31To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have just returned from Springfield, having met one of my Spies on the Road, he informs me Genl Sr Wm Howe Sr Wm Erskine & a number of other Generals are with the party at Derby, refreshing the Troops—they have a very formidable Body with them—my Spy was taken by their advanced Guard one Mile this side Derby, on the Springfield Road—& carried to the Generals at Derby—they’ve made great many...
32To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 8 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Capt. Little late of Philada has just returned from the neighborhood of New Castle—he fell in with Lieut. Linsey of Blands dragoons, who had just taken two Captain’s belonging to the Enemy’s fleet: one of them was under orders to sail for England in a packet, and came ashore to take leave of the inhabitants who are continually supplying them with every necessary. Lindsy says if he had had only...
33To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
One of my Spies this moment arrived from the City, which place he left this Day at 12, oClock—he confirms the account transmitted you this Day at one oClock with respect to the Enemy pressing Horses & Carriages—but seen no Boats &c. on Carriages—he went thro the greatest part of the City assures me Troops are quarter’d in almost every House—they are pulling down a great many frame Buildings...
34To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 24 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am this moment returned [from] Mr Philip Prices near the lower Ferry, at which place I thought to have taken a view of the River, but was prevented by the thickness of the Air occasioned by a Smoak on Province Island, I immagine the Enemy are about to evacuate it, by a Person of distinction from Philadelphia (a Friend) this Evening, I am informed, the Enemy are exceedingly alarmed, Orders...
35To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 16 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to acquaint you of the disagreeable News of the evacuation of Fort Mifflin—I’ve just seen two persons from Philadelphia the news of the Fort being taken was bought by three Light Horsemen into the City at 12 oClock—the Enemies Lines are compleat from Delaware to Schuylkill—They were at a quarter of a pound of Beef allowance ⅌ Man—great Betts were held of their quitting the City—an...
36To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
One of my Spies has just come from General Howes quarters at Mr Prices, he went down the private Road from Garrets undiscovered ’till he got to the General quarters almost, his Troops are encamped all along the Road from the Ferry, to the high Ground on this side Derby, at Justice Parkers on Springfield Road, their picket on this side, is kept at the intersection of the Providence, &...
37To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
A few Minutes ago my Spy whom I expected had waited on you Yesterday, came to me, he left Philadelphia after 12, this Day, confirms the account, transmitted you in my Letter of this Date, & says the Troops from Jersey, have not returned, that the Enemy have their Waggons paraded along the line, where they are encamped, that they are busy hauling Fascines up from the Neck, that a number of...
38To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 19 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by a person in this place that Lord Cornwallis commands the party that came down from Philadelphia they compleated their embarkation about Sunset Yesterday the following Regiments are with his Lordship Vizt the 5th 15th 17th 33d 77th & 56th exclusive of the Hessians & Light Infantry with 12 pieces of Cannon & several Howitz, the Troops went from this with the greatest reluctance,...
39To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 21 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with yours of this Date, a Spy from the City & the Express arrived a few Minutes ago, the former confirms the account of the Enemy’s intention to plunder, they intend to visit Derby, Marple & Springfield Townships this Week, so says “Mr Nat. Vernon in confidence to Mr Joshua Humphreys of Philada.” Yesterday six large flat bottom’d Boats (with about 70 Privates) returned from...
40To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 17 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col. Tilghmans Letter I have received. The Enemy are gone over to Jersey I will endeavour to get an exact account of the numbers & transmit you in haste I am your Excellency’s Obedt Hble servt a Gentleman of credit says they marched in a solid Column & were an hour & half crossing Derby Bridge, without any impediments. ALS , DLC:GW . Although this letter is undated, its context suggests that...
41To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 12 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will inform you I left New Castle Yesterday Evening, at which place there lay about one hundred sail of Men of War & Transports, chiefly of the later, one large Ship of Force at the mouth of Christiana—Day before Yesterday thirty five sail of Transports hove in sight & soon after taking advantage of the Flood, moved up & joined the Fleet at Chester—The Inhabitants say they had no Troops...
42To George Washington from Maj. John Clark, 9 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. John Clark, Jr., 9 Dec. 1777. In his letter to Clark of this date , GW wrote: “I am favd with yours of 8 OClock this Morning.”
43To George Washington from Maj. John Clark, 22 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. John Clark, Jr., 22 Dec. 1777. Clark says in the postscript of his letter to GW of 23 Dec. that “I wrote you by Express last Evening.”
44To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 18 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you sometime since, concerning some Provision I had sent by a Spy, taken by Warners Militia, & deposited in the hands of Col. Rankin—Your Excellency was kind enough to request me to give General Potter, a state of the matter, & let him know, “’twas your desire, that it shou’d be delivered to the guard,” all this has been done by me, Mr Trumbal waited on him Yesterday, but to no...
45To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
A few Minutes ago one of my Friends came to me & informs me about 5000 of the Enemy crossed from Philadelphia at the Middle Ferry; they are on the Chester Road encamped a few Miles from Chester—they have a great many Baggage Waggons & a number of Field pieces, one of the Officers waiters assured my Friend the whole Army were moving on—others of the Privates say they are going to cross the...
46To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 22 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A large Body of the Enemy are on their march to Derby, where they must have arrived by this time, the number uncertain, but you may rely are formidable, they certainly mean to forage where I mentioned in my Letter of Yesterday—at 8 this morning about 20 Dragoons of the Enemy came up to the Fox Chase, to give the alarm, & then took the route to Derby—I have alarmed Morgan—the Genl is rode out...
47To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 29 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your Favor of the 27th I received last Night and will pay a particular attention to your request—By a Gentleman of veracity (a worthy Friend) who left Philadelphia the Evening before last, I am informed that General Howe is Billeting his Troops on the Citizens, two to every Housekeeper, which has occasioned a universal murmur among the Citizens—By a person who left the City Yesterday Evening,...
48To George Washington from Maj. John Clark, 20 November 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. John Clark, Jr., 20 Nov. 1777. Clark wrote GW on 22 Nov. that the “Day before Yesterday I wrote to you.”
49To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 18 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col: Fitzgeralds favor of 6 oClock last Evening I received. A Young fellow of Character has been recommended to me (by a Gentleman of my acquaintance in whom I can entirely confide) as a suitable person to give information of the Enemy’s designs—He is now in the City—& will be with you so soon as he makes the discoveries I have ordered—If they attempt Redbank, by throwing our Troops from the...
50To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 19 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
since the reception of your favor I dispatched several Spies into the City, to endeavor to find the intended hour of the Enemy’s march; one of them this moment returned from Philada, which place he left at three oClock this afternoon, at that time, they were leading about three hundred Horses covered with Blankets on the Commons, & were very busy throwing up a ditch from the Road above Middle...
51To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 26 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Yours of the 25th I received, and will strictly adhere to the contents thereof—this moment my Friend from Philadelphia came to me and informs me he left the City this Evening—previous to his departure he viewed the Wharfs & Streets none of which have any Cannon on, this Day upwards of thirty Sail of Transports came up the River, above one hundred now ly opposite the City—several of which have...
52To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Col: Laurens Letter came to hand this morning. I am sorry a Guard of Militia under the Command of Colonel Warner took up one of my Friends going into Philada which has prevented my getting some very material intelligence as I had formed a channel through which every thing in that way wou’d have come with secrecy & for that purpose had sent a little provision to my Correspondent in Philada from...
53To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 16 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
Having received information that the Enemy were landing at Chester I immediately dispatched an intelligent person to bring information, he is just returned and informs me there has not been any on shore & that there are not above three or four hundred on board. & those are a part of the Invalids left on Staten Island I am also informed by a Gentleman who viewed all the Transports as the came...
54To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 1 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
A few Minutes ago my Friend Mr J. F. returned from the City, in which, he says there are a great many Troops Billeted, the Streets remain without any Cannon in them six or seven Frigates have got up, none ly above Mark⟨et⟩ Street Wharf, neither do they carry above twenty Guns each, the Transports have not as yet unloaded but a little Suga⟨r⟩ and a few pieces of Linnen—Lord Cornwallis has at...
55To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 20 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you last Night, & informed you that I expected a Spy from the City every hour —he has this moment come to me, & brings intelligence that near 1000 of the Enemy, crossed over to Jersey yesterday with six feild pieces from 4 to 6 pounders, with design to let the Country people have the benefit of the Market, the Militia hitherto having prevented—this Day, about 30 Waggons escorted by 100...
56To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 3 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment my Spy from Philadelphia came to me he is an exceeding intelligent Fellow, I counterfeited the Quaker for once, & wrote a few lines to Sr Wm informing him the Rebels had plundered me, & that I was determined to risque my all in procuring him intelligence, that the bearer wou’d give him my name; a noted Quaker, who I knew had assisted him. The Letter was concealed curiously & the...
57To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 22 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This will inform you one of my Spies has this moment come to me from Philadelphia, he delivered the Dispatches to Sr Wm & has been through his Army says those remaining at Philadelphia do not exceed 5000, the Soldiers much fatigued & grumble at the severe duty they are obliged to do & are exceedingly averse to the service their Redoubts have from two to three Feild pieces in each, in front at...
58To George Washington from Maj. John Clark, 15 December 1777 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. John Clark, Jr., c.15 Dec. 1777. On 16 Dec. GW wrote Clark that “Your Messenger went away before I got home yesterday, or I should have answered your letter.”
59To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 27 October 1777 (Washington Papers)
By two persons just from Philadelphia I have received the following information Vizt that the Enemy brought on shore thirty three Boat load of wounded Soldiers and Seamen on the 23d Inst. and that they have taken several Companies of Marines from on board to do duty as Foot, they curse Fort Mifflin heartily, & say, it has given them more trouble, than any thing they ever met with. the Shipping...
60To George Washington from Major John Clark, Jr., 17 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
This moment I have seen a Gentleman (a Friend) who left the City Yesterday Evening, the report of the evacuation of Fort Mifflin was generally believed by the Citizens—’twas also said the Troops on board the Transports at Chester wou’d immediately land in the Jersey shore and march to attack red bank—a Captains Guard are on the West side Schuylkill—on the East, the seventy first Regiment and a...