11From George Washington to Major John Clark, Jr., 4 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just receiv’d your favor of 8 OClock last Evening & think you have fallen upon an exceeding good Method of gaining Intelligence, & that too much Caution cannot be made use of both on Accot of the safety of your friend & the Execution & continuance of your design which may be of service to us. In your next I’d have you mention that General Gates now having nothing to do to the Northward,...
12To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 4 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your agreeable favor came to hand a few Minutes ago. I thank you for your approbation of my conduct, and shall not fail to do as you have directed; in return, I expect immediate intelligence of every design—from the Enemy. I am just returned from below Marcus Hook, & Chester, have carefully viewed every Ship of War & Transport in the River at these places, & can assure you there is not a...
13To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Little late of Philada has just returned from the neighborhood of New Castle—he fell in with Lieut. Linsey of Blands dragoons, who had just taken two Captain’s belonging to the Enemy’s fleet: one of them was under orders to sail for England in a packet, and came ashore to take leave of the inhabitants who are continually supplying them with every necessary. Lindsy says if he had had only...
14To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will inform you I left New Castle Yesterday Evening, at which place there lay about one hundred sail of Men of War & Transports, chiefly of the later, one large Ship of Force at the mouth of Christiana—Day before Yesterday thirty five sail of Transports hove in sight & soon after taking advantage of the Flood, moved up & joined the Fleet at Chester—The Inhabitants say they had no Troops...
15From George Washington to Maj. John Clark, 13 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: to Maj. John Clark, Jr., 13 Nov. 1777. Clark’s letter to GW of 12 Nov. is docketed in part “Ansd 13th.”
16To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 16 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having received information that the Enemy were landing at Chester I immediately dispatched an intelligent person to bring information, he is just returned and informs me there has not been any on shore & that there are not above three or four hundred on board. & those are a part of the Invalids left on Staten Island I am also informed by a Gentleman who viewed all the Transports as the came...
17To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 16 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to acquaint you of the disagreeable News of the evacuation of Fort Mifflin—I’ve just seen two persons from Philadelphia the news of the Fort being taken was bought by three Light Horsemen into the City at 12 oClock—the Enemies Lines are compleat from Delaware to Schuylkill—They were at a quarter of a pound of Beef allowance ⅌ Man—great Betts were held of their quitting the City—an...
18To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 17 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment I have seen a Gentleman (a Friend) who left the City Yesterday Evening, the report of the evacuation of Fort Mifflin was generally believed by the Citizens—’twas also said the Troops on board the Transports at Chester wou’d immediately land in the Jersey shore and march to attack red bank—a Captains Guard are on the West side Schuylkill—on the East, the seventy first Regiment and a...
19To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 17 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Tilghmans Letter I have received. The Enemy are gone over to Jersey I will endeavour to get an exact account of the numbers & transmit you in haste I am your Excellency’s Obedt Hble servt a Gentleman of credit says they marched in a solid Column & were an hour & half crossing Derby Bridge, without any impediments. ALS , DLC:GW . Although this letter is undated, its context suggests that...
20To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col: Fitzgeralds favor of 6 oClock last Evening I received. A Young fellow of Character has been recommended to me (by a Gentleman of my acquaintance in whom I can entirely confide) as a suitable person to give information of the Enemy’s designs—He is now in the City—& will be with you so soon as he makes the discoveries I have ordered—If they attempt Redbank, by throwing our Troops from the...