To George Washington from Lord Stirling, 1 April 1776
From Lord Stirling
New York April 1: 1776
My dear General
I am honoured with your Letter of the 24. Brigadier General Heath arrived here on Saturday Last with the five Regiments that marched from Camp with him; the Rifle men Came in a day or two before. the Connecticut Militia detached by Govr Trumbull are also Cheifly Arrived;1 these with what are Constantly Comeing in from the Westward will put us on such a footing as to Numbers, that I think we have little to fear from Genl Howe, should he Attempt any thing in this Quarter. Staten Island is still open to their Invasion and I should be glad we were so possessed of it that we could prevent their makeing any lodgment in it. for this purpose I will endeavour to get Genl Heaths leave to go over there on Wednesday Next to set the Militia of New Jersey at work on it.2 I shall only add that I could wish Genl Howe would Come here in preferance to any other spot in America, as I beli[e]ve it would now be of least detriment to the American Cause; besides then I should have the Honour of Serving under your Immediate Command. I am very Sincerely, your devoted Humble Servt
Stirling
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Heath’s brigade, which embarked on transport vessels at New London on 27 Mar., landed at Turtle Creek on Saturday 30 Mar. and entered New York at noon. Heath, as the senior officer present, took command of the city (see , 53). The riflemen, who began marching overland from Cambridge on 15 Mar., reached New York on 28 Mar. (see , 132–33). For the Connecticut militia reinforcements, see GW to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 14 Mar., and Trumbull to GW, 18 Mar. 1776.
2. Stirling stationed a detachment of riflemen on Staten Island on Thursday 4 April (see , 135).