To George Washington from Major Henry Lee, Jr., 15 June 1780
From Major Henry Lee, Jr.
Livingston farm1 Thursday morng [15 June 1780]
sir.
The enemy remain in peace in their old position2—Should any appearance of motion take place I will dispatch a dragoon with the intelligence.
The post I am now at in charge of a subaltern & party was in peril last night from the desertion of the troops—Two left us out of fifteen. I very much apprehend disagreeable consequences from this spirit of infidelity. Pity it is that a corps of faithful troops could not be ever kept on the advanced post. I have the honor to be most affy Your Excelys Obt sert
Henry Lee Junr
ALS, Nh-Ar: Personal Papers, DC5017. Lee wrote on the cover: “p. dragoon.” The specific date comes from the docket.
Lee and the cavalry battalion of his partisan corps were serving with the advance corps of the army (see General Orders, 9 June, and Steuben to GW, this date).
1. Lee probably is referring to farmland surrounding “Liberty Hall,” the estate of New Jersey governor William Livingston, situated about three miles north of Elizabethtown Point.
2. Lee is referring to the fortified positions Lt. Gen. Wilhelm von Knyphausen’s corps had established at Elizabethtown Point.