From George Washington to Colonel Moses Hazen, 25 January 1780
To Colonel Moses Hazen
Hd Qrs Morris town 25 Jany 1780
Dr Sir
I have before me your letter of this date.
The doubling of the garrison on Staten-Island, besides the giving a greater security to the place may have something further in view I am informed by Major Thayer (who commands a detatchment at Paramus) that the enemy have also doubled their numbers at Pawlus Hook.1 These circumstances would point to some offensive operation on their part; and I would imagine the forage in the neighbourhood of the Scotch plains to be a principal object. You will necessarily turn your attention not only to Staten Island but to Powles Hook and obtain certain intelligence of the situation of things in this quarter. Should the enemy make any attempt they may operate from both places—And should the ice be strong enought to cross troops from N. York to Pawlus Hook (and it is said to be in this condition) they will be able to augment their force at pleasure and with the greatest facility. This circumstance is well worth attending to, and will no doubt claim your enquiry and precautions.2
The relief marches to day Yet will however, remain with your’s, for some days after it joins you, or till my further orders on the subject.3
I find by Major Thayer’s report that a communication between New-York and Hoebuck has been opened by the enemy, and that many sleds are daily employed in the transporting of wood. Perhaps this may afford an opportunity to strike some of their covering parties.
If any thing in the way you mention can be effected on Staten Island, the militia if not essential to its success should not be included—As we have reason to believe that there taking up arms is a matter of compulsion; and more intended for show than service. I am.
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. On 24 Jan., Maj. Simeon Thayer, at Paramus, N.J., had written to GW’s aide Tench Tilghman: “The Bearer of this Ensign [Henry] Sherman will be able to inform you of my Situation at this place—if you think the following circumstances nesesary to communicate to His Excellency you will Oblidge me by presenting them. On my Arrival at this post I found it entirely destitute of Provisions of any kind this made it necsary for me to send out some parties in quest of Beef & Flower which I did under the Sanction of the Civil Authority. I have at length obtain’d a competency. one of the Parties under a Lieut. Rodger’s arrived this day from New Barbados Neck, Inform’s me that he had Intelligence They Enemy at Powles-Hook had lately doubled their Number’s—that a communication was opened between New-York, & Hobuck, for the purpose of conveying Wood, many Sleigh’s being Daily employed in the same—that a Party of those Murdering Robber’s Stiled Refugees had for ma[n]y day’s been Secreted in the Aforesaid Neck, one of whom (in the Night) Fired at a Serjeant of Rodger’s party wounded him, & on the approach of some of our party Fled.
“The Forrage Master at this post inform’s me he has Bargained for Ten Ton’s of Hay at Secoxes, & if I would order out a Party of Men would send for the same, I would be glad to have order’s respecting it. Ensign Sherman is to return in a Sleigh which will be very convenient to carry the Spirit’s you was so kind as to say you would Order for my Detatchment” (DLC:GW).
On 20 Jan., Maj. Gen. James Pattison, commandant of New York City, ordered a detachment of 100 Anspach troops to Paulus Hook as a reinforcement, but also ordered some Hessian troops withdrawn (see 348–49).
2. During the revision of this paragraph, the following text was marked out on the draft: “Under present appearances it is expedient that the force of your command should not be decreased. The relief which marches to-day under Col. Ogden is to ⟨illegible⟩ this purpose. This with the troops with you, will put you in tolerable strength Both detatchments are to remain till further orders.”
3. For this relief detachment, see General Orders, 24 Jan., source note.