George Washington Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Hamilton, Alexander" AND Recipient="Washington, George" AND Period="Revolutionary War"
sorted by: author
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-26-02-0233-0009

VIII. To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 8 June 1780

VIII
From Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton

June 8th 801

Sir,

I have seen the enemy; those in view I calculate at about three thousand—there may be and probably enough are others out of sight—They have sent all their horse to the other side except about fifty or sixty—Their baggage it is agreed on all hands has also been sent across and their wounded—It is not ascertained that any of their infantry have passed to the other side2—There are four or five hundred on the opposite point;3 but it is uncertain whether they are those who went from this side or those who were on Staten Island—I rather suppose the former.

Different conjectures may be made. The present movement may be calculated to draw us down and betray us into an action—They may have desisted from their intention of passing till night for fear of our falling upon their rear. I believe this is the case; for as they have but few boats it would certainly be a delicate manœuvre to cross in our face. We are taking measures to watch their motions to night as closely as possible. An incessant but very light skirmishing—Very few boats—not more than enough to carry three or four hundred men at a time—It is likely more will come down this evening. I have the honor to be Yr Excellency Most Obed. se.

Alx. Hamilton

ALS, DLC:GW; copy, DLC: Hamilton Papers.

1Lt. Gen. Wilhelm von Knyphausen’s force had retreated to Elizabethtown Point, N.J., by dawn on this date, so Hamilton most likely wrote from near Elizabeth.

2Hamilton is referring to the Staten Island side of Arthur Kill.

3Hamilton is referring to Lambert’s (later known as Collyer’s or Bowman’s) Point, the tip of land on Staten Island directly opposite Elizabethtown Point.

Index Entries