To George Washington from Major General Johann Kalb, 24 March 1780
From Major General Johann Kalb
springfield [N.J.] march 24th 1780.
sir
At a turn I took yesterday Evening to Visit the Posts on the right, I was informed at Woodbridge that Mr Randal of Said Town had an account from Staten Island, of 12 flat Bottomed Boats being arrived there from New york, destination not known and that Several Gallies fell down from N. York to Prince’s Bay.1
During the Night I received Your Excellency’s letter of yesterday.
all I can learn about the preparations of the Enemy Seems to be levelled against our army here, and nothing like an embarkation for the Southward, I hope they Will not Surprise any of our Posts.
I herewith inclose a letter from Colonel Saml Hay. the four Prisoners, three of which are Anspackers, I will Send to Head Q. under Escort.2
another letter form Capt. Prior—Commanding at Newark.3
The Prisoners tell me that the Party at Hackensack to which they belonged, was to return to New york af[t]er Burning Sundry Buildings, that they had neither Baggage nor Provisions with them.4
I will take care to convey the earliest intelligence to Your Excellency of any movements of the Enemy. I have the honor to be with great Respect Your Excellencys Most obedient and most humble servant
The Baron de Kalb
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. “Mr Randal” has not been identified, but the name may have been an alias for a member of the FitzRandolph family, which was prominent in Woodbridge, N.J. (see William Livingston to GW, 9 Nov. 1779, and n.2 to that document).
2. The enclosure from Lt. Col. Samuel Hay to Kalb written at Aquakinunk bridge, N.J., on 23 March at 8:00 A.M. reads: “This moment I have Inteligence by four British Prisoners brought to this place by the Militia at Hackensack that 200 of the Enemy Comd by a Col. McPherson came to Hackensack last night & was to be Joyned by 400 more at the New Bridge and are advancing now to Paramus the Prisoners I have sent to the gaurd at Second River they have Burned the Court house and sundry Other Houses. … N.B. I have no Troops here as I am on Furlough” (DLC:GW).
3. The enclosure from Capt. Abner Prior to Kalb written at Newark, N.J., on 23 March at “ten oClock,” presumably A.M., reads: “I Have this moment heard that the Enemy Was in Hackansack last night Burning & Destroing it is Said to be about Three hundred british and thay Was Advancen to Wards Paramius and toward this I have heard that thare Was about forty Reffeajies on Bergen above paulos hook Som miles Cuting Wood and protecting the London traders it may be onley thay I Shall Send one of my Subaltarns to make Som Descovreys if posibale So as to Get the Rite of thare movements and Aquaint the Baron of the Saim as Quick as posibale I Shall have the boats Ready by Satarday morning tow onley” (DLC:GW).
Abner Prior (b. 1732) served as captain in a Connecticut state regiment from May 1776 until he became captain in the 5th Connecticut Regiment in January 1777. He was promoted to major in August 1780, transferred to the 4th Connecticut Regiment in January 1781, and resigned from the army that December.
4. Kalb reported a British raid into Bergen County, N.J., launched on 22 March. For details, see Christopher Stuart to GW, this date.