To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 15 October 1777
From Captain Henry Lee, Jr.
Octr ⟨15⟩ [1777] Wednesdy1 P.M. ½ 6 Oclock
Sir,
A deserter from the 15th regt just from the enemy’s camp, informs, that the 4th brigade, two regts from the 2d, & one Hessian regt receved marching orders at one Oclock Sunday.2 Where they are destined is not known. He can form no conjecture. He confirms the account of Col. Birds death, & says that the 15th lost fifty three privates & seven officers in the last action—They are now about two hundred effective.3 He has never heard the least suggestion of an attack on our army. With most profound respect your Excelly Obt H. Servt
Heny Lee, Jr
ALS, DLC:GW. On the addressed cover Lee wrote and signed a pass to “Permit the dragoon to pass with[out] any loss of time.”
1. GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman docketed this letter: “Captn H. Lee Oct. 15. 1777.” That date was a Wednesday.
2. The previous Sunday was 12 October.
3. Lt. Col. John Bird was one of two officers in the 15th Regiment of Foot who were killed at the Battle of Germantown on 4 October. Five of the regiment’s enlisted men were killed in the action, and four of its officers and forty-four of its enlisted men were wounded (see , 1:137).