To George Washington from Major General Arthur St. Clair, 17 November 1777
From Major General Arthur St. Clair
Dunks Ferry [Pa.] Novr 17h 1777 11 oClock at Night
Sir
Two Gentlemen, one from General Varnum and the other from the Fleet with Dispatches for your Excellency having this Moment arrived, we took the Liberty to open them—from their Contents I fear that our Journey will be to no great Purpose, but it is the general Sentiment that we proceed; and we shall endeavour to take such Measures as may be most conducive to the public Good, and return as soon as possible.1 I have the Honour to be Sir Your most obedient Humble Servant
Ar. St Clair
ALS, MH: Dearborn Collection.
1. The dispatches probably included John Hazelwood’s letter to GW of 15 Nov. as well as James Mitchell Varnum’s letter to GW of 1:00 p.m., 17 November. St. Clair, Kalb, and Knox were able to complete their reconnaissance of the American defenses along the Delaware River and return to Whitemarsh, Pa., on the evening of 19 November.