Description: Washington, George. Letter signed ( Go: Washington ), 2 pages (12.37 x 7.62 in.; 314 x 194 mm.), Paramus, 5 December 1778, to Major General Alexander McDougall; marginal chipping, light browning.
At first alarmed by reports that 52 British vessels were sailing up the Hudson River, Continental Army Commander-in-Chief George Washington correctly surmises that the latest advances of the British do not signal an offensive against West Point.
Washington writes in full: Dear Sir I am this moment arrived here from Elizabeth Town upon receiving intelligence of the Movement of the Enemy up the [North or Hudson] River. I have halted Genl [Anthony] Wayne at this place. Colo. [Daniel] Morgan with Woodford s Brigade is at Pompton [i.e., Pumpton], Colo. [Thomas] Clarke with the Carolina Brigade at the Clove [to secure the pass] and Baron Kalb with the two Maryland Brigades on the other side of the Mountain. All these troops have orders to hold themselves in readiness to move towards the Posts in the Highlands should there be occasion. I do not yet know the intentions of the Enemy but from what I have just learned it looks more like a forage than any attempt upon the posts. I shall be glad to learn what information you have received as quickly as possible, and whether Patterson s and Learned s Brigades have reached Fishkill. If they have not, you should send to hurry them on. I shall wait your answer in this neighbourhood. I am Dear Sir, Yr. most obt. Servt. Go: Washington
turn over
P.S. I beg you will strengthen the posts immediately as far as lays in your power and not depend upon the troops upon this side who may not get up in time should there be occasion.
In the beginning of December 1778, Washington received intelligence that the Enemy had moved up the North [Hudson] River (3 December 1778) with 52 sail of transports as far as Fort Lee. Initially, he did not yet know their intentions, as he wrote to the President of Congress, Henry Laurens (5 December 1778) referring to himself in the third person informing Laurens that precautions were being taken in case the British were, in fact, advancing upon the river s American forts: ...fifty two Vessels great and small, including a Bomb Ketch, with troops on board, had the day before yesterday moved up the North river as far as Cloyster landing, and yesterday morning got under way and were proceeding farther up...He is much at a loss to determine the design of the enemy; but then as it may either have respect to the Forts in the Highlands or to the Convention troops. When he left Peeks Kill, the two Massachusetts brigades, on their march thither from Hartford were not arrived, so that the troops on the spot were only the original garrison of West point and Nixon s brigade, which lay near the Continental village; but without the most inexplicable delay, those must have reached their destination some days since. If so, and the Enemy should mediate a stroke against Westpoint, they will probably fail in it, unless there should be something like a surprize. The General also thinks it probable, that the Maryland division was yesterday evening at the Clove; their instructions were to communicate with West point and reinforce it on an emergency ...The Carolina Brigade has been some time stationed at the Entrance of the Clove. One brigade of the Virginia troops is at Pumpton, and the other two were expected to reach Springfield yesterday.
Upon receiving the intelligence, Washington rushed to Paramus, New Jersey. Soon, however, he came to the realization that the British s efforts were non-aggressive, as he comments in this letter: ...from what I have just learned it looks more like a forage than any attempt upon the posts. He resumed his march to Middlebrook, where he arrived on 11 December 1778 and opened his headquarters four miles from the village.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA.