the fort. The enemy, having advanced thus far, halted; and im|mediately a flag went in, with a repetition of the demand of the fortress, as I suppose. At this time I sent a billet to colonel Magaw, directing him to hold out, and I would endeavour this evening to bring off the garrison, if the for|tress could not be maintained, as I did not expect it could, the enemy being possessed of the adjacent ground. But, before this reached him, he had entered too far into a treaty to retract: after which, colonel Cadwallader told another messenger who went over, that they had been able to obtain no other terms than to surrender as prisoners of war. In this situation matters now stand. I have stopped general Beall's and general Heard's brigades, to preserve the post and stores here; which, with the other troops, I hope we shall be able to effect. I do not yet know the numbers killed or wounded on either side: but, from the heaviness and continuance of the fire in some places, I imagine there must have been consid|erable execution. The loss of such a number of officers and men, many of whom have been trained with more than common at|tention, will, I fear, be severely felt; but, when that of the arms and accoutrements is added, much more so; and must be a further incentive to procure as considerable a supply as possible for the new troops, as soon as it can be done. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Hackinsac,November 19, 1776. Home of ~ (Peter & Martyntje (Varick) Zabriskie Daughter's Margreitje Zabriskie Emeldorf (Grandson Peter Zabriskie-6months old) Annetje Zabriskie (age 25 married) and teenage son Abram(19) SIR, I HAVE not been yet able to obtain a particular account of the unhappy affair of the sixteenth, nor of the terms on which the garrison surrendered. The intelli|gence that has come to hand is not so full and accurate as I could wish. One of the artillery, whose information is most direct, and who escaped on Sunday night, says the enemy's loss was very considerable, especially in the attack made above the fort by the division of Hessians that march|ed from Kingsbridge, and where lieutenant-colonel Raw|lins, of the late colonel Stephenson's regiment, was posted. They burned yesterday one or two houses on the heights, and contiguous to the fort, and appeared, by advices from general Greene, to be moving in the evening their main body down towards the city. Whether they will close the campaign without attempting something more, or make an incursion into Jersey, must be determined by the events themselves. As Fort-Lee was always considered as only necessary in conjunction with that on the east side of the river, to preserve the communication across, and to prevent the ene|my from a free navigation, it has become of no importance by the loss of the other, or not so material as to employ a force for its defence. Being viewed in this light, and ap|prehending that the stores there would be precariously situ|ated, their removal has been determined on to Boundbrook above Brunswic, Princeton, Springfield, and Acquacke|nunk bridge, as places that will not be subject to sudden danger in case the enemy should pass the river, and which have been thought proper as repositories for some of our stores of provision and forage. The troops belonging to the flying camp under generals Heard and Beall, with what remains of general Ewing's brigade, are now at Fort-Lee, where they will continue till the stores are got away. By the time that is effected, their term of enlistment will be near expiring; and, if the enemy should make a push in this quarter, the only troops that there will be to oppose them, will be Hand's, Haz|lett's, the regiments from Virginia, and that, lately Small|wood's,—the latter greatly reduced by the losses it sustain|ed on Long-Island, &c. and sickness: nor are the rest by any means complete. In addition to these, I am told there are a few of the militia of this State, who have been called in by governor Livingston. I shall make such a disposition of the whole at Brunswic and at the interme|diate posts, as shall seem most likely to guard against the designs of the enemy, and to prevent them making an ir|ruption or foraging with detached parties. The inclosed letter from colonels Miles and Atlee will shew Congress the distressed situation of our prisoners in New-York; and their distress will become greater every day by the cold inclement season that is approaching. It will be happy if some expedient can be adopted, by which they may be furnished with necessary blankets and clothing. Humanity and the good of the service require it. I think the mode suggested by these gentlemen, for establishing a credit, appears as likely to succeed, and as eligible, as any that occurs to me. It is probable many articles that may be wanted can be obtained there, and upon better terms than elsewhere. In respect to provision, their allowance perhaps is as good as the situation of general Howe's stores will admit of: it has been said of late by deserters and others that they were rather scant. By a letter from the paymaster-general, of the seven|teenth, he says there will be a necessity that large and early remittances should be made him. The demands, when the troops now in service are dismissed, will be extremely great. Besides, the bounty to recruits will require a large supply; and he adds that the commissary-general has informed him, that, between this and the last of December, he shall have occasion for a million of dollars. November 21. The unhappy affair of the sixteenth has been succeeded by further misfortunes. Yesterday morn|ing a large body of the enemy landed between Dobbs's ferry and Fort-Lee. Their object was, evidently, to in|close the whole of our troops and stores that lay between the North and Hackinsac rivers, which form a very nar|row neck of land. For this purpose, they formed and marched as soon as they had ascended the high grounds towards the fort. Upon the first information of their hav|ing landed, and of their movements, our men were order|ed to meet them: but finding their numbers greatly supe|rior, and that they were extending themselves to seize on the passes over the river, it was thought prudent to with|draw our men; which was effected, and their retreat se|cured. We lost the whole of the cannon that was at the fort (except two twelve-pounders) and a great deal of baggage, between two and three hundred tents, about a thousand barrels of flour, and other stores in the quarter-master's department. This loss was inevitable. As many of the stores had been removed as circumstances and time would admit of. The ammunition had been happily got away. Our present situation between Hackinsac and Passaic rivers being exactly similar to our late one, and our force here by no means adequate to an opposition that will promise the smallest probability of success, we are taking measures to retire over the waters of the latter, when the best disposition will be formed that circumstances will ad|mit of. By colonel Cadwallader, who has been permitted by general Howe to return to his friends, I am informed the surrender of the garrison on the sixteenth was on the com|mon terms as prisoners of war; the loss of the Hessians, about three hundred privates and twenty-seven officers kill|ed and wounded; about forty of the British troops, and two or three officers; the loss on our side but inconsider|able. I beg leave to refer you to him for a more particu|lar account, and also for his relation of the distresses of our prisoners. Colonels Miles and Atlee's letter, men|tioned above, upon this subject, was through mistake sent from hence yesterday morning. The mode of relief pro|posed by them was a credit or supply of cash through the means of Mr. Franks. This seems to be doubtful, as he is said to be in con•inement by colonel Cadwallader,—provided it would have been otherwise practicable. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. P. S. Your favour of the sixteenth was duly received. My letter to the board of war, on the subject of the return of the Wald••kers, I presume you will have seen. Newark,November 23, 1776. SIR, I HAVE not yet heard that any provision is making to supply the place of the troops composing the flying camp, whose departure is now at hand. The situation of our affairs is truly critical, and such as requires uncommon ex|ertions on our part. From the movements of the enemy, and the information we have received, they certainly will make a push to possess themselves of this part of the Jersey. In order that you may be fully apprised of our weakness, and of the necessity there is of our obtaining early succours, I have, by the advice of the general officers here, directed general Mifflin to wait on you. He is intimately acquaint|ed with our circumstances, and will represent them better than my hurried state will allow. I have wrote to general Lee to come over with the con|tinental regiments immediately under his command: those with general Health I have ordered to secure the passes through the Highlands. I have also wrote to governor Livingston requesting of him such aid as may be in his power; and would submit it to the consideration of Con|gress whether application should not be made for part of the Pennsylvania militia to step forth at this pressing time. Before I conclude, I would mention, if an early and immediate supply of money could be sent to Mr. Dalham to pay the flying camp troops, it might have a happy effect. They would subsist themselves comfortably on their return, provide many necessaries of which they are in great want; and moreover, it might be the means of inducing many, after seeing their friends, to engage again. I expected, on coming here, to have met with many of the militia, but find from inquiry that there are not more than from four to five hundred at the different posts. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Newark,November 27, 1776. SIR, I DO myself the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of the twenty-first and twenty-fourth, with their several inclosures. The execution of the resolves has been and will be attended to as far as in my power. I have wrote to general Schuyler to send down as early as possible the troops in the northern department from this and the State of Pennsylvania. The proposition for ex|changing Mr. Franklin for general Thompson I shall submit to general Howe, as soon as circumstances will al|low me. I have nothing in particular to advise you of, respecting the enemy, more than that they are advancing this way. Part of them have passed the Passaic; and I suppose the main body that they have on this side the North-river would have done the same before now, (as they are coming on) had their progress not been retarded by the weather which has been rainy for several days past. I have scouts and detachments constantly out to harass them and watch their motions, and to gain, if possible, intelligence of their designs. Colonel Miles, who has been permitted to go to Phila|delphia for a few days by general Howe, will deliver you this, and inform you of the distresses of our prisoners, and the necessity of effecting their exchange as far as we have prisoners to give in return. By a letter from the board of war on the subject of an exchange, they mention that several of the prisoners in our hands have enlisted. It is a measure, I think, that cannot be justified, though the precedent is furnished on the side of the enemy: nor do I conceive it good in point of pol|icy. But, as it has been done, I shall leave it with Con|gress to order them to be returned or not, as they shall judge fit. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Brunswic,November 30, 1776. SIR, I HAVE been honoured with your favour of the twenty-sixth, and with its inclosures, by which I perceive the measures that have been adopted for forwarding a re|inforcement of militia. Their arrival is much to be wish|ed, the situation of our affairs being truly alarming, and such as demands the earliest aids. As general Mifflin's presence may have a happy influence on the disposition and temper of many of the associators, I shall not direct his re|turn so long as he can be done without, and till it becomes indispensably necessary. On Thursday morning I left Newark, and arrived here yesterday with the troops that were there. It was the opinion of all the generals who were with me, that a re|treat to this place was requisite, and founded in necessity, as our force was by no means sufficient to make a stand, with the least probability of success, against an enemy much superior in number, and whose advanced guards were en|tering the town by the time our rear got out. It was the wish of all to have remained there longer, and to have halt|ed before we came thus far; but, upon due consideration of our strength, the circumstances attending the enlistment of a great part of our little force, and the frequent advices that the enemy were embarking or about to embark an|other detachment for Staten-Island with a view of landing at Amboy to co-operate with this, which seemed to be confirmed by the information of some persons who came from the island, that they were collecting and impressing all the waggons they could find,—it was judged necessary to proceed till we came here, not only to prevent their bringing a force to act upon our front and rear, but also that we might be more convenient to oppose any troops they might land at South-Amboy, which many conjectur|ed to be an object they had in view. This conjecture too had probability and some advices to support it. I hoped we should have met with large and early suc|cours by this time: but as yet no great number of the mi|litia of this State has come in; no• have I much reason to expect that any considerable aid will be derived from the counties which lie beyond this river, and in which the enemy are. Their situation will prevent it in a great measure from those parts where they are, provided the in|clinations of the people were good. Added to this, I have no assurances that more than a very few of the troops composing the flying camp will remain after the time of their engagement is out: so far from it, I am told that some of general Ewing's brigade, who stand engaged to the first of January, are now going away. If those go whose service expires this day, our force will be reduced to a mere handful. From intelligence received this morning, one division of the enemy was advanced last night as far as Elizabeth-town, and some of their quarter-masters had proceeded about four or five miles on this side, to provide barns, &c. for their accommodation. Other accounts say another division, composed of Hessians, are on the road through Springfield, and are reported to have reached that place last night. I do not know how far their views extend: but I doubt not, they mean to push every advantage result|ing from the small number and state of our troops. I early began to forward part of the stores from this place towards Philadelphia. Many are gone: the rest we are removing, and hope to secure. I am, Sir, very respectfully, &c. G. W. P. S. I have wrote to governor Livingston, who is ex|erting himself to throw in every assistance, and to have guards placed at the ferries to prevent the return of the soldiers who are not discharged. To the Board of War. Head-Quarters, Brunswic,November 30, 1776. GENTLEMEN, I AM to acknowledge the receipt of your favours of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twenty-third instant, which, from the unsettled situation of our affairs, I have not been able to answer before. That of the eighteenth •••loses a list of stores [imported] in the Hancock-and-Adams conti|nental ship, and carried into Dartmouth in New-England,—with a resolve of Congress to deliver the muskets, pow|der, lead, and flints, to my order. As the other articles of the cargo will be full as useful to the army as those in|cluded in the resolve, I would advise that directions be given to have the whole cargo removed from Dartmouth to some secure place in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, and there deposited till called for. It is by no means prop|er that so great a quantity of military stores should be lodg|ed with the army, especially at present, as we know not to-day where we shall be obliged to remove to-morrow: and that will in all probability be the case while the ene|my continue with a light army on this side the North-river. In answer to that part of yours of the nineteenth in which you ask my advice as to the propriety of enlisting prisoners of war, I would just observe, that, in my opinion, it is neither consistent with the rules of war, nor politic: nor can I think, that, because our enemies have committed an unjustifiable action, by enticing, and, in •or•• instances, intimidating our men into their ser••e, we ought to follow their example. Before I had the honour of yours on this subject, I had determined to remonstrate to general Howe on this head. As to those few who have already enlisted, I would not have them again withdrawn and sent in, be|cause they might be subjected to pun••hment: but I would have the practice discontinued in future. If you will re|vert to the capitulation of St. John's and Chamblee, you will find an express stipulation against the enlisting the pris|oners taken there. I remarked that the enlistment of prisoners was not a politic step:—my reason is this, that in time of danger I have always observed such persons most backward, for fear (I suppose) of falling into the hands of their former mas|ters, from whom they expect no mercy: and this fear they are apt to communicate to their fellow-soldiers. They are also most ready to desert when any action is expected, hop|ing, by carrying intelligence, to secure their peace. I met captain Hesketh on the road; and, as the situa|tion of his family did not admit of delay, I permitted him to go immediately to New-York, not having the least doubt but general Howe will make a return of any officer of equal rank who shall be required. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Brunswic,December 1, 1776. SIR, I YESTERDAY had the honour of writing you, and to advise you of our arrival here. I am now to in|form you that the enemy are still advancing, and that their van-guard had proceeded as far as Bonem, a small town about four miles this side of Woodbridge, according to my last intelligence. As to their number, reports are various. Some say they were joined yesterday by a considerable re|inforcement from Staten-Island. How far this fact may be true, I cannot determine: but, from every information, before, they were between six and seven thousand strong. I have for some time past supposed Philadelphia to be the object of their movement, and have every reason to be|lieve my opinion well founded,—the advices of sundry persons who have had an opportunity of mixing and con|versing with them on the march, agreeing that such is the report. I have wrote to governor Livingston upon the subject, requesting his utmost exertions to forward on eve|ry succour in his power. The same, I trust, will be at|tended to in Pennsylvania. Without a sufficient number of men and arms, their progress cannot be checked:—at pres|ent our force is totally inadequate to any attempt. Several officers belonging to the enemy, who were pris|oners, have obtained permission to return. I have not yet sent in the names of those belonging to us, that are to be exchanged for them. By a Virginia paper, I perceive that captain Morgan and lieutenant Heath who were ta|ken prisoners at Quebec, and now on parole, are pro|moted in the late arrangement of officers in that State,—the former to a regiment, the latter to a majority. It would be well if they were released: but, being Virginians, and not knowing that any gentlemen who were taken at the same time are so circumstanced, I have declined claiming their return without the opinion of Congress, lest I should incur the charge of partiality. I have sent forward colonel Humpton to collect proper boats and craft at the ferry for transporting our troops: and it will be of infinite importance to have every other craft besides what he takes for the above purpose, secured on the west side of Delaware: otherwise they may fall into the enemy's hands and facilitate their views. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. P. S. Half after one o'clock, P. M. The enemy are fast advancing: some of them are now in sight. All the men of the Jersey flying camp under general Heard, being applied to, have refused to continue longer in service. December 1, 1776.half after seven, P. M. SIR, IN a little time after I wrote you this evening, the enemy appeared in several parties on the heights opposite Brunswic, and were advancing in a large body towards the crossing-place. We had a smart cannonade whilst we were parading our men, but without any or but little loss on either side. It being impossible to oppose them with our present force with the least prospect of success, we shall retreat to the west side of Delaware (and have advanced about eight miles) where it is hoped we shall meet a rein|forcement sufficient to check their progress. I have sent colonel Humpton forward to collect the necessary boats for our transportation, and conceive it proper that the mi|litia from Pennsylvania should be ordered towards Trenton, that they may be ready to join us, and act as occasion may require. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, G. W. P. S. I wish my letters of yesterday may arrive safe, being informed that the return-express who had them was idling his time, and shewing them on the road. Princeton,December 2, 1776. SIR, I ARRIVED here this morning with our troops be|tween eight and nine o'clock, when I received the honour of your letter of the first with its inclosure. When the enemy first landed on this side the North-river, I apprehended that they meant to make a push this way; and knowing that the force which I had was not sufficient to oppose them, I wrote to general Lee to cross with the several continental regiments in his division, and hoped he would have arrived before now. By some means or other he has been delayed. I suppose he has passed the river, as his letter of the twenty-sixth ultimo mentioned that he had marched a brigade the day before, and should follow the next himself. The remainder of the troops I conceived necessary to guard the several passes through the Highlands; nor do I think they can be called from thence. Their number is very small, being reduced to very few by the departure of the troops who stood engaged till the thirtieth ultimo. I understand there are now at Bristol several prisoners. As their exchange at this time cannot be effected with propriety, I think it will be necessary, under the present situation of affairs, to have them removed immediately to some more interior place, upon their paroles. If they re|main, they may be of infinite disadvantage. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. [On the outside of the foregoing letter, which is, as usual, addressed to the president of Congress, appears the follow|ing line, to Mr. Peters, secretary to the board of war.] Sir, dispatch an express immediately, to have the pris|oners at Bristol removed R. H. HARRISON. Head-Quarters, Trenton,Dec. 3, 1776. SIR, I ARRIVED here myself yesterday morning with the main body of the army, having left lord Stirling with two brigades at Princeton and that neighbourhood, to watch the motions of the enemy, and give notice of their ap|proach. I am informed that they had not entered Bruns|wic yesterday morning at nine o'clock, but were on the opposite side of the Rariton. Immediately on my arrival here, I ordered the removal of all the military and other stores and baggage over the Delaware: a great quantity are already got over; and as soon as the boats come up from Philadelphia, we shall load them; by which means I hope to have every thing secur|ed this night and to-morrow, if we are not disturbed. Af|ter being disencumbered of my baggage and stores, my fu|ture situation will depend entirely upon circumstances. I have not heard a word from general Lee since the twenty-sixth of last month; which surprises me not a little, as I have dispatched daily expresses to him, desiring to know when I might look for him. This makes me fear|ful that my letters have not reached him. I am informed by report that general St. Clair has joined him with three or four regiments from the northward. To know the truth of this, and also when I may expect him, and with what numbers, I have this minute dispatched colonel Stew|ard (general Gates's aide-de-camp) to meet general Lee and bring me an account. I look out earnestly for the reinforcement from Phila|delphia. I am in hopes, that, if we can draw a good head of men together, it will give spirits to the militia of this State, who have as yet afforded me little or no assistance; nor can I find they are likely to do much. General Heard just informs me that a person, on whose veracity he can depend, has reported to him that on Sun|day last he counted a hundred and seventeen sail of ships going out of the Hook. You may depend upon being ad|vised instantly of any further movement in the enemy's army or mine. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Trenton,December 4, 1776. SIR, SINCE I had the honour of addressing you yesterday, I received a letter from general Lee. On the thirtieth ul|timo he was at Peekskill, and expected to pass the river with his division two days after. From this intelligence you will readily conclude that he will not be able to afford us any aid for several days. The report of general St. Clair's having joined him with three or four regiments, I believe to be altogether premature, as he mentions nothing of it. It has arisen, as I am informed, from the return of some of the Jersey and Pennsylvania troops from Ticon|deroga, whose time of service is expired. They have reached Pluckemin where I have wrote to have them halt|ed and kept together, if they can be prevailed on, till further orders. The inclosed is a copy of a letter which came to hand last night from major Clark, to which I beg leave to refer you for the intelligence it contains. The number of the enemy said to be embarked is supposed to be rather exag|gerated. That there has been an embarkation is not to be doubted, it being confirmed through various channels. By colonel Griffin, who went from Brunswic on Sunday morning with a captain Sims, to pass him by our guards, and who was detained by lord Cornwallis till Monday evening on account of his situation, the amount of general Clinton's force, from what he could collect from the offi|cers, was about six thousand: as to their destination, he could not obtain the least information. By him I also learn the enemy were in Brunswic, and that some of their advanced parties had proceeded two miles on this side. The heavy rain that has fallen has probably checked their progress, and may prevent their further movement for some time. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. To Richard Peters, esquire, secretary to the Board of War. Head-Quarters, Trenton,Dec. 4, 1776. SIR, YOURS of the twentieth of last month was deliver|ed to me by the brigadier La Roche de Fermoy, who is now here, but unable to render me that service, which I dare say, from his character, he would, were he better ac|quainted with our language. I yesterday received a letter from you without a date, mentioning that the prisoners from York-town were di|rected to halt at Newtown for my orders. On hearing they were there, I sent colonel Moylan to conduct them, and the prisoners from Reading who arrived nearly at the same time, over towards Brunswic, and deliver them in. I hope you have not sent captain Price, lieutenant Pea|cock, and major Campbell, on to this place, as it is highly improper they should see and know the situation of our army here and at Princeton. They had better be sent up, under the care of some person, to Newtown or that neigh|bourhood, and there wait the arrival of some larger party, who, I imagine, will be soon forwarded from Lancaster, and go in with them. Lieutenant Symes came over to me at Brunswic from Bethlehem without the least guard or escort; and a lieu|tenant of the seventh regiment went through our whole army, and was at last discovered by a mere accident. He had a pass from the council of safety, and that was all. Such an irregular mode of suffering prisoners to go in alone must be put a stop to, or the enemy will be as well ac|quainted with our situation as we are ourselves. If they are left at liberty to choose their own route, they will al|ways take that through our army, for reasons too obvious to mention. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, G. W. I have been obliged to send down a number of our sick to Philadelphia, to make room for the troops, and to re|move them out of the way. Be pleased to have some care taken to have them properly accommodated. I should think part of the house-of-employment might be procured for that purpose. I have ordered down an officer from each regiment, and a surgeon's mate, if they can be spared: but I hope they will not want the assistance of the visiting physicians of the hospital. Trenton,December, 5, 1776. SIR, AS nothing but necessity obliged me to retire before the enemy and leave so much of the Jerseys unprotected, I conceive it my duty, and it corresponds with my incli|nation, to make head against them so soon as there shall be the least probability of doing it with propriety. That the country might in some measure be covered. I left two brigades consisting of the five Virginia regiments and that of Delaware, containing in the whole about twelve hundred men sit for duty, under the command of lord Stirling and general Stephen, at Princeton, till the baggage and stores could cross the Delaware, or the troops under their respective commands should be forced from thence. I shall now, having removed the greatest part of the above articles, face about with such troops as are here sit for ser|vice, and march back to Princeton, and there govern my|self by circumstances and the movements of general Lee. At any event, the enemy's progress may be retarded by this means if they intend to come on, and the people's fears in some measure quieted, if they do not. Sorry I am to observe, however, that the frequent calls upon the militia of this State, the want of exertion in the principal gentlemen of the country, or a fatal supineness and insensi|bility of danger till it is too late to prevent an evil that was not only foreseen but foretold, have been the causes of our late disgraces. If the militia of this State had stepped forth in season (and timely notice they had,) we might have prevented the enemy's crossing the Hackinsac, although without some previous notice of the time and place it was impossible to have done this at the North-river. We might with equal probability of success have made a stand at Brunswic on the Rariton. But as both these rivers were fordable in a variety of places (knee-deep only,) it required many men to defend the passes; and these we had not. At Hack|insac our force was insufficient, because a part was at Eliz|abethtown, Amboy, and Brunswic, guarding a coast which I thought most exposed to danger; and at Brunswic, be|cause I was disappointed in my expectation of militia, and because on the day of the enemy's approach (and probably the occasion of it) the term of the Jersey and Maryland brigades service expired; neither of which would consent to stay an hour longer. These, among ten thousand other instances, might be adduced to shew the disadvantages of short enlistments, and the little dependence upon militia in times of real danger. But, as yesterday cannot be recalled, I will not dwell up|on a subject which, no doubt, has given much uneasiness to Congress, as well as extreme pain and anxiety to myself. My first wish is that Congress may be convinced of the impropriety of relying upon the militia, and of the necessity of raising a larger standing army than what they have •o••d. The saving in the article of stores, provisions, and in a thousand other things, by having nothing to do with mili|tia unless in cases of extraordinary exigency, and such as could not be expected in the common course of events, would amply support a large army, which, well officered, would be daily improving, instead of continuing a destruc|tive, expensive, and disorderly mob. I am clear in opinion, that, if forty thousand men had been kept in constant pay since the first commencement of hostilities, and the militia had been excused doing duty during that period, the continent would have saved money. When I reflect on the losses we have sustained for want of good troops, the certainty of this is placed beyond a doubt in my mind. In such case, the militia, who have been harassed and tired by repeated calls upon them (and farm|ing and manufactures in a manner suspended,) would, upon any pressing emergency, have ▪run with alacrity to arms; whereas the cry now is, "they may be as well ru|ined in one way as another;" and with difficulty they are obtained. I mention these things to shew, that, in my opinion, if any dependence is placed in the militia another year, Con|gress will be deceived. When danger is a little removed from them, they will not turn out at all. When it comes home to them, the well-affected, instead of flying to arms to defend themselves, are busily employed in removing their families and effects,—whilst the disaffected are concerting measures to make their submission, and spread terror and dismay all around, to induce others to follow the exam|ple. Daily experience and abundant-proofs warrant this information. I shall this day reinforce lord Stirling with about twelve hundred men, which will make his number about two thousand four hundred. To-morrow I mean to repair to Princeton myself, and shall order the Pennsylvania troops (who are not yet arrived, except part of the German bat|talion and a company of light infantry) to the same place. By my last advices, the enemy are still at Brunswic; and the account adds that general Howe was expected at Eliz|abethtown with a reinforcement, to erect the king's stand|ard, and demand a submission of this State. I can only give this as a report brought from the enemy's camp by some of the country people. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Trenton,December 6, 1776. SIR, I HAVE not received any intelligence of the ene|my's movements since my letter of yesterday. From eve|ry information, they still remain at Brunswic, except some of their parties who are advanced a small distance on this side. To-day I shall set out for Princeton myself, unless something should occur to prevent me, which I do not expect. By a letter of the fourteenth ultimo from a Mr. Cald|well, a clergyman, and a staunch friend to the cause, who has fled from Elizabethtown, and taken refuge in the mountains about ten miles from hence, I am informed that general or lord Howe was expected in that town to publish pardon and peace. His words are, "I have not seen his proclamation, but can only say he gives sixty days of grace, and pardons from the Congress down to the committee. No one man in the continent is to be denied his mercy." In the languague of this good man, The Lord deliver us from his mercy! Your letter of the third, by major Livingston, was duly received. Before it came to hand, I had wrote to gene|ral Howe about governor Franklin's exchange, but am not certain whether the letter could not be recovered. I dispatched a messenger instantly for that purpose. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Mr. Berkley's Summer Seat,Dec. 8, 1776. SIR, COLONEL Reed would inform you of the intelli|gence which I first met with on the road from Trenton to Princeton yesterday. Before I got to the latter, I received a second express informing me, that, as the enemy were advancing by different routes, and attempting by one to get in the rear of our troops which were there, (and whose numbers were small, and the place by no means defensible) they had judged it prudent to retreat to Trenton. The retreat was accordingly made, and since to this side of the river. This information I thought it my duty to communicate as soon as possible, as there is not a moment's time to be lost in assembling such force as can be collected: and as the object of the enemy cannot now be doubted in the smallest degree. Indeed I shall be out in my conjecture (for it is only conjecture) if the late embarkation at New-York is not for Delaware river, to co-operate with the ar|my under the immediate command of general Howe, who, I am informed from good authority, is with the British troops and his whole force upon this route. I have no certain intelligence of general Lee, although I have sent frequent expresses to him, and lately a colonel Humpton to bring me some accurate accounts of his situ|ation. I last night dispatched another gentleman to him (major Hoops) desiring he would hasten his march to the Delaware, in which I would provide boats near a place called Alexandria, for the transportation of his troops. I cannot account for the slowness of his march. In the disordered and moving state of the army, I can|not get returns: but, from the best accounts, we had be|tween three thousand and three thousand five hundred men, before the Philadelphia militia and German battalion arriv|ed:—they amount to about two thousand. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Head-Quarters, Trenton Falls,Dec. 9, 1776. SIR, I DID myself the honour of writing to you yester|day, and informing you that I had removed the troops to this side of the Delaware. Soon after, the enemy made their appearance, and their van entered just as our rear guard quitted. We had removed all our stores, except a few boards. From the best information, they are in two bod|ies, one at and near Trenton, the other some miles higher up, and inclining towards Delaware; but whether with intent to cross there, or throw themselves between general Lee and me, is yet uncertain. I have this morning detached lord Stirling with his brigade, to take post at the different landing-places, and prevent them from stealing a march upon us from above: for I am informed, if they cross at Coryel's ferry or there-abouts, they are as near to Philadelphia, as we are here. From several accounts I am led to think that the enemy are bringing boats with them: if so, it will be impossible for our small force to give them any considerable opposition in the passage of the river, [as they may] make a feint at one place, and, by a sudden removal, carry their boats higher or lower before we can bring our cannon to play upon them. Under these circumstances, the security of Philadelphia should be our next object. From my own remembrance, but more from information, (for I never viewed the ground) I should think that a communication of lines and redoubts might soon be formed from the Delaware to Schuylkill on the north entrance of the city, the lines to begin on the Schuylkill side, about the heights of Springate|b•ry, and run eastward to Delaware, upon the most advan|tageous and commanding grounds. If something of this kind is not done, the enemy might, in case any misfortune should b••al us, march directly in, and take possession. We have ever found that lin•s, however •light, are very formidable to them: they would at least give a check till people could recover of the fright and consternation that naturally attends the first appearance of an enemy. In the mean time every step should be taken to collect force, not only from Pennsylvania, but from the most neigh|bourly States. If we can keep the enemy from entering Philadelphia, and keep the communication by water open for supplies, we may yet make a stand, if the country will come to our assistance till our new levies can be collected. If the measure of fortifying the city should be adopted, some skilful person should immediately view the grounds, and begin to trace out the lines and works. I am inform|ed there is a French engineer of eminence in Philadelphia at this time: if so, he will be the most prope••. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. P. S. I have just received the inclosed from general Heath. General Mifflin is this moment come up, and tells me that all the military stores yet remain in Philadel|phia. This makes the immediate fortifying of the city so necessary, that I have desired general Mifflin to return to take charge of the stores, and have ordered major-general Putnam immediately down to superintend the works and give the necessary directions. Head-Quarters, Falls of Delaware,Dec. 10, 1776. SIR, SINCE I had the honour of addressing you yester|day, nothing of importance has occurred. In respect to the enemy's movements, I have obtained no other infor|mation than that they have a number of parties patroling up and down the river, particularly above. As yet they have not attempted to pass; nor do any of their patroles, though some are exceedingly small, meet with the least in|terruption from the inhabitants of Jersey. By a letter received last night from general Lee, of the eighth instant, he was then at Morristown, where he en|tertained thoughts of establishing a post: but, on receiving my dispatches by major Hoops, I should suppose he would be convinced of the necessity of his proceeding this way with all the force he can bring. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. P. S. Nine o'clock, A. M. I this minute received in|formation that the enemy were repairing the bridges three or four miles below Trenton; which seems to indicate an intention of their passing lower down, and suggests to me the necessity that some attention should be had to the fort at Billingsport, lest they should possess themselves of it; the consideration of which I beg leave to submit to Congress. I have wrote to the council of safety on the subject. Head-Quarters, Falls of Delaware,Dec. 11, 1776. SIR, AFTER I had wrote you yesterday, I received cer|•••• information that the enemy, after repairing Croswix's br••ge, had advanced a party of about five hundred to Bordentown. By their taking this route, it confirms me in my opinion, that they have an intention to land between this and Philadelphia, as well as above, if they can pro|cure boats for that purpose. I last night directed commodore Seymour to station all his galleys between Bordentown and Philadelphia, to give the earliest intelligence of any appearance of the enemy on the Jersey shore. I yesterday rode up the river about eleven miles, to lord Stirling's post, where I found a prisoner of the forty-second regiment who had been just brought in. He informed me that lord Cornwallis was at Pennytown with two battalions of grenadiers, and three of light infantry, all British, the Hessian grenadiers, the forty-second Highland regiment, and two other battalions, the names of which he did not remember. He knew nothing of the reasons of their be|ing assembled there, nor what were their future intentions. But I last night received information from my lord Stir|ling, which had been brought in by his scouts, which in some measure accounted for their being there. They had made a forced march from Trenton on Sunday night, to Coryel's ferry, in hopes of surprising a sufficient number of boats to transport them; but, finding themselves disap|pointed, had marched back to Pennytown, where they re|mained yesterday. From their several attempts to seize boats, it does not look as if they had brought any with them, as I was at one time informed. I last night sent a person over to Trenton, to learn whether there was any appearance of building any: but he could not perceive any preparations for a work of that kind; so that I am in hopes, if proper care is taken to keep all the craft out of their way, they will find the crossing of Delaware a matter of considerable difficulty. I received another letter from general Lee last evening: it was dated at Chatham (which I take to be near Mor|ristown) the eighth of this month. He had then received my letter sent by major Hoops, but seemed still inclined to hang upon the enemy's rear, to which I should have no objection, had I a sufficient force to oppose them in front: but as I have not at present, nor do I see much probabil|ity of further reinforcement, I have wrote to him in the most pressing terms, to join me with all expedition. Major Sheldon, who commands the volunteer horse from Connecticut, waits upon Congress to establish some mode of pay. I can only say that the service of himself and his troop has been such as merits the warmest thanks of the public, and deserves a handsome compensation for their trouble. Whatever is settled now, will serve for a precedent in future. From the experience I have had, this campaign, of the utility of horse, I am convinced there is no carrying on the war without them; and I would therefore recommend the establishment of one or more corps (in proportion to the number of foot) in addition to those already raised in Virginia. If major Sheldon would undertake the command of a regiment of horse on the continental establishment, I believe he could very soon raise them; and I can recommend him as a man of activ|ity and spirit, from what I have seen of him. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Trenton Falls,December 12, 1776. SIR, I LAST night received the favour of Mr. Thomp|son's letter inclosing the proceedings of Congress, of the eleventh instant. As the publication of the•• resolve, is my opinion, will not lead to any good end, but, on the contrary, may be attended with some bad consequences, I shall take the liberty to decline inserting it in this day's orders. I am persuaded, if the subject is taken up and re|considered, that Congress will concur with me in sentiment. I doubt not but there are some who have propagated the report: but what if they have? Their remaining in or leaving Philadelphia must be governed by circumstances and events. If their departure should become necessary, it will be right: on the other hand, if there should not be a necessity for it, they will remain, and their continuance will shew the report to be the production of calumny and falsehood. In a word, Sir, I conceive it a matter that may be as well disregarded; and that the removal or stay|ing of Congress, depending entirely upon events, should not have been the subject of a resolve. The intelligence we obtain respecting the movements and situation of the enemy is far from being so certain and satisfactory as I could wish, though every probable means in my power, and that I can devise, are adopted for that purpose. The latest I have received was from lord Stir|ling last night. He says that two grenadiers of the In|niskillen regiment, who were taken and brought in by some countrymen, inform that generals Howe, Corn|wallis, Vaughan, &c. with about six thousand of the flying army, were at Pennytown, waiting for pontons to come up, with which they mean to pass the river near the Blue Mounts, or at Coryel's ferry,—they believe, the latter;—that the two battalions of guards were at Brunswic, and the Hessian grenadiers, chasseurs, and a regiment or two of British troops, are at Trenton. Captain Miller of colonel Hand's regiment also informs me, that a body of the enemy were marching to Burling|ton yesterday morning. He had been sent over with a strong scouting party, and, at day-break, fell in with their advanced guards consisting of about four hundred Hessian troops, who fired upon him before they were discovered, but without any loss, and obliged him to retreat with his party and to take boat. The number of the whole he could not ascertain: but it appeared to be considerable. Captain Miller's account is partly confirmed by commodore Seymour, who reports that four or five hundred of the en|emy had entered the town. Upon the whole, there can be no doubt but that Philadelphia is their object, and that they will pass the Delaware as soon as possible. Happy should I be if I could see the means of preventing them: at present, I confess, I do not. All military writers agree that it is a work of great difficulty, nay, impracticable, where there is any extent of coast to guard. This is the case with us; and we have to do it with a force small and inconsiderable, and much inferior to that of the enemy. Perhaps Congress have some hope and prospect of rein|forcements: I have no intelligence of the sort, and wish to be informed on the subject. Our little handful is daily decreasing by sickness and other causes: and, without aid, without considerable succours and exertions on the part of the people, what can we reasonably look for o• expect, but an event that will be severely felt by the common cause, and that will wound the heart of every virtuous American,—the loss of Philadelphia? The subject is disagreeable: but yet it is true. I will leave it, wishing that our situa|tion may become such as to do away the apprehensions which at this time seem to fill the minds of too many, and with too much justice. By a letter from general Heath, dated at Peekskill, the eighth, I am advised that lieutenant-colonel Vose was then there with Greaton's, Bond's, and Porter's regiment, amounting in the whole to between five and six hundred men, who were coming this way. He adds that generals Gates and Arnold would be at Goshen that night, with S•ark's, Poor's, and Read's regiments; but for what pur|pose he does not mention. The inclosed extract of a letter which I received last night contains intelligence of an agreeable nature. I wish to hear its confirmation by the arrival of the several prizes: that with clothing and arms will be an invaluable acqui|sition. I shall be glad to be advised of the mode I am to observe in paying the officers; whether they are to be allowed to draw the pay lately established, and from what time, or how long they are to be paid under the old establishment. A pay-roll which was presented yesterday, being made up for the new, has given rise to these propositions. Upon my objecting to it, I was told that Congress or the board of war had established the precedent, by paying the sixth regiment of Virginia troops commanded by colonel Buck|ner, agreeable to the latter, as they came through Phila|delphia. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Head-Quarters, Trenton Falls,Dec. 13, 1776. SIR, THE apparent designs of the enemy being to avoid this ferry, and land their troops above and below us, have induced me to remove from this place the greater part of the troops, and throw them into a different disposition on the river, whereby I hope not only to be more able to im|pede their passage, but also to avoid the danger of being inclosed in this angle of the river. And notwithstanding the extended appearances of the enemy on the other side, made, at least in part, to divert our attention from any particular point as well as to harass us by fatigue, I cannot divest myself of the opinion that their principal design is to ford the river somewhere above Trenton; to which design I have had particular respect in the new arrangement, wherein I am so far happy as to have the concurrence of the general officers at this place. Four brigades of the army, under generals lord Stirling, Mercer, Stephen and De Fermoy, extend from Yardley's up to Coryel's ferry, posted in such a manner as to guard every suspicious part of the river, and to afford assistance to each other in case of attack. General Ewing, with the flying camp of Pennsylvania, and a few Jersey troops under general Dickinson, are posted from Yardley's ferry down to the ferry opposite Bordentown. Colonel Cad|wallader, with the Pennsylvania militia, occupies the ground above and below the mouth of Neshaminy river as far down as Dunk's ferry, at which place colonel Nixon is posted with the third battalion of [Pennsylvania. ] A proper quantity of artillery is appointed to each brigade; and I have ordered small redoubts to be thrown up oppo|site every place where there is a possibility of fording. I shall remove further up the river to be near the main body of my small army, with which every possible opposition shall be given to any further approach of the enemy to|wards Philadelphia. As general Armstrong has a good deal of influence in this State, and our present force is small and inconsidera|ble, I think he cannot be better employed than to repair to the counties where his interest lies, to animate the peo|ple, promote the recruiting service, and encourage the mi|litia to come in. He will also be able to form a proper judgment of the places suitable for magazines of provision to be collected. I have requested him to wait upon Con|gress on this subject: and if general Smallwood should go to Maryland on the same business, I think it would have a happy effect: he is popular and of great influence, and, I am persuaded, would contribute greatly to that State's furnishing her quota of men in a little time. He is now in Philadelphia. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Head-Quarters, at Keith's,Dec. 15, 1776. SIR, ABOUT one o'clock to day I received a letter from general Sullivan, a copy of which you have inclosed. I will not comment on the melancholy intelligence which it contains, only adding that I sincerely regret general Lee's unhappy fate, and feel much for the loss of my country in his captivity. In respect to the enemy, they have been industrious in their attempts to procure boats and small craft: but as yet their efforts have not succeeded. From the latest advices that I have of their movements by some prisoners and others, they appear to be leaving Trenton, and to be filing off towards Princeton and Allentown. What their de|signs are, whether they mean to retreat, or only a feint, cannot be determined. I have parties out to watch their n•tions, and to form, if possible, an accurate opinion of their plans. Our force, since my last, has received no augmentation,—of course, by sickness and other causes, has diminished: but I am advised by a letter from the council of safety, which just came to hand, that colonels Burd and Gil|breath are marching with their battalions of militia, and also that some small parties are assembling in Cumberland county. * * * I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Head-Quarters, at Keith's,Dec. 16, 1776. SIR, IN a late letter which I had the honour of addressing you, I took the liberty to recommend that more battalions should be raised for the new army than what had been voted. Having fully considered the matter, I am more and more convinced not only of the propriety but of the necessity of the measure. That the enemy will leave noth|ing un-essayed in the course of the next campaign to re|duce these States to the rule of a most * * *, must be obvious to every one; and that the militia is not to be depended on, or aid expected from them but in cases of the most pressing emergency, is not to be doubted. The first of these propositions is unquestionable, and fatal ex|perience has given her sanction to the truth of the latter: indeed their lethargy of late, and backwardness to turn out at this alarming crisis, seem to justify an apprehension that nothing can bring them from their homes. For want of their assistance, a large part of Jersey has been exposed to ravage and to plunder; nor do I know that Pennsylvania would share a better fate, could general Howe effect a pas|sage across the Delaware with a respectable force. These considerations have induced me to wish that no reliance, except such as may arise from necessity, should ever be had in them again; and to make further mention to Congress of the expediency of increasing their army. I trust the measure will meet their earliest attention. Had I leisure and were it necessary, I could say much upon this head: but, as I have not, and the matter is well understood, I will not add much. By augmenting the number of your battalions, you will augment your force: the officers of each will have their interest and influence; and, upon the whole, their numbers will be much greater, though they should not be complete. Added to this, from the present confused state of Jersey, and the improper ap|pointment of officers in many instances, I have little or no expectation that she will be able to raise all the troops ex|acted from her, though I think it might be done, were suitable spirited gentlemen commissioned, who would exert themselves, and encourage the people, many of whom (for a failure in this instance, and who are well disposed) are making their submissions. In a word, the next will be a trying campaign: and as all that is dear and valuable may depend upon the issue of it, I would advise that nothing should be omitted, that shall seem necessary to our success. Let us have a respectable army, and such as will be com|petent to every exigency. I will also add that the critical situation of our affairs, and the dissolution of our present force, (now at hand) re|quire that every nerve and exertion be employed for re|cruiting the new battalions. One part of general Howe's movements at this time, I believe, is with a design to dis|tract us and prevent this business. If the inclemency of the weather should force him into winter-quarters, he will not remain there longer than necessity shall oblige him: he will commence his operations in a short space of time; and in that time our levies must be made up, to oppose him, or I fear the most melancholy of all events must take place. The inclosed extract of a letter from the commissary-general will shew his demands for money, and his plans for procuring salted provisions and a quantity of flour from the southward. The whole is submitted to the considera|tion of Congress; and I wish the result of their opinion to be transmitted him, with such supplies of money as may be necessary for himself and the departments he mentions. The clothing of the troops is a matter of infinite import|ance, and, if it could be accomplished, would have a hap|py effect. Their distresses are extremely great, many of them being entirely naked, and most so thinly clad as to be unfit for service. I must entreat Congress to write to the agents and contractors upon this subject, that every possible supply may be procured and forwarded with the utmost expedition. I cannot attend to the business myself, having more than I can possibly do besides. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Camp, above Trenton Falls,Dec. 20, 1776. SIR, I HAVE waited with much impatience to know the determinations of Congress on the propositions made some time in October last for augmenting our corps of artillery and establishing a corps of engineers. The time is now come when the first cannot be delayed without the great|est injury to the safety of these States; and therefore, un|der the resolution of Congress bearing date the twelfth in|stant, at the repeated instances of colonel Knox, and by the pressing advice of all the general officers now here, I have ventured to order three battalions of artillery to be immediately recruited. These are two less than colonel Knox recommends, as you will see by his plan inclosed: but then this scheme comprehends all the United States, whereas some of the States have corps already established, and these three battalions are indispensably necessary for the operations in this quarter, including the northern de|partment. The pay of our artillerists bearing no proportion with that in the English or French service,—the murmuring and dissatisfaction thereby occasioned, and the absolute impossi|bility (as I am told) of getting them upon the old terms,—and the unavoidable necessity of obtaining them at all events,—have induced me (also by advice) to promise officers and men that their pay should be augmented twen|ty-five per cent, or that the•• engagements shall become null and void. This may appear to Congress premature and unwarrantable. But, Sir, if they view our situation in the light it strikes their officers, they will be convinced of the utility of the measure, and that the execution could not be delayed till after their meeting at Baltimore. In short, the present exigency of our affairs will not admit of delay either in council or the field: for well convinced I am, that, if the enemy go into quarters at all, it will be for a short season. But I rather think the design of gen|eral Howe is to possess himself of Philadelphia this winter, if possible; and in truth I do not see what is to prevent him, as ten days more will put an end to the existence of our army. That one great point is to keep us as much harassed as possible, with a view to injure the recruiting service and hinder a collection of stores and other neces|saries for the next campaign, I am as clear in, as I am of my existence. If therefore,—[when] we have to provide in this short interval, and make these great and arduous preparations,—every matter that in its nature is self-evident is to be referred to Congress at the distance of a hundred and thirty or forty miles, so much time must necessarily elapse, as to defeat the end in view. It may be said that this is an application for powers that are too dangerous to be entrusted. I can only add that desperate diseases require desperate remedies; and with truth declare that I have no lust after power, but wish with as much fervency as any man upon this wide-extend|ed continent for an opportunity of turning the sword into a ploughshare. But my feelings, as an officer and a man, have been such as to force me to say that no person ever had a greater choice of difficulties to contend with than I have. It is needless to add that short enlistments, and a mistaken dependence upon militia, have been the origin of all our misfortunes and the great accumulation of our debt. We find, Sir, that the enemy are daily gathering strength from the disaffected. This strength, like a snow-ball, by rolling, will increase, unless some means can be devised to check effectually the progress of the enemy's arms. Mi|litia may possibly do it for a little while: but in a little while also, the militia of those States which have been fre|quently called upon will not turn out at all; or, if they do, it will be with so much reluctance and sloth, as to amount to the same thing:—instance, New Jersey!—wit|ness, Pennsylvania!—Could any thing but the river Dela|ware have saved Philadelphia?—Can any thing (the exi|gency of the case indeed may justify it) be more destruc|tive to the recruiting service, than giving ten dollars bounty for six weeks' service of the militia, who come in, you cannot tell how,—go, you cannot tell when,—and act, you cannot tell where,—consume your provisions, exhaust your stores, and leave you at last at a critical moment? These, Sir, are the men I am to depend upon ten days hence: this is the basis on which your cause will and must forever depend, till you get a large standing army sufficient of itself to oppose the enemy. I therefore beg leave to give it as my humble opinion, that eighty-eight battalions are by no means equal to the opposition you are to make, and that a moment's time is not to be lost in raising a great|er number,—not less, in my opinion and the opinion of my officers, than a hundred and ten. It may be urged that it will be found difficult enough to complete the first number. This may be true, and yet the officers of a hun|dred and ten battalions will recruit many more men, than those of eighty-eight. In my judgment this is not a time to stand upon expense: our funds are the only object of consideration. The State of New-York have added one battalion (I wish they had made it two) to their quota. If any good officers offer to raise men upon continental pay and establishment in this quarter, I shall encourage them to do so, and regiment them when they have done it. If Congress disapprove of this proceeding, they will please to signify it, as I mean it for the best. 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 de|voted,—must be my excuse. I have heard nothing of the light-horse from Virginia, nor the regiment from the Eastern-Shore. I wish to know what troops are to act in the different departments, and to have those from the southward (designed for this place) ordered on as fast as they shall be raised. The route should be pointed out by which they are to march; assistant-com|missaries and quarter-masters upon the communication, to supply their wants; the first or second officer of each bat|talion to forward them, and the other to come on, receive and form them at their place of destination. Unless this is immediately set about, the campaign, if it should be clos|ed, will be opened in the spring before we have any men in the field. Every exertion should be used to procure tents: a clothier-general should be appointed without loss of time for supplying the army with every article in that way:—he should be a man of business and abilities. A commissary of prisoners must be appointed to attend the army:—for want of an officer of this kind, the exchange of prisoners has been conducted in a most shameful and injurious man|ner. We have had them from all quarters pushed into our camps at the most critical junctures, and without the least previous notice. We have had them travelling through the different States in all directions by certificates from committees, without any kind of control; and have had instances of some going into the enemy's camp without my privity or knowledge, after passing in the manner before mentioned. There may be other officers necessary which I do not recollect at this time, and which, when thought of, must be provided: for this, Sir, you may rely on, that the commanding officer, under the present establishment, is obliged to attend to the business of so many different de|partments, as to render it impossible to conduct that of his own with the attention necessary;—than which, nothing can be more injurious. In a former letter, I intimated my opinion of the neces|sity of having a brigadier for every three regiments, and a major-general to every three brigades, at most. I think no time is to be lost in making the appointments, that the arrangements may be consequent. This will not only aid the recruiting service, but will be the readiest means of forming and disciplining the army afterwards, which, in the short time we have to do it, is of amazing consequence. I have laboured, ever since I have been in the service, to discourage all kinds of local attachments and distinctions of country, denominating the whole by the greater name of 'American:' but I found it impossible to overcome preju|dices; and, under the new establishment, I conceive it best to stir up an emulation; in order to do which, would it not be better for each State to furnish (though not to ap|point) their own brigadiers?—This, if known to be part of the establishment, might prevent a good deal of conten|tion and jealousy; and would, I believe, be the means of promotions going forward with more satisfaction, and quiet the higher officers. Whilst I am speaking of promotions, I cannot help giv|ing it as my opinion, that, if Congress think proper to con|firm what I have done with respect to the corps of artille|ry, colonel Knox (at present at the head of that depart|ment, but who, without promotion, will resign) ought to be appointed to the command of it, with the rank and pay of brigadier. I have also to mention, that, for want of some establishment in the department of engineers agreea|ble to the plan laid before Congress in October last, colo|nel Putnam, who was at the head of it, has quitted, and taken a regiment in the State of Massachusetts. I know of no other man tolerably well qualified for the conducting of that business. None of the French gentlemen whom I have seen with appointments in that way appear to me to know any thing of the matter. There is one in Philadel|phia, who, I am told, is clever: but him I have never seen. I must also once more beg leave to mention to Congress the expediency of letting promotions be in a regimental line. The want of this has already driven some of the best officers that were in your army, out of the service. From repeated and strict inquiry I am convinced you can adopt no mode of promotion that will be better received, or that will give more general satisfaction. I wish therefore to have it announced. The casting of cannon is a matter that ought not to be one moment delayed: and therefore I shall send colonel Knox to put this in a train, as also to have travelling car|riages and shot provided,—elaboratories to be establish|ed, one in Hartford• and another in York. Magazines of provisions should also be had •n. These I shall 〈◊〉 with the commissar•. As our great loss last year proceeded from a want of teams. I shall direct the quarter master-gen|eral to furnish a certain number to each regiment to answer the common purposes thereof, that the army may be ena|bled to remove from place to place differently from what we have done, or could do, this campaign. Ammunition carts, and proper carts for intrenching tools, should also be provided, and I shall direct about them accordingly. Above all, a store of small arms should be provided, or men will be of little use. The consumption and waste of these, this year, has been great:—militia, flying-camp men, &c. coming in without, were obliged to be furnished, or become useless. Many of these threw their arms away: some lost them, whilst others deserted, and took them away. In a word, although I used every precaution to preserve them, the loss has been great; and this will forever be the case in such a mixed and irregular army as ours has been. If no part of the troops already embarked at New-York has appeared in Virginia, their destination doubtless must be to some other quarter; and that State must, I should think, be freed from any invasion, if general Howe can be effectually opposed in this. I therefore inclose a memo|randum given me by brigadier Stephen of Virginia, which Congress will please to adopt in the whole,—in part,—or reject,—as may be consistent with their plans and intelli|gence. The division of the army, late under the command of general Lee, now general Sullivan, is just upon the point of joining us. A strange kind of fatality has attended it. They had orders on the seventeenth of November to join, now more than a month. General Gates, with four east|ern regiments, is also near at hand: three others from those States were coming on, by his order, by the way of Peekskill, and had joined general Heath whom I had or|dered on with Parsons's brigade, to join me, leaving Clin|ton's brigade and some militia (that were at Forts Mont|gomery and Constitution) to guard those important passes of the Highlands. But the convention of the State of New-York seeming to be much alarmed at Heath's coming away,—a fleet appearing off New-London,—and some part of the enemy's troops retiring towards Brunswic,—induc|ed me to countermand the order for the march of Parsons's brigade, and to direct the three regiments from Ticonderoga to halt at Morristown in Jersey (where I understand about eight hundred militia had collected,) in order to inspirit the inhabitants, and, as far as possible, cover that part of the country. I shall send general Maxwell this day to take the command of them, and, if to be done, to harass and annoy the enemy in their quarters, and cut off their convoys. The care and vigilance, which were used in securing the boats on this river, have hitherto baffled every attempt of the enemy to cross: but, from concurring reports and appearances, they are waiting for ice to afford them a passage. Since writing the foregoing I have received a letter from governor Cooke of Rhode-Island, of which the inclosed is a copy. Previous to this, and immediately upon the first intelligence obtained of a fleet's going through the Sound, I dispatched orders to generals Spencer and Arnold to proceed without the least delay to the eastward. The first, I presume, is gone: the latter, not getting my letter till he came to a place called Easton, was, by advice of general Gates who also met my letter at the same place, induced to come on hither before he proceeded to the eastward. Most of our brigadiers are laid up: not one has come on with the division under general Sullivan, but they are left sick at different places on the road. By accounts from the eastward, a large body of men had assembled in Rhode-Island from the States of Massa|chusetts and Connecticut. I presume (but I have no ad|vice of it) that the militia, ordered from the first to ren|dezvous at Danbury (six thousand in number) under the command of major general Lincoln, for supplying the place of the disbanded men of that State in the continental army, will now be ordered to Rhode-Island. In speaking of general Lincoln, I should not do him justice, were I not to add that he is a gentleman well wor|thy of notice in the military line. He commanded the militia from Massachusetts last summer, or fall rather, and much to my satisfaction,—having proved himself on all occasions an active, spirited, sensible man. I do not know whether it is his wish to remain in the military line, or whether, if he should, any thing under the rank he now holds in the State he comes from would satisfy him. How far an appointment of this kind might offend the continen|tal brigadiers, I cannot undertake to say: many there are, over whom he ought not to be placed; but I know of no way to discriminate. Brigadier Reed of New-Hampshire does not, I presume, mean to continue in service: he ought not,—as I am told, by the severity of the small-pox, he is become both blind and deaf. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. P. S. Generals Gates and Sullivan have this instant come in. By them I learn that few or no men are recruited out of the regiments coming on with them, and that there is very little reason to expect that these regiments will be prevailed upon to continue after their term of ser|vice expires. If militia then do not come in, the conse|quences are but too evident. Camp above Trenton Falls,Decem. 24, 1776. SIR, THAT I should dwell upon the subject of our dis|tresses, cannot be more disagreeable to Congress than it is painful to myself. The alarming situation to which our affairs are reduced impels me to the measure. Inquiry and investigation,—which in most cases serve to develop and point out a remedy, in ours, present more and greater difficulties. Till of late, I was led to hope from report that no inconsiderable part of the troops composing the regiments that were with general Lee, and those from Ti|conderoga under general Gates, had enlisted again. This intelligence, I confess, gave me reason to expect that I should have, at the expiration of the present year, a force somewhat more respectable than what I find will be the case. Having examined into the state of those regiments, I am authorised to say from the information of their officers, that but very few of the men have enlisted. Those who have are of the troops from Ticonderoga, and were permitted to visit their friends and homes, as part of the terms on which they would re-engage. In respect to those who marched with general Lee, I cannot learn that any have. Their refusal, I am told, has not proceeded more from an aversion to the service, or any fixed determination not to engage again, than from their wishes to return home,—the non-appointment of officers in some instances,—the turning out of good, and appointing of bad,—and in others, the incom|plete or rather no arrangement of them,—a work unhappi|ly committed to the management of their States: nor have I the most distant prospect of retaining them a moment longer than the last of this instant, notwithstanding the most pressing solicitations and the obvious necessity for it. By the departure of these regiments I shall be left with five from Virginia, Smallwood's from Maryland, a small part of Rawlins's, Hand's from Pennsylvania, a part of Ward's from Connecticut, and the German battalion, amounting in the whole at this time from fourteen to fif|teen hundred effective men. This handful, and such mili|tia as may choose to join me, will then compose our army. When I reflect upon these things they fill me with much concern, knowing that general Howe has a number of troops cantoned in the towns bordering on and near the Del|aware,—his intentions being to pass, as soon as the ice is suf|ficiently formed, to invade Pennsylvania and to possess him|self of Philadelphia if possible. To guard against his de|signs and the execution of them, shall employ my every exertion: but how is this to be done? As yet but few militia have gone to Philadelphia, and they are to be our support at this alarming crisis. Had I entertained a doubt of general Howe's intentions to pass the Delaware on the dissolution of our army, and as soon as the ice is made, it would now be done away. An intercepted letter from a gentleman of Philadelphia (who has joined the enemy) to his friend and partner in the city declares that to be their design,—that the army would be there in ten or twenty days from the sixteenth instant, the time of his writing, if the ice should be made;—advises him by no means to re|move their stores,—that they would be safe. The obstacles which have arisen to the raising of the new army, from the mode of appointing the officers, in|duce me to hope, if Congress resolve on an additional num|ber of battalions to those already voted, that they will de|vise some other rule by which the officers, especially the field-officers, should be appointed. In case an augmentation should be made to the eastern regiments, a deviation from the former m•de will operate more strongly as to them than to other battalions, because there have been many more officers in service from those States, than the regi|ments voted to be raised would admit of; by which means several deserving men could not have been provided for, had the utmost pains been used for the purpose; and many others of merit have been neglected in the late appoint|ments, and those of little worth and less experience put in their places or promoted over their heads. This has been the case with many of the best officers. The inclosed letter from the paymaster-general will shew the state of the military chest, and the necessity of a large and immediate supply of cash. The advances to the officers, for bounty and the recruiting service, are great: besides, the regiments, at the expiration of this month, will require pay of their claims. * * * I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. P. S. If the public papers have been removed from Philadelphia, I hope those which I sent by lieutenant-col|onel Reed before we left New-York have not been forgot. If they have not, I beg the favour of you to break open the chest, and send me the several letter-books sealed up, having frequent occasion to refer to them. To ROBERT MORRIS, esquire. Head-Quarters,Dec. 25, 1776. DEAR SIR, I HAVE your obliging favours of the twenty-first and twenty-third. The blankets are come to hand; but I would not have any of the other goods sent on till you hear again from me. I agree with you that it is in vain to ruminate upon, or even reflect upon the authors or causes of, our present mis|fortunes: we should rather exert ourselves, and look for|ward with hopes that some lucky chance may yet turn up in our favour. Bad as our prospects are, I should not have the least doubt of success in the end, did not the late treach|ery and defection of those, who stood foremost in the op|position while fortune smiled upon us, make me fearful that many more will follow their example, who, by using their influence with some and working upon the fears of others, may extend the circle so as to take in whole towns, coun|ties, nay, provinces. Of this we have a recent instance in Jersey; and I wish many parts of Pennsylvania may not be ready to receive the yoke. The security of the continental ships of war in Delaware is certainly a capital object; and yet to draught the many hands, necessary to fit them out, from the militia, might be dangerous just now: perhaps in a little time hence their places may be supplied with country militia; and then, if the exigency of affairs requires it, they certainly ought to be spared. I will just hint to you a proposition that was made, or rather talked of, a few days ago by the officers of two New-England regiments whose time of service will expire on the first of January. They are most of them water men: and they said their men would willingly go on board the frigates, and navigate them round to any of the ports in New-England, if it was thought they would be safer there than in Delaware. You may think of this, and let me hear from you on the subject, if the proposition pleases you. Lieutenant Boger of the navy is already gone in, and I have made a demand of lieutenant Josiah in exchange; but I have not heard whether lord Howe accedes to it. I will procure the release of doctor Hodge as soon as it can be done without injuring others by giving him the prefer|ence, as I have always made it a rule to demand those first who have been longest in captivity. I will take the same steps in regard to Mr. Jones, commander of the sloop taken by the Andrew Doria. I shall take the earliest opportunity of sending in your letter to general Lee, with the bill drawn upon major Small. From an intercepted letter from a person in the secrets of the enemy, I find their intentions are to cross Delaware as soon as the ice is sufficiently strong. I mention this, that you may take the necessary steps for the security of such public and private property as ought not to fall into their hands should they make themselves masters of Phil|adelphia, of which they do not seem to entertain the least doubt. I hope the next Christmas will prove happier than the present, to you, and to, dear Sir, your sincere friend and humble servant, G. W. P. S. I would just ask whether you think Christiana a safe place for our stores? Do not you think they would be safer at Lancaster, or somewhere more inland? Head-Quarters, Morristown,Dec. 27, 1776. SIR, I HAVE the pleasure of congratulating you upon the success of an enterprise which I had formed against a detachment of the enemy lying in Trenton, and which was executed yesterday morning. The evening of the twenty-fifth I ordered the troops in|tended for this service to parade back of McKonkey's fer|ry, that they might begin to pass as soon as it grew dark, imagining we should be able to throw them all over, with the necessary artillery, by twelve o'clock, and that we might easily arrive at Trenton by five in the morning, the distance being about nine miles. But the quantity of ice, made that night, impeded the passage of the boats so much, that it was three o'clock before the artillery could all be got over; and near four, before the troops took up their line of march. This made me despair of surprising the town, as I well knew we could not reach it before the day was fairly broke. But as I was certain there was no making a retreat with|out being discovered, and harassed on re-passing the river, I determined to push on at all events. I formed my de|tachment into two divisions, one to march by the lower or river road, the other by the upper or Pennington road. As the divisions had nearly the same distance to march, I ordered each of them, immediately upon forcing the out-guards, to push directly into the town, that they might charge the enemy before they had time to form. The upper division arrived at the enemy's advanced post exactly at eight o'clock; and in three minutes after, I found, from the fire on the lower road, that that division had also got up. The out-guards made but small opposi|tion, though, for their numbers, they behaved very well, keeping up a constant retreating fire from behind houses. We presently saw their main body formed: but, from their motions, they seemed undetermined how to act. Being hard pressed by our troops, who had already got possession of their artillery, they attempted to file off by a road on their right, leading to Princeton. But, perceiving their intention, I threw a body of troops in their way; which immediately checked them. Finding from our dis|position, that they were surrounded, and that they must inevitably be cut to pieces if they made any further resist|ance, they agreed to lay down their arms. The number that submitted in this manner was twenty-three officers and eight hundred and eighty-six men. Colonel Rahl the commanding officer, and seven others, were found wound|ed in the town. I do not exactly know how many they had killed; but I fancy not above twenty or thirty, as they never made any regular stand. Our loss is very trifling indeed,—only two officers and one or two privates wounded. I find that the detachment of the enemy consisted of the three Hessian regiments of Lanspach, Kniphausen, and Rahl, amounting to about fifteen hundred men, and a troop of British light horse: but, immediately upon the begin|ning of the attack, all those who were not killed or taken pushed directly down the road towards Bordentown. These would likewise have fallen into our hands, could my plan have been completely carried into execution. Gen|eral Ewing was to have crossed before day at Trenton fer|ry, and taken possession of the bridge leading out of town: but the quantity of ice was so great, that, though he did every thing in his power to effect it, he could not get over. This difficulty also hindered general Cadwallader from crossing with the Pennsylvania militia from Bristol. He got part of his foot over: but finding it impossible to em|bark his artillery, he was obliged to desist. I am fully confident, that, could the troops under gen|erals Ewing and Cadwallader have passed the river, I should have been able with their assistance to have driven the ene|my from all their posts below Trenton. But the numbers I had with me being inferior to theirs below me, and a strong battalion of light infantry being at Princeton above me, I thought it most prudent to return the same evening with the prisoners and the artillery we had taken. We found no stores of any consequence in the town. In justice to the officers and men, I must add that their behaviour upon this occasion reflects the highest honour upon them. The difficulty of passing the river in a very severe night, and their march through a violent storm of snow and hail, did not in the least abate their ardour: but, when they came to the charge, each seemed to vie with the other in pressing forward: and were I to give a prefer|ence to any particular corps, I should do great injustice to the others. Colonel Baylor, my first aide-de-camp, will have the honour of delivering this to you; and from him you may be made acquainted with many other particulars. His spirited behaviour upon every occasion requires me to rec|ommend him to your particular notice. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. Inclosed you have a particular list of the prisoners, artil|lery and other stores. Newtown,December 29, 1776. SIR, I AM just setting out to attempt a second passage over the Delaware with the troops that were with me on the morning of the twenty-sixth. I am determined to ef|fect it if possible; but know that it will be attended with much fatigue and difficulty on account of the ice, which will neither allow us to cross on foot, nor give us an easy passage with boats. General Cadwallader crossed from Bristol on the twenty-seventh, and, by his letter of yester|day, was at Bordentown with about eighteen hundred men. In addition to these, general Mifflin sent over five hundred from Philadelphia on Friday, three hundred yesterday evening from Burlington, and will follow to-day with seven or eight hundred more. I have taken every precaution in my power for subsisting the troops, and shall, without loss of time, and as soon as circumstances will admit of it, pur|sue the enemy in their retreat,—try to beat up more of their quarters,—and, in a word, in every instance, adopt such measures as the exigency of our affairs requires, and our situation will justify. Had it not been for the unhappy failure of generals Ew|ing and Cadwallader in their attempts to pass on the night of the twenty-fifth,—and if the several concerted attacks could have been made,—I have no doubt but that our views would have succeeded to our warmest expectations. What was done occasioned the enemy to leave their several posts on the Delaware with great precipitation. The peculiar distresses to which the troops who were with me were re|duced by the severities of cold, rain, snow, and storm,—the charge of the prisoners they had taken,—and another reason that might be mentioned,—and the little prospect of receiving succours on account of the season and situa|tion of the river,—would not authorize a further pursuit at that time. Since transmitting the list of prisoners, a few more have been discovered and taken in Trenton,—among them a lieutenant-colonel, and a deputy-adjutant-general,—the whole amounting to about a thousand. I have been honoured with your letter of the twenty-third and its several inclosures, to which I shall pay due attention. A flag goes in this morning with a letter to general Howe, and another to general Lee. For the lat|ter, Robert Morris, esquire, has transmitted a bill of ex|change, drawn by two British officers, for a hundred and sixteen pounds nine shillings and three pence, on major Small, for money furnished them in South-Carolina, which I trust will be paid. This supply is exclusive of the sum you have resolved to be sent him, and which Mr. Morris will procure in time. I have the honour to be, &c. G. W. P. S. I am under great apprehensions about obtaining proper supplies of provision for our troops: I fear it will be extremely difficult, if not impracticable, as the enemy, from every account, have taken and collected every thing they could find. END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
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