To George Washington from Major General Benedict Arnold, 22 June 1778
From Major General Benedict Arnold
Philada June 22d 1778,
Monday 10 oClock P.M.
Dear General
Your Excellency’s favour of the 21st respecting the Militia, I received at 3 oClock this evening,1 and immediately, had as many Inhabitants collected at the Coffe House2 as I could Notify, Fifty Volunteers have engaged to go with General Cadwalader, who this minute Informs me He expects to collect a considerable Number more in the morning, in the City; I cannot flatter myself with procuring many in the Vicinity, these are unarmed, search is makeing for all the Arms in the City—I have Ventured to Order Colonel Jackson to March at three oClock to’morrow morning with the Troops under his Command, these with the Volunteers & four hundred Men now in the Enemies rear, will make a formidable Body, Their places are supplied by Colonel Proctors Regiment who will do Garrison duty.
Untill a sufficient Number of Convallescents can arive from, Valley Forge for which purpose I intend giveing an Order which I trust will meet Your Excellencys Approbation—One hundred and Odd Deserters from the Enemy have arived in Town this day, the whole Number is little short of three hundred, & great Numbers I am informed are scatter’d thro the Jersies.
Your Excellencys favr of yesterday By the Indians, was delivered me this Evening, particular Attention shall be paid to the Contents.3 I am with the greatest Respect and Esteem Your Excellencys Most Obedt Hble Servt
B. Arnold
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See GW’s second letter to Arnold of 21 June.
2. The London Coffee House, a popular merchant exchange and rendezvous point built in 1702 and established as a coffeehouse by printer William Bradford in 1754, was located at the intersection of Front and High Streets in Philadelphia, near the docks. The London Coffee House closed during the British occupation, and although it reopened in 1778, it could not compete with the new City Tavern or Merchant’s Coffee House on Second and Gold Streets, which eventually replaced it as the city’s exchange.
3. See GW’s first letter to Arnold of 21 June.