To George Washington from Brigadier General John Paterson, 18 November 1777
From Brigadier General John Paterson
[Lambertville, N.J.] Tuesday three Clock, 18th Novr 1777
Sir
Colo. Hamilton directed me when I arrived nigh The River to send an Express to Head Quarters for your Orders, and wait at the Ferry until he returned, I am now at Lamberton and expect to be at the Ferry on thursday Morning without fail1 Mr Haskill an Adjutant of my Brigade I send to you for Directions and shall wait at the Ferry until his Return,2 Generals Poor & Glovers Brigade are Just in my Rear Genl Learned took the Road thro’ Sussex expect he will be at the Ferry as soon as myself, Capt. Gibbs desired me to inform your Excellency that he was waiting at Morris Town until the whole had passed to hurry them on as fast as possible. I am Sir with respect your Excellences most Obedient humble Servt
Jno. Paterson
ALS, PHi: Dreer Collection; Sprague transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Paterson expected to arrive at Coryell’s Ferry on the morning of Thursday, 20 November.
2. See GW to the Officers Commanding the Brigades of Generals Enoch Poor and John Paterson, 19 Nov., and to Paterson, 20 November. Elnathan Haskell, Jr. (1755–1825), served as a sergeant in a Massachusetts state regiment from May to November 1775. By July 1776 he was a lieutenant in a Massachusetts regiment in the Continental line, and he apparently was promoted to captain in April 1778. During his service Haskell acted as a regimental adjutant, a brigade major, and an aide-de-camp to Maj. Gen. Robert Howe. Haskell was breveted a major at the war’s end in 1783, and he remained in the army until June 1784 as a captain in Col. Henry Jackson’s 1st American Regiment. In 1791 Haskell settled in South Carolina.