To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 30 May 1779
From Major General Alexander McDougall
Head Quarters Pecks Kill [N.Y.]
May 30th 1779—11 O’Clock A.M.
Sir
I was this Morning honored with your Favor, of the 28th Instant. Since mine to you last Night, I have received the inclos’d Intelligence—which corresponds with what the Deserter gave us last Night.1 I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s humble Servant
Alexr McDougall
LS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed copy of a letter from Richard Hatfield to McDougall, dated at midnight on 29 May at South Salem, N.Y., reads: “I this moment arrived to this place from Bedford which I left about 10 oClock this night being immediately after Intelligence came there of the Enemys having got to the white plains this news was told me by a man who came from near the Head of the plains who received his Intelligence from one Fisher near that place, who was taken prisoner by the Enemys Light Horse a little before sunset this Day but made his escape. This Fisher Informed that he heard the Enemys Drums at that time a little West of the white plains, and was told by the light Horse their force consisted of 12,000 but from the Intelligence this morning received at Bedford of three Deserters from the Enemy who has (I dare say) informed you respecting their force. I think their number is much less. As I have reason to think from the secret movement of the Enemy that you have not received Intelligence of their Arrival at the White-plains thought it my Duty to give this information. An Account of this is dispatched to General parsons” (DLC:GW).