To George Washington from Charles Stewart, 23 June 1778
From Charles Stewart
Pennington [N.J.]
Tuesday evening 10 OClock [23 June 1778]
Sir
Col. Wadsworth & my Self after arranging our business in Philada left that City this day at Ten OClock and about 7 this afternoon intelligence was brought Gen. Dickinson at Trenton that the Enemy were advanced as far as the Drawbridge on Crosswick Creek about four Miles from Trenton on the Road to Bordentown, Gen. Dickinson ordered the Militia posted at Trenton & Col. Morgans Corps to March to the Bridge Col. Wadsworth & myself Accompanied the General to the Hill where we had a full Veiw of the Enemy who fired a few Cannon shot while we were there and were employed in throwing a Bridge over the Creek at 8 OClock we left the General who had some feild pieces then within half A Mile of the Bridge & the Musquetry firing on those employed in making it Genl Dicki[n]son had no Ink or paper & requested us to inform Your Excellencey of his Situation Speedily his expectations are that they will force a passage Over as they appear Numerous, and that they will cross the Creek also at another Bridge three or four Miles higher up and incircle him if he tarrys too long, Our Horses are tired otherways We should reached Head Quarters this evening1—This morning early Col. Jacksons Regt Crossed at Coopers Ferry & were to be followed by the Philad. Volunteers under Genl Cadwallader, I suppose Col. Ellis & Major Howell are this night near the enemys rear with four hundred Men2—Yesterday Col. Nichola received One hundred & Twenty Deserters in Philad. We met about twenty to day on the road, The Enemys Fleet were on Sunday said to be opposite Port Penn. I am Your Excellencys most obedient humble Servant
Chas Stewart C.G.I.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See Philemon Dickinson’s fourth letter to GW of this date; for information on the bridges over Crosswicks Creek, see Dickinson’s first letter to GW of 22 June.
2. Maj. Richard Howell wrote to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell on 24 June: “Finding that the Enemy were extreamly Careless & Stroll’d about I Detach’d my Corps in three Divisions, hoping that by that means I Collect a number of prisoners. Capt. Ross had a smart fire with the Enemy as they were taking up the Bridge. Tis thought he Kill’d some of them The success of the other parties is as yet Unknown. Provision is extreamly difficult to procure as the Enemy have swept all before them, but my Method is Leave men behind to cook & bring on the randezvous where we meet in the Evning. Colo: Whiht has been on their rear says the[y] Incline towards Emly’s Town beyond Allentown. Captn Ross always beheaves well & So will the other two beyond Doubt. Tell Colo: Shreve by means of the Hessian General Nothing has been hurt in his House” (DLC:GW).