To John Jay from Alexander McDougall, 2 December 1776
From Alexander McDougall
Peeks Kill Decr 2d 17761
My dear Sir,
I have much to say to you, which the moveable State of the army prevented and still prevents. General Lee in Consequence of Positive orders from General Washington, is to Cross the north river to Jersey to morrow; with about three small Brigades of the Continental army,2 illy cloathed; many of the men without Blankets, Shirts or Shoes. Mine is the most wanting of in those articles. Those troops have ^been^ so fatigued in marching from the Plains3 ^by rains & deep roads^ that they are almost beat out; and to continue a forced march of near 100 Miles will ruine them. In the present low & dissolved State of the army; its Idle to attempt an attack on the Enemy. All that should be aimed at with any tolerable prospect of Success; would ^ought to^ be to take Strong Posts to stop the progress of the Enemy, and bend our utmost attention to recruiting our army. Instead of this we are carr[y]ing the ^most of the^ officers who are to effect it out of the Country where alone it can be done; and harrassing the Troops the last moment of the Campaign, to deter them by Severe toil & Service from reenlisting. Sir I tremble for the Consequences.
The levi[e]s will be greatly retarded by this mov[e]ment. God grant this may be the worst Consequence of this moment. General Spincer4 with a few Militia is the only force now below Crotten river, except about 400 men General ^Woster^5 has about Mamarinek, And these a Squadron of light Horse and three Companies ^of light Troops^ would frighten out of the County, which will soon ^below that^ be all under the command of the Enemy. The High lands should be better guarded that [than] I fear they will be in the Course of the winter. The Northern expedition cost me my eldest son; and the other ^Ranald S. McDougall^ was made a Prisoner in Canada.6 He is now on his parole to Govr Carlton; and is extreamly uneasey, least he should be called opon to deliver himself up. As he was at the taking of the Prisoners, taken at St Johns, whenever they are released, he is entitled to the Benefit of them in preference to those, who were not there; and who have been prisoners for a much less time than he has. I have therefore to beg you, to write to Congress in his behalf, least he should in the exchange of those prisoners be forgot; the sooner you do it, the more you will oblige me.7 Mr He was a Second Lieut. in my old Regiment. If I should do otherwise thant well I pray remember this boy. Mr John Laurence, my son in Law is now Paymaster to my old Regiment; but as ^it^ will soon be dissolved, I spoke to Col. Livingston of the 4th8 to get him appointed for his, he assured me, he would write to convention on the Subject. If he has, I should be glad you would Speak to the members, if it Should be judged Necessary. May God bless you, and Save my bleeding distressed Country. I am your affectionate
Alexr. McDougall
ALS, NNC (EJ: 6927). Addressed: “To / John Jay Esquire Member / of Convention / Fish Kills.” Endorsed. Tr in NN: Bancroft (EJ: 1102).
1. In October, McDougall’s brigade became a part of the division commanded by Charles Lee after Lee’s return from South Carolina. This unit fought at the battle of White Plains, 28 Oct., and remained with Lee at Peekskill after Washington and the main army left for New Jersey.
2. As early as 20 Nov., Washington had urged Lee to bring his troops to the west bank of the Hudson, but Lee ignored his commander’s urgent requests and did not begin his leisurely move south until December.
3. White Plains.
4. Joseph Spencer.
5. Brigadier General David Wooster was recalled from Canada in June 1776. Because of incompetence in that command, Wooster was given no new assignment in the Continental army, but he was reappointed a major general in the Connecticut militia and commanded state troops on that border in the winter of 1776.
6. First Lieutenant John McDougall of the 1st New York Regiment died near St. Johns in 1775. His younger brother, Ranald, a second lieutenant in the same regiment, was captured at Quebec on 31 Dec. 1775.
7. No letters from JJ to the Congress on the subject of Ranald McDougall’s exchange have been found. On 28 Dec. 1776 Washington wrote Alexander McDougall: “Your Son was mentioned among the first of our Prisoners that I demanded in Exchange, but Genl. Howe (or Mr. Loring in his absence) sent out others than those I demanded. I have remonstrated to him upon this head, and have assured him that I will send in no more prisoners till he sends out the Paroles of the Officers taken in Canada.” DLC: Washington Papers.
8. John Laurance (1750–1810), the husband of McDougall’s daughter Elizabeth, was named paymaster of the 1st New York Regiment on 15 Aug. 1776. Laurance was later judge advocate general, 1777–82; a delegate to the Continental Congress, 1785–87; member of the state senate, 1788–89; U.S. representative, 1789–93; federal judge, 1794–96; and U.S. senator, 1796–1800. Henry Beekman Livingston was named colonel of the 4th New York Regiment in November 1776, when the New York Convention reorganized the state’s regiments under new regulations for the Continental Line.