X. From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 8 June 1780
X
To Major General Stirling
June 8th 1780. Sunset
My Lord
I am now at the Connecticut farms meeting House, where the Head of our Column is advanced.1 The Troops are halted and will ly on their arms to night to act as occasion may require. If the Enemy begin to cross over to Staten Island and you are well & clearly ascertained of the fact & circumstances indicate that they mean to continue passing—the Troops on your informing me of it or such part as may be deemed necessary for the purpose, will be put in motion; but as I have already observed—I wish the matter with respect to the Enemy’s passing to be well understood and not to be taken up on light grounds, as our moving otherwise might lead to very serious consequence.
And while I am speaking about the Enemy’s crossing—I think it necessary to request your Lordship’s equal attention that they ⟨mutilated⟩ not move against us without the earliest advice, which is an Object they may have still in view & which they may notwithstanding appearance⟨s⟩ to cross endeavour to carry into execution. It will ⟨be⟩ essential that good Centries & patroles should be kept on your left for this purpose—and some Horsemen & trusty persons should also be kept at Halsted’s point least they should after embarking making a landing there or at some place in it’s vicinity and advance from thence.
I shall be found at a House where the Roads fork on this side Springfield.
It will be best to withdraw the Troops which are advanced, a little in the rear of the Town where they will be secure, as you & General Schuyler proposed.2 I have the Honor to be with great esteem & regard yr Lordship’s Most Obedt sert
Go: Washington
The House I stay at is Mr Whitehead’s.3
LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, NHi: Stirling Papers.
1. The Presbyterian meetinghouse at Connecticut Farms, N.J., erected in 1730 and situated on high ground along the main road from Springfield to Elizabeth, had been burned by the retiring British and German troops on 7 June.
2. GW is referring to Elizabeth, New Jersey.
3. GW probably is referring to the house of Timothy Whitehead (c.1703–1779) in Connecticut Farms. The house may have been vacant when it served as GW’s headquarters, because Whitehead’s son, also named Timothy (1735–1805), had sold all the farm animals and household goods belonging to the estate.