To George Washington from Major General Philemon Dickinson, 20 June 1778
From Major General Philemon Dickinson
[Bordentown, N.J., 20 June 1778]1
Dear Sir
Since writing your Excellency a few minutes ago, I received the inclosed from G. Maxwell.2
A Hessian Deserter this moment came in, an intelligent fellow, he say’s, the reason of their marching so slow, is the weight of their Baggage—I suppose plunder—hundreds of the Hessians, were knocked up with the heat of Yesterday. I have the honor to be Your Excellencys most Obt
Philemon Dickinson
Saturd⟨ay⟩ Eveng ⟨mutilated⟩ deserter say’s, their whole army, marches in one column—the Tories carried in 40 oxen, & many Sheep to the Enemy this morng.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. This undated letter is docketed 21 June, but the postscript of “Saturd⟨ay⟩ Eveng” and the contents indicate that it was written on 20 June.
2. The enclosed undated letter from Maxwell to Dickinson reads: “I think it is now beyond all dout that the Enemy will go through the Jersey unless they are Burgoyn’d Mr ⟨Jn joiss⟩ that was sent down upon the Enemys right yesterday to go as far as Capt. Cummings he went 4 miles before Haddenfield found there a Man to be depended on who informed him that a party went down and brought up the New Levey & Refugees yesterday from Billings Port to Haddenfield that Cummings & the Militia had a brush with them he did not see Cummings. The Rear of the Enemy marched from Haddenfield this Morning [20 June] Billings Port was Destroyed when they left it he told me the mens names that was in it since Mr Sparks was one I think from the Story of the man that went by watter & this that went by land and Mr Fosters Account of 15,000 being in 3 Collumns of 5,000 Each all agrees; and that His Excellency General Washington should be informed of it immediately then he may act as he pleases” (DLC:GW).