To George Washington from Brigadier General Hugh Mercer, 12 August 1776
From Brigadier General Hugh Mercer
Woodbridge [N.J.] 12 Augt 1776
Sir,
Give me leave to Introduce to your Excellencys notice—Colo. Attlee of the Pennsylva. Troops—His experience and Attention to every part of the service entrusted to his direction—will I am perswaded secure to him your Regard—Col. Burd will march this Afternoon with about Three hundred men of the Flying Camp—including One Compy of Rifle men, Volunters, from CumberLd—Commanded by Capt. Steel.1 I intend to have ready at New Ark as expeditiously as possible Two Thousand men—to reinforce the Army at New York—if you think their Services there necessary—I receivd your Letter of yesterday—wrote probably under the apprehension that these posts were in danger of being abandoned2—In consequence of the Postcript signifying your desire that no more Troops after Col. Attlees should be sent to N. York from hence—I shall not order any more over the Ferries, till I hear from Head Quarters. I have the honour to be Sir Your Excellencys Most obedt Sert
Hugh Mercer
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Samuel Burd was colonel of a battalion of Lancaster County, Pa., associators who marched to New Jersey during July to join the flying camp (see Burd to the Lancaster Committee, 18 July 1776, in , 5th ser., 1:412). John Steel of Cumberland County, Pa., apparently marched his independent rifle company to the flying camp about the same time. Steel’s company retained its independent status until 13 Oct. 1777 when GW attached it to Col. William Malcom’s Additional Continental Regiment (see General Orders, that date). On 16 Dec. 1778 Congress incorporated Steel’s company in the 11th Pennsylvania Regiment (see , 12:1225).
2. This letter has not been found.