To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 25 December 1777
From Major General Stirling
Genl Potters Quarters [Radnor, Pa.]
Decemr 25th 1777 Noon
Dear Sir
I would have wrote you earlier this Morning had we not about Eight oClock heard the report of Several Cannon, yet I cannot learn the Occasion of their fireing. The Enemy keep the Same possition and their Waggons Constantly at work Night & day in geting the forrage from the Islands &c. I have 57 Waggons of my own division at work in Carrying off forrage & Grain from the Neighbourhood of Merrion Meeting House, 23 from the Rest of the Army Arrived here about an hour ago I have sent them to a place where they will soon get loaded. I have Just now been informed that the Enemy loaded Several Waggons with forrage this Morning on the Lancaster Road near the four Mile Stone; perhaps they have almost exhausted the Islands and now begin to extend their Ravage into the Country.
I beg leave to present the Compliments of the Season to your Excellency and all your family. and am Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servt
Stirling,
I must beg the favour of Col: Harrison to send me a few Sheets of paper as this is my last.
12 oClo’ I have this Moment received Colonel Tilghmans letter by the light horse man I know of no way of putting them in mind of last year but by makeing a Grand Bonfire.1
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The letter that GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman wrote to Stirling on this date, in reply to Stirling’s letter to GW of 24 Dec., reads: “Yours of 6 oClock yesterday came to hand in the Night. We detained the Messenger till this morning to see whether any thing further would turn up. A parcel of Waggons were sent off to you. His Excellency seems to be of opinion with you that while the Enemy remain in their present position nothing further can be done than is done, but he desires you will give him instant intelligence of the least motion.
“I WISH WE COULD PUT THEM IN MIND TOMORROW MORNING OF WHAT HAPPENED THIS TIME TWELVE MONTH” (American Clipper, Sept. 1937, item 19).