1To John Adams from Joseph Ward, 20 June 1777 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday the Enemy retreated back to Brunswick; they were followed and fired on by a small party that happened to be near them. Since they came from Brunswick, the fourteenth Instant we have killed about twenty and taken three Officers, three Light Horse, and three or four privates. All is quiet at present. Our Army is reinforced fast, by the New England Troops from Peekskill; and by the...
2To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Paine, 20 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have just Time to write you a Word or two, and have the pleasure of acquainting you of my being appointd Secretary to the Committee for foreign Affairs. I conceive the honor to be the greater as the appointment was [ not ] only unsolicited on my part but made unknown to me. The News of your safe arrival in France was received here with inexpressible...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Bache, 20 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Your last was dated 4th March. I have since wrote to you once or twice. You then mentioned, that you would have an opportunity of writing in a few days more fully to your Friends here, by a swift sailing Vessel. She has not yet made her appearance, we are longing to hear from you; Our Port has been shut up by the Enemy’s Ships for some Month’s past, nothing...
4From George Washington to Brigadier Generals John Glover and Alexander McDougall, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy decamped, the night before last, & have returned to their former position from Amboy to Brunswick. This appears to have been in consequence of a sudden resolution, as they had been employ’d in raising a chain of redoubts from Sommerset to Brunswick; which they wou’d not have done, had they at first intended to abandon their new Ground in so short a time. What may have determined them...
5From George Washington to John Hancock, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
When I had the Honor of addressing you last, I informed you, that the Main body of the Enemy had marched from Brunswick and extended their Van, as far as Sommerset Court House. I am now to acquaint you, that after encamping between these Two posts and beginning a line of Redoubts, they changed their Ground Yesterday morning and in the course of the preceding night, and returned to Brunswick...
6George Washington to Brigadier General Alexander McDougall, 20 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 20, 1777. Describes General William Howe’s latest moves. Orders McDougall either to remain at present post or return to Peekskill. LS , in writing of H, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California; Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. The draft of this letter is endorsed to Alexander McDougall and Brigadier General John Glover....
7From George Washington to James Mease, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have yours of the 14th As I have not wrote to you since the 8th no letters of mine were among those lost by Mr Gurney. I cannot tell how the Cloathing designed for the Eastern Troops has been disposed of, but there are universal Complaints, from Massachusets in particular, for want. If the Quantity that will meet Mr Young at Peekskill is not sufficient, many of the Troops will be obliged to...
8From George Washington to Richard Peters, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am favd with yours of the 16th. The Spears have come to hand, and are very handy and will be usefull to the Rifle Men. But they would be more conveniently carried if they had a sling fixed to them, they should also have a spike in the But end to fix them in the Ground and they would then serve as a rest for the Rifle. The Iron plates which fix the Spear head to the shaft should be at least...
9George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 June 1777 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] June 20, 1777. Discusses General William Howe’s latest movements. Reviews orders to Brigadier Generals John Glover and Alexander McDougall concerning these movements. Orders stand-by preparations in case of attack on Ticonderoga. Emphasizes need of continued intelligence from New York. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
10From George Washington to Major General Israel Putnam, 20 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
General Howe has suddenly quitted his new post between Somerset and Brunswick and has returned to his old situation. The whole design of his making his late movement this way may possibly have been to induce us to draw off our troops from Peeks Kill—though I think it most probable that he was disappointed in his expectation of the manner in which we should act; and finding the people turn out...