To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 27 August 1780
From Major General Stirling
Camp [Bergen County, N.J.]
August 27th 1780 one oClo’ P.M.
Dr Sir
I am Just returned from Visiting the Lower & Upper Closter Landings, I find there will be no manner of Occasion for the Regiment to remain at the lower one, If a Capt. & 40 go every other day to each of them, I belive they will be quite Secure, the Militia in their Vicinity will be a good Support to them in such ruff Craggy ground, but I would not trust them as a Constant Vigilant Guard. No appearance of a picket at Phillips’s, nor of any troops above Spiten Devil. I am your Excellency’s Most Humble Servt
Stirling
ALS, DLC:GW.
On 25 Aug., GW’s aide-de-camp David Humphreys had written to Stirling from headquarters: “His Excellency the Commander in Chief requests your Lordship immediately to detach two Regiments to the Landing place opposite to Spiten Devil Creek—they will remain there only this night and therefore need not take their Tents with them” (NHi: Stirling Papers).