you & your late works & Barracks, that they may extend their army from thence to Hudsons River, or be joined by a party from the shipping without a possibility of your preventing it, or circumscribing them, And that your small Garrisons towards & below the Bridge already are, or principally must be lost. What is become of all the Artillery south of the plains, can it be preserved? We hear 5 large sail have passed up Hudsons River opposite to the Enemy's present Camp. The news of events big with the Fate of the American Empire must soon reach us. May God give you health, strength, spirits & Laurels, and Cover your Head in the day of Battle. I am your affectionate, John McKesson. General Clinton. Mrs. Godwin, formerly Caty Bant begs the favour of having her Letters to her husband under Cover to you. Sir, [No. 216.] Colonel Morris Graham Put in Arrest. Camp near White Plains 29th October 1776. In Consequence of the Infamous Charge exhibited last Night (in your Excellency's Presence) by Colo. Reed against Colo. Graham of my Brigade I have arrested him; of which I think it my Duty to give your Excellency this Early Notice that he may be brought to Tryal as soon as you may think proper to direct. I am with the highest Respect your Most Obed't Serv't, Geo. Clinton. To his Excellency Genl. Washington. [No. 217.] MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH. John McKesson Further Develops His Plan of Campaign. Fishkill,-Oct'r 30th Wednesday Night. Dear General, (1776.) By a Letter of Mat. Vischer of Albany to Mr. Yates rec'd this Evening, we are informed in substance; that by one of the scouts returned from Crown Point they are advised that the Enemy are erecting some works there, And have there 1,200 Tents and ab't 1000 Indians & Canadians-That our northern army is in high spirits That the Militia gone Northward are at Lake George, Fort Edward & Skeenborough, at which last is Genl. Abraham Ten Broeck. No Intelligence from the west of Albany. I gratefully acknowledge your favour of yesterday, I published the two first pages, & shall consider the third. Major Strang, arrived here this Evening, has given us all the Information in his power of the action on the 28th & the present situation of both armies. The Enemy have gained so much westing and northing by the late stretches, that you cannot prevent their Extending to Hudsons River, and agreable to my former conjectures mentioned in my Letter, cut off your Communication with Mount Washington. From Major Strang's observation, Lord Stirling's present Ground near or westward of Young's House is not the most advantageous. From the description of the Face of the Country given by Major Strang and some of the Members of Convention, Bald Hill near Davis's 1 & anor 2 miles northwest of Young's, should be immediately occupied-from thence is a curve Chain of Hills tending north East or rather No. N. E. & afterwards E. N. E, thro' which is only one materal narrow pass on the Road which Leads No. from Young's. From Bald Hill to Hudsons. River near Philipse's upper mills, is pretty High ground a little more than a mile; and from Bald Hill is a Chain of Hills or high Ground running So. W. on the west side of Brunsons or Saw Mill River. If the Enemy could be confined within the Hills west of Saw mill River it would keep open your Communication with Tarry Town &ca. & keep them at a Distance from Hudsons River; the swamp's Hollows and low Grounds along Saw mill River & at the foot of those Hills would greatly aid the Troops possessing the Heighths East of them; perhaps those Hills would require more Troops than could be safely sent there. From every account Bald hill should be examined by some General Officer, that if important it be secured. The passes north of you are of infinite Importance. Every furlong of Northing gained by the Enemy is an Injury; their tending Eastward, while out flanked, of little Importance to them; and a very moderate Force could always prevent their forceing Northward thro' the Country about Rye Pond. Some chosen Riflemen constantly employed to watch the Enemy's Horse, and separate them from their more brutal Riders, might rid you of some neighbors, which may otherwise committ Trespasses vi et armis. Stop-my military notions can't aid you. I wish they may not do injury by consuming your time to read them. Most of them however were begotten by other persons. Mat: DuBois was here when I rec'd your Letter this Evening. I sent an Extract of it to Mrs. Clinton & wrote to her which she has rec'd e'er this. Mr. DuBois says all is well at Windsor, Mrs. Clinton in better Health than usual. Adieu most affectionately, General Clinton. John McKesson. 30 Oct'r. Mr. Duer very impatient this Evening, & a stranger to the country about you, endeavoured to collect such Information of the situation of the army & the country about you, as would enable him to write an important Letter to head Quarters. I tho't his impatience long prevented his apprehending Intelligence & descriptions very explicitly communicated. The fruit of his Enquiries will be found in his Letter of this evening to Tilghman-perhaps if you See it, you may be instructed to save the State. [No. 218.] Sir, Difficulties in the Way of Providing for the Sick. Oct'r 30 1776. I have hardly had it in my Power to do my own Business since I have been here. The Houses Captain Taller engaged were by no means sufficient for the Purpose, having been in a great measure occupied by the Families that removed from below, the Consequence of which is that my patients lay at a great distance from each other, I believe not much short of seven miles. And I could only be punctual in attending those who are worst, calling to see the invalids &c. occasionally. There are several of them that I am confident, will be unfit for service this compaign; they press me for Furloughs or discharges. But this as 'tis out of my power I have refused, except in the Case of Garret Winnegar whose situation was so peculiar & critical, that I make no doubt you will excuse me when I have the pleasure of seeing & acquainting you particularly with it. At those Houses where I found the sick there had been an agreement entered into by those that left them, that they should receive a dollar p'r week for each. I cannot help thinking it reasonable, at any Rate twas not in my Power to procure them provisions &c. I should be extremely obliged to you if you will send an officer to assist in procuring accommodations for & transporting the sick. The Teams this way are I believe all engaged, & I should meet with great difficulty in getting them. Some of the sick in their present situation are too near the Enemy, but alone as I am, I cannot take the whole charge upon me of remedying it, their Numbers is I immagine greater than you suspect. At this moment I cannot tell where I could procure a Team to carry off the Med'e &c. should any thing extraordinary happen. You may depend upon my exerting myself, But I hope you will consider my situation & send some Person to assist me. With the most sincere wishes for your Health &c. I conclude myself, Your Very Hbl. Serv't, Jno. Coats. I am destitute of Cash even to pay my own Bill having expended what I brought from home. And none falling to my share since I have been in Camp. Brigadier General Clinton at White Plains. S'r, [No. 219.] Troubles of a Quartermaster. I have not had Opportunity to apologize for not fulfiling my agreement in respect to ye Division of the Tents. I gave Order |