You are to have the Water guard supplied with three days provisions, & make preparations instantly to go down the River with all your Light Guard Boats this Evening. You will take effectual care to proceed below in such a manner as to discover with certainty whether the Enemy have any Guard or other Boats, on the water advanced at any distance from their Shipping.

I mention in my confidence to you, that there will be a movement of our Troops this night, for the purpose of reconnoitring the Enemy (you will be pleased to keep this to yourself until the Troops have [march’d])—In case there should be any movement of the Enemy you will immediately communicate the intelligence to the officer Commanding at Dobbs’ Ferry & to Col. Scammell, who will move on the North River Road, & take his position on Tippets hill in the morning. Indeed I shall expect you will open a communication with the latter as soon as may be, whether any thing remarkable should happen, or not. I am Sir &c.