Alexander Hamilton Papers

From Alexander Hamilton to Major Henry Lee, or in his absence, Captain Allan McLane, [17 July 1779]

To Major Henry Lee, or in his absence,
Captain Allan McLane1

[Stony Point,2 New York, July 17, 1779]

Sir,

There is an incampment of the enemy or a demonstration of one which appears on the other side of the River considerably on this side of Tarry Town. You will be pleased in conse[que]nce to have patroles kept from this till morning seven or eight miles down along the shore & on the roads leading to this place on our right. This may be a critical night and demands the greatest vigilance.

I am Sir Your most Obed serv

A Hamilton   Aide De Camp

ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. In both JCHW description begins John C. Hamilton, ed., The Works of Alexander Hamilton (New York, 1851). description ends , I, 79, and HCLW description begins Henry Cabot Lodge, The Works of Alexander Hamilton (New York, 1904). description ends , IX, 166, this letter is dated July, 1779.

1Lee was major commandant of a separate corps of cavalry. McLane was a captain in Patton’s Additional Continental Regiment. His company was attached to Lee’s Partisan Corps on June 9, 1779.

2Stony Point, New York, had been retaken by the American forces under Brigadier General Anthony Wayne on the morning of July 16, 1779.

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