George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-20-02-0233

From George Washington to William Livingston, 29 April 1779

To William Livingston

Hd Qrs Middlebrook 29th April 1779

Dr Sir.

I had the honor to write your Excellency yesterday on the subject of an incursion made by the enemy into Monmouth County.

The inclosed copy of a letter from Capn Burrows to Lord Stirling will inform you of their retreat and embarkation.1 I cannot suppose the Captn mistaken as to their going off—tho’I have not received any advice from Col. Ford the substance of which I communicated since his letter which is also of the same date with Burrows. I have the honor to be with great esteem and regard your Excellencys most hble servt

G.W.

Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1The enclosed letter from Capt. John Burrowes to Major General Stirling, dated at Middletown, N.J., on 26 April at 8:00 P.M., reads: “I only have it in my power to give your Lordship a short sketch of the enemys excurcion at this place this morning.

“They got in the Vilage of Middletown at Day break—another party of them landed at Shrewsbury near the same time which me[a]nt to Surprise Colll Fords Command of Continental troops but he happily got off—I musterd about twelve men at 8 OClock. & Gave them to understand we were about them—they Continued in the Village till 3 OClock A.M.—when they began their retreat—I then was reinforced with three more men and keept a constant fire for two miles when Colll Holmes of the militia, with about Sixty of his men reinforced us and then their retreat was somewhat Precipitate—they were drove on board about sunset, and Immediately set sail for New York. Their Numbers were about Eight hundreds Commanded by Colll Hyde. They left one dead on the ground and by an Inhabitant that made his Escape at the shore—says he saw three dead & fourteen or fifteen wounded Carried on board—they wounded one of our men, very Slitely and taken Eight of the Inhabitants from this place. There was a fleet of 30 Sail went out Six days ago which I had not in my power to inform your Lordship of timely. I was on some business at Brunswick at the time” (DLC:GW). For more on this British incursion, see Benjamin Ford to GW, 26 April.

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