From George Washington to Major Jeremiah Talbot, 4 June 1780
To Major Jeremiah Talbot
Head Quarters Morris Town 4th June 1780
Sir
There is at this time a considerable convoy of provision going on to Kings ferry and there will in all probability be stores of some kind constantly on the Road1—In your present position the communication about Kakeate is left too much exposed, you will therefore advance a part of your detachment up to that place, and indeed keep the whole as a kind of patrol between Paramus and Kakeate.2 By pursuing this method that whole flank will be secured and your party in less danger than they are when laying constantly in one place—This is become more necessary from an information I have just received from New York of the enemys having some enterprize in contemplation. and the party at Peramus supposed to be the object.3 You will not neglect to keep, as usual, small patrols down towards the enemy, to prevent their coming unexpectedly upon your Rear.4 I am.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
2. For Talbot’s detachment, see General Orders, 28 May.
3. GW wrote the preceding two sentences.
4. Talbot replied on 5 June from Paramus, N.J.: “I recd your orders by the express—and have Detatchd A Captn and fifty men to Kakeate—The contractor of this District Informd me that a number of Cattle war feeding in the English neighbourhood for the use of the enimy—I sent a Party yesterday Evening to Drive them of[f] The Millitia was to joyn them at the new Bridge for that Purpose—I have not yet learnt their Cucsess—I have been well informd of the Enimys intentions to sirprise this Post and have taken Every Precation in my Power to Prevent it—they may Oblige me to retreat by sending a large Command—But I am under no Apprehentions of being sirprisd.
“Their has nothing Happend since my Command at This Post worthy of note” (ALS, DLC:GW). On 25 Dec. 1779, the New Jersey legislature appointed Cornelius A. P. Haring the contractor in Bergen County for supplying the army with provisions (see , 41–47).