1. Brig. Gen. David Waterbury of the Connecticut militia had written Howe from Stamford on 11 June: “Since I wrote you yesterday, I have such intelligence, as I rely on, that the enemy are making preparation, to come with considerable force, to this place. Their design is, to land a body of Troops, from the Island, which are to act in concert, with another body from Kingsbridge. The principle objects, they have in view, are doubtless, to procure, a number of ca⟨ttle⟩ and destroy the Whale Boats, which of late, have done them considerable injury. The first of these, which is their grand object, they will undoubtedly effect, unless some assistance, can be afforded, by the Continental Troops. Whether that can, with propriety be done, and so speedily, as to give the needed relief, you Sir, can best determine” (DLC:GW). Waterbury’s letter to Howe on 10 June has not been identified, but see Howe to GW, 20 June, n.1.

2. GW replied to Howe from headquarters on 13 June: “I have yours of Yesterday inclosing Letter from Genl Waterbury—If the Information is to be depended upon all the Whale Boats & the Cattle should be removed as soon as may be—the fir[s]t on Carriages or otherwise as may be found convenient—Colo. Scammel may be ordered towards the Point of Operation, & make such Use of the Troops on the Line as his Discretion may direct—establishg a Communication with Genl Waterbury so that he may be able to form a Junction with him, if Occasion shall require—Colo. Scammel should not Advance too far on his Left on vague Information—as in that Case his right & our Front may be too much exposed” (Df, in Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW; see also GW to Waterbury, 13 June).