To George Washington from Major Benjamin George Eyre, 25 October 1777
From Major Benjamin George Eyre
Bordentown [N.J.] October th 25 1777
Sir
Capt. Doherdey has just Come to this plaice he informs me that we are in want of musket Cartridges 32 pound shot & Grape shot1—Eight waggons Loaded with powder left Burlington this morning they went by the way of mountholley the Brittish troops that Crossed has Gone back their is four two Deckkers Come up threw the lore Chevackdefriez the Comodore wants a few men in the Galleys but they Cannot be had from here as their is only men sufficient to take Care of the friggates— Genl Forman is on his way to Readbanck he was at Croswicks this afternoon he will bring one hundred Continental men with him & 50 malitia they are at allentown this Night2 the Enemies loss at readbank is less then it wass first reported their lows is thought to be 97 kild & aboute 200 wounded3 we have not Got any field pieces from them Would it not be prudent to Send more Powder from allenstown as soon as possible4 Provisions they have Plenty—I am Sir your Humble servt
Benjn Eyre
I shall have all the Stores mov’d from this plaise in two or three Days.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Henry Dougherty became captain of the galley Experiment in July 1775, the galley Washington in August 1775, the armed schooner Delaware in August 1776, and the Pennsylvania navy ship Montgomery in October 1776. Dougherty resigned his commission in May 1777, and the following month he was appointed captain of a company of volunteer Pennsylvania artillerymen.
2. Allentown, N.J., is about four miles northeast of Crosswicks, N.J., which is about three miles east of Bordentown.
3. For accounts of the unsuccessful Hessian attack on Fort Mercer at Red Bank, N.J., on 22 Oct., see Samuel Ward, Jr., to GW, 23 Oct., and note 2.
4. Eyre is referring to Allentown, Pennsylvania.