1From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 12 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Lordships favs. of the 6th 7th 8th and 9th instants and thank you for the intelligence communicated in them. I had no material directions to give or I should have answered them immediately upon their Receipt. As your Lordships force is so very unequal to that of the Enemy, I would not wish you to remain so near them as to intice them to aim a blow at you. Keeping their...
2From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are tomorrow morning at the hour appointed for marching; with the second Line, to take the route by Doctor Daytons at North Castle—Elijah Hunters at Bedford—second Bridge over Croton River—Lt Samuel Haits—Capt. Browns —and Wilsons Tavern to Fredericksburg—if any better road can be pointed out, that will not be liable to the objection of interfering with the Columns commanded by Generals De...
3Instructions to Major General Stirling, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
You will proceed forthwith into the State of New Jersey and take the command of the Troops there. These will consist of two continental Brigades under Brigadier Generals Maxwell and Woodford, and such of the Militia of the State as shall be collected on the occasion. General Maxwell has been directed to move and take post on the heights west of Acquaquenunk Bridge—General Woodford is to...
4From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been favd with yours of the 30th Sepr and 1st instant from Kakeate. You will make such a disposition of the troops as shall seem to you most eligible for your own security and for checking the excursions of the enemy. The inclosed for General Maxwell directs him to obey your orders. You will therefore draw up such part of his Brigade as you shall think proper. He and all the people...
5From George Washington to Major General Stirling and Brigadier Generals William Maxwell and William Woodford, 15 October … (Washington Papers)
In addition to the questions which I have already proposed for the consideration of the General Officers —I have farther asked whether judging from the present state and appearance of affairs, it would be advisable to detach any part of our force to Boston—& shd it be decided in the affirmative—what force would it be proper to detach—Your Lordship will be so good as to add your opinion on...
6From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I inclose you the extract of a letter from Governor Livingston to Congress, which they have referred to me. I think it not impossible, some instances of a commerce between the inhabitants and the enemy may have been tolerated for the purpose of gaining intelligence, and that this may have given rise to the whole suspicion. But lest there should be any thing more serious in it, that may require...
7From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 7 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
By an act of Congress dated the 30th Ulto Genl Pulaskis Corps and all the Continental troops in the vicinity of Philadelphia are ordered to Princeton there to wait my orders or those of the Commanding Officer in Jersey —I leave it to Your Lordship to give them such instructions for their government as may appear to you most proper. I am Your Lordships most obedt Servt p.s. Such Detachments of...
8From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 21st and 22d and have still to thank you for the particular and satisfactory intelligence which you communicate. If the embarkation now in preparation should be considerable, I think they must inevitably abandon New York, as their remaining force must be too small to risque the defence of the City upon. The Roads from Morris town to King’s ferry have become so...
9From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received a letter from Gen. Gates which has the following paragraph. “Two sailors belonging to Cape Cod who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night arrived here; they declare that the British fleet of men of war sailed ten days ago in quest of the french fleet.” Altho’ there is a certain want of probability in the relation, yet as it may be true, you will...
10From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 19th and 20th with their inclosures, and thank you for the important and particular intelligence which you have communicated. I must beg of you to continue your endeavours to find out whether a total evacuation is intended, or a Garrison to be left in New York—If the latter, the Knowledge of the number of Troops—the Corps—and the ships of War will be very essential....
11From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
It is now three days since I have received any Intelligence from Your Lordship —this makes me the more uneasy as my movements depend altogether upon the indications of those of the enemy—it is of so much importance to me to be regularly informed—that I must request you will send expresses daily—acquainting me precisely with the enemys position, and communicating such intelligence as you may...
12From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had just now the honor of your letters of the 4th & 5th Inst. As we are often obliged to reason on the designs of the enemy from the appearances which come under our own observation and the information of our spies we cannot be too attentive to those thing[s] which may afford us new light. Every minutiæ should have a place in our collection—for things of a seemingly triffling nature...
13From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Between Eight and Nine OClock last night, I received your Lordship’s favor of the 16th Instant, accompanied by another inclosing Two papers. The intelligence you conveyed is very interesting, and it appears the more so, as the late accounts from Genl Scott, though not so particular as those given by Captain Clunn, correspond with it. I shall expect to hear from you frequently, as every...
14From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favs. of the 14th and 15th instants. I have undoubted intelligence that a very considerable embarkation is making from New York. It is of the utmost importance that we should ascertain the numbers as near as possible—their destination—the time of their sailing—and above all how they are convoyed as to number and force of Ships of War. Upon this, and a certain account of what...
15From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received letters from Generals Maxwell and Winds, that the Militia of Jersey are ordered out in very considerable force. A part has already collected. Besides the Militia, there will be two Continental brigades under Generals Maxwell and Woodford. This makes it necessary there should be some officer of higher rank than any now there to take the direction of the whole. Your knowlege...
16From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The intelligence communicated in yours of yesterday is confirmed by a Gentleman who has been into New York with a flag and is just returned. The mistake into which we have been led, as to the embarkation, and the sailing of those transports which actually have the troops on board, has somewhat deranged us. Lest the enemy should take any advantage, be pleased to order Woodfords Brigade to move...
17From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I desired the Quarter Master Genl when he left this the other day for the purpose of discovering a proper spot East of the No. River to Hutt the Troops at, to write to, & request your Lordship to send some judicious Officer to explore the Country about Aquakinack, the Great Falls &ca for the same purpose. A position still more South, for instance New Ark Mountain, Springfield, or middle Brook...
18From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 24 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have just received intelligence of the enemy having thrown a body of about 5,000 men over to Paules Hook, and of their advancing about five miles towards the English neighbourhood —I have also intelligence (from Gen. Scott) that about 3,000 men with artillery &ca were advancing from Kingsbridge —The design of these movements is probably a forage, and the gathering of Stock—&ca. It may also...