To George Washington from Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 20 July 1779
From Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
Fort Montgomery [N.Y.]
20th July 1779 6. OClock. P.M.
Dear General
Your’s of this date I recd this Moment1—Mr Archer’s Conduct as well as Major Fishbourns was highly Meritorious, the Circumstances you mention of Mr Archers having no Rank in our Line Induces me to wish him to be the Messenger—otherwise from equal Merit Major Fishbourn wou’d expect it—I could spare them both a little time as I shall be Obliged to retire for a few days.2
The Officers who led the Advanced parties were Lieut. Gibbons of the 6th & Knox of the 9th Pennsa Regts—I wish your Excellency not to publish that Letter but the one herewith sent which is more full & Contains t[he] same particulars.3
I every Moment expect a Return of the Prisoners from Major Lee—to whom I have sent express—will you be so Obliging as to transmit me the Return of the Officers taken at Stoney Point—which is rather Incorrect.4
the Return of Ordinance & Ordinance Stores you have already5 the Return of Arms & tents I shall bring up tomorrow6 when I shall furnish you with the Whole Interim I am Your Excellys Most Obt & very hum. St
Anty Wayne
I this Moment learn that the Enemy Re embarked from Stoney point last evening at Gun fire. & that the Shiping remain in the same position they were yesterday.7
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Wayne is referring to GW’s first letter to him of this date.
2. Wayne’s aide-de-camp Henry Waldegrave Archer served as GW’s messenger to Congress with items related to the light infantry’s successful attack on Stony Point, N.Y., on the night of 15–16 July (see 14:890).
For the head wound that Wayne sustained during the attack on Stony Point, which obliged him to retire, see his second letter to GW, 16 July, and n.3 to that document.
3. The enclosure undoubtedly was Wayne’s letter to GW of 17 July.
4. These returns have not been identified, but for the handling of prisoners taken at Stony Point, see GW to William Woodford, 22 July, n.1; see also Andrew Sutherland to GW, 18 July, and Lee to GW, 21 July (second letter).
5. See Wayne to GW, 16 July (second letter), n.1.
6. This return of arms and tents has not been identified.
7. For the British reoccupation of Stony Point on 19 July, see Richard Butler to GW, that date, and n.2 to that document.