To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 22 October 1778
From Brigadier General Charles Scott
Near Bedford [N.Y.] October 22d 1778
Sir
I have Recd Several Pieces of Intellegence Since I Wrote Your Excellency.1 But as it was only respecting the Imbarcation of the troops without any farther Particulars than that we have already heard, I thaught it onnecessary to Mention it—the inclosd intelligence is from a Gentleman that I mentiond in a letter to You Some time ago who was Recommended to me by Majr Talmadg.2 I think it may Be Depended on. the Nusepaper that Mr Bruster mentions is from London as he writes the majr in his letter of the same date with the inclosd, I will if possable Procure it. the party that I have down is in the Neighbourhood of Volentines hill this morning, they have Made no Discovery of Consequence, I had a letter From Capt. Walls last Night who was then about two miles below Fort Lee. nothing Material. I am Your Excellencys Obt Servant
Chs Scott
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See Scott to GW, 21 October.
2. The enclosed letter that Lt. Caleb Brewster wrote to Maj. Benjamin Tallmadge on this date from Norwalk, Conn., reads: “Intilligence from Long Island, a fleat of about two Hundred Sail Left New York Last Saturday or Sunday [17 or 18 Oct.] Commanded by Admrl Byrum, was Seen on Monday on the South Side of Long Island Standing a S.E. Course, On Sunday a Packet Arrived in New York in About Seven weeks Passage. was Seen in a paper Dated July 1778 Orders Given for the British to Leave New York, keep Rhode-Island and Halifax, Yesterday four Battalions of [Brig. Gen. Oliver] Delancys Corps Ordered to Embark, Crogers [Lt. Col. John Cruger’s] Regt was Seen Marching Down to New York Militia in Queens County are Offered Guns & Accoutrements to turn out as Minute Men but they have not Accepted.
“Orders Given to Draught 200 in Queens County to Serve as Minute Men.
“yesterday two Flags was Seen from N. york Bound to Boston with french Prisoners” (DLC:GW). The August packet from England arrived at New York on Sunday, 18 Oct. (see , 227). The 1st and 2d battalions of Brig. Gen. Oliver De Lancey’s Loyalist brigade sailed with Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell’s East Florida expedition in November.