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fered; and the polite manner, in which you are pleased to request my acceptance of this distinguished mark of their favor, demands my grateful acknowledgments. That the college, over which you preside, may long continue a useful seminary of learning, and that you may be the happy instrument in the hand of Providence for raising it to honor and dignity, and making it promotive of the happiness of mankind, is the sincere wish of, Sir, &c.

TO COLONEL ALEXANDER SCAMMELL.

DEAR SIR,

New Windsor, 17 May, 1781.

I have received intelligence, that a party of the enemy are establishing themselves at or near Fort Lee, and building a blockhouse, or some kind of work. If they are permitted to complete their plan, it will not only be difficult to remove them, but they will harass the country from thence, and may be much in the way of some future operation. When I formed the battalion, which you at present command, it was with a view of having a corps ready to execute a project of the kind, which I propose to you, and that is, to endeavour to strike by surprise the party above mentioned.* You will without loss of time see Captain Lawrence, who commands the New York levies near Dobbs's Ferry, and concert measures with him for gaining certain intelligence of the real strength and situation of the enemy; and, if you find them such as seem to give you a tolerable certainty of success, you will plan your attack in such manner, as shall be best warranted from your

This battalion consisted of four hundred men. colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, and eight captains.

The officers were a

information. The sooner it is done the better, as the enemy, if they are fortifying, will be every day stronger. You will take Captain Lawrence under your command, with the levies of New York and any Jersey militia you may find embodied; but you will trust no officer among them, nor any other but Lawrence, with your design. He is sensible and appears discreet.

As I confide very much in your prudence and judgment, I shall only give you these general directions; namely, to attempt nothing, which may have the appearance of rashness, and to guard well against being drawn into an ambuscade, or being intercepted by a sudden reinforcement from York Island. Captain Lawrence's party, who must be acquainted with every foot of the ground, ought to secure you against the former; and guards, at the practicable landing-places, will certainly prevent the latter. I shall set out in the morning for Connecticut, and shall be absent six or seven days. If you make the attempt, I wish you every success. I am with great regard, &c.*

SIR,

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

New Windsor, 17 May, 1781.

The Count de Rochambeau having received despatches from the court of France by his son, the Viscount de Rochambeau, who arrived at Boston in the frigate Concorde, on the 6th instant, has requested an interview with me. I have appointed the place of

* The party of the enemy, mentioned above, consisted of refugees, who landed on the west side of Hudson's River, and began to repair Fort Lee. They were recalled, however, as soon as Colonel Scammell's detachment marched into that quarter, and the works were abandoned.

meeting at Weathersfield, on Monday next, for which purpose I shall set out hence to-morrow. I am in hopes, that we shall be able, from the intelligence received, to settle a definitive plan of the campaign.

I am sorry to inform your Excellency, that a part of our advanced troops were surprised on Monday morning near Croton River, by about sixty horse and two hundred foot under the command of Colonel Delancey. Colonel Greene, who commanded our party, was mortally wounded in his quarters. The enemy attempted to carry him off, but he died upon the road. Major Flagg was killed. The loss of these two officers is to be regretted, especially the former, who had upon several occasions distinguished himself, particularly in the defence of the post of Red Bank, in 1777, when he defeated Count Donop. I enclose a return of our loss upon the late occasion.*

The enemy on their return fell in with Captain Flagg of the New Hampshire line, who was patrolling near White Plains. They attempted to surround him, and

*From Washington's Diary, May 14th. -"About noon intelligence was received from General Paterson at West Point, that the enemy were on the north side of Croton River in force; that Colonel Greene, Major Flagg, and some other officers, with forty or fifty men, were surprised and cut off at the Bridge; and that Colonel Scammell, with the New Hampshire troops, had marched to their assistance. I ordered the Connecticut troops to move and support those of New Hampshire. In the evening information was brought, that the enemy, consisting of about sixty horse and one hundred and forty infantry, had retreated precipitately." May 16th."Went to the posts at West Point; received a particular account of the surprise of Colonel Greene, and the loss we sustained, which consisted of himself and Major Flagg killed; three officers and a surgeon taken prisoners, the latter and two of the former wounded; a sergeant and five rank and file killed; five wounded, and thirty-three made prisoners or missing; in all forty-four, besides officers."

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In Rivington's Gazette, of May 16th, it is said, that the party, who made the attack, marched from Morrisania under the command of Colonel Delancey, and consisted of about one hundred cavalry and two hundred infantry.

cut him off by dint of superior numbers; but the captain made so good a disposition of his small force, that he brought them off with the loss of two men only. The enemy had a captain and several men killed in the attack. I have the honor to be, &c.

TO THE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE.

SIR,

Weathersfield, 23 May, 1781.

The letter, which I have the honor to enclose from the Count de Rochambeau, will, I imagine, inform you of the intended march of the French army towards the North River, and of the destination of the King's squadron now in the harbour of Newport, if circumstances will admit of the respective movements. I should be wanting in respect and confidence, were I not to add that our object is New York. The season, the difficulty and expense of land transportations, and the continual waste of men in every attempt to reinforce the southern States, are almost insuperable objections to marching another detachment from the army on the North River; nor do I see how it is possible to give effectual support to those States, and avert the evils which threaten them, while we are inferior in naval force in these seas.

It is not for me to know in what manner the fleet of his Most Christian Majesty is to be employed in the West Indies this summer, or to inquire at what epoch it may be expected on this coast; but the appearance and aid of it in this quarter are of such essential importance in any offensive operation, and so necessary to stop the progress of the enemy's arms at the southward, that I shall be excused, I am persuaded, for en

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deavouring to engage your good offices in facilitating an event on which so much depends. For this I have a stronger plea, when I assure you, that General Rochambeau's opinion and wishes concur with mine, and that it is at his instance principally I make to you this address.

If we are happy enough to find your Excellency in sentiment with us, it will be in your power to inform the Count de Grasse of the strength and situation of the enemy's naval and land force in this country, the destination of the French squadron under Admiral Barras, and the intentions of the allied arms if a junction. can be formed. At present the British fleet lies within Block Island, and about five leagues from Point Judith.

The Count de Rochambeau and the Chevalier Chastellux agree perfectly in sentiment with me, that, while affairs remain as they now are, the West India fleet should run immediately to Sandy Hook (if there are no concerted operations), where they may be met with all the information requisite, and where most likely it will shut in, or cut off, Admiral Arbuthnot, and may be joined by the Count de Barras. An early and frequent communication from the Count de Grasse would lead to preparatory measures on our part, and be a means of facilitating the operation in hand, or any other, which may be thought more advisable. I know your goodness and your zeal for the common cause too well, to offer any thing more as an apology for this liberty; and I persuade myself it is unnecessary for me to declare the respect and attachment, with which I have the honor to be, &c.

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