To George Washington from Elias Dayton, 27 December 1781
Chatham December 27th 1781
Sir,
Enclosed is an account of their present force in New York and its dependencies, handed to me by a person who I believe is well informed.
Unluckily for me, on sunday night a party of militia from second river, crossed over to Bergen and went into a house near the fort where they made prisoners a Capt. Harding and McMichael—the former was paroled, but the latter being known and demanded by one of my officers as a deserter, is now confined in irons at this place as such. He says it will be improper for him to make his escape a second time, as it would only serve to render him suspected on the other side. I have been asked whether he could not be exchanged for Pool, Bruin, Woodruff and Blackledge, all of whom have been very serviceable to us, & are now confined in Irons, in their dungeon as criminals. I pretended to be doubtful, whether a Deserter could be exchanged on any terms; however, the proposal is made by his friends to General Clinton, whose determination upon the subject I expect to hear in two or three days.
The 37th, 40th & 42d Regiments with a detachment of nearly 1000 Hessians are embarking for Charlestown, to be convoyed by the Bedford & Prudent—the remainder of their ships are cruising to intercept a McGilliam who is expected in a frigate from Holland with a supply of cash for Congress. I have the Honor to be yr Excelys most obdent Servt
Elias Dayton
DLC: Papers of George Washington.
Enclosure
c.27 December 1781
Royal Artillery.......................300
British Grenadiers....................700
22nd Regiment.........................340
37th..................................360
38th..................................380
40th..................................180
42nd..................................500
54th...................................380
57th.................................340
3780
Barton’s..............................380
Bushirk’s.............................270
DeLancey’s............................300
K.A.D.................................140 Lt Colo: Thomson
American Legion.......................180 G. Arnolds
Loyal Foresters....................... 70
Dets. of different Corps..............300
17th Light Dragoons..................250
5670
Germans including
Cavr Jagers &c..................... 6000
11670