31To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 19 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
An Intelligent Person, who left New York last Wednesday, say’s, that he saw many hundred Houses in that City, cleaning out, for the reception, of the Troops from Philadelphia, which were expected there, in a very short time—and that the general talk of the Town, was their evacuating Philadelphia. A Militia Officer, who this moment returned from Gloucester County, informs me, that the...
32To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 27 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Two deserters from Philadelphia, whch they left yesterday morning, bring the following Intelligence; that all the Cannon, except twelve brass field pieces, were actually embarked, with their baggage, The wood-cutter had left this State, that the party which cover’d them, consistg of four Regiments, under the Command of Genl Lesly, were striking their Tents, & puting them, on board the Shiping,...
33To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 31 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Captain Carle with a part of his Troops, went down Yesterday, as low as Frankford—he saw many People, who had just left the City, all of whom agreed, that Genl Howe return’d there on Thursday last, having unexpectedly met with a French Fleet, at the Capes —the report of the Enemys passing thro’ Jersey, still prevailed in Philadelphia, but, that it was Genl Clinton’s intention, to attack your...
34To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 1 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
This morning, I received the inclosed from General Maxwell —Yesterday a party of Horse returned from the lines, they saw many Persons from Philadelphia, who say, that it was Lord Howe, who arrived there on Saturday last, & not Genl Howe, as I mentioned to your Excellency, in mine of Yesterday’s date—The Captain of a Boat, which I keep down the River, landed yesterday Morning at Parrs Place, I...
35To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency yesterday, since which, I have recieved the inclosed from Genl Maxwell, & now forward by Express. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s Most Obt Servt ALS , DLC:GW . The enclosed letter from Col. Israel Shreve to Dickinson, dated “fostertown,” N.J., 30 May 1778, reads: “this moment I Got the Intillegence I Expected yesterday, by the person I Sent in to the City. he...
36To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 6 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I this moment, recieved the inclosed from General Maxwell —in consequence of which, the Troops at this Post, are prepareing to march down the River. An Express, from the other side of the River informs me, there is a large Detachment of the Enemy, advancing towards Newtown—a plundering Party I suppose. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s most Ob. St P.S. The Tories in Bucks County, are...
37To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your favors of the 5th & 7th instant, I receivd last Evening, your Excellency’s Orders, respecting the disposition of the Militia, upon the Enemy’s expected march thro’ the Jerseys, shall be strictly complied with. I shall endeavour to be prepared for them, but it will take some time, to assemble a very large Body of Militia, I have no doubt they will turn out, with Spirit, upon such an...
38To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 10 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have communicated, the contents of your Excellency’s letter of the 8th instant, to Governor Livingston, who is of Opinion, that it would not be proper to call in the Militia, untill the hours of real Danger—for which reason shall delay it, unless I should recieve your Excellency’s orders, for that purpose. The inclosed letter accompanied a Turtle, which shall be forwarded by the first...
39To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 14 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
A very Intelligent young Man, who left Philadelphia yesterday afternoon at 3, OClock, gave me the following intelligence—that the Enemy for several Nights past, had been crossing over to the Jerseys, the greater part of their Army, supposed to be on this side, the River —more officers than Soldiers, walking the Streets, those in the City uneasy at their situation—many Artillery Waggons had...
40To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed just came to hand, from Genl Maxwell —the same Intelligence, was brought me a few hours before, which I believe may be relied upon—a Person whom I sent down the River, saw the Vessells on the Stocks, at both the upper, & lower parts of the City, in flames. A Gentleman of Reputation who lives near Philada sent me word last Evening, that the Enemy were very industrious, in...
41To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 17 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter, I this moment received from Govr Livingston —I pressed him in the strongest manner, to call out the whole of our Militia, but to no purpose—your Excellency will see his determination by the inclosed. Genl Maxwell informs me, in a letter of yesterdays date, that the Enemy are still busily engaged, in crossing over to the Jersey shore, Troops, Artillery, Horses, Cattle &c....
42To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of this morning, just came to hand—A Boy from Philada, say’s, our Troops took possession of the City, at 6, OClock, at which time he left it. The alarms thro’ this State are given, I make no doubt our Militia, will turn out with Spirit—Your Excellency may rely on my utmost exertions, the Troops are preparing to march from this Post—The most exact intelligence, shall be...
43To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 19 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from Mount holly—Genl Maxwell with his Brigade, are on their march to the Black horse —The Enemy have advanced as far as Eyres Town, three miles below Holly, & are busily engaged, in repairing the Bridge, which was destroy’d—a party of Genl Maxwells Brigade, now lay on this side the Creek, & will delay their operations a little—there was a brisk fire for a few minutes, in...
44To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 20 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment returned from the lines, the main body of the Enemy lay at Mountholly, their Picket is advanced about one Mile on this side, I was within three hundred yards of it—but could get no intelligence from the Inhabitants, as all those who remain at home, are disaffected—General Clinton is at Holly—their Waggons extend above two Miles—they march now in one Column—were delay’d many...
45To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 20 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since writing your Excellency a few minutes ago, I received the inclosed from G. Maxwell. A Hessian Deserter this moment came in, an intelligent fellow, he say’s, the reason of their marching so slow, is the weight of their Baggage—I suppose plunder—hundreds of the Hessians, were knocked up with the heat of Yesterday. I have the honor to be Your Excellencys most Obt Saturd⟨ay⟩ Eveng ⟨...
46To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 21 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I came to this Place last Night, to give some particular Directions—an Express just came in, from the Party stationed near Ancocus Creek; the captain informs me, that a very large Body of the Enemy now lay at Moores Town (nine miles distance from Holly) that he crossed over the Delaware, yesterday & the Day before, three hundred Hessian Deserters—That a much greater Number would have deserted,...
47To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 21 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from General Maxwells Quarters—have sent down three Detachments of Militia, upon different roads, to throw every possible obstruction in the Enemy’s way, & to skirmish with them, when they advance—no movement to Day, except bringing up their rear, which I believe, was the cause of so long a halt, at Holly—The Continental Troops are all drawn from the lines, except one...
48To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
At one oClock this morning, I received information, that the Enemy were endeavouring to surround us, with a strong detachment which marched last Evening from Holly, the Informant said, they intended to take possession, of Crosswicks, & the Drawbridge, whilst their main body moved on, in our rear—I thought our situation very precarious, therefore am now preparing to cross, the Creek...
49To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy are advancing very fast upon the Bordentown road—they are so superior in Horse, that they push our few, where ever they see them—from every present Appearance, they will pass by Trenton, they will meet great opposition at this Bridge, as I am determined to defend it, as long as tis possible. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s Most Obt ALS , DLC:GW .
50To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 23 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Enemy’s front came yesterday to the Black-horse, where they still remain—Genl Maxwell continues at Crosswicks—where I am now going—to get further intelligence—the Militia are at this Place, except two hundred, annexed to Gl Maxwells Brigade—no movement of the Enemy this Day. Col: Moylan with his Horse, are going on the lines—have no doubt they will surprize—aleast a part of their...
51To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 23 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The enemy are advancing rapidly—one Column now near Lewis’s Mill, the others on the Bordentown Road—we killed 6, or 7, Horsemen at the former place. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s most Ob. St P.S. an Express from Genl Cadwalader just arrived, requestg a supply of ammunition—shall forward one of those waggons, that was sent me. ALS , DLC:GW . A British brigade order book recorded...
52To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 23 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
From every present appearance, I believe the Enemy intend their rout thro’ allentown—Their Lt Horse with a party of Infantry appeared at the Bridge, by Lewis’s Mill—but have retired—a second party of Horse, came up to the Drawbridge, just after we had destroy’d it, & gone off—they have allso retired. I have about six hundred Militia now upon their left flank, the remainder that march’d this...
53To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 23 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have recieved your Excellency’s favor of this Day—The obstructions thrown in the Enemy’s way, have been, the destruction of Bridges, & the felling of Trees, but those were of such a nature, as have fully satisfied me, their delay, was voluntary. The whole of General Clinton’s movement, since he came into this State, has convinced me of his wish, to bring on a general action—it does not admit...
54To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment returned from the Drawbridge, & saw the rear of the Enemy march of[f], from their encampment—a few Videts still continue on the Hill. I believe they have filed off towards Allentown, & Crosswicks, & suppose they will continue their march for Cranberry—Col: Morgan marches in the Afternoon, for Allentown, as tis most agreable to him, to fall on their rear—I shall order about...
55To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
A Detachment of the Enemy, continued at Lewis’s Mill, till late this Afternoon—this, together with the fatigue the men underwent last Evening, delay’d their march, till very late—Col: Morgan marched this afternoon, for the Enemy’s rear, I have forwarded your Excellency’s letter to him, & shall detach a Number of Militia to him, in the Morning—Genl Maxwells Brigade, is now on the left flank, &...
56To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 24 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have sent under Guard to your Excellency, a British Sergeant, who was some time ago a Prisoner, & now pretends to be a Deserter—he appears very suspicious, his Companion has made his escape—I believe from circumstances he is a Spy—two British Grenadiers just came in, the main body of the Enemy, lay at Allentown this day—they deserted at 3, OClock P.M. —they say, the direction of the flying...
57To George Washington from Philemon Dickinson, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Philemon Dickinson, 25 June 1778. In his other letter of this date to GW, written at 8:00 p.m., Dickinson indicates that “I wrote your Excellency to day at one OClock”; see also GW to Dickinson , this date.
58To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency to day at one OClock, since which, I came to this Place, with the advanced party—the rear of the Enemy, lays six miles distant from this—their baggage is on the right, with three Brigades of British, & the same numbers of Hessians—several Deserters came in—I imagine, desertion will be great, as we are now so near them. Their rout is certainly thro’ Monmouth, tis...
59To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I took post at this Place an hour ago, since which, nine Prisoners have been brought in—& five more on their way—the Enemy’s rear, halted four miles from Monmouth Court-house which is three miles distance from this—I shall execute any order, I may recieve from the Marquis—have been with him the greater part of the day. I have the honor to be Your Excellency’s most Ob. St ALS , DLC:GW ....
60To George Washington from Philemon Dickinson, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Maj. Gen. Philemon Dickinson, 27 June 1778. In another letter to GW of this date, Dickinson writes that “I wrote your Excellency a few hours ago by Express.”