George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 22 June 1778

To Henry Laurens

Head Qrs near Coryel’s [N.J.] June 22d 1778

Sir

I have the Honor to inform you, that I am now in Jersey and that the Troops are passing the River at Coryel’s; and are mostly over. The latest intelligence I have had respecting the Enemy, was yesterday from Genl Dickinson.1 He says they were in the morning, at Mores Town and Mount Holly, but that he had not been able to learn what rout they would pursue from thence; nor was it easy to determine, as from their then situation, they might either proceed to South Amboy or by way of Brunswick. We have been a good deal impeded in our march by rainy weather. As soon as we have cleaned the Arms and can get matters in train, we propose moving towards Princetown, in order to avail ourselves of any favourable occasions that may present themselves of attacking or annoying the Enemy. I have the Honor to be with great respect & esteem Sir Yr Most Obedt servant

Go: Washington

LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS. Congress read this letter on 25 June (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 11:642).

1See Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson’s first letter to GW of 21 June.

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