Colonel Elias Dayton to George Washington, 16 May 1781
From Colonel Elias Dayton
Chatham [N.J.] May 16th 1781
Sir,
In my last I informed your Excellency that the British fleet had sailed the 8th Instt—I have since discovered that the mistake took it’s rise from the circumstance of a great part of it having fallen down below the watering place on that day. I would now acquaint your Excellency that the fleet really sailed on sunday, convoyed by six ships of the line. Their delay thus long has I imagine been occasioned by one of their largest ships striking upon the shoals near the West bank which was got off with great difficulty. The transports which sailed amounted to about twenty—the number of troops does not exceed 2000 nor do I think it much less—All reports appear to confine their destination to Virginia and the Delaware.1
One ship of the line with three or four frigates only are left in York harbour—twenty five transports fit for sea & entirely empty are at anchor in the North river stream. I am told, there are not 300 men in the city & those principally Highlanders.2
I have not yet been able to gain the desired interview.3 I am your Excellencys Most Obedient Hbl. servant
Elias Dayton
LS, DLC:GW. Dayton wrote the closing. GW acknowledged this letter when he wrote Dayton on 28 May.
1. The British fleet sailed for Virginia on Sunday, 13 May (see Dayton to GW, 9 May, n.3). It arrived in the Chesapeake Bay on 23 May (see , 299).
2. Dayton’s intelligence was faulty. The British had in the New York City area an “effective force” of “10,931” (Henry Clinton to Charles Cornwallis, 11 June, in , 5:95–97, quotes on 96).
3. GW wanted detailed information about British forces remaining around New York City (see GW to Dayton, 1 May).