51To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 2 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed I recived yesterday evening and took the liberty of opening them least they might require some immediate arrangement. the Rear of the Army is up, in much better order than I could have expected. I am this moment going to the Court Martial after a little retardment as your Excellency will see by the enclosed Note & Answer. I have sent Col: Bur to Elizabeth Town to make some...
52To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 2 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
On Considering the Several Questions Stated by your Excellency Yesterday to your General Officers I am of Opinion, That any Attempt on the troops on New York Island must be futile and extremly dangerous . Futile because, if we could drive the troops from that Island, and they should retire either to their Ships or to Long Island, our acquisition would be Useless; especially while the Enemy...
53To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I receved your orders This Moment and shall set out early in the Morning on the busyness you have appointed me for. I thank your Excellency for the Command and you may be Assured I will use my best endeavours to Carry Your Instructions into excecution. I am your Excellencys Most Humble Servt ALS , DLC:GW . Stirling wrote and signed the following note on the addressed cover: “A few lig<ht...
54To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
We are Just arrived here and as it is uncertain where Genl Woodford is, as some tell me he is at the Court house about two Miles from hence, others that he is advanced to Clarks town, others that he Marching further on, I shall therefore [remain] here ’till the Messengers I have sent to find him out return—I do not like any of those possitions for him. he [is] too Nigh [the] River and I think...
55To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 1 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you Yesterday afternoon by a Messenger from General Maxwell. I found Genl Woodford with his Brigade at the Courthouse about two Miles East of this place they are now on their March towards Paramis. the best account of the Scituation [of] the Enemy & of Col: Baylor & the Wounded of his Corps is Contained in the enclosed Letter from Dr Griffith to Genl Woodford. I think at least two...
56To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency two letters from Kakiyate, I came here the day before yesterday, my time Since has been Cheifly employed in Veiwing the Country and getting intelligence of the Enemy: two deserters from the 15th yesterday say their Regiment and Eleven others are in a few days to Embark for the West Indies, that they were Officers Servants and over heard this, which is the Cause of their...
57To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 3 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Two more deserters from the 15th Regt they tell the Same Story of the twelve Regts going to the West Indies and that the Embarkation is to take place on Tuesday Next. General Woodford has received your Excellency’s letter of the 30th. a drago[o]n of the 16th Came in Also yesterday Evening, several other deserters are Come in at Clarks Town. I am your Excellency’s most Obt Humble Servt ALS ,...
58To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency Yesterday Morn’g from Paramis, and Came here in the Afternoon. I find here General Winds with about 600 Militia General Heard with about 1000, & General Maxwell with the first & Second Regiments of his Brigade[.] Colonel Dayton with the other two & Col. Neilson with about militia are at Elizabeth Town. the Militia are all home Sick and are every hour apply[ing] for...
59To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 5 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
About Eight oClock this Morning we were Alarmed with Accounts of the Enemy’s Advanceg, thro’ugh Hackensack. soon after that about 300 of them were on the heights behind Arent Schuylers house. both Accounts prove true. that Body which Come thro’ Hackensack halted on the heights near the head of the polyfly about one Mile S.W. from Hackensack and about four miles N.E. from hence, and there...
60To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s letter of the 4th Instant. I am Surprized you should be so long without receiveing a letter from me, as I have daily wrote at least once. The Enemy after forageing all day on the West Side of Hackensack River within four Miles of this place, retired in the Evening to their former Station at & beyond the New Bridge, they had about Six thousand foot & 200 horse...
61To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 7 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s letter of the 5th. As to the report “of the Brittish fleet of Men of war having Sailed in quest of the french fleet,” I belive there [is] Nothing in it, for I saw a Certain person Yesterday who must have known it, had it been so, and would have Mentioned it; as he was desireous of telling me every Circumstance that has lately happend Among the rest he informed...
62To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 8 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency Yesterday by Colonel Craig, General Maxwell now sends you the Intelligence he has Just received from Major Howell I hope to have something more explicit from thence tomorrow as two Messengers besides an Officer have been sent for every particular that has lately happened with regard to the Sailing of Ships. I am afraid the Major has not kept a good look out as he...
63To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday by one of the fixed Expresses returning to Camp from Philadelphia. soon after which I received yours of the 6th and in order to answer it more fully I rode down to Second River to Converse with Colonel Dayton and the Gentlemen who have more particularly watched the Enemy’s forage boats in their way thro’ New Ark Bay. As to the Sort of forage, they have taken...
64To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I omitted writeing to your Excellency yesterday as I was in hourly expectation of receiveing Intelligence from Sandy Hook, Capt. Burrows whom I sent for that purpose is Just returned and brought the two enclosd letters from Major Howell, and on further examining he says that yesterday Morning at Nine oClock there were Six Capital Ships at Anchor on the out side the Hook, two more Ships of war...
65To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 11 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency at three oClock this day, I have Since received the enclosed letters and Intelligence from Colonel Dayton whom I on the 9th desired to go to Elizabeth Town for the purpose of getting Intelligence. Ad: Keppel Certainly makes the best of it, he does not pretend to say a Word of the loss of the french, it is Clear he had no Choice left but to return to Port [.] The Letter...
66To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 14 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s letter of the 12th yesterday Evening, I deferred writeing ’till the Motions of the Enemy was reduced to a Certainty. I have two parties of horse following their Rear, who send me word they had been at fort Lee where the Enemy had been Embarking all Night, the light Infantry, Granadiers, & horse are gone to Powles hook, their Rear was near Bergen about two hours...
67To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 15 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday from Hackensack, the parties of horse which followed the Enemy returned last Night they got to powles hook about one oClock, about one hundred Sail of transports lay off that place. This forrageing Jaunt has Cost the Enemy at least Seventy deserters a great proportion of them fine fellows Granadiers & light Infantry, we lost one a foreigner. The troops are...
68To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 16 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The last letter I wrote your Excellency was from Hackensack the 14th. I have since received your letter of the 12th. as soon as I could be sure that the Enemy were evacuating the County of Bergen, I ordered the troops under my Command to Move down this way. I informed you how I intended to Station them, they are I belive all at their posts, and we have some Militia at detached posts, which I...
69To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 17 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received your Excellency’s letter of the 14th. the important Questions it Suggests well deserve full Consideration and I must beg leave to take twenty four hours Consideration before I answer it. this is the more Necessary as in that time we shall be better able to Judge of the Intentions of the Enemy; I sent your Excellency yesterday evening the Intelligence I had from Capt. Clun,...
70To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 19 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
In order the better to Satisfy my self with regard to the Strenght and number of the Enemy’s fleet I came here about an hour ago, I find from a very Intelligent person formerly <a> Captain <of> a merchant Ship, that the Number of Ships at the Hook this morning was about 130. fifteen of their Capital Ships 10 or 12 frigates, they began to Weigh Anchor about nine oClock this morning. when I came...
71To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The foregoing is Copy [of] a letter I wrote your Excellency yesterday Afternoon from Amboy, I have Since received the two enclosed letters from Major Howell, he is Certainly Mistaken as to the Number of Ships which Sailed yesterday as they were Counted while at Anchor by several persons at Amboy who all Agreed they were between 120 & 130 15 Sail of the Line and 10 or 12 frigates, there Came...
72To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday that the whole of Second fleet of about 30 Sail as well the first of near 130 Sail were Sailed, the Wind has been at West, a lively breese, ever Since, and they must have made a great Offing by this time. it is Said that the preparations for another embarkation are going on at N. York, but I have not been able to get any particulars from thence the last two or...
73To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 22 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed your Excellency will receive what Intelligence I have been able to Collect Since Yesterday when I wrote by Major Monro. there is undoubtedly another large embarkation soon to take place, and many Circumstances makes me think Still it will become a general Evacuation of New-York; when Rivington come’s to be furnished with all the particulars of Major Ferguson Enterprize he will have...
74To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 24 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Major General Stirling, 24 Oct. 1778. In his letter to Stirling of 25 Oct. , GW refers to “The intelligence communicated in yours of yesterday.”
75To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 26 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I should before this time have attempted to Answer your Excellency’s letters of the 14th and 15th Inst. but was waiting in hopes of reduceing the Motions of the Enemy to some degree of Certainty; I belive it may be depended on that the present Embarkation will amount to at least 10000 Men, so large a detachment from their Army will render it impossible for them to keep above 5000 Men at New...
76To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 29 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have to Acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s two letters of the 24th and one of the 25th. I would have wrote yesterday but was every Moment in expectation of hearing of some Movement of the Enemy, They Yesterday Afternoon began, In the Afternoon two Men of War and fourteen Transports Came to an Anchor at the Hook from New York, at the Same time two large Ships appeared in the Offing....
77To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Sixteen Sail of Ships I mentioned to be at the hook in my letter of Yesterday, were afterwards Joined by Seven Sloops & Schooners, and towards evening of the 28th went to Sea; Yesterday Morning the Wind Comeing in from the South East, this fleet returned to the hook where they lay at Sun Rise this Morning. Yesterday and the day before about Eighty Sail of Ships Cheifly transports with...
78To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment seen a Man from Staten Island, he Assures me the Ships have for Several days been Watering at every well & spring along the Shore of the Island, and that they are begining to drop down thro’ the Narrows, that this embarkation does Consist of Ten thousand Men, and that they only wait for Wind; that they are now prepareing for the embarkation of 6000 Men more, which is the...
79To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 31 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last went Yesterday afternoon by Colonel Cox. The Ships at the Hook and those at the Narrows were this Morning in the same possition as Yesterday, not haveing been Able to Move on account of the Weather; the Reports [from] both Amboy and the Hook agree that the 23 Sail at the Hook are frigates and other Armed Vessels vizt Eleven Ships five Brigs, three Schoners and four Sloops probably...
80To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 1 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
By the enclosed letters your Excellency will find that the Enemy are in Motion notwithstanding the Badness of the weather; that to the amount of 50 or 60 Sail of Ships fell down to the hook yesterday is Confirmed from Amboy, with this addition that more are Continually falling down, this last Circumstance is also Confirmed from Staten Island. I have Just seen Six persons from New York, they...
81To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 3 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was this Morning favoured with your Excellency’s letter of the 1st. The fleet at the hook was yesterday encreased to 108 Sail. this morning at Seven they weighed Anchor and Stood out to Sea at Eight they were out of Sight from Amboy, among them were five or Six two Deckers, but as to the Size & Number of Men of War & frigates I expect this afternoon to be more particularly Informed. My...
82To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 6 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
A small Touch of the Rheumatism in my right Hand and Shoulder prevents my writing to your Excellency myself. Some Circumstances in Major Howells last journal induces me to send you the inclosed Original. they have become very strict within these few last Days at New-York about permitting any Persons to pass or repass. I have therefore found it difficult to get Intelligence from thence. they...
83To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 7–8 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this Day have seen a Person from New-York who has had an Opportunity of being in a Variety of Company there lately, who “says: that the Embarkations of Troops and Stores are still going on the Day before Yesterday. that they talk there is a Garrison to be left for the Protection of Privatiering, of which there is now fifty Sail belonging to that Port. that there is a great Scarcity of...
84To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 11 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The last letter I have had the honor to receive from your Excellency is dated the 7th Inst. The day before yesterday in examining two deserters from Bartons Regiment I happened to ask them where Sir Henry Clinton was, they both Answerd that “he was gone with the last fleet”; this made me recollect an Alteration within a few days in the Stile of B. Genl Skinners letters, instead of saying “Sir...
85To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 13 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the Evening before last; and have been impatiently watching the motions of the Enemy Since, they will not let me get any thing from Staten Island. But I have this Instant received the enclosed report from Amboy by which it appears their third Embarkation is begining to move, the thirty Eight Sail which fell down to the hook yesterday Afternoon I make no doubt will be...
86To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 15 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The fleet which droped down to the Hook on the 12th remained there yesterday Evening; the winds have been either ahead or too high for any thing to put to Sea. they have on Board the whole of the 71st Two Battalions of Hessian Granadiers, two Battalions of Delanceys, two of Skinners, three Companies of the 64th & two Comps. of the 33d. They are Convoyed by the Vigilant and three Gallies,...
87To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 17 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
The fleet of Transports &c. which for some days past have been at the hook, Came up last Night to the Watering place within the Narrows and were at Anchor there this Morning. I cannot Account for this Manuver any other Way than Supposing the Grand fleet under Admiral Byron has Met with some disaster, and that they have received Accounts of Count de Estangs Sailg As some Evidence of the former,...
88To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 19 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Besides the 74. & 64. & three Lesser Ships I mentioned to be arrived at New york I have Information of a Very large Ship being at Anchor off Deal a few Miles below Black point on the Monmouth Coast by the description I think she must be Admiral Byrons flag Ship, her Bowsprit Mizen Mast and Main top Mast gone. I have this Moment received the two papers herewith enclosed & am your Excellencys...
89To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 20–21 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the 16th I received the Night before last, and immediately sent orders for Colonel Spencers Regiment to March to Coles fort and there Join General Count Pulaski. at the same time I sent orders to Colonel Morgan to send a Regiment to replace Colonel Spencers at Hackinsack as it is Absolutely Necesary to keep a good look out towards Bergen Neck & the Banks of the...
90To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 24 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s letter of the 19th. with my letter of the 21st, I sent your Excellency the best account I then had of the troops in the different Embarkations & those remaining at New York and its dependencies, I was in hopes of receiveg before this time a very Accurate account of every Corps remaining, but I find I can not have it till tomorrow or Next day, and tho’ I have little...
91To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I seize this Oppertunity to enclose your Excellency the last New york paper, Not the least Movement of the Enemy Ships Since my last, Nor have I been Able to learn any thing out of New york these two or three days. I had a boat yesterday at the Warf but they would [not] Suffer any person to land who was to return, the Only Observation they made was that they observed heavy Cannon going Board...
92To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 27 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you about an hour ago by an Express going from Congress. I have this Moment received a Report from my friend at Amboy, dated at Noon this day who informs me that 45 Sail of Ships Came down from New York to Sandy hook and have Stood out to Sea. the Wind is now at S.W. and seems to be Comeing round to South and I therefore expect to hear of their being returned to the hook—tomorrow. I am...
93To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday Evening that the fleet which had been so long between the Hook & the Watering place were at lenght gone to Sea. Capt. Burrow’s from the Highlands of Navesinks since informs me that at Sun set Yesterday they were twenty Miles from Sandy hook Standing South a little Easterly which was the only Course they Could Steer as the Wind hung, unless they were going to...
94To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 29 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since Writeing the letter which accompany’s this, I have had an Oppertunity of gaining some Articles of Intelligence. vizt that more transport Ships are prepareing and fitting for Sea. that a good deal of Hessian Baggage was Embarked. a frigate of 36 Guns Came in Yesterday, every Mast gone by the board. they are forming a line Across New York Island from Bloomendale to Turtle Bay to be Guarded...
95To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 November 1778 (Washington Papers)
There is nothing new Since I wrote your Excellency Yesterday Evening; every intelligence I have had Confirm the Sailing of the fleet and of the Commissioners tho’ not in Company; and that preparations for further imbarkations makeing; the Ships which have taken the Iron Ordinance on board are Still in the harbour; with the Ardent, and the Ships of War refitting & Scarce any others (I mean men...
96To George Washington from Stirling, 24 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Stirling, 24 Dec. 1778. On 1 Jan. 1779, GW wrote to Stirling that his letter “of the 24th came to hand on Wednesday night,” 30 December.
97To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 25 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellencys letter and Instructions of the 21st which you may be Assured will have my Strict Attention. Dr McHenry will forward to your Excellency a letter he received for you from Major General Reidesel. I have sent Capt. Tilton of the 9th Pensilvania Regiment to Accompany the General to the place of his destination in Virginia. and have ordered a Guard to Escort him from...
98To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 28 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of Writing to your Excellency the 25th. I sent the letter to McHenry to forward. there is Nothing New in this Quarter; the Severity of the Weather seems to have Stoped the Chanels of Intelligence. The distress of the Army for want of forrage had Come to the last Extremity, indeed the very existance of it depended on an immediate relief, and however disagreable the Measure,...
99To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 29 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you yesterday by a return Express going to Genl Greene—I have Since received the N. York News papers down to the 24th which I now enclose with this, also a London paper of the 5th October, this paper Shews how the pulse beats in that kingdom, and it is Certain to me that they are in high Rumpas, Confusion & distraction. I send your Excellency herewith Genl Maxwell’s Letters, by which...
100To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 30 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
My last Dispatches to you were Yesterday Evening. I now inclose you what have come to me since. Other Intelligence which I have received from N. York Staten Island and Eliz. Town in general agree that about a Fortnight ago a Fleet began to assemble at the Watering Place off Staten Island. What the Intention of this Fleet was, I have not yet been able to learn with Accuracy. Some of my Accounts...