I have recd your favor of the 29th ulto and am obliged by the intelligence which it contains.

You will be pleased to put your two Companies of Infantry and fifteen of your dismounted Dragoons to be commanded by Lieut. Seymour under the orders of Major TallmadgeYou will readily perceive the reason of not entrusting the object of this detachment to paper as the Express has to pass thro’ an inimical part of the Country.

The inclosed to Colo. Canfield directs him to put himself under your command—You will yourself march with the mounted of your Regiment—Colo. Canfields State Troops and the York State Companies [in such] time that you may certainly arrive in the vicinity of Dobbs’s Ferry by Friday Morning at day break—Upon your arrival near that place you will conceal your whole party behind the Hill, so as to be out of Sight of the River and there wait for orders. You will post a Centry at the Work at Dobbs’s to conduct any person to you with orders.

Circumstances require that this movement should be made with as much secrecy as possible, and you are not to hint to your Officers that you are ignorant of the design—on the contrary make it appear as if you were acquainted with it, and they will be the less suspicious and inquisitive—You will endeavour to have the whole provided with three days provision.