To George Washington from James Caldwell, 30 January 1780
From James Caldwell
Springfield [N.J.] Jany 30. 1780.
Sir,
I inclose your excellency a letter from General Stirlings B.M. in answer to one I wrote to them respecting the plunder.1 I believe what he says is true, and that he has very sufficient reason for severe retalliation. If we did right in burning Boats, which were private property, and some of them the property of good friends, because occasionally taken into the services of the enemy, I do not see why they may not take a Horse, or a Waggon, or burn a House, because the same use hath been made of them on our side. Burning a Church seems indeed quite out of the line of military operations. I did think of mentioning in my next to him that unmilitary piece of savageness—But if your excellency could think it consistent, I had much rather you would call upon him to declare the avowal or disavowal of that conduct.
Your excellencys directions to General Green for removing Forage did not litterally include the Grain purchassed to be ground for the men2—But as the reason for the one is the same as for the other I have engaged Teams to remove part of it tomorrow & shall wait orders for the rest. I have writen to Colo. Dunham on this head. With sincerest esteem and all due respect, Your excellencys most obedt and very hume Sert
James Caldwell
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed letter from Charles Cameron, British brigadier general Thomas Stirling’s brigade major, to Caldwell dated “head Qrs Staten Island” [N.Y.] on 25 Jan. reads: “General Sterling, received your letter relative to the returning of the plunder, taken from the Inhabitants of this Island, during the Encursion under the Command of Lord Sterling.
“Out of Compassion for the unhappy Sufferers, the General is pleased to agree, to Send three Slyghs to bring the plunder back; but as he is not at present Sufficiently informed with the Extent of it, or the names of the perpetrators, will refere that to a further Explication. the Continental troops where they went, were guilty of the Greatest Enormities, even to Striping women of there body Cloaths and beating them when resisting. I must confess the Banditta that took the opportunity of your troops being on this Island, did the greatest mischief.
“the General wishes as an individual to Cary on this Contest, but at the same time looks on himself, as Called upon to retaliat for the Injuries done to those under his protection” (DLC:GW).
2. See GW to Nathanael Greene, this date; see also Greene’s first letter to GW of this date. For Caldwell’s purchase of this grain, see his letter to GW of 10 Jan.; see also GW to Caldwell, 10 January.