21From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of yesterday inclosing the opinion of Major Thayer the present Commandant at Fort Miflin respecting the defence of that Post —and am happy to find that he and Major Fleury coincide in their Sentiments as to the practicability of maintaining it, in spite of the Enemys Land and floating Batteries —Their Perseverance however may expose them to falling a Sacrifice in...
22To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
I was a great part of last light in Fort Mifflin; It is greatly shattered, but very defensible, had we the Men mentioned in my letter of yesterday. I shall send two Hundred Militia in this Night, They will be able to Work, & fight upon Occasion. What put it into the Enemy’s Head, I cant say, But they kept up a constant Cannonade and Bombardment all the Night, so as to prevent, in a great...
23To George Washington from Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
The Firing is universal from the Shipping Batteries &c. We have lost a great many Men to day, a great many of the Officers are killed and wounded. My fine Company of Artillery is almost destroy’d. We shall be obliged to evacuate the Fort this Night. I am your Excellency’s most obdt Servt Major Talbut is badly wounded, Major Fleury is wounded also. It is impossible for an Officer to possess...
24From George Washington to Brigadier General William Woodford, 15 November 1777 (Washington Papers)
From an Acct just recd from the Gentn who went over Schuylkill, I conceive there will be an occasion for a detachment to March so soon as they make a final report, which I expect this Afternoon. I have therefore to desire, that the division you at present Command may be held in readiness to move with their Baggage (& Provisions agreeable to the Genl Orders of this day) by Seven O’clock...