To George Washington from Jabez Bowen, 17 April 1780
From Jabez Bowen
Providence April 17 1780
Sir
This will be handed your Exellency by the Barron St Andre a Prussian who has been detained hear as a prisoner for many Months. his circumstances having not been made know to the Commanding Officer in this State. he informs he is well acquainted with the Baron Stuben &c. your Exellency will perceive by the Vote of the Council of War that it is Recommended to you to dispose of him as you may think Propper. a Copy of the Order of Councel and of his Parole the Barron has with him.1
I Received your Exellencys of the 4th Inst., in season,2 and wish the Orders for Removing the Train may be sent on when you think propper.3 a Vessell has arived at Salem left Charles Town the 25th of March. at that Time none of the Enemys heavy Ships had got over the Barr. Sr Harry had 5000 Men. Genl Linclon about the same Number. the Van of the Virginia Troops had arived. the Women and Children all sent into the Country and Genl Linclon would be in good Spirits (he said) if he had a few more Continental Troops &c.4 With sentiments of much Esteeme I am Your Exellencys Most Obedient and Most Humb. Servant
Jabez Bowen
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The papers that Bowen mentions have not been identified. The Rhode Island legislature apparently had established the most recent “council of war” during its October 1779 session (, 8:616).
The paroled prisoner must have been Ernst Philip of Saint-André (1756–1830), a German soldier who then held the family baronetcy located in Heilbronn.
2. For this letter, see Bowen to GW, 20 March, source note.
3. See GW to Bowen, 6 May; see also Bowen to GW, 25 April.
4. Bowen probably saw a newspaper item subsequently reprinted in The American Journal, and General Advertiser (Providence) for 19 April under the heading “PROVIDENCE,” same date (Wednesday): “Friday last Capt. Pearce arrived at Salem from South Carolina. He left Charlestown the 23d of March ult. and informs, that the garrison were in the highest spirits. … That a large reinforcement had arrived the day before he sailed, and more troops hourly coming in. That the British army were stationed on the islands inactive, anxiously waiting for their reinforcement from New York, not daring to attempt any thing till its arrival. That when he came away not one of the enemy’s ships had got over the bar.”