11To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 3 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Genl Green directed me on his departure, to tarry on this side the river, & assist in protecting the inhabitants from the depredations of the enemy. We have been active in executing the Generals directions, & have visited the shore from this town, down to Sweedsborough, daily. The enemy still possess Billingsport, they have a garrison of four hundred men in that fort, & two nine pounders. Good...
12To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 23 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
On hearing of the enemys excursion I immediately left camp, & moved down towards Darby. Early this morning we sat out on the partizan business; having fully reconnoitred the enemys disposition, whom we found posted in force, tho loose in their position I divided my Troop. Lt Lindsay with Major Clarke whom we accidentally met with took the route towards Chester, while myself with the other...
13To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 4 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s direction I have informed myself minutely with the country in the vicinity of Radnor-meeting-house. To effect the object of your Excellency’s wishes, vizt security to the camp: I conceive it absolutely necessary to establish two posts of horse. The one to appertain to the picquet, & patrole one mile, more or less, in advance of the advanced centinel. The other to...
14To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 9 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
In compliance with your Excellency’s orders received by Lieutenant Lindsay, I have been engaged in acquainting myself with the roads which communicate with the left of the army. Being a stranger in that quarter, it has taken some time to be informed accurately, which is the occasion of this late report. Near the ten mile stone, below the Buck-tavern, the gulph mill road takes out from the...
15To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 18 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
Col. Hellum of the militia, now a prisoner in Philada, in a memorandum of intelligence sent me this day, says, that an officer of the Anspachers engages to bring off three hundred of that corps, provided the command can be ensured him. He also mentions, that there are several persons throughout the country contracting for horses for the use of the Philada, light dragoons now raising. There are...
16To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I am to inform your Excellency of an action, which happened this morning, between a party of the enemy’s dragoons, & my troop of horse. They were near two hundd in number, & by a very circuitous route endeavoured to surprize me, in quarters. About day break, they appeared, we were immediately alarm’d, & manned the doors & windows. The contest was very warm; the British dragoons trusting to...
17To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 20 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
We have at length ascertained the real loss of this day’s action. Four privates belonging to the square patrole were taken, I am told they made brave resistance, & that some of them were badly wounded. The Quarter-master-sergeant who imprudently ran from our quarters prior to the commencement of the skirmish was also taken. The loss sustained stands thus: Taken one sergeant. four privates....
18To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 19 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of your Excellencys instructions I waited on Gen. Smallwood. I received from him every aid, he was able to afford. From enquiry, I found that the country between Christiana-bridge & duck creek abounded in good teams. I immediately furnished myself with a list of the several hundreds that make up the township or county of Newcastle. Into every hundred I detached partys of horse...
19To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 21 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
This country does not answer our excpectation with respect to waggons. Consequently the conveyance of the salt provision &c. collected at this place will not be so expidetious as could be wished. A drove of cattle from seventy to an hundred head, will set out tomorrow from Middletown. We do business very regularly visiting in our route each & every farm, & taking with us every article...
20To George Washington from Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 22 February 1778 (Washington Papers)
We meet with good success in collecting cattle, very few horses are got; this proceeds from the scarcity of that article in this country, fit for the use of an army. We experience every assistance from our friends, and altho the opposite party, which is by far the most numerous in this state, are very sullen on the occasion, yet the wisdom of the measure is so apparent & the behavior of the...