1. Steuben enclosed two letters of this date from Maj. Henry Lee, Jr. The first letter from Lee to Steuben reads: “I am happy in acquainting you that your wishes had full effect last night—the British army were thrown into general consternation, so much so that they commenced one hour after we left them a fire among themselves.

“I hear from the best authority that a fleet has arrived from Charlestown with 4,000 men.

“My informant declares he saw Admiral Arbuthnot himself at the point last evening. they commenced building two forts at the cross roads below the town yesterday & have established thrice the num. of men in town this morning. It is necessary that Major Parrs men be immediately releived; that a captain & fifty from the Jersey Brigade join us daily—That the militia be made more punctual in the hour of releif.

“The Je[r]sey detachmt left with me last night are still on duty—the sooner their releif comes the better.

“I am projecting a plan to invite an attempt from the cavalry on my corps tomorrow or the next night. … Excuse the delay of my reports in the morning—I am detained daily by incidental circumstances in writing to you” (DLC:GW).

The second letter from Lee to Steuben reads: “I wrote you this morning—Since which we have some reports that two regts crossed to the point from Staten Island. My officer at Halsteads point has not reported to me yet. I will exert myself to execute your orders brought by the dragoon just now & inform you of my progress therin this evening” (DLC:GW).

GW wrote Steuben from headquarters on 19 June: “I have directed the first Pennsylvania Brigade to be held in readiness in order to move at such time & in such a manner as will best answer your views—Of these you will be pleased to give me notice” (Df, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW). The nature of Steuben’s plans are not known, but he soon asked to be relieved as commander of the army’s advanced corps (see Steuben to GW, 20 June).