To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 13 July 1777
From Major General Israel Putnam
Peeks Kills [N.Y.] July 13th 1777
Dear General
Just received Information from one Charles Miel who has been down below fort Lee to make Observation on the Enemy’s movements, That a Sloop of 14 Guns & the row Galley ly off Col: Philip’s, the rest of the Ships are by Staten Island That the Inhabitants told him a fleet was gone up the East river and Some large Ships out at the Hook; which induces me to beleive, if the Information is Just, that the Enemy design an Expedition Eastward.1 Shall pay the utmost attention to the motions of the Enemy & the Safety of this post; have Sent major Burr Eastward to Stanford & Faerfield agreable to your Excellency’s orders—there is but a tun & a half of powder at Fish Kills, and not a Sufficiency of Catridges here—I have Sent to Springfield for 4 Tun of powder and a quantity of Catridges, understand they are not to be had there.
Col. Bigalow is not arrived nor any of his men Should be glad to know, Wheither, he is to go Northward or Come here. With the highest esteem & respect Am your Excellencys Obedient humble Servant
Israel Putnam
LS, DLC:GW. This letter is docketed in part “ansd 15th.”
1. For the disposition of the British fleet, part of which was preparing to sail for the Chesapeake Bay and part of which was appointed to remain in the vicinity of New York, see Lord Howe’s list of ships of war, transports, etc., 9 July, in , 9:250–51. The vessels anchored near Philipse Manor apparently included H.M. 14–gun sloop Raven, commanded by Capt. John Stanhope, and H.M. row galley Dependence, commanded by Lt. James Clark, which had been cruising the Hudson River since early June (ibid.; see also Israel Putnam to the New York council of safety, 4 June, and Disposition of Lord Howe’s Fleet in North America, 5 June, ibid., 23–24, 30–35).