11From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
The General and Field Officers of the day, have orders to withdraw the pickets at day-break to morrow morning—Previous to that, you are to assemble Major Lees Corps, and the rest of the Cavalry under your command, and distribute them on the different Roads leading to the Enemys lines, directing them to advance with a view of discovering whether the enemy intend any forward movement—that the...
12From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of yesterdays date this morning. The security of your command makes it in my opinion perfectly expedient to take post five miles above Claps tavern—you should if possible be out of surprizing distance, while your scouts may be made use of to watch the movements of the enemy—I would have you to keep a constant look out on the Sound from the commanding hights near Claps...
13From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of yesterday 9 Oclock is just come to hand; & by the Officer you will receive twenty five Guineas. I earnestly entreat, that you will endeavour to get some intelligent person into the City, & others of his own choice to be Messengers between you and him, for the purpose of conveying such information as he shall be able to obtain & give. It is of great consequence to the French...
14From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 26 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of Yesterday. There are three facts contained in it which I would wish you to ascertain if possible. The embarkation of the Troops, their number and destination. The embarkation of the Cavalry, and whether there was a meeting of the Refugees and what was the Business proposed to them. From the correspondence which you say you have now established I hope for information that will...
15From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 27 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received yours of yesterday late last night. There are one or two facts with respect to the enemys affairs of great importance to be known which I would wish to have communicated as soon as possible. you will therefore ascertain with certainty and precision whether the forage which they have drawn from the Jersey and by means of the party from Kingsbridge has been stacked in their yards or...
16From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your letter of the 28 Inst. late last night. You will continue your information of the enemys progress; and by those means which you have set on foot, for the obtaining intelligence from New-york, endeavour to learn as much as possible of their naval force—their number—their sailing—or detachments—All facts of this kind are of the utmost importance to the Count d’Estaing, and every...
17From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I recd yours of yesterday inclosing Capt. Leavensworth’s intelligence—I shall move myself to Fishkill to day, to which place be pleased to send your next dispatches. I have directed the relay of Horsemen to move their present stages to form a communication directly from you to Fishkill. I think your present position rather too near the North River, as there is a possibility that the enemy may...
18From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favr of Yesterday reached me early this Morning. I am happy to hear of the success of Colo. Butlers enterprize to whom and all the Officers of his party be pleased to present my thanks for their behaviour. I am here for the convenience of reciving intelligence of the motions of the enemy on both sides the River. I am &ca. Df , in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
19From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of yesterdays date, and am glad that Capt. Leavensworth has found means to elude the enemys posts—I wish him to use his utmost endeavours to ascertain the truth of the following intelligence transmitted me by Major Gray from Norwalk—“From the 19th or 20th Ulto to the 24th (when his informant left New York) Troops were constantly embarking from the City to the...
20From George Washington to Brigadier General Charles Scott, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with your letter of yesterday early this morning. Gen. Gates writes me of the 4th Inst. that “two sailors belonging to Cape Cod, who made their escape from the prison ship last monday night arrived here; they declare, that the British fleet of men of war, sailed ten days ago in quest of the French fleet.” Tho’ I think this relation somewhat improbable, and the fact of such...