To George Washington from Colonel George Gibson, 19 July 1779
From Colonel George Gibson
Smiths Tavern1 11 miles from stoney Point [N.Y.]
9 O’Clock. A.M.
Monday 19th July 79.
May it please yr Excelly.
In answer to the verbal message I had the Honor to receive from Yr Excy by the Bearer. I have the pleasure to acquaint Yr Excy that I have contrary to my expectations got so farr wth the three pieces of Cannon. one of the Carriages (Limbers) having been stove to pieces immediately after we left the Point.2 I have fix’d on the fore part of a Waggon in lieu of limbers. I parted wth Genls Woodford & Muhlenberg in sight of the White house3 where they filed off to the left—I know nothing of them since I met a Brigade of Waggons loaded wth provisions three miles from No. River which I have Brot wth me.4 I shall scuffle hard but I will be at Junes’s tavern To morrow wth my whole Convoy. I have the Honor to be Your Excys Obedt Servt
Geo: Gibson
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Gibson is referring to the Smith’s tavern about one mile west of Kakiat, New York.
2. For the decision to abandon Stony Point, N.Y., on 18 July and haul off the captured artillery and supplies, see GW to George Clinton, this date; see also GW to Anthony Wayne, 1 July, n.2.
3. For the country house of William Smith, a prominent Loyalist, see Anthony Wayne to GW, 27 July, n.2.
4. For the arrival of Brig. Gen. William Woodford’s brigade at June’s tavern on this date, see GW to Woodford, 21 July, n.2. For the posting of Brig. Gen. Peter Muhlenberg’s brigade at the Forest of Dean, see GW to Israel Putnam, this date.