To George Washington from Major General Philip Schuyler, 14 July 1777
From Major General Philip Schuyler
Fort Edward [N.Y.] July 14th 1777.
Dear Sir
On the 12th Instant General St Clair arrived here—As he fell in with Hudson’s River about twelve Miles below this, I ordered the Troops to halt at Fort Miller, having no Kind of Shelter for them, at any other place and not even a Sufficiency of Boards at that—What the Number is that have arrived, I have not yet been able to learn, as the greatest Confusion imaginable prevails here—General St Clair supposes about fifteen hundred. Nor can I say what Militia are in this Quarter—I do not however suppose that our whole Strength in this Department exceeds four thousand five hundred Men.
Colonel Warner, with the Remains of his Regiment, I have ordered to remain on what are commonly called the New Hampshire Grants, together with the Militia from that part of this State—He has Directions to drive off all the Cattle and Carriages, but whether he will be able to effect it is a Doubt, as I am informed a very great proportion of the Inhabitants are taking protections from General Burgoyne as most of those in this Quarter are also willing to do.
Two Regiments of the Militia from the State of the Massachusetts, under the Command of Leonard and Wells, who were sent up to supply, in part, the Deficiencies of the other Regiments from that State are to a Man gone Home.
General Nixon arrived the Night before last with his Brigade—From the Slowness with which they moved from Albany to this, being four Days marching forty six Miles, I was led to conclude that they were a formidable Body: but to my great Mortification I find the whole to consist of five hundred & seventy five Rank and File fit for Duty and eleven sick—Several of these are Negroes and many of them young small and feeble Boys.
Desertion prevails and Disease gains Ground nor is it to be wondered at, for we have neither Tents, Houses, Barns, Boards or any Shelter, except a little Brush—Every Rain that falls, and we have it in great Abundance almost every Day, wets the Men to the Skin—We are besides in great Want of every Kind of Necessaries, provisions excepted—Camp Kettles we have so few that we cannot afford above one to twenty Men. Altho’ we have near fifteen Tons of powder, yet we have so little Lead, that I could not give each Man above fifteen Rounds, and altho’ I have saved about thirty pieces of light Artillery yet I have not a single Carriage for them, so that my whole Train of Artillery consists of two Iron Field pieces, which General Nixon brought up with his Brigade.
I have indeed written to Springfield for the Cannon which was there, but the Answer I got was, that they were all ordered another Way. I have also written for a Variety of Articles to that place and to Boston, not that I expect any Thing will be sent me (but that I may stand justified) for I have never yet been able to get much of any Thing from thence—In this Situation, I have only to look up to your Excellency for Relief, and permit me to entreat you to send a Reinforcement of Troops and such a Supply of Artillery, Ammunition and every other Necessary (except provisions and powder) as an Army ought to have, if it can possibly be spared.
An Express has passed thro’ the Country from General Burgoyne to General Howe—The latter will probably on Receipt thereof immediately move up Hudson’s River.
Inclose your Excellency Copy of the proceedings of a Council of General Officers held at Tyonderoga, Copy of which I beg you will transmit to Congress and be so good as to mention that I have not Time to do myself the Honor to write them. It contains the principles on which the Evacuation of that Fortress took place.1
If the Enemy will permit us to pass unmolested three Days longer to Fort George, I shall be able to bring away all the Stores from thence and then draw off the few Troops we have there.
Yesterday, accompanied by the General Officers and Engineers I examined the Country, and found a very defensible Spot about four Miles below this, to which place we are this Day moving part of the Army and our Stores—I propose remaining here until Fort George is abandoned, and as much longer as the Enemy will permit me.
General Nixon with his Brigade, supported by about six hundred Militia is advanced to Fort Ann to fell Trees into Wood Creek, and into the Road from Fort Ann to this place. I have also stationed a Body of Militia, about five Miles on this Side of Fort George to cover the Retreat of the Garrison now at that place.
We are informed that part of the Enemy are still at Skenesborough, and that a Body is coming by the Way of Lake George—I hope it will not be very soon. Adieu my dear Sir and believe me unfeignedly and with great Respect—Your Excellency’s most obedient humble Servant
Ph: Schuyler
LS, DLC:GW; LB, NN: Schuyler Papers; copy, DNA:PCC, item 152; copy, enclosed in GW to Hancock, 18 July 1777, DNA:PCC, item 169.
1. The enclosed copy of the proceedings of a council of war held at Ticonderoga, N.Y., on 5 July 1777 is signed by the attending officers, Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair, Brig. Gens. De Rochefermoy, Enoch Poor, and John Paterson, and Col. Comdt. Pierse Long. The document reads: “General St Clair represented to the Council that there is every Reason to believe that the Batteries of the Enemy are ready to open upon the Tyconderoga Side, and that the Camp is very much exposed to their Fire, and to be enfiladed on all Quarters, and as there is also Reason to expect an Attack upon Tyconderoga & Mount Independance at the same Time, in which Case neither could draw any support from the other—he desired their Opinion whether it would be most proper to remove the Tents to the Low Ground where they would be less exposed, and wait the Attack at the Ticonderoga Lines; or whether the whole of the Troops should be drawn over to Mount Independance, the more effectually to provide for the Defence of that post. At the same Time, the General begged Leave to inform them that the whole of our Force consisted of two thousand and eighty nine Effective Rank and File including one hundred and twenty four Artificers unarmed, besides the Corps of Artillery and about nine hundred Militia, who have joined us, and cannot stay, but a few Days.
“The Court were unanimously of Opinion that it is impossible, with our Force, to defend Ticonderoga and Mount Independance, and that the Troops Cannon and Stores should be removed this Night, if possible, to Mount Independance.
“2d. Whether, after the Division of the Army at Tyconderoga have retreated to Mount Independance we shall be in a Situation to defend that post or in Case it cannot be defended, if a Retreat into the Country will be practicable.
“The Council are unanimously of Opinion that, as the Enemy have already nearly surrounded us and there remains Nothing more to invest us compleatly, but their occupying the Neck of Land betwixt the Lake and East Creek, which is not more than three Quarters of a Mile over, and possessing themselves of the Narrows betwixt us and Skenesborough, and thereby cuting off all Communication with the Country, a Retreat ought to be undertaken as soon as possible and that we shall be very fortunate to effect it” (DLC:GW).