To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens, 23 June 1778
From Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens
[Hopewell, N.J., 23 June 1778]
Sir
By General Duportails leave I inclose a rude Sketch of the Roads and principal points, which have relation to the ground your Excellency desired to have reconnoitred1—The Chain of Sourland hills as nearly as I can judge runs north by east—its nearest distance from Prince Town is five miles—Genl Duportail has reconnoitred as well as time would permit a Position in that part of the chain—the front is generally good—the flanks can only be made so by art—Roads of Retreat could not be examined—Water is not very abundant, but might be sufficient for a short stay—There is an inferior ridge of hills in front of those abovementioned, upon which stands a Militia Alarm Post—a good position might perhaps be found there—but the Rocky Hill from all accounts promises the strongest ground—I was in doubt this morning whether the intelligence sent by Genl Dickinson, would not make an alteration in Your Excellencys plan2—as it appeared from his account that we should hardly be in time for occupying the ground in question—Genl Duportail proposes to wait for farther orders ’till 8 OClock—to morrow morning. I am with the greatest respect Your Excellencys most obedt Servt
John Laurens
Aide de Camp
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. This letter was written on the other side of Brigadier General Duportail’s letter to GW of this date, which it summarizes. The “rude Sketch” has not been identified.
2. Dickinson’s first and second letters to GW of 22 June indicated that the British were marching very rapidly; see also his first, second, third, and fourth letters to GW of this date.