George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Captain Allen McLane, 14 June 1778

From Captain Allen McLane

Garmintown [Pa.] Sunday 14th June [1778]

Dear Sir

The Enemy Continue their preperasions for Evacuatin the Citey yesterday Lord Cornwallis Crossed in the Jerseys the park of Artellery Broke up and a Number of peicis of Cannon Crossed over likwise Amonition Wagons horses and three Regt British troops This morning they Continu Crossing Wagons & Horses I had a look at the Rivr at Elevin oClock Discoverd a Number of large fires Near the Ship yard find Since they have Set fire to the Ship on the Stocks a Large a Ship Droped down to Day Whitch I take to bee their hospital Ship I inclose you a State of their armey last Wensday haned to Me by a Gentleman of Carrictor1—I Remain With the Graitest Respect your Humble Servent

Allen McLane Capt.

ALS, DLC:GW.

1McLane enclosed a “List of the British Army, and thier Situations on Wednesday, June 10th.” It lists 300 men of the 7th Regiment, 250 of the 26th, 250 of the 27th, and 200 of the 46th in “Jersey”; 250 of the 15th and 130 of the 17th at “Billingsport”; and 250 of the 4th, 250 of the 5th, 160 of the 10th, 400 of the 23d, 300 of the 28th, 275 of the 33d, 200 of the 40th, 900 of the 42d, 200 of the 52d, 250 of the 55th, and 275 of the 64th at unspecified locations, presumably Philadelphia. It also indicates that there were 600 “New Levies,” “cheifly in the Jersey”; 200 artillery; 600 “Horse, includg New Levies”; and 4,000 “forigners,” of whom “few” were “in Town, the Anspachers embark’s at 2 oClock Tuesday morn.” The total number of troops given is 10,240 (DLC:GW). For more on the British army’s activities, see Philemon Dickinson to GW, this date, and note 1.

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