Two LS: American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress,
National Archives (two)
In this we send you an Account of the most Material Matters
which have happened in the Military department.
The Enemy about ten weeks ago sent a large Party and
destroyed some Continental Stores lodged at Peeks Kill the
value not great, and retreated immediately after. They afterwards
made an Attempt to surprize Major Gen. Lincoln at
Bound Brook which He Vigilantly escaped with the loss of
about 60 Men. Mr. Tryon who is made a Major Genl: was sent
with about 2200 Men to destroy the Stores at Danbury in
Connecticut. Notice was received time enough to remove the
Most Valuable while Genls. Arnold and Woorster raised the
Militia and attacked the Enemy on their Retreat with good
Success. The New-York Paper which may be Considered as
Genl. Howes Gazette makes their loss in Killed and Wounded
104. We may give them Credit for twice the Number. The loss
we Sustained in Stores was chiefly in Salt Provisions and Rum
and we had the Satisfaction of learning that the Cargoes of the
Prizes brought in the same week amounted in the first Article
to double the Quantity lost. Genl. Woorster who behaved gallantly
was Mortally wounded and is since dead. Scarce a Week
have passed without Skirmishing in which we have been very
fortunate.
General Washington has removed from Morriss Town to
some advantageous Ground near Bound and Middle Brooks
within eight Miles of Brunswick and the following is a regular
State of Intelligence received here since the 11th. Inst.
June 11th.
At a Meeting this day in the State House Yard Genl. Mifflin
dispatched for that Purpose from Gen. Washington informed
the Inhabitants that from the late preparations of the Enemy
he had reason to believe their design was by a forced March
to endeavour to possess themselves of Philadelphia. It was
then Proposed and unanimously assented to, to turn out
agreeable to the Militia Law.
A Letter from Genl. Sullivan at Princeton received about 9
this Evening informed that the Enemy at Brunswick had began
to move the Preceeding Night but was prevented by the
Rain.
The Alarm Gun in this City fired at three this Morning answering
the Alarm Guns up the River. Several letters by express
from Bristol mention the hearing Alarm Guns towards
Trenton and Princeton, but that no Express had arrived there
from Genl. Sullivan at Princeton.
Express from Genl. Arnold at Trenton informs, that the
Enemy had moved in the Night from Brunswick, That Genl.
Sullivan had likewise moved from Princeton to some Post on
Rocky Hill with an Intention to harass the March of the Enemy
and thereby favor the approach of Genl. Washington on their
Rear, and that of the Troops expected from Philadelphia.
An Express from Genl. Arnold dated Trenton 14th. 6 O Clock
P.M. received here at half past 5 this Morning, says, that he
had waited six hours hoping to hear from Genl. Sullivan but
had not, that he should set immediately off for Carryls Ferry,
that the reports of the Country were that the Enemy were
Marching rapidly towards that place, and that Genl. Sullivan
was about two Miles a head of them on the same Road.
NB Carryl’s Ferry is the Place where our Boats are Stationed
sufficient in number to Transport 3000 Men at a Time.
Another Letter from Genl. Arnold dated Carryls Ferry 14th 9
O Clock P.M. was received here at 9 this Morning, says that
Genl. Sullivan arrived at that Place about 4 O Clock and had
with him about 1600 Continental Troops and about the same
Number of Jersey Militia making up the Number already there
near 4000, that the Jersey Militia were turning out very Spiritedly,
and that he expected to be about 5000 by the next day
when He should march towards the Enemy who had encamped
at Somerset Court House 8 Miles from Brunswick,
that Genl. Washington continued at his Quarters near Middle
Brook 8 Miles in the Rear of the Enemy who were about 7000.
The above makes up the Chain of Intelligence to Gen. Arnolds
fourth Letter which was received here this Morning and
is printed in the Papers of the 17. and 18th. Instant to which
we refer you.
From Various Quarters lately we have reports but none sufficient
to depend on, that the Enemy will receive no Reinforcements
from Europe, and likewise that a War with France
is inevitable. Gen. Burgoyne is said to be arrived at Canada
without Troops. We have seen a Memorial Presented to the
States General by Sir Joseph York and two answers thereto,
one, “that they had no account to render to him of their Conduct”
the other, “there are no Gates to the Hague.”
18. No New Intelligence
We are Gentlemen your Obedient Humble Servants