greater part is perfect, and very little of the abbatis last, informed Captain Bowman, who had charge of a injured.

piquet, that the enemy had embarked 12,000 men, said I only keep a Captain's guard at Stony Point in the to be destined for Georgia, but that the inhabitants day time, and withdraw him at night.--As the object were greatly apprehensive that a total evacuation was which drew us to this position is now removed, and the about to take place. However, he says that he is conforage chiefly consumed, I shall expect your Excellen- fident a very great proportion of their troops are about cy's orders to take some other post-—perhaps the vici- to embark; but this I only give as his report. I have nity of Hackensack or Acquahenunk bridge may be procured some people who reside in full view of New the most proper at present, for unless we forage in that York and Fort Washington, to watch their motions, so quarter, the enemy certainly will do so.

that if any more should take place, you may expect the I am, your Excellency's obedient,

earliest intelligence.

ANTHONY WAYNE. Your Excellency's most obdt. servant, His Excellency,

ANTHONY WAYNE. General WASHINGTON.

Camp at Acquakenunk Bridge,
QUARTERS,
West Point, Path Oct. 1779.}

>}

18th November, 1779. Dear Sir,-Yours, dated one o'clock this morning,

Dear General,—The false alarm the other day prereached me at 7. You will probably be soon informed vented Colonel Putnam from executing the business more certainly of the real strength of the enemy, and upon which he went, and the rascally inhabitants have what seems to be their intention. Should you find it since driven in their cattle to Powles Hook, except more than a forage, you will endeavour to collect the about forty head, which were brought off yesterday by militia lately ordered out, some of whom are, I sup- Captain Bowman, whilst part of the field officers and mypose, by this time at their rendezvous at Pomptown, self were reconnoitring the enemy in the vicinity of Fort and many more undoubtedly at their place of batialion Washington. We had an idea of striking those on the rendezvous.

north side of King's Bridge, by taking the advantage I have sent an express to General Sullivan, and have of a stormy night, and embarking on board boats at directed him to bend his march towards Morristown, Chester, falling down with the tide, and landing in the and to send forward some officers to you, to know your rear of their works, and entering their encampment, situation, and that of the enemy, that he may, should which was of considerable extent, with fixed bayonets, there be occasion, fall lower down than Morristown. and after settling the business there, to carry the works, There is a considerable quantity of forage along the if practicable; otherwise to pass them, and retire by mountain, and probably a good many cattle; the destruc. Phillips' and over Crote: bridge: but the enemy have tion of the former and the capture of the latter, may foreclosed us in this manæuvre, by withdrawing their perhaps be the intention of the enemy. We have, like. troops and demolishing Fort Independence, and every wise, a number of Aat boats at Middlebrooke,' You other work on the main, except a redoubt on the ground, will attend to those several matters, as being, in my known by the name of the “ Three Trees;"_facts of opinion, most material, and be pleased to keep me which your Excellency must have received intelligence constantly advised of all occurrences.

before this time. They have thrown up four rebutments I am, dear Sir, yonr most obedient servant,

between Laurel Hill and the North River, in front of

GEO. WASHINGTON. Fort Washington, and which they have joined together P. S. You will make use of Baylor's dragoons, if you by a strong stockade and abbatis. I have received in. have not already taken them with you.

telligence of an intended forage by the enemy in the

English neighbourhood, and that it is to take place New , } about the full of the moon. I expect to hear more of the

9. o'clock, P. M. Dear General --We marched in force to the English matter, of which you shall have the earliest notice.

Interim, your Excellency's neighbourhood, on Tuesday morning, for the purpose

Very obedient servant, of making a grand forage between this place and Ber

ANTHONY WAYNE, gentown, which we have effected without opposition. The troops will return to their camp near Paramus this

HEAD QUARTERS, evening.

West Point, 20th Nov. 1779. We found at, and brought off from Winhook and Dear Sir, --I was yesterday favoured with yours of Bergen, upwards of one hundred head of fat cattle, and the 18th. It would have been a very desirable thing to a considerable quantity of grain, for which I have di. have wound up the campaign by a successful strike up: rected certificates to be given, although I have some on the enemy before they retire within King's Bridge, suspicions that the greater part was designed for the I have no doubt but if, in the course of your enquiries enemy, who, from every observation I could make, and into their situation, the enterprise had been found war, I reconnoitred them very minutely, I am of an opinion rantable, you would have given me information before that they are preparing for an evacuation; in this idea 1 any movements would have been made. This, when am joined by most of the field officers. A great num. the execution of a measure of any consequence does not ber of their shipping was at the watering place, and depend upon the movement, is absolutely necessary, others falling down. At 12 o'clock, yesterday, being and would probably have been evidenced in the matter young flood, a signal was fixed at that place, when they you had in contemplation, had it gone on, for I had re. began to unfurl their topsails in order to make room for solved to attempt ihe same enterprise, to be executed others to water. The person at whose house I was, in the same manner you mention, by water, by the trocps says, they water in rotation, being space sufficient for at Verplank's Point and its vicinity. General Howe was only a part to water at the same time; what corrobo- down, and sent persons into the enemy's camp, to obrates the idea of an evacuation, is, that they had intelli- tain the necessary information, just as they went within gence of our being out two days, and, although there the bridge. I have been thus full to show how much are three large encampments at and near Fort Washing- depends upon communication, and how far two well ton, from which they might, with great case, have meant and well concerted plans might have defeated thrown over a sufficient number of troops to oblige us each, had we have been ignorant of each other's de: to repass this bridge, yet they looked on coolly, and signs. suffered us to carry off the forage and cattle, which, I am, with great regard, dear Sir, your most obedient heretofore, they used to count upon as their own. seryant, Whilst I was at Winhook, a Captain of a vessel, who

GEO. WASHINGTON, had made his escape from a prison ship the night before Brigadier General WAYNE.

1829.

ANTHONY WAYNE.

131

I am,

Light Infantry Camp, ? ordered by Congress to Philadelphia, you will be pleas.

Second River, 25th Nov. 1779.) ed to order the officers and men of that line, at present Dear General, --1 was honored with your favour of with the light infantry, to march immediately to Philathe 20th inst. the day before yesterday, on the margin delphia; where they will meet the remainder of the line. of the North river, opposite Fort Washington, and must Should the baggage of any of the officers be with the conclude that I have omitted a word or two in my letter regiments to which they properly belong, some per. of the 18th inst.; but you Excellency has done me jus- sons should be sent up, who may see it sent forward tice in supposing that I would not attempt any thing with the baggage of the line. capital without giving you previous notice, and 'obtain

dear Sir, your most obedient servant, ing your permission. Indeed, in this instance, we

GEO. WASHINGTON. could not have effected our designs, but without your | General Waynė. Excellency's concurrence, as the boats must have been furnished by your order; and when I said that we had The General, who was celebrated for his promptness determined to strike the enemy's camp on the north in the execution of every military or civil duty which side of King's bridge, I could have no other idea but by his station imposed on him, replied:your Excellency's approbation. All I regret is, that we

Light Infantry Camp, 9th Dec. 1779. had not adopted the plan sooner, or that the enemy had Dear General,--In obedience to your's of yesterday, delayed a few days longer. For be assured we should Colonel Febiger, with the Virginia light infantry, will have succeeded to our most sanguine wishes.

march to-morrow morning at eight o'clock; but, for I intend to reconnoitre Staten Island: if any thing can want of shoes, must carry a great many of his people in be attempted there with a fair prospect of success, I | wagons. shall attend your Excellency on the occasion.

There are a considerable number of our men totally Inclosed are the proceedings of a general court mar. barefoot, and many more will soon be in the same pretial of this corps, on Patrick Obrian. I am told that he dicament, unless we receive a speedy supply of this neis an old offender in this way. Whether, in this in- cessary article. It is true, that some of the regiments stance, it was from the effects of liquor, as the Penn. and brigades have forwarded a partial supply of clothsylvania and Connecticut troops had remaived some state ing, but have totally withheld the shoes; perpaps they stores the morning preceding, or from wfilt other cause have drawn none, or mean to preserve them until the I cannot say, but some soldiers belonging to these states infantry join the line; they also refuse to supply men in aided in the mutiny, and they have been punished in a the place of those whose term of service have expired, very exemplary manner,-i. e. by receiving from three on the presumption of a speedy dissolution of the corps, hundred to five hundred lashes per man, which have which idea has also prevented me from being more presmade all the other bodies exceedingly orderly and quiet. sing, if possible, on the occasion. I should be glad of your Excellency's determination on Obrian's sentence, as he has been sometime in confine. Address of the officers of the Virginia Light Infantry to ment.

General Wayne. I did myself the honor of sending you Revington's paper of the 20th, by Captain Jones, of Baylor's dra.

Second River, Lecember 31, Came:}

Light , goons, by which it appears that the enemy were not a Dear Sir,— The officers of the Virginia line, who have little elated on the southern affair, and have given a hint had the honor of being commanded by you in the Light to Congress, by which they ought to profit; i. e. that Infantry, beg leave to return you their sincere thanks the term for which a great part of your army was enlist for the repeated marks of esteem and politeness you ed is nearly expired, of which I have some ground to have expressed towards them. believe Mr. Clinton means to take an advantage this They entertain the highest veneration and respect for winter, otherwise he will certainly leave the continent. your character, both as a military man and a gentleman. I am your Excellency's most obedient,

Under these circumstances, we feel the greatest reANTHONY WAYNE. gret, especially at so short a notice, to be separated HEAD QUARTERS,

from a corps we love and a General we honor. Accept, West Point, 27th Sov. T77%;} therefore, dear Sir, those sentiments of our esteem, and Dear Sir,-1 find some embarrassment in deciding on

believe us, aft:r wishing you every future happiness, Obrian's sentence. We do not see the multiplying of success, and prosperity, to be, with the most cordial at

fection and respect. executions produce the effects for which they were in

Your most obedient, and most humble servts. At the tended; and for many reasons it is not a desirable thing to lose men in examples of this kind, unless in case of unanimous request, and in behalf of the

Virginia officers in the Light Infantry. the most apparrent necessity. I would be directed in some measure by the consequences which a pardon The honorable Brigadier

CHRISTIAN FEBIGER, Colonel. miglit occasion; and if these could not be of any consid

General WAYNE. eration, he may be confined for some time, under the

Light Infantry Camp,? fear of the punishment sentenced him by the court, and

Second River, 9th Dec. 1779. } then liberaied.

Dear Sir,--Thé approbation of my conduct by a corps Fort Stannix still remains in our possession, without any other attack than what you find in the New York so respectable as the officers of the Virginia Light Infanpapers. I had anticipated the hint which you have taken try, inust inevitably afford the sincerest pleasure. That

attention which they are pleased to attribute to politenotice of, by a very full representation on the subject to

ness, was the effect of their own merit, which will alCongress.

ways ensure the esteem of the General who has the I am, dear Sir, your most obedient servant,

honor to command them. GEO. WASHINGTON. Brigadier General Warne.

Permit me, therefore, to return my most grateful

thanks to them and you, Sir, for this mark of respect, So soon as Sir Henry Clinton's preparations for a and believe me to be, with singular esteem. movement had clearly indicated that the south was his Your most obedient and humble servt, main object, General Washington obtained permission

ANTHONY WAYNE. of Congress to detach the Virginia line to the aid of the Col. FEBIGER, For himself southern army.

On this occasion he thus addressed and officers of Virginia
General Wayne: -

Light Infantry.
HEAD QUARTERS,

HEAD QUARTERS, Morristown,
Morris Town, 8th Dec. 1779. }

15th December, 1779. Dear Sirg--The troops of the state of Virginia being Dear Sir, Yours of yesterday came to hand late last night.

a

Light Infantry Camp,

Second River, 25th Nov.17???

Dear General,-I was honored with your favour of the 20th inst. the day before yesterday, on the margin of the North river, opposite Fort Washington, and must conclude that I have omitted a word or two in my letter of the 18th inst.; but you Excellency has done me justice in supposing that I would not attempt any thing capital without giving you previous notice, and obtaining your permission. Indeed, in this instance, we could not have effected our designs, but without your Excellency's concurrence, as the boats must have been furnished by your order; and when I said that we had determined to strike the enemy's camp on the north side of King's bridge, I could have no other idea but by your Excellency's approbation. All I regret is, that we had not adopted the plan sooner, or that the enemy had delayed a few days longer. For be assured we should have succeeded to our most sanguine wishes.

I intend to reconnoitre Staten Island: if any thing can be attempted there with a fair prospect of success, I shall attend your Excellency on the occasion.

131

The General, who was celebrated for his promptness in the execution of every military or civil duty which his station imposed on him, replied:-

Light Infantry Camp, 9th Dec. 1779, Dear General,--In obedience to your's of yesterday, Colonel Febiger, with the Virginia light infantry, will march to-morrow morning at eight o'clock; but, for want of shoes, must carry a great many of his people in wagons.

There are a considerable number of our men totally Inclosed are the proceedings of a general court mar barefoot, and many more will soon be in the same pretial of this corps, on Patrick Obrian. I am told that he dicament, unless we receive a speedy supply of this neis an old offender in this way. Whether, in this in-cessary article. It is true, that some of the regiments stance, it was from the effects of liquor, as the Pennsylvania and Connecticut troops had reived some state stores the morning preceding, or from whit other cause I cannot say, but some soldiers belonging to these states aided in the mutiny, and they have been punished in a very exemplary manner,-i. e. by receiving from three hundred to five hundred lashes per man, which have made all the other bodies exceedingly orderly and quiet. I should be glad of your Excellency's determination on Obrian's sentence, as he has been sometime in confine

ment.

I did myself the honor of sending you Revington's paper of the 20th, by Captain Jones, of Baylor's dragoons, by which it appears that the enemy were not a little elated on the southern affair, and have given a hint to Congress, by which they ought to profit; i. e. that the term for which a great part of your army was enlisted is nearly expired, of which I have some ground to believe Mr. Clinton means to take an advantage this winter, otherwise he will certainly leave the continent. I am your Excellency's most obedient,

ANTHONY WAYNE.

HEAD QUARTERS, West Point, 27th Nov. 1779. Š Dear Sir, I find some embarrassment in deciding on Obrian's sentence. We do not see the multiplying of executions produce the effects for which they were intended; and for many reasons it is not a desirable thing to lose men in examples of this kind, unless in case of the most apparrent necessity. I would be directed in some measure by the consequences which a pardon might occasion; and if these could not be of any consid eration, he may be confined for some time, under the fear of the punishment sentenced him by the court, and then liberated.

Fort Stannix still remains in our possession, without any other attack than what you find in the New York papers. I had anticipated the hint which you have taken notice of, by a very full representation on the subject to Congress.

I am, dear Sir, your most obedient servant, Brigadier General WAYNE.

GEO. WASHINGTON.

So soon as Sir Henry Clinton's preparations for a movement had clearly indicated that the south was his main object, General Washington obtained permission of Congress to detach the Virginia line to the aid of the southern army. On this occasion he thus addressed General Wayne:

HEAD QUARTERS,

Morris Town, 8th Dec. 1779.

and brigades have forwarded a partial supply of cloth-
ing, but have totally withheld the shoes; perpaps they
have drawn none, or mean to preserve them until the
infantry join the line; they also refuse to supply men in
the place of those whose term of service have expired,
on the presumption of a speedy dissolution of the corps,
which idea has also prevented me from being more pres-
sing, if possible, on the occasion.

Address of the officers of the Virginia Light Infantry to
General Wayne.

Light Infantry Camp,

Second River, December 9th, 1779. Dear Sir,-The officers of the Virginia line, who have had the honor of being commanded by you in the Light Infantry, beg leave to return you their sincere thanks for the repeated marks of esteem and politeness you have expressed towards them.

They entertain the highest veneration and respect for your character, both as a military man and a gentleman.

Under these circumstances, we feel the greatest regret, especially at so short a notice, to be separated from a corps we love and a General we honor. Accept, therefore, dear Sir, those sentiments of our esteem, and believe us, aft. r wishing you every future happiness, success, and prosperity, to be, with the most cordial affection and respect.

Your most obedient, and most humble servts. At the unanimous request, and in behalf of the

Virginia officers in the Light Infantry. CHRISTIAN FEBIGER, Colonel. The honorable Brigadier

General WAYNE.

Light Infantry Camp, Second River, 9th Dec. 1779. S Dear Sir,--The approbation of my conduct by a corps so respectable as the officers of the Virginia Light Infantry, must inevitably afford the sincerest pleasure. That attention which they are pleased to attribute to politeness, was the effect of their own merit, which will always ensure the esteem of the General who has the honor to command them.

Permit me, therefore, to return my most grateful thanks to them and you, Sir, for this mark of respect, and believe me to be, with singular esteem.

Your most obedient and humble servt,

Dear Sir,--The troops of the state of Virginia being Dear Sir, Yours of yesterday came to hand late last night.

Your Excellency's most obedient servant, ANTHONY WAYNE. P. S. Just as I closed this address, I was honored with You will have goodness enough to excuse this free-yours of yesterday, and sincerely regret our mutual dom, and believe me, in every vicissitude of fortune, ready to serve you, with the best service of your Excel. lency's Most obedient and humble servant, His Excellency,