Washington, George, 1732-1799. The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 13
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To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS

   Head Quarters, Fish Kills, October 3, 1778.

    Sir: I am honored with your favour of the 27 of September, with the inclosed resolves of Congress; a copy of which has been transmitted to Major General Lincoln, for his information and direction. Being separated from my papers, I am uncertain, whether I mentioned in my last, that the enemy in the Jerseys having received a reinforcement and made some forward movements, I had thought it expedient to detach another brigade thither to act in conjunction with the one already there, together with Pulaski's corps and the militia, and had sent Major General Lord Stirling to take the command of the whole. That I had also ordered Major General Putnam [with two brigades] across the River for the immediate security of West Point and moved a division of troops to this place, to be near that post. I have also come here myself and propose to remain 'till the views of the enemy in the Jersey's are decided; though I have had no reason to alter my opinion, that nothing more than a forage is intended. By the last accounts, they had drawn in their out parties and resumed their first bounds behind Hackensack River at the Liberty-pole and New Bridge.

    That part of Baylors regiment, which escaped, came off in the first instance, and were afterwards brought off in so dispersed a manner, that the number has not been ascertained; but from what I have learned, I should estimate the loss at about fifty men and seventy [or eighty] horses. Major Clough is dead of his wounds. This affair appears to have been attended with every circumstance of cruelty.

    It is a small compensation for this accident, that Col: Butler, three or four days ago, with a party of infantry and horse, comprehending Major Lee's corps, surprised about an hundred Yagers below Tarrytown; killed ten on the spot and took a Lieutenant and eighteen Men prisoners. The roughness of the country facilitated the flight of the rest and prevented the success being more complete.

    The proceedings in the case of General St. Clair accompany this letter. I have the honor etc.

    P.S. I have received advice of the arrival of a Packet from England. 33

[Note:In the writing of Alexander Hamilton. The words in brackets are in the draft, which is in the writing of Richard Kidder Meade, but were omitted from the letter sent. ]