1From George Washington to Brigadier Generals James Ewing, Hugh Mercer, Adam Stephen, and Lord Stirling, 14 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Lest the Enemy should in some degree avail themselves of the Knowledge (for I do not doubt but that they are well informed of every thing we do) I did not care to be so particular in the General orders of this day, as I mean to be in this Letter to You. As mutch Tim⟨e⟩ then would be lost (in Case the Enemy should a⟨ttem⟩pt crossing the River at any pass within your ⟨guard of⟩ it) in first...
2From George Washington to Lord Stirling, 14 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Repair with all possible expedition to Genl Lee’s Camp—Know his Situation, Numbers, &ca—Send Officers you can confide in to Genls Gates, & Heath, to be informd of their numbers, condition & when they may be expected at Pitts Town. Use every possible means without regard to expence, to come with certainty, at the Enemys strength, situation and movements—without this we wander in a Wilderness of...